17 Best Breakfast Restaurants in Minnesota

By Mike Marcotte

Updated September 2026

From giant pancakes and loaded omelets to homemade cinnamon rolls and classic diner breakfasts, these locally loved spots are worth getting up early for.

This list started with hundreds of nominations from people on the Give Me The Mike Facebook page and viewers of Twin Cities Live. I personally visited the five restaurants that received the most nominations, met with the owners and tried some of the dishes they’re known for.

The list has since grown to 17 breakfast restaurants across Minnesota, with favorites in Minneapolis, St. Paul, the Twin Cities suburbs and Greater Minnesota. Whether you’re looking for a neighborhood cafe, an old-school diner or a destination-worthy breakfast, there’s something here for you.

How I chose these Minnesota breakfast restaurants

The original rankings were based on hundreds of nominations submitted by Minnesotans. The five restaurants receiving the most nominations became my original breakfast tour, where I talked with owners and learned what makes each restaurant special.

The additional restaurants on this guide also received strong support during the nomination process. Rather than calling them “honorable mentions,” I’ve included them as part of the complete list of 17 Minnesota breakfast restaurants worth checking out.

Restaurant locations, menus and other details can change, so check the restaurant’s website before making a special trip.

I shared stories of the best spots on KSTP-TV’s Twin Cities Live.

Best Breakfast Restaurants in Minnesota

From Rogers and Mounds View to Minneapolis, Stillwater, Duluth and Albert Lea, these restaurants showcase just how many great places there are to start your day in Minnesota.

Click the name of a restaurant to learn more.

Lindas’ Cafe — Rogers

• Address: 13575 Northdale Blvd., Suite 200, Rogers, MN 55374
• What to know: This longtime Rogers breakfast spot is known for big, classic breakfasts, skillets and pancakes.

• What to order: The Log Cabin Skillet is covered in sausage country gravy and includes country-fried steak. Other standouts include the Minnesota Omelet and Lindas’ Stuffed, French toast filled with Swiss cheese and your choice of ham or sausage.
• Good to know: The restaurant has a relatively small dining room, so weekend mornings can get busy.

Fat Nat’s Eggs — Brooklyn Park, New Hope and St. Anthony Village

• Locations: New Hope, Brooklyn Park and St. Anthony Village
• What to know: Fat Nat’s Eggs specializes in hearty breakfasts with plenty of Southwestern flavors, including homemade salsas, green chile and avocado verde.

• What to order: The Eggs Bacon Avocado Benedict combines bacon, tomato, hollandaise and spicy avocado verde on an English muffin. The menu also includes several Benedicts, omelets and huevos rancheros.
• Good to know: Fat Nat’s has been serving breakfast in the Twin Cities since 2002.

The Original Pancake House — multiple Twin Cities locations

• Locations: Multiple Twin Cities locations, including Edina, Roseville, Eden Prairie, Burnsville and Plymouth
• What to know: The Minnesota restaurants serve pancakes, crepes, waffles, omelets and other breakfast classics, with many recipes prepared from scratch.

• What to order: The 49er Flapjacks are thin, plate-sized pancakes and have long been one of the restaurant’s signature dishes. Potato pancakes and buckwheat pancakes are other popular choices.
• Good to know: The restaurants accommodate many special dietary requests, and the entire menu is available for carryout.

R.J. Riches Family Restaurant — Mounds View

• Address: 2145 Highway Ave., Mounds View, MN 55112
• What to know: R.J. Riches is known for enormous portions, including pancakes that can nearly cover a plate.

• What to order: The menu includes the R.J. Riches Famous Gigantic Pancake, several omelets and skillets, country-fried Benedict and classic egg breakfasts.
• Good to know: Come hungry. This is one of the spots on the list where sharing a pancake may be a good idea.

