A really cool honor has been bestowed on a locally owned coffee shop in Rochester, Minnesota. With so, so many independently owned coffee shops in our state, it's especially impressive to get this recognition.
In Rochester alone, there are tons of coffee shops, both local and national. You've got national chains like Caribou, Starbucks, and Scooter's. But there's also Spyhouse Coffee, Moka, Lumen, Cafe Steam, Cafe Aqui, Bravo Espresso, Old Abe, Mezza 9, Forager Cafe... I think that's all of them?
Even without the chain coffee shops, there are still tons of options for your daily caffeine in Rochester.
But according to the data and reviews, there is one of those coffee shops that stands above the rest. Not just in Rochester but in all of Minnesota.
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The data was all analyzed by a website called On Deck and is all based on customer ratings. They gave us a list of the 10 best independent coffee shops across the country. Sadly, none in the top 10 are in Minnesota.
The top locally owned coffee shops are spread all across the country. They can be found in New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Texas, West Virginia, Alaska, Tennessee, Washington, California, and Maryland.
On Deck also determined the city with the most independent coffee shops per capita in the entire country. That title goes to New Orleans, LA.
But the city with the highest-rated independent coffee shops in the US is Knoxville, TN. Apparently the average rating for indie coffee shops there is 4.59.
Getting back to the best indie coffee shop in Minnesota, with an average rating of 4.76, the best independent coffee shop in Minnesota is... Cafe Steam in Rochester!
Cafe Steam has three locations in Rochester now and they are actually celebrating their 10th anniversary this year. What a way to celebrate!
I love exploring coffee shops but I also love exploring and trying different restaurants. There are a few around Minnesota that are bit busier than others so if you also want to check them out you might want to make a reservation.