Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe

Bistro · St. Anthony

Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe

Bistro · St. Anthony

1

2264 Como Ave, St Paul, MN 55108

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Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by Finnish Bistro [Official]
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null
Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe by null

Highlights

Finnish & European eats, pastries, coffee, and live music  

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2264 Como Ave, St Paul, MN 55108 Get directions

finnishbistro.com
@thefinnishbistro

$10–20 · Menu

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2264 Como Ave, St Paul, MN 55108 Get directions

+1 651 645 9181
finnishbistro.com
@thefinnishbistro
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@FinnishBistro

$10–20 · Menu

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Aug 15, 2025

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Discover the Twin Cities Nordic Eateries | Eater Twin Cities

"The menu includes Finnish specialities like Karelian piirakka, a rye pastry stuffed with potatoes, as well as Scandinavian favorites like pickled herring, reindeer sausage, and lefse. Some items put a Nordic spin on American dishes, like French toast made with pulla (a Finnish sweet bread with cardamom and raisins) and chicken lefse wraps. Bakery offerings include Swedish limpa bread, loaves of Finnish rye, and almond kringler cookies." - Stacy Brooks

https://twincities.eater.com/maps/best-nordic-scandinavian-finnish-bakery-food-minneapolis-st-paul
View Postcard for Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe

Xena Warrior Princess

Google
What a gem! I loved this place. Very relaxing atmosphere with indoor or outdoor seating. Food was delicious with some unique choices. I had the Quiche with salmon & asparagus. Huge portion with a side salad included. I also had a cup of the tomato basil soup, very good. Brought home some pastries & dessert for my coworkers which they thoroughly enjoyed. My friends had the coconut chicken salad & the gyro which they said was very good. Everyone agreed they would come back again.

Thuy Kim

Google
I thought the food was just okay. I got a sandwich (I forgot what it was called) that had sausage and ground meat. They ran out of the usual bread so they substituted with the one in the picture and I do like this with this bread. The portions are big. I just wish there was more of a condiment or something for it. It was a particularly dry dish. I put the heap of greens dressed in a pretty good dressing into the sandwich to help it along.

Sarah Gustafson

Google
Ordered Pulla french toast, Cinnamon roll, iced oat latte, rice porridge add berries, reindeer sausage to try. The food was all delicious. The reindeer sausage may be a touch over seasoned so you can’t taste much of the meat past the seasoning. Note the pulla french toast does not have any syrup but is covered in berries and berry sauce instead, but is still very tasty. There is a large variety of pastry options behind the counter. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner items can be ordered you just need to request a menu at the front. Establishment is clean and charmingly decorated for a good cafe ambiance as well as a patio outside when weather is warmer.

Laura Rose

Google
The butternut squash soup was tasty and the frosted cinnamon roll (they had several types of cinnamon rolls) was pretty good too. My friend had the pulla French toast with berries and loved it. It was very busy on a Sunday morning and the food took awhile, but that’s to be expected when it’s so full.

Kacey Borin

Google
Been here twice now- the mushroom quiche is sooo good. Even the salad dressing, seems like more of a house made Caesar?, is tasty. Also love the pulla French toast!! Last time, a musician (Kae Layne) was playing guitar, and it’s such an especially nice atmosphere with live music.

Emily Fisk

Google
I have had nothing but great experiences here! From the customer service to the owner giving back to her local community and of course the fantastic food. I highly recommend The Finnish Bistro!!!! My personal favorite is the Caprese sandwich with the side salad and house famous dill dressing 😋😋

Anna Wilson

Google
Cozy cafe with absolutely delicious looking baked goods (no vegan ones though!) and very tasty coffee. I loved the small town cafe feel and wanted to stay because of it! I had a coconut milk latte with an extra shot and it was made very well. Cutesy Scandinavian gifts and coffee to purchase as well 🙂

Shirley Nevala-Chavie

Google
I absolutely love this place! I enjoy all the social events offered. They offer live music and even open mic events for aspiring musicians. There are also opportunities for to meet new people for planned coffee gatherings. The food portion sizes are more than generous. I have always left with food for another meal. The variety of options is vast. You can just taste the family heritage in recipes created. I have never been able to leave without trying one of the delicious baked goods. The staff is always very professional, friendly and helpful. Oh and they have beautiful patio area that openly welcomes your fur babies. If you take the time to checkout the pictures and humble beginnings of the owner it is inspiring. She has catered events for some very influential people. This is a great locally owned business that supports the community.
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Kaitlyn K.

