This Seward restaurant specializes in vegan, vegetarian and fresh, local cuisine, but serves up delicious meat dishes, too.

by Molly Priesmeyer

In Short
This old-fashioned neighborhood café sings South Minneapolis in every way: It's a meeting spot where neighbors grab a coffee, sit back and chat about local issues and politics. And like those topics, everything made here is as delicately considered and studied. There's the fresh breads and pastries; dinner specials like the grilled abalone and mushroom polenta or the pork feijoda; and the delicious Sunday brunch that includes tofu scramble. For years, the Birchwood was all about vegetarian delights. But now it's simply about good food.

09/11/06

Good for the Soul

by sigridsf

This is the first restaurant I ate at in Minneapolis after moving here from San Francisco - it made me smile and my taste buds happy. I felt lucky to be eating there - the atmosphere was great, the salad I had was wonderful (fresh greens, beats, brie, blueberries - so good!). I was really pleasantly surprised. AND coming from the mecca of not only eating, but biking - I was pleased to see they support a bike team. This restaurant combines the things I miss most about CA - now if they could only bring the sun out for me! Keep it up Birchwood - I will be back many times!

• Pros: Food, Atmosphere, Parking
• Cons: none so far

07/19/06

Love this place!

by iver60271

My husband and I have been going to Birchwood for a few years. We have never been disappointed..their food is incredibly fresh with a menu that changes frequently. We usually check their website before we go to see what's on the menu. They have an awesome pizza nite on Saturdays and a decent selection of organic wines, microbrews, etc. Awesome veggie burgers and excellent fresh salad selections. Everything from pasta salads to mixed greens. The salad sampler is always fantastic!

• Pros: Food is fresh and well done. Staff is very friendly and knowledgeable.
• Cons: Had quiche a little later into the brunch hours and it was re-heated and rubbery. Go early is you're hitting breakfast/brunch.