I must say, the rhubarb tart here just about knocked me off my feet. WOW. Hello spring!! If you love rhubarb, buttery & flakey crust, and a smooth and custard-like filling - this pastry will have you swooning (unless of course you're anti-carbs, butter, and heavy-cream). I came here after a nearby appointment for a decadent treat, it was about 2:30 in the afternoon. The place was surprisingly busy, lots of people in small groups chatting, all ages, a few people working, or just relaxing with a book. The atmosphere is open and casual, tables of all sizes. (I must say my only complaint was that the music being played was horrible 80s music - I mean, for a place like this, I'd expect some jazz or more ambient music - hint hint). I LOVE the coffee here, because it's Dogwood. So you can't go wrong. This coffee is some of the best around, my Americano was made perfectly. I'm already plotting my next return so I can try that amazing lemon & lavender tart I saw - which also came in a larger cake. But really I want to try a little bit of everything. There are cookies, croissants, treats that are filled with chocolate or fruit, bars & much more. If you love sweets & treats - this place is calling your name, well, actually - yelling your name. Newcomers beware - the parking lot is a bit small and is prone to self-righteous drivers. Just be prepared to be patient while driving around looking for a spot to park.
(5)
Tim B.
Was in the area so I stopped in to grab a coffee. After taking my order it turned out that they were out of both light and dark roasts and had to wait 10 minutes for them to brew more.
(2)
Josh K.
Hit up Rustica on a Saturday afternoon to slay a sweet tooth with the lady friend. I got the lemon-lavender cake and my girlfriend got the rhubarb tart. I'll start with the rhubarb tart. It was VERY good. Very very good. I was hoping for a bit more though, as the rhubarb wasn't as sweet as I thought to go with the saltiness of the butter tart. Don't get me wrong, it was still fantastic though. Perfect proportion too if you get the small tart and share. The lemon-lavender cake though... do yourself a favor and get this. If you're a lemon fan, this is a must. If you're not a lemon fan, this will make you one. The crystalized honey glaze over the cake is just the perfect sweetness to compliment the sour lemon flavor that is as good as it gets. Can't wait to go back and try some more desserts and the breads.
(4)
Sarah K.
I heard great things about this bakery from a friend and had to check it out for myself. Like any great bakery you are hit with amazing smells as soon as you walk in the door. The bread and pastries are displayed beautifully! I'm not from the area and bought some bread to take home. The simple, classic Rustica loaf was AMAZING! I will make this a regular stop whenever I am in the Cities.
(4)
Eunice P.
One of the best bakeries in Minnesota! The pastries are great and the coffee is good. I tried miel, latte and lemonade, and they were okay. It's always so exciting to try new pastry! So far i tried chocolate eclair, dark chocolate tart and butter cake and they were perfect; not too sweet, not too buttery. Good place for studying if you don't mind some noise and don't need power outlet.
(5)
Lauren H.
I LOVE Rustica! I just went there for the first time this week and we kind of went nuts. We split an eclair and a croissant along with a couple of lattes while we were at the bakery but stocked up before leaving. We bought the lemon tart and danish. Out of the two, the tart was our favorite. It had a thick cookie crust - but not too thick. You also don't get jipped on the lemon. It's a good meringue to lemon to crust ratio. The same goes for the eclair (which we bought another before leaving), it is filled with delicious creamy custard. Something else that really stood out to us was that they used REAL vanilla in our lattes. When we were done we could see all of the little vanilla pod seeds at the bottom. However, not only are their pastries tasty but I bought one of their little rolls before leaving and that was amazing as well. If you're in the area definitely check it out. But if you're a bit further away, this place is worth the drive. Be forewarned that it's hard to find a seat in there, not because of lack of space but because it is so popular. We ended up next to the coffee bar, but that's also kind of fun because you can see them make all of the drinks.
(5)
Tina T.
My gf had been raving about this place so we went for dessert. First off, the parking lot is an accident waiting to happen. There are so many retailers crammed into this strip so the parking situation is a circus ESP when deliveries are being made! I can't believe the number of trucks that were coming through here. As soon as we walked in, I got this stale vibe. It wasn't warm or cozy, seemed rather gloomy. For desserts, I had the coconut cake which was so dry and stiff. I thought my plastic fork was going to break! Couldn't tell if the cake had been previously frozen because it didn't taste cold...? I had one bite and sent it packing with my gf. She had her favorite bittersweet chocolate cookie (if you love cake-cookies, this is for you). On the upside there is plenty of seating and a little book in back. Good place to maybe grab coffee, sit down with your laptop and take yourself super seriously.
(2)
Jocelyn G.
I love this place. Must say that Greek salad has a bit too much fiber. Broccoli should be cooked a bit? Maybe fresh tomatoes? Otherwise it is wonderful.
(5)
Irene D.
Rustica bakery is my favorite coffee place. They make the best espresso drinks and have the bombest pasteries. My order of choice is a cortado with a kouign amman. Rustica's kouign amman is a study in perfect balance. It is like a salty/sweet crusty croissant. The salt and sweet counteracts the bitterness of the espresso. It is a combination that is greater than the mere sum of it's parts.
(5)
Marisa P.
I love rustica! Not only is it a perfect location being right by Lake Calhoun but it has amazing outdoor seating and is a great place to kind of chill read a book relax drink some coffee and eat some amazing food. I got a couple desserts that were amazing and a lemon Lavender drink which was seasonal. Honestly I could rave on for hours about how manyhours about how amazing rustica is but I'm not going to because just go see it yourself honestly it's like a burst of amazing flavor in your mouth!!!! xoxo trust and believe haha!
(5)
William S.
After hearing all the raves about the Bittersweet Chocolate Cookie I just had to make the trip to try it. While there I tried the traditional Rustic Chocolate cookie as well. I must have hit them on a bad day as neither cookie was tender nor flavorful. If these cookies make the masses rave I'm going to encourage mom to start her own chocolate cookie business.
Check out their Eclairs and Bittersweet Chocolate Chip Cookies! Their coffee was good but a bit pricey. It's a solid study spot, but make sure to come with a full laptop battery because outlets are very limited. Also, the wifi is slow as molasses, so download your notes ahead of time! I.ALWAYS.GO.FOR.THE.ECLAIRS.MY.GAWD.
(4)
Amanda K.
I've only been here once but will be back. Based on other reviews I had the Vanilla Latte and a bittersweet chocolate cookie. Neither disappointed. Staff wasn't uber friendly and I couldn't find an outlet so had to cut my working session short, otherwise I'd probably give them 5 stars. Picked up some beans while I was there and the coffee from those has been delicious as well. A bit pricey ($15 and up for 12 oz) but you do get a complimentary cup of coffee.
(4)
Ice T.
tried several pastries here. rustica, salty tart, and patisserie 46 are the three bakeries in the area that have gotten the most critical attention, and of those, rustica's pastries were the most refined. you could see the technique in the layers and flakiness of the pastry. that said, I wish their flavors were a little more bold.
(4)
Preet S.
Everything about this place way great. The fresh baked bread, pastries, desserts cannot be beat. The pour-over (bit hipster) coffee is great, true baristas working here, unlike over there at starbucks. Albeit the place is very hipster, they do it in a good way. Everything works, they are not trying too hard. They know what they have and are doing it good. I just hope they stay that way and dont try to change, just to keep sales up. The whole time I was there around 2pm they had a line. Special Notes: Try the Kouing Amman (Queen Amman), Try to get their earlier in the day for fresher pastries. The kitchen closes at 2PM so if you want something heated up, that wont be happening. Great place, give it a try.
(5)
Yuriy G.
Place is almost always busy, means they must be doing something right. The cofee is good and the art they do is better than your typical spyhouse. The bakery there is awesome, best combination ever with your coffee
(5)
Gretchen B.
I went in on a Sunday afternoon for a post-brunch dessert. The place was busy, too busy to get a table so we ordered our pastries and left. We got a chocolate-pecan tart which I wish I hadn't wasted my stomach space on...because the chocolate eclairs were SO GOOD. Additionally, I bought a challah loaf to make French toast with at a later date, but I ended up eating the whole loaf that day. If you're able to get a table, this is a cute place to grab a coffee and a treat with a friend, and then go for a walk around Calhoun!
(4)
Kre C.
I love their bread, but was very disappointed last weekend when I went to have coffee with a friend. I got the bruscetta with fresh tomatoes and a cup of regular coffee. $3.80 for a cup of "Mixed Tape" coffee from a thermos (not french press or other fancified preparation)....and then another $3.80 for a refill! Highway robbery. Shame on you Rustica.
(1)
Lara M.
This place has delicious cookies! Try the bittersweet chocolate cookie. I love to go and play cards or study or work on my laptop here. However, sometimes it can get loud and some of the patrons are not as respectful as I would like. However, you must check out the awesome bakery selection and the wonderful tea! They do have outdoor seating in the summer. If you can walk up here, that is great as the lights around Calhoun can be sooo long so traffic can interfere with a relaxing bakery visit. Enjoy!
(4)
Brittanie M.
Popped in here after dinner to check it out and they didn't have anything really left (the bakery case was pretty empty) which leads me to believe they only bake in the morning instead of throughout the day. They also serve Dogwood espresso which I'm not fond of. Definitely a place to go to in the morning if you work in the area rather than as a late snack.
(3)
Ned C.
There isn't really much that needs to be said. I came here to waste an hour and do homework while my wife was getting a massage. She had heard that the coffee was great, so I figured I would come grab a cup of Joe and doing some accounting. I didn't expect THIS. First of all, experience has taught me that a line wrapped around the counter and into the seating area usually means good things. It moved quickly, and it walked us right by the pastry shelves. And I wasn't even hungry, but as soon as I saw everything, I had to get something. It was the vanilla eclair with chocolate frosting. The sign said it was made fresh daily, and I have to agree that it was. I kept shuffling through the line, holding my prize, until I got to the register. I picked out my coffee, and my only complaint is that there were very few options. I shuffled over to the bar and sat down. One bite of my eclair, and I was done. D-U-N Done. I couldn't even complete a thought. Yeah, it was THAT good. The guy making coffee across from me kept snickering as I inhaled the thing. The chocolate covered my hands and I didn't even notice. I would have licked the plate and wrapper if there weren't fifty strangers nearby. The eclair was done before my coffee was even finished off by the broista. Yes, that's the male term for barista, and yes I copyrighted it... And the coffee? Yeah, it was GOOD. It was served in one of those rustic looking ceramic coffee mugs. It was the perfect drinking temp. The mocha and espresso were blended just right. And it had enough caffeine to make my brain explode. Did I mention I'm ex-Army, and caffeine usually has zero effect on me? Well, this stuff WORKED. I can't type these words fast enough for my fingers to catch up to my thoughts. So, yeah, come visit this place. Because I'll drag the other half over here when she's done with the massage. Maybe. I think I got the better end of the deal with this visit... :)
(5)
M K.
The food is incredible. I love their baked goods. The staff is super sweet, except for the one woman that brushed me off once or twice. Try the Bouchon if you're ever in the mood for a rich chocolate treat. Their Butter Cake is to die for. I LOVE their (Vermont) butter...so good! I definitely recommend visiting this place. I would have given it five stars had it not been for that one rude chick.
(4)
Erin L.
The eclair was amazing, as advertised on Yelp--thanks for the recommendation! And the latte was good, not great...but the fancy latte art is always appreciated! Went there to do some work and I got the vibe it was more of a place to meet and eat. Would I return? Absolutely! ...but not to work on my thesis.
(4)
Darcy W.
This place is absolutely fabulous! The tea, coffee, pastries, and breakfast are unique and worth getting out of bed for! Lunch order a salad... Yes they are all fresh and just plain wonderful! The staff is friendly, cheery, and efficient. This is a place to add to your uptown breakfast and lunch stops!
(5)
Elyse A.
Pastry addicts UNITE! This is your Midwest mecca. As an enthusiast for all things flaky and carby and gluteny, I love Rustica. Their croissants are flaky. Scones are crumbly and sweet. And their lattes. GOOD GOD, THEIR LATTES...beautiful warm milky cups of heaven. I could write a poem about it. But I won't. So yes. Their pastries and lattes are divine (not to mention their double chocolate chip cookies, which can be used to bribe anyone you want to do anything you want). The only thing I am not head over heels for, is how crowded this place gets. I mean, that's what happens when you make exceptional high-end yummies in a well-to-do suburb. But I find that part kind of a bummer. If you're looking for a place to relax and read and look at the snow fall lazily as you read Thoreau, this spot is it. Just make sure that time is not a weekend morning. I'm telling you. PACKED. Not relaxing. And full of students camping out for houuuuuuuurs. So stop by and grab those treats and a latte, and read that Thoreau at home. Plus if you read it at home, you can eat all 6 of those double chocolate chip cookies in private. Without judgement. EVERYBODY WINS!
(5)
Lindsey W.
I can't believe I hadn't tried this place yet! I was seriously missing out. The coffee is amazing and they do the fun leaf pattern in your drink, man I'm a sucker for that! Like everyone else has said, try the bitter sweet chocolate cookies, they are so decadent and delicious. I wanted to be a really fat kid and try just about everything there but controlled myself to just 1 cookie!
(4)
Diana D.
Breaking news! They just increased the price on the cookies by 25 cents on Monday. At $1.25 for a cookie is pretty pricey but still chump change. I don't know what else they increased their prices on. On the other hand, Rustica, you're still my favorite and I forgive you. Never noticed the music before but they are currently playing Justin Timberlake's new CD. I'm digging it. Very hip and relaxing at the same time. The staff are very friendly. It's 5:00 pm and its not busy at all, perfect if you want to come here to get some quiet time and do some work. My usuals are a cup of Jasmine Green tea with honey and a chocolate chip cookie and a bittersweet cookie. I definitely recommend the cookies! The chocolate chip cookie is made extremely flat; the center is so soft and the outer crust chewy. Hmmm truly what I call the perfect cookie. The bittersweet cookie is soft as well and tastes almost like a brownie. I'm gonna go dump out my piggy bank now.
(5)
Eduardo C.
Best baguette, best chocolate cookie, excellent miche, very good egg sandwich. Nice staff and ambiance. I go there every chance I get without hesitation
(5)
Ellie S.
Delicious pastries and a great family owned gem. Cappuccino art and buttery cookies, what's not to love.
(5)
Louise M.
It is probably my most visited place in the Twin Cities, but I always forget to check in every time I'm there because I was too busy drooling over chocolate eclair. Chocolate eclair is one of my favorite things. Don't believe me? Check my profile. I just don't love eating it but I love making it. However, now I can just go to Rustica and get eclaired out anytime. Seriously, their eclair is the bomb. It is perfect. The cream filling is cold and sweet, with hint of real vanilla bean in there. The crust is hard but not tough, just the right consistency. When you sink your teeth into it, you just forget about the world's problem for a second. Then, you can't wait to take your second bite. That's when you know you're devouring something special. Their cherry frangipane is also another favorite. They're one of a kind. Their old fashioned chocolate chip cookies, the bittersweet cookies are also truly exceptional. I also enjoy some of their savory items. Last year, they had this ham and bean soup. It was so good beyond belief, but they hadn't have it on their menu since. I haven't seen it anyway. I take anyone that visit me from out of town to Rustica for the best cup of coffee and eclair. When I gave up eating flour and sugar for awhile, I had to cheat for the eclair. It is that good! I also love my latte here. It is strong, not sour, not bitter, with milk frothed just enough. Plus, they made cool design on top. I don't know how they do it. If you order a drink with whipped cream, you won't get whipped cream from the can. It is real cream, made there with those tiny specks of vanilla bean. I would have given five stars if it weren't for these: it is always packed with people. It is hard to get a seat at times. Then, it makes a great place to do some work, but no electrical outlets to be used by the tables. I guess if they do have outlets, it would be even harder to get a table because people really just won't leave. Another thing that bugs me but at the same time brilliant is when you check out using a credit card, they turn their ipad system over to you where you are presented with three choices of tipping percentages. Then, they look away as you're mulling over the choices. All of them are too high for coffee or if you buy baked goods to go. But it is working for them since you're in the sales process and when there are choices, people tend to choose. Plus, you don't want to look cheap. So it is truly genius, but at the same time it irks me to be pressured to tip more than I want. If I buy $25 to go bakery, $5 tip is definitely not necessary in my book. They also have stations where you buss your own table when you're done. They really had it figured out. Get you to tip, and clean up after yourself dammit! However the eclair and coffee trump those annoyance. I go here every chance I get and bring one dollar bills for tips and tip as I see fit.
(4)
Sarah M.
Bittersweet Chocolate Cookies. That's all I have to say. Just kidding, I'll hash this out a bit. Rustica is a wide open shop with white walls and bright sunlight. Perfect for getting work done or reading a good book with a date across from you. I've only had baked goods and coffee here, but all have been phenomenal. The cookies though, are life changing. They do offer some different breakfast and lunch items now, which I'm curious to try. They do coffee well. Yes, there was some confusing drama a couple years ago involving them and another high-end coffee roaster, but they seem to have settled into their own skin. The only real downfall is that, well, this place is busy. Sometimes its hard to find a spot to sit, and it can be loud. But that damn cookie.
(4)
Alex Y.
Whenever I have visitors to Minneapolis, we always pay one (or two) visits to Rustica. I have not found a chocolate tart that I like more than what I have had at Rustica. The filling is chocolatey, caramel-y deliciousness accompanied by a flakey crust that melts in your mouth. In fact, the crust is so - for lack of a better word - awesome that I would be OK with just having the crust as a dessert. Get a coffee along with the tart and you have yourself a great fika (a word my Swedish friend has imprinted into my vocabulary). I have a love-hate relationship with Rustica's baguettes. Mostly love. Only hate because the baguette was so good I decided to eat one whole baguette by myself in one sitting and felt ill for the rest of the afternoon. The first few bites were delicious! The last few bites were loathsome for reasons beyond Rustica's control (i.e. my stupidity). I have had several of the pastries and desserts here, and they are all decent (nothing quite as good as the tart). Rustica also provides samples of the breads.
(4)
Jim R.
I guess I was expecting more when I final found time to stop in to this renown bakery on a recent Sunday morning. Perhaps all the accolades had gone to my head or I was a bit guilty for waiting so long to try them out as there are so many outstanding places like this now across the twin cities. Anyway, we stopped by at around 9 a.m for a little breakfast cuing up in the short line. First problem, the case nearest the door was totally empty and the small case next to it was difficult to see while in line so when one of the eager servers rushes up and ask "what can I get for you?" we were a little startled. So I sputtered out an order for a croissant and my spouse a chocolate eclaire (cause that's all she could see where she was standing). Oh well - we were recently in France so a couple of French pastries would be fine. Next issue when we move up the remaining 6 feet to the crowded cash register and order orange juice, thinking some fresh squeezed OJ would be nice, we hear "sorry, all sold out." (Sold out of Orange Juice on a Sunday morning at 9 a.m.?! Either there was a HUGE run on OJ that sleepy Sunday morning or the people running the place aren't very savvy business people. Perhaps their fame has gone to their heads as well?) Anyway to make a long story short - the pastries were good - perhaps 4 star quality but the over all experience was very disappointing. So in my book, I'm probably not going to venture over to uptown just for this bakery. Bottom line for me, overrated.
(3)
Scott T.
just can't say enough good things about RUSTICA BAKERY. i liked the place enough to make a second pilgrimage all the way from CALIFORNIA. their GOUGERES (savory, pate a choux pastry puffs with ham and gruyere) are better than mine and i've only said somebody made something better than me once before in a review so trust me when i say they're special. RUSTICA's ECLAIRS (VANILLA e-CLAIRS with CHOCOLATE GLAZE) and SWEET SUMMER TEA CAKES were both very, very good but the CHERRY FRANGIPANES sent me straight thru the roof. they have a petite lunch and breakfast menu if you're hungry enough to eat and not just graze -- doubt you can go wrong either way. i'm not a pastry guy but would fly to MINNEAPOLIS just for a sandwich at CLANCEY's and one of RUSTICA's CHERRY FRANGIPANES.
(5)
Amy B.
SO, the pastries are lovely but the owner is a monster. What a rude and crazy women. Why she was so hostile to our group I have no idea. She also does not use wax paper or gloves when handling your food or pastries. I hope the health board checks this place out, if she is doing this in front of you one can only imagine what is going on in her kitchen! Too bad, since the pastries are yummy but there are so many wonderful bakeries why would I go here where I am abused? Not very Minnesotan.
(1)
Kristi C.
In my humble opinion, one of, if not THE best place to buy sweets and baked goods in the Twin Cities. I'll admit I don't eat a lot of bread, but when I know it's Rustica, I happily indulge because it's that good. This is also become one of my favorite places for cold press coffee. I have tried to replicate the depth of flavor they achieve and come no where close to the cold press nirvana they've perfected!
(5)
Hyai ine C.
My favorite bakery in the TC. They produce excellent pastries and breads, along with great caffeinated drinks. I believe this place could more than hold its own in places like NY, SF, Paris or Tokyo, and yes, I have been to those cities and sampled baked goods extensively at their top bakeries.
(5)
Priya Z.
Now, I'm not much of a coffee caffeine drinker to begin with, but this is definitely a place to be if you are. I recently visited this place with my out of town sibling and mother. Both thought this place was a major delight. My mother loved their bakery selection and my sibling loved their beverages they had to offer. I am much simpler and only require a tasty breakfast with a nice glass of water. I got their yogurt and fruit with granola. Oh boy is that delicious, and filling too. It can get pretty busy, but if you aren't afraid to sit by people you have never met, and are willing to share the space, then this is the place for you. Enjoy the atmosphere an
(4)
Anjali C.
I think I just got diabetes. So worth it. I have only had these delicious treats to go but I will need to stop in soon! Eclair - just the right amount of bittersweet chocolate with fluffy, sweet, delicious filling. Scone with currants - moist (as a scone can be) dense and just the right balance of sweet and bready. Latte - also delicious. What can I say about a latte??? I've yet to try the famous cookies or their bread, but I'll be back. Possibly after an awesome dinner next door!
(5)
Holly M.
It's true what they say about their bittersweet chocolate cookies...they are awesome! I also picked up a loaf of egg braid w/raisin and a pistachio chocolate danish for later...those were also very tasty! I wanted to hang around and have a latte but I didn't have time AND the place was packed full on a Friday morning...crazy! Next time I'll make sure to sit and enjoy one
(5)
Melissa S.
I was probably over-excited after reading all the glowing yelp reviews, but I just didn't love this bakery like I thought I would. I went around 11am on a Saturday after picking up my glasses at Calhoun Vision Center next door and the place was absolutely PACKED with families with screaming kids, bikers in their silly spandex, and fancy Euros. The line was out the door. I would have left to go somewhere else, but I wanted a chocolate croissant, dammit!!! I had been looking forward to getting one all week! Despite the crowd, I only waited in line for about 10 minutes. I ordered a chocolate croissant and a lemon pastry. The ordering process can be kind of confusing because there's one line for the pastries & breads, and another for the coffee. So after getting my baked goods, I ordered a vanilla latte, and managed to find an empty spot to wait for my latte, and wait for my boyfriend to meet me there. The latte was good, though not quite as sweet as I was expecting--but still very good. The chocolate croissant was a huge letdown though, as there was barely any chocolate in it. Like only two bites worth. The lemon pastry was nice and tart, but nothing spectacular. When the boy showed up we sat outside to eat, and he decided he wanted to order a sandwich in addition to the pastries, so he got back in line and ordered the egg salad sandwich with avocado, to go. 15 minutes later, he storms out in a huff, upset that it took that long to make a damn sandwich, and irritated by all the noise and chaos (clearly, we're not morning people). We opened up the to-go box and his reaction was "WTF IS this???" It was two small slices of crostini, topped with egg salad & avocado, with some baby greens on the side. Not what he thought he was getting for $9. However, we both agreed that it was absolutely DELICIOUS and one of the best egg salad "sandwiches" we'd ever had, we just wished there was more of it. They boyfriend's final verdict on this place was an "upscale, overpriced Panera." I think that's a little harsh, but I wouldn't go out of my way to stop here again unless I was in the neighborhood.
(3)
Andrea R.
I've been here so many times and tried so many things, never being disappointed with my choices. The pastries taste very fresh and soft, no overnight consistency/texture. Of all items my favorites are: 1) bittersweet chocolate cookie, 2) egg sandwich on a croissant, 3) the coffee, oh sooooo good!, 4) the apple cider. Worth every penny!
(5)
Sharon L.
Great foam, strong espresso in my cappuccino. Cute set up with all the cuava cones and really tasty coffee. The breads are freshly made but the one I got wasn't warm. Seems to be a problem with a lot of pastries at this place. Tossing it into the toaster for a few seconds might be a good idea.
(4)
R K.
Since I moved to US, I have been missing an European style bakery. Rustica provides a great substitute with their fresh baked bread, pastries, and coffee. They can size down their "jumbo" eclairs to become a yet greater substitute. Weekend mornings get pretty crowded, but lines clear fast. The ambiance is nice, too, I often work there on my laptop weekends.
(4)
Joelle P.
2nd trip to Rustica and I felt obligated to update my review a bit. The service was a little slow today, my latte took a really long time. This is probably because they only had one barista working, the other two people seemed to only be cashiering...I'm not sure if it is always like this or not. The one barista was pretty crabby. The woman who got her drink right before me ordered it "to-go" and apparently one of the cashiers messed up her order and labeled as "for here" so the barista poured it into a mug. When the woman told the barista that she actually would like it to go, the barista rolled her eyes and looked annoyed and then scolded the cashiers saying "ugh, this has been happening all day". She made no apology to the woman and just made a show of how hard it was to pour the drink into a to-go cup. Okayyy, so then I was really nervous that the cashier had not put "to-go" on my order, even though he did ask me. Fortunately for both of us, it came right up in a to-go cup and I was on my way. My latte was delicious, as usual. Buuut I just had to dock a star and let people know, the service here apparently isn't consistently great. And, be sure to specify "for here" or "to-go" or you may get the death stare. Watch out.
(4)
Anna F.
Oh Rustica, one day I'm going to die of a heart attack because of you but I'll be ok with that because you fill my life with delicious and flaky croissants that cannot be found anywhere else. I try to cut you off, but somehow I alway manage to find another one of your crack-filled pastries in my hands. Nothing satisfies me more than drinking a hot single origin espresso and a pastry to go with it....
(4)
Lorraine N.
i really love this place. They have so many offerings of breads that I am overwhelmed but noticed the prices were more than fair. If I lived closer I would be purchasing bread here on a weekly basis I got some type of little treat for 5.00 and it was a dense little moist cake with orange and almond flavoring. It was really wonderful. The daughter loves the little chocolate cookies. Oh I highly recommend stopping by here and treating yourself to something.
(5)
Chen P.
I've been to Rustica lots of times, and my experiences have varied from 1 to 5 stars. Some things are really great and others, not so much. This morning was a 1-star kind of morning. The great: OMG the eclairs. The bread. Did I mention the eclairs? The not-so-great: Today's chocolate croissant really tasted like it had been made yesterday. It was dried out and a little hard on top. Also, when they made it they put the chocolate in the bottom layer so that it burned against the hot pan when they baked it. I asked the guy at the counter to heat it up a bit to see if that would help with the stale-ness, and he told me they don't have any way to heat anything--which seemed odd for, um, a bakery. I ordered a large 12-ounce latte, which came in a small-ish cup that was far less than 12 ounces. It was maybe an 8-ounce cup, if that. It's a pet peeve of mine when a place gives you a bigger cup when you order 'to go" than when you opt to drink it there. In their defense, the latte itself was fantastic. I was just a little crabby because I would have liked to enjoy the 12 ounces I actually paid for. I'll be back for bread and eclairs, but I'm taking this off my short list of Go To places for breakfast. Sigh.
(3)
Leah O.
Rustica, it's not you- it's me. Or rather, it's Minneapolis. I am so totally underwhelmed by your bread, on a regular basis. Charging over $4 a loaf for bread the size of a softball should be illegal. Bread that dries out in a matter of hours, leaving you with only a hockey-puck husk of the bread's former mediocrity, should be regulated by a Board of Bakers or at least sold with a complimentary jar of jam to get you past the honeymoon phase. Do I sound bitter? Bread is life, my friends, and this is larceny. BUT I wouldn't know it was larceny if there weren't six other bakeries doin' it better than you. Were you based in Denver, CO (the Bakery Desert of America) I'd patronize you on the daily. But you're not. You're here, where I have choices, and that works against you. Your pastries are fine. Your butter cake is like two day-old croissants panini-pressed and dunked in glaze, which is aight. Your brioche, as mentioned before, is light and crunchy and fine. Your ginger cookies are not fine, they are freaking fantastic, and that will never change. Also love the huge window with the bench seating, where I plan on spending many days this winter reading and writing with a latte. So we'll continue hanging out. You're just not my first-string bakery. And that's A-OK.
(3)
Michael N.
Thursday. ~1:00 pm. Me, "I'd like to order a Mortadella sandwich?" Counter person, "We're out of Mortadella." Me, "Cod sandwich?" Counter person, "We're out of cod." Me, "How about the kitsch?" Counter person, "We're out of kitsch." Me, "Thanks, bye." I can't rate what they don't have. What a waste of time.
(1)
D S.
One of the best in Minneapolis!!! The bread is amazing as well as the coffee & cookies & pastries. I usually take things to go although it always seems very crowded with the laptop crowd. Apple laptops of course :)
(5)
Kohleen L.
I FINALLY stopped in to Rustica the other day for a much needed break from my Christmas shopping extravaganza. Not having been there before, I asked the curly-haired chap who greeted me behind the pastry counter (and who looks & talks like he just stepped out of the highlands of Scotland) to recommend something to drink (as I already had my eye on a pecan shortbread cookie). I ended up trying a Vanilla Miel (described as a latte with honey), and it was very good (not too sweet). I was a little bummed they don't have skim milk, but was fine with the 1%. I LOVED the pecan shortbread--so much in fact, that I wish I would've gotten two! I must say it's a wee bit pricey (about $4.75 for my 8 oz. miel and cookie (which was only $1), but it's worth the treat. I brought my laptop with me to get a little bit of work (and Yelping) done while I enjoyed my Rustica specialties. It was pretty busy, but finding an outlet wasn't a problem. Although there were quite a number of people around, it was a fairly quiet atmosphere--one I'm sure to enjoy again soon.
(4)
Timothy M.
