4 top options for affordable breakfast and brunch eats in Saint Paul
Cafe Astoria | Photo: Phet P./Yelp
In search of a new favorite breakfast and brunch spot? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable breakfast and brunch restaurants around Saint Paul, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to fulfill your urges. Topping the list is Cafe Astoria. Located at 180 Grand Ave. in West 7th, the creperie and breakfast and brunch spot, which offers coffee and tea, is the highest-rated affordable breakfast and brunch restaurant in Saint Paul, boasting 4.5 stars out of 329 reviews on Yelp. The menu also offers smoothies. Curious about who's behind the business? "John is an established local chef who has worked at some of the best restaurants in the Twin Cities," the business says on Yelp, this time in the bio section of its profile. "Cafe Astoria takes the 'chef-driven' approach to a code shop with inventive coffee drinks and delicious crepes and salads." As to what the business is known for, "Cafe Astoria is an independent local coffee cafe and creperie," it writes on Yelp in the section explaining specialties. "As residents of the West Seventh neighborhood, we believe in community investment and neighbors serving neighbors." Next up is Midway's Groundswell, situated at 1340 Thomas Ave. With 4.5 stars out of 236 reviews on Yelp, the bakery and breakfast and brunch spot, serving coffee and tea and more, has proven to be a local favorite for those looking for a budget-friendly option. Menu items include quiche, breakfast tacos and pancakes. If you're curious for more, we found these details about Groundswell. "In 2009, Hamline/Midway residents Seth McCoy and Tim Gilbert scraped together as much money as they could, asked a bunch of their friends to volunteer their time at the espresso machine and opened Groundswell Coffee," according to the history section of the business's Yelp profile. "They committed themselves to local high quality coffee roasters, and to source everything they could from the Twin Cities. They invited musicians who could play for free, offered their walls to local artists and installed a patio." In terms of signature items, "Groundswell is a collaboration of food, bakery and beverages neatly tucked away in the Hamline Midway neighborhood," it states on Yelp in the section explaining specialties. "It is an experiment in culinary art. Foods have inherent aromas, layers and chemistry that we respect and love to play with." Macalester-Groveland's My Burger, located at 1580 Grand Ave., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the cheap breakfast and brunch spot, which offers burgers and more, four stars out of 39 reviews. Side menu items include onion rings, fresh fruit and coleslaw. Furthermore, we found this about the business's signature items: "We specialize in flippin' good burgers!" it writes on Yelp in the section highlighting specialties. "Oh, fries and malts too." Golden Thyme Coffee & Cafe, a breakfast and brunch spot that offers coffee and tea, sandwiches and more in Summit-University, is another much-loved, affordable go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 42 Yelp reviews. Head over to 934 Selby Ave. to see for yourself. Sherry S. noted, "Not only do they brew a mean cup of coffee — they also cook up amazing shrimp and grits and make delicious soups and salads. But that is not all. Owners Stephanie and Michael are active in our community." Yelper Kysa H. wrote, "Golden Thyme is easily one of the best local coffee shops in St. Paul. It has such a nice atmosphere, and I feel at home right as I walk in the door." This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.
1. Cafe Astoria
2. Groundswell
3. My Burger
4. Golden Thyme Coffee & Cafe
