Swede Hollow Cafe

I tired this place for the first time and definitely won’t be the last one.. I had the best cafe late since I arrived to Minnesota, the cookie was soft and full of flavor. There are options to enjoy your coffee either outside or upstairs.. will definitely try their breakfast 😇

Cute cafe for sure! Just got the coffee, no food, but the coffee was good. I definitely liked the outdoor seating area- some shade and some sun which was nice!

Small and cozy with tight seating inside. Still enjoyed our meals and coffee. I love, mochas, oatmeal and pastries, I was thoroughly pleased.

This is an AMAZING cafe!!! Right away we were greeted with a warm welcome. The service was phenomenal, and the food was even better. A little pricey, but TOTALLY worth it. The cinnamon roll was absolutely to die for. I would recommend this cafe a thousand times to everyone. Definitely a great hidden spot in St. Paul!!

First time in, as I sit and eat this delicious food, I'm typing this. I had too! This Sandwich is the greatest breakfast sandwich I've ever tasted. The cold press is ultra smooth and tastes amazing. High quality stuff here. Will be making this a part of my daily routine. Sorry bucks and bou.. 😅 Note* French toast is weekend only. However. The sandwich outweighs any negative feeling. Great first visit. Cheers to you all 🤙

Good food, good coffee, and a great atmosphere. It's in an old house with original architecture and a really awesome set of stairs leading to additional seating up above. I worked here for a while and would go here again in a heartbeat.

I found this place through a Google search and it's turned out to be some of the best breakfast food and coffee I've had in the area! I came in after a run and everyone was extremely welcoming and patient while I looked through the menu. I ordered a Banana Nut Mocha (minus the chocolate because I'm not a fan) and it was AMAZING! The espresso was of superb quality and the syrup did not overwhelm the overall flavor. I also ordered a ham and veggie quiche and it was so fluffy and perfectly cooked. It had just the right amount of ingredients. Not overfilled so everything was falling apart but enough so that the combination of toppings still make a huge impact. The cinnamon roll was delicious! I had them warm it up so that the frosting would soak into the roll a little bit. My boyfriend got a dark roast and sausage quesadilla. He enjoyed it all, but I'll let him write his own review. The two of us and my dog sat outside and they brought all the food out to us. I love that the silverware is located outside on the porch for easy access. Will definitely be back!!!

Nice chill little spot to check out if your in the east side of the Saint Paul area...has a nice out door patio and garden...the vibes are legit. Everything tasted fresh and was made to order with the quickness, didn’t wait long at all. However, I feel like my breakfast sandwich was a little pricey for what it was...BUT, it still tasted great! Lemonade was very good as well but on the sweet side for me personally and the cinnamon roll gets an (A) can’t wait to try the caramel roll next time around! I’ll def be going back!

I'm obsessed with the outdoor scenery and their lavender lemonade, it's literally only drink I order from here!!! I once ordered coffee and this lemonade to go, lol. The service is always friendly and nice!!

My son lives in the neighborhood and I was visiting him this morning and we decided to find someplace local and grab a quick bite to eat. I was extremely impressed by the menu and the food. A wonderful little shop in a wonderful little neighborhood.

I'm not a coffee drinker, but my family is. They raved about their drinks. I had the blueberry lavender lemonade. It's great. The iced cinnamon rolls are rich, creamy, and delicious.

Come here for a shaded, intimate and whimsical coffee date! This has been my mom's favorite stop for years and it had really grown on me. A historic area with the Swede Hollow Park in walking distance, you can really make an entire morning or evening out of a coffee date. Located nearby you will also discover beautiful homes with lovely gardening in the spring / summer months. Swede Hollow Cafe offers indoor and outdoor seating. They have made some improvements inside with space when it comes to ordering and will bring out your food when completed. From coffee, to quiches, French toast, lunch sandwiches, salads, etc. it's all amazing and you may need to return again just to ensure you get all the items that look good to you. Friendly service, mouthwatering food - this place is spectacular.

Great gem. Not sure if it is hidden because the popularity they get from the nearby university staff and students. A very homey rustic neighborhood-coffeeshop style with friendly service. I only tried the blue cheese salad which was crisp, crunchy, and fresh. Next time I will block longer time to try the drinks and the other items on the daily changing specials menu.

