10 of Greater Minnesota’s Best Coffee Shops

Some coffee shops do a few things very well, but full-service Blue Heron excels at everything. Since 1998, this bright and airy spot has been serving scratch-made food and sustainably sourced coffee from family-owned roaster Alakef Coffee in Duluth. 

In a rush? Grab a quick drip brew to go. Got a little time? Have a seat with a slower and more complex pour-over coffee or a flavored latte. One taste will turn you into a regular for life. 

Food-wise, there’s something for everyone too, including Nepalese-inspired egg salad with toasted cumin and mustard seeds on homemade bread, turkey and brie with chutney, and all-day breakfast featuring chai-spiced oatmeal or a daily frittata.

Since 2015, this small but mighty local, independent coffee company has kept Rochester fueled and funky, offering great brews, signature drinks, and a variety of community-focused events, including monthly open mic nights and live music. Co-owner Will Forsman started as a coffee shop dishwasher and fell in love with the caffeine dream: He now oversees both Cafe Steam and its sister company, Colorway Coffee Roasters, which keeps the three Steam locations stocked with freshly roasted beans.

Former director of coffee for Duluth Coffee Company, Charlie Comnick, opened this lovely roaster-retail outfit in Two Harbors with his partner Emily in 2022. It feels like their love letter to the North Shore — a warm embrace shared by the space and the coffee itself. 

Sink into specialty drinks with wonderfully creative flavors, such as apricot and honey, raspberry jam, or hopped water and blue agave, and enjoy the couple’s calming 1,500-square-foot roasting facility and coffee and tea bar.

This coffee company offers more than just delicious brews and a vibrant third place for locals: It’s built on principles of ethical sourcing, going out of its way to ensure the farmers, growers, and producers behind each bean earn a sustainable living. Founder/owner Eric Faust has developed long-term relationships with farmers worldwide, negotiating prices directly with them and visiting them whenever possible. 

Not only does Faust buy high-quality coffee thanks to this closer collaboration, but the extra care and attention his team puts into doing business this way leave a better taste in your mouth with each cup.

In Sweden, “fika” is a community-driven coffee break, typically accompanied by something sweet to nosh. In Lutsen, about 20 minutes south of Grand Marais on the North Shore, Fika is a cozy coffee roaster and shop where you can meet or make friends, sip something delicious, and daydream about the adventures being fueled by that caffeine. 

Pronounced “FEE-kah,” the decade-plus-old coffee company started out in owner Josh Lindstrom’s shed but now boasts wholesale partners throughout the state and plans for a bigger roasting facility and HQ in Grand Marais.

Women-owned and independent, this shop aims to start your day off right: fresh, house-made popovers, pies, and filled handheld breakfast treats complement the classic menu of coffee and espresso-based drinks. Owners Jess Prill and Cathy Collinson have combined their individual passions for art into a joint venture that celebrates the ephemeral joy of a moment’s break, a shared coffee and a chat between old friends, and a community-centered venture that picks downtown Faribault up every morning.

Mandy’s is named for owner Mandy Cardinal, who opened this downtown favorite in 2015. What’s the secret of Mandy’s Coffee & Cafe’s success? Everyone is welcome, from the regulars who come twice a day to the tourists who come to town once or twice a year. 

The menu is classic (try a divine iced mocha or one of the house specialties, like the maple surprise with white chocolate and maple spice syrup); the art is local and eclectic; and the baristas are warm and friendly. What’s not to love?

Kerlis Blanco grew up in Cartagena, Colombia, where her grandmother taught her to make rich, delicious brews. When Blanco moved to Detroit Lakes, she wanted to create something special for the community and remind herself of home, so she brought a little bit of the Colombian coast to Minnesota’s lakeland. 

Colombian-grown coffee shines here, from espresso and a dulce miel latte to the signature Tikitiki Jack, a gently sweetened espresso drink with steamed milk, white chocolate, vanilla, and raspberry, named for Blanco’s beloved Labrador retriever.

A little blue coffee shop with a big heart, this Native-owned drive-in offers lattes, mochas, and a daily dose of happiness on the Fond du Lac Indian Reservation. Co-owners and spouses Jackson Shipley and Lyz Jaakola purchased the small shed in 2021 and relocated it to their family property, where they sling espresso and smiles from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Don’t miss the signature maple latte featuring syrup from nearby Spirit Lake Native Farms , and be sure to always say “miigwech” (thank you in Ojibwe) to the barista.

Whether you’re an Ely local stopping in for your usual, a Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness adventurer picking up a bag to brew at each portage, a freelancer looking for a beautiful co-working space, or a date-night seeker interested in wine tasting events, Northern Grounds is the place for you. 

Stop by the Roasting Room three doors down from the cafe to see where Northern Grounds’ small-batch roasting is done; both are members of the Jasper Company hospitality group’s holding, along with the Resort on Jasper Lake.

Check out Minneapolis-St. Paul's best coffee shops.