The Briar is a trendy neighborhood cafe and bar. The space is open and bright, decorated nostalgically. Although it is mostly popular with a younger, well-to-do crowd, the owners make an effort to contribute to social justice through anti-ICE organizing, free hygeine supplies in gender-neutral bathrooms, etc. It gets super busy during the Saturday brunch hours, so be prepared to wait a bit! We were lucky and got a table quickly but it was very crowded and loud for a bit. They seemed a bit short-staffed, too, although everyone we encountered was still friendly and helpful. The food and drinks are superb! The portions are on the smaller side but they're actually priced accordingly, which is rare these days. We highly enjoyed the waffle and the pork cutie. read more

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I can't believe I haven't reviewed this spot yet! I've stopped in here for evening drinks and maybe a few morning drinks too! They have a delicious espresso martini, yummy breakfast sandwiches, cafe drinks, and even a curated dinner menu. This is very small space is made even smaller in the winter without their patio space available. It is always busy and they definitely have some regulars! Order at the bar, take a number, and sit down. Cozy quaint interior. I love that they are creative with their menu and rotate items. Some things can be hit or miss based on personal tastes, but overall the food is crafted skillfully and with care! My favorite breakfast sandwich is the Chefs Special Cutie! I've tried most of them! The Lily Tomlin is also something I would typically love (like a Monte Cristo) but the garlic completes too much with the marmalade. My partner also thoroughly enjoyed the creamy Chai Tea in a ceramic cup! Residential street parking, but not too hard to find a spot. read more

The Briar - Lily Tomlin & Espresso Martini - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

The Briar is an easy cafe to miss. Amidst the quiet neighborhood of Northeast Minneapolis, The Briar stands out with its loud exterior and secretly serves some of the best coffees in the city. I have been hopping around Minneapolis cafes in search of the best work spots, and The Briar is one of the only places I've made a second round to. From the second you walk in, the cafe is very warm and inviting. It feels like a very humble and comfy place. The barista has a warm smile, and the music is soft and soothing. It feels like a cabin. Everything is finished in wood, and everyone is close to each other without being cramped. Distinctly, the menu features not only a coffee section, but also a full bar of cocktails, wines, and draft beers. During the day, they serve sandwiches and limited fresh pastry, offering slightly more variety after 4 pm with an expanded menu. There are four featured specialty coffees. Each features a very prominent, aromatic herb, with all coffees being served with oat milk by default. On my first visit earlier in the week, I went for the Autumn Serenade and a Pork Cutie sandwich. Priced at 7.50, the coffees are a little expensive, but they are really worth it. The Autumn Serenade features house-made molasses brown sugar syrup, rosemary salt, espresso, and oat milk. I essentially saw this as a latte with a twist; however, I was shocked by how much I enjoyed this drink. Sprinkled atop the coffee was a rosemary salt that perfectly blended into every sip I took from beginning to end. It was prominent yet not overpowering, and added an earthiness that balanced well with the syrup. The espresso still comes through and is complemented by a nice oat milk that adds additional depth to the flavor. I have never seen rosemary featured in a coffee, and was very pleasantly surprised to enjoy the drink as much as I did. More recently, I went back and opted for the Holy Hand Grenade, really wanting to explore what else The Briar had to offer after loving my first experience so much. The Holy Hand Grenade is composed of lavender, pomegranate grenadine, espresso, bitters, and oatmilk. Even though I really enjoyed this drink as well, I thought it had a very similar flavor profile to the Autumn Serenade. I didn't have them back-to-back, but the lavender had a very similar earthiness and punchy flavor to contrast the sweetness of the grenadine, making for a delicious, balanced drink. The main difference to me was that the lavender was more incorporated, with less texture in the drink overall due to the omission of salt. While the drinks were delicious, the only gripe I had with The Briar was the sandwich. The Pork Cutie comes on a brioche bun, with house-made porchetta, white cheddar, egg, cornichon aioli, and hot sauce. For nine dollars, the portion was reasonable. To start, the texture of the bread was great. Being slightly toasted gave it a nice crunch while still being fluffy on the inside. The aioli was the highlight, being creamy, rich, and slightly spicy. It added a lot of complexity and balance to the sandwich. The egg was also delicious, being perfectly fluffy and soft. However, I had a small problem with the ratios. The pork was inconsistently spread out. The pork flavor was mild towards the edges of the sandwich, while more of the pork overlapped in the center, making for fuller bites with more prominent flavor that I enjoyed more. Furthermore, I thought the bread had a wheaty aftertaste that I didn't particularly like, but it wasn't a major distraction. Aside from some minor issues I had with the sandwich, The Briar really stands out as an amazing spot for any occasion. The drinks are absolutely worth a stop, featuring great espresso and a unique herbiness that I haven't seen done as well anywhere else. While the sandwich wasn't perfect, it's definitely worth a shot if you're hungry and already at The Briar. Based on my first couple of visits, I am eager to continue working my way through the menu and am excited to try something new on my next visit. read more