Look here person who's reading this Yelp review. I've got some things to say about Swede Hollow Cafe. No, this review isn't going to be some pandering, lengthy review of how quite the cafe is and how excellent the outdoor seating was during the summer. No will this review remark on the incredibly prompt service the employees executed. Heck, I won't dare mention how the food and desserts are to die for and the reader of this review should get them immediately before they sell out. Absolutely not. This review will not contain any of the above statements. I will not comment on the literal gallons of coffee and other delicious beverages I've consumed there. In fact, I don't know what this review will contain. It's literally impossible to say anything negative about this place. So stop reading this and go there. Immediately.

Come and sit near the garden under a shaded tree with a delicious sandwich, baked French toast or a signature breakfast quiche! The food here never disappoints and the service is timely and friendly. Just make sure you get there early because the specials run out fast!

Unfortunately no indoor dining but food, staff and drinks were all great. My friend and I love our orders. Staff allowed us to take our mask off for pictures and assisted too. Definitely coming back.

I've been a long time customer. First stopped at the place about 25 years/at least three owners ago. There had been an article in the Thursday St. Paul Pioneer Press food section about Swede Hollow Cafe and, in particular, highlighted the cinnamon rolls. I lived in Inver Grove Heights at the time and went there the following Saturday. A lot of people must have read the article because there was a line out the door. Unfortunately, the person ahead of me got the last of the cinnamon rolls and it would be 45 minutes or so before another batch was done. I moved to St. Paul in 2000 and occasionally stopped there on a Saturday or sometimes in the a.m. on my way to work. The hours were limited--closed at 2 or 3 p.m. Monday-Saturday and closed on Sunday. When I retired about 10 years ago, I started going to SHC more often--at least weekly and often 2-3 times/week for coffee and a bakery item or sometimes breakfast or lunch. Cov-id changed things. John and Ruth, the then owners, sold the place to Shirley, the gal who made all the wonderful baked goods, and a couple of Shirley's relatives. I haven't been to SHC as often since cov-id. Earlier this year I stopped in for one of my favorites, the breakfast quesadilla. A bespectacled young man with wiry brown hair pulled into a ponytail took my order. I sat at a high table in one of the windows while waiting for my food. A few minutes later the guy who took my order came out of the kitchen. He had a plate with what looked like a quesadilla and delivered it to a woman at a table across the room. I was somewhat surprised but assumed she must have arrived before me. The quesadilla is cut into four pie-shaped pieces. I saw her pick up one of the pieces with her hands and begin to eat it. A couple minutes later the same pony-tailed guy came out of the kitchen with a plate of quiche. He delivered it to the woman (who was alone) who had gotten the quesadilla, picked up the plate with the partially eaten quesadilla and delivered it to my table! So, when it was delivered initially to the wrong table, the woman apparently didn't realize it wasn't what she ordered (a quesadilla and quiche look nothing alike) but ate it anyways, and when the employee realized his mistake, he brought the partially eaten quesadilla to me! I was stupefied! He seemed surprised when I told him I didn't want it because it was partially eaten! There was no apology. The guy took the plate back to the kitchen and a few minutes later I got a freshly made quesadilla. I'm still appalled that this young guy thought it was OK to deliver a partially eaten order to another customer. Since then I've been back there once. I was going to have coffee and a bakery item. I was surprised to see that there was little in the bakery case. Granted, it was later in the day but I was told that scones are no longer baked daily--just a couple days/week. I recently ran into an older gal I'll call "Sue" who was a regular at SHC. I often saw her there. When I saw her a couple weeks back, we chatted about SHC. She told me she seldom goes there these days. She said the ambience changed since cov-id. The main floor is quite small--there were about 10 tables--some round, some larger rectangular. The counter to order was at the north end, straight in from the front door. Early cov-id a second counter was added along the east wall and that took out at least four tables. I'm not sure what the purpose of this second counter was. Sue mentioned she also didn't know why that second counter was added. She stated it seemed darker in there than before. Sue told me that when she wants to go out for coffee, she now usually goes to Mississippi Market which is one block east of SHC. She still stops occasionally at SHC. I haven't written SHC off completely but it's no longer my regular place to go for coffee and a bite to eat. Disappointing.

