I visit this original Dunn Bros coffeehouse in between sporting events at Macalester College. It was only a quick 7-minute walk from the volleyball/basketball courts off Snelling Ave. the location was convenient and it was a warm and welcoming atmosphere inside. Once in and ordering, the baristas were all having a good time and looked to be enjoying their workday. It was a little busy on a Saturday morning, but they seemed to be moving through the orders with efficiency. I'd asked the barista to make a unique mocha, something away from the ordinary. But, I ended up with a white chocolate mocha. Fairly basic. I think with the amount of traffic that morning, there wasn't a lot of time to be creative. The white mocha was pretty basic. I'd indicated I didn't mind whip cream, but they towered the coffee with it. Maybe just a little too much. I had to take quite a bit off the top before I took the photo attached to this review. The coffee wasn't anything too unique and the taste was run-of-the-mill. Overall, the atmosphere and baristas were great. The location convenient. The coffee was average which didn't seem to fit for this Dunn Bros. I'd go back if I needed a caffeine fix and I was near the college again. read more

Dunn Bros Coffee - White chocolate mocha w/ whip - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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Did not realize it but they have what looks to be great bakery items! We got two fresh brew 1/2 decaf and 1/2 medium roast. Always happy with their house roasted beans! Our server was so happy and welcoming, the feel of the cafe is like home inside and out. They were packed so we dined ofc our car. read more

Dunn Bros Coffee - Two 16oz fresh brew and muffin - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

Very helpful person helped me select beans to take home--which was really nice because I don't drink coffee and was buying for others. The chai latte there was good, though it wasn't super special. Yummy pastries also. read more

Seems like the coolest place in the area. Folks do the business. Dingy as f*ck if you like that sort of thing. Good latte. Prison-cell-style toilet is clean, at least. read more

This cool shop is fast and busy. No poking around needed here. Plenty of employees will keep rotating the counter to keep the line moving. Before I could even get my payment ready the order was next to me and the cashier smiling and swaying nervously ready to close. Dunn Bros coffee is always served at correct temp and made fresh so no problem. There is plenty of seating including an outdoor bench. The folks keep pouring in grabbing up pastries as they have no orders to cook or sandwiches. Five star place, but minus one star as the scone I had looked great and probably was a day or two ago. Dry and stale as in probably day or two old, pity. read more

I've been her many many times over the years, but only for coffee. Well duh it's a coffee shop right? Well hold onto your hats because I've upped my game and started buying espresso beans AND pastries. Now here's the kicker. The prices are amazing! I've got beans, a medium coffee, two croissants for like 12 bucks! It's usually a bustling atmosphere, but don't fear the line at the counter. It moves fast due to the friendly staff. read more

They have Live music on some days. However, I did not particularly liked the act. Baristas are nice, respectful and fast. Drinks were okay. Although they are called Dunn Bros, they are not the stereotypical Dunn Bros, they are independent and you can see it in their decor, attitude, drinks offered. This place is relatively cheaper compared to most specialty coffee places. I also liked how easy the parking was. Unless you come during very busy times, you will for the most part have easy time finding free street parking around here. All in all, an okay place to have a quick drink. read more

Dunn Bros Coffee - Dunn bros grand: live music on Saturday - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

I am a Dunn Brothers fan and visit a lot of them. This spot, like most curmudgeonly St Paul, likes to just do their own thing. The pastries are pretty good. The coffee is a bit darker and they clearly have a lot of french roast fans. The staff was fine but called themselves "just a mom and pop" place, which is a total lie. I would say, I am surprised at how dingy and dirty it is. Everything feels like it has grime and years of build up. It was enough that I did not bother to sit or use the restroom. read more

Can't say enough about how awesome this place is. Their staff are all exceptionally nice, welcoming and helpful. Coffee is fantastic too

Usually I wouldn't bother with coffee chains but this Dunn bros looked different. It had a sign that said since 1987 on the outside and there was a live musician playing guitar in front of an appreciative audience. My friend and I decided on a whim to stop by after dining at the neighboring Khyber Pass cafe and I'm glad we did. It was warm and toasty indoors. A pleasant contrast from the harsh MN winter outside. The caffe latte I ordered was decent. Nothing fancy like coffee art but it got the job done. The unisex restrooms were downstairs in the basement. People were polite and offered me a seat even though it was pretty jam packed. I decided to stay in back with my friend so I could slip away. The 2 hour free parking was about to expire since we had just had dinner, but this looks like a neighborhood gem worth exploring in the future. They sell coffee beans in the back too that look to be of decent quality. read more

