In the age of online school and remote work, sometimes you're just more productive in a coffee shop. Headphones on, nose down, laptop open, other people working or studying separately (but together), the grind is just...easier. With multiple seating options, plenty of outlets and great study fuel (A.K.A caffeine), these are the best coffee shops for studying or working remotely in Minneapolis.

Backstory Coffee Roasters

528 Washington Ave N

Located in trendy North Loop, this coffee bar has a full selection of classic espresso drinks, batch brew and pour overs, cold brew, seasonal specialties, pastries and toasted sandwiches. The spacious and visually-pleasing interior is perfect for remote work and long visits with friends.

Dogwood Coffee

East Lake: 4021 East Lake Street
Northeast: 1209 Tyler Street NE
St. Paul: 2700 University Ave W

This chic Minneapolis café prides themselves on their quality-focused roasting. Booths and small tables are among their modernized seating selection, with lamps, couches and a swanky pink espresso machine to set a comfortable contrast. Grab something from their bakery case and browse their sale items on the retail wall! The East Lake and Northeast locations both have semi-private booths, perfect for focusing.

Northern Coffeeworks

4208 S 28th Ave

Step into Northern Coffeeworks near Lake Nokomis and you'll be surrounded by the interests, outdoor scenery and ambiance of Minnesota. They even have a patio to enjoy your drink on during the warmer months. All coffee is roasted in-house and named after classic-Minnesota sites or vibes — like "Boundary Waters," "Cabin Vibes" and "Evergreen." With its quiet and peaceful atmosphere, Northern Coffeeworks is a go-to spot for locals for productivity.

In search of something you know will be good? Visit these coffee shops that are known as Minneapolis institutions. They've gotten so popular you can find them in several areas of the city. It's true that chain coffee shops can sometimes feel too cookie cutter, but each location of these cafes has their own unique vibe and feel.

Spyhouse

Whittier: 2451 Nicollet Ave S
Uptown: 2404 Hennepin Ave S
Northeast: 945 Broadway St NE
North Loop: 907 Washington Ave N

Accessibly located in different yet charming areas around the Twin Cities, four of the five Spyhouse cafes call Minneapolis their home. Each has its own intimate and welcoming atmosphere, with a variety of coffee drinks, made from their own roastery, and other non-caffeinated options. From quaint brownstone buildings, a restored brick and timber warehouse, an old antique store and a modern urban oasis, each Spyhouse location is a picture perfect stop for a quick drink or an afternoon of lounging. Pair your drink with a one of their scrumptious snack options, take a seat and kick back for a while.

Five Watt Coffee

Kingfield: 3745 Nicollet Ave
Lyndale: 3350 Lyndale Ave S
Northeast: 861 E Hennepin Ave UNIT 106

If you like try new and outrageous coffee flavors this is the place for you. Five Watt continues to shake up their menu with one-of-a-kind coffee and espresso-based beverages prepared with unusual ingredients such as cocktail bitters and chicory syrup. Their inspiration comes from craft cocktails and you'll find specialty drinks at each of their different locations.

FRGMNT Coffee

North Loop: 729 N Washington Ave
Mill District: 1011 S Washington Ave
St. Anthony Main: 43 SE Main St

Coffee shops are all about good conversation and good coffee. This minimalist coffee shop has three locations with open spaces — the perfect place for chatting and sipping. Meet up with friends, hang out near the cozy fireplace, or a grab communal table. Their unique, ever changing menu of coffees will keep you coming back. Plus, the Mill District location is right next to indie bookstore Milkweed Books.

Gray Fox Coffee

Deluxe Plaza: 801 S Marquette Ave
Dayton's Project: 700 Nicollet Mall
AT&T Tower: 901 S Marquette Ave
La Salle Plaza: 800 La Salle Ave

With four locations downtown, Gray Fox is a local favorite for unique coffee creations (we love the Nutty Squirrel) and quick breakfast sandwiches. Warm lattes feature stamped designs that are so cute you’ll want to take a picture. Gray Fox is currently only open during the weekdays and be sure to check their hours before you go – they vary at each location.

Ever order a cup of coffee and think "now what?" These coffee shops are for you. Some turn into wine bars at night, one is home to the 2024 World's Best Cinnamon Roll, and you'll even find a record store and bookshop in this list.

Silver Fern

114 E Hennepin Ave

Coffee shop by day and wine bar by night, you can get delicious pastries, charcuterie boards, desserts and more at Silver Fern. Try a seasonal coffee flight or gourmet breakfast sandwich, and you must pair a charcuterie board with a glass of wine in the evening — they're pretty enough to be on the cover of a magazine.

Isles Buns and Coffee

1424 W 28th St

Isles is the perfect spot to cozy up with a great cup of coffee (their own blend!) and their iconic bigger-than-your-face cinnamon buns (winner of the title of World's Best Cinnamon Roll in 2024). Be prepared to share. Made with real ingredients and baked right in front of you in their open kitchen, these buns are the real deal. “Sweet as Grandma” and the perfect spot to get your caffeine and sugar fix. For a smaller treat, try their cookies or puppy dog tails.