Cute coffee shop. Staff were friendly and the food and coffee was good! I got the veggie quesadilla and an iced coffee. Both were very yummy!

Showed up late on a Sunday morning, place was not too busy. Ordered 2 lattes, an egg sandwich, quiche, and banana nut bread. The bread which was wrapped and handed over immediately was excellent, which was good as we waited for 15 minutes. Finally got the food items. The egg parts of the dishes were ripping hot but not the bread, sure sign of "Chef Mike." No coffee. Others came in and were served before us. Wife had to remind them we ordered coffee, reminded them what we ordered, told they were running behind. Not possible; there were very few people in there when we sat and people who showed up after were served. Wife wanted to get a refund on coffee; I just wanted to leave and eat the cost so we could go anywhere else. Got our coffees 45 minutes after ordering. Wife was livid, told the server who didn't give a shit. Took our coffees and gtfo. They were over tannic like when you cheap out on the amount of grounds and overbrew. So in summary good prepackaged bread, meh microwaved food, meh coffee, shocking service. I have no idea why this shop seems to have such a local rep.

I really like how cozy and homey this cafe is! It's a great place to get some coffee, maybe a snack or lunch and get some work done if you're like me and like to work away from the office/school or home sometimes. The service is okay- nothing too special but the quiche is truly amazing. They do offer soy and almond milk for those who prefer non-dairy options. Every drink comes with a free piece of chocolate as well! I had a small vanilla iced latte with soy milk and it was delicious! It does get a bit busy here during lunch time of 11:30am to 1pm. And there is only street parking.

Cramped but fun food and service. Go for the stuffed French toast. Sit outside on a nice morning. Favorite spot and easy environment to watch the neighborhood

Amazing local cafe with great lunch options and fantastic outdoor patio that makes you feel like you are in a wooded oasis. Food is 5/5, highly recommend any warm sandwiches. Coffee is okay.

It's a nice café. Coffee isn't bad, depending on what you get. It's expensive but I guess that's the new normal on prices right? They have plenty of seating on the second floor and outside too. I was disappointed that they don't offer a full menu during the week, a lot of their breakfast items are only offered on Saturday and Sunday.

Just moved here from Florida and decided to be adventurous for a local coffee shop. Really nice staff. I ordered a cinnamon roll and cappuccino...needless to say delicious. Everyone around me is really enjoying themselves as well.

Oh how I love locally-based coffee shops! The character, charm, and coziness provides an experience that chain coffee shops can't provide. Swede Hollow is conveniently located on E 7th Street. There is street parking available. The menu includes various food items and beverages. During my visit I purchased a cup of the dark roast coffee. This Cafe seems like the perfect place to catch up with friends or relax with a warm drink on your own. Swede Hollow has an outdoor patio in the warmer months. I look forward to visiting Swede Hollow Cafe again in the future.

Charming little cafe with outdoor seating and Covid-safe outdoor takeaway ordering from the patio. Try the cinnamon roll- it's delicious!

I'm sitting in the garden on this glorious summer morning with a wonderfully dreamy freshly made Carmel Pecan roll, still warm and sticky from the oven accompanied by a hot cup of dark roast with cream. Covid-Schmovid. It's been a long hot summer. Today life is good. XOXO

The outdoor seatings is so wonderful and beautiful! Cool place to stop by whenever you have tourist guests from states. I ordered their delicious lavender blueberry lemonade!

Cute coffee shop located in an old house just outside of downtown St.Paul. . Nice staff. Would definitely go back.

Great coffee shop! Outdoor seating, dog friendly. Staff are extremely friendly and COVID cautious. Parking can be a real problem, and they don't open until 9:00. I suggest it as a weekend coffee spot when you aren't heading to work ;)

I have driven by this cafe 1 million times, can't believe I have never noticed it. It was so cute! Very small and cozy on the inside. We ordered the "meat" quiche which was super rich and filling and our drinks. There was an option to eat outside next to a beautiful water fountain and garden, there's stairs going down for more seating. Such a beautiful day out for outdoor seating, I'll definitely being going back.