Dunn Bros Coffee - Live music at night - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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I've been coming to this coffee shop since 1991 when I was a student at Macalester College, a block down on Grand Avenue. Back then the entire shop was only half of today's space, and ended at the wall separating the coffee bar side from the seating room. The seating room was added later, after a fire burned down the place and they rebuilt. This is the shop where you retreat from a biting cold outside to order a mocha steamer. It took me a good few years to cop on to the notion of a "latte" because, you know Dunn Bros was my world and they gave you Steamers, which were the bomb. The coffee roasted here has always been stellar. You came here with book bag, to 'study'; or you came here at night to listen to a local act on the piano and feel like you had a nightlife. The shop feels a little less authentic and college-driven now, compared to back then, when you know there were several students whose daily nutritional requirements were being met wholly from behind the bar here. But times have changed and the student population now is a coddled lot, wearing expensive yuppy boots instead of wearing shorts and keds in the deep mid-winter to make ... a statement. The barristas can be a little loopy, but that may be a reflection of their age and the fact that corporate-fake customer service is not as much the focus here, as a genuine love of coffee culture. This is the original deal. Although I no longer live here, I mail order their roasted beans (Guatemalan is my fave, though their new one, Rwandan is amazing!!) Go here and enjoy! read more

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Stopped for a cuppa coffees and a chat...sat on the street side outdoors. We got a glare from someone doing their dissertation on DB's free wifi-not that I'm judging but it's a public coffee shop (and 2/3s of us were female). Suggestion: sit on the patio for a quieter spot. read more

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I went here every single day with my friends to do school work- it's such a comfort spot!! I love their iced chai and iced lattes. Found so much community here- everyone is so friendly and you never know who you'll run into. The ambiance and coffee at Dunn have gotten me through some tough times in college. So much love for this place. read more

Guatemala is a must try here and their thiramisu is out of the world !! Orgasmic is say. read more

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This Dunn Bros is always my favorite place to get my coffee and/or do work in STP. I was so bummed that it took longer for them to re-open, but was happy to know they were being thorough with COVID procedures. I was finally able to go in the other day and the service was so speedy, the staff was incredibly friendly, and my latte was amazing as always! read more

If zero stars were an option, that's the rating they would receive. I have a limited window in the morning to grav coffee and catch the bus. The FOUR baristas working all decided to chat with a regular as I waited patiently en que for a simple, small coffee. Low and behold, I never received said coffee as I had to leave for my bus. I had explained my predicament to them in a calm manner, and was told I would have to wait until they had finished their conversation. If u only want to serve regulars, put up the velvet rope and be done with it. read more

Reportedly the first ever Dunn Brothers shop. Stays true to the mildly gritty "alt" coffee shop vibe, versus the interiorly designed facade that mass marketed coffee shops become. In addition, the baristas here know their stuff in regard to coffee preparation and roasting. Love to stop in periodically, though shy away from the live music performances. Got love for musicians, but trips to coffee shops are usually work laden with a laptop. I am thus part of the problem. At least I have insight into this fact. read more

This is THE original Dunn Brother's Coffee, and it's still a busy place today. Located near a college and with lot's of foot traffic along Grand Avenue, it's not a place I think of for studying. The tables and small and squished together, and the live music most evenings chases away anyone looking to study there. But it's great for catching up with friends, and the morning staff always has a good handle on the morning rush for coffee! Their hot chocolate is one of my favorites, rich and creamy and topped with a huge dollop of whipped cream. If you need more caffeine for your mornings, I'm also a big fan of their au lait. Not many shops have an au lait on the menu (it's dark brewed coffee with half steamed milk), so I feel lucky my neighborhood Dunn Brother's does. Make sure you check out the "secret patio," behind the store. It's huge, covered in a beautiful canopy of leaves, and often much more quiet than the rest of the store. Great for spending a summer evening nursing a latte and chatting with friends! read more