Yelp
We stopped in for some early afternoon coffee on St. Patrick's Day and the joint was hopping! The staff was friendly and service was relatively quick despite being busy. Maybe this is just me, but I didn't mind waiting a minute longer while the barista chatted with a woman (I'm assuming a regular) on her way to the bingo hall. It added to the friendly, neighborhood feel! I noticed a couple yummy looking gluten free items on the menu and the GF sweets in the case looked safely separate, but I can't vouch for taste (yet). What I can vouch for is the delicious, strong black coffee my husband got, and the uniquely delicious latte I got (Monin syrups were clearly visible behind the counter - great for GF drinks)! We are looking forward to returning for either the food or any of the events advertised around the bistro!
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Amy R.

Yelp
Forgot I had been here before. Met my friend for breakfast and a bloody mary on a Saturday. I forgot that it was order yourself and they deliver it to you. Place gets pretty packed which gives off the feel of eat and get out. Ordered the lefse scramble which was pretty good. The bloody mary I was so looking forward to was okay. It had a funny taste to it. I had hoped it would come with a pickle, olive or even some celery but comes completely plain. Skewers extra. Cute little place. Desserts and pastries look amazing.
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AJ S.

Yelp
This place was so cute. We happened to get dinner at this place and there was live music there. It made the place even more fairytale like. I ordered their Finnish pancake, which was delicious! My friend ordered their meatloaf and she said it was good and moist. Initially, I thought this was such a cute place for a good date or friendly meet up. Evidently, more couples started to show up for dinner so, this is a nice option to bring your date!
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Emmie H.

Yelp
Came in here a couple of times when I had business in the area for drinks and a snack. Tried the blueberry muffin which was so moist and sweet but not too sweet. For drinks, I tried separately a London Fog and a chai latte. The London Fog was perfect and I had the option to add lavender or vanilla or both. I added vanilla which was the perfect kick of sweetness. The chai was just OK but still hit the spot that I needed.

Patti F.

Yelp
Great food but don't get a soda because it's three dollars for a can of soda. Also had music which was nice sometimes, but sometimes it was way too loud and it was hard to hear the person I was with.
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Robert G.

Yelp
A great neighborhood joint, the Scandinavian pastries, with a largely Finnish slant. Friendly wait, staff, has live music most evenings. Great takeout food also.
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Rosie K.

Yelp
Glad to be back at the Finnish Bistro! I realized my last review was perhaps before the renovation, so this is long overdue. I don't live in the area anymore but it's not a far drive, and my group of friends love coming here, call it our "haven" if you will. There is something for everyone. The breakfast is fantastic--you can't go wrong with anything there. I will also always be a huge advocate for the walnut burger, as it is still the only vegetarian burger I've enjoyed. The staff is a hit and miss. I understand that it's a coffee shop and there are possibly a lot of neighborhood young adults but a few could be friendlier, or if they're shy at least put on a fake smile. Overall this is one of our favorite places to go and we plan on returning more often!
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Tiffany W.

Yelp
Delicious, cozy, intimate, no pressure feeling, comfortable atmosphere, shops within walking distance, cutest neighborhood, bikers in the summer constantly cruising by, frequent musicians strumming guitars, European feeling outdoor (dog friendly) side patio, kind customer service, breakfast served all day, coffee forever, 5+ soups on hand daily, smoothies, 5+ quiches daily, baked goods, dog biscuits, two giant restrooms in the back ... need more? 5 star energy and I have never had a bad experience outside of plastic silverware post COVID days but it appears they are back to normal utensils. Order in a cafeteria style line and find a spot to relax in. Don't skip out!
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Pa V.

Yelp
I always pass through this place but never got to try it until recently and I'm glad I did. Although I find the salads and entrees to be nothing special- I like the pastries/baked goods and coffee. My partner and I found the pastries and cakes to be just right- not dry and not too sweet. I'm definitely planning to come back sometime for coffee and a baked good- seems like a good place to work remotely. There is a fair enough of seating and even some patio seating. All street parking but it helps that it's on the corner so there are some options.

