Quaint, clean and very good coffee options and baked products to go with the coffee! Great place to have a relaxing conversation and coffee!

Great space for all people, kids through adults! The guy helping (I believe owner) was very helpful and kind. He even asked what color was our favorite for our cups He gave recommendation and even was funny at times. The prices are reasonable and the service was great. You can tell it's a family business..the owners adorable grandkid came out of the back wanting a cookie The play area for kids was busy but lined with tables and parents were generally watching their children well. Lots of toys and books for all ages! Highly recommend. read more

Nice coffee shop with great pastries and other food items. Very popular with the locals.

The best coffee shop in the twin cities, especially for bringing your kids and fur babies! Their maple latte is my favorite!

I stumbled upon Sovereign Grounds after having my blood drawn at the Health Partners just down the street. I had fasted for several hours and wanted to treat myself to a coffee and something sweet. Sovereign Grounds was packed with customers for a Monday mid-morning. The cafe is very cute with big windows to let the sun in and a colorful kids playroom in the back. An older gentleman behind the counter (I believe he's the owner) greeted me and took my order quickly. I was delighted to see they had not one but two gluten free bakery options (blueberry muffin bread and PB cookies). I got the cookie, an iced coffee with oat milk and a bag of beans. The owner thanked me for buying their in-house roasted beans and then asked, "you new to the area? I've never seen you before." I replied that I had gotten my blood drawn just up the block. He then said, "Oh! You must be famished if you've been fasting. Here, have another cookie on the house." How sweet! It really meant a lot and the cookies and coffee were delicious read more

Great neighborhood coffee shop and more. Coffee drinks very good and made to order and sandwich, deli-style lunch items. Parking near-by. Good place to stop in after a movie. read more

I love this place! The coffee is great, the prices are perfect and the owner and staff are so nice!

We have lived in this neighborhood for 11 years and are proud to call Sovereign Grounds our neighborhood coffee shop. Early in our tenure we came so our kids could enjoy the play area. Now they come with their friends to grab a smoothie or bakery item. It's great to see how this place is such a big part of their growing up. The service is outstanding, quick, and personal. Hakan, the owner, knows your name from the first time you come in, and makes you feel at home by greeting you by name every time you come back. Excellent coffee and even better baked goods, all made from scratch. Salads are often Middle Eastern inspired and universally excellent. read more

The first time I went, I had to leave because there was just one man working the counter, and about four customers in line and it took about 8 min for the man to take the order and complete the couple of drinks. I knew I'd be in line for quite some time as the service was slooooooow. There were other workers who seemed to just be hanging while one guy was doing it all. I also wasn't aware of the ambiance before arriving, loud, with a large play area for kids and there always seems to be a lot. Probably wouldn't be a good study / work environment. I decided to give it another chance, seeing as it's just across the street from me. It was quicker service and the cold press coffee was good. Nothing special. The lentil soup was warm and flavorful. I'd prob just drive down to Caribou where service is more prompt and the employees are more friendly. read more

I enjoy taking my toddler out to kid friendly spaces. I like how this cafe has a room for kids to play at no cost. But the four times we have gone there, my daughter gets very sick. This past week we got a nasty stomach bug which went through the whole family. I'm worried they don't clean the play equipment and toys. It's very sticky and there are so many toys everywhere that look really old. I think this kid-friendly cafe can be a great place, but I think cleaning needs to be a priority where the workers take shifts to sanitize every few hours. And maybe get rid of some of the toys. I don't think that many is needed. read more

I love this place! As a nanny it is the perfect place to have a chill morning! The staff is amazing and super friendly as well! Recommend this place to all my friends! With or without kids;) they also have really good pastries and sandwiches! read more

Went here for the first time just now and I thought they had fresh sandwiches, ordered the turkey cheddar, gross! Old tomatoes, stale bread! 6$ for this and I'm going to throw it out because it tastes old and stale read more

Sovereign Grounds - Yuk - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

The Turkish roast coffee is the best! It is dark, extremely smooth and less acidic. Drink it there or get it fresh ground to bring home.

This is still one of my favorite places to bring my kids during inclement weather. The newly remodeled playspace is large, comfortable, and has a new "shoes off" policy that will help keep it cleaner than the old space. I see new toys including a train table, bigger playhouse, caterpillar tunnel, and a play kitchen. I do miss the slide and the climbing structure. It's pretty easy to find indoor activities in Mpls, but spaces with toddlers to climb and slide inside for free are rarer. I also miss the interesting murals that covered the walls in the old space. The menu and drinks are the same as ever. Lots of little snacks and juice boxes for the kids, coffee and cake for adults. Nothing fancy and not much GF stuff, but still one of my favorite coffee shops. Hakim can always convince me to buy a pound of his Turkish Roast to take home with me. read more

Sovereign Grounds - The new playspace is amazing! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

See all

Love getting some coffee and a snack and being able to take my daughter to play here. Such a great shop in the neighborhood.