Let me start off by saying - I love me some Dunn Brothers Coffee. I worked as a Roaster at the DBC in Golden Valley for four years. Needless to say, I was excited to try this location since it's in my neighborhood and just "looks cool." Man, have I been disappointed. I generally go with my significant other so we always order two drinks and one of them is ALWAYS wrong. As in, tastes like you're drinking espresso machine cleaner or a drink that was meant for someone other than you. I am not exaggerating. It's like coffee roulette - who will get the nasty coffee? I have found that whenever I order an almond steamer (with coffee, of course) mine is usually the good one. I've never understood why the baristas, although friendly, ask me if I'd like whipped cream because I always say no but nine times out of ten they'll add it on top anyway. In any case, please do yourself a favor and travel the couple blocks to hit up Cahoots instead. At least you won't end up drinking toxic chemicals or wasting $5 on something to pour down the drain. read more

Dunn Bros is what you want your local coffee shop to be. The coffee is great, the atmosphere is productive and social and the baristas are very friendly. read more

This Dunn Bros is on my favorite corner in the Cities: there's coffee, a cheese shop, a bread shop and a bookstore. I could live here happily ever after. The cafe itself is fine. The coffee is never objectionable and, if you get there early enough, the pastry will do. However, when they have musicians, they play WAY WAY too loud. We generally run in, grab a coffee, latte and hot chocolate and run back outside. In fact, I've only sat inside once. There are too many tables too close together. It's claustrophobic. I like the gritty, rundown feel of the place. I just don't like being wedged into it. The outdoor spaces are sufficient. I miss the benches out front. The plastic chairs just aren't the same. The patio in the back is fairly lovely, with high fences to block the parking lot and a pergola. I love the names carved into the bricks. I don't know what they mean-- past employees maybe? but they add a nice, subtle, quirky touch. Today our visit wasn't great. Hotdish and i were just trying to get a moment's peace after running errands in Roseville all morning. Seconds after we sat down, a girl showed up with her pit bull puppy on a retractable leash that she apparently didn't know how to retract. Much like a young mother who thinks everyone adores her sticky, boogery two year old as much as she does so she lets him run wild, such was the case with this girl. I love puppies, but i don't like when people just assume i do and let their puppy jump all over me. Said puppy visited everyone on the patio, wreaking havoc and spilled coffee. Everyone was forced to interact with this puppy as the girl loudly told a customer the puppy's entire life story. I now know more about this dog than i do Tapas and Hotdish combined. Of course this isn't DB's fault, but Hotdish and i were driven out, along with two or three others. The girl had no coffee, so i wasn't quite sure why she'd wandered back there, other than for attention whoring, which is a major pet peeve of mine. The baristas are always always always unfriendly and unsmiling, so don't dawdle at the counter or you'll get glared at. read more

This is the original Dunn Bros coffee shop, and the first one that I got to know. My wife grew up with this place and made it a point to stop by every time we visited the TC. Now that we've moved back, only a mile or so away in fact, we go there often. The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious, and there is always a little buzz going around the place. It is rarely, if ever, empty and you always seem to run into a few people you know. This is a great coffee shop (that actually has good coffee!) to kill a few hours, read the paper, and chat with some neighborhood folks. The seats out front are tough to come by, but on a sunny day, they can't be beat. read more

I used to come here all the time when I first moved here. At noon it was packed and stayed that way. I found a nice private spot on the platform by the piano. It is noisy here. They have a pastry and dessert section that put other coffee houses to shame. It pisses me off that the other chains aren't obligated to follow suit. I guess it saves on money and calories. A med. hot chocolate is served in a mammoth mug. Great coffee retail outlet too. I do my own blend of columbian and french roast. They still honor the old punch cards, from my stash. read more

Googled this place before coming and was happy to see a parking lot right next to the building. Turns out, that lot belongs to Macalester College, however, the next lot further east, towards Saratoga, is a free municipal lot where you can park for up to 2 hours. Be warned, though, not all the parking spots are for everyone! Some are permit-only. When I arrived at 3:00pm on a Thursday afternoon, there was absolutely no parking, however, after driving around until 3:30, a few spots had opened up. If all else fails you can also park on the street. Coffee was good and bathroom was clean. The coffee shop was small and crowded, and my friend and I literally grabbed the last open table inside. Later, on my way to the bathroom, I found there is more outdoor seating in back (in addition to the table in front of the shop). I liked the coffee and getting to meet with my friend, but the place was too crowded and parking too difficult for my taste. read more

