Best Art-Inspired Coffee Houses In The Twin Cities
Love coffee, food and art? Gone are the days of kitschy wallpaper and lights, coffee shops are showcasing masterpieces on their walls and menus. We take a look at some of the Twin Cities' cafés that are serving art-loving diners coffee, food and spectacular views of art.
This hot spot in St. Paul's Lowertown serves up locally roasted coffee, an extensive wine list and a lineup of local beer, but it also serves as a venue to showcase great local artists. Keep an eye out for live music, solo and group art exhibits, readings and spoken word performances. And for the arty types, Black Dog holds Artists Happy Hours, where filmmakers, musicians, actors and playwrights can get together and network—and enjoy specials on beer and wine.
Listed in our roundup of Best Coffee Shops in Minneapolis for its great atmosphere and stellar coffee, Spyhouse sources from some of the finest coffee roasters. For the over-caffeinated, they also have organic bread and pastry items (try the croissants and rosetta cream cheese mini-cakes). But don't forget to check out the great art showcased in the space—they also have exhibitions, featuring work by local artists such as Dennis Conrad.
Coffee, comfy chairs, outdoor seating, free wi-fi—and local (and often, very unique) art adorning the walls. Caffetto in Uptown has all the things art-loving coffee fiends like in their coffee shops (they also have a wide variety of cold sodas and beverages). There is a certain charm in the space's grungy interiors, but this spot might just be the perfect spot to sketch, write or get inspired. Crafty types should not miss the Caffetto Arts & Craft Fair on Sunday, July 24.
Located two blocks from Target Field, this spot is a haven for lovers of coffee, music and art. Tasty sandwiches and soups (and of course, coffee drinks) are on the menu but customers also come back for the great music events (no cover!), and art showings. Artist Kurt Hippauf recently had his work displayed throughout the café, and recent bands that have played at Corner Coffee include Dream of the Wild, Seth Conover and Ariel Strasser.
A café located in the All My Relations Art Gallery (a part of Native American Community Development Institute), Pow Wow Grounds is the perfect spot to get a cup of coffee (or smoothie, sandwich, pastry, and wild rice products) after seeing the gallery's contemporary fine art by American Indian fine arts. Owned by Robert Rice (White Earth Ojibwe), who also co-owns the 42nd Street Station, the coffee shop also features a community wall of youth art projects.
