- Attraction: Butter Bakery Cafe
- Location: 3700 Nicollet Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55409
- Industry: Bakery
- Website: https://butterbakerycafe.com/
Former middle school teacher Daniel Swenson-Klatt transformed his love of baking into something extraordinary when he opened Butter Bakery Cafe in 2005.
What started as a career change has evolved into a cornerstone of Minneapolis’s Kingfield neighborhood, where the aroma of fresh-baked goods draws locals and visitors alike through those welcoming front doors.
This isn’t just another coffee shop pretending to be a bakery. Everything here gets made from scratch daily, and you can actually watch the bakers working behind the counter.
The eclairs that built this place’s reputation survived the transition when Butter took over from the previous award-winning Sweetski’s Bakery, maintaining a legacy of excellence that spans decades.
Beyond the incredible pastries, Butter operates as a community gathering space that partners with Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative to provide employment opportunities for formerly homeless youth.
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Keep Exploring →Menu Highlights
The Famous Eclairs: These aren’t your average pastry case eclairs. Both small ($2) and large ($3) versions deliver exceptional value, with perfectly choux pastry shells filled with rich cream and topped with glossy chocolate. The consistency and quality have earned them recognition as some of the Twin Cities’ finest.
Buttermilk Biscuits: Dubbed “Minnesota’s State Biscuit,” these butter-laden creations arrive fluffy and substantial. You can enjoy them plain, as part of a breakfast sandwich, or smothered in their renowned sausage gravy. The biscuits provide the perfect foundation for their popular sausage, egg, and cheese combination.
Daily Scones: Made fresh every morning with real butter, these scones come in rotating flavors like apple honey, peach chocolate almond, and classic buttermilk. The texture hits that perfect balance between tender crumb and satisfying density that makes you understand why regulars plan their visits around scone availability.
Specialty Coffee Program: Their fair-trade organic coffee comes from local roasters including Roastery 7, True Stone, and Fika. The cold brew has developed a devoted Minneapolis following, while their signature “Mischief Maker” spicy chai offers an authentic, in-house alternative to generic coffee shop versions.
Breakfast & Brunch Items: The tofu scramble satisfies vegetarians, while the breakfast burrito packed with local ingredients provides hearty fuel for your day. Their quiche rotates flavors and consistently delivers light, fluffy texture with perfectly balanced fillings.
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Discover MoreBaked Goods Case: Beyond the famous eclairs, you’ll discover cupcakes with real buttercream frosting, chocolate chip cookies ranked in the Twin Cities’ top 15, oversized lemon bars, and seasonal specialties like pumpkin whoopie pies and cheesecake muffins.
Atmosphere & Décor
Neighborhood Gathering Space: The bright, airy interior welcomes you with large picture windows that flood the space with natural light. About 12 tables inside provide comfortable seating, while the outdoor patio extends your dining options during pleasant weather.
Order-and-Sit Service: You’ll place your order at the counter, then find a table where your food gets delivered when ready. This system keeps things casual while ensuring fresh, hot items arrive at your table rather than sitting under heat lamps.
Community Feel: The toy box near the entrance signals this place embraces families, while the growth chart on the wall shows how seriously they take their role as a neighborhood institution. Local artwork and community bulletin boards reinforce the local gathering space atmosphere.
Patio Dining: The outdoor seating area features tables perfect for sunny Minneapolis mornings, complete with decorative sculpture chickens that kids love to visit. The patio connects directly to the neighborhood’s residential feel while providing street-level people watching.
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Keep Exploring →Other Considerations
Pricing Philosophy: Breakfast and lunch items typically range around $10, with coffee drinks between $3-5. The no-tipping policy means fair wages are built into menu prices, making the total cost predictable while supporting ethical employment practices.
Sustainability Focus: Their commitment to zero-waste goals shows in compostable packaging, locally-sourced ingredients, and partnerships with area farms. You can even pick up CSA vegetable shares here, making it a one-stop community resource.
Community Impact: Beyond employing formerly homeless youth, Butter participates in fundraising events like Dining Out For Life and advocates for small business-friendly policies. Owner Daniel Swenson-Klatt actively engages in neighborhood development and social justice initiatives.
Parking & Access: Street parking along Nicollet Avenue supplements the small lot behind the building, which includes a convenient 5-minute pickup spot. The location sits directly on Metro Transit’s Route 18 line, making it easily accessible without a car.
Best Times to Visit: Weekday mornings offer the shortest waits, while weekend brunch brings neighborhood energy but potentially longer lines. Arriving early ensures the best selection of daily-made pastries and scones.
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Discover MoreSpecial Accommodations: While they offer some gluten-free options, this isn’t a dedicated gluten-free facility. Vegetarian and vegan substitutions are available, including tofu scrambles and plant-based milk alternatives.
Butter Bakery Cafe
📍 3700 Nicollet Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55409