Sisters' Sludge Coffee Cafe & Wine Bar

3746 23rd Ave. S.

Sister's Sludge is the perfect spot to turn your cozy afternoon coffee into an early evening happy hour. With plenty of coffee selections, beer, wine, and a full food menu, you're set for the day.

Honour Coffee & Raw Juice

451 Stinson Blvd NE

The space at Honour Coffee is bright with tons of natural light and plant-filled. Grab a cup of their ethically sourced and roasted worldly assortment of brews. Their menu items are health conscious so you can feel good about pairing your coffee with a pastry or two. Not feeling coffee? Try one of their daily-pressed raw juices.

Disco Death Records

721 W 26th St

Vinyl lovers and coffee lovers both need to visit Disco Death Records just south of Downtown Minneapolis. You can shop from several genres of vinyl with a specialty coffee drink in hand. Or, join the several young people who settle in here with their laptops for some productivity time. Try one of their specialty drinks, which have names that could double as album titles.

Inkwell Booksellers Company

426 E Hennepin Ave

Stop into this bookstore, and you'll be delighted to find a full coffee bar inside. Order an iced latte then take your time browsing Inkwell's collection of books, and maybe even settle in to read a few chapters of your new find.

Leave the laptop at home before visiting these coffee shops! Focused on community connections, these spots encourage unwinding, unplugging and fostering relationships with friends or strangers.

Bichota Coffee

3740 Chicago Ave

Open at George Floyd Square, Bichota Coffee roasts specialty coffee right in Minneapolis. Bichota began with the recognition that while many Black and Brown cultures around the world produce coffee, rarely are those cultures reflected in specialty coffee shops in the U.S. You'll find the flavors of where their coffee comes from in their unique menu. Bichota is a self-proclaimed anti-gentrification force — they'll prioritize future coffee shop locations in areas where coffee shops aren't expected.

Northeast Tea House

224 E Hennepin Ave

Tea lovers, this one's for you. The Northeast Tea House is an absolute must-visit, and they operate one of the only authentic Japanese matcha mills in the country. Not only do they serve stellar matcha, they have countless loose-leaf tea blends to choose from. The atmosphere inside is perfect for relaxation, so bring a book or simply sip your tea while savoring quality time.

Thesis Coffee

3142 Hennepin Ave S

To unplug, head to Thesis Coffee in Uptown. Thesis embraces a "slow coffee bar experience" — there's no WiFi or plugins, so settle in to enjoy the atmosphere and whichever record is spinning while you're there.

Uncommon Grounds

2809 Hennepin Ave

Located in a Victorian-style house from 1877, Uncommon Grounds has a unique and cozy vibe met with delicious coffee drinks and one of the best chai teas in the city. Comfy emerald green couches from the old L’Etoile Restaurant in St. Paul and intimate tables along with lush plants, retro floor lamps and interesting art on the walls make you feel like you’re being welcomed into someone’s house. Grab a coffee and stay a while.

No matter what kind of coffee shop mood you're in, these are bound to please! Go with friends, solo or with a good book or laptop in tow and just hang out.

Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea

120 3rd Ave N

Fairgrounds' coffee is made from the best brands from around the globe. Sit at the bar with swings as seats (no joke) or order from the menu of fun names and you'll get why this whimsical place is called Fairgrounds.

Wildflyer Coffee

3262 Minnehaha Ave

This specialty coffee company is dedicated to providing job stability to youth experiencing homelessness. A former Peace Coffee space you can still find some of the beans for sale. The exposed brick, plenty of tables and fresh roasted brews make it a great place to gather.

Wesley Andrews

111 E 26th St

The exposed brick bar and communal tables welcome you into Wesley Andrews and the seasonal drinks and the pastries and treats from local vendors will keep you going back. There's even an outdoor patio in the back so you enjoy your coffee with a little bit of sunshine.

Matchbox Coffee Shop

1306 NE 2nd St

Another gem in Northeast Minneapolis, Matchbox Coffee is worker-owned and known for the best cold press in town. The ambiance here is also 10/10. Relax in the glow of string lights and chat with baristas at the coffee bar, or settle in at a cozy table. And don't skip their locally-baked treats!

Mosaic Coffee

3040 Hennepin Ave

Mosaic Coffee in Uptown was founded on the belief that great coffee brings people together. Known for communal vibes in the coffee shop, it's a great place to unwind with unique espresso creations in hand. While they craft exceptional lattes, Mosaic is known for their espresso tonics. For something adventurous, try their blackberry espresso tonic, or the Alarm Clock: espresso with fresh orange juice and house-made salted caramel syrup.

Pro tip: Grab your coffee at Mosaic and then peruse the shelves at Magers & Quinn Booksellers right next door.