Dunn Bros Coffee

The first ever Dunn Bros I believe in the TC! A larger café with a stage for evening performances. Noise level can get a little higher because it’s more of a meeting place rather than quiet studying. Being right down the street from Macalester though, it can be full of students plugged in and to themselves. Great coffee and a little less for everything on the menu because it’s independently owned!

Beware. This Dunn Bros is NOT part of the franchise. Apparently they’re able to use the name because they’re «the original» but do not participate in the reward/​app program or have menu items like the other shops — very frustrating that I was not able to use my $ 5 credit on my app. The girl got very snarky when I questioned her about it. This location also does not have the inviting, relaxed atmosphere that other Dunn Bros have. Instead it’s loud, crowded, with furnishings that look like they have not been replaced in decades. Time to move into the 21^st century, folks! We will not be back and will warn others about how things are (not) done here.

This Dunn Bros is on my favorite corner in the Cities: there’s coffee, a cheese shop, a bread shop and a bookstore. I could live here happily ever after.
The café itself is fine. The coffee is never objectionable and, if you get there early enough, the pastry will do. However, when they have musicians, they play WAY WAY too loud. We generally run in, grab a coffee, latte and hot chocolate and run back outside. In fact, I’ve only sat inside once. There are too many tables too close together. It’s claustrophobic. I like the gritty, rundown feel of the place. I just don’t like being wedged into it.
The outdoor spaces are sufficient. I miss the benches out front. The plastic chairs just aren’t the same. The patio in the back is fairly lovely, with high fences to block the parking lot and a pergola. I love the names carved into the bricks. I don’t know what they mean– past employees maybe? but they add a nice, subtle, quirky touch.
Today our visit wasn’t great. Hotdish and i were just trying to get a moment’s peace after running errands in Roseville all morning. Seconds after we sat down, a girl showed up with her pit bull puppy on a retractable leash that she apparently didn’t know how to retract.
Much like a young mother who thinks everyone adores her sticky, boogery two year old as much as she does so she lets him run wild, such was the case with this girl. I love puppies, but i don’t like when people just assume i do and let their puppy jump all over me. Said puppy visited everyone on the patio, wreaking havoc and spilled coffee. Everyone was forced to interact with this puppy as the girl loudly told a customer the puppy’s entire life story. I now know more about this dog than i do Tapas and Hotdish combined. Of course this isn’t DB’s fault, but Hotdish and i were driven out, along with two or three others. The girl had no coffee, so i wasn’t quite sure why she’d wandered back there, other than for attention whoring, which is a major pet peeve of mine.
The baristas are always always always unfriendly and unsmiling, so don’t dawdle at the counter or you’ll get glared at.

I’ve been coming to this coffee shop since 1991 when I was a student at Macalester College, a block down on Grand Avenue. Back then the entire shop was only half of today’s space, and ended at the wall separating the coffee bar side from the seating room. The seating room was added later, after a fire burned down the place and they rebuilt.
This is the shop where you retreat from a biting cold outside to order a mocha steamer. It took me a good few years to cop on to the notion of a «latte» because, you know Dunn Bros was my world and they gave you Steamers, which were the bomb. The coffee roasted here has always been stellar. You came here with book bag, to ‘study’; or you came here at night to listen to a local act on the piano and feel like you had a nightlife.
The shop feels a little less authentic and college-​driven now, compared to back then, when you know there were several students whose daily nutritional requirements were being met wholly from behind the bar here. But times have changed and the student population now is a coddled lot, wearing expensive yuppy boots instead of wearing shorts and keds in the deep mid-​winter to make … a statement.
The barristas can be a little loopy, but that may be a reflection of their age and the fact that corporate-​fake customer service is not as much the focus here, as a genuine love of coffee culture.
This is the original deal. Although I no longer live here, I mail order their roasted beans (Guatemalan is my fave, though their new one, Rwandan is amazing!!) Go here and enjoy!