R. K.

Yelp
Somewhat decent food. I only find one or two dishes worth it on the menu. Ambiance is not good - oddly shaped place that's not conducive to dates or a meeting. Not very many people in there when I went in. However, they conceal service charges - and I only found out because of the high bill and asked the cashier to break it down. Shady and not ok. Businesses like these keep adding nonsensical magical service fees without justification and expect people to blindly pay. Will not be returning.
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apple g.

Yelp
The cafe has the best lemon cake. The cream is so natural taste and not very sweet. The place also hosted live music or concert Sunday night, not by one musician but by a group of them. They are seated in the dining area with customers and shared their instrument( small drum) with us for play. Next time, I like to try their dinner menu.
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Deb H.

Yelp
Ermegherd. I love this place!! Their almond kringler and 7 layer bars are some of the best I've ever had. And I still fantasize about their ham and cheese quiche. Parking can sometimes be a challenge and seating is first come, first served. Order by the pastry cases and prepare yourself for some excellent food!
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Tracey F.

Yelp
I have been here several times for breakfast, but finally visited for lunch! I will note, I have enjoyed breakfast here and the pastries and coffee are fantastic. Today, I decided to try the coconut chicken sandwich. I was leaning towards a coffee, bit noticed they had a berry hibiscus iced tea on the menu, which sounded nice and refreshing for this hot day. The sandwich was messy, but delicious. The chicken was crispy and flavorful and had a Mango salsa on the top. The bun got a bit soggy with the salsa, but I just took it off and ate it more like an open faced sandwich. The side salad was also great, the dilly dressing was so good. But that hibiscus tea, glad I changed my mind off the coffee. As others have stated, it's a little more spendy than similar restaurants, but the food is good and they have some different items you won't find in many other restaurants. Give it a visit if you're in the Como area!
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Stacey D.

Yelp
So I was wanting gyros for dinner and my husband definitely wasn't so we picked Finnish bistro due to their comprehensive menu. We came on a Saturday evening and discovered that they were doing live music. The place isn't huge but we were able to find seating. There were students working on their laptop, families out for dinner, and some people who were just enjoying the music. Loved that Finnish bistro drew in so many people with different agendas. You order at the counter and pick up your drinks from there. They will bring food to your table and then you are responsible for busing your own at the end. They do breakfast all day so my husband decided on the French toast. It was food but really really sweet. Tasted more like a dessert. It is on the pricier end for breakfast. I decided on the gyro lamb entree and was so glad! It was surprisingly good and very filling. The pita was warm and eventually I was able to make it into a sandwich that didn't fall apart. Since breakfast is on the pricier end, we would come back for the lunch or dinner menu. The staff were great and the live music is a bonus. They also had chairs out on their patio but it was much too cold for that when we went. But nice to know they have outdoor seating for warmer days! Street parking can be hit or miss in the area depending on how busy it is.

Robin B.

Yelp
Waited 45 minutes for a soggy quiche. Fairly obvious that owner is trying to staff this place with kids who appear overwhelmed Yes you save money by understaffing but don't think it's going unnoticed by diners who have been here in the past
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Lisa S.

Yelp
Love the neighborhood vibe in this place. My first visit here was a beautiful spring/summer afternoon to meet a new friend. She had researched coffee shops in the St Paul area and chose this one. Great stop. Outdoor tables abound for enjoying the beautiful weather. Staff was friendly and helpful. I found on street parking. Not sure if there is a lot available for customers. The iced latter cooled me off. All good.

Huzefa G.

Yelp
You feel you are in Europe somewhere. A cute little bistro. The food is good but not memorable. The vibe is busy cafe vibe which feels good if you have some time to people watch.
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Susan K.