An adorable coffee shop, delicious food, and absolutely wonderful people running the shop! The servers are so kind!! There is extra seating upstairs of this century old building- This is a great place!

Small coffee shop in the east side of Saint Paul. Strictly street parking. Nice open space with an upstairs area. I had the hot chocolate there and it was very flavorful.

Cute place to have a good coffee, inside Is very cozy I love the bricks wall. I had a "Cuban Coffee" it was good but I want to say something, if you call it Cubano it has to be Cubano style, what I have was more like Latte coffee so I will suggest to call it "Cubano Latte", the Cubano is just brown sugar and espresso with milk foam in the top. But don't take me wrong this place is good and my coffee was good too.

We always like to search out coffee shops to try. In route to the Science museum, we Yelp found this one. Needing both coffee & morning nourishment, this one fit the bill! The miel was probably the best I've had yet- and no, not just because it came with a little mini bar of chocolate. My daughters quiche was amazing in flavor and my other daughters baked French toast was fun. Me? Uhm, I went with plain ol' scrambled eggs and sour dough toast- perfect for my pregnancy taste buds and was less than 4 bucks! Would we come here again?? Maybe...if there wasn't so many other awesome cool coffee shops book marked on our Yelp list to try first.

Cute patio and delicious food. Limited seating but a cozy neighborhood that makes enjoying their large patio even more appealing.

Come early to beat the lunch rush, but not so early as to hit the breakfast rush. Luckily, their kitchen churns through orders pretty quickly so there's usually not too much of a wait. They are not open past 2pm (and closed on Sundays), so plan accordingly. With the nice weather, seating is usually available even at peak times (as long as you don't mind being outside or going upstairs....YES! Their upstairs area is open and perfect for a quiet nook for chatting or working.

This is a gem that is not expected. They put a lot of effort into their simple food. I had a ham and brea sandwich. The bread was a short bagget type of bread. The lettuce was fresh and stood out. The coffee was good and had a nice shape created. I have eaten here a number of times over the years but it has been a little while. However the quality and details are still present. This place is worth the stop. .

This place is a constant hit. The coffee is great, i love the quiches, the pastries are always a hit and the creative drinks are so awesome. You have got to try the lavender lemonade and the rhubarb chai!

Just finished the take home corned beef dinner. Fantastic!! Moist tender corned beef, tasty braised cabbage, perfect potatoes. Order and pickup was flawless. Thanks so much!!

I went in this morning on a whim (instead of going to a coffee shop next door) and fell in love. The space is quaint but has plenty of seating both on ground level and a second story. There's a massive fridge full of baked goods displayed and it was bustling. All things I look for in a coffee shop. I got their cubano, and was accidentally handed a Latté with a thin stick of chocolate on it. Tragically, I can't eat chocolate but did try a nibble and it was delicious. The latte was foamy and delicious and just right. I also grabbed a breakfast sandwich with egg, cheese and croissant ($5.50) and added a sausage patty (+$2) and wasn't a fan of a $8 price tag on a breakfast sandwich but when I got it, it was so massive it had been cut in TWO and each half was wrapped in foil and it. was. heavenly. Pros: parking across the street, nice brunch, life changing breakfast sandwiches. Cons: slow service (sandwich was fresh made and took about 15 mins)

Nice, gcpgwkf(g(fkff(kfkfkk#fk feeling cafe. Great dark roast. Hashbrown bake good for breakfast. Only problem is ketchup only in little throw away packets! It's embarrassing to ask for so many. Come on this is still Minnesota. Where's the ketchup advisory board?

The banana nut mocha is so delicious and the caramel roll was perfect. I prefer coffee a bit sweeter but not a sugar bomb. This was really well balanced and I'll be getting both of these items again.

Super cute and quaint place. Easy to get in & out of. Even a little secluded outdoor patio with a water fountain. Delicious Cubano coffee & grilled peach scone. I went at 6:30am & there was a small line...I can see this place gets busy!