I think this place is great. There is an eclectic clientele and the staff are always super friendly and genuinely seem happy at work. The coffee is delicious and I love the atmosphere. I know some people can dig on it not being Spick-and-span like your Caribous or Starbucks but I feel like it fits with the neighborhood and has a wonderful appeal. The only downside is that it is usually very busy, especially being near a college campus. But as such, they don't mind people taking their time talking, reading, writing, whatever! They also frequently have live music throughout the week :) read more

Hands down my favorite Dunn Bros and coffeehouse in the cities in general! Because this location was the original, I believe, it differs from the rest of the locations, which I really like. The food and drinks are significantly better than those from the typical chain Dunn Bros, as they taste completely different(well at least my vanilla latte order does). Plus, the items are a lot cheaper. Added bonus if you go later in the day when they have BOGO on their bakery items, so good but also so dangerous. As for atmosphere, I find it quite cozy, aesthetically pleasing, and easy to focus in. There are sometimes where seating is very limited and it can be frustrating to find a spot to squeeze in, but most of the time you should be good. The staff is full of life and always adds to the positive experience I have there. One guy low-key reminds me of Vance Joy, so that's fun. read more

There are three reasons I love this place. 1. The coffee is great and the portions are generous. 2. The pastries are tasty and very affordable for a coffee shop. 3. The staff is friendly and welcoming. read more

This Dunn Bros is the original, and still remains outside of the chain. I give it credit for that, but otherwise, I cannot say I'm a fan. This Dunn Bros feels almost sticky when you go inside. It's so packed with people squished together at the tiny tables littered around the room that it's hard to find somewhere to sit, much less sit comfortably. Many people enjoy the local musicians who come in to play frequently, but I find their music quality typically poor and the volume is far too loud. The baristas are quite nice and friendly with their service-- certainly a redeeming quality! But I don't much care for their coffee; mediocre at best. Their baked goods are also sub-par when compared with other restaurants and coffee shops in the area. This place has a niche market, and those who fit that niche love it. I'm just not a part of that group. read more

This is what a coffee shp should be! I've met here, Worked and written here, enjoyed the enterrtainment here in the evening and the people watching is good as it gets. It is a progressive crowd if you evesdrop and has nearby spots for a scone or jamba if you need an expanded menu. A nearby parking lot makes it pretty sure you'll find a spot and seating out front and in back mean you can sit a spell when the weather is good. They have the roaster going plenty, so you can buy a fresh pound to your taste or smell the aroma that makes it seem a bit more real. read more

I have such great memories of this place. I spent many late nights and early mornings here reading before class, writing papers and catching up with old friends. I think there was a stretch of time where I spent almost every evening here before finals and consumed no less than 100 gallons of coffee. I still remember my first legitimate cafe experience when I came here as a Freshman at Macalester (the freshman dorms were right across the street). I was in awe over how large their cups of coffee were! I miss this place and hope to return soon as it's tough to find something as good in NYC. One of my best memories was when I watched Pat Donohue play. He is slotted on the calendar under a different name, but it was a real treat when I realized it was him and got to listen to him improvise, shake his hand and chat after his show. He promised to jam with me and my buddies - I am still waiting for that call...thought it might be too good to be true, but still practice tirelessly in the event he meant it! read more

Sue enough when I walked in: packed. 2 seats available and I was luckily able to snag one. The atmosphere is what makes this one a step above most others. All black tiles, red chairs and yellow and orange walls to brighten the space up. I'm dumbfounded as to why they default to a chain layout in some urban locations when they could simply apply certain touches on whatever space they're working with. I can understand why suburban locations would appease to dull, cheap suburban tastes, but Eat Street? Anyway, you know the coffee and espresso is good here with generous pours of the latter (though not up to par with 1st tier Twin Cities coffee shops) and the pastry offerings are unbelievably cheap: under $3 for a slice of strawberry cake? I know some have bumped down their rating for the place being full all the time, but that really just means it's worth another star since it proves how great the spot is: that's why you wanted com here in the first place. Oh, and I would've saved you a seat, but I'm afraid someone else already took the other chair from this table. read more