The tight spaces, cheek by jowl with others, can be invigorating (if you’re in a social mood) or irritating (if you were hoping to study or work). The wifi may or may not be available, so don’t count on paying those Sunday morning bills. The coffee is top-​notch. The people watching is fine, the outside spaces peachy. Mac-Grove’s City Hall.

Usually I wouldn’t bother with coffee chains but this Dunn bros looked different. It had a sign that said since 1987 on the outside and there was a live musician playing guitar in front of an appreciative audience. My friend and I decided on a whim to stop by after dining at the neighboring Khyber Pass café and I’m glad we did.
It was warm and toasty indoors. A pleasant contrast from the harsh MN winter outside. The caffe latte I ordered was decent. Nothing fancy like coffee art but it got the job done. The unisex restrooms were downstairs in the basement. People were polite and offered me a seat even though it was pretty jam packed. I decided to stay in back with my friend so I could slip away. The 2 hour free parking was about to expire since we had just had dinner, but this looks like a neighborhood gem worth exploring in the future. They sell coffee beans in the back too that look to be of decent quality.

The «Original Dunn Bros» and certainly the best. I may stop at various coffee shops as I move about, but when it comes to buying beans, there will be no substitute. My favorite… Sumatra. Oh, and the staff is always super friendly. And watch out for those pastries… Oh so good and oh so full of calories.

This is a nice coffee shop. Great coffee, fresh roasted whole beans for purchase, and a nice staff. The barista told me that this shop isn’t an official Dunn Bros, but they took my coupon anyway. Thanks!
There are good donuts and pastries here, but no fresh food. If you have read some of the other negative reviews, yes there are college students here and it is busier than the average coffee shop. I’m not sure why these are bad things.

If zero stars were an option, that’s the rating they would receive. I have a limited window in the morning to grav coffee and catch the bus. The FOUR baristas working all decided to chat with a regular as I waited patiently en que for a simple, small coffee. Low and behold, I never received said coffee as I had to leave for my bus.
I had explained my predicament to them in a calm manner, and was told I would have to wait until they had finished their conversation.
If u only want to serve regulars, put up the velvet rope and be done with it.

I struggle with figuring out a rating for this shop, as it is only recently that the quality of drinks has seriously declined. I’ve always enjoyed getting a smooth and well-​steamed drink from the espresso bar, but lately it is clear that the baristas are valuing speed over quality.
The past three times I have been here, even with only 1 or 2 people ahead of me in line my drink was done by the time I hit the register. I appreciate speedy service, but not when it means I have a burnt and bitter drink. I would much rather wait a couple minutes off to the side than pay my money to throw something away! The taste and quality is getting progressively worse. I was only able to manage two sips of my last item before I gave up and tossed it.
I even have a ½ off card to use that I know will sit in the bottom of my purse for a long time, as I won’t be going back.

I think this place is great. There is an eclectic clientele and the staff are always super friendly and genuinely seem happy at work. The coffee is delicious and I love the atmosphere. I know some people can dig on it not being Spick-​and-​span like your Caribous or Starbucks but I feel like it fits with the neighborhood and has a wonderful appeal.
The only downside is that it is usually very busy, especially being near a college campus. But as such, they don’t mind people taking their time talking, reading, writing, whatever!
They also frequently have live music throughout the week :)

Atmosphere could use a little help — it felt a little grungy/​dirty/​crowded/​claustrophobic & the lighting was weirdly harsh — felt dark inside with blinding sunlight coming through the windows. I was also bummed that my drink was served in what appeared to be a styrofoam type cup & I was not asked whether I wanted it to go or not (we planned to «dine» in) before the cup choice was made. Also the only cups available for water were paper as well. Why not have reusable glasses for those sticking around? That aside, friendly baristas, quick service, delicious coffee — and… drum roll please… ALMOND MILK options!!!

