"Uncommon Grounds" used to be my (almost) daily retreat after work for over ten years. I moved away and came back to visit it. Eleven years later the magic is still there. The best part is that my favorite table is available as well. The place got some upgrades but also retained its historical charm. Dale, the owner is still around. The staff is chill. Oh, my! I love it! read more

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I love chai. I love the flavor of all the spices and how it warms me up. I even make my own chai from scratch with spices from my local Indian market, and when I feel fancy, I pour my chai from one cup to another like a chaiwala to froth my chai. So when I passed the sign here that said "Warm Scones, Great Chai", I knew I had to try it! It's located kitty-corner from Isles Bun & Coffee, so you can always pick up more pastries from there after if you're not feeling like having a scone. We were the first customers of the day, and the gentleman that opened the door for us was very friendly. I think the interior was very cute, it was very cozy and has a homey vibe, but with seating that looked like it was from a Marie Calendars or Bakers Square. It was super quiet in there, no background music. I was kind of afraid to talk and felt like I should whisper like I was in a library. I got the Uncommon Chai and a chai scone. While the scone was ok, the chai was underwhelming. It just tasted like hot milk with a sprinkle of chai flavors somewhere in there. I could barely taste any cardamom, cinnamon or clove as is common in chai. I would say this is probably a MN interpretation of chai, definitely not authentic. Kind of like my family's former Chinese restaurant in southern MN. Not authentic, but rather a Midwest version of Chinese food. The cafe is in an old house, so this place is not wheelchair accessible from what I could see. read more

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How have I not been here before? This coffeehouse is totally my vibe. It is the perfect spot for a one-on-one or small group conversation. I came in the middle of the day, so there were only a few tables occupied, so it was very calm--balm for these times. The house that the coffee shop is in is beautifully preserved--anyone who has been in a home of this area and era will immediately recognize its characteristics. It feels an awful lot like walking into that house where you spent so much time when you were growing up. From the tile in the bathroom, to the ceiling, to the layout, to the dark wood, it's like walking smack into your childhood safe place. The coffee is absolutely delicious (and the espresso machine pretty as can be). Smooth as silk and without a hint of bitterness, it's just as comforting as the environment and just as pleasant as the wonderful person who served it. Absolutely recommend this place. I definitely need to come back to try the chai. It smelled incredible. read more

Delicious chai, AMAZING chai. Be ready to wait a little while, as the staff typically isn't in a rush - this is the only reason I give 4 stars instead of 5. Not a complaint, just an observation: it's definitely more of a casual Saturday kind of place and not an 'I'm on the way to work and need coffee fast' kind of place. The ambiance inside is fine, but it's a great stop if you're wandering uptown, and can make for a great first date stop (per my friend's recommendation!). read more

Pros Ambiance: 10/10 Service: 10/10 Food: chai is amazing!!!! - love the place! It's so comfortable and best place to study ( only if you have enough charge in your computers) -Amazing place to read and relax. Great for solo or even romantic getaway. Cons - No charging port. - Due to constructions parking is slightly annoying. read more

A friend had suggested this coffee shop a few years ago. I had a good experience and decided to visit again. This time, I took some friends that were visiting from out of town. In my opinion, this coffee shop is one of the cutest in the city. Since it's inside of a house, it makes you feel cozy and the lowlight adds a calm relax ambience feel. I ordered the orgasmic chai, though it was really sweet, I still liked it. It was like a dessert drink for me. Hot and ideal for the cold MN weather. I do miss them serving the chai on mugs. They use disposable coffee cups now. I also ordered a cheesecake, it was really good and thick. Not too sweet, just perfect. Service was friendly, the girl that took our order was polite and even helped us decide on what to order. There were people working/studying around, I felt kind of bad having a conversation but end of the day it's a public coffee shop. read more

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One of the best chai lattes in the twin cities! I bring a lot of friends and family here when they come to visit and they never disappoint. I really like all the different flavors of chai that they offer. My favorites are the orgasmic, mint, and lavender chais. Highly recommend the lemon chill blended drink with a pump of blackberry syrup. It adds the perfect amount of sweet and tart flavors to the drink. Overall, I really enjoy the home-y vibe and it is a really nice place to read, work, and study. Keep in mind, there is a bit of a wait since there is usually only one person working but it is sooo worth the wait! read more

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Cute atmosphere. Delicious chai. Neighborhood staple. Sad to see it empty but glad it's still here.

