Best Restaurants for Afternoon Coffee in University of Minnesota

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodMexicanJapanese

Regions

Twin Cities / MinneapolisTwin Cities / Northern SuburbsTwin Cities / St. PaulTwin Cities / Western Suburbs

Neighborhoods

BloomingtonCalhoun IslesDowntown / Loring ParkDowntown / Mill DistrictDowntown / North LoopDowntown St. Paul

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

57 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

1. Tullibee

4.7

Exceptional(1489)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Farm-to-table • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 26 times today

Tullibee celebrates the lakes and woods cuisine that is so deeply woven into the fabric of Minnesota. Named for a fish native to our Minnesota waters, Tullibee is a tribute to our beautiful state and brings its fresh and authentic flavors to each dish we serve. Under Chef Marque Collins lead, Tullibee's new menu is curated with intention to allow guests to try multiple items on the menu. We will be serving more smaller portions of the menu items meant to be ordered many at a time on a rolling basis throughout the meal allowing guests to experience different options. Come and experience the flavors of the North! Tullibee is a taste of Minnesota. *Reservations are for Tullibee only. Our lounge and rooftop bar are seated on a first come, first served basis.

2. Blondette

4.6

Exceptional(115)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Downtown / Mill District

Booked 1 time today

A local favorite, Blondette is a brunch restaurant located on the fifth floor of the historic Rand Tower Hotel in a bright, glass-covered atrium with an outdoor terrace and firepits and one of Minneapolis’ only retractable roofs. Blondette offers a casual brunch each weekend from 9am - 2pm that highlights the best of American cuisine fused with local ingredients.Blondette also offers curated holiday menus for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Eve, Easter and Mother's Day. SPECIAL OFFER: The 2,000 sq. ft. restaurant is available for private dining, reception events or a full buyout for up to 80 people. Book an event by March 31, 2025 and 10% off your event package!

A photo of Hell's Kitchen Minneapolis restaurant

3. Hell's Kitchen Minneapolis

4.6

Exceptional(5874)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 82 times today

Comfort food with an upscale twist...In the heart of downtown Minneapolis, appropriately located in a beautiful underground space, you'll discover Hell's Kitchen, an employee-owned restaurant known for its damn good food. Join us for breakfast, lunch, dinner or drinks 7 days a week, and enjoy REAL comfort food made by chefs who care, described by food writers as "unique but not fancy; interesting but not fussy". Almost everything is made from scratch, from our award-winning peanut butter to our unique dips and dressings, winning us over 67 "best" awards as well as accolades in Gourmet Magazine, Conde Nast Traveler, Midwest Living, and other national magazines. And bring the kids along... you should see the cheeky notes they write to us!"Rather than rave on, let us just say if you're in Minnesota and want to wow your tastebuds, go to Hell's Kitchen. It is inspired and inspiring." (Jane & Michael Stern, NPR)

4. The Copper Hen

4.6

Exceptional(2223)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Whittier

Booked 19 times today

Welcome to the award winning premier farm-to-table restaurant and bakery in Minneapolis! Serving incredible comfort food from scratch - including chicken pot pie, steak, an incredible brunch, Easter brunch, Mother's Day brunch, and more! Enjoy an amazing cocktail list, beer on tap and wines by the bottle and glass. Also, great for large groups.

A photo of Oceanaire Seafood Room - Minneapolis restaurant

5. Oceanaire Seafood Room - Minneapolis

4.7

Exceptional(6874)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 35 times today

The Oceanaire provides the perfect setting to enjoy the freshest seafood flown in daily from around the world. Our knowledgeable staff will delight you with exceptional service — guiding you through the wide variety of items on our menu and helping you select the perfect wine to complement your meal. You'll find out why The Oceanaire has been voted one of the best seafood restaurants in the country.

6. Bar Rufus

4.1

Excellent(2)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Downtown / Mill District

Booked 1 time today

NEWLY REOPENED! Bar Rufus is a sophisticated restaurant and bar located on the street level of the historic Rand Tower Hotel. Open for breakfast, dinner, coffee, and cocktails, Bar Rufus features an all-new modern American menu with an elevated twist on classic gastropub fare like braised beef, cheese curds with spicy honey, and charcuterie & cheese along with inventive cocktails and a curated wine list. Coffee connoisseurs can enjoy the finest Italian Lavazza coffee, including the signature Lavazza espresso martini, which pays homage to the timeless appeal of café culture. Whether starting the day with an indulgent breakfast or winding down with an elegant dinner, Bar Rufus promises to be a gathering place where history and modernity meet in perfect harmony.