Note: This an edit of my prior review of this Bakery. I live a short walk from the bakery, and I am a latte-a-day kinda guy. We have several coffee shops in the community and I would rate the coffee here as the best around. My prior review focused on the fact that I had a meal here, that was quite unsatisfactory in my opinion (bad, bad oatmeal). The shop was so busy, that I could not address it with the staff at that moment. However, I did fill out their online comment card. I am happy to report that the management responded in a matter of hours with a good faith effort to make it right. I found that so nice, that I felt the review had to mention this, rather than end with my editorial on oatmeal quality. The bottom line is that I mainly go here for the coffee and they definitely got that right. The staff is great and the management, seem to respond to my complaint in a manner that makes me think customer service is important. I'll have to wait to see if I can find a menu item that agrees with me, but that might be hard since this is a bakery and I hate sugar. However, my primary reason for walking through the door is my coveted lattte... so I am upgrading my previous review to 4 STARS.
(4)
Randall N.
In my opinion this is one of the top bakeries in the Twin Cities. So many breads to choose from. Decent pastry selection and a great small menu of brunch style offerings to sit and eat. Excellent coffee too. Strong but drinkable and perfectly roasted. I only wish I lived closer. On a weekend morning the place gets busy though. Line out the door and baked goods going fast. Get here early. The line moves fast but if you are planning on sitting down and enjoying your goods you might be out of luck.
(4)
Jill P.
These are some of the best pain au chocolate (chocolate croissants?) in the twin cities. And the most amazing coffee and lattes.
(5)
Kris W.
This place is a frustrating place to study. They have only two outlets and no extension cords or power strips. If the tables next to the outlets are in use and your computer is running low, you are out of luck.
(3)
Abby H.
Hang in the neighborhood often and have enjoyed getting coffee at Rustica. Last visit I ordered the egg salad without bread, being I am gluten-free. The staff refused to prepare the dish without bread & were extremely rude about it. Not planning on going back for food anytime soon when there are so many other good options nearby.
(1)
Thang C.
I love that they make their own vanilla from actual vanilla beans. Lactose intolerant though and they don't have any milk options other than dairy. The staff also seems to have a chip on their shoulders rather than wanting to take care of the guest. Service is everything and sadly, I can't say the service I get here is worth shouting about...on numerous occasions.
(2)
Alex M.
My review is going to be narrow because I get basically 2 things at Rustica: A chocolate chip cookie and/or a ginger cookie. I am a big cookie fan, and the perfect chocolate chip cookie is hard to come by, but here it is. They have the. best. chocolate chip cookies in. the. world. They are large, flat, crazy chewy, crunchy along the edges, and have just a hint of cinnamon flavor. And the ginger cookies. Oh my. Sooo good. I've been there many times, and I've always had good service. I took away a star because the cookie availability is unpredictable. I never know when I go in there if they'll have both of my cookies types, only one of the two, or neither of the cookies. I suppose with a name like "Rustica" you have to expect a certain level of irregularity, kind of a "we make what we want when we want it" vibe, but it's just disappointing sometimes. But that's it.
(4)
Marianna G.
You might think of Rustica as just another coffee shop, but I'm learning that it actually serves some of the best food I've had in this city. It's funny, because I'm a complete coffee addict, but I'm probably the only person in the whole world who sort of cringes when I drink their coffee. Something about their beans is really acidic to me, so I usually stick to tea when I'm there. But who cares about the coffee!? Several weeks ago, I ordered the beet salad, and it was the most gorgeous, tasty salad I've ever had. It had cubes of beets with orange and pistachio and goat cheese, and decorating the plate was this beautiful arrangement of beet puree. That food was gone in no time. This week, my sister and I split the salmon pastrami sandwich with the Mississippi-greens side salad, a bowl of the cauliflower soup, and the rhubarb tart. We were probably really obnoxious to listen to, like we'd never been served good food before, but we were seriously in awe of this food. The cauliflower soup had hazelnuts and currants, along with PICKLED CAULIFLOWER. If you think that creamy cauliflower soup is usually bland, that's because you haven't had it with pickled deliciousness. Our faces and exclamations said anything you'd need to know about how good it was, and I won't try to replicate that excitement here, but go to Rustica and order this soup. The salmon pastrami sandwich was equally mind-blowing. First off, it's SALMON PASTRAMI. Can you wrap your head around how tasty that is? I couldn't, even after I ate it. It was served on Rustica's perfect bread, with spicy mustard and braised cabbage (it also had little bits of dried cabbage!). If I could eat this sandwich every day, I probably would. The mustard's spice was perfectly balanced with the subdued cabbage and the salty salmon, and the bread held it all together. The Mississippi-greens salad is also worth it, containing just little micro greens and a vinaigrette. We finished off with the rhubarb tart, which had a delectably sugared, crispy-flaky crust and just the right amount of rhubarb. YUM! The portions are small here, so if you're really hungry be prepared to split a few things. This food will NOT disappoint you. And the bread! Always fresh and made in-house. The olive bread and the miche are worth their own trip. Stop by, bring a book, and settle in for the most surprisingly delicious lunch you'll have at a coffee shop!
(5)
Jessica L.
I have to put an update on two pastry items that Tian had made me try (she made this her personal mission): - Bostok pastry -I love brioche! When I was in Paris, I had it every single friggen day and this Rustica creation was an amazing sweet delicacy that gave homage to the great brioche. I will forewarn though, that it is on the sweet side. - Kouign Amann- It looks so unassuming... so ordinary. And when I took the first bite, I was reminded of the taste of 'butterfly cookies' and wasn't too impressed. But as I ate my second bite, I loooved how its flakiness showed itself. It's a messy dish, but trust me, you'll want to scoop up all those little bits into your mouth (Because... well, I sure did) Love you, Rustica!
(5)
Jessica A.
Wow! What a diamond of a bakery.... I'm so glad (or maybe i'm in trouble?) that I live pretty close to this gem. Sugar addict; yes, I've taken the first step in admittance long time ago. But it's been hard to move forward past that..... From reading the reviews, I anticipated good ginger cookies and some gourmet coffee -- what I didn't expect until I visited, was how COOL this place is! Love, love, love it..... just everything about this space is so cool. (Whoever designed this comfy contemporary "rustic" bakery is pretty hip.) But.... being all about the good here -- I've been in several times now and can comment on: Yes, the ginger cookies are DOPE! The chocolate chip cookies are my absolute FAV in the Cities area Super delicious chocolate pistachio danish Delicious almond danish -- a bit too dry, flaky for me (I prefer Almond croissant w/ more almond paste) Coffee -- pretty tasty, but don't go for the small sized - -it's SUPER small :) Breads, bread, and more bread -- i have yet to try any but they look delicious. Especially the Olive Bread (I love......olives!) Staff was fairly friendly. They make a lot of specialty coffees here, so be prepared to wait a minute for drip coffee. BUT....what's really cool is that Rustica is the bakery that Surdyk's Flights yelp.com/biz/surdyks-fli… in MSP gets their bakery items from. I used to ALWAYS grab a choc chip cookie there for $1.50, and cookies are VERY reasonably priced here at only $1.00 :) :) Suhhhh---weet!!
(5)
Carolyn A.
Rustica is one of those places that I'm actually glad is not closer to my house...because I would be there. every. day. Everything I've gotten at Rustica has been fantastic: chocolate croissant, regular croissant, coffee (the roast was called Mix Tape!), rustic loaf and more. The baked goods are truly some of the best in the Cities. The service is very friendly and even though I've been there during some peak times, the line moves relatively quickly. The seating area is comfortable and there are usually tables available, even on weekends. Yum, yum and yum.
(5)
Lourdes M.
LOVE RUSTICA! It gets very crowded on weekend mornings and sometimes at lunch, but that is because it is awesome. The decor is fabulous, vintage industrial, and has a friendly staff. The smells alone are worth going into the shop for! Their bread is fabulous, especially their gougeres. The pastries are lovely and the coffee is divine.
(5)
Jim J.
Miche bread is still magne.
(4)
Melissa H.
The cookies and bread are fantastic!!! They have a great bakery selection. The coffee drinks are kind of hit or miss. I've had really great cappuccinos and I've had pretty terrible. I think it depends on the barista. It's definitely a top coffee shop around the twin cities regardless.
(4)
Sarah Z.
Today I finallyyyy visited Rustica, after being steered away from it time and again for months. It was pretty good. I liked the inside of the bakery/cafe--which has a clean but nostalgic feel to it. The people behind the counter were fine, but I wish they would have tried to be a little more genuine. That would have made my experience better. The pastries were good. The bostok was unforgettable. This is my recommendation to anyone who goes here. But then again I haven't had the apricot pinwheel that everyone raves about. It was almondy with another sweet edge to it that I didn't recognize--me and my narrowly experienced palette. Yumminess. So that's what my friend got. Then I got the maple oat scone (on the hunt for a real scone), chocolate pistachio danish, and the lemon danish. I took it to go because duh I am not going to eat that all right there--I know what you were thinking. The maple oat scone was pleasantly subtle, moist on the inside and firm on the outside. This is my perfect scone. No one else has got it right like this so far. There was a slight maple glaze on the top which added surprise sweetness to those bites. The chocolate pistachio danish was nice--not overly sweet, a little nuttiness from the pistachios. Not sure I would order this over other pastries, though. For the lemon danish, think lemon bars with the lemon flavor amped up x10, minus some sweetness, with a flaky pastry crust. Quite good, but I'd still order other things over it. The pastries here are delicious, but satisfying. Not something I will crave over and over again. But I'm anxious to go back and try other things!
(4)
Zoey Z.
Fabulous! I'm in there every weekend with friends or working on my laptop Top quality breads, desserts and they revamped their lunch menu--kale salad! YUM! Coffees and teas are expertly made Staff always friendly and environment always clean. Never been? Go for the eclair and their homemade cookies are amazing!
(5)
Lisa M.
Bittersweet Chocolate Cookie! This is the only thing I've had from there, so I'm sure I'm missing out on all the other goodies. It's been almost 2 weeks since I had the Bittersweet Chocolate Cookie and I'm obsessed. I'm not a huge cookie and cake fan, I personally love bars, but I my beloved Amaretto Cookie from Bread and Chocolate has just been replaced. The cookie was perfectly soft and chewy with really good, deep chocolate flavor and a great sugary topping. The 3 of us who had these cookies are talking about every other day about how to get more. I'm heading over there ASAP for one of everything.
(4)
John C.
I can't remember which ones I had, but I couldn't stop eating out of a big box of many different pastries and cookies. Everything was so velvety, like they'd mixed softness right into the batter, or maybe it was MSG. Can you put MSG in any kind of food? Why does it only seem to be in Asian food? And if camera lenses are round, why do pictures turn out rectangular?
(5)
Hannah B.
Consistently excellent coffee, pastries and bread. I really have nothing bad to say. Rustica is the gold standard by which all bread and pastry is judged for the rest of my life.
(5)
Jonathan E.
I recently read a review in a local magazine which extolled the virtues of the cookies at Rustica. Being cookie fanatics, my brother and I made a point to stop by after having lunch in the area. While I definitely think I would have to sample some of their regular menu items to make an accurate assessment, I was disappointed with the cookies. We ordered three types to share between us, and I can't say any were anything special. The shortbread cookie was one which had been recommened, but I found it to be far more dry than I enjoy. The chocolate cookie had good flavor, but it was very dense and rich to the point where the two of us could barely share it. The dining space is very open and clean which I appreciate. Once inside, it seems far more upscale than the surrounding strip mall (Burger Jones, Walgreens, Barnes & Noble). The location is pretty convenient as well, especially considering they have a free parking lot with plenty of spaces--far more convenient than parking in Uptown. Pros: Nice interior, good location, free/spacious parking lot Cons: Average cookies--did not meet expectation
(3)
mike g.
Great pastry! Great coffee! Great service! I go often and really enjoy it. The variety of quality breads is impressive. Just had a salt Carmel tart that was delicious.
(5)
Elyse M.
The chocolate creme tart I ate was spectacular, and the coffee I drank was top knotch.. so why not five stars? I don't know... the service seemed really awkward to me. Something just made me feel really unwelcome. I'm not sure what it was.. I had three people ask me pretty much immediately what I wanted, while I was standing back from the counter trying to decide... So it wasn't lack of service. My tart and my coffee were served to me nearly immediately... So it wasn't slow service. The woman who served me just made me feel like she didn't want me to be there, somehow. It just felt... weird. Like weird enough that I don't know if I want to go back and give it another chance. I know that sounds stupid, and the baked goods/coffee are fabulous so I would encourage anyone and everyone to go there and try it. I just can't give my personal experience five stars.
I feel like this place has good bread simply because it's BREAD. And it's hard to go too wrong there. But their cheapest offering are not very cheap, and definitely nothing amazing taste-wise (honestly, I think Panera makes better tasting bread and is cheaper...) . The staff always seem annoyed and I feel like I'm inconveniencing them with simple requests. I've heard great things about Rustica, but it's never impressed me as anything special.
(3)
Kimberley V.
Very diaappointing. Poor service, very bad black iced tea, average scones and croissants.
(1)
Pat G.
I was visiting from out of town and was thrilled to discover such a Wonderful bakery with comfortable seating great baked goods and coffee. I especially appreciated the care with which the barista made a delicious and beautiful latte. A commitment to excellence was evident and yet it was a very comfortable pace to spend an hour reading!
(4)
Dustin G.
I have been here a few times and have always left satisfied. The bakery is the true highlight here, but the coffee game seems to be pretty impressive too. A couple thoughts on my last visit: - I ordered a whole chocolate eclair for myself. I think I ate it in two minutes. It was absolutely perfect; light and smooth frosting, a chewy, moist pastry and rich, complex chocolate. This thing puts whatever they serve at Dunkin' Donuts (or Paul for that matter) in a completely different, inferior category. - I also ordered a Dogwood, Ethiopian, single-source, pourover coffee (Geezus coffee is requiring a lot of adjectives these days). The barista described the bean as "very fruit forward". At $3.50 for 8 oz, it was expensive by any standard, but I love Rustica and looked forward to the cup. Unfortunately it disappointed. The flavors were very muted, and any of these forward fruit flavors did not emerge, even after I let the coffee cool for a while. I need to try a few more Dogwood coffees, but cups I have drank from Intelligentsia and Counter Culture have been much more interesting. But who cares?! That eclair. Even if I was punched by the barista I'd return for another serving of that delicious pastry.
(4)
Bianca J.
Good spot to sit and study/do work. It's usually not too loud, either. The pastries are decadent but worth it! I recently tried the eclairs (now my favorite!) and the coconut tart. The 4" tarts are definitely better for sharing.... they're huge!
(5)
Brom L.
Minnesotans just do their breakfasts right. This place was just great. They served their coffee in nice cups, their pastries were good and their seating area is tough to leave. Actually, looking back, I didn't have an elaborate breakfast, I just enjoyed the feel of it. I picked up some of their bittersweet chocolate tart for coworkers. Way too rich for a non-sweet-tooth like me but the coworkers loved it.
(5)
Gary F.
great pastry options but stopped coming in because they pulled out all their clover machines!
(3)
Margie D.
I never eat in the car. I do not eat fast food. I do not order from windows. Watching people eat in the car is sad sight. Then I bought a baguette that changed that. My husband and I shared a delicious baguette, passing it back and forth to each other, each taking a huge bite when we had it in our hands. I was still driving. Crumbs were everywhere. It was that good. It didn't make it home. I think it lasted a mile. There are lots of complaints about the drinks and service? This is a bakery! -And voted one of the top ten in the country by Bon Appetit Magazine. bonappetit.com/magazine/…
(5)
Shelly M.
Great Dogwood coffee selections. I like the chocolate pistachio danish and the apricot soleil. It's a great hangout place. It's always buzzing with people weekend AM. It also has other great baked goods.
(5)
Vivian L.
Their cherry frangipane is absolutely delicious and special. Everyone of us loves it!
(5)
Patty M.
I went here once, years ago and all I could remember was how horrible my hot chocolate was. Being the ultimate hot chocolate lover, it was a standout for me. So, I never went back until this week, when I saw an article on Yahoo about the top 10 chocolate chip cookies in the US, and their bittersweet chocolate cookie was on it. Checked out the Yelp reviews and figured I may as well give it another go. Went around dinner, thinking they would have a small menu. Which they did. But, even me being a foodie who likes to go to nice places, I couldn't even figure out what half the things on their menu actually was! Full of stuff I've never heard of when simpler descriptions would have done. I ended up at Punch next door then went back. Hot chocolate was as awful as I remembered - no different than Swiss Miss made with water and I dumped it out after 2 sips. However, the chocolate cookie WAS amazing. I'd easily have another, but it was my big treat of the week. So, I'd go back for a treat if I was in the area, but no way would I go out of my way again. Disappointed - I was hoping to like it more!
(3)
Maddie S.
Rustica is probably one of my favorite bakeries in Minneapolis. It has very nice servers that always seem to be smiley despite the oodles of people in the bakery (especially in the mornings!). My almond milk vanilla lattes never disappoint, and neither do the tea or the scones. Great place to work or study too. Only complaint is that they often lack food that suffices my veggie needs (especially the curry cauliflower soup! Where did it go?) But that's definitely not something that will keep me away! I love it too much XD
(5)
Shawn S.
I was pleasantly surprised that we could run in here at 10:30 for Sunday brunch, order, get a table, and have a relatively short wait for our food. (Other places are stand in line, wait for a table, wait for food.) The coffee service is elevated above your Starbucks - they have nice large mugs and do your "froth-art" on your latte. The gravlax was tasty - just the right amount and the ingredients were well balanced. The pastries and bread all well made. Plenty of parking in the lot outside, and overall a nice experience for a casual eat in or takeout Sunday brunch. Pretty easy to take out and walk over to Lake Calhoun as well.
(3)
Mike B.
Four words are all you need to know to stop what you're doing and get to Rustica right now...Bittersweet. Chocolate. Chip. Cookie. I live about three blocks away from Rustica and have probably eaten about 100 of these in the three years I've lived in Minneapolis (I'm Paleo, so this is a big deal as cheat meals come few and far between). They're better than your mother's cookies. They're better than your mother's mother's cookies. They're better than any other cookie you'll have from any other bakery in Minneapolis. You won't be able to stop at just one. You might even have trouble stopping at five. And you'll definitely be back to buy more when that craving hits and nothing will do but that double chocolatey, gooey goodness. Rustica does some other things legitimately, as well. The eclairs, particularly the coffee ones, come close to breaking into Patisserie 46's echelon, and I've had some very good scones and croissants. Their freshly-baked bread is damn good, too, whether it's as part of a sandwich, spread with some jam, or just eaten by itself. The star taken off is for their coffee (believe it's Dogwood, but it always seems to taste better when I just go to Dogwood instead), and for the price to quantity you get on some of their drinks (looking at you, 12 oz iced latte to go for $4+ dollars). But I get it. You're close to Calhoun. The pastries get me in the door, and they always taste better with some brew, so I won't fault the place much for pricing to demand/location. It's ALWAYS crowded in here, and there isn't a ton of space, so I have other coffee shops in town where I find it easier to relax (see Five Watt, Urban Bean, and Bull Run) if that's what I'm trying to do. But for delicious bakery items and, as Jonathan T so eloquently put it, "OMG @!#&$*() Hadoken Cash Money Millionaires"-inducing cookies, Rustica is where it's at.
(4)
Ellen C.
Food & beverage wise, this place gets five stars. Even though the prices are a bit hefty (in general $3-6 for a pastry), considering the size and obvious quality and love put into it, they're worth it. Plus like every other person has said, they're DELICIOUS. The eclair is amazing - the dough is soft and tender, the cream is rich and smooth, and the chocolate glaze on top is real, quality chocolate, you taste the chocolate, they're generous with the swipe of chocolate, amazing chocolate. I also got a bostock, which reminds of the Asian dessert toast, which is a thick piece of semi-sweet toast, toasted, and smeared with butter and condensed milk. The bostok is fantastic too, with a crumbly sweet topping - not too sweet, and not too rich. And considering my food-loving friend bought about $30 in one visit, I think the quality of the food here is pretty much unrivaled. All in all, it's a little expensive but well worth it especially if you're getting together with a friend or a date. Great place to meet. Plenty of parking, other stores nearby if you want to walk around (Barnes & Noble, Subway, Burger Jones, Massage Envy, a nail place) and you're in close proximity to Lake Calhoun. Whole Foods, Caribou, and other restaurants are also across the way in case you're looking to run multiple errands at once. The only reason it gets 4 stars is because I'm used to cafes where you can settle in for some time and work/study, with or without friends. Yes, they have wifi, but outlets are in short supply. But admittedly this place is so popular I can see why they don't encourage people to plant themselves for more than an hour or so. The turnover was often enough that I never saw anyone waiting for a seat, but then again maybe they just didn't try.
(4)
Amanda B.
Rustica is legit. It is a coffee shop/cafe near lake Calhoun on W. Lake Street. They aren't fast, but they are good. Pastries are great. They even serve lunch to order half the week! There is alot of seating inside. Parking lot can be busy because of Burger Jones and the Pizza place, but I always get a spot eventually. This is a great place to meet up with people and catch up. I recommend the dessert pastries and hot lattes! Latte art central!
(4)
Ling G.
Super good place for bakery goods. The bread here is amazing. Love the fruit and nut bread. The crust is crunchy, the crumb is tender combined with the nutty flavor and soft bite and a hint of sweetness from the raisins... So good. The puffs are light and flavorful. If you are looking for a savory snack try Gruyere puff with ham. It is such a delightful texture with a balanced combination of cheese and ham. Coffee here is also great! They are brewed individually. unlike mass produced, each cup had a lovely combination of the coffee flavor with hint of tartness. So enjoyable.
(4)
Jerice A.
They had an amazing pistachio chocolate pastry that was delightful. The outside was buttery and crisp the way I like my pastries and the pistachio/chocolate mix was subtle and neither overpowered the other. They had outside seating which was a plus. Cold press was great-no sugar or cream needed! Lots of indoor seating-perfect for a coffee date to catch up with old friends. I really like the decor inside - makes you feel comfortable, not pretentious at all.
(4)
Erin G.
Not my usual bakery- I typically look for the peanut butter and cookie dough and salted caramel and funky flavors of cupcakes and pretty things However, I had to stop in because of the super high yelp ratings. There was a line and the woman behind me was raving about how great this place was. I ordered the dark chocolate pistachio eclair, to go. I also got a little sample of the polenta bread. This eclair was awesome. Really good. Lots and lots of filling, which is how I like it, not overly bready. Not overly sweet. The filling didn't taste too piscachio-y though. A little spendy. I wouldn't make a special trip just to come here, but I'd come back.
(4)
Rachael A.
I love Rustica, pure and simple. I don't even eat gluten and I STILL love Rustica. Although I have never actually eaten one of their lovely pastries, cakes, cookies, rolls, sandwiches, etc. I sure can appreciate how lovely they look and how amazing they smell. I go to Rustica at least once a week for an almond milk latte with pretty latte art or a cafe Americano. The coffee is always the freshest (and organic, fair trade!), the baristas are great, and the atmosphere is so cozy and inviting. Sometimes my home office shifts a few blocks to Rustica once in awhile. Even though Starbucks and Caribou are both actually closer to my apartment physically I will never choose either over Rustica. They are just too good at what they do.
(5)
Meg C.
Amazing! Could leave it at that but let me tell you why we love Rustica! Their pain au chocolat, their lemon Danish, their bread, their lattes. There's nothing not to love there! The chocolate cookies are a staple for us when we travel to visit family-in fact if we show up without a sleeve (and maybe a sleeve of the ginger cookies!) we get the stink eye from the family.
(5)
Julie M.
The bread was great! The coffee was good, but seriously . . . I ordered a cup of coffee to drink there. They asked if I wanted a small or a large so I went with the large. $4 for the coffee and I get a regular coffee mug of coffee. Figured, ok, refill. Go up to ask for a refill, and they give me half a cup. Next time the small. There is outdoor seating on the parking lot, but inside is comfortable.
(3)
Abigail J.
Came here on vacation on a Sunday morning. It was super packed and I could hardly find a place to sit. They have really friendly wait staff. They use Ipads to swipe your card and to sign after paying, which I thought was very high tech. I ordered a lavender and honey coffee and cinnamon bun. The coffee had a very unique taste that I would recommend trying (it was really good)! The bun was slightly dry for my liking, but I hope to come back to try more of their pastries.
(4)
Bethany M.
My brother and his wife took me here for the first time this weekend. WOW! Flavor packed pastries and savory treats galore. The eggwhich has a fluffy bread that makes clouds seem less pillowy. And the taste of the turkey bacon is so salty and savory it's stupid. The tomato caraway jam and the cheesy oozy goodness will have you in flavor shock for days. And that's just the beginning! The line was out the door at 10 am...not sure when is the best time to come, but just prepare to get your tastebuds rocked!
(5)
Myly F.
I love coffee, will travel for coffee and treats yes! This place has both and oh so fresh! The joy of it all: Thumbs up: -variety in treats and drinks, offers responsible products -clean, plenty of cute space to be solo or meet up with a group -they have real food here too not just treats like many coffee shops -fresh baked goods, need I say more! -across from the lake, near plenty of stores and a Barnes, come on hot spot! Thumbs down: -the c.s. here is hit or miss.....eh. You roll the dough, get a nice person then it makes the experience that much more enjoyable On the list!
(4)
Cindy D.
Yes, I am a fan here. They have amazing quinoa and kale salad. I absolutely love their pastries as well. This place get crowded during the weekend because it is located next to Lake Calhoun, It is a big space inside with lots of sunlight. Great place to catch up with friends. Not a great place to do work because there are only two outlets. Make sure to charge your laptop before coming here. The staff here is very friendly. Parking lot is free.
(4)
Jack L.
Rustica Chocolate Chip cookie, are you the signature item? If part of your name shares it with the name of the establishment, I assume you must be. And I also assume you must taste pretty damn good to be the signature item. Half moist, half dry, all flat. As a cookie, it sits just on the on the wrong side of the railroad tracks in Average Town, USA. However, as a throwing star, the half that wasn't eaten DID fly pretty well... into the trash. Oh chocolate eclair, how magnificently average you are! Your vanilla cream oozes fluffiness, while the crisp chocolate replicates the chocolate shell on a dipped cone at DQ, where it hardens as it's taken away from its chocolate mud puddle home. You're average, and sometimes that's okay, but producers never made biopics about average people. Alas, the bread shall be the savior of this review, because nobody would dare give a negative review of a levain loaf with a damn nice crusty crust and a damn nice puffy middle, would they? Sadly, it shant be, for there was nothing that would make me go out of my way for you, Sir Levain Loaf of Rustica. If circumstances perchanced me to run across you while jogging Lake Calhoun, then maybe you would be worth it. But circumstances forced me, yes--forced me!--to seek you out, thus heightening my expectations. Like your brother the eclair, you were but average, nothing outstanding, yet nothing wrong either. Perhaps next time I'll remember to forget we ever met the first time and start this relationship anew again. Maybe then, will your crusty crust and puffy middle meet my unlofty expectations. T-shirt Ninja says: Mehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
(3)
Ahmad R.
Great latte. Smooth espresso blend. Delicate yummy egg sandwich, though a bit mushy due to its soft scramble + brioche, might be good on a crusty or more substantial bread? Best baguette in TC. The sandwich I intend to make with it cannot fail. The bread here has an edge on Patisserie 46. A bit pricey, but quality is certainly there. Pleasant upscale atmosphere, classy but comfortable. Everyone was friendly. Except I hate the cashier tip-pressure watching.
(5)
Ericka A.
I'm now wishing I had written down what we bought here because I can't for the life of me remember the fancy names and I can't find our pastry purchases on their regular menu either. Dalibor Z. and I went to dinner at Punch Pizza next door and decided to stop in here for dessert. I've been meaning to come back and give them a second shot since my original review and this seemed as good a time as any. We browsed their selection, which wasn't all that extensive near closing time, and had trouble deciding what to get. The items are labeled but there are no descriptions. When I asked for further clarification on what was available, the guy working there really seemed like we were bothering him with our presence. I just don't think asking if croissants are chocolate-filled is cause for sighing and eye rolling. I figured out what I wanted, which was a "small" spiced cake with some apple puree (which is business talk for we're going to charge you more than necessary because we gave applesauce filling a fancy name) at the bottom. I asked if it would keep overnight and he assured me it would. The next morning, I was a bit disappointed to find that the outside had become hard. I cut it into slices and gave it a try. Despite being a bit difficult to cut with a plastic knife, it was actually quite moist on the inside and the outside crunch was perfect. I thoroughly enjoyed every cake crumb. I can do without the employee attitude, but their baked goods are going to be hard to pass up when I'm in the area again.
(3)
Andrew N.
I give Rustica five stars for quality (exceptional pastries!!) My wife and I are staying in uptown and decided to walk to Rustica. Our route took us past scenic Lake Calhoun. A nice start to a lovely breakfast. My wife loves old fashioned cinnamon buns so we got one of those. I was curious about the Bostok (It's a slice of Brioche soaked in orange water and baked with a generous layer of almond paste on top. WOW!) So good. I'd never had this before. I wish we had had reason to buy a loaf of their bread too because that looked incredible. The only complaint I have is how busy it was. It was kind of loud. Oh well. I guess you can fault a place for being popular. :)
(5)
Tian Q.
Kouign Amann (caramelized croissant pastry) and Bostok (orange flower water soaked brioche with almond cream spread). HOLY SWEET SHIT, probably the best pastries I've ever had. I got a to-go bag because the portions were big, but ended up devouring everything at my strategically-chosen-hidden-from-judgmental-eyes dark corner table like a hungry fat hobo. Also, unbelievably cheap prices for pastries of this caliber, especially when the dining atmosphere screams overpriced-hipsters-playground not fruitfly-kingdom-hole-in-the-wall.
(5)
BK J.
Don't know if it is intentional or not but Rustica is giving Salty Tart a run for the money with their bittersweet chocolate caramel tart. This is a tart to be shared. DO NOT try to eat this thing by yourself. Remind yourself that sharing is good. When stacked up against the Salty Tart's salted caramel chocolate tart it is not as sweet. The chocolate tart shell is well salted and the caramel layer is substantial but leaves plenty of room for the ganache on top. The whole of the tart is a very well balanced combination of a slightly salty chocolate crumb crust, well balanced caramel and a ganache loaded with lots of chocolate flavor. Size wise, the Rustica offering is bigger, which is why you should share it, along with the fact that if you love someone you should share the good things in life with them.