Best coffee shop in the twin cities. The owner lives upstairs and is the nicest guy ever. The vibe is cozy and home-y. They have great desserts as well. read more

Friendly staff. Beautiful decor and delicious chai. Only thing that could make it better would milk alternatives! read more

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Came into Minneapolis for the weekend and ended up stumbling upon Uncommon Grounds, and what a wonderful experience it was! Walking in, you feel invited with the warm scents of chai and pastries, the vibes are so wholesome and the decor is so classic! The owner came up to us and said hello, and our orders were quickly taken! We got the Orgasmic Chai, and it definitely lived up to its name! It was absolutely delicious. Excited to come back again to try some more of their items the next time I'm in town! read more

Uncommon Grounds - Seating Area - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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In the heart of Uptown just off Hennepin, Uncommon Grounds is a long-standing neighborhood institution. I met a friend for coffee here yesterday and after the hype I've heard, I was decidedly underwhelmed. I always bring my own thermos/cup and was shocked a 16oz (lukewarm) drip coffee was nearly $5 after tax. Their food case looked stocked with leftovers from the day(s) before and what some find is charming, the shop was very dark inside. Not sure if they keep the lights down for ambiance or to keep folks from spending a lot of time inside, with Isles and Buns and Corner Coffee on the same block, I'd encourage folks to go elsewhere. read more

Read the reviews. The owner is an old, out of touch, elderly white man with no regard for really anything. He walked up to our table and snatched my friends Starbucks cup unexpectedly and threw it away. While he was aggressively coming towards us muttering things like "I didn't open this place up to be a free for all"...? He later comes around asking us what we are studying for and finds out our profession. Suddenly we get 2 free coffees to our table, randomly? Our words must have touched him when we checked him for being the obvious aggressor. There are no outlets in this place and the lighting is so dark, assuming to keep people out...? Out dated decor and a small menu with absolutely no substitutions. The owner definitely racially profiles patrons. I would highly suggest reading the reviews, visiting the place and then writing your own review. It's crazy spot on, FOR YEARS. read more

Uncommon Grounds - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

I had a lovely experience at Uncommon Grounds! It's one of the few cafes that stays open late around the area, so I chose it as a meet up spot after work with a friend that didn't feel like cocktails. The card machine was a bit slow and I was a touch disappointed they didn't have much for food/bakery options, but was excited to try the Chai. I got the large, and though it wasn't cheap, I found it to be delicious! I'd definitely come back for another. The thing I loved most, though, is the atmosphere. It was quiet, candlelit, and perfect for dates or intimate catch-ups with a friend. Or, a great place to read or write in peace. I loved the homey feel. As I was waiting for my friend to arrive, and older man who seemed to be the owner came over as he was cleaning the tables. He welcomed me and thanked me for coming, and chatted with me for a bit. This is the kind of experience you just don't get elsewhere! I hope you enjoy your visit as much as I did! read more

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It's clean, rustic, and intimate. The barista at the counter was friendly and attentive. But all I got was a cup of coffee served in a paper cup instead of a ceramic cup, because he didn't ask if it was for there or to go. I started to look at the display of food and he didn't ask me if I saw anything that I liked. There was no menu even though there was a sign outside that implied that they made such good scones. There wasn't even an upsell with the coffee. I walked out disappointed. read more

One of the best chai lattes I've ever had - if not the best!! Fair pricing and great vibes. I will say, this is not a coffee shop to go and do work in or hustle in or hustle out of. It's dark, there's no outlets, and it doesn't open until 9/10am. Not that those are negative things - just a bit of a different vibe - definitely more of a relaxing, chill, have a conversation type of place. read more

Good coffee however pretty bad place to work, music is too loud to take meetings despite the place being empty, and there are no outlets. Service is okay. read more

Wow, is this chai good! Service is always friendly and fast when I go here, especially since there is usually one person working the front and doing drinks. They offer a variety of chai flavors including raspberry, which surprised me on how good it tastes! Probably not a place to go if you want an authentic chai, but good if you're in the mood for a sweet treat. It is super cute on the inside with a vintage aesthetic; I bet it is a great place to study/get work done :) read more

