Cafe Brenda

(612) 342-9230

300 1st Ave N
Minneapolis, MN 55401 44.9822 -93.2714

Neighborhoods: Central, Warehouse District

CAFEBRENDA.COM

Reviews & Ratings for Cafe Brenda

4.5 Star Rating: Recommended

14 reviews

What users are saying:

Write a review

Showing 1-10 of 14 reviews

Was this review helpful?

0 Yes / 0 No

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

by OperDZ

July 27, 2008

Excellent food. I've been here many times. Owner Brenda has been there several times, seated us, got us drinks, so reviews attacking her confuse me. Waitstaff was knowledgeable about the food. Romantic setting and worked for a group of 6 too.

  • Pros: Excellent food
  • Cons: Bathroom is far away

Write comment on this review

Was this review helpful?

0 Yes / 0 No

1 Star Rating: Poor

by tron1

May 14, 2008

I've been to Cafe Brenda three times. Once by choice, and the other two during business lunches that I was unlucky enough to have to attend. When the Diva (Brenda) is in, employees seem very tense, which seems to make them jumpy and unfriendly. You can overhear her behind the counter blasting her employees with rhetorical questions. "Does that look like it's mixed?" "Do I sound like I'm joking?" There is nothing wrong with the food, The mock duck being the safest bet. But the vibe in there is too tense. I don't think I'll give it a 4th chance!

  • Pros: Big windows.
  • Cons: Bad overall attitude. Strange employee/owner relations.

Write comment on this review

Was this review helpful?

0 Yes / 0 No

4 Star Rating: Recommended

by AngiePeoni

February 11, 2008

Went for dinner last week. They had no problem with substitution in the on special dish. Delicious Curry mock duck.

Write comment on this review

Was this review helpful?

0 Yes / 0 No

3 Star Rating: Average

by shagen1

April 29, 2007

exactly what i told the waiter....... exactly what i got. first time in the city, first time at cafe brenda's...absolutely not the last. highly recommend

  • Pros: knowledgable and friendly staff

Write comment on this review

Was this review helpful?

0 Yes / 0 No

3 Star Rating: Average

by abnitam

November 09, 2006

Organic taste! vegan friendly and different! Lunch or dinner, great place to go!! I always go there with my vegan friendly friends to enjoy their touf and mock duck!

  • Pros: Thumbs up

Write comment on this review

Was this review helpful?

0 Yes / 0 No

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

Contributor

June 26, 2006

The owner has been offering home cooked gourmet level vegetarian food for years. It's so nice to be able to get food that's both good for you and tastes good in a nice setting. The menu is pricey to match the upscale atmosphere, but it's worth it to enjoy healthy food well presented.

PROS: Good food

CONS: No steaks fir the meat eaters

Write comment on this review

Was this review helpful?

0 Yes / 0 No

by Contributor

June 12, 2006

In Short
Huge windows on busy Minneapolis streets offer sunshine in the day and people-watching after dark. The health-conscious of every stripe, and even some who aren't, will find something in the menu of organic seafood and poultry dishes. Popular starters include shrimp quesadillas and a wild mushroom and pistachio pâté. A tender Thai chicken breast is simmered in green Thai curry sauce. Fresh cod is sauteed and drizzled with a ginger-maple-teriyaki glaze.

Write comment on this review

Was this review helpful?

0 Yes / 0 No

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

Contributor

June 09, 2005

A very trendy, upscale vegetarian restaurant. Great place to go to impress and dress up. Great food, lotsa class. Best for very special occasions.

This place was SO nice, however, that it felt a little intimidating and hush-hush. I like to be able to laugh out loud at places and order a cocktail (no cocktails!).

PROS: Classy, good food.

CONS: Pricy.

Write comment on this review

Was this review helpful?

0 Yes / 0 No

4.5 Star Rating: Recommended

by jho911doc

July 30, 2003

Face it, MPLS lacks a large selection of small, cafe-style, competent chef-owned restaurants that encourage you to drop in for dinner. However, this place fills the bill! Great location with validated parking is a HUGE draw and the wine list is larger than most with a very fair markup (I have never been to a place that I could say this about so this is a big plus! Every other restaurant in the city could learn from this!) The food is clean, fresh, healthy and tasty. Who would have thought that a vegetarian meal could be so satisfying and downright interesting? Cafe Brenda really hits all the right spots including a nice experience with great food and wine in a good location. A few more spots like this and who knows, MPLS might be a contender for a real food destination!

  • Pros: Fairly priced wine, Great food, Validated parking
  • Cons: Carnivores go hungry

Write comment on this review

Was this review helpful?

0 Yes / 0 No

3.5 Star Rating: Average

by jjatkin

January 15, 2003

The Blue Marlin was quite good and it came very nicely presented. Banana cake with maple cream cheese frosting was super. I also like that everything is not super-sized. I guess this might be a problem for some people but I hate wasting food and don't like taking it home either. Great selection of wine. Did NOT like the server. Someone in my party had the nerve to ask for a diet coke and the server quipped... "we don't have diet anything". Whatever!

  • Pros: presentation, quiet, nice lighting
  • Cons: attitude

Write comment on this review

Advertisement

Things To Do Nearby Cafe Brenda

brought to you by Visa

Cafe Brenda

300 1st Ave N
Minneapolis, MN 55401

Lists In Minneapolis

Girls Night Out

by Molly Priesmeyer

Twin Cities' Top Summer Drinks

by Molly Priesmeyer

Kid-Approved Twin Cities

by Molly Priesmeyer

Best of Citysearch

Best Nightlife

Minneapolis

Cheap haircuts. Beefy hamburgers. Sexy bartenders! Discover the best finds in the city.

view more polls & winners

Recent Reviews In Minneapolis

1 Star Rating: Poor

Hong Kong Noodle

901 Washington Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

Papa's Pizza & Pasta

4159 Thomas Ave N, Minneapolis, MN

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

Zen Restaurant

3016 Lyndale Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN

Pizza Biga

4762 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN

Advertisement