Keys Cafe & Bakery — multiple Twin Cities locations

• Locations: Multiple Twin Cities locations
• What to know: Keys Cafe & Bakery has been serving Minnesota since 1973 and is known for scratch-made breakfast, bakery items and generous portions.

• What to order: The Cajun Skillet combines hash browns, peppers, mushrooms, onions, andouille sausage, scrambled eggs and hollandaise. Corned beef hash, omelets and Keys’ baked goods are also worth considering.
• Don’t skip: The cinnamon and caramel rolls are a good reason to visit the bakery case before leaving.

More of the Best Breakfast Restaurants in Minnesota

Frieda’s Cafe — Willmar

• Address: 511 Benson Ave. SW, Willmar, MN 56201
• What to know: Frieda’s is a family-owned cafe in downtown Willmar serving home-style breakfast and lunch.
• What to order: Keep an eye out for the homemade caramel rolls along with traditional breakfast favorites.
• Good to know: Frieda’s is open Monday through Saturday and closed Sundays.

B&B Cafe — Albert Lea

• Address: 321 Sibley St., Albert Lea, MN 56007
• What to know: This longtime Albert Lea breakfast cafe is known for home-cooked food and a classic diner atmosphere. The business dates back to 1950.
• What to order: Pancakes and cinnamon rolls are two local favorites.
• Good to know: B&B is a morning destination, so check current hours before making a special trip.

Oasis Cafe — Stillwater

• Address: 806 Main St. S., Stillwater, MN 55082
• What to know: Oasis Cafe sits along Main Street in Stillwater and serves breakfast alongside a larger all-day menu.
• What to order: Breakfast choices are joined by burgers, sandwiches and other American comfort-food favorites.
• Good to know: The restaurant is open daily, making it an easy breakfast option during a weekend in Stillwater.

Jensen’s Cafe — Burnsville

• Address: 12750 Nicollet Ave. S., Burnsville, MN 55337
• What to know: Jensen’s serves breakfast all day and emphasizes made-from-scratch recipes and Minnesota-sourced ingredients.
• What to order: Pancakes with homemade butter maple syrup are a signature, and the breakfast menu also includes omelets, egg dishes and other cafe classics.
• Good to know: Jensen’s is first come, first served and does not accept reservations. Sundays are typically its busiest day.

Carol’s Restaurant — Blaine

• Address: 11888 Aberdeen St. NE, Blaine, MN 55449
• What to know: Carol’s has been a Blaine favorite for more than three decades, serving scratch-made comfort food in a family-run restaurant.
• What to order: Look for traditional diner-style breakfasts and hearty American comfort food.
• Good to know: Carol’s continues to be operated by members of the family that helped build the restaurant.

Al’s Breakfast — Minneapolis

• Address: 413 14th Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
• What to know: This tiny Dinkytown breakfast restaurant is one of Minneapolis’ most distinctive places to grab breakfast.
• What to order: The menu includes buttermilk and wheat pancakes, waffles, French toast, hand-shredded hash browns and homemade corned beef hash.
• Try something different: The corn pancakes add sweet corn kernels to the pancake batter, while the Wally Waffle comes with walnuts.

Peg’s Countryside Cafe — Hamel

• Address: 842 Highway 55, Hamel, MN 55340
• What to know: Peg’s is a locally owned cafe serving breakfast and lunch west of Minneapolis.
• What to order: The breakfast menu includes the Hayshaker with country sausage and eggs, Hamel Hash Browns, chorizo skillets, Benedicts and omelets.
• Something sweet: The Cinnamon Roll French Toast dips a cinnamon roll in batter, grills it and tops it with buttercream icing.

North Pole Restaurant — Newport

• Address: 1644 Hastings Ave., Newport, MN 55055
• What to know: North Pole Restaurant is a longtime Newport neighborhood restaurant serving breakfast and classic American fare.
• What to order: Expect classic breakfast plates, eggs, pancakes and other traditional diner favorites.
• Good to know: North Pole has been part of the Newport community for generations.