If you love the smell and memories of your grandparents' home, then this is the place for you! I'm not kidding - It brought back a lot of cozy memories for me so I kind of liked it. It's a cozy coffee shop with a lot of interesting things to look at. The biggest downside of this place is NO AC. I went here on a 90+ day - first time here so I didn't know - and was wiping sweat off my face the whole time and it was past 7pm! Everyone raves about the chai, so obviously I had to get that. I got an orgasmic chai and it absolutely lives up to its name!! The special thing about this chai is a shot of marshmallow flavor and my only complaint is that they didn't offer a big enough size! SO good. A little pricier than your chain coffee shop, but absolutely worth it (~$7-8 for the large). Parking was a nightmare because of the location. My friend ended up parking a good 10 minute walk away on a side street while I parked in a garage about a 10 minute walk away (and literally paid the price for it... $12!! For 3hrs of parking. I've learned). Unfortunately, I don't live close enough to frequent this shop - or maybe fortunately for my bank account. Would definitely recommend! read more

Best Chai I've ever had! Service is always amazing and it's a quiet study or meeting place!

Okay they seriously do have really good chai here. I got an iced pumpkin chai and LOVED IT! However, if you prefer a bitter chai then this is NOT the place for you. The chai here is super sweet and probably not very authentic, but I really enjoy it. It has a unique flavor that other chai places don't have. However, they do charge wayyyyy too much. A small chai is at least $7. The price is a bit insane. I'd go here more if the price was reasonable. If you've never had the chai here before, then it's worth trying. But it's not the type of place I can visit frequently (like a spy house or Starbucks) since the price is so atrocious. Also, don't come here to study. There's no wifi or plugs, and it's kinda dim. I enjoy the dim atmosphere but if you like brighter vibes then I'd suggest going somewhere else. read more

I was so surprised by the reviews on here! I found this place a few years ago and became addicted to their chai lattes. I will admit, I haven't tasted the full drink menu. The first time I came here, I tried the drink called "the best chai" and it was so good I never branched out to try their other drinks. I usually get the same drink in a large for a little over $5. If you are a serious tea drinker that likes spicy or earthy flavors, I would not recommend this place. The chai is very sweet and cinnamon-y and not like traditional chai. But if you like sweet drinks I highly recommend this place! I read a few of the other reviews mentioning the sign in the front, I asked a barista about it and they explained that during peak hours it can get crowded since it's inside a pretty small house. I would not come here to study or do work, the music and people can get loud. But definitely come here to have a drink with a friend in the afternoon and sit by the big windows in front or come for a coffee date at night when it is dimly lit by cute little candles that they set out on each table after dark. read more

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Owner personally introduced himself to me as it was my first time there. Seems like a really nice guy, and the baristas were nice and helpful. Awesome ambiance like being inside a friends house, had a really good latte! read more

Uncommon Grounds was a wonderful little place with a lot of character! The barista on staff was super friendly and fun to talk to and the cafe itself had a very cozy, homey feel. I enjoyed the candle-lit space, but I could see how it may not be the most appealing for some people. Uncommon Grounds definitely seems like the coffeehouse to meet up with a friend to talk, not to get work done. I ordered a white hot chocolate with soy milk, which was delicious, but a little pricey for $6 for 12oz. Overall, cute and cozy place, with a simple, but tasty menu! Ps: the carrot cake is incredible! read more

Uncommon Grounds - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

One or twice a month when I do a ups drop I stop in for their super delicious chai. Aidan, I may spell it wrong, is one of the people in my spontaneous life that makes me feel special. She remembers my order and greets me. So nice to feel seen. Great service. Great chai! read more

I've been a loyal UG customer since my hs & early college days (when the upstairs was open as more space to drink your coffee & study). I spent up to six hours doing hw there; it was where I had my first chai & fell in love. Recently, my bf, bro & I met the owner, found out he bought the place when he was 23 & it took off from there. Cool dude. Cool place. Best chai is right. Tonight, my bros & I visited around 10 in the evening. My younger bro & I arrived earlier & grabbed a booth to wait for my other two bros before we made orders. Shortly after seating, they arrived, this is when the owner approached us. 'Have you ordered yet?' I replied "no, we are still deciding on what to get." 'Well you can't stay here if you don't order. You need to order first.' Now, I HATE pulling out the profiling card, but EID weekend did just end, & upon arrival, we noticed the shop swarming with young Somali customers (who yes, have made purchases). I've worked in the restaurant industry as well, & in retail, I hate loiters as much as any business owner-but RUDE. My reply trying to lighten the mood "don't worry, we're not loitering, you know me we've been here before." 'Yea I remember you. Been open 30 years, I know how this works.' Excuse me grandpa. What're you tryna say? Just cause we visually fit your group of young minorities who loiter & cause problems. We wanted to settle into a spot before ordering, you don't need to be a stereotypical cranky old man. Moments later he came back to us after my two older bros ordered & told my younger bro & I the baristas were wondering where we were & they were complaining about wanting to make our drinks before picking up stock from the delivery truck. I call BS. Don't make it seem like your baristas were rushing us. I am taking my years of five star rating away from UG & giving them ZERO. Will NOT return. read more

