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The Tiny Diner

3.9 (410 reviews)
Closed Closed
Updated 2 months ago

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THE TINY DINER ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Hipster
Casual
Moderate noise
Dogs allowed

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Recommended Reviews - The Tiny Diner

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Beautiful patio in July
Claire L.

This place has the best atmosphere on the patio and great community events. I attended one of their workshop classes that was a lot of fun and well organized. The patio is surrounded by a garden which in July is in full bloom was beautiful. Their farmer's market and live guitar music made the experience worth it. The food was very disappointing and overpriced. The service was fine. I had the Singapore noodles with chicken. Traditionally Singapore noodles are spicy or at least have some spicy to them served with roasted pork and shrimp. I understand their aesthetic is boutique farm to table so the recipe will be different but it doesn't mean put no flavor in or the sauce is just oil and curry powder. The chicken was cooked and flavored well - easily the best part of the dish. The noodles were pretty al dete and had many sauceless spots. The dish comprised of 3 veggies, noodles, very little sauce and the chicken which was $17. This is easily a $7 make at home meal that at least would have more spice and more complex curry flavor. This is one of the few entrees on the dinner menu that as a bonus is dairy and gluten free but its just not good. Please do not get this dish! The BF had the turkey bacon avocado sandwich which was good. The turkey was thick and avocado perfectly ripe and buttery. There are so many places that serve similar and better food.

Bar area
Tricia K.

We stopped in for brunch and happy to be seated right away. The Tiny Diner is super charming and was very comfortable. I ordered the huevos rancheros on recommendation of our server. It came with a plate full of beans on top of fried tortillas, with eggs and I ordered sausage with it. Everything was cooked perfectly, it just had ZERO seasoning. The beans were super bland. I added salt, pepper and hot sauce to jazz it up, but still a bit blah. I'd go back to try other options. My friend had the grilled cheese and said it was great!

Burger and fries with no salt
Jakesa T.

Walking into this establishment gives a cute, diner-type feel. My husband and I visited for a late lunch and sat outside on the patio. It was mostly covered to block the sun, and the seating was typical patio seating. There was a bit of a language barrier with the server, but that was not a problem when it came to ordering; smiles are universal! :) The water served was room temp which was off-putting. the burger appeared to be just a frozen beef patty that you'd find at a grocery store. It had more bread than anything else and looked very unappealing with the cooked onions and sauce, it looked 'gloopy'. My husband's gravy from the biscuits and gravy entree was very thick, stationary, and slightly cold. I don't think I'd return here nor would I recommend it.

a sign on a brick wall
Erica C.

I enjoyed the service and fresh ingredients. The outside dining is open and inviting. I really enjoyed walking through the garden and the ecosystem they created.

Huevos rancheros
Elijah W.

They definitely have one of the best patios around. All around a really cool place and great for littles because they can run around a little bit. They also have bees on the roof which is insane in my opinion! Unfortunately when we went they very extremely understaffed so everything just took a little longer but no one was in a rush and we were just able to enjoy time talking outside. Even though the food did take a while it was all very good with plenty of vegetarian options.

1/4 lb. Plain Grass-Fed Beef Burger
Brenna L.

What a hidden GEM! There was only one person serving on a Friday afternoon but she was so gracious and so excellent. The food and drinks were excellent with little to no wait! The restaurant inside and outside is gorgeous and proudly stands for inclusiveness, community, diversity and equality! Love it.

Long wait Labor Day morning
Lindsey S.

Oh, Tiny Diner. We came on Labor Day and waited about an hour for an outside table (super dog friendly). The food also took about 45 minutes which we weren't warned of when ordering but I did hear the hostess saying after we were seated that it was an hour for a table then another hour for the good. I guess people called in but I doubt many people there planned on spending their entire morning at breakfast. I'd already picked what I wanted before arriving and got the breakfast burrito with the sauces on top. I need more sauce for the upcharge as the soaked in quickly (or maybe just more sour cream or a salsa) but don't think it would have been the same without the sauce so definitely do that! Also had a bloody. It was fine. The concept of the restaurant is cute and love the sustainability!

Burrito
Ava C.