A photo of Nicollet Island Inn restaurant

7. Nicollet Island Inn

4.7

Exceptional(3464)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 15 times today

The Nicollet Island Inn has stood witness to over a century of change on the shores of the Mississippi River. The Inn is consistently named the most romantic restaurant in the area and its river views have been voted some of the best in the city. An immediately recognizable Minneapolis landmark, the Inn offers world-class cuisine created by Executive Chef Michael Rain , whose innovative and constantly updated menu includes a variety of seafood, steaks and gourmet specialty dishes. Our wine menu has been chosen specifically to compliment the food and highlight producers from the world's leading wine regions.Nic's bar, just off the main dining room, is a casual, old-world tavern and the patio offers stunning views of the Minneapolis skyline. The Inn is a convenient, comfortable destination for breakfast or lunch meetings while the 3 or 5-course Sunday Brunch is the perfect weekend indulgence.

8. Zelo

4.9

Exceptional(4168)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 39 times today

At Zelo, we serve simple, fresh Italian cuisine made from local ingredients. Our handcrafted meals accompany a thoughtful, approachable wine selection. We believe dining is more than a menu: it is an experience, and ours is quality. When you’re our guest, our staff learn your name and remember your favorite glass of wine. We passionately commit to bring you the full dining experience – quality food and wine presented with welcoming service. Every meal. Every day. Please join us. An enduring Minneapolis destination, Zelo was opened in 1999 by Rick Webb, a Minnesota restaurateur whose pursuits have set the standard in Twin Cities dining for over 40 years. Looking for another unparalleled dining experience in the south metro? Visit Rick Webb’s acclaimed Ciao Bella, the restaurant that inspired Zelo’s handcrafted food and dedicated service.

A photo of Melting Pot - Minneapolis restaurant

9. Melting Pot - Minneapolis

4.6

Exceptional(2877)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Fondue • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 33 times today

Bring your big appetite to the big city. In downtown Minneapolis, The Melting Pot is your quintessential fine-dining restaurant. Start with freshly made salads and handcrafted dressings before you skewer succulent strips of steak, and finish the smorgasbord with our famous chocolate fondue. Desserts rank high here, and just like the complex taste of our entrées, there’s something to be said of our artisan cheeses and luscious chocolates. But in our cozy corner of dessert paradise, we’re more than just a classy addition to Minnesota’s culinary scene. We are casual and approachable, which makes us an excellent choice for reconnecting with long-lost friends, updating loved ones about your life, or simply breaking the ice on a romantic date.

A photo of The Nicollet Diner restaurant

10. The Nicollet Diner

4.5

Awesome(110)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Breakfast • Downtown / Loring Park

Booked 2 times today

Visit our scratch kitchen, where you can enjoy breakfast anytime! We also serve fresh burgers, sandwiches, soup, salad, and ice cream 24/7 in our classic diner! We are the only 24-hour restaurant in downtown Minneapolis, serving top-quality ingredients for a hearty meal day or night. We are conveniently located on Nicollet Mall next to the Minneapolis Convention Center.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

T
Tanisha
Minneapolis - St. Paul •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Wonderful experience! The food and staff were amazing.
More info
Earl GilesPrice: Moderate• American• Northeast Minneapolis
•
4.8
J
Jessica
Minneapolis - St. Paul •1 review
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
I've been here twice and both times were lovely! Highly recommend visiting this place! I will be back.
More info
UNION RooftopPrice: Moderate• American• Downtown / North Loop
•
4.5
P
Pamala
Minneapolis - St. Paul •1 review
5.0
Dined on Jul 15, 2025
Service was great & restaurant was bright and clean. The salad (caesar) was just ok. Not really worth the $.
More info
Nolo's Kitchen & BarPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• Downtown / North Loop
•
4.7
D
David
Minneapolis - St. Paul •2 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jun 20, 2025
Had a great time eating Brunch on Friday! The service was fantastic and the bagel & lox was delicious, also well presented!! Definitely will be going back!
More info
The Copper HenPrice: Moderate• American• Whittier
•
4.6
M
Mahin
Minneapolis - St. Paul •5 reviews
4.0
Dined on May 11, 2025
A classy and delectable spot, with friendly and professional service, and beautifully refreshing cocktails. Would be 5 stars, except the 6 oz. ribeye steak I ordered medium-rare came out medium. The server did notice this and offered to have it replaced, but I was quite hungry and it was otherwise deliciously seasoned. It would have been nice to have the steak portion only comped, but c'est la vie, it's only brunch.
More info
BlondettePrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• Downtown / Mill District
•
4.6

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