My friends and I came from Nashville over a weekend, and we heard nothing but good things of this space. Was not disappointed. The owner was a cool guy, showed us great hospitality. Would love to be back soon read more

Uncommon Grounds - Front entrance - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

I decided to come here yesterday after getting some books and I was not disappointed. The atmosphere was really nice and the decor was really cozy. The lady working there was very nice, she did let me know that the espresso machine wasn't working so I couldn't get anything warm or with espresso and I completely understand that. So I ordered an iced chai with almond milk instead. And it was so good, highly recommend here. read more

To start of on a positive note, they DO have the best chai BUT only when it's made right. You'd think that after paying $7 for a small cup of chai that it'd be made correctly... nah. I used to be a very frequent customer, but soon I realized there's no consistency. Cons: Overpriced No WiFi No outlets Too dark Inside is outdated, needs new seating, tables, etc. Not allowed to study or do HW "due to spacing" If your drink is made wrong they won't redo it for free. The owner is actually a sweetheart, but seems greedy in a way.. Though their chais are so popular, their cups look as if it's from a gas station. (Even though they charge $7 per drink!). There was a time the lid wasn't closed all the way so when I grabbed my chai it spilled on me and the floor. The employee had to ask the owner if he was allowed to make me a new drink... THE OWNER HESITATED all he cared about is his carpet. It's just sad that such good chai is going to waste. read more

The "best chai" was good, but I've had better. Came here on a Sunday to get some things done, not heavily study or anything. But I wish I listened to the reviews because most are right. The lighting is super dim, like you need a flash light to see. Music is loud, and most chairs are for groups and not individual seating. AND they have NO wifi on the weekends ... which is weird. And the service was meh - I was trying to be really nice but I wasn't getting it in return. All the staff basically talk to only the customers they know aka their friends and ignore everyone else. Most likely won't be back again. read more

My latte was fine but It's 2019 and this place has no plugs and no Wi-Fi. Minneapolis establishments are dropping like flies. It's sheer arrogance to think your shhh is so hot you don't need basic modern amenities in store. Get an electrician. Install broadband Wi-Fi. Make it easy for normal people to get their work done. That's half the job of any coffee shop, anywhere. You're welcome. read more

I really liked the interior decorations--they were very homey and welcoming! The scones were served warm and were very tasty. The "famous" chai was milk with a dash of chai seasoning . Was not impressed. Maybe if we'd tried the flavored chai it would have lived up to the hype, but alas it did not... read more

Uncommon Grounds - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

I applaud these wonderful people for filling my cup with love, WOOO !!! This is THE BEST CHAI I HAVE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE!!! Sorry for the CAPS. read more

The first time I went into Uncommon Grounds, I loved the cozy feel inside. I also loved the almond latte I order, truly the best I have ever had. It tasted just like almond cake, but with the comfort of a latte. The reason why I am rating it a 3-star coffee shop is because the hours are really inconvenient for the morning coffee drinker. They don't open until the afternoon and are open until late in the evening. I understand they want to appeal a night crowd with their drinks and homemade goodies, but I would rather have their delicious coffee in the morning! The other thing is the price, I paid over $6 for a medium latte. For the same latte at Starbucks or Caribou, I would pay $4-$4.50, and I still think that is a little ridiculous. I will still come back and patronize Uncommon Grounds occasionally, but wanted inform other of the price and hours. read more