You must try the spinach pie. Take it home and heat it in the oven (not microwave) at 350 till crispy and brown. You will thank me (and Hakan) for the rest of your life. And it wouldn't hurt to get a freshly baked dessert like carrot cake or a scone or muffin. Don't say I didn't warn you. AND the coffees not bad read more

I lived close to this place for a long time and it was my first time there today. It is a great little coffee shop with a very family touch to it there is even a kid play room inside I thought it was so kind and sweet of the owner to put that inside the place and they fresh ground their coffee. Every shop I go to I always get a ice coffee latte and this place has great coffee here I definitely recommend it for friends and family's coffee is definitely a 10 Out 10 here I definitely be coming back here read more

Sovereign Grounds - Ice Coffee Latte $3.50 ! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Best coffee and best service! The owner is so friendly and always makes you feel welcome. This is the only coffee place that I'll go to. Great local spot in the Hale/West Nakomis neighborhood. read more

My favorite neighborhood coffee shop! Service is always quick and the food and coffee is delicious. My favorites are the iced miel and a peanut butter cookie! And some Turkish beans to go! read more

I came here on a Sunday morning at about 10 with my toddler and met my friend and her 2 children (3 and 6) and came purposefully for the play area so the adults could chat and kids play. It's a big coffee shop, and then a separate playroom for young kids. The play room also had plenty of tables and chairs for the parents. You had to take shoes off but I suppose you don't want to track in water and mud. There were quite a few other kids. There was a play gym with slides and a big variety of toys. My guy was pretty shy at first but seemed to have fun. My friend's kids had a great time too and my friend and I could catch up. They have a bathroom in there too. There are also bathrooms out in the main area. They had a great selection of bakery items and a few different lunch items. They had a good variety of pre packaged kid snacks too, smart! Oh and a drinking fountain. I wish there was more on the breakfast front. I had the quiche and a coffee with a peppermint flavor shot. It's a great idea and I'd probably go back even though it's 25 minutes from me. read more

Sovereign Grounds - My quiche - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

The children's play area (???) was larger than the actual cafe it seemed and it was definitely a hot-spot for families with small children. I had a pretty long wait and there were way too many kids there for a coffee shop. The service seemed pretty friendly but the coffee was Not Great and, as someone who is not kid-friendly, I could not see myself coming here again. read more

VERY cool coffee shop. It's divided into two rooms. One room is for the adults; the 2nd is for the adults...with kiddos. Both rooms have tables that you can enjoy your beverage or meal at. The owner has been running this great place for over 20 years. He knows his customers by name and it feels like he's genuinely interested in them. It goes both ways. Very nice atmosphere in that respect. Food is good. You can get pastries, desserts, salads, sandwiches, soups...there's a selection. Some are unique, too...not your typical items (i.e. Turkish lentil soup). The room that is for adults and kids? BRILLIANT. Honestly. You can enjoy your coffee or lunch - solo, on a date with your spouse, with a friend - as your kids play with a number of different toys. Love it! I will definitely be back. read more

This place is really cute: mismatched tables and chairs and old, worn sofas but in a very inviting way, you know? And there's a play room in the back for kids. Wifi is pretty fast, the tea selection is actually pretty wide, and there are large beautiful windows at the front at which you can sit and just people watch. Bathrooms are pretty clean, too. Cons: The guy at the register was really apathetic. The place isn't very professional-looking, but I think it doesnhave charm. For example, the tea selection is just a bunch of boxes of tea stacked on each other on a tray, and you dig around for a flavor you want (they give you a cup of hot water). I liked this, but be warned: this isn't a place like Caribou Coffee or anything. read more

Bumping up to 4 stars because WiFi has improved and the owner Hakan is such a delight. Get the salad sampler or lentil soup!

