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    Maria's Café

    3.9 (290 reviews)
    Closed • 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    About Maria's Café

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    Maria's Café Photos

    MARIA'S CAFÉ ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Maria's Café

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    Arepas Rellenas (Chicken)
    Jay S.

    I think the differences between the dishes listed in the main menu and the ones listed under "Colombian & Regional Specialties" were pretty vast, because everything within the latter category was a hit while most of what I had within the former were okay or simply had moments of highlights instead of consistent highlights. To start off, the chocolate Colombiano had very rich milk which definitely enhanced the experience in my opinion, because it did not taste watery at all like how a lot of hot chocolate would. Both the paisa bowl and the calentao con huevos were very similar, with one major difference as that the paisa bowl had chincharron. One couldn't go wrong with either one, because both contained a lot of food. The rice and pinto beans themselves tasted very good already, so to complement them with an egg and the ají sauce was a big plus. The paisa bowl had avocado as well in addition to the chincharron, so I think between the two, the paisa bowl would be a better choice. The arepas rellenas and empanadas were both huge hits! Flavors were on point and the amount wasn't overwhelming. One also has to dip the empanadas in the ají sauce because it would completely change the culinary experience in a very positive way. Outside the "Colombian & Regional Specialties Menu" I ordered the corn pancakes and blueberry pancakes. Both were great, and I could taste the sweet corn element in the corn pancakes. They just didn't have highlights beyond good. The huevos pericos was merely okay because the scrambled eggs were a bit sloppily made and it wasn't clear what the single piece of tortilla was for, because it definitely wasn't enough for the eggs offered. Another observation I made was that it seemed to have cheddar cheese on top of the eggs, and I am not certain if that's an accurate representation of Colombian cuisine. I could be wrong here, though. Overall, I still think this establishment is a modest gem of a place for a good brunch, especially on the weekend. One will need to follow signs in order to find the place, but the signs were pretty clear. What used to be a parking lot for the spot seemed to be under gentrification efforts building apartments, so I ended up having to park on the street when I visited in late November.

    Menu (May 2025)
    Sarah A.

    Very much enjoyed our Sunday brunch at Maria's Cafe. Since we were trying to fit a lot into one day of sightseeing, I called and made a reservation. Service from my initial call for a reservation through to the end of the meal was welcoming. After figuring out how to get into the cafe (learning how Minneapolis manages access to buildings when much of the year is quite cold), we enjoyed the sunshine streaming in the windows and piping hot coffee. As one who is always on a quest to find the perfect corn pancakes, I had to try a Cachapas Venezolanas (with syrup). Instead of being made with cornmeal, it had kernels of corn within a seemingly typical pancake batter--the center was a bit soft. Our server helpfully noted that two pancakes might lead to a bit leftover, but one pancake might want to be paired with something. One pancake and an egg add-on was perfect for me! Another diner enjoyed the Penelope's Ripe Plantain pancakes (also with an egg). A third diner enjoyed Maria's Colombian Huevos Pericos--terrific blue-corn tortillas! And the fourth diner enjoyed a special, which came with two eggs, beans, potatoes, sausage, and a yuca cake.

    Tierra SheReviewz Z.

    We came here for brunch. Did not disappoint. Hands down the best corn pancakes I've ever had. Service was fast. All of the recommendations the server suggested were so good and flavorful. We came at closing and didn't feel rushed. Street parking was just fine to find. The construction nearby can throw you off because of the building layout but still a gem. Would recommend!

    Breakfast
    Marielos J.

    I love Maria's Café. My favorite drink is the Colombian chocolate and lemonade. I like the black tortillas (it remains me Guatemala). The service is really good, a lot of staff can speak Spanish. The environment is really nice, the only issue could be the location (it is a little hard to find the place). But I really recommend it.

    Compared to the pics I seen and this is what I got ? And I can't get a refund cause I took a few bites ? $20 plate btw
    Andrew J.

    Terrible service, food is plain and terrible , they sold me old dried up meat and yet when I ask for a refund they say only 50 percent cause I "took a few bites " if you're gonna charge $20 a plate the least you can do is have the food fresh , if not accommodate, which the lady who claimed is the owner is not willing to do (would be zero stars if it was an option

    Vivian C.

