Cancel

Open app

Search

The Nicollet Diner

3.1 (587 reviews)
Open • Open 24 hours

Order The Nicollet Diner Takeout or Delivery

The Nicollet Diner Photos

Business Info

THE NICOLLET DINER ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Good for groups
Outdoor seating

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - The Nicollet Diner

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Cheese curds
Angie K.

This place was right next to the Sheraton hotel in downtown and perfect for a late night arrival into Minneapolis since they're 24/7. It's rather eclectic since it's a diner attached to a cabaret (with a spinning shoe at top of the outside!). The staff was super friendly though it did take a bit for the server to see that there was someone waiting. So don't think they're ignoring you! The food really hit the spot, I had one of the breakfasts and we also got the cheese curds, because well, give where we were, how could you not? Great diner fare with breakfast 24 hours, how can you go wrong? I even recommended it to other people that were in town for the same event and everyone just loved it. It's super low key and really very much a 70s/80s style diner. Give it a try!

The Breakfast Quickie?  Yes please.
Chad G.

I really enjoyed this place. Great location near the convention center. It has an old timey diner feel, which I liked. My server was great. Super nice and attentive. The pricing was a little on the high side for a greasy spoon/diner, but they have one offering that was perfect for me. The Breakfast Quickie was two eggs and toast for $6.99. It's just right. Probably gonna go there for all my breakfasts while I'm in town. UPDATE: I went back again my last day here and it was great. This place is a solid 4.5 stars. It'd be a 5 star, but the price point just seems a bit too high. Still worth your time.

Pancakes
Anton F.

I'm town for a conference and this diner was close to the convention center. Open 24 hours, after a long day, I stopped in for a late night breakfast. Later in the week, I ordered an early morning lunch. Old school vibe with booths all around and a diner table seating. Both food items were good; the All American Breakfast and Turkey Club with fries, chicken wild rice soup and strawberry shake (see photos) all at a reasonable price. This rating would have been a 5 star but the customer service was horrible during the morning. We waited 15 minutes to be seated with 3 open tables during the morning shift.

Jolly Roger Burger
George L.

Literally came here on 4am after an afterparty and I have to say, it was more chill than expected. I expected people to say beware of the characters that come out late night but the sunday morning that I've had food, I was disappointed thar it was rather mundane. Maybe Minneapolis is just pedestrian compared to LA... So service is slow, but what did you expect at 4am? Ordered the Jolly Roger burger and the food took...25 minutes despite the lack of crowds. Take that as you will. Food is aight. I'd give it a 3 of 5 for the mundane atmosphere, nothing special but nothing wrong. Y'all lied to me Ha. Didn't get sick, filled up. Laughed at the notion that I'd get sick from the food which I doubt and proved wrong. It's slow, yes but I don't find it bad. The novelty of eating here would wear out after the 2nd time though. The price tag was a little high but it's expected for a 24/7 downtown area. Overall it's a spot I'd only go once to be honest, and perhaps one of the only spots to come back super late from an event and notnworry about stuff closing.

Janay D.

First time at Nicollet Diner and it definitely won't be my last. Came through for a late-night breakfast and ordered the sausage, eggs, and French toast... and I instantly fell in love. Everything was cooked just right and hit the spot exactly how a late-night diner meal should. The vibe was warm and inviting, and the staff seemed super friendly, which always makes the experience better. Loved the energy of the place and can't wait to come back and try more. Solid first visit all around.

Lobby area

Not family-friendly at all. When I saw "diner," I pictured an Americana-style retro restaurant--but I was mistaken. For starters, there were flies everywhere. The restroom was shared by men and women, and I would not have felt comfortable allowing my seven-year-old granddaughter to use it. This is definitely an adults-only establishment. We were staying at the Sheraton next door and didn't realize the cabaret and diner were connected. Unfortunately, the word "diner" gave us a very different impression of what to expect.

Quickie over easy.  Homemade strawberry jam was yummy.
Lisa N.