(5)
Trish H.
Wow. That's the one word I can think of to sum this place up! Despite having passed it thousands of times, I had never gone in. Until today, I had no idea what I was missing out on. My brother called me this morning and insisted that we meet there for coffee and a danish. After some persuasion I agreed. I am not a sweets person. I do not have any weakness whatsoever when it comes to pastries...until now. I had the apricot danish, the one my brother forced me to try and it blew me away. Flaky, buttery, heavenly, melt in your mouth awesomeness. I haven't been this blown away by anything sweet since I tried the peanut butter waffle at The Lowry. And then...I tried their vanilla latte. Being used to Starbucks I asked for half of the flavor shots. They kindly informed me that they do not use shots, they use a vanilla paste. I was intrigued by this as it sounded quite good and then I tried it. Yummy!!! I'm not sure how I will be able to have a vanilla latte anywhere else again. I am spoiled now. I compare it to flying first class on an airplane. Once you do that you never want to go back to flying coach. Blown away by this place and I can not wait to return!!!
(5)
Henok T.
This is a very interesting European-style bakery that is a carboholic's dream but a Crossfitter's nightmare. I come here when I need a cozy place to work whenever I decide to work from home (which is often during winter). I try to avoid the carbs but indulged on a grilled cheese sandwich once that came with a very nice, green salad. This place seems to be quite popular and busy. I was surprised at how full it was on a Thursday morning. Don't these people have jobs?!? Only a few had their laptops out like I did. Everyone else was just conversing and relaxed as if they were really in Europe! My only gripe about this place is there's very few outlets to plug in your devices. It sucked when I got there and the few ones were all taken up. I opened up my laptop and saw battery level was 0% and I had a conference call in two minutes! I had to scramble to Caribou and plug in my laptop and spend about an hour on a call without even having a chance to order my coffee! People must have thought I was ridiculous to enter a business and spend an hour without making a purchase. Once I was done with the call I bought my coffee at Caribou as a token of goodwill even though I'd much rather have had the coffee at Rustica. So I went to Rustica afterwards and my laptop batter had sufficient strength to go without a charge for a few hours. I had my "second cup" which was a delicate Colombian light roast (single origin) and then ordered my grilled cheese sandwich a bit later. I probably won't come back much because I really don't like carbs. I just started crossfitting and I'm more conscious of how I eat and how my energy levels are affected by what I eat. So, I'll probably return for some coffee and to get work done. For those of you on that YOLO mindset regarding carbs, this is a fantastic place to get your fix. :)
(4)
Prachee M.
Lavender honey latte. Have you tried it? Be prepared to faint... the light, almost undetectable fragrance of lavender with the earthy bold taste of honey do wonders for the strong espresso covered in foaming soy. A taste of heaven. The one off-note is the extra charge for requesting soy milk. Come on now, is that really necessary? We non-dairy tolerant peeps are already risking a lot eating your irresistible pastries and cakes, must you penalize us for selecting soy for our coffee?
(5)
Susan C.
Rustica is the absolute best! The eclairs are a perfect combination of not too sweet cream and rich bittersweet chocolate. Speaking of bittersweet chocolate,,that cookie is as amazing as other Yelpers have said. I buy a pack every time I am in there. You also can't go wrong with a simple baguette. Nice bite to the crust with an airy interior. Two more favorites for breakfast, the currant scone and the Kouign Amann. Make this a must stop, everything I've tried here has been fantastic!
(5)
Tracy T.
My favorite bakery because everything tastes like it does in Europe and my favorite coffee shop because they make real, strong, ground coffee with no bloody flavorings in it. Best, best, best.
One of my favorite coffee shops in Minneapolis! Delicious breads, pastries, and especially cookies. Their ginger cookie is quite possibly the best cookie I've ever had (and I'm quite the cookie lover). Their breakfast egg/bacon/croissant sandwich is something I crave on a daily basis. Definitely visit this great gem of a coffee shop while in the Lake Calhoun area!
(4)
Patrick B.
Amazing baked goods, excellent Bullrun coffee. Prices are a bit on the high side but the eggwich is worth it. One suggestion, open the kitchen when you open the doors. Came in at 7:00 and several people including myself were disappointed to find out the kitchen did not open until 8:00.
(3)
Eric T.
To start with, get a bittersweet chocolate cookie. They are amazing. I like Rustica, but it is the hardest place in the world to get coffee. Honestly ordering a coffee here feels like a Portlandia sketch, and it takes forever. In Rustica's defense, it is a very tasty cup of coffee, but most days I would rather be able to ask for a cup of coffee and have it delivered quickly. The space itself is really big, which is nice, especially if you plan on spreading out and doing some sort of work. I also appreciate that generally it is quiet but not creepy quiet (see e.g., Urban Bean at 33rd and Bryant). Finally, I will say that I prefer Sunstreet for breads and Pat 46 for pastries, but if you find yourself outside of Kingfield, and need some bread or baked goods, then Rustica is a great place to drop in on.
(3)
Dana B.
Okay, so this is a dangerous place on the pocketbook and the paunch, but, it's so good. I can't afford to go here often, but when I do, I always get the bittersweet chocolate chip cookie--hands down, the best chocolate chip cookie I've ever had. Their savory food and soups can be very good too, and their coffee, although, crazy expensive is excellent.
(4)
RP P.
The chocolate eclair and the bittersweet chocolate cookies are fabulous. They also have excellent bread and know how to make a decent cup of tea.
(5)
Jonah W.
Rustica has some great pastries. The croissants are lovely, and they have something called a butter tart or something like that which is worthy of great praise. I read some of my fellow reviewers' praise for the coffee, and as one who adulterates their morning brew with ample dairy and sweetener, I'm not qualified to tell you whether it's great coffee or not. What I will say is that the service has been lacking each time I've been there. After paying for your food and drink, you stand by and wait for them to make your coffee, which can take far too long. The staff is also not extremely warm, or at least hasn't been during my visits. As you can tell from the many positive reviews, they make good stuff ... great stuff ... just don't expect for every experience at Rustica to be as good as their baked goods.
(3)
Risa Y.
Let's just get it off the table right up top. The coffee here is as good as it gets...a coffee that's not bitter ..like...o you know the kind without naming names.....bitter coffee is the kind of coffee that needs tons of sugar and creme just so that it's palatable...Anyways, the coffee here at Rustica is good ...it's so good that it's what I call "As good as it gets!' I love to savor its rich, dense flavors. So no, there's not a shred of exaggeration when I say this. It's that good! This is one place that I enjoy getting my coffee here straight. just plain black so I can really taste the flavor and texture of the coffee. How about their foamy drinks? Yes, sometimes, depending on my mood..I do crave a foamy, creamy coffee..and the Rustica lattes and cappuccinos can't be beat, as well... I love how they make their cappuccinos and lattes rich and nutty with just the right amount of milk, oh with the beautifully crafted coffee art leaf, which I can enjoy visually and taste to the last drop. Pastries? Oh, yes, they have pastries! I used to think a danish was just a danish..that all danishes were the same until I met Rustica! My favorites: the beautiful Bostok (a kind of "dry" version of French Toast, actually it is " orange flower water soaked brioche with almond cream spread"...yum)....mmmmm, my other favorite is the sunny Apricot Soleil, it's a danish that to me looks like a sunflower, my favorite flower. Needless to say, the Apricot Soleil always puts a smile on my face...so delectable... very, very flaky, with creme that just melts in my mouth. If you stop by here, don't forget to check out the scones because it's so heavenly...it's very fluffy, and moist...yes, I said fluffy and moist .... not dry and crumbly. I don't know about you, but I always thought scones were a dry and crumbly pastry...II didn't think a fluffy moist scone exhisted! It is amazing! I love the location here, too...it's right by Calhoun lake, one of my favorite lakes here in the Twin Cities, that I try to visit as often as I can especially in the summer. What a gem of a place! .
(5)
Julie T.
I love this place even more after my recent gastronomy trip to San Francisco. I went to the Blue Bottle and the latte can't be compared to this place. I went to Tartine Bakery and I still prefered the gougere at this place. Oh, I was dreaming and craving for the coffee and the gougere, I went straight to Rustica when I got home from my trip. This place is addictive!
(5)
Randy K.
The marriage of a gourmet coffee bar and fresh bakery is enough to make me a love child. Rustica did it for me. The cappuccino (one of the best I've had in the Twin Cities), the currant scone, the open atmosphere. Can't wait to return with guests and fellow coffee snobs. One note to those looking for a shop to do work in, I'd consider looking elsewhere as outlets are scarce. It is, however, the perfect place to have a meeting or woo clients.
(5)
Marsha L.
Awesome coffee, the atmosphere wasn't very cozy. It kinda felt like a normal chain coffee shop. The coffee is worth a stop though for sure.
(3)
Lilly M.
Bittersweet. Chocolate. Cookies. These alone are worth a 5-star review. Add flaky pastries, an ever-changing bread menu, super high quality coffee & espresso beverages just a hop, skip & jump off the greenway and I'm in love.
(5)
Lila C.
I stopped in to Rustica after my friend Dustin G. has mentioned it to me on several occasions, and boy am glad I made the visit! I had an eclair and hot chocolate on a late afternoon, unfortunately there wasn't much of a selection for late comers. The eclair was perfect with lots of filling but not too sweet that you can't stand finishing it (it's was very large and I ended up splitting it with my friend). The hot cocoa was delicious as well, not too bitter like Starbucks or too sweet like Caribou. The atmosphere was cute and homey, I loved the large wooden dining room style tables for large groups or sharing. And the staff was friendly and informative while helping me decide on a bread to bring to my parents.
(4)
Monica R.
Yes, a fan. The coffee is the best I've had in the twin cities. Delicious. I personally am a fan of focaccia with ham and the bostok but you pretty much can't go wrong with any of the treats on the counter. The staff ranges from tolerates you to somewhat resentful. I don't particularly mind it - they're secondary in importance to the quality of the goods - but you just never really feel welcome here. You can overlook that while enjoying your fabulous coffee and pastries though.
(4)
Heather J.
As I have seasoned in my life (gotten older) my cookie palate has morphed. Ergo as young child chocolate chip, young adult frosted sugar cookies, 20's anything that was cheep or free just about...but now I crave flavor! I love ginger cookies and Rustica delivers with big flavor...I almost cry when I eat them. This place is full of great bakery treats and baristas to deliver up your favorite cup of caffeine. Keep in mind parking is limited, area is busy, and things sell out quickly!
(4)
Allison L.
Keep it simple. This is the only place that has chocolate croissants comparable to Paris. Pair this with the BEST BEST BEST macchiato in town (dogwood espresso) and you are in heaven before work. Sure there are other pastries which are amazing but I cannot tell you how spoiled this place makes me. Nothing compares. I actually had to put myself on a budget and diet because I was coming everyday before work. Environment is just like Paris: simple and rustic, making it about the bread and not the silly tables and fancy boards. Staff is VERY professional and pleasant. I will say the new barrista is not the best at the foam designs as the other girl. OK now I am becoming a picky bitch...but seriously that is what this place turned me into.
(5)
Anna B.
Best coffee in the TC! Location is nice, but a bit too sleek for my taste. Needs a few couches. Bread and pastries are really good too. Service is great.
(5)
Puja S.
-chocolate eclairs- fresh cream filling, not too sweet. slightly dark chocolate coating. soft and awesome. one of teh best I have had. -the bitter sweet chocolate cookies were still as awesome as i remember. -the bread was fresh and airy. 5 stars and my f
(5)
Jen W.
Everything I've had at Rustica has been the best I've ever had. The best latte, the best lemon scone, the best vanilla scone, the best eclair, the best chocolate cookie, the best ginger cookie, the best Bostok (okay, that last one's not hard, I've never had a Bostok before....but this thing has changed my life.) At first I withheld a star b/c of the ambience. But I no longer care about that. I would gladly sit on a concrete bench on the shoulder of 94 in a rainstorm during rush hour as long as I had a Bostok from Rustica and a latte from Bull Run.
(5)
Rachel E.
Get the affogato if you like espresso (espresso over vanilla ice cream) and the bittersweet chocolate cookie. Yum! It tends to get crowded, but it clears out quick, people don't usually hang out too long. I got 3 drinks (affogato, mocha, and pour over coffee) and 3 desserts (2 cookies and a bostok) and it was under $20.00 I will be back to continue trying more pastries/drinks!
(4)
Rhonda G.
I've finally been where EVERY man has been. I've seen their baked goods sold all over the TC. I sure as hell wish they had bakeries all over the city. First as a coffee shop it's the best layout I've seen. If B&N next door folds up, I hope they take over that spot as well. It's loud, yet not bothersome. You can still focus on your private business. I had great service. I was approached right away by a few people. I noticed the chocolate tarts with raspberries. It tasted like a chocolate mousse, OMG. I noticed a 6 pack of CCC. They must use whole wheat flour because they are dark. Totally uniform thin, flat cookies, and on the record they are the best I ever had. I bought a bread, not sure what. The lighting is great in here for reading, but you have to sit in the right places. My least favorite thing is the hot chocolate, only that it's so pure, not a lot of sweetness. I love the Rustica mug it's in and would get it just for that.
(5)
Jennifer H.
I've been here twice and loved it both times. I definitely think the baked goods are better in the morning when they are fresh and moist. I wish I could remember which one it was but I think it was the brioche. It is a must try: had a moist, almond crumbly topping.I also really love their chocolate chip cookies- they are nothing like cookies. Everything else can be relatively dry later on in the day...
(4)
Sarah C.
My last meal might need to involve one of the lemon tarts from Rustica. I'd just finished a whole punch pizza and a salad and was still able to partake in some delicious dessert. Yes, I am a pig...but even in my totally full state, my lemon tart was the kick to my day. Holy crap. Oh, the coffee was good, service fast. Some people don't bus their tables, despite the signs hung around here, but I can't blame the counter girls for silly customers.
(4)
Patti I.
My every-Saturday-morning group bike ride always has to include a coffee stop. We have stopped here a couple times. Rustica Bakery is head and shoulders above every other place we've visited. I ordered coffee and an almond Danish. Holy buckets! It was the flakiest, butteriest, most fabuloso pastry, with assertive almond filling--makes most of the other Danish in town seem like cotton candy. On another visit I tried the Bostok, a rich cake soaked in syrup and covered with almond paste. It was just as the counter attendant described: crispy & flaky on the outside, moist on the inside. Swoon. Coffee is excellent but takes awhile. There are lots of people hanging around the serving area waiting for their drinks, and sometimes it's hard to get a table. Rustica gets bonus points for serving all their drinks in china cups unless you specifically ask for takeout. Lunch here was less successful. I ordered a sandwich that took forever to arrive, despite the fact that we were almost the only people in the restaurant and I counted seven employees milling about behind the counter, stamping bags with the Rustica logo, etc. After about 10 minutes I went up to ask how much longer I might expect it to take. After running back to the kitchen, the counter attendant told me it would be another two minutes. Hmmm...just the amount of time it takes to make a sandwich. My dining companion ordered iced tea that had been brewed too long. It was cloudy and bitter. Bottom line: Rustica's pastries are hard to beat. This is a great spot for a leisurely continental breakfast. Lunch, not so much.
(4)
peter j.
I would consider myself a coffee snob, but so does everyone else. I've been to a lot of coffee shops in Minnesota and Rustica is my favorite (as of January 25, 2012 at 8:13pm). They have good decor, simple yet classy, the way I like it. Their coffee is amazing, smooth and rich. I also had one of their specialty drinks which was espresso over vanilla ice cream. It sounds odd but tastes amazing. Their pastries are good, but I think a few other coffee shops in the twin cities are slightly better. Rustica also sells the coffee beans (Dogwood Coffee Co.) so you can take them home to enjoy. A cup of plain coffee may run you more than four dollars. But if it price you are concerned with then I would suggest a lovely coffee shop down the street called "Super America" where you can get other delectables as well as gas for your car. If you are looking for quality, then Rustica is your place. Good locations, great interior, and amazing coffee.
(5)
B H.
Purely as a bakery, this is a five star option. There are several very good bakeries in town (Patisserie 46, Salty Tart, etc) but this is my favorite. Time and again I've been impressed by their various offerings over the years. First I tried the eclairs, then the semi-sweet chocolate chip cookies, then the various breads (Levain, multigrain, olive loaf, brioche, etc), then the chocolate bouchon, and yet more and more and I simply have not been disappointed. If you want to talk about tough customers: I often run into French people getting their bread here. The Dogwood Coffee, hot chocolate, and fresh orange juice are also very good. The complaints? They only offer certain breads on certain days which can be hard to schedule around (e.g. Brioche on Tuesdays, egg braid on Friday, Pain de Mie on weekends). Things run out, which is good for business. The service, while competent, is hit or miss on courtesy: some are great, some come off as too cool for school. The lunch service is a nice addition, but not a highlight. They do not clean the tables as often as they should, and often run out of water cups. Still, this is first and foremost a bakery the baked goods are divine, and I'm rating it as such.
(5)
Henri C.
Cherry frangipane is out of this world good, the walnut tart not so much. The tart cherries on the frangipane combined with the almond buttery cake is the best we've ever had...major yummo.
(4)
Steph L.
All you need to know is: Ginger Cookie, Ginger Cookie, Ginger Cookie. An avid ginger lover, I try all things ginger and their ginger cookies are FANTASTICO! Get there early. I've went numerous times later in the day and was disappointed with the non-existent selection. Went at 9:30am one day and low and behold... they have an mouth watering selection of goodies to choose from.
(4)
Annie D.
Time for an update, since a few things have changed since my last review. For one, the bow-tied Bull Run (now Dogwood I think, but that's another story) baristas aren't there anymore. Sad loss of eye candy, I know... but before they left, they taught this staff to make lattes just as delicious and beautiful (I love a good latte leaf). As the trailblazer for third wave coffee in Minneapolis, this remains one of the best places in town for caffeine. Sigh of relief. Rustica is also one of my favorite spots for work meetings because, but for weekend mornings, there's almost always a table available and free parking is ample since it's in a strip mall. It's not the best place to get work done though because they are lacking in outlets. And lastly, but not leastly, from chocolate croissants to baguettes to bostoks... everything I've ever eaten from Rustica's bakery case has been goddamn delicious.
(5)
sarah p.
I have to update this review because I finally ventured back to enjoy a cup o joe...but no, no, no, this was no ordinary latte. It was perfection. At least in my neck of the woods. I finally feel liberated from the Dunn Bros Express (not so quick, btw) and Caribou. My nearly 4 bucks is now actually going towards something worthy. If you drink your coffee in, you are served it in an aesthetically pleasing mug and your latte foam will be stiff perfection. How many times can I write perfection I wonder? Can't help it -- it was.
(5)
Emily G.
One of my favorite spots in the Twin Cities. Coffee and treats are great. Will return shortly.
(5)
Kelly J.
Every weekend morning I pine for one thing and one thing only. The Apricot soleil from Rustica. Or the Lemon Danish. OK so maybe two things! The bakery at Rustica is so amazing, I'm pretty positive they can do no wrong when it comes to breads and sweets. Stroll in on a lazy weekend morning and pick up a freshly made pastry - as I've already said, the Apricot Soleil and Lemon Danishes are my favorite, but don't miss out on a classic Crossaint or slice of pound cake. Each pastry is flaky, the filling is sweet but not overly sugary (like you might find at a generic grocery store) and they are chewy and soft. Also make sure you grab a loaf of french bread or some dinner rolls to go, the crust of the bread is crunchy while the insides are so soft and perfectly baked. The coffee bar at Rustica is a test in patience, especially when this place is very full on a Saturday or Sunday morning. Just know that the coffee is indeed worth the wait. Even if you ordered a plain black cup of Colombian coffee, the baristas are brewing the coffee fresh, just for you, cup by cup. So don't get too huffy as you wait for them to call your drink - grab a table, open the paper or a good book and try not to eat all of your pasty before you get your coffee.
(5)
Candace V.
Cream-filled eclairs make me lose my mind. It's easy to inhale several in one sitting. Buy early in the day - by late afternoon, they're sold out. Cozy ambiance w fab people watching.
(4)
Dee J.
Some people treat themselves to a massage or a facial when they feel down and out. Not me. Well, I do that too but sometimes, I just want a nice, relaxing soy latte that I can drink at a comfortable cafe in an actual mug instead of out of a paper cup in the car on the way to work. When I want a really good latte and I want to drink it out a ceramic mug, I go to Rustica. It can get busy in there but if you go early on a Sat or Sun morning, it's a good place to sit, read, and drink coffee. I haven't tried any of their bread but I've had a few pastries and they've all been delicious. Nice work, Rustica.
(4)
Mark D.
Here's what I will say about Rustica - the breads are amazing, but when I come home from work at 530 I should be able to have a choice from a variety of breads. Unfortunately this never happens and I'm left picking up the scraps. I with they would make bread more than once a day for us workers.
(3)
Ken A.
My wife just got back this moring to buy pastries for my son's b-day today. She was so upset and how rude and thankless the employees were at Rustica. No eye contact, no smile, no "good morning", and....no "thank you". That is unbelievable to me. My wife's friend mentioned the same thing. So i looked on yelp to find any similar reviews, and there are plenty. So, Rustica -what is your deal?? Yes, you have the BEST products ever, but frankly if you are going to treat your customers like that I'd rather have pastries from cub foods. Unreal.
(1)
Alex C.
World-class pastries, fantastic coffee, and a good environment converge at Rustica Bakery, making it a true gem of Minneapolis. The smells are enough when you walk in - from the artisan coffee, crusty breads, and tasty pastries - but the array of goods that meets the eye is tremendous. The pastries - croissants, eclairs, and more - are as good as a good Parisian patisserie. There are lots of rich flavors like almond, pistachio, and butter cream, as well as delicate textures of flaky croissants. The breads rotate. Some varieties are available every day, but others like pan de mie are only available on weekends. There are all very good, no matter when they're available. The specialty breads are spot on, and the baguettes are crusty and chewy. Having Dogwood Coffee providing Rustica's dose of caffeine is as good as could be asked for. They serve single-origin coffees, meaning you can order the bean that will give you the kind of coffee taste you want (whether that is nutty and caramelly or citrusy or whatever). The espresso is great, but the regular coffee shines for me. Instead of having a gallon carafe sitting in the back, each cup is brewed individually in their Clover machines. These machines are like science-fiction version of your home coffee maker. Rustica would be one of the best bakeries anywhere - New York, San Francisco, Paris - but luckily it's here in Minneapolis!
(5)
Michelle A.
I never expected to find such a good coffee shop or bakery in the States. Really...it's that good! The cookies are just to die for. Do yourself a favor and get one. I loved both the chocolate chip and the ginger cookie. They are cooked to perfection, perfectly textured and taste like they must have come straight from heaven. The cappuccino is hands down the best I've had outside of Europe. Minnesotans, you don't even realize how lucky you are to have Rustica in your state! This place is the real deal. I'm a big fan of good coffee shops and bakeries, and the only one I can think of that holds a candle to Rustica is Crema, in Portland, Oregon (a very delicious bakery/coffee place, too). Yes, it's in a shopping plaza, but you'd never notice once you're inside. The food and coffee are amazing and the seating space is nice and inviting. I wish they'd hang some art on the bare walls, however....maybe a rotating local artist would be nice.
(5)
Matt Z.
Great coffee and pastries. Seating is a little uncomfortable and it's loud if the place is over half full. Personal preference but I like my coffee shops a little quieter.
(4)
Mere W.
This is what happens when Baristas really care about their job. It is worth watching the care they take when making your coffee. My favorite is the vanilla latte made with a vanilla paste that contains real vanilla. This is truly the best coffee I've had in the United States. Then, there are the baked goods. I have not been disappointed with any of their offerings. My go to pastry is the bostok. It is brioche soaked in syrup with a almond paste on top. This brioche is baked twice so it has that crunchy exterior with a soft interior, Yum! The space is not what I would consider cozy but more functional. However, this is nice given the crowd they can gather on Sat and Sun morning. This is a great spot to get a newspaper and relax with some great goodies.
(5)
Jenna M.
The only gripe I have about Rustica is the serious lack of outlets. The coffee is incredible (and beautiful) and the eclairs are make-you-cry good. Parking is easy and ample, the staff is adorable and polite, lots of room to sit, and it gets great light on a nice day due to their windows in the front. One of my favorites places to come early (sans all my technology) enjoy a book and sit in the sun.
(4)
Jeff M.
The best bakery I've ever been to! I love their bread, especially the olive loafs. Their cookies are amazing. The croissants are perfect. I just wish there were more locations besides their spot by Calhoun since I don't live in the area anymore. Also, some of their staff comes off as cold and that friendly neighborhood vibe of most bakeries is lost. Thankfully their goods are so tasty I don't let it bother me too much.
(5)
Jordan O.
We've only tried their baked goods, though they seem serious about coffee and offer lunch options, too. The chocolate cream tart was a great dessert -- more complex layers of flavor than you'd expect from a chocolate dessert. For me, the real standout was the oat maple scone. It wasn't incredibly sweet, and the maple topping was subtle, not cloying. However, the texture of this scone was tremendous - cakey, dense, crisp on the outside, without being dry or crumbly. Quite possibly the most technically perfect scone I've ever had. The selection of baked goods is small compared to other bakeries, but the care they seem to lavish on getting each one just right is evident.
(5)
Andrea K.
The moment you walk into Rustica you notice the streamlined, minimalistic, reclaimed woody interior which is actually quite inviting and not pretentious at all.This place makes me feel like I'm not in Calhoun Square, it has a total New York vibe, which is why it's so cool. Let's just get one point out there right away, I don't drink coffee so I can't really review the coffee aspect of the place but in the very least the coffee area looks awesome and smells great too. The main reason I visit Rustica is for the BREAD...olive bread to be exact. It is THE BEST OLIVE BREAD EVER... enough said. Usually I try for the olive rolls ($.75), but most of the time they are sold out. Option B is a regular roll ($.50) or going for a full olive loaf ($4.00). There are obviously other bread options but I'm quite biased, all the others that I have tried are equally delicious. I have also tasted a few of the deserts which are sometimes spendy at about $5 or so but in the end what's five bucks if it makes you really happy? Logistics: Parking is somewhat a dizzle at times but it's the dumb people who designed the parking lot's vault, not Rustica's They close at 8pm... would be nice to add an hour or two.
(4)
Cait B.
Take a deep breath when you walk in-the smell of fresh ground coffee beans is intoxicating. So refreshing to come here vs. my usual daily trip to the local coffee chains. You walk in and everything is wooden. To your left are cute built in booths. Make your way to the display case and scratch your head as you try try to pick just a few things out. You ask yourself, "can I finish 3 things.....by myself....maybe 4?" haha I love the fact that they grind your coffee right before they make it. That's love! This is a great spot to snuggle up and share a newspaper with your hubby. A must try: the lemon tart
(5)
Richard Y.
You won't find a better baguette anywhere in the Twin Cities. Their chocolate cookies are also killer. I'm pretty sure you can't go wrong here.
(5)
Tori M.
On a trip to Punch one day, it finally clicked in my head that this was THE Rustica. You know, the one from which all that awesome bread for sandwiches at Clancey's comes from? Yeah, that one. So of course, even though I was pleasantly full of pizza, I went in. And oh...mah...god. Hello heaven. Sbrisolona? YES. Bittersweet choco cookies? After my first bite, I couldn't stop smiling and raving. What a revelation. The flourless choco cake is divine. And all the breads... it's a carb lovers dreamland. AND they have Ames honey, which is one of my favoritest things in the world. I did not sample any of the Bull Run coffee, but Beard really liked his simple dark roast. I was too busy shoveling all the carbs I could fit into my mouth. And some sbrisolona came home with me to get slathered with kumquat marmalade for afternoon tea. (Because you have to have afternoon tea with sbrisolona... too classy for just a snack.) I would move in here if I could.
(5)
Cualeng V.
Rustica is minimalistic, it's decor and openness welcome where most places have you sitting next to strangers, not to encourage friendship and social interaction, but to squeeze as much money per square foot as humanly possible! The bakery case is littered with very non-traditional fare, and on the Saturday evening we strolled in, we ordered the 4" Flourless Chocolate Cake, a Rustic Chocolate Chip Cookie, and a Raspberry Pecan Scone, accompanied by a Milk Steamer (for the lady) and a cup of Gatare (I believe) java. The cake was rich...amazingly rich. We took a few bites (each accompanied with a sip of coffee and milk) and decided to take it to-go. The scone was amazing with bits of pecan and raspberries scattered throughout and just the right amount of subtle sweetness, and the cookie, although good, was definitely the bronze medal winner. If I had any complaints, it'd be that I would've asked for the scone to be warmed up just a tad so it would've been a little softer. I asked the gentleman behind the counter whether the coffee or the espresso was better, and he asked me if I had ever had coffee made from a "Clover" before - so take a guess what I got? I requested a darker roast, so was recommended the Gatare, a roast from South Africa and Sumatra. I also got to witness "the Clover" - basically a coffee machine that makes individual cups from freshly ground beans in about a minute, sans sediment, hold times, and general flavor-reducing processes...One of the best cups of coffee I've ever had, if not THE best, and I was able to taste the earthy flavor without the bitterness (or "strong coffee" taste) sometimes associated with darker roasts. No cream, no sugars, just good 'ol coffee. I'm not a coffee snob, much like i'm not a wine snob, so beyond the fact that it's not bitter and I can actually taste the coffee, I can't say much more. I have, however, drank enough coffee (and wine) to know that if it wasn't good, I wouldn't even be able to tell that much. I can imagine myself making the trek to Rustica on slow Sunday mornings to enjoy a good brew with a book in hand and spending my day turning pages while enjoying a fresh baked baguette with whipped butter - I don't have time for it every week, but you'd better believe I *should* make time for it to keep my perspective like Rustica - fresh and unhurried, knowing that if the journey is worthwhile, the ending most likely will be too.
(5)
Brandon K.
Very slow service. Coffee was very expensive and even though it was very expensive, it didn't taste that much different than Caribou.
(2)
Ally G.
The coffee was DELICIOUS! However the strip mall location and desserts were mediocre at best. Great place for a coffee to go, otherwise don't waste your time.
(2)
Michael G.
Delicious coffee made 1 cup at a time. Weekend mornings and afternoons are extremely busy, so you may have to stand off to the side and wait for a table or just get your coffee and treats to go. Must try for coffee/pastry fans.
(5)
Nick S.
