French Meadow Bakery & Café, American in Lyn-Lake, Minneapolis
Vegan-FriendlyLocal Legend

French Meadow Bakery & Café

4.4(3,714 reviews)$$Lyn-Lake

The vibe

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.

Vegan brunchOrganic diningLyn-Lake neighborhoodLong breakfastsReliable everyday vegan food

Menu highlights: what to order

Customer favorites from 3,714+ verified Google reviews · Typical spend $10–20

dark chocolate sea salt cookie

Featured

Rich and flavorful without being overly sweet.

“I tried their dark chocolate sea salt cookie, which was rich and flavorful without being overly sweet”

side of fruit

Featured

Fresh and a nice complement to the meal.

“I also ordered a side of fruit, which was fresh and a nice complement to the meal”

creamy mushroom pasta

Featured

Very good and comforting, with a nice balance of creaminess and flavor.

“For my entree, I had a creamy mushroom pasta”

vegan meatballs

Featured

Mentioned as a vegan option, though one review found them overcooked.

“My vegan meatballs were overcooked and hard as a rock”

vegan chocolate rose cake

Featured

Described as a treat.

“Their vegan chocolate rose cake was such a treat”

For the current full menu and prices, see French Meadow Bakery & Café's official site.

People mention

vegan options(292)gluten free options(138)outdoor seating(73)organic food(106)hash browns(61)classical music(3)wild rice soup(18)quiche(23)scones(17)avocado toast(22)

Customer reviews

3,714+ verified Google reviews

shannon peterson
4 months ago

We just stopped and got some fresh made sour dough bread. My family is very impressed with how much favorite the bread has. I have fond memories in middle school of taking busses downtown and transferring uptown and getting off the bus before hitting uptown to go to the French Meadow bakery. We would then walk the rest of the way uptown after eating at the French Meadow Bakery. One of the few places then to get a vegetarian meal. I remember getting a window seat watching people go by eating hot homemade soup and fresh homemade bread.

vrushali shirke
a month ago

Second visit and still impressed! This time I had the egg salmon benedict - delicious 😋 and the hash browns were a standout. On my last visit, I had the egg bacon croissant with a mocha, and loved that too. They also have a great variety of vegetarian options, definitely try the tempeh Reuben. Consistently great food!

Lincoln Stoel
6 months ago

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.

Sarah Mathre
4 months ago

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.

R M
3 days ago

Absolutely loved this place! I tried their Turkish cardamom milk coffee along with the Lingonberry Almond Torte, and both were honestly amazing. The coffee had such a rich, smooth flavor with the perfect touch of cardamom — warm, comforting, and unique compared to regular coffee spots. You can really taste the quality and care in every sip. The Lingonberry Almond Torte was just as impressive. The balance between the sweet almond flavor and the slight tartness from the lingonberry was perfect, and the dessert itself was fresh, soft, and beautifully presented. It paired incredibly well with the coffee. The atmosphere was cozy and relaxing, with a warm vibe that makes you want to stay longer and enjoy your time. Staff were friendly and welcoming, and the whole experience felt thoughtful from start to finish. Definitely a great spot for coffee and dessert lovers. I’ll absolutely be coming back again! ☕🍰✨

Richard Salonek
3 months ago

Very popular and busy place. Had breakfast here with my wife. She had huevos rancheros and was very pleased. I had the open face breakfast sandwich with hash browns and found it to be quite good. Will be back to try more of the menu.

F D
5 months ago

Tried out French Meadow for the first time! Lots of options for breakfast along with the pastry and cake selections. Corn pancake - shareable for 2, add butter and put the pure maple syrup on it. It elevates the flavor of the pancake! Eggs Benedict - peppery but delicious hollandaise sauce and the hash browns were crisp on the outside and soft on the inside

Sarah Marrinan-Realtor
Edited 6 months ago

Fridays are half price bottles of wine. Tomato soup was great. Turkey croissant sandwich was decent but very, very messy to eat.

Bryn Gera
5 months ago

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!

Jackie Mathis
2 weeks ago

Sunday brunch was ok. Servers were busy. Food came warm like it had been sitting for awhile. Sorry no photos. Server apologized and explained the staffing issues. Maybe just one of those days. We will give it another try soon.

About

The Minneapolis location of French Meadow Bakery and Cafe at 2610 Lyndale Ave S is permanently closed. The cafe and the adjoining Bluestem Bar stopped serving customers on September 14, 2026, after 41 years on Lyndale Avenue, following a contentious sale earlier in the year. The Saint Paul location at 1662 Grand Ave, St. Paul MN 55105 remains open and handles all online and catering orders. French Meadow opened on Lyndale Avenue in 1985 and became one of the Twin Cities' longest-running vegan-friendly institutions. The menu offered extensive plant-based options: the tempeh Reuben sandwich was a local legend, and the tofu scramble was a reliable breakfast anchor. Blackened tempeh tacos, veggie quesadillas, and hearty bowls covered lunch. The on-site bakery produced vegan muffins, pastries, and organic breads. Q: Is French Meadow Minneapolis open? A: No. The Minneapolis location at 2610 Lyndale Ave S closed permanently on September 14, 2026, after 41 years. The Saint Paul location at 1662 Grand Ave remains open. Q: Where can I go instead of French Meadow Minneapolis? A: The Saint Paul location at 1662 Grand Ave serves the full menu. In the Lyn-Lake area, Dreamstate Cafe (2558 Lyndale Ave S) is fully vegan and offers brunch, lunch, and dinner. Reverie Cafe + Bar in Powderhorn is another fully vegan brunch option. Q: What vegan options did French Meadow have? A: French Meadow had one of the most extensive vegan menus in the Twin Cities. The tempeh Reuben was the standout, a local classic. Tofu scramble anchored breakfast. Blackened tempeh tacos and veggie quesadillas covered lunch. The bakery made vegan pastries and muffins daily.
French Meadow Bakery & Café photo 11 / 8

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6 AM3 PM11 PM
Best time to visit:7 AMBusiest:11 AM

4.4 average from 3,714 verified Google reviews

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is French Meadow Bakery & Café fully vegan?

French Meadow Bakery & Café is vegan-friendly, meaning it is not fully vegan but offers clearly marked plant-based dishes. Ask staff to confirm preparation.

What should I order at French Meadow Bakery & Café?

Popular vegan picks at French Meadow Bakery & Café include Tempeh Reuben - The menu classic, a twin cities vegan legend, Tofu Scramble - Reliable, well-seasoned, a strong breakfast base, Blackened Tempeh Tacos - Bold and satisfying for lunch, Organic Breads from the Bakery - Worth taking home.

Where is French Meadow Bakery & Café located?

French Meadow Bakery & Café is at 2610 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408, in the Lyn-Lake neighborhood.

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