Food was standard for a greasy spoon. The issue I have is there is minimal for healthy eaters and vegans (vegan sausage, fruit cup, ...). I desperately needed a coffee but I'm dairy intolerant and they have no milk alternatives. Service was slow, but eventually efficient.

Night view of patio
Denise J.

I'm visiting Minneapolis for a conference and decided to stop in for a bite to eat. It was about 9:00 p.m.. the atmosphere was cute and our server was really friendly. The food not so great. I ordered a bowl of chicken and rice soup. It arrived. Barely warm and the soup for sure was not homemade. It was quite bland and quite thick as if it came out of a can and the correct amount of water or milk hadn't been added. I ordered a side biscuit. It came cut in half and toasted, which surprised me. For a whole biscuit that was flaky and less like an English muffin. Come visit for the atmosphere and the drinks and the convenience of 24-hour restaurant. Don't expect a gourmet meal.

Eggs Benedict
Kimberly F.

We ended up on the second floor a kind of seat yourself situation and we noticed everyone else who did the same thing seemed confused. I made a reservation but I'm not sure I would bother because no one seemed aware it was there. The waitress assigned to our table kind of disappeared and the whole experience would have been pretty terrible but the bar tender waiting on other tables noticed we hadn't been helped a did a great job taking care of us. I might also mention it wasn't very busy. We had breakfast food which was exactly what we ordered. My scrambled eggs were perfect. My fruit cup had too much melon for my taste but that's personal preference. It's a pretty interesting looking place. There are some games you can play.

Wakin' Bakin' Burger and a Side of Onion Rings
Collin B.

I have passed by this place a lot and never went in until tonight. Decided to walk over and stop in for dinner. The ambiance is your typical retro diner. Stationary bar stools that swivel, open kitchen so you can watch them cook, and booths/tables surround a odd-shaped horseshoe bar that is flanked very closely by a side bar stocked with your normal liquor and mixers. No frills. They apparently are known for their milkshakes. Service was great. It was only one server that was doing it all and he was managing really well although it wasn't too busy when I was there (Monday evening). I decided to get the "Wakin Bakin Burger" which is just their breakfast burger with an egg and bacon. Overall it was average. I do want to give them credit for the double patty. I had the side of onion rings with ranch. Good size portions overall for the money. Ranch Rating: 4 out of 5. Good consistency. Creamy. Great accompaniment to the onion rings. I'll be back at a later time when it's more lively and will update the ambiance if needed.

A most delectable American breakfast.

I believe this was the third place I tried in the area, and the first that wasn't a food hall. I needed something to replace my hole in the wall diner from my previous life; instead I got something better. An lgbtqia+ diner with all gender restrooms? Sign me up! Our server (whom I can't remember the name of but will do my best to give a shout-out if I can) not only was extremely sweet, but made me feel seen as the queer individual I am. He gave suggestions on nearby places, told us about his experiences, ensured we were comfortable, well taken care of, and that the food was good. Oh, and the food was VERY good. The best breakfast I have ever had, I think, which is definitely saying something. Eggs, pancakes, bacon, all cooked to perfection. The chef could cook a leather boot and I would still tip him a 20. We will be back for the drag art as well as the divine gifts they call food.

Side of Fries
Jennifer H.

The atmosphere is so relaxing. The waiter and service inside is super friendly and the food is amazing.

Hangover breakfast

See all

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

15 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Brian W.
373
3458
1699

2 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 9
Thanks 3
Love this 5
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 6
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 1

10 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

11 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Josh C.
2
19
24

3 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

2 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 1

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 month ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

7 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 2

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 1

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

The service was awful. I'll wait it a long time my food and it never showed up. She never came back to to tell me anything.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 1

3 years ago

Helpful 11
Thanks 1
Love this 9
Oh no 1

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

3 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

Page 1 of 15

Ask the Community - The Nicollet Diner

Is the service always insanely bad or was today a fluke because of the holiday?