Truly excellent baked goods are sort of a casualty of modern progress. Charming neighborhood bakeries and oven-fresh bread at home are relative rarities. Now you swing by the grocery store after work and begrudgingly toss a loaf of bread or a package of cookies into the cart. Rustica is keeping it real. I've been a devotee of their baguettes and levain for some time -- various places around town carry them. The baguettes are baked to perfection: crisp outside and delicious inside. The levain had just the right amount of sourdough bite. I love a good schmear of butter on my bread, but honestly Rustica's is tasty enough that sometimes I do without. The various cookies, scones, and other sweet pastries I've had have never disappointed either. They're nothing fancy really, just extremely well done. I recently decided to actually check out their new(er) digs off Lake Street and give their coffee a try as well. I saw more care go into that cappuccino than I did at my last ten trips to Caribou or Dunn Brothers. The steamed milk foam was like stiff meringue and the espresso tasted like rich, strong coffee instead of char. In this age of recession and financial woe, there's something to be said for the prices too. The coffee is little different than what you'd pay elsewhere. Cookies are exactly one dollar. No bread or pastry is over five bucks. Join the revolution. Support baked goods that are actually GOOD.
(5)
Marlene F.
I love this place. A couple of weeks ago I drove through a snowstorm got stuck on the road in front of the fire station, until I was given a little shove from a fellow fan just to get my hands on the Bostock! Seriously, if you like almond pastries this one is not to me missed. It is light, sweet and like nothing you ever had before! Best of all they bake it. So I think it may be better than eating a croissant calorie wise. Goodness in a square. I live in Eden Prairie but will travel across town to purchase Bostock on occasion. Now if you are an olive oil fan there is a pastry that is served only on Wednesdays and Sundays. I have never asked but it tastes like excellent bread with an olive oil sweet crust. Cañadas de Azúcar is a special bread. It is a close second favorite. I would like to experience the whole menu at Rustica as I believe their breads are second to none. Who's in for a pastry tasting party? Please if it is you invite me :)
(5)
Annette L.
The best cappuccino in the twin cities! Chocolate croissant was fine...not great but I'm picky. BUT I could not sit down to enjoy my cap because people with laptops were camped out everywhere! Soooo annoying! Most of them weren't even drinking or eating anything. I've heard this is a big problem in NYC and Brooklyn....now I understand why.
(4)
Shivani P.
Chocolate dipped eclair was to DIE for! the coffee as well is delicious I ordered a vanilla bean latte and it actually had vanilla bean in it!
(4)
Mike C.
When I used to work in the western metro this used to be the place to go for cookies. The cookies here are unbeatable! The two that I come here for are the chocolate chip short bread cookie, and the fudge chocolate chip. Personally, I don't really enjoy sweets as much as others and when I eat these cookies they are so sweet my mouth literally hurts. My wife, on the hand, belongs to the camp that believes that nothing exists that is too chocolatey or sweet. Any time I am in a bind and need to get her a gift, a bag of these cookies always earns me a kiss and a smile. Based on the quality of the cookies I am certain that the coffee and other baked items here are superb, however, never having tried them I can only imagine.
(5)
Mandy J.
I guess I don't get it. I see the upscale-ness of it, but this just made me feel like an outsider. I see the fantasic designs made in the coffee, but when it is made by people who don't smile and sneer at you when you ask questions, it isn't quite as fun. Both the pastry (scone) and coffee (latte) I tried were tasty, but nothing to write home... or should I say "write yelp" about. If I want a fun atomosphere, there are plenty of other coffee shops with smiling baristas and service with a "have a good day at the end." If I want a leaf made from the milk of my coffee (now that is cool!), I'll keep going to Rustica.
(2)
Tom G.
"Great place to grab a coffee and a Danish! Its right by Lake Calhoun so I stop there after a long run around the lakes!"
(4)
Guya I.
ok can you say Dogwood??? The roaster folk at Bullrun, the barista staff----- they are rad. I have had 5 star drinks, and guess what I am a professional coffeegeek, so my five stars mean alot. The iced vanilla latte made with a housemade vanilla bean infusion was like divine as hell. They rock my world. And remember---as a coffeegeek, I am a beast and professionally critical. Bullrun rocks.
(5)
Christine S.
I did a dance of JOY when Rustica moved into the neighborhood. I like to walk by and linger in front of the window, watching the baker at work. This is handcrafted bread. I recommend the Miche (a wheat bread) or a baguette. I've tried about every baguette in town and Rustica wins.
(5)
Darshy N.
I went in here really wanting to LOVE everything. I went primarily to try to coffee, I've heard so much about Bull Run Coffee - Minneapolis' own coffee roasters and that Rustica Bakery was a joint venture between these two bad boys. But when I arrived there, I wasn't expecting that the independent specialty coffee house would be in a strip mall. This I didn't even mind, I stepped in and the space was totally transformed, exposed beams, beautiful light over looking our wonderful car parking lot, and the beautiful, beautiful aromas of coffee and bread. Just, wow. The barista girl was super friendly, I instantly wanting something fattening to eat, so I asked for her suggestions, and she said that she was personally addicted to the vanilla Eclairs and that the Ophelia bar [sp?] were hot sellers. I had no idea what that was, but it looked very curiously as a slice of tiramisu, however it had almond butter, and sponge cake pieces soaked in espresso and chocolate ganache. So that's what we got, along with a cuppa cappuccino. The coffee was decent, not fully balanced by flavourful anyways. Didn't wow my socks off as Kopplin's but it has potential. The Eclairs was wonderful- no complains there, but the chocolate ganache bar/ almond thing - was on the stale side. The atmosphere there was great though. I think maybe they were having an off day when I was there, so I'm going to go back and give it another shot!
(4)
Elise S.
Let me be absolutely clear before I write this review that I think Rustica is, hands-down, the best bread in the Twin Cities. Argue all you want, but for the price and quality, they will beat New French Bakery, A Toast to Bread, (and possibly even Baker's Wife) any day of the week. Their baguettes are consistently amazing, I recently tried their egg braid (Fridays only) and was blown out of the water; I even tried the levain yesterday for the first time - I'm not into the slightly sourdough flavor, but it was still a beautifully-crafted loaf of bread. I stopped in with my mother and we split a cappuccino and a cookie. I think it will probably be the last time that happens since they were both so good, the idea of sharing either seems blasphemous. The cappuccino was done perfectly! Say what you want about the fair-trade coffee or unusual range of machines available at their disposal, the guy making our drink very clearly knew exactly what he was doing. The thought of going back to Starbucks for a thin, burnt-tasting coffee drink is unappealing, through and through! If I'm not mistaken, the coffee aspect of Rustica is actually Bull Run; should I thank them or Rustica for the great cuppa joe? The shortbread cookie, however modest that may sound to everybody else, was simply great. Flaky, flavorful, and only $0.95. If you live anywhere near Calhoun Village, you owe yourself a regular trip to Rustica. Not just for the coffee and easy, clean ambiance of their room, but for their breads and desserts. Go. NOW!
(5)
Anna J.
Ohh my frickin' god. Have you seen this place? I love eeit. Pricey? Yes! Worth it? YESSS! My bf and i split an eclair here. It was full of nummmy goodness spewing all over the table. The chocolate was rich and wonderful. I got a cup of coffee...which isn't just any cup of coffee. They make each of cup of coffee so it kind of makes you feel special. It was a litle strong but I got a lot of stuff done that day so I guess it makes it ok. The inside is awesome but a little pretentious, but I don't let it bother me. I could see myself lounging with a paper on a saturday morning while i stuff my face with pastries. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Zachary S.
Opening day at the new location in Calhoun Village, we opened the doors the day before Thanksgiving and didn't smell bread and coffee, but wood and paint. The inside is clean and austere, with bench seating along one wall, and a big ole farm table in the middle. They were sold out of my favorite cookie ever (bittersweet chocolate) so we got a Ginger cookie instead. You can really taste the ginger in there. Best ginger cookie ever. Good tooth. Not too crunchy, not too sweet. Now, I had stated before that Kopplins in St. Paul is the best coffee I have ever had, but now there is a Mpls rival, and it is high time that the kind folks of Mpls had coffee of this caliber. They weigh and grind and brew your cup of coffee, just like at Kopplin's, but unlike Kopplin's, the coffee here looks more like a science experiment, with little burners emitting blue flame to heat water suspended in clear glass vials. Not sure how it works, exactly, but will investigate further. The espresso was wicked good, btw. I took a star off for no music and wonky tables that seemed hastily assembled from leftovers at the lumber dept of Home Depo. Not sure if that was just to get open after the delay or what, but very minor stuff that I am sure will get worked out. Too bad my office is moving, and I won't get to enjoy their coffee for very long!
(4)
A. M.
For a spoiled European breadlover, Rustica is a reason why to move to Minneapolis!
(5)
Maureen B.
Fantastic. Get the Lemon Tart.
(5)
Melanie S.
Wow! I've heard good things about this place, so when I realized where it was, I stopped there with the babe. I dropped the older kid off at yoga, and needed by sweets fix for the afternoon. I went in not really knowing what to expect. It was dinner time, so most of the bakery items were picked over. There were no cookies or other things of that nature. I spotted a pastry that contained blueberries. I figured I couldn't go wrong. I asked what it was, and the girl told me what it was called. (it's been a couple of months, so I don't remember what the name was.) I asked for more information, since the name didn't really give me a good description. The girl behind the counter was new and didn't really know. Apparently, that's all the convincing I needed obviously, because I bought it. Sage and I took it out to the car and headed back to pick up the yogi. We were a bit early so we hung out in the car and ended up devouring the pastry. Sage eagerly sat like a baby chick, mouth open, waiting for more. I gave in to the begging occasionally, just to shut her up. I seriously didn't want to share it, which is strange since it didn't contain frosting. Writing this review just reminded me of something.... I NEED to go back. Good thing its yoga day!
(5)
Adam P.
This is a great pairing between Rustica and Bull Run. The coffee I had was quite good albeit not brewed on my method of choice, which I assume was just overlooked by the barista. I got Clover coffee when I requested it brewed with the vac-pot. Ah well. Like I said, the coffee was still good.
(4)
Nicole P.
Do you ever just get that craving for pastry? I was in serious need of something sweet and flaky last week and Rustica was the cure for my craving. You could spend hours admiring the goodies in the bakery case, but I zeroed in on the chocolate and pistachio danish within moments. The soft dark chocolate center complemented the crisp flaky outer rings of the crust and that hint of nuttiness from the pistachios topped it all off. I'm just thankful I got to Rustica early enough that day to score one before they were gone. I went for the double chocolate hit that morning by ordering a hot chocolate to drink too. You know how hot chocolate can be too syrupy sometimes? Well, not here. It was smooth and creamy without being overly sweet. I've had coffee during other visits and though I'm no expert, Rustica seems like the ideal place for the coffee aficionados out there.
(4)
Gabriel S.
They have simply the best french inspired baked goods you can get in the area. I used to go there after mass when they were attached to Java Jacks. They just moved a month or two ago. I love their Bostock not sure if thats the correct spelling but its great. its bread dipped in sweet stuff and the re-baked and covered in powder sugar. The pan demi is great and all of the bread is great toasted. Most of its a little on the crunchy side which I love but keep that in mind if you are a soft bread person.
(5)
J B.
I have to say...maybe I drank the wrong coffee the other day when I was there, but I did not care for it. I did try 2 different kinds, and I was still not impressed. I do love their chocolate chip cookies though. Also, I don't care for the fact that there are no refills on coffee, like there are in other places. Yes I can get a refill, but it is full price. I know it is because they brew it to order, but I am still somewhat annoyed by it.
(3)
Rachel S.
Love the product (dogwood, ham brioche, chocolate croissant), but the pretentious ass-hattery from the staff, no thanks. Hipster jerks who have no idea about how to treat people with respect means my money and time will be spent where I am welcome. Not here.
(2)
Dolly V.
Rustica knows what they are doing. I'm not a coffee drinker, but I know these guys take pride in where they get their beans and how they roast them. That being said, I got a hot cocoa - perfect foam, light cream, not too sweet and slightly bitter. When I got my cup of hot cocoa, I wasn't expecting it to be made with such love. I can't imagine how much more love is put into their coffee. Brilliant! Their pastries and bread also look fantastic. Definitely coming back for their eclairs.
(4)
Steve S.
I love this place. I first discovered it through the sandwiches at Clancey's. They make the using baguettes from here. Well I love a good crusty bread, so I made a trip over to the old S Minneaplis location. When I discovered they were moving to the much closer Calhoun location I was overjoyed. The breads are unbelievable. I could eat a whole baquette with some butter or olive oil. My only complaint is the short shelf life. It pretty obvious that no preservatives are used. The pastries are excellent as well. The chocolate cookies are the bombdiggety. They are a must buy whenever I'm in. The Cinnamon rolls are light and flacky, and the Kouign Amann is to die for.
(5)
Mark S.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!! The baguettes brought me in, the fruit and nut roll makes me stay... throw on some brie and a coffee.... game over.
(5)
Irina R.
Can't wait to go back so I can try more yummy sweets (and probably take some more pictures of the hearts in the coffee drinks; how creative of them!). Love the good quality chocolate that this place uses, especially because baked goods at most coffee shops are made with Hershey's (a big no no for people who are real chocolate lovers).
(4)
Ashlee V.
My boyfriend's family lives right around the corner from this, so every time I come and visit, we eventually stop in here at some point. I'm not a coffee-drinker, so I can't judge on that front (although, my significant other loves his coffee black from here), but I can judge it on hot chocolate and the pastries. The hot chocolate is only so-so. It's got a burnt taste to it like you'd find at Starbucks. Although the art in the cup is super cute, I'm more concerned about the actual taste. On that front, it's pretty mediocre and the aforementioned burnt taste ruins it for me. The pastries and bread? Oh yeah. Now we're talking. Here's what you get your wallet out for, and don't stop. You'll thank me for this. (And if you wanna get me a pastry for it, just think of the scene with the diamonds on the table from Schindler's List--it would make me so uncomfortable to have a lonely pastry uneaten in front of me that I'd just have to have it...) I'd do some pretty awful, heinous, unspeakable, terrible things to be able to have their eclairs in the near future. It's so rich, moist, and exactly how an eclair is supposed to taste. The custard center fills my otherwise picky-tiny-black heart with red hot glee. I've had a slice of some cakes, a lemon tart, and some bread from here as well, and it's all just as good as the eclairs. The lemon tart had fresh lemon zest on it along with a really juicy, tangy center that wasn't too dry or too moist. I guess when it comes to pastries you can call this place a Goldilocks: they got it just right.
(4)
Josh W.
The coffee is pretty meh, but the cookies ... THE COOKIES. Oh sweet Jesus, Lord in Heaven are they divine!?! I triple dog dare you to eat just one of the shortbread chocolate chip ones. Go on, try ...
(4)
Grant S.
Can't say enough good things about this place. Charming atmosphere, charming employees, and down-right amazing product. The bread is perfect -- crusty on the outside, soft and delicious inside. Perfect for sandwiches, toast, or just on it's own. The desserts here are unbeatable -- I'm a huge fan of the bittersweet chocolate cookie and the fruit tart. Coffee and lattes are well-made, as well.
(4)
Lisa H.
Oh, Rustica, Rustica, I think I think I love you... After the much anticipated wait - Rustica in Calhoun Village is FINALLY open! Can you tell I've been waiting? The location is great. Whole Foods, MGM, Chuck & Don's, Barnes & Noble and then Rustica for a treat. That's what my boys and I did today after school. Lots o' errands. Our Rustica treat did not disappoint! The bittersweet chocolate cookie was decadent and not too sweet with the perfect combination of crispy edge and soft, chewy middle. Wish I had another! The cookie size is good too. I'm kind of tired of those HUGE, big as your head cookies. Rustica cookies are a deal at $1.00 per cookie. I predict Rustica is going to be a new hot spot. I'm already planning my next trip back.
(5)
Ariel K.
Without a doubt the best bread in Minneapolis, it rivals next to anything I've had in Paris. What I wouldn't give for a hunk of olive bread fresh out of the oven with some of their butter. MMMmMmMmMmMmmmmm. The bread is so softy, the olives so salty and thick and the crust so perfectly crisp! AH! Other notable items: the vanilla scone, pistachio danish, and the kouign aman-- something similar to a dense croissant. Perfect with Java Jack's coffee. The owner of this bakery are absolutely wonderful people: smart, kind, and absolute food lovers. I just hope this place doesn't close down due to it being more expensive than other bakeries/ whole foods. Keep it alive!!
(5)
Aaron B.
Many people would consider Rustica's bread to be the best in town. I think with the presence of 46 Patisserie and Turtle Bread, that is something that can be debated. However, in my opinion, when you combine this bread with the incredible coffee from Bull Run, you can't beat this place. Plus, it's right next to a Punch Pizza and Barnes and Noble, so it really is a good place to visit. I buy this coffee to grind at home, and treat myself to the occasional loaf or other sweet treat when I'm in the area.
(4)
Jess R.
so good I made my 2nd trip back within 4 days....but really people....save me some Ginger cookies too. Lucked out and got the last brioche, the Significant Other and I pretty much ate the whole loaf for breakfast today. Am sad that we will have to wait a whole week until Brioche Tuesday comes again.
(5)
Beverly L.
Please note that the following review is for Bull Run Coffee Bar. Bull Run isn't the kind of coffee shop for casual coffee drinkers or people who like to drink their grande soy carmel mochas with whip on the run from Starbucks. Bull Run IS the kind of coffee shop for coffee drinkers (straight up, folks), who enjoy and appreciate the differences in brewing styles (syphon v. clover, etc.) and gourmet beans. I dropped by for a Friday afternoon coffee treat last week, and was not disappointed. I had a cup of coffee to go (Peaberry), but stuck around to have it syphon brewed. YUM. It was incredible. I didn't find the coffee experience to be as good as Kopplin's, but certainly close. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had had my coffee in a ceramic mug, and relaxed for a bit. So, the difference is not their fault, it was mine. I will definitely get a cup of coffee here any time I am in the neighborhood.
(4)
Mario N.
I really want to give this a 5 star as I love the bakery and the concept! I have to say that since they moved into the larger space it is a bit sterile and cavernous - maybe this is just part of being in a strip mall. My biggest complaint however is the coffee - and reading some of the reviews I think that I am cursed. The first visit (just after opening - so I will give them a bit of a break) it took like 20 minutes to get a drip coffee, and it was full of grounds. I have also ordered a coffee from the clover numerous times and each time I feel as if they just do not know how to operate it. The coffee comes back watery and lacking flavor. Perhaps I should move on to the espresso drinks......
(3)
Kimberly T.
I've only had the pleasure of trying the ginger cookies, chocolate chip cookies & hot chocolate. Everything was delicious & I loved the interior of the bakery. I look forward to trying more - especially the breads!
(4)
John R.
The pastry and coffee where divine, the sample of bread the gave was also very good. The machine they use to make coffee was really neat. the only thing I had against the place was a $0.50 charge for a small container to butter containing about 2 pats. I figure it should be part of the price of the stuff we already brought, Oh well back to the dreamy pasties, did I mention we will make it back again some day.
(4)
Liz A.
This place is absolutely perfect. Their fruit and nut bread is UNBELIEVABLE. Perfectly crusty on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. Delicious.
(5)
Joel P.
Excellent americano. Wish I would have tried the single cup coffee, definitely plan to on one of my many upcoming visits. I really appreciate that they take coffee seriously and brew to order via clover, pour over, french press or siphon brewing options. Since moving here from SF I have been on a quest to find a place that not only has great coffee but equally great atmosphere. Glad to have finally found one here in mpls that is comparable to sf! Oh and didn't try the bread but it looked amazing. My wife had a scone and loved it.
(5)
Ryan P.
How have I not reviewed Rustica until now? Somehow it got overlooked. The coffee is super gourmet and very good. My dad was a bit overwhelmed by all the choices they offered him, but he's from Brainerd, so what can you do? Some random thoughts about Rustica. - Paradoxically it's in a strip mall next to places like Subway. - There's also Punch Pizza next door which is great. - Parking on the right side of the strip mall is often quite crowded. - Parking on the left side is usually a lot less busy/crazy. - If you go anytime near peak hours, expect to not find a seat. - It's a weird system to buy stuff, if you walk in and know what you want just walk up to the cash register to find someone. Otherwise if you linger around the treats, someone will usually come up to you. The line often seems nonlinear. - I've heard some people feel like they weren't given good treatment by the employees at the counter. However I can only attest to my treatment which is impeccable, the folks who work there are ALWAYS SUPER FRIENDLY. - The hot chocolate? It's made for the Gods by the Gods. But anyone can order it and drink it. Even mere mortals. In the winter time? Transcendent. - Remember what I said about not being to find a seat when they are busy? I won't lie, it's kinda awkward. I dunno I just feel like this could be better. A good solution? Take your treats over to the Barnes & Noble next door and enjoy them with a book. - The pastries? They taste as good as they look. Truth. - The bread? Soooo good. Ask them what they recommend they won't steer you wrong. - The chocolate chip cookies. As you know I'm always looking for the best chocolate chip cookies in the world. What they have is very good. It's not huge and thus won't ruin your diet and it's extremely flavorful. - Once you order something that takes a little bit to prepare (like a latte or whatever) it can feel a tad bit awkward waiting for it, especially when it's busy because the seating is weird. Thank god for cell phones. So there you have it. Rustica in a nutshell. As mentioned, my only gripe is the seating. My advice is when you walk in scope out a place to sit and grab it if you find one. No places to sit? Just adjust your order or get it to go and life is good.
(5)
Leah L.
Rustica has the best baguette in Minneapolis and their cookies are amazing. I rarely let myself buy their six packs of bittersweet chocolate cookies because I can't control myself and I end up eating all of them. Their eclairs are pretty unreal as well. I'm not a huge fan of their new location -- the space is too big and it feels empty. It's not a big deal when you're just stopping in to pick up something from the bakery though.
(5)
Brien G.
I love you Rustica, but you've broken my heart. I miss you in the neighborhood. Are the rumors true? In a strip mall by Burger Jones? Please say it ain't so. Best bakery in Minneapolis. And now the Best Bakery in a Strip Mall. I've only bought bread from them, but I've sampled all types. Unbelievable every time. If I'm really good, will you come back to South?
(5)
Rebecca B.
I'm going to go for it and give this place 5 stars, and I hate having to admit a place is five stars. Chocolate Cherry scone? Awesome. Pastry thingy with apricot in the middle? Awesome. Anzac biscuits? Mind blowing, I have tried almost a dozen times at home to bake these and I'm not even close to Rustica's Chocolate Croissant? Just as good if not better than the many I ate while in Paris. Bittersweet Chocolate cookie? Phenomenal...is it as good as Lucia's? I'm not sure, I'll have to keep testing the two, and then test them some more. I hear their bread is insanely good...I just have such a sweet tooth and get distracted every time I go in by the sweets. So I'm giving the place 5 stars without even trying the thing they are most famous for. And the coffee is the best I have ever had. Granted, I am not a coffee snob, but damn that was a fine latte. Last time I was there they mixed up my order and I ended up with the "miel" drink (that's honey folks) and it rocked my day, big time.
(5)
Lori G.
Their coffee is better than their bread!!!
(4)
Becky L.
Best coffee in the Twin Cities!
(5)
Erin B.
Some of the best coffee I have ever had and the scone was amazing. Everything is so fresh. I really don't think you could be dissappointed with anything on the menu.
(4)
Joshua Z.
Best. Bakery. Ever. Rustica's breads are, absolutely, the highest quality loaves you can find in this city. Their levain, a sourdough, is fantastic. Baguettes rival what I've had in Paris, though I'm sure a Parisian would disagree. But if you really want to die "le petit mort" in public, get the currant scone. It is so unbelievable good that it is the ONLY thing I order here. Why? Because it is completely, unbelievably perfect. Crunchy, buttery, rich goodness speckled with little chewy tart pieces of currant. The poseurs who get the chocolate ones are misguided, as the chocolate overwhelms the butter flavor.
(5)
Scott F.
The croissant was nice and flaky, but did not have enough flavor to it. The kouign aman was too hard/crisp. But the pecan/chocolate swirl was excellent (see photo). The brioche bun and chocolate/orange scone were also good. Java Jack's Coffee Cafe is an adjoining cafe that shares the same space, and their espresso is very good.
(4)
Jeff P.
The best pain au raisin this side of Paris. The coffee bar was out of this world...impressive!
(4)
Ellen S.
I normally stop at Yum! to buy desserts before I head over to dinner with my family, but decided at the last minute to pop in to Rustica to see what kinds of desserts they had. I ended up getting a chocolate caramel torte that was AMAZING and really yummy chocolate chip shortbread cookies. We even tried the bostok which was really yummy as well.
(5)
Jodi E.
Only place to buy bread in this city.
(5)
Judd S.
I am unfortunately having to re-review the place because of their big move. In my book, there are two HUGE factors weighing in on my review, and I choose not to demote Rustica to four-star territory because one is a BIG plus, and the other a BIG minus, which cancel each other out. The BIG plus is the coffee, which has improved mega-fold from Java Jack's to Bull Run. These folks now pull the best, smoothest espresso *anywhere* in the TC for sure, now comparable to Kopplin's. Wow is all I can say. This, paired with the still stupendous baked goods, which range from perfectly executed croissants to fantastic baguettes and nutty breads makes this place truly wonderful. But, UGH! Why did they have to move to the awful Calhoun parking lot city? That place is just so depressing. Trekking out this far west to sit by some windows overlooking a sea of cars makes it feel more like an airport or used-car lot than a cafe. Forget having outdoor space here come summer...even if they toss a few tables and chairs in front of the place, who would want their brew imbued with the flavors of exhaust fumes? This is going to put a huge damper on my enjoyment of the place. Their old space was really beautiful - in an old garage, with gorgeous plants outside, set on a serene South Minneapolis residential block. Big downer. In the winter though, you can be inside and sorta not notice it. However, the crowd has changed a bit with the move as well. It's older, with more chatty baby-boomers and a surfeit of kids as well. It is now certifiably impossible to study or really relax here. I would say just come for the breads and take them away, but the coffee is so good and can only truly be enjoyed in a ceramic cup sitting down...so I put up and love every sip anyway.
(5)
Carla J.
This is the best bread in the Twin Cities, without exaggeration or caveat. Rustica's bread are for those who know what great bread should be, which is rare in our supermarket culture. The baguettes are perfect with an excellent crust and delicious flavor. The texture inside is great. Put a ripe tomato on one of these and you will be in heaven. We get the Levain bread for toast at home and it is bliss. The pastries are also awesome. Get a 4" galette and don't share it! Eat it yourself and live the good life. The scones define what a scone is meant to be. The cookies, sublime. You can tell I am completely, wholeheartedly a fan of Rustica. Go there for your bread and you will enjoy eating at home again. Seriously.
(5)
Mary T.
Dogwood coffee is snobby and ridiculous, and it has ruined my favorite coffee shop, Urban Bean. I loved their coffee, it was the best. Now they sell that #%&*! Dogwood brand. When when I went to Rustica/Bull Run /aka Dogwood to get a breve (modified) to go I was told they cannot sell breve's or cappuccino's to go as it " ruins the foam". at Urban Bean I was told Americans don't understand how true coffee is supposed to be prepared and served. As someone who started drinking " Un cafe expres" in Paris in 1967 I do not need to be told how my coffee should taste or how it should be served. Hello Starbucks where I can still by a bag of french roast beans and get the coffee drink I like served to go.
(1)
M.C. C.
You're not likely to find a better French/Italian style bakery in the country. "Surely, you can't be serious," you say. Oh, but I am serious and don't call me Shirley. Not convinced? Try a single olive roll with it's perfect balance of crisp crust, pillow soft bread, and moist, savory olives and then we'll talk. Scones? If your gauge for scones are the shortening-bombs they pawn off as baked goods at Caribucks, well, you simply haven't had a real scone. You owe it to yourself to sink your chompers into one of Rustica's lightly-sweet, butter-crumbly currant scones. These are scones the way the nature intended. There's more. Oh, so much more: chocolate cookies that melt on your tongue like a french kiss from a chocolate angel; crusty/soft baguettes; tarts, tarts, and more tarts. Side bonus: Rustica is located within Java Jack's so you can sit an enjoy the always entertaining people watching and bustling neighborhood vibe. Note: As another commenter pointed out, you can't get a Rustica baked good and a coffee rung up at a single register. Sure, it would be nice, but I don't know, no biggie for me.
(5)
Joel M.
The pastry items are good and the clover coffee rocks. When i am in the mood for a foo foo drink I like the Cafe Miel Iced.. Highly recommend!
(4)
Greg N.
Woohoo! Finally, an excellent coffee bar in Minneapolis. I have been driving to South St. Paul each weekend to get the best coffee in town at Black Sheep. While I'll need to return to Rustica a few more times to be able to compare the two shops, I can say after two visits to Rustica that this is the best place to get coffee in Minneapolis. They do Clover and siphon brews, as well as press pot and pour over. I am a big Clover fan and so far have not strayed. The Ethiopia Amaro bean brewed on the Clover is an incredible coffee experience. It is truly a wine-like cup, with very complex and layered flavors...you'll taste cherry, raisin, and chocolate. This is really just a wonderful coffee! My only complaint is the puzzling lack of baked goods at the coffee bar. I'm a coffee freak, but my wife goes along for the scones and cookies and whatnot. There was very little to choose from both days we visited, especially considering the place is a bakery! I'm there for the coffee however, and I am so happy that Minneapolis finally has a place for the coffee snob to go. Thank you Bull Run/Rustica!
(5)
K G.
Fantastic bakery, nice atmosphere. We tried the chocolate croissant, Kougin Amann, and brought home some bittersweet chocolate cookies. All excellent. We bought a loaf of Miche bread- it was nice that it was a whole loaf (as opposed to being 1/4 of the loaf which is how one must over the same amount of bread from Patisserie 46), however the Miche wasn't as good as the Patisserie 46's Miche.
(4)
E P.
I really enjoy the pastries, they are outstanding. I have been there several times with my friends, none of us have ever had a bad piece of pastry no matter what we pick. I regret to say that the espresso coffee, it doesn't matter if it is espresso, macchiato, or cappuccino, it has been below quality for the simple fact that it has an after taste of beans being over roasted, giving a burned after taste. Very disappointing for my friends and me who are european and know what a good espresso should really taste like. We have been several times and unfortunally the espresso was always...bad. 5 points for the pastries but only 1 point for the coffee, so I gave an overall rating of 3. They really should consider changing their coffee roasting process.
