Coffeesnob63 Senior Member Joined: 9 Jan 2004 Posts: 85 Location: Minneapolis Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Waiting for the GS3 Vac Pot: Aeropress or Chemex
Posted Mon Dec 29, 2008, 9:03pm Subject: Re: Best Shops and Roasters in Minneapolis?
You are going to have to go to St. Paul. Kopplins does indeed carry the best craft, and baristas that have worked there compete in the regional competitions.
In Mpls...it's harder. Common Roots does a pretty good job, but the shots might sometimes be a little much in volume ( that would be my only complaint). They do have two different spros, one for straight shots, one for milk-based drinks. And the food is A+.
Tillies Bean on 28th Avenue and 38th street, has a Linea and a Swift, so you are going to get a pretty good shot there.
St. Paul offers you Kopplin's, & Amore Coffee, and South St, Paul you have Black Sheep.
The May day Cafe on Bloomington Avenue and 35th street has a GB5 and a Swift, and the food and baked goods are to die for. They have good brewed coffee, I think they are using organic milk, and they have a nice homemade caramel sauce. You will find the only homemade, fresh baked Crossiant there in Mpls, and oh my..try the Almond One. Or the Currant creme scone. Hope that helps.
hauschildt Senior Member Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 17 Location: austin, tx Expertise: Pro Barista
Espresso: Expobar Brewtus II Grinder: Mazzer Mini E
Posted Thu Feb 12, 2009, 9:09am Subject: Re: Best Shops and Roasters in Minneapolis?
i'm in minneapolis for a couple days and checked out this thread before leaving. i made the trek east to kopplin's last night and was not disappointed. lovely, lovely espresso, and i also tasted a delightful kenyan single origin made with the clover. man, if that isn't the coolest invention ever... thanks for pointing me in the right direction, all! :)
Posted Tue Sep 15, 2009, 6:29am Subject: Re: Best Shops and Roasters in Minneapolis?
Anyone know if there are any updates regarding the Twin Cities coffee scene? Does Minneapolis have anything yet, or does one need to travel to St. Paul?
Rusto Senior Member Joined: 19 Oct 2009 Posts: 38 Location: St. Paul, MN Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Miss Silvia Grinder: SJ Drip: Bodum French Press
Posted Sat Dec 5, 2009, 6:07pm Subject: Re: Best Shops and Roasters in Minneapolis?
I went to the Rustica Bakery today. In the Calhoun Village 3220 W. Lake st. Excellent espresso. The have a dogwood blend (house blend) and a single origin. The Dogwood was similar to Kopplin's. The single origin was good, but not near as much flavor as the dogwood. They also have the Clover coffee machine and supply Kopplin's with their bakery goods, which rock. It's definitely worth going. I've been to Kopplin's twice. Had a good, but not mind-blowing shot the first time. Second time, had a great one. Tried the Costa Rican coffee from the Clover. Good stuff. I bought some of Kopplin's espresso beans and am totally loving it. Cafe Crema on Lyndale carries Intelligensia coffee, but their hours suck so I haven't been there. Take in mind that I'm a newbie. I'm satisfied with the more than half of the shots I pull on my Aroma. But I'd be shocked if you didn't dig the Rustica.
resting Senior Member Joined: 5 Mar 2005 Posts: 48 Location: washington, dc Expertise: Pro Barista
Posted Wed Dec 30, 2009, 8:25pm Subject: Re: Best Shops and Roasters in Minneapolis?
The annual trip home consisted of...
Was super excited to stop by the new Rustica/Bull Run Roasting spot in Minneapolis. Stopped by to get some beans for Christmas for my family and had a couple nice cups off of the Clover as well as a fine espresso and capp. We also enjoyed good conversation with their staff while sitting at the bar seating next to the Synesso. My wife fell in love with Rustica's bittersweet chocolate cookies which prompted another visit a few days later before coming home to DC.
Also glad to drop in at Kopplins after a fantastic lunch at Meritage in St. Paul. Andrew was there and he said that things have been really busy since they were mentioned in Bon Appetit and the local Metro magazine. As always, the drinks my family and I had were top-notch and I hope the residents of St. Paul realize what a gem they have there.
I need to add that we spent some time in my hometown of Fergus Falls at the newly opened Cafe 116 featuring coffee from the attached Stumbeanos roastery. 116 features a Synesso/Robur combo and some great coffees as well as a good looking lunch and dinner menu. Definitely an oasis in northern MN and I hope that my hometown friends and neighbors will support them.
Rusto Senior Member Joined: 19 Oct 2009 Posts: 38 Location: St. Paul, MN Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Miss Silvia Grinder: SJ Drip: Bodum French Press
Posted Fri Feb 12, 2010, 9:22am Subject: Re: Best Shops and Roasters in Minneapolis?
Have to add Angry Catfish Coffee and Bicycle Shop in south Mpls to the list. Serving Intelligentsia from a Synesso. Well-trained baristas. Excellent cookies from the bakery next door. Peanut butter cookies rooked. Huge, thick, chewy and coated with sugar. A great place to get some heavenly espresso. I went to Crema Cafe a while back. They also serve Intelligentsia. Looked good. Reddish brown crema. But the taste wasn't inspiring. I'll give them another shot down the road. Could have been an off day. But I suspect they are counter folks who happen to make espresso too as opposed to true baristas. They do have the best hot chocolate my wife has ever tasted! Super rich, super creamy.
Posted Thu May 13, 2010, 12:51pm Subject: Re: Best Shops and Roasters in Minneapolis?
My favorite place in the twin cities is Black Sheep in St. Paul. Great coffee and service. They also have a Clover and roast their beans with a Dietrich IR...something. Nice environment for sitting and relaxing with friends/family, awesome sandwiches too. Every time we are in MN visiting my parents we make a special trip to Black Sheep.
Last summer I checked out Kopplins. It was good, was really surprised by the two Clovers. The place is VERY small though, almost impossible to find a seat and the customer service wasn't amazing. Still a fun, good quality shop to check out though.
Unfortunately, in my area we don't even have one good coffee shop, hopefully I can change that someday.
primacoffee Senior Member Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 36 Location: Louisville, KY Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Dalla Corte Evolution 2grp Grinder: Mazzer Mini Vac Pot: Yama Siphon Drip: V60, Chemex, Kone, Wave
Posted Wed May 19, 2010, 6:37am Subject: Re: Best Shops and Roasters in Minneapolis?
thanks for the info, just moved from the Cities for school last summer and wasn't all into coffee back then. Now when I go home to visit family I have some places to try out! I'm kind of surprised there are not more "Third Wave" shops on the east side of Minneapolis - Edina/Eden Prairie, etc. I bet they'd do really well there...
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