    Amazing corn pancakes (cachapas)! I get this every time I go. And they are better with the cotija cheese. I don't love the other pancakes I've tried. This time, I tried a ripe plantain pancake too, and though it was ok, I wouldn't order it again. I also tried the pandequeso, which is similar to a Brazilian cheese bread but in a donut ring shape. It was fine, but I prefer the Brazilian version. My friend loved her Colombian Huevos Pericos - a seasoned scrambled eggs dish. There are also a lot of standard breakfast offerings - eggs and meats and toast.

    Calentao con Huevos (recommend if you're hungry) and Chocolate Colombiano (no milk if youre a real one)
    Miguel Q.

    The food was so fresh, so hearty, and so flavorful. The ambiance is so inviting and welcoming and lively. The service was attentive and quick. I will eat here again.

    Huevos Pericos
    George L.

    Decent Columbian breakfast spot in Minneapolis. Came in early and was seated in a minute. The service was attentive and nice. The ambience is very much like an old school diner bar and enjoyed the quiet morning. Ordered the Huevos Pericos and thought it was good. Might be a bit overcooked considering how dry the eggs were but not enough to say it was bad. Overall, rating well because the service and ambience was good.

    Phillip N.

    Maria's cafe is a true gem of the Ventura neighborhood. The corn pancake is my go to. So good! They also have fresh juices like mango and guava. Today I went with a friend for breakfast and had the corn pancake, bacon, 2 eggs fried hard, and a cup of mango juice. Everything was excellent! The service is good and the place is clean and well lit with plenty of windows. Can't wait to go back!

    The best corn pancakes that I ever had.
    Didi N.

    Rating solely on the food itself. We came to Minneapolis for a staff retreat and my coworkers decided to eat here and bring me back some corn pancakes. When I say this has got to be one of the best pancakes I've EVER had in my life, I meant it. Think of it as a very rich cornbread but in pancake form. The flavors were intense and I inhaled the huge pancake in two seconds! It came with Cotija cheese and maple syrup. You have to add both as the cheese cuts the sweetness of the corn and the maple syrup and provides a umami taste. It was hot, fresh, and I am a corn lover and it made my whole day! The corn was so juicy that every time I took a bite, juices came out. I'm home now in Florida and when I tell you that I'm still dreaming about those corn pancakes, I am! I wish we had them here and next time I'm in Minneapolis again, you bet I'm going to go there and order a huge stack of them pancakes!

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    Page 1 of 8

    Ask the Community - Maria's Café

    Do they have TV's here? Will they be on for the Colombian futbol game at the World Cup?

    Normally, no. I wouldn't expect for the Cup, but you never know?

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    Rincón 38 - Mero

    Rincón 38

    4.4(334 reviews)
    2.4 mi•King Field, Southwest
    •$$$

    This place is so special for me and my husband; it was the location of our first Valentine's Day…read moredate and we made a tradition out of returning every year on our half-anniversary. The service is always impressively quick and kind and we simply love the atmosphere in the restaurant. We always order the datiles, one of the only dishes we gobbled up before remembering to take a picture because they're so delicious. Tonight we ordered a few menu items that we haven't had before in our 6 years of coming here. We started off with the Pipirrana; the tomato slices were bright and acidic, pairing perfectly with the goat cheese croqueta on top. We also ordered the Borrego and Pinchos de Carne for the first time. The lamb was incredible, perfectly seasoned and served with delicious potatoes and brussel sprouts. The kabobs were also delicious, both the chicken and the sausage were super flavorful and each kabob came with the perfect amount. Our last tapas of the night were the Carne Brava and the coffee flan for dessert. The Carne Brava was absolutely amazing; both the meat and the asparagus were cooked to perfection and had my husband and I fighting for the last bites. The coffee flan was honestly one of the best desserts I've ever had; the flan itself was creamy and custardy and it was served with a delicious whipped cream and a raspberry on top. Rincon 38 is a place we always find ourselves coming back to, and I'm hoping we do again sooner than later :)

    Hands down this place is a 10/10! Top-tier service, authentic vibes and high quality food. Our…read morefavorites were crab cake, pollo and Toledo. Pollo might be one of the juiciest chicken dishes I've had in my entire life. The sauce in Toledo is amazing and not super butter-y! The mushroom and all the vegetables in the dish complement the sauce well. The crab cake was crispy and savory. Paella was okay but definitely overpriced. I think it needs more of that smoky flavor. Seating was very small and you can overhear the conversation from other tables. I personally didn't mind it, but if you are looking to have more privacy, I'd recommend sitting at corner tables. I also highly recommend reserving a table instead of a walk-in since they have limited seating. It was packed even on a Tuesday evening. I can't wait to go back again!!!