It's ALWAYS BAD SERVICE!!!! I tried to give them another chance today and it was HORRIBLE

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

You might also consider

Al's Breakfast - The José

Al's Breakfast

4.2(645 reviews)
2.2 mi•Marcy-Holmes, University
•$$

I first went to Al's in the mid-80's, was a regular in the early 90's and early 00's. Hadn't gone…read moreback until recently. Still love this place and am becoming a regular again. I miss the crusty humor of Doug but believe Allison has done a great job (I was actually there on her first day of work!) of keeping the true spirit of Al's alive. They are one of my favorite places for hollandaise sauce!

Not for the claustrophobic! Also they only take cash or check. Also lots of other things…read more This place is so narrow it's barely three-dimensional. It is the breakfast-diner equivalent of a crowded subway train at rush hour. This place is basically a counter with about a dozen stools, and they serve breakfast staples every morning. There is no room behind the stools, and yet because people think this is a fun experience they wait in a line behind the stools. They sometimes move the stool people to different stools mid-meal to strategically fill stools with the stool-waitbehinders. It is a challenging experience. The food is not good enough to make up for the effort it takes to be here. In the past I've gotten normal, acceptable eggs/bacon meals. This time I got Eggs Benedict with nice, tart sauce. The eggs were a bit overdone, which is fine if you're not someone who likes a runny yolk situation. I also got hash browns which, on their own, tasted like they were steamed in bilge water. Most people probably put lots of ketchup or hot sauce on them. But you're kind of there for the experience. And it is an experience of cramming yourself in with hipsters and tolerating surly cooks who urgently shout to each other - right next to you - about needed ingredients while occasionally shaming you for not waiting in line correctly. The ambiance is not the slightest bit boring. If this review doesn't scare you away you will probably love it.

Photos
Al's Breakfast - Love the inclusive atmosphere

Love the inclusive atmosphere

Al's Breakfast - Blackberry and chocolate chip flapjack

Blackberry and chocolate chip flapjack

Al's Breakfast - Line moves fast and talk about a view lol

See all

Line moves fast and talk about a view lol

Fat Nats Eggs

Fat Nats Eggs

4.3(694 reviews)
6.1 mi
•$$

I ordered on the in to work and she was spot on for time. Got the Jacobs Omelet. It was amazing…read more The carnitas was done to perfection, wrapped tight in the eggs and it was full of meat. They did miss the cheese on my hashbrowns, but that is okay because the pepperjack cheese in the omelet mixed with the hashbrowns was enough. 10/10 I recommend a stop and get breakfast when you need a filling breakfast for a long day.

Fat Nat's Eggs is one of those places where the food is clearly the star of the show. The interior…read morehas a simple, old-school neighborhood diner feel...casual, comfortable, and refreshingly unfussy. You're not coming here for elaborate décor; you're coming here to eat, and they absolutely deliver. I ordered the ABQ Omelette ($16.95) and went all in with both carnitas and chorizo, along with tomatoes, onions, chiles, cilantro and pepper jack cheese, served over two crisp tortillas. I opted for the red Hatch chile sauce, and this was definitely not your ordinary breakfast omelette. The chile had a deep, rich flavor with a surprisingly good kick of spice that made the entire dish stand out. The combination of carnitas and chorizo made it incredibly hearty and packed with flavor. The hash browns deserve some attention too, beautifully crispy and golden on the outside while still tender underneath. Exactly how diner hash browns should be. Overall, Fat Nat's Eggs was a great find. Excellent food, generous portions, real flavor and more spice than I expected from a breakfast spot, in the best possible way. It may look modest when you walk through the door, but don't underestimate what's coming out of the kitchen. Great local breakfast spot. Don't miss out!

Photos
Fat Nats Eggs - Inside

Inside

Fat Nats Eggs
Fat Nats Eggs - The entrance featured a red, white, and blue LED "OPEN" sign and the business hours.