Windmill Cafe — Savage

• Address: 5367 State Highway 13, Savage, MN 55378
• What to know: Windmill Cafe is a longtime Savage breakfast and lunch restaurant known for traditional diner fare.
• What to order: Look for pancakes, omelets, skillets and other classic breakfast combinations.
• Good to know: It’s a casual neighborhood spot that has long been a breakfast destination in the south metro.

Duluth Grill — Duluth

• Address: 118 S. 27th Ave. W., Duluth, MN 55806
• What to know: Duluth Grill puts a creative spin on breakfast with scratch-made dishes and plenty of options for different dietary needs.
• What to order: The menu ranges from pancakes and French toast to breakfast bowls, Benedicts and hearty egg dishes.
• Good to know: Duluth Grill is a popular stop for both visitors and locals, particularly on busy weekends.

The Buttered Tin — Minneapolis, Plymouth and St. Paul

• Locations: St. Paul, Northeast Minneapolis and Plymouth
• What to know: The Buttered Tin combines scratch-made breakfast with a bakery known for cakes, cupcakes and other sweets.
• What to order: Breakfast includes egg dishes, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, breakfast sandwiches and other comfort-food favorites.
• Don’t skip: Save room for something from the bakery case.
• Good to know: The Buttered Tin now has three Twin Cities locations, including its newest location in Plymouth.

Hazel’s Northeast — Minneapolis

• Address: 2859 Johnson St. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
• What to know: Hazel’s Northeast is a neighborhood restaurant in Northeast Minneapolis serving creative takes on familiar breakfast and brunch dishes.
• What to order: The menu mixes classic breakfast plates with house specialties, sweet dishes and savory options.
• Good to know: Hazel’s is a popular neighborhood brunch destination, so weekend mornings can be busy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some of the best breakfast restaurants in Minnesota?

Some standout breakfast restaurants in Minnesota include Lindas’ Cafe in Rogers, R.J. Riches in Mounds View, Al’s Breakfast in Minneapolis, Duluth Grill in Duluth, Jensen’s Cafe in Burnsville and The Buttered Tin, which has locations in St. Paul, Minneapolis and Plymouth.

Where can I get a good breakfast in Minneapolis?

Minneapolis breakfast favorites on this list include Al’s Breakfast in Dinkytown, Hazel’s Northeast in Northeast Minneapolis and The Buttered Tin in Northeast Minneapolis. Fat Nat’s Eggs also has multiple locations in the Twin Cities.

What are some of the best breakfast restaurants outside the Twin Cities?

Good options outside the Twin Cities include Frieda’s Cafe in Willmar, B&B Cafe in Albert Lea and Duluth Grill in Duluth. These restaurants offer everything from classic diner breakfasts to creative scratch-made dishes.

Where can I get pancakes in Minnesota?

The Original Pancake House is an obvious choice for pancakes, but several other restaurants on this list are also known for them, including R.J. Riches, Al’s Breakfast, Jensen’s Cafe and Windmill Cafe.

Which Minnesota breakfast restaurants are known for large portions?

R.J. Riches in Mounds View is especially known for oversized portions, including its gigantic pancakes. Lindas’ Cafe in Rogers and Keys Cafe & Bakery are also known for hearty, filling breakfasts.

What are some classic Minnesota diners for breakfast?

For a classic diner-style breakfast, try B&B Cafe in Albert Lea, North Pole Restaurant in Newport, Windmill Cafe in Savage, Carol’s Restaurant in Blaine or Al’s Breakfast in Minneapolis.

Which Minnesota breakfast restaurants serve all-day breakfast?

Jensen’s Cafe in Burnsville serves breakfast all day. Other restaurants may offer breakfast for much of the day, but hours and menus can change, so it’s a good idea to check each restaurant’s website before visiting.

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While you’re here, take a moment to read how I adapted after losing both parents before I was 25 years old and my journey with epilepsy.

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