Botany Coffee
The attributes include up-to-the-minute good looks, cleverly conceived specialty drinks (carrot spice latte, anyone?) and baked goodies from James Beard-nominated pastry chef Michelle Gayer of the Salty Tart.
1830 E. 38th St., Mpls., botanycoffee.com
Penny's Coffee
The stylish downtowner now has a Linden Hills outpost, serving the same expertly prepared crêpes, plus a handful of sandwiches ($10 to $13) that range from avocado toast to pastrami with Gruyère on grilled sourdough. Pastries by Rose Street Patisserie. Soft-serve, too.
3509 W. 44th St., Mpls., pennyscoffee.com
Spyhouse Coffee
The Minneapolis-centric mini-chain has finally landed east, with the same attention to detail, and the same superb baked goods from baker Sarah Botcher's remarkable Black Walnut Bakery.
420 S. Snelling Av., St. Paul, spyhousecoffee.com
