Twin Cities organic institution -- unhurried, welcoming, reliable. The kind of place that has been here before vegan was a trend and will be here after.
About
French Meadow Bakery and Cafe is a vegan-friendly restaurant and organic bakery at 2610 Lyndale Ave S in Minneapolis's Lyn-Lake neighborhood, open daily since 1985. The menu offers extensive vegan options: the tempeh Reuben sandwich is a local legend, and the tofu scramble is a reliable breakfast anchor. Blackened tempeh tacos, veggie quesadillas, and hearty bowls cover lunch. The on-site bakery produces vegan muffins, pastries, and the cafe's well-known organic breads. A second location operates on Grand Avenue in Saint Paul. One of the Twin Cities' oldest continuously operating organic restaurants.
What to Order
Real customer favorites from 3,698+ reviews
dark chocolate sea salt cookie
Rich and flavorful without being overly sweet.
side of fruit
Fresh and a nice complement to the meal.
creamy mushroom pasta
Very good and comforting, with a nice balance of creaminess and flavor.
vegan meatballs
Mentioned as a vegan option, though one review found them overcooked.
vegan chocolate rose cake
Described as a treat.
Quick Info
Customer Reviews
3,698+ verified Google reviews
I recently ate at French Meadow Cafe & Bluestem Bar and had a really enjoyable meal. They have a large number of vegan options, which makes it a great spot for anyone looking for plant based choices. I tried their dark chocolate sea salt cookie, which was rich and flavorful without being overly sweet. I also ordered a side of fruit, which was fresh and a nice complement to the meal. For my entree, I had a creamy mushroom pasta. I don’t remember the exact name, but it was very good and comforting, with a nice balance of creaminess and flavor. Overall, everything was well prepared, and I would definitely come back to try more from their menu.
Great restaurant with a ton of options. They have many vegan and vegetarian items which makes it super easy to eat there as a vegan. The vegan breakfast is very good, and they can also veganize the breakfast burrito. The tempeh Reuben is good for Reuben lovers. Deducting one star due to the French toast being very dry, we ended up sending it back. Otherwise, the service was good and the food and drinks were great. There’s a to-go quick service section for those that don’t want to dine in. The food came very quickly for a table of 5 so that was also nice.
Everything about this place was a delight! It was a beautiful day so we sat outside on the patio, but the inside has a really nice vibe. The food was delicious, with lots of gluten free and vegan options. I had the oatmeal latte and it was tasty with just the right amount of flavoring that still allowed the espresso to shine through. We were there for breakfast so can't speak to the dinner menu, but the quiche was fantastic! They also have a free, shaded parking lot.
Pretty solid place! They have a wide selection and is generally a crowd pleaser. Theres lots of vegan options too. There's nothing that will blow you away, and it's always super busy, but overall it's a good experience. If you need to take folks from out of town somewhere and can't agree on a restaurant I'd recommend here. The bar is pretty solid as well. That said, for gluten free folks, or folks on a low fodmap diet they will have a tough time finding a dish apart from the soup. I will say that the wait staff seems like they are in a stressed out flurry whenever I've been there and that creates a bit of a tense atmosphere.
Outside patio makes dining perfect for pet lovers ❤️ Thank you for vegan and vegetarian options. Delicious entrees. Definitely my number one favorite restaurant in Minneapolis.
Had a delightful dinner here after a show at the Orpheum, the options were fresh, allergy friendly, and the service was professional and kind. Beautiful atmosphere, delicious food. Their vegan chocolate rose cake was such a treat!
Amazing food, excellent coffee, lots of options for vegan/vegetarians. Must try Cajun Hash browns, Eggs Benedict.
This is an update from my last review several years ago. Visited for an early lunch and was greeted by Betty, our server. As I often to when at a restaurant, I asked her to order for me. I told her two things usually happen - I get what the cook suggests when asked, or I get what the server usually orders for themselves. Never do I get anything not on the menu. This time, she served me a plain mushroom/cheese/bacon omelet with a side of hashbrowns. Plain, but incredibly delicious. (Bacon makes dirt taste good!) It was excellent. My only complaint is the lack of a ketchup bottle on the table, and my Diet Coke refills were a little slow. I didn't ask what the surprise desert was, but it was almost better then the bacon - 5 or 6 layers of moist cake with a ton of frosting and coconut. Thanks Betty - you were a great server and we had a great time. See pic for the half eaten meal. My partner had the fried chicken - light, crispy and perfectly cooked.
French Meadow is incredible! The food feels real, down-to-earth, and truly made with love and attention. Everything tastes authentic, and there’s such a wonderful variety to choose from—something for every taste. Their tomato basil soup is hands-down the best I’ve ever had—rich, comforting, and perfectly balanced. A must-visit for anyone who appreciates genuinely good food!
I loved it here. I’ve only been here once but definitely going to go again. I loved the interior of the place. The food was great, I ordered a burger which was absolutely delicious. I bought myself a drink as well as a dessert and I was extremely pleased with them. I recommended this place to my mom and she loved it as well! Lastly, I care a lot about what I eat and this place was perfect for me. It was easy to find something that I wanted as they were very open to sharing the ingredients they use. I always appreciate a place that cares about health and what they are giving to others.
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