A lot of options to pick from which is great. We sat outdoors but I'm not sure how the indoor seating situation is. The service was great and the food was good but nothing exceptional

Chai
Sharon Y.

Love the concept and outdoor seating at this restaurant (though I don't know how these hardy Minnesotans manage to eat outside in sub-60-degree weather without heat lamps - I've gotten soft from all the years of living in California). The service was adequate, neither outstanding nor horrible. What I didn't love was the food. Started with a chai tea, which was quite tasty. Biscuits were exceptionally large but largely tasteless and a bit on the dry side. IMO, biscuits should practically flake apart and melt in your mouth - these did neither. I did like the house-made preserves, which were quite gingery. Hash browns were unremarkable. The blueberry pancake was really disappointing. There was an adequate amount of blueberries, but the pancake itself was a little greasy on the outside and a bit rubbery and tasteless on the inside. Cute place, but I wouldn't be asking to come back.

Emily Z.

Tiny Diner is a solid 4 in my opinion. Didn't get the inside seating eThey have the cutest outdoor space ever with their fresh gardens surrounding it. I loved the aesthetic of the place a lot and it was perfect for a not-so-hot summer brunch. I got the green onion scramble which was cook with cream cheese (never would've thought of that but it really works). Their hash browns were really good but not the best I've had (could've used a little more favor and crisp). I subbed my toast for a biscuit instead and it was pretty good with the jam that I asked for on the side (it needed some butter but by the time I realized, I was almost done with it). Average though for being a house made biscuit. The drinks were really delicious. I got the grapefruit white wine spritzer and my friend got the orange drink. Both were perfectly sweet (not overly sweet) and refreshing. I loved how we got $4 happy hour drinks anytime as our check in deal on Yelp.

The Dagwood Sandwich
Dylan J.

The Dagwood sandwich was excellent, I was craving it so much I got it for breakfast.

roasted beet salad (perfect)
Denise D.

On the day after Thanksgiving, hubs and I were in the mood for vegetables so when we went to my cousin's to pick something up, we asked if she was hungry and she suggested Tiny Diner. We popped over and luckily there wasn't a wait (it was past the lunch rush). The place is so cute and everyone working seemed content and cheerful. I ordered the beet salad, my cousin ordered some sort of healthy bowl (she does that) that had chick peas in it and maybe kale or something, and my husband got singapore noodles because he was intrigued (even though he said he wasn't going to have carbs. He does that). Everyone loved what they got. If we weren't still hating ourselves from Thanksgiving, we might have gotten the special pancakes to split for dessert-- they sounded amazing (some sort of s'mores thing). We had to go shopping and run other errands, otherwise I would have ordered a beer-- I was very impressed by their beer list, which sounds pretty rare for a diner but maybe isn't for Minneapolis. Will definitely go back!

Menu cover
Tawanda R.

I am a fan of the Tiny Diner. So sad that I have not visited this restaurant before. I'm in the Powderhorn neighborhood at least 2x a week and have road by too many times. DON'T BE LIKE ME! Parking: The lot is pretty small, you may have to find street parking. I however had great parking right at the front door. Ambiance: There's a patio that has a nice ambiance and makes you want to sit outdoors. That particular day i visited... my body craved AC. Indoors, it's larger then you would expect... ample seating. Food: I had the dill fried crispy chicken sandwich and a lavender mimosa. The sandwich was good, crispy, but i left me wanting to ask for more dill seasoning on the side to put on top of my sandwich. It was pretty light. From what i noticed, it's part of the breading. it came with a pickle and a choice of fruit or chips (which Ithink they made). The lavender mimosa was amaaazing. Loved it. Service: My server was pleasant and attentive and the host was pleasant as well. i will be back. I enjoyed my visit.

Cobb salad $13

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Love this place, especially in the summer with the outdoor patio on the garden. Great for dates or families. Farm to table goodness.