I don't really have a sweet tooth and breakfast generally ain't my bag, but I am typically over-caffeinated, loves me a good sandwich and enjoy cozy loft-like spaces; any and all of which you'll find at Swede Hollow Cafe. The cafe itself is quite small and the inside can get pretty cramped quickly, but it's still an inviting space despite the minimal footprint. When there's not a foot of snow on the ground they have a very nice patio tucked away next to the building which exponentially expands your room to sprawl. I haven't ventured away from the drip coffee, but they've got plenty of options for those looking for fancier ways to get their caffeine fix. One of the first things you'll notice when ordering is the case of various baked goods, quiches, etc. Like I said, those really aren't my bailiwick, but from the various cafe salads, sandwiches and daily specials I've had I certainly have no complaints.

This is a really neat cafe! I was really impressed with the menu items and how much seating there is here. We sat outside on the patio next to the water fountain, but there is also seating upstairs. I ordered an iced lavender coffee with a beef provolone sandwich and both were amazing!! also my coffee came with a piece of dark chocolate so I really couldn't be happier with my experience. If I lived closer I would come back often :)

We stopped in for a quick baked good before voting, but found our selves unable to leave without a piece of quiche. The orange almond scone rivaled those found in England for me-perfect consistency and moisture and the flavor was not too sweet or subtle. I almost didn't share with my partner. They heated the meat and spinach quiche and I happen to eat it first. I had to force myself to leave half of it-similar to the scone, it was well balanced in flavor and consistency. Just thinking about them makes me want more....I will drive out to the Metro State area to get more.

We've stopped here twice in the last month. It's a gem! The baked hashbrowns are amazing. Portion sizes are large. My husband and I shared a platter combo on the weekend which included a biscuit, baked hashbrowns and a cobbler. We were both stuffed! The indoor space is larger than it appears. There's a second floor with ample seating. The outside space is also really great! You can tell that this is a place where locals come, as they know some customers by name. This is worth the visit!

After having lunch in the area, I (finally) dropped by Swede Hollow Café to check it out and finish some work. Glad I did! This cozy space screams "neighborhood joint," with really cool art for sale hung on the wall, locals chatting up a storm, and professors from Metropolitan State talking about new ideas and the like. I got myself a beautifully browned in-house made bagel that came with some standard cream cheese and washed that all down with an earthy chai coupled with a thick little bar of chocolate. Both were reasonably priced, too. I included a dollar or two tip, and everything only set me back a little over $8. I enjoyed my snack, while I sat there for a couple hours pounding out some work. I had no problems with the wifi. Other cool things: -They're building a community garden. Super awesome. -It's really small, so going during peak hours may not be wise. Perhaps it's a better "to-go" place. -The music isn't too loud, and they also play some really dope funk! -Super nice people. -Only one bathroom, so wait your turn! -Ample parking on the street, but maybe not right outside of Swede Hollow. -The quiche usually has nuts, so be careful for those that have nut allergies. (Like me.) If I lived in the neighborhood or even somewhat close by, I would see myself as a regular.

Great place for coffee alongside breakfast or lunch! Seating is very limited, especially during morning/afternoon rush times. During the summer they have the patio open -- which opens up a lot more indoor seating -- filled with beautiful flowers. Their spinach and bacon quiche is TO DIE FOR. For lunch, the turkey and cheddar sandwich is usually my go-to. They have a wide variety of sandwiches and salads also. Everything is made to order with fresh ingredients! Don't forget to try a maple or pumpkin cookie (or any of their other sweets, really), you won't regret it.

I love Swede Hollow. Tiny, quaint place snuggled into the hustle and bustle of the very busy 7th street. It has a very cute patio/outdoor dining space. Perfect for an extended stay to do some light reading or to catch up with a friend. Order a warm slice of frittata in the morning with one of their many different drink options. Or stop by during lunch for a salad or sandwich.

I've been coming here in the morning every couple weeks for a cup of coffee and some quiet time. It's really conveniently located for me, right on my way to downtown St. Paul. The coffee's good and there are lots of great places to sit and read, whether downstairs in the main area, upstairs, or outside in their wonderful garden patio. If you order something fancier than regular coffee, you get a tasty chocolate stick on the edge of your cup. I've tried a couple pastries. The caramel roll was really good and fresh from the oven. The donuts were also super fresh but I could taste too much oil in them from the fryer, not my favorite. The have lots of delicious looking breakfast treats to choose from so I'll have to try more.