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The Briar is such a cozy little gem in northeast Minneapolis. Went with a friend for a late coffee date on a Thursday evening. It's the type of place where you can enjoy a cocktail, light bites, and yap or sip a coffee and get work done. Our service was exceptional, she was truly lovely and so attentive. Gave the best recommendations for drinks and food. My latte was DELICIOUS and tasted like fall in a cup. Highly recommend the Autumn Serenade. I would definitely go back and would love to check out any outdoor seating they have. Parking is on the street but there's a lot of it, so no issues finding a place. read more

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I was looking for a place i could get a good breakfast sandwich and came across the Briar. Me and a date went and tried it out. Very small place, felt super cozy inside. The person at the counter taking our order was very helpful and friendly. Ordered a couple sandwiches, a coffee and a mimosa. We sat on their patio and they brought our stuff to the table. Everything was very good and I'm not even a coffee drinker. The cocktail list looks really good so I have to return to try those and some more food items. Also the price wasnt bad at all for the what we got. Will be going back soon! read more

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As someone new to the area, The Briar has been on my list for a while -- and I'm glad I finally made the trip. After being recommended, I tried the Autumn Serenade sandwich and The Huxley coffee, and both delivered in their own ways. The sandwich was the perfect portion for one -- satisfying without being too much -- and the pickles it came with were a standout surprise. The kind you usually find on a charcuterie board, which added a really nice touch and elevated the whole plate. There was a small mix-up with my coffee -- I ordered it iced, but it came out hot. Not a huge deal, though it did mean biking home with a hot drink in hand, which was a bit of a balancing act. Still, the flavor made up for it. The rosemary was prominent and gave it a unique twist I didn't expect. Honestly, it's my new obsession. The space itself is super cute with a warm, inviting vibe and a surprisingly wide variety of menu items. The staff was friendly, which made the experience even better. I'll definitely be back -- especially since it's so close to home. read more

The Briar - The Huxley - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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A true neighborhood coffee shop and bar, immaculate vibes. If I lived over in this part of NE Mpls, I'd be here all the time to just hang out, drink tasty beverages, read and visit. read more

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Very small and quaint coffee, bar and corner cafe located in Northeast Mpls. Walk in to sounds of nice tunes playing in the background. The seating is spaced out nicely but if you have a large group it may be hard to find seating since the place is quite small. Had a small machiatto and it came in a cute little shot glass. The coffee tasted authentic with the coffee bitterness and foam. It was the friendly staff and complimentary service that really sold me. The bartender was really nice and had good hospitality. People here are well dressed and match the ambience. read more

Seriously amazing food and the coziest atmosphere. We got a couple sandwiches and the sweet potato olive chowder, both of which blew me away. The chowder was savory and delicious. The sandwiches had some of the best bread, and wasn't secondary to the sandwich ingredients. The alisada sandwich is especially delicious and I'm already looking forward my next trip to this restaurant. The service is friendly, quick and professional. read more

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Such a great spot for delicious sandwiches. I loved the decoration and atmosphere. They even have an outdoor place to eat. read more

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Wonderful drinks and good food in a beautiful and intimate setting. Best for cocktails and light bites. Parking on the street was easy to find, but I imagine it would get more difficult on a busier night. The space is relatively small and very cute! Sat at the bar with my partner early evening on a Friday. There was plenty of space. I ordered the dandelion highball - definitely would recommend! It was unique and refreshing. We ordered the relish plate, deviled eggs, and Winnipeg lunch. All were wonderful! I particularly loved the homemade pickles. Our bartender wasn't particularly friendly, but she wasn't rude either. Just the minimum standard service. I'll definitely be back to try more cocktails! read more