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The Tiny Diner Reviews in Other Languages

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Hi-Lo Diner

Hi-Lo Diner

4.0
(674 reviews)
2.4 mi
$$

Stopped into Hi-Lo Diner while visiting Minneapolis because my girlfriend said it was her favorite…read morerestaurant and wow this place gets it. I ordered the Nashville Hot chicken and it was incredible. It was crispy, oversized, extremely hot, I was crying after eating it. My girlfriend got the eggs Benedict, which she loved, and I stole some of. The real star of this restaurant is the donuts and spicy cheese curds though. I would literally travel back to Minneapolis just for those. I think I dream about them in my sleep. The vibe is great inside, it's retro, but not in a try-hard way. Solid service as well they're just so sweet and local. Must try spot if you're visiting Minneapolis.

We sat outside and the service was great. Unfortunately the price is way too high for what they…read moreserve. I ordered a Denver omelette. The veg was a very not cut correctly: chunks of green bell peppers and over chunky sliced onions that were not cooked through. Please stop being lazy and chop your veg and cook the onion . Green salad was hot Not impressed. And the Bloody Mary mix is sub par. However, the diner is cute and service is good. Second visit: had to sit at counter which is fine. They were busy. The bad: Bloody Mary's were flat and expensive $13 each. No depth of flavor, thought we would give them a second chance. . Ordered croquette madame. Egg was severely undercooked - the egg white was gelatatinous and the bread way too thick, ham fatty and subpar, where were you Béchamel? I took a bite of my breakfast and he hands me a box at the end when I asked for the check--not asking if anything is wrong. Two bites out of the spring mix salad and sandwich. Bloody Mary full. $70 for a salad, madame croquette, slow service which is no problem. It's a tiny diner and around lunch time. No worries there. But uncomfortable dining service because we could feel the tension between the server and bartender. Again for me? NBD but my daughter did not appreciate this. The good: the Mediterranean salad was delicious according to my daughter. She had the same thoughts about the Bloody Marys. Super cute beer backs- pony miller high life. I brought the croque madame home and my son loved it. Went on and on about how amazing it was. In all fairness my adult kids loved their food. He did microwave it to cook the egg through. Yes I know I am picky because I worked in the restaurant industry for over 22 years. And I can make better food at home. I just expect a bit more if I am going to drop $70 for two lunch entrees and two drinks. Not including the tip. Bottom line: I would not go back for this very expensive diner that doesn't know how to properly cook simple things. Or chop veg. Or make a drink.

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Hi-Ali Diner!
Hi-Ali Diner!
Spread of Breakfast Foods - Gary Cooper, Eggs Benedict, Pancakes, Burrito, and Spicy Cheese Curds
Spread of Breakfast Foods - Gary Cooper, Eggs Benedict, Pancakes, Burrito, and Spicy Cheese Curds
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Al's Breakfast

Al's Breakfast

4.2
(640 reviews)
3.4 mi
$$

Al's Breakfast is an old fashioned diner experience in a modern world. If you are expecting any…read moreelegance at all, go elsewhere. It is tiny and efficient. 14 seats and you are elbow to elbow with the person next to you. The whole restaurant is maybe 15 feet wide. If you have been to Ideal Diner, that place is spacious compared to Al's Breakfast. When you arrive you wait in line, standing right behind the 14 people who are eating. When a seat opens up they will clear it, then whoever is next in line gets to sit. If the open seat is at the other end of the bar you really have to suck it in to let them pass. The servers may not be what you are used to. They are not there to ask about your day, be friends, and make you feel better about yourself. They are there to take your order and serve your food. We did not experience the rudeness others have reported. In fact we were seated next to some regulars and the server stopped to talk to them a bit. There was one waitress who was a bit crabby, but even she wasn't rude, just busy. The food was really good. I had blueberry pancakes. They had a lot of blueberries in them, and were really good. Next time I will order them without butter on top because they do come with a large slab of butter on top. If you like butter it is great, but it was too much for me. My partner had buttermilk pancakes, eggs, and bacon. Everything was really good. The bacon was crispy and delicious. He didn't think it was too much butter. During our meal we had to scoot down a seat to allow room for another diner. Again, not elegant, but it is what you have to do to feed people in this space. It is important to note that they only take cash or checks - no credit cards. Also, if you think you can skip the wait by ordering takeout you are wrong. You are not allowed to order takeout until it is your turn and you are seated at the counter. In the space they have they can only cook for 14 people at a time and special treatment for takeout would mess up the flow of the place. They know exactly how to run a restaurant of their size, so go with the flow and don't expect special treatment in any way. Once you are done eating pay your bill and get out. There are people waiting for your seat and it is rude to linger. Parking is street parking, and it is not handicapped accessible. If you need any sort of accommodation I would not recommend this place. They simply don't have the time or space to do anything but serve food.

