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Last Updated: 3/21/2023
Where To Get Coffee On Minnesota’s North Shore
If you’re adventuring on the North Shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota, you’ll probably start the day looking for some coffee.
Luckily, wherever you are on the North Shore, you’re never far from an amazing independent coffee shop. Despite the North Shore’s rural nature, there’s no denying we’ve got a way with espresso. If you’re in the business of caffeinating on the regular, the North Shore’s a great place to visit!
As someone who pounds up and down U.S. Highway 61 on a regular basis, I’m well acquainted with every North Shore coffee shop between Duluth and the Canadian border. Whether you’re in Two Harbors, Silver Bay, Lutsen, or Grand Marais, this post will lead you to your next great cup of coffee.
North Shore Coffee Shops
I’ve arranged this list of coffee shops in the order you’ll pass each shop as you’re driving up the North Shore from Duluth.
Cedar Coffee Company – Two Harbors
Want to drink your morning coffee in a fairy glen? It’s well worth the detour off Highway 61 to find this coffee shop nestled in a cedar grove. Located just north of Two Harbor’s Super One grocery store, this café offers specialty coffee drinks brewed with Duluth Coffee Company beans as well as a full breakfast and lunch menu.
The shop includes a selection of items from local artists. With a large pet friendly outdoor seating area, this is a great coffee stop if you have a dog along for your North Shore adventures. If you happen to be biking on the North Shore’s Gitchi-Gami State Trail, you can rent a bike from Spokengear next door.
About Cedar Coffee Company: Located 1130 11th Street County 26, Two Harbors. Open from 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. every day.
Vanilla Bean – Two Harbors
If you’re trying to get a jump on other day hikers along the North Shore, the Vanilla Bean’s convenient location right on Highway 61 in downtown Two Harbors makes it the perfect place to pop in a coffee and pastry before continuing on to your trailhead. Their sweet rolls are amazing!
If you have a minute, pull up a table and enjoy a full sit-down breakfast. They serve up all sorts of breakfast favorites including Swedish pancakes, biscuits and gravy, and eggs Benedict.
Just an FYI: The Vanilla Bean is currently for sale. Hopefully whoever purchases it can continue the tradition of good coffee and good food.
About The Vanilla Bean – Two Harbors: Located at 812 7th Avenue (MN Highway 61),Two Harbors. Open 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Thursday – Monday.
Timber Coffee Company – Silver Bay
The newest North Shore coffee shop, Timber Coffee Company opened in October 2022. When I visited just three days after they opened, they didn’t have a sign yet, but they were already slinging spectacular coffee. If you’re looking for the shop, it’s the driveway just past Jimmy’s Pizza, about .7 miles in on the main drag from the Highway 61 intersection.
The airy shop has a definite urban meets forest vibe. Super friendly staff serve up coffee drinks brewed with Fika Coffee espresso and bakery items made in house. Their drink flavor syrups include cardamon – always a win for me!
About Timber Coffee Company: Located at 98 Outer Drive, Silver Bay. Open Friday – Monday from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Schroeder Baking Company – Schroeder
(Seasonal)
Whether you’re headed up or down the North Shore, a stop at Schroeder Baking Company in “downtown” Schroeder never disappoints. They serve up frill-free, delicious homemade food. This little shop shares a building with the Schroeder Post Office. They offer coffee drinks, pastries, sandwiches, and more from May – October.
Either enjoy your treats on the picnic benches scattered about the lawn or stroll to the nearby highway bridge for an up close and personal view of Cross River Falls.
Pro tip: if you’re planning an all-day hike, just call in your sandwich order and they’ll have it all packed up for you to throw in your backpack. And since they often sell out of favorite pastries, you’re also welcome to call in and literally put your name on that maple pecan Danish or croissant you’re dreaming about.
About Schroeder Baking Company: 7940 W. Highway 61, Schroeder. A seasonal business, Schroeder Baking Company is open 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. every day from late May – late October.
Fika Coffee – Lutsen
This sweet little Scandinavian inspired coffee shop is so cute I can barely stand it. They offer very little seating, so during the morning rush, plan to grab your coffee and head straight to your next North Shore adventure. Fika roasts their beans in house and puts coffee front and center in their business model. They offer a limited selection of breakfast items, including oatmeal and World’s Best Donuts.
I’m almost always get their 740 Estate drink. This delicious espresso, oat milk, cardamom syrup concoction makes my non-dairy loving heart (and stomach) sing! Be sure to peruse their carefully branded merch too.
About Fika Coffee: 5325 W. Highway 61, right in downtown Lutsen on the far west side of the Clearview General Store building. Open Thursday – Monday from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Java Moose – Grand Marais
If you’ve ever visited Grand Marais, chances are you’ve had a coffee from Java Moose. Perhaps the most quintessential of all North Shore coffee shops, Java Moose has been a Grand Marais staple since the 1992. During the busy summer season, it’s not uncommon for the line to snake out the door and into the parking lot.
While I really like their Nordic Miel, my favorite drinks at Java Moose aren’t actually espresso based. For a hot drink, check out their Harbor Fog Tea. During the warmer (or at least as warm as it gets next to Lake Superior) months, you can’t beat their tasty Italian Cream Sodas.
About Java Moose: The coffee shop sits at 218 W. Highway 61, Grand Marais, right where Wisconsin Street connects with the highway. Although the shop’s generally open from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday, do check out their Instagram for the most up-to-date hours as they can vary slightly from week to week. FYI: Their satellite shop in the Lake Superior Trading Post building permanently closed in 2022.
Loons Nest – Gunflint Trail
(Seasonal)
Another new addition to the North Shore coffee scene, Loons Nest opened in June 2022 as the Gunflint Trail’s first ever coffee shop. Let me tell you, it’s extremely exciting to finally have a spot to grab a latte along this 57-mile long wilderness highway. They brew Carlson Roasting Co Organic Fair Trade Coffee. I honestly think it’s the smoothest coffee on the entire North Shore.
Located in the Poplar Lake “business district” of the Gunflint Trail, the coffee shop operates out of a concession trailer on the property that used to be Loons Nest gift shop. The gift shop is no more, although you can pick up some branded t-shirts and coffee beans. Pastries are limited to cardamon or cinnamon buns, but they do offer grilled cheese and soup.
About Loons Nest: 7575 Gunflint Trail, approximately 30 miles northwest out of Grand Marais. right as you enter the 40 mph zone near Trail Center. Open every day from June – September, 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
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