Yelp
Delicious food & drinks. I had the reindeer omelet & it was stuffed with onions & spinach & the cheese was gooey & delicious! Really enjoyed my hot spiced cider, too! (Had sort of forgotten about thus warm & spicy drink for enjoying on a chilly day.) I usually prefer a sit down & order restaurant but just be aware you order at the counter, you get a number, find a seat & they bring your food to you. Service was a bit slow & they didn't have an IPA chilled. But, they do have a wine & beer license. Parking can also be a bit challenging when it's as snowy as it has been this winter. For those who are GF, they have a nice selection of options, including breads/desserts/pastries! Had the GF almond Kringler, truly amazing...
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Molly M.

Yelp
After facing the chaos at the nearby Friends Plant Sale, we came in for a little something & tea. We both picked combos of cup of soup & half sandwich. Both were delightful (my tomato & basil was better than the housemade noodle soup). The grilled cheese was tasty! The teas were great! Next time I want to try a coffee earlier in the day. We enjoyed karaoke while we ate, it was very laid back, enjoyable & not too loud. The outside patio was open for the non-karaoke customers.

Steven G.

Yelp
Cute but busy local spot for coffee, tea, desserts, soups, sandwiches and quiche. The quiche portions seem unusually large, but they are $12+ and come with a small side of greens (the dill dressing is definitely the highlight). The squash soup seemed unusually thick, more applesauce-like than soup-like, but the taste was delightful. Kitchen seems slow: when we visited, a patron who was leaving as we arrived commented that the food takes forever to arrive but that it was worth it; we can definitely confirm that.
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Jackie H.

Yelp
EDIT: In response to the owner's response to my original review: Firstly, nothing of what I said could be construed as bullying or slander. I am customer who is simply voicing my dissatisfaction and furnishing evidence. As a business owner, part of your job is to accept and respond to critical feedback in a professional manner. Secondly, I have been to Finland. Thirdly, the picture of the lihapiirakka on your own website does not match what I was served today, but does match what I have previously ordered in years past. I have attached a SCREENSHOT of the lihapiirakka FROM YOUR OWN WEBSITE as evidence. Fourthly, you claim that you had been making the lihapiirakka wrong, apparently for many years, and are now making them correctly by putting the meat/rice filling into what is, for all intents and purposes, a hotdog bun. Nothing about the dish I received today was fried, as your menu and you claim it should be. Fifthly, if you search for "lihapiirakka" on google, the first images that pop up are of the fried meat pie that I was expecting to receive based on previous visits, and not the dish I got today. Original review: This review is solely for my most recent visit to the Finnish Bistro. I've eaten here many times before, and until now, it's been 5 stars all around. However today I was beyond disappointed. I ordered the meat pie (lihapiirakka), which I've had many times before. Until now, it was a very large hand pie with seasoned meat and rice inside a pie crust. Today, I was served the same filling in two hotdog buns. This isn't even remotely close to a pie of any kind. Additionally, the filling was obviously just microwaved and was still cold in places. I can't even begin to describe how disappointed I am. Especially since they're still charging $16 for this "pie". Frankly, if you can't produce what is listed on your menu, then you should just remove it, instead of lying to your customers.
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Jose D.

Yelp
As you walk in you are greeted by a "Tervetuola" of "welcome" in Finnish. It sets the mood. Sadly that mood is not maintained once you step in. However, the place is a nice alternative to chain coffeehouses. Their quiche is very good and so is their Pulla bread. The conversations at the different tables were most interesting. A couple next to us was discussing, as they gazed into each other's eyes, the socio-economic impact of US policy on certain developing countries. A lady next to us was reading "Le Fluers du Mal" while her companion was reading Nietzsche. You could hear, in spite of the crowd and conversations, a pin drop.
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Ashley B.

Yelp
What's good: the iced lattes here are superb. I've also been pleased with anything I've gotten out of the pastry dish. Less good: the regular food is generally underwhelming. Just now I ordered a chicken apricot salad -- got something different (looked like a coconut chicken salad). Thought about going to get the right salad but decided (based on the look of the food that's been sitting on the table next to us since we sat down an hour ago) that the correct salad probably wouldn't look much better. Salad comprised of three deep-fried chicken pieces in coconut -- two fairly burnt, one okay -- on top of lettuce with mandarin oranges and sad bell peppers. Moreover, they serve all their food on paper plates? Sorry, environment. I get that it's rough out there -- staffing shortages and so on -- but this isn't the first time I've been underwhelmed by the food here. Yet, the coffee & pastries are great.
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Trina V.