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The Briar is perfect in every way. The coffee is excellent and breakfast sandwiches are really good. It is really hard to pass up the sweet potato soup with beans. I loved the Lily Tomlinson egg sandwich with Brie. Just delicious.... read more

Yesterday met a friend for lunch....for the cucumber salad. Unfortunately we had both read the Facebook post and glossed over the fact they included "available after 4". So we'll return again for the cucumber salad for dinner. I opted for an Old Fashioned and the Pork Cutie sans hot sauce. For arriving shortly after noon on a Thursday, several tables were already occupied and a few tables on the patio as well. My friend opted for an iced coffee drink that she thought was fabulous. She paired it with the Avocado Ensalada. She talked to a cook about it and the vegetarian ingredients. He told her they could put in a mushroom something. She also raved about how delicious the sandwich was and especially with the perfectly flavorful mushroom. Looking forward to our next meal and cocktail @ The Briar! read more

I'm so glad we heard about this place! Its tucked away in northeast in a residential area. The interior feels like a European bistro with small tables and some large booths on one side. There's also a pretty big patio with more tables, and the wifi worked outside. It was a little loud at times with traffic right outside but it's a great place to sit for a while. The chai was delicious and made in house! The breakfast sandwich was incredible and we will definitely be coming back just for that. The barista was nice and helped explaining the menu and items. read more

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How did it take me all winter to come here?! This is the best new coffee shop in NE nestled in a nice neighborhood. I LOVED the outdoor seating area. And the free wifi worked out there too! Lots of seating inside as well. So many drink and food options and an entire NA cocktail menu that includes THC drinks. Highly recommend the Crescent City Ransom drink- chicory cold brew, coriander, maple, and oat milk. They also have soy milk for an alt milk option. Can't wait to come back for the sandwiches, soups, cheese board, chips & dip. They also had baked goods. Super friendly staff. Highly recommend checking this place out. Can't wait to go back. read more

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A beautiful, cozy place for breakfast. It's a place where you can go alone and read a book or study, or grab a large booth and catch up friends over brunch. We ordered the bread pudding and a breakfast sandwich and both were very good. I'm excited to go back and try out the patio but the interior is an amazing space. read more

The Briar - Bread Pudding - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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this is where I had my first date with the love of my life and there couldn't have been a better spot. cozy, cute, warm, and lovely. good place to find a soulmate read more

Cutest space and great coffees! I like how the non dairy milk was the default! Kind staff

Such a hidden gem!?? It's sort of tucked into a residential neighborhood in NE, but I'm glad I came across it. We went here for some snacks and cocktails/wine (all great) but I can see this being a really nice place to drink coffee and work too. read more

"Architecture is basically a container of something. I hope they will enjoy not so much the teacup, but the tea." During a period of personal turbulence, I literally wandered by the Briar. The combination of pleasant aesthetic, neutral yet engaging music and solid customer service transformed my cup of tea into a reminder of a simpler time. I needed it, so I thought I'd show my gratitude by sharing. read more

A great spot for coffee, breakfast, lunch or cocktail hour with friends. A true neighborhood joint with calm vibes and great food and drink. read more

Their food and coffee were so good. Very cute patio as well! Baristas are friendly and smiley and the music playing was very vibey.

I've been to The Briar twice now. Once for a quick cup of coffee, and again for lunch/work. This is a super cute cafe that has strong wifi, good music, and ample seating. I tried the NE Turkey. While it was a generous amount of turkey, I wasn't a huge fan. However, I will definitely be back to try other dishes. My coffee drink was delicious! The cream was SO good! I can't wait to come back in the summer for their patio. Service has always been great! Notes: *Parking: Even for NE, street parking is pretty good here! *If you can, try to sit at their booths! read more

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5 stars across the whole board! The menu is so unique and tasty! My breakfast sandwich was to die for. The pickled vegetables on the sandwich was something I've never had on a breakfast sandwich and I loved it! The coffee drinks were unique as well and very delicious. I would love to check this place out at night too! read more