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    Rincón 38
    Rincón 38 - Pasta Negra

    Pasta Negra

    Rincón 38 - Pollo

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    Guava's Cuban Cafe

    Guava's Cuban Cafe

    4.5(403 reviews)
    4.2 mi•Nokomis
    •$$
    Takes reservations
    Locally owned & operated

    HAVAN-A-MAZING LUNCH…read more If a top-tier Cuban sandwich is what you seek, look no further than Guava's. Located a mile northwest of Minneapolis Int'l Airport, this quaint Cuban restaurant was highly recommended to us by a friend.  We stopped here after visiting Como Park Zoo and enjoyed a great lunch as well as some A+ plane-watching, since Guava's is directly in the flightpath of landing jets. I started with a Bent Paddle pilsner ($6.50), and my wife got a michelada ($8) which she said was a good value and "made the right way".  There's a decent amount of seating inside as well as tables outside, although it can get noisy at times due to the nearby airport. The Cubano ($18) was one of the best either of us has ever tried: pulled pork, ham, salami, pickles, mustard, mayo, and Swiss cheese on grilled panini bread.  It came with lightly salted plantain chips and a small cup of house hot sauce.  Amazing, no notes.   5/5 The lechon asado rice bowl ($16) was equally terrific.  Delicious roasted pork - including some magical burnt ends that had me in ASMR heaven - came with black beans and maduros (sweet plantains) over cilantro rice.  Fabulous mingling of flavors and textures.  5/5 We got a side of Yuca frita ($7) w/cilantro aioli but these were almost an afterthought; my wife and I were too obsessed with our entreés to pay much attention to these lil' starchy sticks.  They have tres leches cake for dessert but we opted for a flan ($7) instead, and it was OK. * TL;DR * I'm glad that Guava's didn't try anything too clever with the Cubano, preferring to keep it classic and focus on quality. The aesthetics inside are charming, soft mint green walls with a mix of white counters and darker wood.  Staff were friendly and the food came out relatively fast.  They have a nice selection of local draft beers and plenty of great Cuban coffee. I would absolutely recommend Guava's to anyone in the Minneapolis-St Paul area, especially if they're interested in trying one of the best Cuban sandwiches of their lives.

    Good - the food is good. Special praise to the Cubano sandwich…read more Atmosphere - not the most comfortable - old dexor. Service - really poor. Person entering our order had zero knowledge of the food and appeared to have no interest to learn. The food ia giving this restaurant three stars, everything else is less than desired. Also wish the juice was fresh fruit juice, not a blend. As a Cubano man, I was not impressed. However for foos, I would give it another go, but not for the service or ambiance.

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    Guava's Cuban Cafe - Churrasco Steak Frites

    Churrasco Steak Frites

    Guava's Cuban Cafe - The Cuban "Frita"

    The Cuban "Frita"

    Guava's Cuban Cafe - Tostada & Eggs

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    Tostada & Eggs

    Cocina Latina - Mar y tierra

    Cocina Latina

    3.8(115 reviews)
    2.2 mi•King Field, Southwest
    •$$

    Yummy food and service! Didn't feel too stuffed afterwards! Really enjoyed the atmosphere! Would…read morerecommend!

