The Best Coffee Beans Roasteries in Minnesota
The Best Coffee Beans Roasteries in Minnesota
If you’re on the hunt for truly exceptional beans in the North Star State, look no further than Minnesota’s thriving local roasting scene. Whether you’re chasing a crisp, bright single-origin or a bold, dark espresso blend—Minnesota’s roasteries are delivering craft, ethics and flavour in one package. Here’s a full roundup of some of the best coffee beans roasteries in Minnesota, starting at the top.
1. Clockwork Roasters ( Twin Cities)
One of the standout names in the Minnesota roasting is Clockwork Roasters. With a clear focus on precision small-batch roasting, they’ve made a strong claim to being among the best for coffee beans in Minnesota.
Pros: Craft-driven, small batch, fresh beans, direct to consumer.
Cons: Being newer/smaller may limit variety or physical locations; may require ordering rather than strolling into a café https://clockworkroasters.com/
Other Excellent Roasteries (2-25)
Below are 24 more roasteries around Minnesota, all offering high-quality beans. Each entry includes a short pro & con to help you decide.
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Backstory Coffee Roasters (St. Paul)
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Pros: Boutique, strong sourcing story.
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Cons: May carry a premium price or limited editions only.
(Coffee Roast)
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Acorn Coffee Club (Minneapolis)
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Pros: Small, craft-oriented beans.
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Cons: Smaller scale – fewer options or less distribution.
(Coffee Roast)
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Dogwood Coffee Co. (Minneapolis)
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Pros: Single‐origin focus, meticulous roast.
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Cons: Specialty beans may cost more or be less “everyday” friendly.
(Easy To Espresso)
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Spyhouse Coffee Roasting Co. (Minneapolis / Twin Cities)
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Pros: Established reputation, multiple café locations.
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Cons: As scale grows, artisan feel may reduce.
(Minnesota Monthly)
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Five Watt Coffee (Minneapolis)
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Pros: Creative blends, perhaps a more adventurous profile.
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Cons: If you like classic roasts, the innovation may be too trendy.
(Coffee Vogue)
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Peace Coffee (Minneapolis)
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Pros: Ethical sourcing, fair-trade orientation.
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Cons: Might lean more into consistency and ethics than experimental flavour.
(Wikipedia)
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Dunn Brothers Coffee (various Minnesota locations)
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Pros: Local chain with in-store roasting, good availability.
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Cons: With more locations, may not have the “micro-roaster” prestige some seek.
(Wikipedia)
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Folly Coffee Roasters (Silver Lake)
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Pros: Outstanding sustainability (zero-carbon footprint) and craft beans. (Minnesota Monthly)
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Cons: Smaller town location may be less convenient; might have more limited distribution.
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Underwood Coffee (Duluth)
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Pros: Northern Minnesota gem; gives a regional flavour beyond Twin Cities.
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Cons: If you’re based in the metro, might be less accessible.
(davegooden.com)
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Tiny Footprint Coffee (Brooklyn Center)
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Pros: Micro-roaster, very craft-oriented.
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Cons: Maybe limited availability and smaller range of beans.
(davegooden.com)
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Trail Creek Coffee Roasters (Kasson)
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Pros: Excellent beans in a regional setting; expands the map of great roasters in Minnesota.
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Cons: Distance to metro; fewer retail outlets.
(coffeeroasternearme.com)
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Up Coffee Roasters (St. Paul)
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Pros: Strong sourcing practices and craft.
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Cons: Might have fewer physical touch-points or specialty café locations.
(Coffee Vogue)
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SK Coffee (St. Paul)
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Pros: Focused on speciality beans, interesting flavour profiles.
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Cons: Niche appeal; might not be your “go-to” for everyday.
(davegooden.com)
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White Boxer Coffee Co. (New Ulm)
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Pros: Regional small batch; adds variety beyond metro area.
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Cons: Lower visibility; limited distribution.
(Coffee Roast)
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Fika Coffee (Lutsen)
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Pros: North Shore location gives it destination-roaster appeal.
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Cons: Travel-required for many; less convenient for daily beans.
(Coffee the Canvas)
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Driven Coffee Roasters (Chaska)
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Pros: Adds suburb/regional coverage; good craft credentials.
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Cons: Might be less known; fewer flagship cafés.
(coffeeroasternearme.com)
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Groundwire Coffee Roasters (Northfield)
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Pros: Very small batch, approachable.
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Cons: Limited brand recognition; maybe fewer varieties.
(coffeeroasternearme.com)
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Red Umbrella Coffee Roaster (Mora)
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Pros: Rural Minnesota gem; supports local roaster culture.
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Cons: More remote; may require shipping.
(coffeeroasternearme.com)
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Blue Ox Coffee (East Grand Forks)
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Pros: Northern presence; broadens the map of the best in Minnesota.
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Cons: Distance; possibly smaller operation.
(Roasters Map)
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Alakef Coffee Roasters (Duluth)
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Pros: Established in Duluth, good specialty credentials.
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Cons: Less metro presence.
(davegooden.com)
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B+W Specialty Coffee (Minneapolis)
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Pros: Specialty roaster in the city; good for bean variety.
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Cons: Smaller scale; less public fame.
(davegooden.com)
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BootStrap Coffee Roasters (St. Paul)
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Pros: Sustainable sourcing, considered among top Minnesota brands.
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Cons: May have fewer physical outlets; might lean more into premium niche.
(Coffee Vogue)
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Northern Coffeeworks (Minneapolis)
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Pros: Dedicated to small-batch beans and unique flavour.
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Cons: Less mainstream; harder to find.
(Coffee Vogue)
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Mugby Junction Coffee (Winona)
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Pros: Nice regional roaster outside of the major metro; adds flavour to the list.
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Cons: May have limited bean options compared to the big city roasters.
(davegooden.com)
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Why This Matters
When you select beans from a local roastery in Minnesota, you’re not only getting fresher coffee (shorter time from roast to brew) but also benefiting from roasters who often:
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Source ethically and directly from farmers. (Easy To Espresso)
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Roast in small batches so the flavour profile is more controlled. (Minnesota Monthly)
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Experiment with interesting origin beans and blends — giving you more variety than generic mass-roast options.
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Support local economies and reduce shipping/freight when you buy locally roasted beans. (Roasters Map)
Final Thoughts
Minnesota may not always be the first place people think of when they imagine “coffee capitals,” but the depth of its bean-roasting scene is impressive. From the major metro hubs of Minneapolis and St. Paul to the small towns and North Shore regions, you’ll find roasteries turning out high-quality beans that rival national specialty brands.
Start with Clockwork Roasters for a leading craft experience, then pick a few from the rest of the list that match your taste preferences — whether you lean towards light/bright single origins, bold espresso blends, or ethically sourced beans with a story.
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