Looking for the best breakfast in Minnesota? You won’t need to look far! Minnesota has a lot to offer culinary foodies and hungry folks widely. The state is widely renowned for its grass-fed beef and high-quality dairy; plus, you won’t find fresher produce than the farms and markets here in the Land of 1,000 Lakes.
Breakfast is serious business in the Twin Cities: consider trying some of the unique and distinctive approaches to everybody’s favorite meal found and favored among the Minnesota locals. While not everyone is eating their breakfast during conventional hours, most agree that these breakfast spots are well worth the visit.
Hungry? Check out these local eateries and establishments for the best breakfast in Minnesota:
1. Turtle Bread
It could be the fresh-baked pastries and sweet treats that set Turtle Bread apart. If you want homemade goodness and a tasty meal, head on over to the Turtle Bread Company with three locations across the Minneapolis area.
Since 1994, customers have been visiting Turtle Bread for their unique breakfast offerings on their own homemade artisan breads. A French bistro, wood fire pizza oven, and Italian café- all under the same roof!
Patrons can grab a quick bite to take with them on the go, or you can sit and enjoy a full, hot meal. What goes better with their fresh bread than a really great cheese? Turtle Bread has an extensive selection of cheeses to offer their diners, too.
2. Glam Doll Donuts
In Minneapolis, Glam Doll Donuts is the place to go to satisfy your sweet tooth. Since 2013, their donuts reign supreme in the Twin Cities- and they are open daily until late afternoon or until they are sold out.
Cake, raised, filled, and frosted donuts await you, but it is likely the heavenly aroma that pulls you inside the door. Crullers, pastries, and fritters, as well as vegan options, too, make Glam Doll Donuts a local favorite for the best breakfast in Minnesota.
Bring the family and enjoy the artistic vibe and works of local artisans while you wait for your breakfast. Check out the photo booth and lounge-style patio, too. Glam Doll Donuts has received kudos and recognition for their delicious donuts- isn’t it time to try one yourself?
3. Fat Nat’s Eggs
Fat Nat’s Eggs has three locations across the city, including their locale in Saint Anthony Village. The most popular item on their menu is the Eggs Bacon Avocado Benedict, served with an amazing and spicy avocado Verde.
This eatery is well-known for its omelets, and the Jacob’s Omelet with carnitas, black beans, salsa Verde, pepper jack cheese, and homemade salsa, does not disappoint! If your idea of the best breakfast in Minnesota is a spicy one, you will be right at home here. Try the Huevos Rancheros Carnitas or the Green chili Benedict- delicious!
4. The Original Pancake House
Wherever you go across the Twin Cities, you are likely to spot one of the seven metro locations of The Original Pancake House. According to locals, this is the place to go for pancakes and the best breakfast in Minnesota!
Their most popular item on the menu is their ‘49er Flapjack’, which is a gigantic and thin pancake served with an array of toppings. This establishment also offers Buckwheat and potato pancakes, as well as their own ‘Breakfast Ribs’, which are a thick, juicy slab of bacon goodness.
You should know that The Original Pancake House is also very accommodating when it comes to dietary requests and sensitivities. For instance, they offer gluten-free and dairy-free options, per request.
Customers widely agree that The Original Pancake House offers the best hash browns in all of Minnesota. But don’t take their word for it—come try them for yourself!
5. R.J. Riches Family Restaurant
The servings at R.J. Riches Family Restaurant in Mounds View are huge! The pancakes are bigger than your head, and sharing is encouraged. The delicious homemade blueberry and chocolate chip pancakes hang off the side of the plate!
The food is more than plentiful- it is also tasty and thoughtfully prepared. The culinary team jazz-up popular fare and turn it into something inventive and delicious. For example, try their Gyro Omelet with homemade Tzatziki sauce.
The most popular item is their Country Fried Steak- and diners feel that it might just be the best breakfast in Minnesota! This is a popular spot so plan on waiting for a table during peak breakfast and brunch hours!
6. Keys Café & Bakery
In the Twin Cities, you may find the best breakfast in Minnesota at Keys Cafe & Bakery. Hungry? You have come to the right place- the portions are very large here! Customers rave about the thick-cut bacon and the house-baked cinnamon and pecan rolls.
Try the Cajun Skillet or the house-made Hash- both very popular dishes and breakfast fare from their menu. Try customizing your own hash with corned beef, roast beef, or Italian style, featuring Italian sausage and fresh veggies- hearty and delicious!
This place even makes their own tasty, sweet-and-tart strawberry rhubarb jam! Try it with a side of toast and a big bowl of their breakfast oatmeal, a bowl of steel-cut oats topped with fruit and nuts.
If you have a sweet tooth this morning, go ahead and try their house-made chocolate cake. It is one of Key’s Café & Bakery’s most popular items!
7. Linda’s Café
Linda’s Café is another spot known for serving the best breakfast in Minnesota. Regular customers in Rogers come for the breakfast skillets—resulting in the restaurant using nearly 225,000 eggs each year!