Yelp
Good brunch spot in a cute spot. You order at the counter, you seat yourself, they bring the food to you, and then you bus your own tables when done (everything was disposable). I got the reindeer omelet and it was pretty good and decently sized and came with toast and pico. I wish there was hot sauce but I don't think they had any (at least not that I saw). Also got a specialty fall mimosa, which was syrup and champagne, but it seems like the syrup wasn't stirred and I didn't realize until the end, but that was the only downside. Overall, I would recommend this spot for solid brunch. They also have baked goods behind the counter and has gluten friendly options.
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Kristina K.

Yelp
Bomb ass BLTs but honestly a bit overpriced. I wish the prices were just a little lower to make the portion sizes of the sandwiches a bit more worth it. Would I come back for another sandwich? Maybe. Would I become a regular here? Probably not.
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Holly B.

Yelp
I've been wanting to actually eat here for a while because I work right down the street and have gotten coffee from here before (which was great)! So, I had some extra time before work and I decided to eat lunch here. I got a BLT wrap which was very good! I have a dairy allergy, and they were very willing to answer my questions about everything and what ingredients they were made with. It was a little pricey, but good.
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Victoria R.

Yelp
I was so disappointed by this cafe. I drive by it all the time and was super excited. Unfortunately right when I walked in, it immediately looked dirty. Mud everywhere, napkins and litter on the floor, milk bottle caps under the pastry cases.. not great when you're looking to get food. Decided to give it a chance anyway, and the girl at the cash register seemed annoyed by the fact I was taking my time to look over the menu. I ordered my food to go and when I got home, it was the wrong order. So it's safe to say I do not recommend this café.

Jesse V.

Yelp
The pancakes were really good. Kind of a cool little spot to go for breakfast. The woman taking our order was one of the nicest people you'd ever meet. Really enjoyed my experience there.
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Robyn L.

Yelp
Walked here after realizing that colossal cafe is closed on mondays, turned out to be great! Very delicious food. And a good sidewalk patio.Order at the counter and they bring the food to the table. They have anything from pastries to full on brunch. We got the French toast and some cold brew. Both were excellent. Place was pretty busy but we were able to get a table under a shaded cover outside. It was a good experience. I loved that it feels different from the average coffee shop/cafe- a bit of a euro feel to it. They have a pretty big menu and we would love to be back to try more. Gave it four stars because in my opinion a bit pricey.

Laura B.

Yelp
I love the finnish bistro!! As a student it's the perfect place to chill and do homework and grab a drink! I also love bringing my fam here when they visit! The service is slay and all the baristas are the nicest people you will ever meet!! :))) I think a lot of these reviews are blown out of proportion and from people who haven't ever worked in the service industry before. It's important to give others grace anywhere you go especially when visiting a busy restaurant on the weekend!
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Nancy M.

Yelp
White Chicken Chili was pretty good, not amazing....not spicy, but filling. BLT ingredients were fresh, but the bread was so "coated" with an unnecessary amount of butter that I was a complete mess during and after eating it....way too much butter, even though it was really good. $3.50 for a can of pop!

Thomas S.

Yelp
Some of the best food I've had, excellent environment and friendly staff. Would very much recommend trying this restaurant. Lots of great cuisine both familiar and interesting.
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Kenzie M.

Yelp
Finnish Bistro is a short walk from the umn St. Paul campus and makes for a great takeout lunch spot if you are working at the university. I have tried several things from the menu including the reindeer sausage lefse scramble, the bistro tacos (with pork), the potato dill soup (which they unfortunately do not offer anymore!), the chilled Finnish delight, and (most recently) the meatloaf sandwich. My favorites were definitely the lefse scramble and the Finnish delight followed by the meatloaf sandwich. The sandwich comes with a very generous helping of meatloaf + mashed potatoes sandwiched between two pieces of buttery bread. Gravy and salad comes on the side. It is a very heavy meal-- I could not finish it! The only reason I am giving this restaurant 4 stars is because I do find it to be quite pricey.

Isabella H.

Yelp
Love the love music, fun atmosphere. We tried the wild rice soup and some drinks. delish
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Keith S.