My favorite coffee shop in St. Paul, the staff is incredible. They are always so excited to see you and so kind. I walk in feeling grumpy and by the time in at the cash register, I’m always smiling! Be carful with the coffee, it’s dangerously addictive!!! So delicious

Let me start off by saying — I love me some Dunn Brothers Coffee. I worked as a Roaster at the DBC in Golden Valley for four years. Needless to say, I was excited to try this location since it’s in my neighborhood and just «looks cool.»
Man, have I been disappointed. I generally go with my significant other so we always order two drinks and one of them is ALWAYS wrong. As in, tastes like you’re drinking espresso machine cleaner or a drink that was meant for someone other than you. I am not exaggerating. It’s like coffee roulette — who will get the nasty coffee?
I have found that whenever I order an almond steamer (with coffee, of course) mine is usually the good one. I’ve never understood why the baristas, although friendly, ask me if I’d like whipped cream because I always say no but nine times out of ten they’ll add it on top anyway.
In any case, please do yourself a favor and travel the couple blocks to hit up Cahoots instead. At least you won’t end up drinking toxic chemicals or wasting $ 5 on something to pour down the drain.

Totally iconic place for me as I have fond memories since 1986. Coffee is good but lacks the luster my memories have of it. The steamers are now called nirvanas and are not nearly as tasty. Will I be back, likely. But not as often.

(Totally biased here– they fed my caffeine addition while attending Macalester)
With that out of the way, I LOVE Dunn Bro’s. The baristas are always friendly and very helpful. The coffee is strong and tasty and not overpriced. The pastries are too good. Way too good (and ½ priced at around 8pm each night). It feels like a real community space– lots of familiar faces, students, community members, babies, and everyone in between. Lots of outlets for the laptop users. Patio in the back for the warmer months. Which reminds me– soft serve and great iced tea in the summer!
This is not like the other Dunn Bro’s in the TC’s and that’s a good thing.

This Dunn Bros is the original, and still remains outside of the chain. I give it credit for that, but otherwise, I cannot say I’m a fan.
This Dunn Bros feels almost sticky when you go inside. It’s so packed with people squished together at the tiny tables littered around the room that it’s hard to find somewhere to sit, much less sit comfortably.
Many people enjoy the local musicians who come in to play frequently, but I find their music quality typically poor and the volume is far too loud.
The baristas are quite nice and friendly with their service– certainly a redeeming quality! But I don’t much care for their coffee; mediocre at best. Their baked goods are also sub-​par when compared with other restaurants and coffee shops in the area.
This place has a niche market, and those who fit that niche love it. I’m just not a part of that group.

A rare early morning stop for a cup of coffee to go the other day (around 7:15 am and no crowd as of yet). Lucky to get a parking spot right out front of the store.
I was gently and very pleasantly greeted with a «good morning» by someone behind the counter.
I placed my order, paid, and asked for a punch to my coffee drink card.
The few minutes I was there were calm and pleasant. And, as always, the regular brewed coffee was very good.

This is THE original Dunn Brother’s Coffee, and it’s still a busy place today. Located near a college and with lot’s of foot traffic along Grand Avenue, it’s not a place I think of for studying. The tables and small and squished together, and the live music most evenings chases away anyone looking to study there.
But it’s great for catching up with friends, and the morning staff always has a good handle on the morning rush for coffee! Their hot chocolate is one of my favorites, rich and creamy and topped with a huge dollop of whipped cream. If you need more caffeine for your mornings, I’m also a big fan of their au lait. Not many shops have an au lait on the menu (it’s dark brewed coffee with half steamed milk), so I feel lucky my neighborhood Dunn Brother’s does.
Make sure you check out the «secret patio,» behind the store. It’s huge, covered in a beautiful canopy of leaves, and often much more quiet than the rest of the store. Great for spending a summer evening nursing a latte and chatting with friends!

Unpretentious yet classy; rustic yet hip. Adorned by musical performances most evenings, Dunn bros on Grand is a coffee shop like none other, most importantly other Dunn Bros cafes. Menu items are reasonably priced while served by one of the most pleasant servers. Bathroom is kept pretty clean and there is plenty of parking in the parking lot next to it.
This place does get crowded especially in winters but that is pretty understandable because this place is quite popular.
TIP: You can create a blend of different teas on order. My favorite is half Chamomile, half peppermint.