{favorite things minneapolis} coffee shop lovin'

I. Love. Coffee.

Black coffee, to be exact. And that means it has to be good coffee because I don't turn my morning java (or afternoon pick-me-up - yeah, that, too) into a milkshake with cream and sugar. I just like it black.


I never intend to take coffee out of my everyday routine. I did that with Diet Coke, weaning myself off of the sweet, caffeinated, nectar gradually until my 2'oclock headaches alerting me to hit the cafeteria for a large DC subsided and I stopped craving it altogether. I can't even finish a regular sized Diet Coke anymore, which is an incredible feat if you know me.

But coffee? That's not going anywhere. I can justify keeping coffee in my diet with all the talk of the antioxidants it contains and the positive effects on your metabolism, etc, but my reasoning goes deeper than that. Maybe too deep, honestly. I just love coffee. I love that I can sink deep into my couch on a Saturday morning and spend time in the Word with a fresh cup of coffee in hand. I love that most of my coffee cups hold some sweet memory of the place I was when I bought them or the people that gave them to me. I love that on a morning when I'm not feeling my best, a cup of coffee can give me the jolt of energy I need to be active in that 9am meeting or enjoy brunch with friends on the weekend.  I love that coffee shops all have different vibes to them and I can sit with my coffee and people watch while writing or skimming through a book. And I love that coffee marks the beginning of a new day. A fresh slate. Yesterday may have stunk, but I've got my coffee, so today's got to be better, right?!

So yes, my daily morning cup of coffee (and the occasional/maybe too often indulged in afternoon cup, too) is here to stay. And when I move to Charlote (in less than 4 weeks!), I intend to scavenge the neighborhoods of NoDa, Dilworth, Elizabeth, Uptown, etc, to find the best coffee shops for reading, writing, catching up with friends, and people watching - just like I did here in Minneapolis. The Queen City has some big shoes to fill, though, as you'll see from the list below.

{favorite things minneapolis} coffee shop lovin':

for "community" - Cuppa Java (Bryn Mawr Neighborhood)

Serving up good coffee (I also love their Chai) and tucked in the quaint Bryn Mawr neighborhood just outside of the city, I've made Cuppa Java a regular detour on my commute home, avoiding 394 traffic by sitting at a two-top right by the window looking out on Penn Ave. The shop is never empty, frequented by friends stopping in for a glass of wine and one of the delicious sandwiches or wraps, neighborhood council members working up an agenda for the next meeting, and fellow readers and writers deep in a book or an article. It's easy to strike up a conversation with other patrons should you sit at the counter but just as easy to dive into a blog post or novel without distraction. If you're looking for cozy, try and snag the nook in the back!

for the baked goods - Rustica (Calhoun Village)
close runner up: Isles Coffee & Bun (Uptown)

The day I first tasted Rustica's chocolate pistachio danish was a game changer for me. It's to-date my favorite baked good in the Cities. It's light, flaky, and topped with two of my favorite things: chocolate. and pistachios (shocking, right?). The shop has an interesting stark vintage feel to it - not great for cozying up with a bestseller but conducive to an afternoon of socializing or writing, should your computer be fully juiced (outlets are few and far between but I cranked out my TFA essay there one Sunday afternoon). The only negatives to this place are that it can get really loud when full, difficult to find a seat (follow the crowd when it comes to food, though, right?) and the staff is less-than-friendly. Really, you're going for the pastries and the incredible drip coffee they serve (it takes a little longer but is well worth the wait).

for friendly baristas - Caribou Coffee (General Mills)

Sorry, I know y'all won't be able to hit up the Gen Mills Caribou Coffee unless you work here, but I have to give a shout out to my favorite baristas in the twin cities. They know your name. They know your order. They say fun things like, "Party hard today, Mary" when handing you your drink. They dress silly at times and make a stressful work day more enjoyable just by stopping down to refill my light roast. They're so great, and I'm really going to miss having them just an escalator ride away.





for live music (& the food!) - Riverview Wine Bar & Cafe (Longfellow)

I typically head to Riverview for the Wine Bar and their incredible seasonal menu that never disappoints (the pizzas are divine), but the cafe shouldn't be ignored. With live music Wed-Sun, it's the perfect place to head on a night where you prefer your drinks non-alcoholic but your activities non-couchy.  

for reading & writing & people watching - Spyhouse (Uptown)



photo from dennis-jansen.com

I happened upon Spyhouse in Uptown by accident. I was supposed to be meeting a potential roommate for coffee in a coffee shop in Uptown but went into the wrong one. It's okay, though. As a result, I got to experience a new shop that peaked my interest with its hip and quirky clientele and delicious chai latte. My friend opted to meet me there rather than me find her (I'm not good at those navigational things), so while I waited I pulled out my kindle and got to reading. I've yet to spend any time writing there, but I know I would enjoy it. And the people-watching is fantastic, as its located in the diverse Uptown neighborhood.





I think my favorite thing about putting these {favorite things} lists together is realizing just how much I've seen and done and explored and tasted in the two and a half years I've called Minneapolis home. I'm so happy that when I leave, I can do so knowing that I truly lived here. That's really sweet to know :)