Yelp
This was a fun place for brunch. You can order at the counter and pick up your order or have it dropped at your table. There's a good selection of bakery items and you can get reindeer sausage (which I had in an omelette ). we also had pancakes, and a "classic" which includes bacon and a coffee and latte and tea. Reindeer sausage is mild and different -than regular sausage. We were very happy with our meals and the staff works hard especially when it's busy there..
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Nancy A.

Yelp
Um: YUM! I'm Scandinavian by heritage and enjoy going to the Swedish Institute whenever possible. I can't believe I just discovered this jewel in the Como neighborhood of St Paul! My side of the mighty Mississippi!The freshly baked deliciousness in the case reminds me so much of my grandma: Saturday mornings with her and a cup of coffee. I ordered the café miel which was superb - the only thing missing was cardamom along with the nutmeg and cinnamon. I was tempted to try their savory scone, but almonds and butter won the morning. I can't wait to bring my adult kids here. SOON!

Yuriko K.

Yelp
The bakery items and coffees were very good, but the lunch menu were not impressive for the price. Also, we waited for a long time for just an omelet, salad and a wrap to come.
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John S.

Yelp
I finally visited the Finnish Bistro as it is now a complete restaurant, coffee bar and wine me up spot. In years past the coffee section was by Dunn Bros., and I listed them as one of the worst Dunn's. The restaurant and bakery had different owners and service was spotty with an uninspiring menu that was hardly Finnish, but some pastries fell to that genre. Now there is better coffee at reasonable prices. One person works the small area so if someone places one of those 18 step drinks you'll be waiting as I did. The restaurant area is cutesy but looks like a nursing home dining room, as in trying too hard to create an image which just doesn't show through. The menu is fresh and more creative than the past. Servers will bring an order outdoors in the spacious well shaded seating area.

Claire R.

Yelp
Love the fact that they have vegan options!! I will say, the menu is difficult to read and the prices are up there for a small café, but the variety within the menu is very nice!

Janice R.

Yelp
Went there today with a friend lunch. It's counter service, which is fine. Placed our orders and then waited and waited. I had 1/2 turkey and artichoke sandwich with a bowl of butternut squash soup. The soup was tasty. The sandwich was AWFUL! The turkey was dry. I could not taste any artichoke and lifted my bread to discover 3 skinny barely there slices. This place is not cheap. No need for return visit.
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Susan M.

Yelp
Fantastic breakfast spot in a cute neighborhood setting. Came with interest of eating al fresco and did not disappoint. Filling savory and sweet breakfast options and reasonable price for portion sizes. Order the asparagus quiche with side salad and drip coffee. Quality coffee, rich quiche and refreshing salad with creamy dressing. Quiet neighborhood street at least when we went. Semi private from street, plenty of shade as they use plants, greenery and canopied gazebos. Tons of bakery goods. My mom is a big fan of the molasses cookies. Plenty of bars, donuts and pastries as well. Service was quick. We came at right time when ordering breakfast as when I went in to buy a cookie later the line was nearly out the door.
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K F.

Yelp
Fun and excellent. Super cozy bistro with delicious eats. Had lunch here with coffee and pastries. All were excellent. Nice staff. Truly neat place to stop. Will be back when in the area.
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Liza E.

Yelp
Totally tacky. Restaurant etiquette 101 don't have your staff eating food in the front of the house. Totally had to inconvenience behind the counter staff person to place my order because he was busy eating right there behind the counter in front of everyone. The cake display was equally appealing w a cake that was missing half it's frosting! On the plus side, Greek salad was decent.
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Wobby W.

Yelp
I love this place, but the food is very inconsistent. The two stars are based on tonight's meal. I had flat bread pizza with cheese, mushrooms, and chicken. It was disgusting. Just swimming in way too much (mild cheddar, maybe?) cheese. Very few mushrooms, and huge chunks of chicken completely buried in gooey cheese. You can't make mediocre food better by burying it in not-very-good cheese. With a $2 beverage it was over $16, before any tip. I should have rejected it. The woman next to me tonight ordered quiche, and it came burned, so she asked for a new piece, and that came out exactly the same way. In future I'm going to stick to Finnish Bistro's breakfasts and soups. Though the breakfast potatoes are pretty blah. A lot of their bakery items are good. Love their cookies! A few years back, the food was fantastic. They need to bring their food up to a higher standard again, because it has potential to be a great place, and it'sin a great neighborhood, but they need more than mediocre food.
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Bradley O.