(3)
Joe P.
I'll be the first to admit that coffee is not among my snobberies. Given my druthers, I drink slightly sweet, coffee-favored milk. But be that as it may, I find it unacceptable to be told that half-caf won't be possible. They ended up doing it, but by that point the first impression had been made.
(3)
Mon P.
Passion fruit tart and Parmesan bread! .. i just love them.
(4)
Brooke S.
the setting: 1030am, saturday, one of the first 70 degree days of midwestern spring the backstory: groggy couple needs sugar, pastry and coffee the order: one vanilla bean scone, one apricot soleil, 2 cafe au laits. to go please! the experience: super busy but not crowded. free samples. courteous and friendly staff. delicious pastry treats and fresh coffee from high tech coffee makers. 10 bucks for a filling, if not super sugary, breakfast to be enjoyed on a bunch overlooking lake calhoun. what a treat!
(5)
Leah D.
We love Rustica. We love the coffee, the bread, the cookies, the lemonade, the location. What else is there to say. Well the location could be better, it could be next door to my house-wait I would gain a lot of weight and spend a lot of money-so correction the location is good, right off the greenway. Rustica, we love you.
Rustica's amazing-ness has turned out a congo line of rave reviews. I'm not usually a joiner -- like Groucho Marx, I don't want to join any group that might have me as a member! -- but in this instance let me join the chorus of ecstatic voices. First, the breads. )pause(. They deserve a full moment of silent respect. Americans just don't do bread well. Rustica is an exception: perfect balance between crusty shell, and chewy interior. I like the Rustic baguette (sold only on Saturdays) far more than the usual baguette, as it tastes more like a classic French baguette. The multigrain is tangy without being as dense as the Black Forest. Their olive bread and rolls has that perfect salty, savory flavor without overwhelming you. The Rustic loaf is a delicate, flavorful white bread, even for those who don't like white bread. Now the pastries. A few rough spots -- those eclairs look bloated, their proportions are all wrong -- but in general, oh so tasty! The Marjolaine and Opera are layered chiffon; the rhubarb galette uses a marvelous pastry base that nicely contrasts the tartness of the rhurbarb. It is all too much. Oh, yeah, and the coffee is good! I enjoy that you can actually taste the difference between the beans, I respect that some of these I don't like, and I am forever grateful I can now order a cappuccino without having to convince a bored fourteen-year old not to use too much milk.
(5)
Gene W.
Coffee very good, pastries even better, tried apricot soleil & fruit & nut bread with Vermont butter, with just a bit of delicious raspberry jam ...out of this world!
(5)
Jennifer H.
Husband used to work next door to the Java Jack's location and he'd frequently bring home treats from Rustica. The olive bread is fantastic. The baguettes are decent. But the real star is the bittersweet chocolate cookie. It is the perfect chocolate cookie. A tender center surrounded by a crust of sugar -- just enough to balance out the bitterness of the dark chocolate.
(5)
Lindsay C.
This place hasn't wowed me yet. After a trip to MGM and on my way home to cook a delightful dinner it hit me, "Ooo" I thought "Rustica is really close by and I've heard rave reviews, a wonderful dessert would be quite a compliment to my home-cooked dinner." Have to admit I was a little disappointed. It was close to 5pm granted (but on a Saturday night!) and the bakery cases were damn near empty with only two choices. Bread Pudding and something I can't remember (guess it wasn't memorable) I got the bread pudding and it was delicious but I was looking for more options, and ambiance. Bare walled and no music. Rustica I'll give you another whirl soon, guess I need to try the bread.
(3)
Darren G.
I think this place is absolutely amazing, to the point where I think I've tried everything in the bakery section - all very good. Additionally, the lattes are incredibly yummy. Probably here at least once per weekend, for the aforementioned reasons and good ambiance. My only complaint is that they should be cleaning the tables more...I often have to do that myself.
(5)
Kari D.
YUMMY! I make a special trip to get their olive bread - so good it makes my mouth water!
(5)
Scott R.
Incredible euro breads and treats. Close to perfection with French and Italian baking vernaculars. WonderCrusts with gluten wonders inside. My only quibble (and it's minor) is far too little chocolate in the pain au chocolat, and they're kind of bready, too. But hey, we can't all be Tartine. What I can't stand about Rustica/Java Jack's is how they maintain separate cash registers, which they seem to have decided to put close together, so that when it's busy that side of the space is a complete cluster. Also, the thing I like least about getting my coffee and pastry is the transaction part, why do you have to buzzkill and double it up on us? Figure out SKUs, run one register and divide the cash up!!!! I would go there three times more often. As it is, I'll only go in when I'm going by and can see that it's not busy.
(4)
Alex E.
Came here from new york on a visit after a quick search for a great cup of coffee. Really, really good, strong makes-me-happy coffee, that they grind up right in front of you. Wish I tried something in the bakery section!
(4)
Dena S.
Unsweetened cocoa in the mochas? Rustica, where have you been all my life?
(5)
Megan P.
This is hands down my favorite place in the twin cities. The coffee is the best-- where else can you get such quality? The pastries are outstanding. The lemon poppy seed scones are only served a few days a week, with crystallized lemon cubes, it is bursting with poppy and lemon flavor. My only request would be for a savory pastry such as a ham and cheese croissant!
(5)
Rona Y.
Excellent bread and pastries ... however do not come here expecting a traditional coffee shop where you can set up shop for a couple of hours, pull out the lap top and get work done! They only have one little corner that has electrical sockets, no other places! So unfortunate because I would totally come more often!
(3)
Jennifer W.
I wish I lived closer... or actually it's probably best that I don't! I wanted one of everything. I ended up ordering the cinnamon roll and at first I thought "they burnt it!" but then I took a bite and it melted in my mouth and was clearly baked to perfection. I also sampled the fruit and walnut bread and that was great as well. This is a great place to sit outside and enjoy a pastry... (when it isn't frigidly cold out!)
(4)
j e.
Best hot chocolate in Minnesota hands down. Their coffee and espresso is good but I prefer common grounds by just a little for a smooth espresso. However I've yet to find a better hot chocolate. Sandwiches are really fresh and have a nice flavor to them.
(5)
Carissa S.
Pretty good baked goods, but a sort of stuffy atmosphere. Scone was weak, but cinnamon bun was good. Also, strip mall location is pretty unappealing.
(2)
Julie S.
BG, it is true... The new Rustica is in the strip mall by Burger Jones. Once you are in, you can kind of forget the strip mall outside though. The old space was so cozy and quaint. This is huge, by comparison! I asked our barista about the move and he said that the back bakery area alone was bigger than the total space at the old location. It is still a little spartan, but I am sure decor is on its way. As for the goodies, they still have a good selection of breads and rotating breads of the day. We were there at night, so the sandwiches and bread selections were getting a little low. Bummer. I would have loved a loaf of the rye with brandy-soaked currants! I went with Jess, so I was on the "cookie and coffee before the MOA" mission the other night. Mission accomplished -- and then some! Their ginger cookie is FANTASTIC! It is a real ginger cookie, not a gingersnap. Delicious. I also like that they will brew your coffee either by coffee bong (not the official name, but it makes the coffee really smooth and sediment-free), pour-through (for those who like a little sediment) or clover (in the middle). What I really like is that they will ask you what coffee blend you want to order at whatever level of coffee-addict you are at. If you want a "medium" blend, they will give you a couple of options and a recommendation (ex: Guatamalan). No pretense or snobbishness. If you are a bean nerd, like me, they will get excited when you order your Ethiopoian because you like the "nice earthy, berry qualities" to it. Just a super friendly staff who seems really proud of what they make and serve.
(5)
katia H.
love the coffee and the treats.
(5)
Benjamin C.
ben c. here. interested in talking about bull run's coffee. It's great to finally have a coffeeshop in Minneapolis. this place is actually a joint venture between rustica and bull run coffee. someone needs to correct the title :) frankly, the espresso isn't quite as good as kopplin's. but it's still pretty awesome. located in uptown and relatively cheap. the prices are about 10-15% lower than kopplin's. the service is somewhat faster. their milk is homogenized. kopplin's sells unhomogenized milk. does this affect the consistency of the cappuccino? I certainly don't know, but the BRRCO baristas will have us believe that the unhomogenized milk separates more quickly. AHHHHHHHH, at least they're thinking about it! I recommend ordering a cappuccino and a bostok (sweet almond bread). best combination ever. get there early! Rustica sells out of the bostoks quickly.
(5)
Natalie W.
Best cookies I've ever purchased in a bakery. Or perhaps that I've eaten. The Rustica chocolate chip cookie made me think I'd died and gone to paradise. Same goes for the double (triple?) chocolate cookie. MELTS IN YOUR MOUTH! After reading more reviews, though, I'm gonna have to buy some bread, too! Also, the staff is awesome. I just wish they were open on Mondays, so I could pick up some baked goods for Monday Night Dinner!
(5)
Carlo H.
it was a rainy day and the damp chilly weather was calling for a cup of joe so we ventured over to the rustica bakery. entering rustica we were surprised how big the inside was. plenty of inside seating, nice open space. to warm our tummies up we got coffees and complimented them with a few pastries. the coffee menu was absolutely impressive. huge variety of coffee to choose from and different ways of brewing them. the unique thing about it is that the coffee although elaborately made right in front of you could cost only $1.75. they also serve a few non coffee drinks, like chocolate milk but this is not your nesquik chocolate milk, they fancy it a bunch by using dark chocolate shaving instead. be warned it doesnt come sweet when it gets to you, rather kind of bitter, buts a few sugar packets makes things all better. the pastries unfortunately were not as impressive as their coffee. we got the chocolate croissant which was about 99.9% croissant and 0.1% chocolate, not good. the chocolate/pecan swirl was a bit tough probably baked a little too long. the lemon danish was nicely done though. had a tangy kick to it that was not over powering. overall we enjoyed the relaxing environment and friendly staff to decide that we'd frequent this place again another soggy day or if in the area. give these guys a try and let them dazzle you with their impressive coffee making skills. heck where else can you get a drink and a show for less then two bucks.
(3)
karen y.
I've been enjoying Rustica breads for while now - they are sold in some of the best places in town, but today my daughter and I stopped in for bread, cappucino and a cookie. There are few words to describe the quality of the food and service. Eleven stars out of ten! I just hope that a bunch of those free-web leechers who sit there for hours over one little coffee will move their cheap a**es out so more paying customers can sbe there and have an enjoyable cup of coffee and treat.
(5)
Vita B.
very tasty bread, pastries, cakes, cookies, coffee....but be prepared to wait for very slow services and if you order coffee add 10 min to you wait. They do have a good reason for long wait for coffee, each cup is made from scratch and they take their time to make it perfect every time.
(4)
Lisa P.
will you please hurry up and move to my neighborhood? please? i've been dancing around like a kid trying not to pee my pants waiting for your new location. thanks.
(5)
P X.
I could not expect more from a bakery and coffee shop than what this place offers! Great location (OK, maybe the strip mall isn't ideal, but near Lake Calhoun, bus lines, and lots of apartment buildings make it super user friendly!). The bakery and coffee are out of this world. Try all of the cookies and the dark chocolate caramel tart (which comes in a few sizes) is to die for. L-O-V-E at first bite.
Delivery : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Good for Working : Yes
Emily N.
I must say, the rhubarb tart here just about knocked me off my feet. WOW. Hello spring!! If you love rhubarb, buttery & flakey crust, and a smooth and custard-like filling - this pastry will have you swooning (unless of course you're anti-carbs, butter, and heavy-cream). I came here after a nearby appointment for a decadent treat, it was about 2:30 in the afternoon. The place was surprisingly busy, lots of people in small groups chatting, all ages, a few people working, or just relaxing with a book. The atmosphere is open and casual, tables of all sizes. (I must say my only complaint was that the music being played was horrible 80s music - I mean, for a place like this, I'd expect some jazz or more ambient music - hint hint). I LOVE the coffee here, because it's Dogwood. So you can't go wrong. This coffee is some of the best around, my Americano was made perfectly. I'm already plotting my next return so I can try that amazing lemon & lavender tart I saw - which also came in a larger cake. But really I want to try a little bit of everything. There are cookies, croissants, treats that are filled with chocolate or fruit, bars & much more. If you love sweets & treats - this place is calling your name, well, actually - yelling your name. Newcomers beware - the parking lot is a bit small and is prone to self-righteous drivers. Just be prepared to be patient while driving around looking for a spot to park.
(5)Tim B.
Was in the area so I stopped in to grab a coffee. After taking my order it turned out that they were out of both light and dark roasts and had to wait 10 minutes for them to brew more.
(2)Josh K.
Hit up Rustica on a Saturday afternoon to slay a sweet tooth with the lady friend. I got the lemon-lavender cake and my girlfriend got the rhubarb tart. I'll start with the rhubarb tart. It was VERY good. Very very good. I was hoping for a bit more though, as the rhubarb wasn't as sweet as I thought to go with the saltiness of the butter tart. Don't get me wrong, it was still fantastic though. Perfect proportion too if you get the small tart and share. The lemon-lavender cake though... do yourself a favor and get this. If you're a lemon fan, this is a must. If you're not a lemon fan, this will make you one. The crystalized honey glaze over the cake is just the perfect sweetness to compliment the sour lemon flavor that is as good as it gets. Can't wait to go back and try some more desserts and the breads.
(4)Sarah K.
I heard great things about this bakery from a friend and had to check it out for myself. Like any great bakery you are hit with amazing smells as soon as you walk in the door. The bread and pastries are displayed beautifully! I'm not from the area and bought some bread to take home. The simple, classic Rustica loaf was AMAZING! I will make this a regular stop whenever I am in the Cities.
(4)Eunice P.
One of the best bakeries in Minnesota! The pastries are great and the coffee is good. I tried miel, latte and lemonade, and they were okay. It's always so exciting to try new pastry! So far i tried chocolate eclair, dark chocolate tart and butter cake and they were perfect; not too sweet, not too buttery. Good place for studying if you don't mind some noise and don't need power outlet.
(5)Lauren H.
I LOVE Rustica! I just went there for the first time this week and we kind of went nuts. We split an eclair and a croissant along with a couple of lattes while we were at the bakery but stocked up before leaving. We bought the lemon tart and danish. Out of the two, the tart was our favorite. It had a thick cookie crust - but not too thick. You also don't get jipped on the lemon. It's a good meringue to lemon to crust ratio. The same goes for the eclair (which we bought another before leaving), it is filled with delicious creamy custard. Something else that really stood out to us was that they used REAL vanilla in our lattes. When we were done we could see all of the little vanilla pod seeds at the bottom. However, not only are their pastries tasty but I bought one of their little rolls before leaving and that was amazing as well. If you're in the area definitely check it out. But if you're a bit further away, this place is worth the drive. Be forewarned that it's hard to find a seat in there, not because of lack of space but because it is so popular. We ended up next to the coffee bar, but that's also kind of fun because you can see them make all of the drinks.
(5)Tina T.
My gf had been raving about this place so we went for dessert. First off, the parking lot is an accident waiting to happen. There are so many retailers crammed into this strip so the parking situation is a circus ESP when deliveries are being made! I can't believe the number of trucks that were coming through here. As soon as we walked in, I got this stale vibe. It wasn't warm or cozy, seemed rather gloomy. For desserts, I had the coconut cake which was so dry and stiff. I thought my plastic fork was going to break! Couldn't tell if the cake had been previously frozen because it didn't taste cold...? I had one bite and sent it packing with my gf. She had her favorite bittersweet chocolate cookie (if you love cake-cookies, this is for you). On the upside there is plenty of seating and a little book in back. Good place to maybe grab coffee, sit down with your laptop and take yourself super seriously.
(2)Jocelyn G.
I love this place. Must say that Greek salad has a bit too much fiber. Broccoli should be cooked a bit? Maybe fresh tomatoes? Otherwise it is wonderful.
(5)Irene D.
Rustica bakery is my favorite coffee place. They make the best espresso drinks and have the bombest pasteries. My order of choice is a cortado with a kouign amman. Rustica's kouign amman is a study in perfect balance. It is like a salty/sweet crusty croissant. The salt and sweet counteracts the bitterness of the espresso. It is a combination that is greater than the mere sum of it's parts.
(5)Marisa P.
I love rustica! Not only is it a perfect location being right by Lake Calhoun but it has amazing outdoor seating and is a great place to kind of chill read a book relax drink some coffee and eat some amazing food. I got a couple desserts that were amazing and a lemon Lavender drink which was seasonal. Honestly I could rave on for hours about how manyhours about how amazing rustica is but I'm not going to because just go see it yourself honestly it's like a burst of amazing flavor in your mouth!!!! xoxo trust and believe haha!
(5)William S.
After hearing all the raves about the Bittersweet Chocolate Cookie I just had to make the trip to try it. While there I tried the traditional Rustic Chocolate cookie as well. I must have hit them on a bad day as neither cookie was tender nor flavorful. If these cookies make the masses rave I'm going to encourage mom to start her own chocolate cookie business.
(2)Jonathan T.
Dieters, you have been warned. Do not visit Rustica. This place is like a carb brothel, where you can indulge yourself in all types of sweet goodies. Eat too many, and you'll be seeing your doctor about how to treat your STD (Sweet Tooth Disease) also known as Type II Diabetes. But seriously, I say this because I had the most decadent chocolate éclair there. I'm not trying to be sensational either. During my first bite of my first chocolate éclair, I closed my eyes and said "OMG @!#&$*() Hadoken Cash Money Millionaires" and did a back flip while on top of a moving Escalade. I'm sure all the dopamine in my body was released at one time, which caused me to black out. I then proceeded to have the best nap of my life. The sexy chocolate, the creamy filling, the perfectly baked flour-body all came together to form something incredible. It's like how the Power Rangers always had those Zords that came together to create a Megazord (RIP Yellow Ranger). I love the bakery and I think the drinks are decent. Unfortunately, their food -not baked goods- is not the greatest. There was one beet salad that my girlfriend and I couldn't finish, because of the odd flavor combinations. So, don't come here for the food, come for the baked goods. But seriously, incredible baked goods. Come here now.
(5)Kien N.
Check out their Eclairs and Bittersweet Chocolate Chip Cookies! Their coffee was good but a bit pricey. It's a solid study spot, but make sure to come with a full laptop battery because outlets are very limited. Also, the wifi is slow as molasses, so download your notes ahead of time! I.ALWAYS.GO.FOR.THE.ECLAIRS.MY.GAWD.
(4)Amanda K.
I've only been here once but will be back. Based on other reviews I had the Vanilla Latte and a bittersweet chocolate cookie. Neither disappointed. Staff wasn't uber friendly and I couldn't find an outlet so had to cut my working session short, otherwise I'd probably give them 5 stars. Picked up some beans while I was there and the coffee from those has been delicious as well. A bit pricey ($15 and up for 12 oz) but you do get a complimentary cup of coffee.
(4)Ice T.
tried several pastries here. rustica, salty tart, and patisserie 46 are the three bakeries in the area that have gotten the most critical attention, and of those, rustica's pastries were the most refined. you could see the technique in the layers and flakiness of the pastry. that said, I wish their flavors were a little more bold.
(4)Preet S.
Everything about this place way great. The fresh baked bread, pastries, desserts cannot be beat. The pour-over (bit hipster) coffee is great, true baristas working here, unlike over there at starbucks. Albeit the place is very hipster, they do it in a good way. Everything works, they are not trying too hard. They know what they have and are doing it good. I just hope they stay that way and dont try to change, just to keep sales up. The whole time I was there around 2pm they had a line. Special Notes: Try the Kouing Amman (Queen Amman), Try to get their earlier in the day for fresher pastries. The kitchen closes at 2PM so if you want something heated up, that wont be happening. Great place, give it a try.
(5)Yuriy G.
Place is almost always busy, means they must be doing something right. The cofee is good and the art they do is better than your typical spyhouse. The bakery there is awesome, best combination ever with your coffee
(5)Gretchen B.
I went in on a Sunday afternoon for a post-brunch dessert. The place was busy, too busy to get a table so we ordered our pastries and left. We got a chocolate-pecan tart which I wish I hadn't wasted my stomach space on...because the chocolate eclairs were SO GOOD. Additionally, I bought a challah loaf to make French toast with at a later date, but I ended up eating the whole loaf that day. If you're able to get a table, this is a cute place to grab a coffee and a treat with a friend, and then go for a walk around Calhoun!
(4)Kre C.
I love their bread, but was very disappointed last weekend when I went to have coffee with a friend. I got the bruscetta with fresh tomatoes and a cup of regular coffee. $3.80 for a cup of "Mixed Tape" coffee from a thermos (not french press or other fancified preparation)....and then another $3.80 for a refill! Highway robbery. Shame on you Rustica.
(1)Lara M.
This place has delicious cookies! Try the bittersweet chocolate cookie. I love to go and play cards or study or work on my laptop here. However, sometimes it can get loud and some of the patrons are not as respectful as I would like. However, you must check out the awesome bakery selection and the wonderful tea! They do have outdoor seating in the summer. If you can walk up here, that is great as the lights around Calhoun can be sooo long so traffic can interfere with a relaxing bakery visit. Enjoy!
(4)Brittanie M.
Popped in here after dinner to check it out and they didn't have anything really left (the bakery case was pretty empty) which leads me to believe they only bake in the morning instead of throughout the day. They also serve Dogwood espresso which I'm not fond of. Definitely a place to go to in the morning if you work in the area rather than as a late snack.
(3)Ned C.
There isn't really much that needs to be said. I came here to waste an hour and do homework while my wife was getting a massage. She had heard that the coffee was great, so I figured I would come grab a cup of Joe and doing some accounting. I didn't expect THIS. First of all, experience has taught me that a line wrapped around the counter and into the seating area usually means good things. It moved quickly, and it walked us right by the pastry shelves. And I wasn't even hungry, but as soon as I saw everything, I had to get something. It was the vanilla eclair with chocolate frosting. The sign said it was made fresh daily, and I have to agree that it was. I kept shuffling through the line, holding my prize, until I got to the register. I picked out my coffee, and my only complaint is that there were very few options. I shuffled over to the bar and sat down. One bite of my eclair, and I was done. D-U-N Done. I couldn't even complete a thought. Yeah, it was THAT good. The guy making coffee across from me kept snickering as I inhaled the thing. The chocolate covered my hands and I didn't even notice. I would have licked the plate and wrapper if there weren't fifty strangers nearby. The eclair was done before my coffee was even finished off by the broista. Yes, that's the male term for barista, and yes I copyrighted it... And the coffee? Yeah, it was GOOD. It was served in one of those rustic looking ceramic coffee mugs. It was the perfect drinking temp. The mocha and espresso were blended just right. And it had enough caffeine to make my brain explode. Did I mention I'm ex-Army, and caffeine usually has zero effect on me? Well, this stuff WORKED. I can't type these words fast enough for my fingers to catch up to my thoughts. So, yeah, come visit this place. Because I'll drag the other half over here when she's done with the massage. Maybe. I think I got the better end of the deal with this visit... :)
(5)M K.
The food is incredible. I love their baked goods. The staff is super sweet, except for the one woman that brushed me off once or twice. Try the Bouchon if you're ever in the mood for a rich chocolate treat. Their Butter Cake is to die for. I LOVE their (Vermont) butter...so good! I definitely recommend visiting this place. I would have given it five stars had it not been for that one rude chick.
(4)Erin L.
The eclair was amazing, as advertised on Yelp--thanks for the recommendation! And the latte was good, not great...but the fancy latte art is always appreciated! Went there to do some work and I got the vibe it was more of a place to meet and eat. Would I return? Absolutely! ...but not to work on my thesis.
(4)Darcy W.
This place is absolutely fabulous! The tea, coffee, pastries, and breakfast are unique and worth getting out of bed for! Lunch order a salad... Yes they are all fresh and just plain wonderful! The staff is friendly, cheery, and efficient. This is a place to add to your uptown breakfast and lunch stops!
(5)Elyse A.
Pastry addicts UNITE! This is your Midwest mecca. As an enthusiast for all things flaky and carby and gluteny, I love Rustica. Their croissants are flaky. Scones are crumbly and sweet. And their lattes. GOOD GOD, THEIR LATTES...beautiful warm milky cups of heaven. I could write a poem about it. But I won't. So yes. Their pastries and lattes are divine (not to mention their double chocolate chip cookies, which can be used to bribe anyone you want to do anything you want). The only thing I am not head over heels for, is how crowded this place gets. I mean, that's what happens when you make exceptional high-end yummies in a well-to-do suburb. But I find that part kind of a bummer. If you're looking for a place to relax and read and look at the snow fall lazily as you read Thoreau, this spot is it. Just make sure that time is not a weekend morning. I'm telling you. PACKED. Not relaxing. And full of students camping out for houuuuuuuurs. So stop by and grab those treats and a latte, and read that Thoreau at home. Plus if you read it at home, you can eat all 6 of those double chocolate chip cookies in private. Without judgement. EVERYBODY WINS!
(5)Lindsey W.
I can't believe I hadn't tried this place yet! I was seriously missing out. The coffee is amazing and they do the fun leaf pattern in your drink, man I'm a sucker for that! Like everyone else has said, try the bitter sweet chocolate cookies, they are so decadent and delicious. I wanted to be a really fat kid and try just about everything there but controlled myself to just 1 cookie!
(4)Diana D.
Breaking news! They just increased the price on the cookies by 25 cents on Monday. At $1.25 for a cookie is pretty pricey but still chump change. I don't know what else they increased their prices on. On the other hand, Rustica, you're still my favorite and I forgive you. Never noticed the music before but they are currently playing Justin Timberlake's new CD. I'm digging it. Very hip and relaxing at the same time. The staff are very friendly. It's 5:00 pm and its not busy at all, perfect if you want to come here to get some quiet time and do some work. My usuals are a cup of Jasmine Green tea with honey and a chocolate chip cookie and a bittersweet cookie. I definitely recommend the cookies! The chocolate chip cookie is made extremely flat; the center is so soft and the outer crust chewy. Hmmm truly what I call the perfect cookie. The bittersweet cookie is soft as well and tastes almost like a brownie. I'm gonna go dump out my piggy bank now.
(5)Eduardo C.
Best baguette, best chocolate cookie, excellent miche, very good egg sandwich. Nice staff and ambiance. I go there every chance I get without hesitation
(5)Ellie S.
Delicious pastries and a great family owned gem. Cappuccino art and buttery cookies, what's not to love.
(5)Louise M.
It is probably my most visited place in the Twin Cities, but I always forget to check in every time I'm there because I was too busy drooling over chocolate eclair. Chocolate eclair is one of my favorite things. Don't believe me? Check my profile. I just don't love eating it but I love making it. However, now I can just go to Rustica and get eclaired out anytime. Seriously, their eclair is the bomb. It is perfect. The cream filling is cold and sweet, with hint of real vanilla bean in there. The crust is hard but not tough, just the right consistency. When you sink your teeth into it, you just forget about the world's problem for a second. Then, you can't wait to take your second bite. That's when you know you're devouring something special. Their cherry frangipane is also another favorite. They're one of a kind. Their old fashioned chocolate chip cookies, the bittersweet cookies are also truly exceptional. I also enjoy some of their savory items. Last year, they had this ham and bean soup. It was so good beyond belief, but they hadn't have it on their menu since. I haven't seen it anyway. I take anyone that visit me from out of town to Rustica for the best cup of coffee and eclair. When I gave up eating flour and sugar for awhile, I had to cheat for the eclair. It is that good! I also love my latte here. It is strong, not sour, not bitter, with milk frothed just enough. Plus, they made cool design on top. I don't know how they do it. If you order a drink with whipped cream, you won't get whipped cream from the can. It is real cream, made there with those tiny specks of vanilla bean. I would have given five stars if it weren't for these: it is always packed with people. It is hard to get a seat at times. Then, it makes a great place to do some work, but no electrical outlets to be used by the tables. I guess if they do have outlets, it would be even harder to get a table because people really just won't leave. Another thing that bugs me but at the same time brilliant is when you check out using a credit card, they turn their ipad system over to you where you are presented with three choices of tipping percentages. Then, they look away as you're mulling over the choices. All of them are too high for coffee or if you buy baked goods to go. But it is working for them since you're in the sales process and when there are choices, people tend to choose. Plus, you don't want to look cheap. So it is truly genius, but at the same time it irks me to be pressured to tip more than I want. If I buy $25 to go bakery, $5 tip is definitely not necessary in my book. They also have stations where you buss your own table when you're done. They really had it figured out. Get you to tip, and clean up after yourself dammit! However the eclair and coffee trump those annoyance. I go here every chance I get and bring one dollar bills for tips and tip as I see fit.
(4)Sarah M.
Bittersweet Chocolate Cookies. That's all I have to say. Just kidding, I'll hash this out a bit. Rustica is a wide open shop with white walls and bright sunlight. Perfect for getting work done or reading a good book with a date across from you. I've only had baked goods and coffee here, but all have been phenomenal. The cookies though, are life changing. They do offer some different breakfast and lunch items now, which I'm curious to try. They do coffee well. Yes, there was some confusing drama a couple years ago involving them and another high-end coffee roaster, but they seem to have settled into their own skin. The only real downfall is that, well, this place is busy. Sometimes its hard to find a spot to sit, and it can be loud. But that damn cookie.
(4)Alex Y.
Whenever I have visitors to Minneapolis, we always pay one (or two) visits to Rustica. I have not found a chocolate tart that I like more than what I have had at Rustica. The filling is chocolatey, caramel-y deliciousness accompanied by a flakey crust that melts in your mouth. In fact, the crust is so - for lack of a better word - awesome that I would be OK with just having the crust as a dessert. Get a coffee along with the tart and you have yourself a great fika (a word my Swedish friend has imprinted into my vocabulary). I have a love-hate relationship with Rustica's baguettes. Mostly love. Only hate because the baguette was so good I decided to eat one whole baguette by myself in one sitting and felt ill for the rest of the afternoon. The first few bites were delicious! The last few bites were loathsome for reasons beyond Rustica's control (i.e. my stupidity). I have had several of the pastries and desserts here, and they are all decent (nothing quite as good as the tart). Rustica also provides samples of the breads.
(4)Jim R.