I must say that the atmosphere at Swede Hollow on a chilly Saturday morning makes me feel warm and cozy. We came in around 9:30 and happy to find a table for our party of 3. If you can't find a table on the main level there is seating upstairs. When we ordered at the counter the cashier was very nice and personable. My daughter had the toasted 4 cheese sandwich sans the honey mustard mayo, she declared it to be "cheese heaven." My husband had the hash brown bake and he felt it was OK, a bit dry. I had the bacon quiche, which I really chose for the different cheeses, spinach and artichoke. The bacon seemed undercooked, rubbery. There wasn't a lot of spinach or artichoke. The medium mocha I had was delicious! The sides we had, coffee cake and bread pudding, kind of made up for our entrees.

Love this beautiful neighborhood jem. Your coffee comes with a stick of dark chocolate - which is just fabulous. Interior gets pretty busy in the morning and on the weekends, but they have this sweet outdoor area! Amazing coffee and quiches!

I know I live in St. Paul, but we don't seem to venture out very far. We had the quiche with sausage and the other with bacon. Both we really tasty. Go with the blueberry cobbler..... Amazing!

This little place has some seating but limited. There food, service and bakery goods are all made from scratch. The prices are reasonable. As the weather improves they have a great outdoor seating area/patio. They have street parking and located on a triangle lot. The food exposed brick walls add ambiance to the cozy atmosphere.

I love this place like a fat kid loves cake - scratch cake. cobbler. Hello dreamy peach cobbler. Swede Hallow e Cafe owes much of its charms to its storied past and historic location. Located in the Historic Dayton's Bluff neighbourhood, Swede Hollow has its roots as an immigrant community. Most of the neighbourhood was the poorest, in fact they didn't have running water back in the days. Given the geological location and the frigid Minnesotan winters, SH has a fighter spirit that's still evident in today's residence. Today, Swede Hollow is now in the heart of one of the most desirable neighborhoods in all of Minnesota, on a hill overlooking downtown Saint Paul with rich Swedes, Polish and Italian heritage. Swede Hollow Cafe is a tiny cafe and a neighbourhood fave that with colourful paintings, large windows embodies a really homey feeling/ down-to-earth feeling. Beyond these features, Swede Hallow offers the typical independent coffee shop decor, with hardwood floors, a hodgepodge of tables and seating options. A rotating collection of works by community artists is on display along most of the wood and brick walls. Swede Hallow's menu is slightly more impressive than the typical establishment. In addition to a decent range of cold/hot beverages and baked goods (all of varying quality, as with most other coffee houses), they also offer sandwiches and soups for lunch. The crowd tends to change by the day and hour. During weekday work hours one can find an assortment of business folk, government professionals and policymakers from downtown St. Paul and the state capital. Couples and social cliques gather on weekends. And neigbhorhood residents--filter in quickly. Of all my coffee shop experiences, Swede Hallow has probably been one of the closest to satisfying. I go in, order a cappuccino with biscotti while still taking the fancy litllle bars of dark chocolate that comes free with Swedish style cappuccinos, grab a street-facing seat and marvel at the great architecture and ambiance. Reading, journaling or having a meeting--my "real" reasons for coming--are treated as after-thoughts. On the weekends, after browsing the Saint Paul's farmer's market, my significant other and I come here for brunch, I always seem to pour myself over the menu to only resort to my usuals, quiches, french toast and oh those sweet cobblers. (P.S. Special thanks to Katherine Z for telling me about this. It definitely has a cult following and I have no shame in saying, that I'm one of those followers)

Came here for a quick bite before visiting friends in St. Paul. Had a great coffee and decent sandwich. The prices were cheap and the food came out fast. The inside has a nice dated and comfortable feel in an vintage 1880s store-front. Parking wasn't difficult though it was a weekend afternoon. I'd be a regular if I lived in the area, for sure.