By Bakio · Last updated · Independent. No paid placements.
Minneapolis's coffee scene grew up quietly, without the coastal fanfare, but that's part of what makes it genuine. The city's roasters cluster in Northeast and Central Minneapolis, turning Mid-City Industrial warehouses and neighborhood storefronts into roasting operations that prioritize substance over Instagram aesthetics. You'll find a mix here: cooperative-minded roasters focused on ethical sourcing, newer operations leaning into single-origin transparency, and a few old-school players who still know how to pull a proper dark roast. What ties them together is a Midwestern lack of pretension—these roasters care more about what's in your cup than what's on their merch table. With six solid roasters offering online retail, you've got options whether you're chasing fruit-forward Ethiopians or just want a reliable weekday blend that doesn't require a tasting journal.
The Minneapolis scene at a glance
- ●Northeast Minneapolis has become the de facto roaster district, with multiple operations in former industrial spaces
- ●Blends still matter here more than in coastal cities—nearly every roaster features house blends prominently
- ●Price points skew accessible, with most bags landing between $16-23 for 12oz
- ●The scene leans collaborative over competitive, with less of the territorial energy you find in Portland or SF
- ●Single-origin transparency is growing but still shares shelf space with approachable, unnamed blends
- 1
UP Coffee Roasters
24 coffees tracked·avg US$5.78/100gUP runs the widest lineup in town with 22 coffees ranging from a shockingly affordable $1.47/100g entry point to premium blends. They're clearly not afraid of variety—Blend, Ethiopia, and Indonesia dominate their roster, suggesting they're covering both crowd-pleaser territory and origin-focused offerings. The pricing spread tells you they're serving multiple audiences, from budget-conscious daily drinkers to folks willing to spend $55 on a specialty bag.
Editor's pick
Try the Café Del Fuego for $17—it's one of their core blends at an everyday price point that won't punish your wallet.
- 2
Peace Coffee
19 coffees tracked·avg US$4.91/100gPeace Coffee built its reputation on fair-trade commitment and cooperative relationships, and their 19-coffee lineup reflects that ethos. Colombia, Peru, and house blends form the backbone of what they do, with consistent pricing around $18 per 12oz bag. They're the roaster your environmentally conscious friend won't shut up about, but the coffee backs up the mission—solid, approachable roasts that don't require a degree in coffee science to enjoy.
Editor's pick
Try the Twin Cities blend for $18—it's a hometown tribute that works as both drip and espresso.
- 3
Spyhouse Coffee Roasters
20 coffees tracked·avg US$8.46/100gSpyhouse operates at a noticeably higher price point than most Minneapolis roasters, averaging $8.69/100g, and they're putting that money into producer-specific lots. Their naming convention—Ethiopia / Banko Gotitti, Honduras / Otilio Leiva—signals they're chasing traceability and direct relationships. With Ethiopia and Rwanda featured prominently, they're clearly courting the bright, fruit-forward crowd rather than the second-wave dark roast contingent.
Editor's pick
Try the Ethiopia / Banko Gotitti for $18.50—it's their most accessible single-origin and a solid introduction to their sourcing style.
- 4
Dogwood Coffee
12 coffees tracked·avg US$6.51/100gDogwood brings a clean, modern approach with blends named like playlist titles—MIXTAPE and REC LEAGUE sit alongside region-specific offerings like their washed Ethiopian Suke Quto. They're priced in the comfortable middle ground around $19.50-23 per bag, targeting coffee drinkers who want transparency without the specialty-grade sticker shock. The blend-forward lineup suggests they value consistency and repeatability as much as exotic microlots.
Editor's pick
Try the ETHIOPIA // WASHED SUKE QUTO for $23—it's a straightforward expression of classic Ethiopian processing at a fair price.
- 5
Coffee Works
7 coffees tracked·avg US$5.56/100gCoffee Works keeps it simple with just four offerings, all blends, all priced identically at $24.95 for a full pound. Their Jump Start lineup and Sweetfire blend cover the roast spectrum from light to dark, with actual roast levels listed—a rarity that suggests they're serving customers who know what they want and don't need origin storytelling. This is utility coffee done right, for people who drink it daily and don't want to overthink it.
Editor's pick
Try the Sweetfire Blend for $24.95—it's a full pound of medium-light roast that'll last you through the work week.
- 6
City Girl Coffee Co.
10 coffees tracked·avg US$4.70/100gCity Girl keeps the pricing aggressive at $15.99 across their four-coffee lineup, all organic, all single-origin or close to it. Their French Roast "La Francaise" and Blondie Brazil show they're spanning roast levels while maintaining that sub-$5/100g price point. It's a small, focused operation that's competing on value without sacrificing the organic certification—good for budget-conscious buyers who still care about sourcing.
Editor's pick
Try the City Girl Organic Honduras for $15.99—it's a medium roast that delivers solid, clean coffee without the specialty markup.
Also worth knowing about
- 7
Up Coffee
11 coffees tracked·avg US$0.78/100g - 8
Dogwood Coffee Company
3 coffees tracked·avg US$6.42/100g
See every coffee shop in Minneapolis
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, Spyhouse Coffee Roasters, Peace Coffee, Dogwood Coffee, Up Coffee. 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 8 are specialty roasters with online retail. Updated regularly.
What does specialty coffee cost in Minneapolis?
Specialty coffee in Minneapolis averages around $5.59 per 100g (about $19 for a 12oz bag).