I guess I was expecting more when I final found time to stop in to this renown bakery on a recent Sunday morning. Perhaps all the accolades had gone to my head or I was a bit guilty for waiting so long to try them out as there are so many outstanding places like this now across the twin cities. Anyway, we stopped by at around 9 a.m for a little breakfast cuing up in the short line. First problem, the case nearest the door was totally empty and the small case next to it was difficult to see while in line so when one of the eager servers rushes up and ask "what can I get for you?" we were a little startled. So I sputtered out an order for a croissant and my spouse a chocolate eclaire (cause that's all she could see where she was standing). Oh well - we were recently in France so a couple of French pastries would be fine. Next issue when we move up the remaining 6 feet to the crowded cash register and order orange juice, thinking some fresh squeezed OJ would be nice, we hear "sorry, all sold out." (Sold out of Orange Juice on a Sunday morning at 9 a.m.?! Either there was a HUGE run on OJ that sleepy Sunday morning or the people running the place aren't very savvy business people. Perhaps their fame has gone to their heads as well?) Anyway to make a long story short - the pastries were good - perhaps 4 star quality but the over all experience was very disappointing. So in my book, I'm probably not going to venture over to uptown just for this bakery. Bottom line for me, overrated.
(3)Scott T.
just can't say enough good things about RUSTICA BAKERY. i liked the place enough to make a second pilgrimage all the way from CALIFORNIA. their GOUGERES (savory, pate a choux pastry puffs with ham and gruyere) are better than mine and i've only said somebody made something better than me once before in a review so trust me when i say they're special. RUSTICA's ECLAIRS (VANILLA e-CLAIRS with CHOCOLATE GLAZE) and SWEET SUMMER TEA CAKES were both very, very good but the CHERRY FRANGIPANES sent me straight thru the roof. they have a petite lunch and breakfast menu if you're hungry enough to eat and not just graze -- doubt you can go wrong either way. i'm not a pastry guy but would fly to MINNEAPOLIS just for a sandwich at CLANCEY's and one of RUSTICA's CHERRY FRANGIPANES.
(5)Amy B.
SO, the pastries are lovely but the owner is a monster. What a rude and crazy women. Why she was so hostile to our group I have no idea. She also does not use wax paper or gloves when handling your food or pastries. I hope the health board checks this place out, if she is doing this in front of you one can only imagine what is going on in her kitchen! Too bad, since the pastries are yummy but there are so many wonderful bakeries why would I go here where I am abused? Not very Minnesotan.
(1)Kristi C.
In my humble opinion, one of, if not THE best place to buy sweets and baked goods in the Twin Cities. I'll admit I don't eat a lot of bread, but when I know it's Rustica, I happily indulge because it's that good. This is also become one of my favorite places for cold press coffee. I have tried to replicate the depth of flavor they achieve and come no where close to the cold press nirvana they've perfected!
(5)Hyai ine C.
My favorite bakery in the TC. They produce excellent pastries and breads, along with great caffeinated drinks. I believe this place could more than hold its own in places like NY, SF, Paris or Tokyo, and yes, I have been to those cities and sampled baked goods extensively at their top bakeries.
(5)Priya Z.
Now, I'm not much of a coffee caffeine drinker to begin with, but this is definitely a place to be if you are. I recently visited this place with my out of town sibling and mother. Both thought this place was a major delight. My mother loved their bakery selection and my sibling loved their beverages they had to offer. I am much simpler and only require a tasty breakfast with a nice glass of water. I got their yogurt and fruit with granola. Oh boy is that delicious, and filling too. It can get pretty busy, but if you aren't afraid to sit by people you have never met, and are willing to share the space, then this is the place for you. Enjoy the atmosphere an
(4)Anjali C.
I think I just got diabetes. So worth it. I have only had these delicious treats to go but I will need to stop in soon! Eclair - just the right amount of bittersweet chocolate with fluffy, sweet, delicious filling. Scone with currants - moist (as a scone can be) dense and just the right balance of sweet and bready. Latte - also delicious. What can I say about a latte??? I've yet to try the famous cookies or their bread, but I'll be back. Possibly after an awesome dinner next door!
(5)Holly M.
It's true what they say about their bittersweet chocolate cookies...they are awesome! I also picked up a loaf of egg braid w/raisin and a pistachio chocolate danish for later...those were also very tasty! I wanted to hang around and have a latte but I didn't have time AND the place was packed full on a Friday morning...crazy! Next time I'll make sure to sit and enjoy one
(5)Melissa S.
I was probably over-excited after reading all the glowing yelp reviews, but I just didn't love this bakery like I thought I would. I went around 11am on a Saturday after picking up my glasses at Calhoun Vision Center next door and the place was absolutely PACKED with families with screaming kids, bikers in their silly spandex, and fancy Euros. The line was out the door. I would have left to go somewhere else, but I wanted a chocolate croissant, dammit!!! I had been looking forward to getting one all week! Despite the crowd, I only waited in line for about 10 minutes. I ordered a chocolate croissant and a lemon pastry. The ordering process can be kind of confusing because there's one line for the pastries & breads, and another for the coffee. So after getting my baked goods, I ordered a vanilla latte, and managed to find an empty spot to wait for my latte, and wait for my boyfriend to meet me there. The latte was good, though not quite as sweet as I was expecting--but still very good. The chocolate croissant was a huge letdown though, as there was barely any chocolate in it. Like only two bites worth. The lemon pastry was nice and tart, but nothing spectacular. When the boy showed up we sat outside to eat, and he decided he wanted to order a sandwich in addition to the pastries, so he got back in line and ordered the egg salad sandwich with avocado, to go. 15 minutes later, he storms out in a huff, upset that it took that long to make a damn sandwich, and irritated by all the noise and chaos (clearly, we're not morning people). We opened up the to-go box and his reaction was "WTF IS this???" It was two small slices of crostini, topped with egg salad & avocado, with some baby greens on the side. Not what he thought he was getting for $9. However, we both agreed that it was absolutely DELICIOUS and one of the best egg salad "sandwiches" we'd ever had, we just wished there was more of it. They boyfriend's final verdict on this place was an "upscale, overpriced Panera." I think that's a little harsh, but I wouldn't go out of my way to stop here again unless I was in the neighborhood.
(3)Andrea R.
I've been here so many times and tried so many things, never being disappointed with my choices. The pastries taste very fresh and soft, no overnight consistency/texture. Of all items my favorites are: 1) bittersweet chocolate cookie, 2) egg sandwich on a croissant, 3) the coffee, oh sooooo good!, 4) the apple cider. Worth every penny!
(5)Sharon L.
Great foam, strong espresso in my cappuccino. Cute set up with all the cuava cones and really tasty coffee. The breads are freshly made but the one I got wasn't warm. Seems to be a problem with a lot of pastries at this place. Tossing it into the toaster for a few seconds might be a good idea.
(4)R K.
Since I moved to US, I have been missing an European style bakery. Rustica provides a great substitute with their fresh baked bread, pastries, and coffee. They can size down their "jumbo" eclairs to become a yet greater substitute. Weekend mornings get pretty crowded, but lines clear fast. The ambiance is nice, too, I often work there on my laptop weekends.
(4)Joelle P.
2nd trip to Rustica and I felt obligated to update my review a bit. The service was a little slow today, my latte took a really long time. This is probably because they only had one barista working, the other two people seemed to only be cashiering...I'm not sure if it is always like this or not. The one barista was pretty crabby. The woman who got her drink right before me ordered it "to-go" and apparently one of the cashiers messed up her order and labeled as "for here" so the barista poured it into a mug. When the woman told the barista that she actually would like it to go, the barista rolled her eyes and looked annoyed and then scolded the cashiers saying "ugh, this has been happening all day". She made no apology to the woman and just made a show of how hard it was to pour the drink into a to-go cup. Okayyy, so then I was really nervous that the cashier had not put "to-go" on my order, even though he did ask me. Fortunately for both of us, it came right up in a to-go cup and I was on my way. My latte was delicious, as usual. Buuut I just had to dock a star and let people know, the service here apparently isn't consistently great. And, be sure to specify "for here" or "to-go" or you may get the death stare. Watch out.
(4)Anna F.
Oh Rustica, one day I'm going to die of a heart attack because of you but I'll be ok with that because you fill my life with delicious and flaky croissants that cannot be found anywhere else. I try to cut you off, but somehow I alway manage to find another one of your crack-filled pastries in my hands. Nothing satisfies me more than drinking a hot single origin espresso and a pastry to go with it....
(4)Lorraine N.
i really love this place. They have so many offerings of breads that I am overwhelmed but noticed the prices were more than fair. If I lived closer I would be purchasing bread here on a weekly basis I got some type of little treat for 5.00 and it was a dense little moist cake with orange and almond flavoring. It was really wonderful. The daughter loves the little chocolate cookies. Oh I highly recommend stopping by here and treating yourself to something.
(5)Chen P.
I've been to Rustica lots of times, and my experiences have varied from 1 to 5 stars. Some things are really great and others, not so much. This morning was a 1-star kind of morning. The great: OMG the eclairs. The bread. Did I mention the eclairs? The not-so-great: Today's chocolate croissant really tasted like it had been made yesterday. It was dried out and a little hard on top. Also, when they made it they put the chocolate in the bottom layer so that it burned against the hot pan when they baked it. I asked the guy at the counter to heat it up a bit to see if that would help with the stale-ness, and he told me they don't have any way to heat anything--which seemed odd for, um, a bakery. I ordered a large 12-ounce latte, which came in a small-ish cup that was far less than 12 ounces. It was maybe an 8-ounce cup, if that. It's a pet peeve of mine when a place gives you a bigger cup when you order 'to go" than when you opt to drink it there. In their defense, the latte itself was fantastic. I was just a little crabby because I would have liked to enjoy the 12 ounces I actually paid for. I'll be back for bread and eclairs, but I'm taking this off my short list of Go To places for breakfast. Sigh.
(3)Leah O.
Rustica, it's not you- it's me. Or rather, it's Minneapolis. I am so totally underwhelmed by your bread, on a regular basis. Charging over $4 a loaf for bread the size of a softball should be illegal. Bread that dries out in a matter of hours, leaving you with only a hockey-puck husk of the bread's former mediocrity, should be regulated by a Board of Bakers or at least sold with a complimentary jar of jam to get you past the honeymoon phase. Do I sound bitter? Bread is life, my friends, and this is larceny. BUT I wouldn't know it was larceny if there weren't six other bakeries doin' it better than you. Were you based in Denver, CO (the Bakery Desert of America) I'd patronize you on the daily. But you're not. You're here, where I have choices, and that works against you. Your pastries are fine. Your butter cake is like two day-old croissants panini-pressed and dunked in glaze, which is aight. Your brioche, as mentioned before, is light and crunchy and fine. Your ginger cookies are not fine, they are freaking fantastic, and that will never change. Also love the huge window with the bench seating, where I plan on spending many days this winter reading and writing with a latte. So we'll continue hanging out. You're just not my first-string bakery. And that's A-OK.
(3)Michael N.
Thursday. ~1:00 pm. Me, "I'd like to order a Mortadella sandwich?" Counter person, "We're out of Mortadella." Me, "Cod sandwich?" Counter person, "We're out of cod." Me, "How about the kitsch?" Counter person, "We're out of kitsch." Me, "Thanks, bye." I can't rate what they don't have. What a waste of time.
(1)D S.
One of the best in Minneapolis!!! The bread is amazing as well as the coffee & cookies & pastries. I usually take things to go although it always seems very crowded with the laptop crowd. Apple laptops of course :)
(5)Kohleen L.
I FINALLY stopped in to Rustica the other day for a much needed break from my Christmas shopping extravaganza. Not having been there before, I asked the curly-haired chap who greeted me behind the pastry counter (and who looks & talks like he just stepped out of the highlands of Scotland) to recommend something to drink (as I already had my eye on a pecan shortbread cookie). I ended up trying a Vanilla Miel (described as a latte with honey), and it was very good (not too sweet). I was a little bummed they don't have skim milk, but was fine with the 1%. I LOVED the pecan shortbread--so much in fact, that I wish I would've gotten two! I must say it's a wee bit pricey (about $4.75 for my 8 oz. miel and cookie (which was only $1), but it's worth the treat. I brought my laptop with me to get a little bit of work (and Yelping) done while I enjoyed my Rustica specialties. It was pretty busy, but finding an outlet wasn't a problem. Although there were quite a number of people around, it was a fairly quiet atmosphere--one I'm sure to enjoy again soon.
(4)Timothy M.
Note: This an edit of my prior review of this Bakery. I live a short walk from the bakery, and I am a latte-a-day kinda guy. We have several coffee shops in the community and I would rate the coffee here as the best around. My prior review focused on the fact that I had a meal here, that was quite unsatisfactory in my opinion (bad, bad oatmeal). The shop was so busy, that I could not address it with the staff at that moment. However, I did fill out their online comment card. I am happy to report that the management responded in a matter of hours with a good faith effort to make it right. I found that so nice, that I felt the review had to mention this, rather than end with my editorial on oatmeal quality. The bottom line is that I mainly go here for the coffee and they definitely got that right. The staff is great and the management, seem to respond to my complaint in a manner that makes me think customer service is important. I'll have to wait to see if I can find a menu item that agrees with me, but that might be hard since this is a bakery and I hate sugar. However, my primary reason for walking through the door is my coveted lattte... so I am upgrading my previous review to 4 STARS.
(4)Randall N.
In my opinion this is one of the top bakeries in the Twin Cities. So many breads to choose from. Decent pastry selection and a great small menu of brunch style offerings to sit and eat. Excellent coffee too. Strong but drinkable and perfectly roasted. I only wish I lived closer. On a weekend morning the place gets busy though. Line out the door and baked goods going fast. Get here early. The line moves fast but if you are planning on sitting down and enjoying your goods you might be out of luck.
(4)Jill P.
These are some of the best pain au chocolate (chocolate croissants?) in the twin cities. And the most amazing coffee and lattes.
(5)Kris W.
This place is a frustrating place to study. They have only two outlets and no extension cords or power strips. If the tables next to the outlets are in use and your computer is running low, you are out of luck.
(3)Abby H.
Hang in the neighborhood often and have enjoyed getting coffee at Rustica. Last visit I ordered the egg salad without bread, being I am gluten-free. The staff refused to prepare the dish without bread & were extremely rude about it. Not planning on going back for food anytime soon when there are so many other good options nearby.
(1)Thang C.
I love that they make their own vanilla from actual vanilla beans. Lactose intolerant though and they don't have any milk options other than dairy. The staff also seems to have a chip on their shoulders rather than wanting to take care of the guest. Service is everything and sadly, I can't say the service I get here is worth shouting about...on numerous occasions.
(2)Alex M.
My review is going to be narrow because I get basically 2 things at Rustica: A chocolate chip cookie and/or a ginger cookie. I am a big cookie fan, and the perfect chocolate chip cookie is hard to come by, but here it is. They have the. best. chocolate chip cookies in. the. world. They are large, flat, crazy chewy, crunchy along the edges, and have just a hint of cinnamon flavor. And the ginger cookies. Oh my. Sooo good. I've been there many times, and I've always had good service. I took away a star because the cookie availability is unpredictable. I never know when I go in there if they'll have both of my cookies types, only one of the two, or neither of the cookies. I suppose with a name like "Rustica" you have to expect a certain level of irregularity, kind of a "we make what we want when we want it" vibe, but it's just disappointing sometimes. But that's it.
(4)Marianna G.
You might think of Rustica as just another coffee shop, but I'm learning that it actually serves some of the best food I've had in this city. It's funny, because I'm a complete coffee addict, but I'm probably the only person in the whole world who sort of cringes when I drink their coffee. Something about their beans is really acidic to me, so I usually stick to tea when I'm there. But who cares about the coffee!? Several weeks ago, I ordered the beet salad, and it was the most gorgeous, tasty salad I've ever had. It had cubes of beets with orange and pistachio and goat cheese, and decorating the plate was this beautiful arrangement of beet puree. That food was gone in no time. This week, my sister and I split the salmon pastrami sandwich with the Mississippi-greens side salad, a bowl of the cauliflower soup, and the rhubarb tart. We were probably really obnoxious to listen to, like we'd never been served good food before, but we were seriously in awe of this food. The cauliflower soup had hazelnuts and currants, along with PICKLED CAULIFLOWER. If you think that creamy cauliflower soup is usually bland, that's because you haven't had it with pickled deliciousness. Our faces and exclamations said anything you'd need to know about how good it was, and I won't try to replicate that excitement here, but go to Rustica and order this soup. The salmon pastrami sandwich was equally mind-blowing. First off, it's SALMON PASTRAMI. Can you wrap your head around how tasty that is? I couldn't, even after I ate it. It was served on Rustica's perfect bread, with spicy mustard and braised cabbage (it also had little bits of dried cabbage!). If I could eat this sandwich every day, I probably would. The mustard's spice was perfectly balanced with the subdued cabbage and the salty salmon, and the bread held it all together. The Mississippi-greens salad is also worth it, containing just little micro greens and a vinaigrette. We finished off with the rhubarb tart, which had a delectably sugared, crispy-flaky crust and just the right amount of rhubarb. YUM! The portions are small here, so if you're really hungry be prepared to split a few things. This food will NOT disappoint you. And the bread! Always fresh and made in-house. The olive bread and the miche are worth their own trip. Stop by, bring a book, and settle in for the most surprisingly delicious lunch you'll have at a coffee shop!
(5)Jessica L.
I have to put an update on two pastry items that Tian had made me try (she made this her personal mission): - Bostok pastry -I love brioche! When I was in Paris, I had it every single friggen day and this Rustica creation was an amazing sweet delicacy that gave homage to the great brioche. I will forewarn though, that it is on the sweet side. - Kouign Amann- It looks so unassuming... so ordinary. And when I took the first bite, I was reminded of the taste of 'butterfly cookies' and wasn't too impressed. But as I ate my second bite, I loooved how its flakiness showed itself. It's a messy dish, but trust me, you'll want to scoop up all those little bits into your mouth (Because... well, I sure did) Love you, Rustica!
(5)Jessica A.
Wow! What a diamond of a bakery.... I'm so glad (or maybe i'm in trouble?) that I live pretty close to this gem. Sugar addict; yes, I've taken the first step in admittance long time ago. But it's been hard to move forward past that..... From reading the reviews, I anticipated good ginger cookies and some gourmet coffee -- what I didn't expect until I visited, was how COOL this place is! Love, love, love it..... just everything about this space is so cool. (Whoever designed this comfy contemporary "rustic" bakery is pretty hip.) But.... being all about the good here -- I've been in several times now and can comment on: Yes, the ginger cookies are DOPE! The chocolate chip cookies are my absolute FAV in the Cities area Super delicious chocolate pistachio danish Delicious almond danish -- a bit too dry, flaky for me (I prefer Almond croissant w/ more almond paste) Coffee -- pretty tasty, but don't go for the small sized - -it's SUPER small :) Breads, bread, and more bread -- i have yet to try any but they look delicious. Especially the Olive Bread (I love......olives!) Staff was fairly friendly. They make a lot of specialty coffees here, so be prepared to wait a minute for drip coffee. BUT....what's really cool is that Rustica is the bakery that Surdyk's Flights yelp.com/biz/surdyks-fli… in MSP gets their bakery items from. I used to ALWAYS grab a choc chip cookie there for $1.50, and cookies are VERY reasonably priced here at only $1.00 :) :) Suhhhh---weet!!
(5)Carolyn A.
Rustica is one of those places that I'm actually glad is not closer to my house...because I would be there. every. day. Everything I've gotten at Rustica has been fantastic: chocolate croissant, regular croissant, coffee (the roast was called Mix Tape!), rustic loaf and more. The baked goods are truly some of the best in the Cities. The service is very friendly and even though I've been there during some peak times, the line moves relatively quickly. The seating area is comfortable and there are usually tables available, even on weekends. Yum, yum and yum.
(5)Lourdes M.
LOVE RUSTICA! It gets very crowded on weekend mornings and sometimes at lunch, but that is because it is awesome. The decor is fabulous, vintage industrial, and has a friendly staff. The smells alone are worth going into the shop for! Their bread is fabulous, especially their gougeres. The pastries are lovely and the coffee is divine.
(5)Jim J.
Miche bread is still magne.
(4)Melissa H.
The cookies and bread are fantastic!!! They have a great bakery selection. The coffee drinks are kind of hit or miss. I've had really great cappuccinos and I've had pretty terrible. I think it depends on the barista. It's definitely a top coffee shop around the twin cities regardless.
(4)Sarah Z.
Today I finallyyyy visited Rustica, after being steered away from it time and again for months. It was pretty good. I liked the inside of the bakery/cafe--which has a clean but nostalgic feel to it. The people behind the counter were fine, but I wish they would have tried to be a little more genuine. That would have made my experience better. The pastries were good. The bostok was unforgettable. This is my recommendation to anyone who goes here. But then again I haven't had the apricot pinwheel that everyone raves about. It was almondy with another sweet edge to it that I didn't recognize--me and my narrowly experienced palette. Yumminess. So that's what my friend got. Then I got the maple oat scone (on the hunt for a real scone), chocolate pistachio danish, and the lemon danish. I took it to go because duh I am not going to eat that all right there--I know what you were thinking. The maple oat scone was pleasantly subtle, moist on the inside and firm on the outside. This is my perfect scone. No one else has got it right like this so far. There was a slight maple glaze on the top which added surprise sweetness to those bites. The chocolate pistachio danish was nice--not overly sweet, a little nuttiness from the pistachios. Not sure I would order this over other pastries, though. For the lemon danish, think lemon bars with the lemon flavor amped up x10, minus some sweetness, with a flaky pastry crust. Quite good, but I'd still order other things over it. The pastries here are delicious, but satisfying. Not something I will crave over and over again. But I'm anxious to go back and try other things!
(4)Zoey Z.
Fabulous! I'm in there every weekend with friends or working on my laptop Top quality breads, desserts and they revamped their lunch menu--kale salad! YUM! Coffees and teas are expertly made Staff always friendly and environment always clean. Never been? Go for the eclair and their homemade cookies are amazing!
(5)Lisa M.
Bittersweet Chocolate Cookie! This is the only thing I've had from there, so I'm sure I'm missing out on all the other goodies. It's been almost 2 weeks since I had the Bittersweet Chocolate Cookie and I'm obsessed. I'm not a huge cookie and cake fan, I personally love bars, but I my beloved Amaretto Cookie from Bread and Chocolate has just been replaced. The cookie was perfectly soft and chewy with really good, deep chocolate flavor and a great sugary topping. The 3 of us who had these cookies are talking about every other day about how to get more. I'm heading over there ASAP for one of everything.
(4)John C.
I can't remember which ones I had, but I couldn't stop eating out of a big box of many different pastries and cookies. Everything was so velvety, like they'd mixed softness right into the batter, or maybe it was MSG. Can you put MSG in any kind of food? Why does it only seem to be in Asian food? And if camera lenses are round, why do pictures turn out rectangular?
(5)Hannah B.
Consistently excellent coffee, pastries and bread. I really have nothing bad to say. Rustica is the gold standard by which all bread and pastry is judged for the rest of my life.
(5)Jonathan E.
I recently read a review in a local magazine which extolled the virtues of the cookies at Rustica. Being cookie fanatics, my brother and I made a point to stop by after having lunch in the area. While I definitely think I would have to sample some of their regular menu items to make an accurate assessment, I was disappointed with the cookies. We ordered three types to share between us, and I can't say any were anything special. The shortbread cookie was one which had been recommened, but I found it to be far more dry than I enjoy. The chocolate cookie had good flavor, but it was very dense and rich to the point where the two of us could barely share it. The dining space is very open and clean which I appreciate. Once inside, it seems far more upscale than the surrounding strip mall (Burger Jones, Walgreens, Barnes & Noble). The location is pretty convenient as well, especially considering they have a free parking lot with plenty of spaces--far more convenient than parking in Uptown. Pros: Nice interior, good location, free/spacious parking lot Cons: Average cookies--did not meet expectation
(3)mike g.
Great pastry! Great coffee! Great service! I go often and really enjoy it. The variety of quality breads is impressive. Just had a salt Carmel tart that was delicious.
(5)Elyse M.
The chocolate creme tart I ate was spectacular, and the coffee I drank was top knotch.. so why not five stars? I don't know... the service seemed really awkward to me. Something just made me feel really unwelcome. I'm not sure what it was.. I had three people ask me pretty much immediately what I wanted, while I was standing back from the counter trying to decide... So it wasn't lack of service. My tart and my coffee were served to me nearly immediately... So it wasn't slow service. The woman who served me just made me feel like she didn't want me to be there, somehow. It just felt... weird. Like weird enough that I don't know if I want to go back and give it another chance. I know that sounds stupid, and the baked goods/coffee are fabulous so I would encourage anyone and everyone to go there and try it. I just can't give my personal experience five stars.
(4)Todd P.
Their éclairs are to die for. I should know -- my wife almost killed me when I tried to take a bite of hers.
(5)Kade K.
I feel like this place has good bread simply because it's BREAD. And it's hard to go too wrong there. But their cheapest offering are not very cheap, and definitely nothing amazing taste-wise (honestly, I think Panera makes better tasting bread and is cheaper...) . The staff always seem annoyed and I feel like I'm inconveniencing them with simple requests. I've heard great things about Rustica, but it's never impressed me as anything special.
(3)Kimberley V.
Very diaappointing. Poor service, very bad black iced tea, average scones and croissants.
(1)Pat G.
I was visiting from out of town and was thrilled to discover such a Wonderful bakery with comfortable seating great baked goods and coffee. I especially appreciated the care with which the barista made a delicious and beautiful latte. A commitment to excellence was evident and yet it was a very comfortable pace to spend an hour reading!
(4)Dustin G.
I have been here a few times and have always left satisfied. The bakery is the true highlight here, but the coffee game seems to be pretty impressive too. A couple thoughts on my last visit: - I ordered a whole chocolate eclair for myself. I think I ate it in two minutes. It was absolutely perfect; light and smooth frosting, a chewy, moist pastry and rich, complex chocolate. This thing puts whatever they serve at Dunkin' Donuts (or Paul for that matter) in a completely different, inferior category. - I also ordered a Dogwood, Ethiopian, single-source, pourover coffee (Geezus coffee is requiring a lot of adjectives these days). The barista described the bean as "very fruit forward". At $3.50 for 8 oz, it was expensive by any standard, but I love Rustica and looked forward to the cup. Unfortunately it disappointed. The flavors were very muted, and any of these forward fruit flavors did not emerge, even after I let the coffee cool for a while. I need to try a few more Dogwood coffees, but cups I have drank from Intelligentsia and Counter Culture have been much more interesting. But who cares?! That eclair. Even if I was punched by the barista I'd return for another serving of that delicious pastry.
(4)Bianca J.
Good spot to sit and study/do work. It's usually not too loud, either. The pastries are decadent but worth it! I recently tried the eclairs (now my favorite!) and the coconut tart. The 4" tarts are definitely better for sharing.... they're huge!
(5)Brom L.
Minnesotans just do their breakfasts right. This place was just great. They served their coffee in nice cups, their pastries were good and their seating area is tough to leave. Actually, looking back, I didn't have an elaborate breakfast, I just enjoyed the feel of it. I picked up some of their bittersweet chocolate tart for coworkers. Way too rich for a non-sweet-tooth like me but the coworkers loved it.
(5)Gary F.
great pastry options but stopped coming in because they pulled out all their clover machines!
(3)Margie D.
I never eat in the car. I do not eat fast food. I do not order from windows. Watching people eat in the car is sad sight. Then I bought a baguette that changed that. My husband and I shared a delicious baguette, passing it back and forth to each other, each taking a huge bite when we had it in our hands. I was still driving. Crumbs were everywhere. It was that good. It didn't make it home. I think it lasted a mile. There are lots of complaints about the drinks and service? This is a bakery! -And voted one of the top ten in the country by Bon Appetit Magazine. bonappetit.com/magazine/…
(5)Shelly M.
Great Dogwood coffee selections. I like the chocolate pistachio danish and the apricot soleil. It's a great hangout place. It's always buzzing with people weekend AM. It also has other great baked goods.
(5)Vivian L.
Their cherry frangipane is absolutely delicious and special. Everyone of us loves it!
(5)Patty M.
I went here once, years ago and all I could remember was how horrible my hot chocolate was. Being the ultimate hot chocolate lover, it was a standout for me. So, I never went back until this week, when I saw an article on Yahoo about the top 10 chocolate chip cookies in the US, and their bittersweet chocolate cookie was on it. Checked out the Yelp reviews and figured I may as well give it another go. Went around dinner, thinking they would have a small menu. Which they did. But, even me being a foodie who likes to go to nice places, I couldn't even figure out what half the things on their menu actually was! Full of stuff I've never heard of when simpler descriptions would have done. I ended up at Punch next door then went back. Hot chocolate was as awful as I remembered - no different than Swiss Miss made with water and I dumped it out after 2 sips. However, the chocolate cookie WAS amazing. I'd easily have another, but it was my big treat of the week. So, I'd go back for a treat if I was in the area, but no way would I go out of my way again. Disappointed - I was hoping to like it more!
(3)Maddie S.
Rustica is probably one of my favorite bakeries in Minneapolis. It has very nice servers that always seem to be smiley despite the oodles of people in the bakery (especially in the mornings!). My almond milk vanilla lattes never disappoint, and neither do the tea or the scones. Great place to work or study too. Only complaint is that they often lack food that suffices my veggie needs (especially the curry cauliflower soup! Where did it go?) But that's definitely not something that will keep me away! I love it too much XD
(5)Shawn S.
I was pleasantly surprised that we could run in here at 10:30 for Sunday brunch, order, get a table, and have a relatively short wait for our food. (Other places are stand in line, wait for a table, wait for food.) The coffee service is elevated above your Starbucks - they have nice large mugs and do your "froth-art" on your latte. The gravlax was tasty - just the right amount and the ingredients were well balanced. The pastries and bread all well made. Plenty of parking in the lot outside, and overall a nice experience for a casual eat in or takeout Sunday brunch. Pretty easy to take out and walk over to Lake Calhoun as well.
(3)Mike B.