This place is so Tasty! The GF quiche was so good I ate the whole piece. The coffee is excellent. It's some of the best coffee I've had in Minneapolis! If I had room for it I would go back for a white chocolate raspberry scone, too. Next time! read more

Sovereign Grounds - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Wish this gem more closer to where I live. I'd be in there a lot. I had heard about this coffee shop but today was my first time visiting. I arrived around 1:30 in the afternoon and the place was busy but there were still choices for me as to where to sit. The kids room was rocking. I approached the counter where a few other people were waiting to order. When it was my turn, I was warmly greeted by the white-haired Gent behind the counter, "I haven't seen your face before." It was Hakan, the owner. He knows his regulars! I told him that I had heard of this place but that was my first time visiting. "Are you hungry?" He asked. And when I said I was, quickly recommended something yummy for me to try. I had the gluten free herb and tomato quiche. It was gluten-free because it was full of hash-browns potatoes. It was really good and I would recommend it. I spent about an hour and a half doing some work on my computer before my friend joined me. By then the place had cleared out a little bit as moms with little kids left to pick up older kids from school. My friend - who had a gigantic tuna sandwich- and I were able to enjoy a cozy chat before heading our separate ways. I will definitely go back sometime soon. read more

If you really like good quality coffee, and a laid back , neighborhood atmosphere, this is your spot. Coffee is very good (beans roasted on site), and reasonably priced. Full Espresso menu, and a good selection of teas. They also sell beans. But, for a baked treat, go across the street to Turtle Bread. Haven't been impressed with the selection of baked goods....but I'm picky, and when I know there are Turtle Bread yummies just steps away, I'm probably not giving SG a fair shot. Pluses for super friendly service (I've only ever seen the owner, who's great), and the decor reminds me of cool college-town coffee places. Great place to bring the kids, as there's a side room with toys and books. read more

Nearby coffee shop for me and it obviously has a local following. Owner knows all the regulars well and was very helpful w/ me being new to the area. The baked goods are delicious, especially the strawberry rhubarb bread. Large space so parents w/ young kids can rampage on one side while others who want a cup of Joe and some solitude can coexist. read more

I LOVE Sovereign Grounds! As the mama to a super active, curious, hates-to-sit-still ten-month-old guy, SG sort of saves my sanity. I can hang with my husband or girlfriends (or go solo and have friendly chats with other parents) without constantly having to get up and walk my kid around the coffee shop or have him fight the fact that we are sitting at a table while boring adults talk. NOPE! Enter Ye Olde Play Area, full of toys (stimulation!), kiddos of varying ages (development), and parents sitting on the perimeter sipping their coffee and letting their babes explore (sanity!). The people who work there and the owner are amazing, too. They're not too cool to engage with the smiling babies who come into their shop, are always gracious and patient, and genuinely seem to enjoy having us there, as crazy as all of us families can be sometimes. The food is about as good as you can get at a coffee shop, too. The quiche is made with hash browns and is decadent and delicious. There are morning-glory muffins filled with cranberries, carrot, apple, walnuts, and they goodies. There's a savory curried-cauliflower salad (fave!), and lots of grab-and-go sandwiches. Some tips: Please read the sign in the play area and follow the guidelines out of respect for everyone. That means pick up the toys your honey is playing with (or the mess of food all of our new eaters leave on the floor and table). Hang back if your kid or family is sick and an obvious drippy, sneezy mess. Babies put their mouths on EVERYTHING. Germs don't need any help spreading around, as much as I love giving my guy's immune system an opportunity to develop. Also, don't let a SUPER-WALL-TO-WALL-PACKED playroom deter you. Every time I've been there, I walk into basically zero room and babies piling on top of each other (exaggerating. Mostly.), and within ten minutes it's cleared out and just a few littles remain. Non-baby people, fear not: the actual coffee shop is pretty well protected from kids running amok and squealing babies. You'll be able to hang out on your laptop and get your work done, I promise. Just don't get too bothered by envious glances from moms who can't remember what it was like to be in your shoes not so long ago. :) read more

I think it probably says something when you're not really the target audience at an establishment and you can't really do what you'd planned to do but you still come out feeling a great deal of warmth towards said place. This isn't necessarily the best place to get work done when you have a ton of work and a deadline you're freaking out about because the other half of the space is a children's play area and though it's a different room, there isn't a door (or if there is, it's left open) so you get to hear happy squeals from next door and adorable little girls randomly run into the 'adult' area to give the parents itemized proof that they are now big enough to claim rights to a whole cookie. Pretty much everyone who came in had a good chinwag with the owner and then turned around and found 1 or 2 other people they could look genuinely happy about seeing. Got me feeling like a part of a community even though I wasn't really. This is probably why I keep moving. Of course I need to talk about what I did eat since that's actually what a cafe is technically about though I personally think it's beside the point in this case. For a beverage, I just got tea and I loved that you just get a mug of hot water and then are left to your own devices with a drawer full of nearly all flavours of tea known to woman. Perfect for me as a bad decision maker as I can spend a lifetime deciding what to drink without dragging some poor barista into wasting his/her lifetime waiting for me to make up my mind. And I may not even have to make up my mind 'cause there are opps for flavour mixing, mmmmmmm ginger/lemon/strawberry. Sadly, I have to say I was not a big fan of the banana bread though that may be in part due to the fact that I recently found a recipe for ginger-banana bread and may now look upon all ginger-free banana bread with scorn. So you may not get a lot done but when you're all set to pull out your hair and are buried in charts and graph, maybe some human contact may not be such a bad thing for perspective. read more