    I really loved this place: bright and open, it's incredibly inviting. The staff was warm and…read morewelcoming (thanks Sofia!) and helped us navigate the menu. We especially enjoyed how conversation-friendly it was here. If you're looking to catch up with a friend, this is a great option! As for the menu, you'll find both Mexican and Ecuadorian options. Starting with the beverage offerings, you'll see many flavors of Jarritos, agua frescoes, and some Ecuadorian sodas. I tried the Tropical, which was delicious. Pink and fruity, it was not too sweet and had a little dose of je ne sais quoi. I really liked it! I saw empanadas on the menu, and while I have had them before, never have I ever seen them served with sugar. Of course we ordered them. They were awesome. Exactly the right balance of crisp and tender, the pastry was a delight. (Definitely sprinkle a little sugar on it.) The salty cheese provided a satisfying little cheese pull and went beautifully with the sugar, too. They also go great with the hot sauce, which is a must-have. It's acidic and bright from the vinegar and has a satisfying heat that tickles the tongue and goes great on everything. The plato vegetariano was the epitome of simple and satisfying: potatoes in a delicious and herby sauce; a fresh salad of lettuce, onion, and tomato; a fried slice of plantain; a mound of perfectly-cooked rice; and a cup of beans. It was comforting without being heavy. The dessert menu featured familiar favorites and one that was completely new to me: higos con queso. While I went with the flan, I did get to sneak a bite of this unusual and intriguing dessert: the figs are poached but retain their firmness and are served with a firm and salty cheese. The figs and cheese come with the poaching liquid, which is not sweet but also not quite savory--it's got quite a depth of flavor and makes for a truly unique dish. I recommend it if you prefer to end your meal with something that isn't super sweet. (If, on the other hand, you prefer a more traditional dessert, the flan here is lovely: a bit sturdier than some you may have had, it's got the right blend of sweet and caramelized--it was just right!) Street parking is available nearby, but if you come later in the evening, it will probably park up. This is a great choice for families and friends!

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    Cocina Latina - Inside showing small bar

    Inside showing small bar

    Cocina Latina - Calamari

    Calamari

    Cocina Latina - Menu front

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    Ena - Avocado

    Ena

    4.0(324 reviews)
    3.3 mi•Southwest
    •$$

    Dang, how did I not know this was here? Ena is a great place for a late summer meal. The patio was…read moreperfection for an early Saturday dinner. We arrived at about 5:00 and had our pick of tables. The patio is spacious and offers a nice breeze. We admired the planters that feature lovely bee-friendly flowers, colorful foliage, and even jalapeño plants. Our server, Alex, was awesome... cheerful, friendly, and knowledgeable, she really made for a great experience. We started off with the avocado appetizer. Imagine a deconstructed guacamole--it has avocado, red onion, cilantro, and tomatoes--set off with the tastiest citron oil you've ever had and scoops of a savory charred tomato salsa. Fresh, crunchy tortilla chips are the perfect way to scoop. I went with pasta for my main and chose the very intriguing espinaca, which comes with a spinach-asparagus sauce. It was super creative! The combination is very fresh, bright, and smooth. In addition to additional asparagus, other veggies included red peppers and sun dried tomatoes. Pine nuts and feta round out the dish. It's basically pesto's quirky but cool sister. We had two desserts, both of which were delicious. The cheesecake was lovely--the fruit was tangy and bright and set off the creamy cheese and slightly sweet pistachios perfectly. The tres leches cake was also really tasty. It's a little bit different from some other tres leches that I have had--it has a slightly sturdier crumb, so even though it came with a generous pour of the sweet milk sauce, it retained its texture. The sweet and tart fresh strawberries were the perfect accompaniment. All in all am awesome find!

    After eating dinner at Ena last night, I wondered why this fantastic restaurant is not better…read moreknown. While Ena doesn't have a scene or even a bar, the food at this family-owned establishment is fantastic, and I have eaten a lot of Latin American cuisine. Originating from Mexico, the French-trained owner/chef prepares Latin fusion dishes with flavors that burst alive. With a delicate yet crisp crust, the Birria Empanadas are amazingly flavorful, and the meat's juices have a wonderfully piquant taste. They're the best empanadas I've ever tasted. The Bife de Chorizo was gigantic, but even better, the flavors tickled our fancy, the Chimichurri sauce providing the ideal punch. My Anticuchos were good, but as always, my wife ordered better, because the Bife de Chorizo was the star of the night. Service was led by the chef's charming daughter, who enhanced our meal with her knowledge and great sense of humor. Ena serves beer, wine, and cocktails; however, I would build a bar in the expansive space. Yet, what do I know, I was the sad owner of three restaurants that closed. Ena provided us with one of our best meals of 2026.

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    Ena - Ena Latin Fusion Cuisine

    Ena Latin Fusion Cuisine

    Ena - Raspberry pistachio cheesecake

    Raspberry pistachio cheesecake

    Ena - Moscow mule mocktail

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    Moscow mule mocktail

    Maria's Café - latin - Updated October 2026

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