Yelp
At 9:55 I was told it would be a 20 minute wait for food. No problem, it's a Sunday morning. After noticing the couple who ordered in front of me leave after finishing their breakfast, I kindly asked why I hadn't seen mine. I was told they lost my ticket. Then 1 minute later, I was brought my breakfast. Nothing quite like a cold Lefse Scramble. Yum? Sorry, you just lost my business.
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Katarina L.

Yelp
I can't tell if the coffee was really as good as I think it was or my body was just so grateful to be warm again. Now that I think about it, that might be the secret to the perfect americano. Simply make it a necessity rather than a luxury. Come into our cute cafe, adorned with cozy seating and modern industrial lighting and enjoy a hot, tasty, strong cup of coffee because the alternative would be to keep prancing around town, like a clown, in below freezing temperature. (Can you tell I'm not from here?) But no, believe it or not, I think this coffee was actually pretty damn good. The angels that started singing when I took my first sip may have just been in my head now that I give it a second thought. But it was 8 degrees outside so really, we may never know. ...8 degrees...
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J Warren R.

Yelp
Neighbor restaurant that has stood the test of time by producing wonderful meals in a casual place, where you want to meet your friends for a good meal, especially breakfasts. There are several specialties -- whether it's a classic breakfast or you want Lefse or Finish pastries, you won't go wrong with anything. Pastries are phenomenal. WiFi available. Exceptionally high quality coffee with Refills. Live music in the evenings. This place is worth the drive, even if you don't live in the immediate area.
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Iris H.

Yelp
I've been to Finnish bistro a few times when I lived in Saint Paul. Since I was on my way to work from a dental appointment I decided to stop by. It's a really nice space that's been updated since I was last here. I ordered the turkey artichoke quiche to go with three almond kriglas because my body had a daily pastry quota and it must be met. They momentarily forgot about my order so I ended up waiting 20 minutes which is a lot considering I ordered to-go and all they had to do was cut the quiche. The food itself wasn't bad but wasn't a standout either. The quiche was watery because of the artichoke and not as flavorful compared to others I've had. The kringlas were delicious though and different from the Norwegian style I'm used to. They were more like bars with vanilla frosting and almond slivers on top. Very crumbly but very good. I was feeling generous and gave one to each of my office mates. Slightly regretted it but oh well. Total for all the foods was $17.45, a little pricey considering some competitors. I'd go back for the pastries but not for the quiche.
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AJ Y.

Yelp
First time trying this cafe. I'm a little nervous to even write a review for this place because the owner seems very defensive when responding to reviews about her restaurant but here goes. It was good. I got the Lefse scramble which was tasty. My husband got the Pulla French Toast which was also good. The lefse scramble is huge. I got mine with bacon. I added a bit of salt, pepper and hot sauce which made it more flavorful. This part of the review is per my husband... The Pulla French Toast was good. The fruit mix was a great compliment to the thick French Toast and there was plenty of fruit! The reindeer sausage made a good side to the French Toast. Overall, We came here because we got a City Tin for Christmas and this was one of the restaurants in it. We had to drive 20-25 mins to get here. The food wasn't good enough to warrant another drive but we will see. My biggest complaints are that the menus need to be cleaned. I felt a little gross touching them and they started cleaning the floors around 7:15 and drug all of the chairs in the dining room across the floor which was extremely loud and distracting.
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Michelle O.

Yelp
I've been to this bakery spot for many years, although it's now called the Finnish rather than the Scandinavian bakery. However they continue to have amazing bakery including their famous Almond Kringle bars, and their cookies cause me to detour here whenever I'm close to the area. They have a really nice coffee as well, and on Saturday when we went they were also setting up live music. It's a nice place for a quiet afternoon, morning coffee and bakery, or to meet friends. The quality of the baked goods is consistently good, and the soups are creative and tasty.