Whether dining in or taking out, Linda’s Café has been serving hungry customers since 2006. The restaurant is located in an unassuming location and strip mall, but do not be fooled: Linda’s has a lot to offer and comes highly recommended. You will not leave hungry!
8. Jensen’s Café
Dine-in or take-out at Jensen’s Café in Burnsville, serving breakfast all day long since 2005. This eatery has become a hub for locals and diners in the heart of downtown and is a great destination for a great breakfast in Minnesota.
This café has earned awards for its exemplary food- breakfast, lunch, dinner- and their service with a smile. If you are grabbing a bite, Jensen’s is known for its amazing Chipotle Benedict, Swedish Pancakes, and Stuffed French Toast. Another favorite is the Cajun steak and eggs, and their breakfast-take on pigs in blankets.
Compliment your meal with fresh juices, their wide variety of loose-leaf teas, or a cup of locally roasted coffee. Feel like something stronger? Jensen’s serves breakfast cocktails, including their ‘Wooley Mitten’ which is a cup of tasty cocoa with Irish cream, peppermint schnapps, and whipped cream.
9. Oasis Café
Founded in 1957, The Stillwater Oasis Café has evolved into one of the best breakfast spots in all of Minnesota. Previously marketed as a 24 hour, after-bars-close type of eatery, this restaurant became popular and known for its breakfast fare.
Dishes like Prime-Rib hash and breakfast burritos, along with the popular curried veggie scrambler- scrambled eggs with quinoa, cauliflower, carrots, green onions, and melted goat cheese.
The culinary team continues to add to the menu, which is extensive and affordable. The restaurant is chic and clean, but comfortable offering the food you want to eat at a good price.
10. Tobie’s
Tobie’s Restaurant and Bakery are more than one of the best breakfasts in Minnesota, it is a symbol and welcome for travelers and diners across the state. Since 1947, Tobie’s has been serving fresh baked goods and a broad menu of quality food and top-notch service.
When you enter Tobie’s, you are greeted with the tantalizing aroma of fresh-baked bread. Stick around- something hot will be coming out of the oven that you may want to try! Sit down for a three-egg omelet and biscuits with gravy or a plate of Tobie’s special Cinnamon-swirl French toast and a homemade caramel roll.
From a quick snack to-go to a sit-down meal of your breakfast favorites, if you are passing through Hinckley, you must stop at Tobie’s.
11. Hell’s Kitchen
Satisfied diners say that Hell’s Kitchen in Minneapolis is ‘not fancy, but not fussy.’ That describes the cool atmosphere and unique offerings found at this popular breakfast hotspot, employee-owned since 2020.
Hell’s Kitchen is more than a community staple-they are a highly lauded dining experience that has garnered awards and accolades over the past years. The menu is impressive; diners will be hard-pressed to not find their breakfast favorites here but served in a distinctive way.
The Bloody Mary and Mimosa bar is a focal point of the restaurant, and both have received commendations widely.
As for food, patrons strongly recommend the light-as-air lemon ricotta hotcakes and the homemade sausage bread. If you have a sweet tooth, try the huge and toasty-warm pecan rolls served with handfuls of pecans on top; if savory is more your thing, add a side of the State fair cheese curds with sweet pepper jelly for dipping to your breakfast order!
12. Al’s Breakfast
Peek inside the kitchen at Al’s Breakfast and you will notice that it is amiss the usual microwave oven, freezer, and deep fat fryer. This is because the team at Al’s believes that food should be prepared thoughtfully and carefully, from scratch, with a focus on real food made from wholesome ingredients.
Al’s Breakfast has been a benchmark on the breakfast scene in Minneapolis since 1950. The uniquely narrow building seats 14 hungry patrons at their old-school counter. Al’s Breakfast is known by locals for serving enormous portions of favorite breakfast foods done right, and all made from scratch, of course.
Some specialties you will find at Al’s include their homemade pancake batter to take home and prepare- or to dine in and enjoy! They offer special scrambles featuring farm-fresh eggs and unique ingredients that you may choose to have served with their freshly made hollandaise sauce.
Breakfast anyone?
Planning to be in Minnesota? Feeling a bit hungry? Treat yourself to a fantastic meal at one of these spots offering the best breakfast in Minnesota.
The fare in Minnesota is as varied and flavorful as the people that live there! Whether you are starting the day with something fresh and new, or enjoying an omelet after the bars close, check out these establishments during your time in this beautiful state and let us know what you ordered?
Still hungry? Then continue exploring Minnesota food and drinks for a complete culinary adventure!
Ready for more Minnesota advice, info, and guides? Whether you’re a local or a passerby, discover the best of Minnesota that our great state has to offer!
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Born in Madelia, MN, to a now 5-generation Minnesota family, Ryan’s MN roots go deep.
A painter by day, Ryan founded Life in Minnesota in 2013 with his wife Kelly to chronicle their musings on everything Minnesota. Ryan and Kelly are raising their 7 kiddos in Maple Grove, MN.
When he’s not shuttling his kids around to hockey practice, you might find him in the shop working on his leatherwork. Undoubtedly, there will be a family trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area every summer, and of course weekends at Grandpa’s cabin up north in the summer.