Four words are all you need to know to stop what you're doing and get to Rustica right now...Bittersweet. Chocolate. Chip. Cookie. I live about three blocks away from Rustica and have probably eaten about 100 of these in the three years I've lived in Minneapolis (I'm Paleo, so this is a big deal as cheat meals come few and far between). They're better than your mother's cookies. They're better than your mother's mother's cookies. They're better than any other cookie you'll have from any other bakery in Minneapolis. You won't be able to stop at just one. You might even have trouble stopping at five. And you'll definitely be back to buy more when that craving hits and nothing will do but that double chocolatey, gooey goodness. Rustica does some other things legitimately, as well. The eclairs, particularly the coffee ones, come close to breaking into Patisserie 46's echelon, and I've had some very good scones and croissants. Their freshly-baked bread is damn good, too, whether it's as part of a sandwich, spread with some jam, or just eaten by itself. The star taken off is for their coffee (believe it's Dogwood, but it always seems to taste better when I just go to Dogwood instead), and for the price to quantity you get on some of their drinks (looking at you, 12 oz iced latte to go for $4+ dollars). But I get it. You're close to Calhoun. The pastries get me in the door, and they always taste better with some brew, so I won't fault the place much for pricing to demand/location. It's ALWAYS crowded in here, and there isn't a ton of space, so I have other coffee shops in town where I find it easier to relax (see Five Watt, Urban Bean, and Bull Run) if that's what I'm trying to do. But for delicious bakery items and, as Jonathan T so eloquently put it, "OMG @!#&$*() Hadoken Cash Money Millionaires"-inducing cookies, Rustica is where it's at.
(4)Ellen C.
Food & beverage wise, this place gets five stars. Even though the prices are a bit hefty (in general $3-6 for a pastry), considering the size and obvious quality and love put into it, they're worth it. Plus like every other person has said, they're DELICIOUS. The eclair is amazing - the dough is soft and tender, the cream is rich and smooth, and the chocolate glaze on top is real, quality chocolate, you taste the chocolate, they're generous with the swipe of chocolate, amazing chocolate. I also got a bostock, which reminds of the Asian dessert toast, which is a thick piece of semi-sweet toast, toasted, and smeared with butter and condensed milk. The bostok is fantastic too, with a crumbly sweet topping - not too sweet, and not too rich. And considering my food-loving friend bought about $30 in one visit, I think the quality of the food here is pretty much unrivaled. All in all, it's a little expensive but well worth it especially if you're getting together with a friend or a date. Great place to meet. Plenty of parking, other stores nearby if you want to walk around (Barnes & Noble, Subway, Burger Jones, Massage Envy, a nail place) and you're in close proximity to Lake Calhoun. Whole Foods, Caribou, and other restaurants are also across the way in case you're looking to run multiple errands at once. The only reason it gets 4 stars is because I'm used to cafes where you can settle in for some time and work/study, with or without friends. Yes, they have wifi, but outlets are in short supply. But admittedly this place is so popular I can see why they don't encourage people to plant themselves for more than an hour or so. The turnover was often enough that I never saw anyone waiting for a seat, but then again maybe they just didn't try.
(4)Amanda B.
Rustica is legit. It is a coffee shop/cafe near lake Calhoun on W. Lake Street. They aren't fast, but they are good. Pastries are great. They even serve lunch to order half the week! There is alot of seating inside. Parking lot can be busy because of Burger Jones and the Pizza place, but I always get a spot eventually. This is a great place to meet up with people and catch up. I recommend the dessert pastries and hot lattes! Latte art central!
(4)Ling G.
Super good place for bakery goods. The bread here is amazing. Love the fruit and nut bread. The crust is crunchy, the crumb is tender combined with the nutty flavor and soft bite and a hint of sweetness from the raisins... So good. The puffs are light and flavorful. If you are looking for a savory snack try Gruyere puff with ham. It is such a delightful texture with a balanced combination of cheese and ham. Coffee here is also great! They are brewed individually. unlike mass produced, each cup had a lovely combination of the coffee flavor with hint of tartness. So enjoyable.
(4)Jerice A.
They had an amazing pistachio chocolate pastry that was delightful. The outside was buttery and crisp the way I like my pastries and the pistachio/chocolate mix was subtle and neither overpowered the other. They had outside seating which was a plus. Cold press was great-no sugar or cream needed! Lots of indoor seating-perfect for a coffee date to catch up with old friends. I really like the decor inside - makes you feel comfortable, not pretentious at all.
(4)Erin G.
Not my usual bakery- I typically look for the peanut butter and cookie dough and salted caramel and funky flavors of cupcakes and pretty things However, I had to stop in because of the super high yelp ratings. There was a line and the woman behind me was raving about how great this place was. I ordered the dark chocolate pistachio eclair, to go. I also got a little sample of the polenta bread. This eclair was awesome. Really good. Lots and lots of filling, which is how I like it, not overly bready. Not overly sweet. The filling didn't taste too piscachio-y though. A little spendy. I wouldn't make a special trip just to come here, but I'd come back.
(4)Rachael A.
I love Rustica, pure and simple. I don't even eat gluten and I STILL love Rustica. Although I have never actually eaten one of their lovely pastries, cakes, cookies, rolls, sandwiches, etc. I sure can appreciate how lovely they look and how amazing they smell. I go to Rustica at least once a week for an almond milk latte with pretty latte art or a cafe Americano. The coffee is always the freshest (and organic, fair trade!), the baristas are great, and the atmosphere is so cozy and inviting. Sometimes my home office shifts a few blocks to Rustica once in awhile. Even though Starbucks and Caribou are both actually closer to my apartment physically I will never choose either over Rustica. They are just too good at what they do.
(5)Meg C.
Amazing! Could leave it at that but let me tell you why we love Rustica! Their pain au chocolat, their lemon Danish, their bread, their lattes. There's nothing not to love there! The chocolate cookies are a staple for us when we travel to visit family-in fact if we show up without a sleeve (and maybe a sleeve of the ginger cookies!) we get the stink eye from the family.
(5)Julie M.
The bread was great! The coffee was good, but seriously . . . I ordered a cup of coffee to drink there. They asked if I wanted a small or a large so I went with the large. $4 for the coffee and I get a regular coffee mug of coffee. Figured, ok, refill. Go up to ask for a refill, and they give me half a cup. Next time the small. There is outdoor seating on the parking lot, but inside is comfortable.
(3)Abigail J.
Came here on vacation on a Sunday morning. It was super packed and I could hardly find a place to sit. They have really friendly wait staff. They use Ipads to swipe your card and to sign after paying, which I thought was very high tech. I ordered a lavender and honey coffee and cinnamon bun. The coffee had a very unique taste that I would recommend trying (it was really good)! The bun was slightly dry for my liking, but I hope to come back to try more of their pastries.
(4)Bethany M.
My brother and his wife took me here for the first time this weekend. WOW! Flavor packed pastries and savory treats galore. The eggwhich has a fluffy bread that makes clouds seem less pillowy. And the taste of the turkey bacon is so salty and savory it's stupid. The tomato caraway jam and the cheesy oozy goodness will have you in flavor shock for days. And that's just the beginning! The line was out the door at 10 am...not sure when is the best time to come, but just prepare to get your tastebuds rocked!
(5)Myly F.
I love coffee, will travel for coffee and treats yes! This place has both and oh so fresh! The joy of it all: Thumbs up: -variety in treats and drinks, offers responsible products -clean, plenty of cute space to be solo or meet up with a group -they have real food here too not just treats like many coffee shops -fresh baked goods, need I say more! -across from the lake, near plenty of stores and a Barnes, come on hot spot! Thumbs down: -the c.s. here is hit or miss.....eh. You roll the dough, get a nice person then it makes the experience that much more enjoyable On the list!
(4)Cindy D.
Yes, I am a fan here. They have amazing quinoa and kale salad. I absolutely love their pastries as well. This place get crowded during the weekend because it is located next to Lake Calhoun, It is a big space inside with lots of sunlight. Great place to catch up with friends. Not a great place to do work because there are only two outlets. Make sure to charge your laptop before coming here. The staff here is very friendly. Parking lot is free.
(4)Jack L.
Rustica Chocolate Chip cookie, are you the signature item? If part of your name shares it with the name of the establishment, I assume you must be. And I also assume you must taste pretty damn good to be the signature item. Half moist, half dry, all flat. As a cookie, it sits just on the on the wrong side of the railroad tracks in Average Town, USA. However, as a throwing star, the half that wasn't eaten DID fly pretty well... into the trash. Oh chocolate eclair, how magnificently average you are! Your vanilla cream oozes fluffiness, while the crisp chocolate replicates the chocolate shell on a dipped cone at DQ, where it hardens as it's taken away from its chocolate mud puddle home. You're average, and sometimes that's okay, but producers never made biopics about average people. Alas, the bread shall be the savior of this review, because nobody would dare give a negative review of a levain loaf with a damn nice crusty crust and a damn nice puffy middle, would they? Sadly, it shant be, for there was nothing that would make me go out of my way for you, Sir Levain Loaf of Rustica. If circumstances perchanced me to run across you while jogging Lake Calhoun, then maybe you would be worth it. But circumstances forced me, yes--forced me!--to seek you out, thus heightening my expectations. Like your brother the eclair, you were but average, nothing outstanding, yet nothing wrong either. Perhaps next time I'll remember to forget we ever met the first time and start this relationship anew again. Maybe then, will your crusty crust and puffy middle meet my unlofty expectations. T-shirt Ninja says: Mehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
(3)Ahmad R.
Great latte. Smooth espresso blend. Delicate yummy egg sandwich, though a bit mushy due to its soft scramble + brioche, might be good on a crusty or more substantial bread? Best baguette in TC. The sandwich I intend to make with it cannot fail. The bread here has an edge on Patisserie 46. A bit pricey, but quality is certainly there. Pleasant upscale atmosphere, classy but comfortable. Everyone was friendly. Except I hate the cashier tip-pressure watching.
(5)Ericka A.
I'm now wishing I had written down what we bought here because I can't for the life of me remember the fancy names and I can't find our pastry purchases on their regular menu either. Dalibor Z. and I went to dinner at Punch Pizza next door and decided to stop in here for dessert. I've been meaning to come back and give them a second shot since my original review and this seemed as good a time as any. We browsed their selection, which wasn't all that extensive near closing time, and had trouble deciding what to get. The items are labeled but there are no descriptions. When I asked for further clarification on what was available, the guy working there really seemed like we were bothering him with our presence. I just don't think asking if croissants are chocolate-filled is cause for sighing and eye rolling. I figured out what I wanted, which was a "small" spiced cake with some apple puree (which is business talk for we're going to charge you more than necessary because we gave applesauce filling a fancy name) at the bottom. I asked if it would keep overnight and he assured me it would. The next morning, I was a bit disappointed to find that the outside had become hard. I cut it into slices and gave it a try. Despite being a bit difficult to cut with a plastic knife, it was actually quite moist on the inside and the outside crunch was perfect. I thoroughly enjoyed every cake crumb. I can do without the employee attitude, but their baked goods are going to be hard to pass up when I'm in the area again.
(3)Andrew N.
I give Rustica five stars for quality (exceptional pastries!!) My wife and I are staying in uptown and decided to walk to Rustica. Our route took us past scenic Lake Calhoun. A nice start to a lovely breakfast. My wife loves old fashioned cinnamon buns so we got one of those. I was curious about the Bostok (It's a slice of Brioche soaked in orange water and baked with a generous layer of almond paste on top. WOW!) So good. I'd never had this before. I wish we had had reason to buy a loaf of their bread too because that looked incredible. The only complaint I have is how busy it was. It was kind of loud. Oh well. I guess you can fault a place for being popular. :)
(5)Tian Q.
Kouign Amann (caramelized croissant pastry) and Bostok (orange flower water soaked brioche with almond cream spread). HOLY SWEET SHIT, probably the best pastries I've ever had. I got a to-go bag because the portions were big, but ended up devouring everything at my strategically-chosen-hidden-from-judgmental-eyes dark corner table like a hungry fat hobo. Also, unbelievably cheap prices for pastries of this caliber, especially when the dining atmosphere screams overpriced-hipsters-playground not fruitfly-kingdom-hole-in-the-wall.
(5)BK J.
Don't know if it is intentional or not but Rustica is giving Salty Tart a run for the money with their bittersweet chocolate caramel tart. This is a tart to be shared. DO NOT try to eat this thing by yourself. Remind yourself that sharing is good. When stacked up against the Salty Tart's salted caramel chocolate tart it is not as sweet. The chocolate tart shell is well salted and the caramel layer is substantial but leaves plenty of room for the ganache on top. The whole of the tart is a very well balanced combination of a slightly salty chocolate crumb crust, well balanced caramel and a ganache loaded with lots of chocolate flavor. Size wise, the Rustica offering is bigger, which is why you should share it, along with the fact that if you love someone you should share the good things in life with them.
(5)Trish H.
Wow. That's the one word I can think of to sum this place up! Despite having passed it thousands of times, I had never gone in. Until today, I had no idea what I was missing out on. My brother called me this morning and insisted that we meet there for coffee and a danish. After some persuasion I agreed. I am not a sweets person. I do not have any weakness whatsoever when it comes to pastries...until now. I had the apricot danish, the one my brother forced me to try and it blew me away. Flaky, buttery, heavenly, melt in your mouth awesomeness. I haven't been this blown away by anything sweet since I tried the peanut butter waffle at The Lowry. And then...I tried their vanilla latte. Being used to Starbucks I asked for half of the flavor shots. They kindly informed me that they do not use shots, they use a vanilla paste. I was intrigued by this as it sounded quite good and then I tried it. Yummy!!! I'm not sure how I will be able to have a vanilla latte anywhere else again. I am spoiled now. I compare it to flying first class on an airplane. Once you do that you never want to go back to flying coach. Blown away by this place and I can not wait to return!!!
(5)Henok T.
This is a very interesting European-style bakery that is a carboholic's dream but a Crossfitter's nightmare. I come here when I need a cozy place to work whenever I decide to work from home (which is often during winter). I try to avoid the carbs but indulged on a grilled cheese sandwich once that came with a very nice, green salad. This place seems to be quite popular and busy. I was surprised at how full it was on a Thursday morning. Don't these people have jobs?!? Only a few had their laptops out like I did. Everyone else was just conversing and relaxed as if they were really in Europe! My only gripe about this place is there's very few outlets to plug in your devices. It sucked when I got there and the few ones were all taken up. I opened up my laptop and saw battery level was 0% and I had a conference call in two minutes! I had to scramble to Caribou and plug in my laptop and spend about an hour on a call without even having a chance to order my coffee! People must have thought I was ridiculous to enter a business and spend an hour without making a purchase. Once I was done with the call I bought my coffee at Caribou as a token of goodwill even though I'd much rather have had the coffee at Rustica. So I went to Rustica afterwards and my laptop batter had sufficient strength to go without a charge for a few hours. I had my "second cup" which was a delicate Colombian light roast (single origin) and then ordered my grilled cheese sandwich a bit later. I probably won't come back much because I really don't like carbs. I just started crossfitting and I'm more conscious of how I eat and how my energy levels are affected by what I eat. So, I'll probably return for some coffee and to get work done. For those of you on that YOLO mindset regarding carbs, this is a fantastic place to get your fix. :)
(4)Prachee M.
Lavender honey latte. Have you tried it? Be prepared to faint... the light, almost undetectable fragrance of lavender with the earthy bold taste of honey do wonders for the strong espresso covered in foaming soy. A taste of heaven. The one off-note is the extra charge for requesting soy milk. Come on now, is that really necessary? We non-dairy tolerant peeps are already risking a lot eating your irresistible pastries and cakes, must you penalize us for selecting soy for our coffee?
(5)Susan C.
Rustica is the absolute best! The eclairs are a perfect combination of not too sweet cream and rich bittersweet chocolate. Speaking of bittersweet chocolate,,that cookie is as amazing as other Yelpers have said. I buy a pack every time I am in there. You also can't go wrong with a simple baguette. Nice bite to the crust with an airy interior. Two more favorites for breakfast, the currant scone and the Kouign Amann. Make this a must stop, everything I've tried here has been fantastic!
(5)Tracy T.
My favorite bakery because everything tastes like it does in Europe and my favorite coffee shop because they make real, strong, ground coffee with no bloody flavorings in it. Best, best, best.
(5)Amir S.
In my book, there are very few businesses to which 5-star reviews don't do justice. In these extremely rare cases, it doesn't matter how well the reviews brimming with detailed descriptions of the business are written. They inevitably fail to capture its awesomeness, not because the descriptions are inadequate or words don't sound accurate, but because there are things about the business that are inexorably left out of description: things that cannot be represented by words; excesses of wonderfulness that words cannot describe. In some non-western literary traditions, when a poet (mostly male) wants to describe his beloved, he starts with describing both her physical and mental beauties with the hope of conveying to the reader the awesomeness of the beloved. He may write that the beloved's hair is darker than the darkest night and longer than the longest night of the year; that her eyes are bigger than those of a gazelle; that she smells better than musk; that she's tenderer than rose petals; that she's more caring than a self-giving mother. After exhausting words, the poet usually finds himself unable to fully carry out the task he's set for himself (i.e., describing the beloved.) It's when he has no choice but to finish with saying that in addition to what he was able to put into words, his beloved has "the thing." "The thing" is a place-holder representing all that cannot be described and indicates the poet's insufficiency of words--the very thing at which the poet must be good. Let's save us some time and get straight to the point: Rustica Bakery has "the thing." It is one of those rare businesses that call for an ode, not a review. Rustica Bakery requires a paean, not stars. Don't words like rich, chocolaty, and brownie-like, although accurate, lack the power to describe Rustica's chocolate bouchons? How can words like crisp crust, flavorful, and excellent with butter and jam do justice to its French baguettes? Who in their right mind thinks "a brioche French toast slice prepared with orange-flavored syrup, frangipane, and sliced almonds" depicts Rustica Bakery's Bostock? Isn't it true that something vital is always left out of description, regardless of the words one picks to describe the bakery's pistachio chocolate Danish or the vanilla éclair with chocolate glaze? "The thing" is not at all poetic; it is at best a hedge--it's what the poet must avoid as it reveals his inability with words. It seems very odd that a poet draws on something non-poetic. But if he wants not to betray his beloved, he has no choice other than letting the uncreative word "the thing" betray him. The same is true about my review of Rustica Bakery. It's not a real "review." It reveals my failure in writing a true review. But if I write a "review," I would betray my love of Rustica Bakery!
(5)Chloe C.
One of my favorite coffee shops in Minneapolis! Delicious breads, pastries, and especially cookies. Their ginger cookie is quite possibly the best cookie I've ever had (and I'm quite the cookie lover). Their breakfast egg/bacon/croissant sandwich is something I crave on a daily basis. Definitely visit this great gem of a coffee shop while in the Lake Calhoun area!
(4)Patrick B.
Amazing baked goods, excellent Bullrun coffee. Prices are a bit on the high side but the eggwich is worth it. One suggestion, open the kitchen when you open the doors. Came in at 7:00 and several people including myself were disappointed to find out the kitchen did not open until 8:00.
(3)Eric T.
To start with, get a bittersweet chocolate cookie. They are amazing. I like Rustica, but it is the hardest place in the world to get coffee. Honestly ordering a coffee here feels like a Portlandia sketch, and it takes forever. In Rustica's defense, it is a very tasty cup of coffee, but most days I would rather be able to ask for a cup of coffee and have it delivered quickly. The space itself is really big, which is nice, especially if you plan on spreading out and doing some sort of work. I also appreciate that generally it is quiet but not creepy quiet (see e.g., Urban Bean at 33rd and Bryant). Finally, I will say that I prefer Sunstreet for breads and Pat 46 for pastries, but if you find yourself outside of Kingfield, and need some bread or baked goods, then Rustica is a great place to drop in on.
(3)Dana B.
Okay, so this is a dangerous place on the pocketbook and the paunch, but, it's so good. I can't afford to go here often, but when I do, I always get the bittersweet chocolate chip cookie--hands down, the best chocolate chip cookie I've ever had. Their savory food and soups can be very good too, and their coffee, although, crazy expensive is excellent.
(4)RP P.
The chocolate eclair and the bittersweet chocolate cookies are fabulous. They also have excellent bread and know how to make a decent cup of tea.
(5)Jonah W.
Rustica has some great pastries. The croissants are lovely, and they have something called a butter tart or something like that which is worthy of great praise. I read some of my fellow reviewers' praise for the coffee, and as one who adulterates their morning brew with ample dairy and sweetener, I'm not qualified to tell you whether it's great coffee or not. What I will say is that the service has been lacking each time I've been there. After paying for your food and drink, you stand by and wait for them to make your coffee, which can take far too long. The staff is also not extremely warm, or at least hasn't been during my visits. As you can tell from the many positive reviews, they make good stuff ... great stuff ... just don't expect for every experience at Rustica to be as good as their baked goods.
(3)Risa Y.
Let's just get it off the table right up top. The coffee here is as good as it gets...a coffee that's not bitter ..like...o you know the kind without naming names.....bitter coffee is the kind of coffee that needs tons of sugar and creme just so that it's palatable...Anyways, the coffee here at Rustica is good ...it's so good that it's what I call "As good as it gets!' I love to savor its rich, dense flavors. So no, there's not a shred of exaggeration when I say this. It's that good! This is one place that I enjoy getting my coffee here straight. just plain black so I can really taste the flavor and texture of the coffee. How about their foamy drinks? Yes, sometimes, depending on my mood..I do crave a foamy, creamy coffee..and the Rustica lattes and cappuccinos can't be beat, as well... I love how they make their cappuccinos and lattes rich and nutty with just the right amount of milk, oh with the beautifully crafted coffee art leaf, which I can enjoy visually and taste to the last drop. Pastries? Oh, yes, they have pastries! I used to think a danish was just a danish..that all danishes were the same until I met Rustica! My favorites: the beautiful Bostok (a kind of "dry" version of French Toast, actually it is " orange flower water soaked brioche with almond cream spread"...yum)....mmmmm, my other favorite is the sunny Apricot Soleil, it's a danish that to me looks like a sunflower, my favorite flower. Needless to say, the Apricot Soleil always puts a smile on my face...so delectable... very, very flaky, with creme that just melts in my mouth. If you stop by here, don't forget to check out the scones because it's so heavenly...it's very fluffy, and moist...yes, I said fluffy and moist .... not dry and crumbly. I don't know about you, but I always thought scones were a dry and crumbly pastry...II didn't think a fluffy moist scone exhisted! It is amazing! I love the location here, too...it's right by Calhoun lake, one of my favorite lakes here in the Twin Cities, that I try to visit as often as I can especially in the summer. What a gem of a place! .
(5)Julie T.
I love this place even more after my recent gastronomy trip to San Francisco. I went to the Blue Bottle and the latte can't be compared to this place. I went to Tartine Bakery and I still prefered the gougere at this place. Oh, I was dreaming and craving for the coffee and the gougere, I went straight to Rustica when I got home from my trip. This place is addictive!
(5)Randy K.
The marriage of a gourmet coffee bar and fresh bakery is enough to make me a love child. Rustica did it for me. The cappuccino (one of the best I've had in the Twin Cities), the currant scone, the open atmosphere. Can't wait to return with guests and fellow coffee snobs. One note to those looking for a shop to do work in, I'd consider looking elsewhere as outlets are scarce. It is, however, the perfect place to have a meeting or woo clients.
(5)Marsha L.
Awesome coffee, the atmosphere wasn't very cozy. It kinda felt like a normal chain coffee shop. The coffee is worth a stop though for sure.
(3)Lilly M.
Bittersweet. Chocolate. Cookies. These alone are worth a 5-star review. Add flaky pastries, an ever-changing bread menu, super high quality coffee & espresso beverages just a hop, skip & jump off the greenway and I'm in love.
(5)Lila C.
I stopped in to Rustica after my friend Dustin G. has mentioned it to me on several occasions, and boy am glad I made the visit! I had an eclair and hot chocolate on a late afternoon, unfortunately there wasn't much of a selection for late comers. The eclair was perfect with lots of filling but not too sweet that you can't stand finishing it (it's was very large and I ended up splitting it with my friend). The hot cocoa was delicious as well, not too bitter like Starbucks or too sweet like Caribou. The atmosphere was cute and homey, I loved the large wooden dining room style tables for large groups or sharing. And the staff was friendly and informative while helping me decide on a bread to bring to my parents.
(4)Monica R.
Yes, a fan. The coffee is the best I've had in the twin cities. Delicious. I personally am a fan of focaccia with ham and the bostok but you pretty much can't go wrong with any of the treats on the counter. The staff ranges from tolerates you to somewhat resentful. I don't particularly mind it - they're secondary in importance to the quality of the goods - but you just never really feel welcome here. You can overlook that while enjoying your fabulous coffee and pastries though.
(4)Heather J.
As I have seasoned in my life (gotten older) my cookie palate has morphed. Ergo as young child chocolate chip, young adult frosted sugar cookies, 20's anything that was cheep or free just about...but now I crave flavor! I love ginger cookies and Rustica delivers with big flavor...I almost cry when I eat them. This place is full of great bakery treats and baristas to deliver up your favorite cup of caffeine. Keep in mind parking is limited, area is busy, and things sell out quickly!
(4)Allison L.
Keep it simple. This is the only place that has chocolate croissants comparable to Paris. Pair this with the BEST BEST BEST macchiato in town (dogwood espresso) and you are in heaven before work. Sure there are other pastries which are amazing but I cannot tell you how spoiled this place makes me. Nothing compares. I actually had to put myself on a budget and diet because I was coming everyday before work. Environment is just like Paris: simple and rustic, making it about the bread and not the silly tables and fancy boards. Staff is VERY professional and pleasant. I will say the new barrista is not the best at the foam designs as the other girl. OK now I am becoming a picky bitch...but seriously that is what this place turned me into.
(5)Anna B.
Best coffee in the TC! Location is nice, but a bit too sleek for my taste. Needs a few couches. Bread and pastries are really good too. Service is great.
(5)Puja S.
-chocolate eclairs- fresh cream filling, not too sweet. slightly dark chocolate coating. soft and awesome. one of teh best I have had. -the bitter sweet chocolate cookies were still as awesome as i remember. -the bread was fresh and airy. 5 stars and my f
(5)Jen W.
Everything I've had at Rustica has been the best I've ever had. The best latte, the best lemon scone, the best vanilla scone, the best eclair, the best chocolate cookie, the best ginger cookie, the best Bostok (okay, that last one's not hard, I've never had a Bostok before....but this thing has changed my life.) At first I withheld a star b/c of the ambience. But I no longer care about that. I would gladly sit on a concrete bench on the shoulder of 94 in a rainstorm during rush hour as long as I had a Bostok from Rustica and a latte from Bull Run.
(5)Rachel E.
Get the affogato if you like espresso (espresso over vanilla ice cream) and the bittersweet chocolate cookie. Yum! It tends to get crowded, but it clears out quick, people don't usually hang out too long. I got 3 drinks (affogato, mocha, and pour over coffee) and 3 desserts (2 cookies and a bostok) and it was under $20.00 I will be back to continue trying more pastries/drinks!
(4)Rhonda G.
I've finally been where EVERY man has been. I've seen their baked goods sold all over the TC. I sure as hell wish they had bakeries all over the city. First as a coffee shop it's the best layout I've seen. If B&N next door folds up, I hope they take over that spot as well. It's loud, yet not bothersome. You can still focus on your private business. I had great service. I was approached right away by a few people. I noticed the chocolate tarts with raspberries. It tasted like a chocolate mousse, OMG. I noticed a 6 pack of CCC. They must use whole wheat flour because they are dark. Totally uniform thin, flat cookies, and on the record they are the best I ever had. I bought a bread, not sure what. The lighting is great in here for reading, but you have to sit in the right places. My least favorite thing is the hot chocolate, only that it's so pure, not a lot of sweetness. I love the Rustica mug it's in and would get it just for that.
(5)Jennifer H.
I've been here twice and loved it both times. I definitely think the baked goods are better in the morning when they are fresh and moist. I wish I could remember which one it was but I think it was the brioche. It is a must try: had a moist, almond crumbly topping.I also really love their chocolate chip cookies- they are nothing like cookies. Everything else can be relatively dry later on in the day...
(4)Sarah C.
My last meal might need to involve one of the lemon tarts from Rustica. I'd just finished a whole punch pizza and a salad and was still able to partake in some delicious dessert. Yes, I am a pig...but even in my totally full state, my lemon tart was the kick to my day. Holy crap. Oh, the coffee was good, service fast. Some people don't bus their tables, despite the signs hung around here, but I can't blame the counter girls for silly customers.
(4)Patti I.
My every-Saturday-morning group bike ride always has to include a coffee stop. We have stopped here a couple times. Rustica Bakery is head and shoulders above every other place we've visited. I ordered coffee and an almond Danish. Holy buckets! It was the flakiest, butteriest, most fabuloso pastry, with assertive almond filling--makes most of the other Danish in town seem like cotton candy. On another visit I tried the Bostok, a rich cake soaked in syrup and covered with almond paste. It was just as the counter attendant described: crispy & flaky on the outside, moist on the inside. Swoon. Coffee is excellent but takes awhile. There are lots of people hanging around the serving area waiting for their drinks, and sometimes it's hard to get a table. Rustica gets bonus points for serving all their drinks in china cups unless you specifically ask for takeout. Lunch here was less successful. I ordered a sandwich that took forever to arrive, despite the fact that we were almost the only people in the restaurant and I counted seven employees milling about behind the counter, stamping bags with the Rustica logo, etc. After about 10 minutes I went up to ask how much longer I might expect it to take. After running back to the kitchen, the counter attendant told me it would be another two minutes. Hmmm...just the amount of time it takes to make a sandwich. My dining companion ordered iced tea that had been brewed too long. It was cloudy and bitter. Bottom line: Rustica's pastries are hard to beat. This is a great spot for a leisurely continental breakfast. Lunch, not so much.
(4)peter j.
I would consider myself a coffee snob, but so does everyone else. I've been to a lot of coffee shops in Minnesota and Rustica is my favorite (as of January 25, 2012 at 8:13pm). They have good decor, simple yet classy, the way I like it. Their coffee is amazing, smooth and rich. I also had one of their specialty drinks which was espresso over vanilla ice cream. It sounds odd but tastes amazing. Their pastries are good, but I think a few other coffee shops in the twin cities are slightly better. Rustica also sells the coffee beans (Dogwood Coffee Co.) so you can take them home to enjoy. A cup of plain coffee may run you more than four dollars. But if it price you are concerned with then I would suggest a lovely coffee shop down the street called "Super America" where you can get other delectables as well as gas for your car. If you are looking for quality, then Rustica is your place. Good locations, great interior, and amazing coffee.
(5)B H.