Stopped in on a Saturday night with a Ukrainian friend I grew up with. She was in heaven with Chef Rick's Ukrainian food of Houndstooth and so was my husband and I! You have to try this food! We ordered almost everything on the menu and everything was a hit. Rick spoke with us for quite awhile about his grand mother's recipes and his passion for Ukrainian food. Wow. The Briar itself is a sexy, intimate room. Just beautiful. The patio looks like the place I'll be spending my summer since I live within walking distance. The owner Abe also chatted with us. Nice guy!! Kudos for keeping the metal work by Lisa Elias on the patio during the renovation! The drinks. I'm a Meteor fan but this is a close 2nd. The Briar 1231 is soooooo good, but I'm a sucker for bubbles! I also had the Dandelion which is made with roasted dandelion root liqueur, who knew that was a thing! Very refreshing, I can't say enough good things about this place. I can't wait to come back and try everything!! read more

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It is alright. They should make better money now that have a liquor license. I was surprised by that. Good for them. Food not that great??? Potato chips with a dry sandwich? Yuk. read more

Very cute little neighborhood cafe/restaurant. Great service, ambitious food and helpful staff. read more

The Briar - The Briar patio, dog friendly, shady and lovely - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Was super excited to check out The Briar and it did not disappoint. The building was an old art gallery that I'm sure the city wanted to turn into some sort of crowded housing development, but thankfully the team at The Briar stepped in to renovate the space and turn it into something spectacular. It's well lit and beautifully styled to retain the charm of North East Minneapolis. As a specialty coffee snob, I can confidently say this is by far the best coffee you will find in the twin cities. Pro tip: You know you've found good coffee when they are using scales during the process and serving sparkling water with their espresso! The food is no slouch either! We had some delicious breakfast sandwiches while we sipped our coffee. Can't wait to check out their dinner menu sometime in the future. read more

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Always present itemized bill before taking payment because there are no other detractors

Cute newer place in the neighborhood. I haven't eaten there yet, but the drinks are fabulous and I love their patio. The bartenders are very knowledgeable and fun to chat with. read more

First visit, food was unique and fantastic. We sat at the bar for lunch and the servers were very informative and friendly. Will be returning for dinner experience. read more

NE Hill Turkey sandwich requested gluten free bread served with chips. A perfect little lunch. Nice size patio however no shade from the midday sun. The inside was pleasant and was no problem getting inside seating. Staff was helpful when ordering and recommending the various types of teas. read more

The Briar - NE Hill Turkey - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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One of the best spots for a.m. coffee and, with the amazing Houndstooth restaurant pop up, also one of the best spots in the cities for p.m. cocktails and small plates! The chef took the time to speak with us about his food choices - it is obvious that he loves what he does - and that translates into lovely, intentional dishes. Lovely ambiance and atmosphere! read more

Great neighborhood spot. Cute vibe inside and lovely patio. Yummy food and nice staff. Three thumbs up!

Stopped in for brunch on Saturday afternoon. We had delicious bowls of chicken and white bean soup, egg salad open face sandwich's and bread pudding for dessert. The food was very very good, presented well, and each item had a little different presentation that made it very interesting. An example was the egg salad sandwich, which was open face on focaccia with dill and cornichons, The restaurant wasn't large but nicely done; the outside seating looked inviting but the weather did not cooperate. During our visit, people of the neighborhood dropped by, some with dogs at their heel. The ambiance was nice, friendly, and the facility is clean and attractive. This is a great place tucked away in the neighborhood. Go try it! read more

Very Friendly!!! Food and Drinks were extremely good especially the Avocado Tostado. Nice to have a new place in NE read more

We went for lunch with high hopes and left pretty disappointed. We really want to support neighborhood places but we won't return to this one, at least not for lunch. We had a turkey sandwich and a chicken sandwich. For a $13 sandwich I expected something delicious but it just wasn't. The cortado was good though. read more

Saw this place on Yelp. Good reviews. Well the reviews were right on. I had the Smoked Whitefish Buddy - Smoked whitefish chunks mixed with a cream cheese avocado spread and heirloom tomato. I'm not a huge fan of tomato but the smoke flavor was intensified by the fats and that blended just perfectly with the tomato. REALLY delicious. Chill ambiance. Solid low-key place to hang out in. Highly recommended. read more