By Bakio · Last updated · Independent. No paid placements.
Minneapolis has always punched above its weight in specialty coffee, and the scene here leans methodical rather than flashy. This is a city that takes its roasting seriously—you'll find careful sourcing, transparent pricing, and roasters who've been refining their craft for years rather than chasing Instagram trends. The action concentrates in Central Minneapolis and Northeast, where warehouse spaces and industrial neighborhoods have given roasters room to grow without the rental pressures of coastal cities.
What sets the Twin Cities apart is a pragmatic approach to coffee: these roasters aren't trying to reinvent the wheel, they're just spinning it really well. You'll find thoughtful blends alongside single-origin offerings, approachable pricing that doesn't sacrifice quality, and a mix of styles from bright, fruit-forward Africans to more traditional darker roasts. Whether you're looking for a reliable weekday workhorse or something special for the weekend, these six roasters represent the best of what Minneapolis has to offer—and they all ship.
The Minneapolis scene at a glance
- ●Northeast's industrial spaces house multiple roasters, keeping overhead low and quality high
- ●Blend culture is strong here—roasters take their house blends as seriously as single origins
- ●Pricing runs notably lower than coastal markets while maintaining specialty-grade sourcing
- ●The scene skews practical over precious—coffee geeks and everyday drinkers shop the same roasters
- ●Ethiopian naturals and washed coffees dominate the single-origin offerings across most lineups
- 1
UP Coffee Roasters
23 coffees tracked·avg US$5.80/100gUP runs one of the deepest catalogs in the city with 22 offerings that swing from approachable blends to Ethiopian single origins. Their pricing strategy is smart—entry points under $2 per 100g get people in the door, while their premium offerings like the Monstera Hoodie show they're not afraid to source ambitious coffees. They lean heavily on blends and Indonesian coffees, which tells you they're roasting for versatility and body rather than chasing the brightest fruit bombs on the market.
Editor's pick
Try the Café Del Fuego for $17 (12.5oz)—a solid workhorse blend that won't break the bank for daily drinking.
- 2
Peace Coffee
19 coffees tracked·avg US$4.91/100gPeace built its reputation on fair trade and organic sourcing before those were coffee industry buzzwords, and they've maintained that commitment without letting quality slip. Their 19-coffee lineup leans heavily on Latin American origins—Colombia and Peru feature prominently—and their blend game is strong. The pricing sits in that sweet spot where you're getting specialty-grade coffee without the specialty-grade guilt, and their Twin Cities blend has become a local standard for good reason.
Editor's pick
Try the Twin Cities for $18 (12oz)—it's the house blend that locals keep coming back to, reliable and clean.
- 3
Spyhouse Coffee Roasters
16 coffees tracked·avg US$8.69/100gSpyhouse operates at a noticeably higher price point than most Minneapolis roasters, but they're backing it up with serious single-origin work. Their catalog reads like a specialty coffee world tour—Ethiopia, Rwanda, Honduras, Burundi—and they're listing producer names on the bags, which means they're buying traceable, relationship-driven lots. The roast style skews lighter to showcase origin character, and if you're the type who wants to taste terroir in your cup rather than just drink caffeine, this is your spot.
Editor's pick
Try the Ethiopia / Banko Gotitti for $18.50 (10oz)—classic washed Ethiopian profile at a fair price for the quality.
- 4
Dogwood Coffee
12 coffees tracked·avg US$6.51/100gDogwood strikes a nice balance between approachable and ambitious—their blend names like MIXTAPE and REC LEAGUE suggest they're not taking themselves too seriously, but the sourcing (including traceable single origins like their Suke Quto) shows they're serious about the coffee itself. They're working with Colombia and Ethiopia heavily, and their pricing lands right in the middle of the Minneapolis market. The vibe reads as 'coffee for people who care about coffee but also have other interests,' which is refreshing.
Editor's pick
Try the MIXTAPE for $19.50 (12oz)—their house blend that's built for everyday drinking without the everyday boredom.
- 5
Coffee Works
4 coffees tracked·avg US$5.50/100gCoffee Works keeps it simple with just four offerings, all blends, and a clear focus on what they do well rather than trying to be everything to everyone. Their Jump Start lineup leans darker—actual dark roasts labeled as such—which is increasingly rare in specialty coffee's light-roast-dominated landscape. The natural-process dark roast approach gives you body and sweetness without the charcoal bitterness that plagues bad dark roasts, and at $5.50 per 100g for a full pound bag, they're competing on value.
Editor's pick
Try the Jump Start Espresso Blend for $24.95 (1lb)—a natural-process dark roast that actually tastes like chocolate, not an ashtray.
- 6
City Girl Coffee Co.
4 coffees tracked·avg US$4.70/100gCity Girl delivers the most accessible pricing in the Minneapolis specialty market while maintaining organic certifications across their lineup. Their four-coffee roster covers the roast spectrum from Blondie Brazil (light) through to La Francaise French Roast (dark), which makes them a solid landing spot if you're shopping for a household with different preferences. The Honduras and Brazil single origins show they're sourcing real coffee, not commodity-grade beans with a specialty label slapped on.
Editor's pick
Try the City Girl Organic Honduras for $15.99 (12oz)—straight-up medium roast single origin at an entry-level price.
Also worth knowing about
- 7
Up Coffee
2 coffees tracked·avg US$0.75/100g
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Map of cafes, roasters, and specialty stores in Minneapolis, with prices and quality scores.
Open the Minneapolis map →Frequently asked questions
Who are the best specialty coffee roasters in Minneapolis?
Top specialty roasters in Minneapolis include UP Coffee Roasters, Peace Coffee, Spyhouse Coffee Roasters, Dogwood Coffee, Coffee Works. Each is ranked by independent quality data — expert cupping scores, awards (Cup of Excellence, Good Food Awards), and community reviews. See live ranked list at bakio.co/best-roasters-in/minneapolis.
How many specialty coffee roasters are in Minneapolis?
Bakio tracks 33 coffee venues in Minneapolis, of which 7 are specialty roasters with online retail. Updated regularly.
What does specialty coffee cost in Minneapolis?
Specialty coffee in Minneapolis averages around $6.08 per 100g (about $21 for a 12oz bag).