Unpretentious yet classy; rustic yet hip. Adorned by musical performances most evenings, Dunn bros on Grand is a coffee shop like none other, most importantly other Dunn Bros cafes. Menu items are reasonably priced while served by one of the most pleasant servers. Bathroom is kept pretty clean and there is plenty of parking in the parking lot next to it. This place does get crowded especially in winters but that is pretty understandable because this place is quite popular. TIP: You can create a blend of different teas on order.My favorite is half Chamomile,half peppermint. read more

I stopped by with the intentions of getting some studying done. However, after buying my soy chai (which was delicious) there wasn't a free table anywhere except for outside in the rain. This is my fault, should've looked around before buying. I guess I didn't think they'd be poppin' off during the midmorning hours on a weekday, my fault again. Dunn Brothers, maybe another time? However, if I see that it's crowded (which it often is) I'll bypass to another nearby cafe read more

This is as good as coffee gets in the Twin Cities. This location is across the way from Macalester College, so you will be hanging around liberal art students studying things much of the time. Some evenings have live music performed by local musicians. Occasionally they have been fantastic performers. Beans are locally roasted with all of the usual granolamunchie fair trade sensibilities taken into account. There is a nice patio in the back that can be used during the summer months. Park in the adjoining lot at your own risk. Technically it's college parking, but no one is going to care in the evenings. read more

A rare early morning stop for a cup of coffee to go the other day (around 7:15 am and no crowd as of yet). Lucky to get a parking spot right out front of the store. I was gently and very pleasantly greeted with a "good morning" by someone behind the counter. I placed my order, paid, and asked for a punch to my coffee drink card. The few minutes I was there were calm and pleasant. And, as always, the regular brewed coffee was very good. read more

This is a nice coffee shop. Great coffee, fresh roasted whole beans for purchase, and a nice staff. The barista told me that this shop isn't an official Dunn Bros, but they took my coupon anyway. Thanks! There are good donuts and pastries here, but no fresh food. If you have read some of the other negative reviews, yes there are college students here and it is busier than the average coffee shop. I'm not sure why these are bad things. read more

(Totally biased here- they fed my caffeine addition while attending Macalester) With that out of the way, I LOVE Dunn Bro's. The baristas are always friendly and very helpful. The coffee is strong and tasty and not overpriced. The pastries are too good. Way too good (and 1/2 priced at around 8pm each night). It feels like a real community space- lots of familiar faces, students, community members, babies, and everyone in between. Lots of outlets for the laptop users. Patio in the back for the warmer months. Which reminds me- soft serve and great iced tea in the summer! This is not like the other Dunn Bro's in the TC's and that's a good thing. read more

I like this Dunn Bros for the atmosphere, the variety of menu and bakery items (which is diff than the other DBC's since they're the orig and separate from others in chain), the fact they still use the punch cards. Their prices also seem just a bit lower than other locations, which is nice. It also smells sooooo good here; they always seem to be roasting beans. Some staff are nice, but there are a few people who strike me as real "urban trendy" and pretentious. The worst thing about this DBC is it is always soooo crowded. I can seldom find a place to sit. The atmosphere is indeed "gritty;" I tend to prefer cozy places to sit @ coffee shops - and there are none here. read more

Ok first the bad... to the ladies working here, in the early morning specifically...you are very loud. Please take my comments seriously because you are all so nice to me and other customers but your lack of professionalism is very disheartening and is not inviting for me to stay and visit. Can you not see it in the eyes of your customers standing in line? Many of us are politely waiting to get our great coffee so we can leave quickly. I can do without the loud banter back and forth about your personal lives. Owner, can you reign them in? I would like to keep coming here for the great coffee and pastries but these nice girls need to be more respectful about keeping a welcoming and relaxing vibe. People can show lots of personality and have fun while remaining professional at the same time. read more

Best Coffee in the Twin Cities, fresh roasted (professionally) daily. Great Atmosphere and a friendly staff. read more