Long before we moved to the Twin Cities, I saw a segment about Al's on the Food Network. I don't…read moreknow why but it really stuck with me over the years. Being a breakfast aficionado, I have no idea why it took me so long to get to Al's. My husband, who is out of the house a lot more than me, has been there several times. He has been trying to get me to go there for months. And finally we made it in February. At the time, with all the political things going on in Minneapolis, Yelp actually told me I could not write a review at the time. So I am glad now that I can come back and leave this five-star for them. So as many have said, Al's is about as old school diner as you can get. One line of stools, 14 seats or something like that. Just like Matt's Bar, there's an impossibly tiny grill and the chef makes the most amazing things on it! My husband adores the wally blues pancakes. I do think they are super tasty. They have nuts and berries and are just about the most tasty pancake you've ever had. Get one to share even if you order something else. He got the corned beef hash, which looked like basically everything you would ever want that dish to be. I got the classic benedict (the dish by which I judge all breakfast places). It was SO GOOD. It's an english muffin and a big thick slice of ham, plus the perfectly poached eggs. But the real true thing that makes this dish just baller is the generous helping of hollandaise sauce. Thick and luscious and seriously the most lemony hollandaise I have ever ever tasted. It was so good. I tried to be a lady but eventually was just sticking my finger in the leftover sauce and licking it like a toddler. I would have seriously licked the plate. The guy behind the counter smiled and said, "Yeah, our hollandaise sauce will ruin you." And he was right. Can't wait to go back for another helping. Cash only, no bathroom, street parking. Come prepared. We happened to go close to the 1 p.m. closing time and didn't have to wait at all. Pro tip.

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Love the inclusive atmosphere
Love the inclusive atmosphere
Blackberry and chocolate chip flapjack
Blackberry and chocolate chip flapjack
Line moves fast and talk about a view lol

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Line moves fast and talk about a view lol
Hen House Eatery

Hen House Eatery

4.1
(1.5k reviews)
2.9 mi
$$

​I absolutely love Hen House Eatery! Getting out for brunch is a real treat for my husband and me,…read moreand this is always such a fun outing for us. ​The vibes here are fantastic, but as a gluten-free person, what really makes my tummy happy is that they can make almost anything on their menu GF! For breakfast, I ordered two slices of their cinnamon French toast, served with two eggs and bacon. To drink, I treated myself to a delicious, beautifully layered tiramisu latte. ​Another thing I absolutely love is their grab-and-go bakery case. It is so rare and refreshing to see so many clearly labeled GF treats, like their Lemon Bars and Almond Cheesecake. We couldn't resist taking some goodies to go, so we went home with a lemon bar and one of their GF Fruity Pebbles bars. ​If you're looking for a delicious, incredibly gluten-free friendly brunch spot with a great atmosphere, you have to check this place out!

Absolutely loved this gem of a breakfast place while I was in Minneapolis for a work trip! I…read morestopped by twice and both times got the tostadas - once with carnitas (my fav) and once with the chicken tinga. They also had a delicious iced banana bread latte on their special menu...the banana bread cold fold was so, so good. The second time I stopped in, I was with a coworker and they tried the avocado coffee...which was interested. It was similar to a smoothie consistency, but was definitely not my cup of tea. Overall, great service, quick meal and really delicious food.

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My favorite saying hahaha
My favorite saying hahaha
Chicken Sausage, Cinnamon Whip French Toast and Crab-baby Eggs Benedict.
Chicken Sausage, Cinnamon Whip French Toast and Crab-baby Eggs Benedict.
Bloody Mary!

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Bloody Mary!

The Tiny Diner - newamerican - Updated July 2026

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