Top Ten

I've compiled a list of my top ten favorite cafes and coffee shops that I consider worthy of an "Angela Approved Seal." I am purposely not numbering it because all are of equally good ranking to me, and each one has different reasons for being among my faves. Eventually all these will have their own blog post.

Two Notes

1. I am very aware that this list does not at this point include ten places. This section is a work in progress!

2. The four places on the list so far are ones that I have been to multiple times and chatted with the owners, who are all wonderful people!

Angela Approved >>

Lakes Fika near Cormorant Village, MN

This delightful cafe & boutique perfectly embodies its name, which I fully explain in my post "Have a Fika at Lakes Fika."

The cafe is set in the backdrop of beautiful Minnesota Lake Country, and the Scandinavian themed cafe itself has a very warm and inviting atmosphere.

Dream Cloud Coffee Roasters in Two Harbors, MN

This place is aptly named - it's whimsical and artsy, which suits me perfectly! And it's along the gorgeous North Shore Drive of Lake Superior just north of Duluth, MN. There is a selection of coffee, matcha, andtea to drink, as well as pastries, cookies, scones and the like. The rotating seasonal menu of drinks and daily selection of baked goods are what I refer to as "artist and crafted" - of intentional and original quality.

The Williams Company Store and Deli in Ottertail, MN

This is another one of those hidden gems in Minnesota Lake Country. Really neat fun fact - this place first opened in 1904 as a mercantile! The current owners, Dan and Marnie, bought it in 2014 and expanded the menu selection from very basic to a robust "cafe-worthy" menu. There is also a large selection of store items - books, clothing, jewelry, cards, kitchenware, etc... it takes quite a bit of wandering around to look through all the options!

What makes the place particularly wonderful is that Dan and Marnie are two of the nicest people you could hope to meet!

Sweet Dreams Confections in Fargo, ND

This fantastic place has it all - coffee, smoothies, fudge, truffles, gelato, and a wide variety of gift items, with everything from food products (syrup, jelly, dips, chips, bread and muffin mixes, and more - many of them "Pride of North Dakota" products) to lotions, soaps, cards, stuffed animals... a plethora, way too many to list.

The owners, Lee and Brenda, are the absolute sweetest people! Brenda makes the fudge, and Lee makes the truffles and gelato. A lunch menu of sandwiches and soups is also served for a limited time Monday - Saturday.

Angela Approved Cafes & Coffee Shops