See all

The entrance featured a red, white, and blue LED "OPEN" sign and the business hours.

Convention Grill - Regular Homestyle French Fries -regular

Convention Grill

3.9(219 reviews)
4.2 mi
•$$

Cute diner setting. Tried their new bkfst. Delicious! I had Avocado Toast with scrambled eggs and…read moreside of greens. Greens were fresh and perfectly dressed. Only thing I would change is to ask for sourdough toast instead. My friend had the frittata which was also delicious. I would highly recommend breakfast here. Our waiter was great, too. Note: Some booths have no seat cushions...hard wood!

It pains me to write this. I went here for breakfast having been very excited to try it since they…read morebegan breakfast service. There was one other person when I arrived about 9 am. I asked the waitress if they were normally busy and she said usually weekends. I ordered coffee and biscuits with sausage gravy and eggs. Had a discussion with the waitress about whether they could make basted eggs which she thought they could. Shortly afterward she brought out what appeared at first to be a lovely breakfast. Hash browns came with it. These hash browns were spectacular, hot and wonderful. It pains me to say everything else was ice cold: the eggs, biscuits, the gravy, and the six pieces of sausage thrown on top of the biscuits, with none in the actual sauce. The eggs were perfectly cooked but cold. I really don't understand how things were so cold right out of the kitchen. And, obviously, they don't know how to make biscuits and gravy. I told the waitress that everything was cold except the hash browns and she took a few dollars off my bill. She was lovely. We spoke for a few minutes about the old Lincoln Del where she used to work and where I spent so much time in my youth. I boxed up my leftovers, the waitress gave me coffee to go, and I left. I suspect I won't be eating the leftovers. Do I recommend the Convention Grill? Not for breakfast anyway. But would still go for burgers, fries, and malts. They also have a killer egg salad sandwich!

Photos
Convention Grill
Convention Grill
Convention Grill

See all

Mickey's Diner - One eyed Jack

Mickey's Diner

3.5(461 reviews)
8.9 mi•Downtown St. Paul
•$$

Nostalgia ... I hadn't been here in decades. I wanted my husband to try Mickey's so we came in on a…read moreslow Wednesday evening. Only 1 booth was occupied by a family. Great evening talking to the family in the booth - we even sang together. They didn't kick us all out for our bad singing. My husband loved his breakfast meal. The one must order here are the hashbrowns - loaded or not. I had the mushroom burger and it was good, an average type of burger. Service was a bit slow but maybe the singing scared her away?

Very bad service, overly expensive diner food…read more We were excited to try out this iconic restaurant while visiting St Paul, but we were quickly disappointed. We arrived and waited for a few minutes. The server eventually came out from the back and told us to sit anywhere. No greeting, no niceties. We skated over to a booth, as the floors had a layer of grime on them and were very slippery. The decorations were very cool. We definitely got the 50s diner vibe. Our server came over and took our order. She had zero personality. There were no introductions and she kept the conversation to one word sentences. She treated us like she'd rather have us leave then stay an eat. We were friendly throughout the dining experience. We did notice that the server was very pleasant with the other staff and all the male patrons, calling them "hon" and asking them if they need anything else. She did not extend any of these courtesies to our table of two women. It was bizarre and completely ruined our final experience in St. Paul. The food was overly expensive for very so-so diner food. The sausage patties were dried out. The eggs were overcooked. The rest was just fine, but not worth the price of over $40 for two basic meals (during the early bird time period) and two coffees. Lastly, it seemed like the smoke from the flat top was vented, but there was a smell of old cooking oil lingering in the restaurant. The whole experience was not good. It was one of the worst dining experiences we've had, and we do not expect or require a lot. We make no alterations to our food and we're friendly diners and tip well. This was a huge disappointment.

Photos
Mickey's Diner - Mickey's

Mickey's

Mickey's Diner - Omelet

Omelet

Mickey's Diner - Mickey's Diner

See all

Mickey's Diner

The Nicollet Diner - diners - Updated October 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...