I've been meaning to stop by for ages, since this place has quite a reputation among my mom groups/friends as a good place to meet friends with small kids. I have toddler twins, so when an old friend came to town, I suggested we meet here. This is a GENIUS idea for a coffee shop. (Ginkgo in St. Paul has a similar small play space, but it's much more limited). I was able to catch up with my friend in peace while my toddlers ran around in utter delight, playing with all the toys, "shopping" in the kitchen, pushing carts around, and reading books. They even ate a muffin and some veggie straws (they stock a ton of kid-friendly snacks and foods, which is key). I had the broccoli salad and a REALLY good ham and havarti sandwich with fresh tomatoes and some kind of wonderful spread. The ham was thick-cut and perfect. My kids tried various muffins and pastries (rhubard bars, chocolate-chip muffins, a brownie) and they were all yummy. I was pleasantly surprised by how good the food was. Some other reviewers have noted that it's noisy, and that this makes it a poor place to get work done. Well, as a college professor who does 95 percent of my work in coffee shops (see the aforementioned note about having two toddlers at home) I would kindly suggest that you find somewhere else. There are plenty of quiet-as-a-pin coffee shops that cater to adults. There are very few that cater to families with children, and they're appreciated. It's right on the website--the ethos of this place is intentionally aimed at families with children. So if that's not your thing, fine -- but it's silly to knock this place for being what it is. I wish I lived closer-- I'd be back often. As it is, it'll have to be a special occasion visit, but we'll definitely be back. read more

Great local coffee spot, ideal for kids too! Gets busy when it's raining in the kid area!!!!! Good coffees and home cooked foods! read more

This is an awesome place to duck into for a delicious cuppa. The atmosphere is dark and mellow. The owner likes to treat his customers right. read more

Slow down, put the book/magazine/kindle you've been dying to read in your bag, and grab a cup of coffee here. Not a cardboard cup with a sleeve, a mug. Then have a baked good-eat some carbs...they're good for you :) This coffee house is a mecca for chilling out. The coffee is amazing. Put the keurig k cup down and head over here. You'll thank me later. read more

Found this place on a Saturday morning while my son was delivering newspapers. Got a huge piece of quiche, a mocha and a cinnamon roll. The quiche was warmed up for me and pretty tasty though it had more potato in it than I would have liked. The cinnamon roll was good but it special. The mocha was great and I appreciate that the barista stirred the chocolate into the coffee. As others have noted, the space has two different rooms. There is a mix of old wooden tables with varying chairs offering different levels of comfort. There are only two big comfortable chairs if that's your thing. In general, this was a nice place to get a bite and the coffee was great. I really liked the ambiance and it seemed like a regular gathering place for locals which is usually a good sign. read more

The owner, Hakan, is a wonderful person and business owner. Since their big redo- they have more space and a better layout. It's a great place for a quick cup of Java, or a place that you can take up a table for hours chatting with a friend, and the owner will never make you feel rushed. They have a wonderful playroom for kids in the back, and the movement/realignment of things has really helped keep the noise down. Buy your coffee beans here because they are roasted here on site and they are perfect. There's really nothing bad about this place - no criticism that I could think to offer. read more

Fantastic espresso coffees, great bakery items and all at a great price. Love this place. I always get a large cap with an extra shot

This guy has ran this space as a coffee shop for something like 15 or 19 years. Can't recall because as he was telling me, I was distracted by his great deal on organic (maybe fair trade) coffee; buy a pound ($12) and get a half pound free. Good brew too. The owner is the guy running the place and takes pride in his work. Nice bro. read more

Love love love the remodel that Hakan of Sovereign Grounds just completed. This coffee shops has been a favorite of mine pre-remodel and now it is just BEAUTIFUL. It is a friendly neighborhood spot. Half the coffee shop is dedicated to kids. It is so nice to have a place to bring the kids where they can behave like kids. For those without children, the other half of the coffee shop is a beautiful space to sit and enjoy your coffee while having adult conversations. Hakan makes you feel special by remembering your name and is fun to chat with. Get a group of friends together and bring the kids along, it makes for a perfect morning. read more

We are new to Minneapolis, but heard about this delightful place when searching for things to do with our one year old. We live on the other side of town, but visit at least once a week. The owner is the friendliest gentleman you will ever meet, the coffee is fantastic, the pastries are all delicious (love the strawberry rhubarb bread and white chocolate raspberry scones!), and the play space is incredible. Most of all the warmth and community that flow in and out of here is amazing. read more