First let me state the positive exceptions to this low rating: - The baristas are amazing. Friendly, hardworking, and exceptionally skilled - The chai is BOMB (one of the only reasons I keep coming back) - it's extremely cozy! Old fashioned home vibe Now the negatives: - The baristas aren't paid enough (7.25/ hr) They deserve WAY more than that w/ how pricey the drinks are. You CANNOT live on that income. Tells me the owner cares more about money than his worker's wellbeing. (This business obviously has a high employee turn over rate. And I'm guessing banks on exploiting the young/desperate/less-experienced ppl to work here) - The baristas are constantly monitored (cameras), making me think that the owner is watching their every move like an authoritarian hawk. That makes the vibe uncomfortable - The owner doesn't want ppl to read/study/ work on their laptops here. There's literally a sign telling ppl not to. But... This is a coffee shop. The primary reason ppl come to a coffee shop is to have a place to focus on their work. The owner is really limiting his clientele and ostracizing regular coffee shop dwellers. Bad move. - I've never seen any people of color working here. That's problematic and shows what little regard the owner has towards diversity. I don't want to support & give my money to a business that neglects & subjugates their workers. You will only lose business this way. These are not issues I'm alone in feeling, several ppl feel/express these concerns (which shows why it has such a low rating). This place has a lot of potential, yet is being run in such a problematic way. read more

Uncommon Grounds - This is craziness. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

First off, the decor and mood of the entire cafe is warm and cozy. I mean, it's inside a house. There are plants, ficus trees, classy paintings, and comfy seating. They have outside seating on the patio that is lovely and charming! There is limited lighting inside seeing that there are various lamps that are strewn around the cafe but that adds to the calming atmosphere but not ideal for reading. There is music that is quite loud and I couldn't find an outlet for my laptop but they do have free wifi... I had their hot chai tea and I actually enjoyed it thoroughly! It was gone within 3 minutes (also note i down drinks in a blink of an eye). The only thing is that it is pricy. Over $4.50 for their small size. Overall, great place if you want to bring friends or just relax. Very homey and has a warmth to it. read more

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While I love all things unordinary, my experience at Uncommon Grounds had me scratch my head while asking myself the fundamental question of...wtf? First, this is a coffee house. Yet, it doesn't welcome productivity as evident by the sign that warns "no laptops or books during busy hours". To top it all off, they also turn off wifi during that period as well. To most people, "busy" would mean that your place is off the hook with customers. Yet, when I was there, there must've been 6 people at most. For a place that could easily fit 30 in all its seating areas, it's confusing as to why they'd turned off the wifi connection. Second, this place was like a dungeon. I thought I'd never find a place as dim-lighted as caffetto, but boy was I wrong...Yes, there were lamps and lighting all around. What seems to be missing is electricity. For whatever reason, the lights were on at the level of some lazy ass candles since all you see is the yellow tip of the bulbs. Perhaps the owners were trying to be more earth conscious with these oddities, but to me, they scream the word parsimonious. Or Amish. To avoid people like me from too high of an expectation, perhaps they should modify their name to "Uncommon Grounds: where amish dungeon meets coffee". No offense to the Amish community--I'm just not ever going to be one. I'm normally pretty lenient in my reviews, but I'd daresay that my laptop, books, and I won't be going back to this joint anytime soon. read more

I have been going to a workout studio next door and noticed their "worlds best chai" signage outside. Being the curious person I had to see just how great it was. They also say it's the oldest house in uptown. It feels very outdated on the inside with carpeting and little rooms to dine in. Based on their claim to fame I walked in knowing my order. Small chai tea. I was expecting this drink to blow my socks off. Don't get me wrong I did like it a lot. It was a blend of chai and maple oatmeal flavors that were very delicious but the base of it tasted mostly like warm milk. I was hoping for more of the tea undertones to cut the sweetness. I didn't get any food but they had a few cake slices and scones. I'm not sure why they were in Saran Wrap but it made me wonder how fresh everything was. The weirdest part about this place is that there's a sign asking that you not study or work due to limited seating. I feel like that is an odd request for a small coffee shop. The more people work and study at your location the more food and drinks they'll buy. Felt like they were turning away business with the sign. read more

Wonderful setting and great chai! Unique cozy living room setting is comfy in winter, spring or summer!

I wasn't crazy about going here after reading some reviews but my friend wanted to go here so I just went along. Just from the outside I was skeptical when we walked up.. and my instincts were right. This place, although it's trying to keep the vintage chair, is in serious need of updating. The furniture is ancient and falling apart and the floors are very slanted. The bathroom lighting was so dark I could hardly see! I was really disappointed that they didn't even have normal tea on the menu. What coffee shop doesn't have tea?! I ended up getting a chai latte and it was so sweet I couldn't even finish it. With Spy House right down the street, I can't say I would go here coffee or come back.. read more