Cafe Brenda
(612) 342-9230
300 1st Ave N
Minneapolis,
MN
55401
44.9822
-93.2714
Neighborhoods: Central, Warehouse District
Reviews & Ratings for Cafe Brenda
14 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 14 reviews
Classy food in a bright, cheery atmosphere
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
Owner is simply not a nice person. She's mean to her employees and standoffish with guests.
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.
Substitution.. no problem.
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.
suprise me i'm sure i'll love it
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
Best Vegan friendly
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
High Class Vegetarian by rene l. at InsiderPages
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
The serene cuisine at this natural-foods oasis does for a jaded palate what a massage does for weary muscles.
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.
Upscale Vegetarian Eats by Michelle J. at InsiderPages
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.
It's a MPLS gem!
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
attitude
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