Purely as a bakery, this is a five star option. There are several very good bakeries in town (Patisserie 46, Salty Tart, etc) but this is my favorite. Time and again I've been impressed by their various offerings over the years. First I tried the eclairs, then the semi-sweet chocolate chip cookies, then the various breads (Levain, multigrain, olive loaf, brioche, etc), then the chocolate bouchon, and yet more and more and I simply have not been disappointed. If you want to talk about tough customers: I often run into French people getting their bread here. The Dogwood Coffee, hot chocolate, and fresh orange juice are also very good. The complaints? They only offer certain breads on certain days which can be hard to schedule around (e.g. Brioche on Tuesdays, egg braid on Friday, Pain de Mie on weekends). Things run out, which is good for business. The service, while competent, is hit or miss on courtesy: some are great, some come off as too cool for school. The lunch service is a nice addition, but not a highlight. They do not clean the tables as often as they should, and often run out of water cups. Still, this is first and foremost a bakery the baked goods are divine, and I'm rating it as such.
(5)Henri C.
Cherry frangipane is out of this world good, the walnut tart not so much. The tart cherries on the frangipane combined with the almond buttery cake is the best we've ever had...major yummo.
(4)Steph L.
All you need to know is: Ginger Cookie, Ginger Cookie, Ginger Cookie. An avid ginger lover, I try all things ginger and their ginger cookies are FANTASTICO! Get there early. I've went numerous times later in the day and was disappointed with the non-existent selection. Went at 9:30am one day and low and behold... they have an mouth watering selection of goodies to choose from.
(4)Annie D.
Time for an update, since a few things have changed since my last review. For one, the bow-tied Bull Run (now Dogwood I think, but that's another story) baristas aren't there anymore. Sad loss of eye candy, I know... but before they left, they taught this staff to make lattes just as delicious and beautiful (I love a good latte leaf). As the trailblazer for third wave coffee in Minneapolis, this remains one of the best places in town for caffeine. Sigh of relief. Rustica is also one of my favorite spots for work meetings because, but for weekend mornings, there's almost always a table available and free parking is ample since it's in a strip mall. It's not the best place to get work done though because they are lacking in outlets. And lastly, but not leastly, from chocolate croissants to baguettes to bostoks... everything I've ever eaten from Rustica's bakery case has been goddamn delicious.
(5)sarah p.
I have to update this review because I finally ventured back to enjoy a cup o joe...but no, no, no, this was no ordinary latte. It was perfection. At least in my neck of the woods. I finally feel liberated from the Dunn Bros Express (not so quick, btw) and Caribou. My nearly 4 bucks is now actually going towards something worthy. If you drink your coffee in, you are served it in an aesthetically pleasing mug and your latte foam will be stiff perfection. How many times can I write perfection I wonder? Can't help it -- it was.
(5)Emily G.
One of my favorite spots in the Twin Cities. Coffee and treats are great. Will return shortly.
(5)Kelly J.
Every weekend morning I pine for one thing and one thing only. The Apricot soleil from Rustica. Or the Lemon Danish. OK so maybe two things! The bakery at Rustica is so amazing, I'm pretty positive they can do no wrong when it comes to breads and sweets. Stroll in on a lazy weekend morning and pick up a freshly made pastry - as I've already said, the Apricot Soleil and Lemon Danishes are my favorite, but don't miss out on a classic Crossaint or slice of pound cake. Each pastry is flaky, the filling is sweet but not overly sugary (like you might find at a generic grocery store) and they are chewy and soft. Also make sure you grab a loaf of french bread or some dinner rolls to go, the crust of the bread is crunchy while the insides are so soft and perfectly baked. The coffee bar at Rustica is a test in patience, especially when this place is very full on a Saturday or Sunday morning. Just know that the coffee is indeed worth the wait. Even if you ordered a plain black cup of Colombian coffee, the baristas are brewing the coffee fresh, just for you, cup by cup. So don't get too huffy as you wait for them to call your drink - grab a table, open the paper or a good book and try not to eat all of your pasty before you get your coffee.
(5)Candace V.
Cream-filled eclairs make me lose my mind. It's easy to inhale several in one sitting. Buy early in the day - by late afternoon, they're sold out. Cozy ambiance w fab people watching.
(4)Dee J.
Some people treat themselves to a massage or a facial when they feel down and out. Not me. Well, I do that too but sometimes, I just want a nice, relaxing soy latte that I can drink at a comfortable cafe in an actual mug instead of out of a paper cup in the car on the way to work. When I want a really good latte and I want to drink it out a ceramic mug, I go to Rustica. It can get busy in there but if you go early on a Sat or Sun morning, it's a good place to sit, read, and drink coffee. I haven't tried any of their bread but I've had a few pastries and they've all been delicious. Nice work, Rustica.
(4)Mark D.
Here's what I will say about Rustica - the breads are amazing, but when I come home from work at 530 I should be able to have a choice from a variety of breads. Unfortunately this never happens and I'm left picking up the scraps. I with they would make bread more than once a day for us workers.
(3)Ken A.
My wife just got back this moring to buy pastries for my son's b-day today. She was so upset and how rude and thankless the employees were at Rustica. No eye contact, no smile, no "good morning", and....no "thank you". That is unbelievable to me. My wife's friend mentioned the same thing. So i looked on yelp to find any similar reviews, and there are plenty. So, Rustica -what is your deal?? Yes, you have the BEST products ever, but frankly if you are going to treat your customers like that I'd rather have pastries from cub foods. Unreal.
(1)Alex C.
World-class pastries, fantastic coffee, and a good environment converge at Rustica Bakery, making it a true gem of Minneapolis. The smells are enough when you walk in - from the artisan coffee, crusty breads, and tasty pastries - but the array of goods that meets the eye is tremendous. The pastries - croissants, eclairs, and more - are as good as a good Parisian patisserie. There are lots of rich flavors like almond, pistachio, and butter cream, as well as delicate textures of flaky croissants. The breads rotate. Some varieties are available every day, but others like pan de mie are only available on weekends. There are all very good, no matter when they're available. The specialty breads are spot on, and the baguettes are crusty and chewy. Having Dogwood Coffee providing Rustica's dose of caffeine is as good as could be asked for. They serve single-origin coffees, meaning you can order the bean that will give you the kind of coffee taste you want (whether that is nutty and caramelly or citrusy or whatever). The espresso is great, but the regular coffee shines for me. Instead of having a gallon carafe sitting in the back, each cup is brewed individually in their Clover machines. These machines are like science-fiction version of your home coffee maker. Rustica would be one of the best bakeries anywhere - New York, San Francisco, Paris - but luckily it's here in Minneapolis!
(5)Michelle A.
I never expected to find such a good coffee shop or bakery in the States. Really...it's that good! The cookies are just to die for. Do yourself a favor and get one. I loved both the chocolate chip and the ginger cookie. They are cooked to perfection, perfectly textured and taste like they must have come straight from heaven. The cappuccino is hands down the best I've had outside of Europe. Minnesotans, you don't even realize how lucky you are to have Rustica in your state! This place is the real deal. I'm a big fan of good coffee shops and bakeries, and the only one I can think of that holds a candle to Rustica is Crema, in Portland, Oregon (a very delicious bakery/coffee place, too). Yes, it's in a shopping plaza, but you'd never notice once you're inside. The food and coffee are amazing and the seating space is nice and inviting. I wish they'd hang some art on the bare walls, however....maybe a rotating local artist would be nice.
(5)Matt Z.
Great coffee and pastries. Seating is a little uncomfortable and it's loud if the place is over half full. Personal preference but I like my coffee shops a little quieter.
(4)Mere W.
This is what happens when Baristas really care about their job. It is worth watching the care they take when making your coffee. My favorite is the vanilla latte made with a vanilla paste that contains real vanilla. This is truly the best coffee I've had in the United States. Then, there are the baked goods. I have not been disappointed with any of their offerings. My go to pastry is the bostok. It is brioche soaked in syrup with a almond paste on top. This brioche is baked twice so it has that crunchy exterior with a soft interior, Yum! The space is not what I would consider cozy but more functional. However, this is nice given the crowd they can gather on Sat and Sun morning. This is a great spot to get a newspaper and relax with some great goodies.
(5)Jenna M.
The only gripe I have about Rustica is the serious lack of outlets. The coffee is incredible (and beautiful) and the eclairs are make-you-cry good. Parking is easy and ample, the staff is adorable and polite, lots of room to sit, and it gets great light on a nice day due to their windows in the front. One of my favorites places to come early (sans all my technology) enjoy a book and sit in the sun.
(4)Jeff M.
The best bakery I've ever been to! I love their bread, especially the olive loafs. Their cookies are amazing. The croissants are perfect. I just wish there were more locations besides their spot by Calhoun since I don't live in the area anymore. Also, some of their staff comes off as cold and that friendly neighborhood vibe of most bakeries is lost. Thankfully their goods are so tasty I don't let it bother me too much.
(5)Jordan O.
We've only tried their baked goods, though they seem serious about coffee and offer lunch options, too. The chocolate cream tart was a great dessert -- more complex layers of flavor than you'd expect from a chocolate dessert. For me, the real standout was the oat maple scone. It wasn't incredibly sweet, and the maple topping was subtle, not cloying. However, the texture of this scone was tremendous - cakey, dense, crisp on the outside, without being dry or crumbly. Quite possibly the most technically perfect scone I've ever had. The selection of baked goods is small compared to other bakeries, but the care they seem to lavish on getting each one just right is evident.
(5)Andrea K.
The moment you walk into Rustica you notice the streamlined, minimalistic, reclaimed woody interior which is actually quite inviting and not pretentious at all.This place makes me feel like I'm not in Calhoun Square, it has a total New York vibe, which is why it's so cool. Let's just get one point out there right away, I don't drink coffee so I can't really review the coffee aspect of the place but in the very least the coffee area looks awesome and smells great too. The main reason I visit Rustica is for the BREAD...olive bread to be exact. It is THE BEST OLIVE BREAD EVER... enough said. Usually I try for the olive rolls ($.75), but most of the time they are sold out. Option B is a regular roll ($.50) or going for a full olive loaf ($4.00). There are obviously other bread options but I'm quite biased, all the others that I have tried are equally delicious. I have also tasted a few of the deserts which are sometimes spendy at about $5 or so but in the end what's five bucks if it makes you really happy? Logistics: Parking is somewhat a dizzle at times but it's the dumb people who designed the parking lot's vault, not Rustica's They close at 8pm... would be nice to add an hour or two.
(4)Cait B.
Take a deep breath when you walk in-the smell of fresh ground coffee beans is intoxicating. So refreshing to come here vs. my usual daily trip to the local coffee chains. You walk in and everything is wooden. To your left are cute built in booths. Make your way to the display case and scratch your head as you try try to pick just a few things out. You ask yourself, "can I finish 3 things.....by myself....maybe 4?" haha I love the fact that they grind your coffee right before they make it. That's love! This is a great spot to snuggle up and share a newspaper with your hubby. A must try: the lemon tart
(5)Richard Y.
You won't find a better baguette anywhere in the Twin Cities. Their chocolate cookies are also killer. I'm pretty sure you can't go wrong here.
(5)Tori M.
On a trip to Punch one day, it finally clicked in my head that this was THE Rustica. You know, the one from which all that awesome bread for sandwiches at Clancey's comes from? Yeah, that one. So of course, even though I was pleasantly full of pizza, I went in. And oh...mah...god. Hello heaven. Sbrisolona? YES. Bittersweet choco cookies? After my first bite, I couldn't stop smiling and raving. What a revelation. The flourless choco cake is divine. And all the breads... it's a carb lovers dreamland. AND they have Ames honey, which is one of my favoritest things in the world. I did not sample any of the Bull Run coffee, but Beard really liked his simple dark roast. I was too busy shoveling all the carbs I could fit into my mouth. And some sbrisolona came home with me to get slathered with kumquat marmalade for afternoon tea. (Because you have to have afternoon tea with sbrisolona... too classy for just a snack.) I would move in here if I could.
(5)Cualeng V.
Rustica is minimalistic, it's decor and openness welcome where most places have you sitting next to strangers, not to encourage friendship and social interaction, but to squeeze as much money per square foot as humanly possible! The bakery case is littered with very non-traditional fare, and on the Saturday evening we strolled in, we ordered the 4" Flourless Chocolate Cake, a Rustic Chocolate Chip Cookie, and a Raspberry Pecan Scone, accompanied by a Milk Steamer (for the lady) and a cup of Gatare (I believe) java. The cake was rich...amazingly rich. We took a few bites (each accompanied with a sip of coffee and milk) and decided to take it to-go. The scone was amazing with bits of pecan and raspberries scattered throughout and just the right amount of subtle sweetness, and the cookie, although good, was definitely the bronze medal winner. If I had any complaints, it'd be that I would've asked for the scone to be warmed up just a tad so it would've been a little softer. I asked the gentleman behind the counter whether the coffee or the espresso was better, and he asked me if I had ever had coffee made from a "Clover" before - so take a guess what I got? I requested a darker roast, so was recommended the Gatare, a roast from South Africa and Sumatra. I also got to witness "the Clover" - basically a coffee machine that makes individual cups from freshly ground beans in about a minute, sans sediment, hold times, and general flavor-reducing processes...One of the best cups of coffee I've ever had, if not THE best, and I was able to taste the earthy flavor without the bitterness (or "strong coffee" taste) sometimes associated with darker roasts. No cream, no sugars, just good 'ol coffee. I'm not a coffee snob, much like i'm not a wine snob, so beyond the fact that it's not bitter and I can actually taste the coffee, I can't say much more. I have, however, drank enough coffee (and wine) to know that if it wasn't good, I wouldn't even be able to tell that much. I can imagine myself making the trek to Rustica on slow Sunday mornings to enjoy a good brew with a book in hand and spending my day turning pages while enjoying a fresh baked baguette with whipped butter - I don't have time for it every week, but you'd better believe I *should* make time for it to keep my perspective like Rustica - fresh and unhurried, knowing that if the journey is worthwhile, the ending most likely will be too.
(5)Brandon K.
Very slow service. Coffee was very expensive and even though it was very expensive, it didn't taste that much different than Caribou.
(2)Ally G.
The coffee was DELICIOUS! However the strip mall location and desserts were mediocre at best. Great place for a coffee to go, otherwise don't waste your time.
(2)Michael G.
Delicious coffee made 1 cup at a time. Weekend mornings and afternoons are extremely busy, so you may have to stand off to the side and wait for a table or just get your coffee and treats to go. Must try for coffee/pastry fans.
(5)Nick S.
Truly excellent baked goods are sort of a casualty of modern progress. Charming neighborhood bakeries and oven-fresh bread at home are relative rarities. Now you swing by the grocery store after work and begrudgingly toss a loaf of bread or a package of cookies into the cart. Rustica is keeping it real. I've been a devotee of their baguettes and levain for some time -- various places around town carry them. The baguettes are baked to perfection: crisp outside and delicious inside. The levain had just the right amount of sourdough bite. I love a good schmear of butter on my bread, but honestly Rustica's is tasty enough that sometimes I do without. The various cookies, scones, and other sweet pastries I've had have never disappointed either. They're nothing fancy really, just extremely well done. I recently decided to actually check out their new(er) digs off Lake Street and give their coffee a try as well. I saw more care go into that cappuccino than I did at my last ten trips to Caribou or Dunn Brothers. The steamed milk foam was like stiff meringue and the espresso tasted like rich, strong coffee instead of char. In this age of recession and financial woe, there's something to be said for the prices too. The coffee is little different than what you'd pay elsewhere. Cookies are exactly one dollar. No bread or pastry is over five bucks. Join the revolution. Support baked goods that are actually GOOD.
(5)Marlene F.
I love this place. A couple of weeks ago I drove through a snowstorm got stuck on the road in front of the fire station, until I was given a little shove from a fellow fan just to get my hands on the Bostock! Seriously, if you like almond pastries this one is not to me missed. It is light, sweet and like nothing you ever had before! Best of all they bake it. So I think it may be better than eating a croissant calorie wise. Goodness in a square. I live in Eden Prairie but will travel across town to purchase Bostock on occasion. Now if you are an olive oil fan there is a pastry that is served only on Wednesdays and Sundays. I have never asked but it tastes like excellent bread with an olive oil sweet crust. Cañadas de Azúcar is a special bread. It is a close second favorite. I would like to experience the whole menu at Rustica as I believe their breads are second to none. Who's in for a pastry tasting party? Please if it is you invite me :)
(5)Annette L.
The best cappuccino in the twin cities! Chocolate croissant was fine...not great but I'm picky. BUT I could not sit down to enjoy my cap because people with laptops were camped out everywhere! Soooo annoying! Most of them weren't even drinking or eating anything. I've heard this is a big problem in NYC and Brooklyn....now I understand why.
(4)Shivani P.
Chocolate dipped eclair was to DIE for! the coffee as well is delicious I ordered a vanilla bean latte and it actually had vanilla bean in it!
(4)Mike C.
When I used to work in the western metro this used to be the place to go for cookies. The cookies here are unbeatable! The two that I come here for are the chocolate chip short bread cookie, and the fudge chocolate chip. Personally, I don't really enjoy sweets as much as others and when I eat these cookies they are so sweet my mouth literally hurts. My wife, on the hand, belongs to the camp that believes that nothing exists that is too chocolatey or sweet. Any time I am in a bind and need to get her a gift, a bag of these cookies always earns me a kiss and a smile. Based on the quality of the cookies I am certain that the coffee and other baked items here are superb, however, never having tried them I can only imagine.
(5)Mandy J.
I guess I don't get it. I see the upscale-ness of it, but this just made me feel like an outsider. I see the fantasic designs made in the coffee, but when it is made by people who don't smile and sneer at you when you ask questions, it isn't quite as fun. Both the pastry (scone) and coffee (latte) I tried were tasty, but nothing to write home... or should I say "write yelp" about. If I want a fun atomosphere, there are plenty of other coffee shops with smiling baristas and service with a "have a good day at the end." If I want a leaf made from the milk of my coffee (now that is cool!), I'll keep going to Rustica.
(2)Tom G.
"Great place to grab a coffee and a Danish! Its right by Lake Calhoun so I stop there after a long run around the lakes!"
(4)Guya I.
ok can you say Dogwood??? The roaster folk at Bullrun, the barista staff----- they are rad. I have had 5 star drinks, and guess what I am a professional coffeegeek, so my five stars mean alot. The iced vanilla latte made with a housemade vanilla bean infusion was like divine as hell. They rock my world. And remember---as a coffeegeek, I am a beast and professionally critical. Bullrun rocks.
(5)Christine S.
I did a dance of JOY when Rustica moved into the neighborhood. I like to walk by and linger in front of the window, watching the baker at work. This is handcrafted bread. I recommend the Miche (a wheat bread) or a baguette. I've tried about every baguette in town and Rustica wins.
(5)Darshy N.
I went in here really wanting to LOVE everything. I went primarily to try to coffee, I've heard so much about Bull Run Coffee - Minneapolis' own coffee roasters and that Rustica Bakery was a joint venture between these two bad boys. But when I arrived there, I wasn't expecting that the independent specialty coffee house would be in a strip mall. This I didn't even mind, I stepped in and the space was totally transformed, exposed beams, beautiful light over looking our wonderful car parking lot, and the beautiful, beautiful aromas of coffee and bread. Just, wow. The barista girl was super friendly, I instantly wanting something fattening to eat, so I asked for her suggestions, and she said that she was personally addicted to the vanilla Eclairs and that the Ophelia bar [sp?] were hot sellers. I had no idea what that was, but it looked very curiously as a slice of tiramisu, however it had almond butter, and sponge cake pieces soaked in espresso and chocolate ganache. So that's what we got, along with a cuppa cappuccino. The coffee was decent, not fully balanced by flavourful anyways. Didn't wow my socks off as Kopplin's but it has potential. The Eclairs was wonderful- no complains there, but the chocolate ganache bar/ almond thing - was on the stale side. The atmosphere there was great though. I think maybe they were having an off day when I was there, so I'm going to go back and give it another shot!
(4)Elise S.
Let me be absolutely clear before I write this review that I think Rustica is, hands-down, the best bread in the Twin Cities. Argue all you want, but for the price and quality, they will beat New French Bakery, A Toast to Bread, (and possibly even Baker's Wife) any day of the week. Their baguettes are consistently amazing, I recently tried their egg braid (Fridays only) and was blown out of the water; I even tried the levain yesterday for the first time - I'm not into the slightly sourdough flavor, but it was still a beautifully-crafted loaf of bread. I stopped in with my mother and we split a cappuccino and a cookie. I think it will probably be the last time that happens since they were both so good, the idea of sharing either seems blasphemous. The cappuccino was done perfectly! Say what you want about the fair-trade coffee or unusual range of machines available at their disposal, the guy making our drink very clearly knew exactly what he was doing. The thought of going back to Starbucks for a thin, burnt-tasting coffee drink is unappealing, through and through! If I'm not mistaken, the coffee aspect of Rustica is actually Bull Run; should I thank them or Rustica for the great cuppa joe? The shortbread cookie, however modest that may sound to everybody else, was simply great. Flaky, flavorful, and only $0.95. If you live anywhere near Calhoun Village, you owe yourself a regular trip to Rustica. Not just for the coffee and easy, clean ambiance of their room, but for their breads and desserts. Go. NOW!
(5)Anna J.
Ohh my frickin' god. Have you seen this place? I love eeit. Pricey? Yes! Worth it? YESSS! My bf and i split an eclair here. It was full of nummmy goodness spewing all over the table. The chocolate was rich and wonderful. I got a cup of coffee...which isn't just any cup of coffee. They make each of cup of coffee so it kind of makes you feel special. It was a litle strong but I got a lot of stuff done that day so I guess it makes it ok. The inside is awesome but a little pretentious, but I don't let it bother me. I could see myself lounging with a paper on a saturday morning while i stuff my face with pastries. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Zachary S.
Opening day at the new location in Calhoun Village, we opened the doors the day before Thanksgiving and didn't smell bread and coffee, but wood and paint. The inside is clean and austere, with bench seating along one wall, and a big ole farm table in the middle. They were sold out of my favorite cookie ever (bittersweet chocolate) so we got a Ginger cookie instead. You can really taste the ginger in there. Best ginger cookie ever. Good tooth. Not too crunchy, not too sweet. Now, I had stated before that Kopplins in St. Paul is the best coffee I have ever had, but now there is a Mpls rival, and it is high time that the kind folks of Mpls had coffee of this caliber. They weigh and grind and brew your cup of coffee, just like at Kopplin's, but unlike Kopplin's, the coffee here looks more like a science experiment, with little burners emitting blue flame to heat water suspended in clear glass vials. Not sure how it works, exactly, but will investigate further. The espresso was wicked good, btw. I took a star off for no music and wonky tables that seemed hastily assembled from leftovers at the lumber dept of Home Depo. Not sure if that was just to get open after the delay or what, but very minor stuff that I am sure will get worked out. Too bad my office is moving, and I won't get to enjoy their coffee for very long!
(4)A. M.
For a spoiled European breadlover, Rustica is a reason why to move to Minneapolis!
(5)Maureen B.
Fantastic. Get the Lemon Tart.
(5)Melanie S.
Wow! I've heard good things about this place, so when I realized where it was, I stopped there with the babe. I dropped the older kid off at yoga, and needed by sweets fix for the afternoon. I went in not really knowing what to expect. It was dinner time, so most of the bakery items were picked over. There were no cookies or other things of that nature. I spotted a pastry that contained blueberries. I figured I couldn't go wrong. I asked what it was, and the girl told me what it was called. (it's been a couple of months, so I don't remember what the name was.) I asked for more information, since the name didn't really give me a good description. The girl behind the counter was new and didn't really know. Apparently, that's all the convincing I needed obviously, because I bought it. Sage and I took it out to the car and headed back to pick up the yogi. We were a bit early so we hung out in the car and ended up devouring the pastry. Sage eagerly sat like a baby chick, mouth open, waiting for more. I gave in to the begging occasionally, just to shut her up. I seriously didn't want to share it, which is strange since it didn't contain frosting. Writing this review just reminded me of something.... I NEED to go back. Good thing its yoga day!
(5)Adam P.
This is a great pairing between Rustica and Bull Run. The coffee I had was quite good albeit not brewed on my method of choice, which I assume was just overlooked by the barista. I got Clover coffee when I requested it brewed with the vac-pot. Ah well. Like I said, the coffee was still good.
(4)Nicole P.
Do you ever just get that craving for pastry? I was in serious need of something sweet and flaky last week and Rustica was the cure for my craving. You could spend hours admiring the goodies in the bakery case, but I zeroed in on the chocolate and pistachio danish within moments. The soft dark chocolate center complemented the crisp flaky outer rings of the crust and that hint of nuttiness from the pistachios topped it all off. I'm just thankful I got to Rustica early enough that day to score one before they were gone. I went for the double chocolate hit that morning by ordering a hot chocolate to drink too. You know how hot chocolate can be too syrupy sometimes? Well, not here. It was smooth and creamy without being overly sweet. I've had coffee during other visits and though I'm no expert, Rustica seems like the ideal place for the coffee aficionados out there.
(4)Gabriel S.
They have simply the best french inspired baked goods you can get in the area. I used to go there after mass when they were attached to Java Jacks. They just moved a month or two ago. I love their Bostock not sure if thats the correct spelling but its great. its bread dipped in sweet stuff and the re-baked and covered in powder sugar. The pan demi is great and all of the bread is great toasted. Most of its a little on the crunchy side which I love but keep that in mind if you are a soft bread person.
(5)J B.
I have to say...maybe I drank the wrong coffee the other day when I was there, but I did not care for it. I did try 2 different kinds, and I was still not impressed. I do love their chocolate chip cookies though. Also, I don't care for the fact that there are no refills on coffee, like there are in other places. Yes I can get a refill, but it is full price. I know it is because they brew it to order, but I am still somewhat annoyed by it.
(3)Rachel S.
Love the product (dogwood, ham brioche, chocolate croissant), but the pretentious ass-hattery from the staff, no thanks. Hipster jerks who have no idea about how to treat people with respect means my money and time will be spent where I am welcome. Not here.
(2)Dolly V.
Rustica knows what they are doing. I'm not a coffee drinker, but I know these guys take pride in where they get their beans and how they roast them. That being said, I got a hot cocoa - perfect foam, light cream, not too sweet and slightly bitter. When I got my cup of hot cocoa, I wasn't expecting it to be made with such love. I can't imagine how much more love is put into their coffee. Brilliant! Their pastries and bread also look fantastic. Definitely coming back for their eclairs.
(4)Steve S.
I love this place. I first discovered it through the sandwiches at Clancey's. They make the using baguettes from here. Well I love a good crusty bread, so I made a trip over to the old S Minneaplis location. When I discovered they were moving to the much closer Calhoun location I was overjoyed. The breads are unbelievable. I could eat a whole baquette with some butter or olive oil. My only complaint is the short shelf life. It pretty obvious that no preservatives are used. The pastries are excellent as well. The chocolate cookies are the bombdiggety. They are a must buy whenever I'm in. The Cinnamon rolls are light and flacky, and the Kouign Amann is to die for.
(5)Mark S.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!! The baguettes brought me in, the fruit and nut roll makes me stay... throw on some brie and a coffee.... game over.
(5)Irina R.
Can't wait to go back so I can try more yummy sweets (and probably take some more pictures of the hearts in the coffee drinks; how creative of them!). Love the good quality chocolate that this place uses, especially because baked goods at most coffee shops are made with Hershey's (a big no no for people who are real chocolate lovers).
(4)Ashlee V.
My boyfriend's family lives right around the corner from this, so every time I come and visit, we eventually stop in here at some point. I'm not a coffee-drinker, so I can't judge on that front (although, my significant other loves his coffee black from here), but I can judge it on hot chocolate and the pastries. The hot chocolate is only so-so. It's got a burnt taste to it like you'd find at Starbucks. Although the art in the cup is super cute, I'm more concerned about the actual taste. On that front, it's pretty mediocre and the aforementioned burnt taste ruins it for me. The pastries and bread? Oh yeah. Now we're talking. Here's what you get your wallet out for, and don't stop. You'll thank me for this. (And if you wanna get me a pastry for it, just think of the scene with the diamonds on the table from Schindler's List--it would make me so uncomfortable to have a lonely pastry uneaten in front of me that I'd just have to have it...) I'd do some pretty awful, heinous, unspeakable, terrible things to be able to have their eclairs in the near future. It's so rich, moist, and exactly how an eclair is supposed to taste. The custard center fills my otherwise picky-tiny-black heart with red hot glee. I've had a slice of some cakes, a lemon tart, and some bread from here as well, and it's all just as good as the eclairs. The lemon tart had fresh lemon zest on it along with a really juicy, tangy center that wasn't too dry or too moist. I guess when it comes to pastries you can call this place a Goldilocks: they got it just right.
(4)Josh W.
The coffee is pretty meh, but the cookies ... THE COOKIES. Oh sweet Jesus, Lord in Heaven are they divine!?! I triple dog dare you to eat just one of the shortbread chocolate chip ones. Go on, try ...
(4)Grant S.
Can't say enough good things about this place. Charming atmosphere, charming employees, and down-right amazing product. The bread is perfect -- crusty on the outside, soft and delicious inside. Perfect for sandwiches, toast, or just on it's own. The desserts here are unbeatable -- I'm a huge fan of the bittersweet chocolate cookie and the fruit tart. Coffee and lattes are well-made, as well.
(4)Lisa H.
Oh, Rustica, Rustica, I think I think I love you... After the much anticipated wait - Rustica in Calhoun Village is FINALLY open! Can you tell I've been waiting? The location is great. Whole Foods, MGM, Chuck & Don's, Barnes & Noble and then Rustica for a treat. That's what my boys and I did today after school. Lots o' errands. Our Rustica treat did not disappoint! The bittersweet chocolate cookie was decadent and not too sweet with the perfect combination of crispy edge and soft, chewy middle. Wish I had another! The cookie size is good too. I'm kind of tired of those HUGE, big as your head cookies. Rustica cookies are a deal at $1.00 per cookie. I predict Rustica is going to be a new hot spot. I'm already planning my next trip back.
(5)Ariel K.
Without a doubt the best bread in Minneapolis, it rivals next to anything I've had in Paris. What I wouldn't give for a hunk of olive bread fresh out of the oven with some of their butter. MMMmMmMmMmMmmmmm. The bread is so softy, the olives so salty and thick and the crust so perfectly crisp! AH! Other notable items: the vanilla scone, pistachio danish, and the kouign aman-- something similar to a dense croissant. Perfect with Java Jack's coffee. The owner of this bakery are absolutely wonderful people: smart, kind, and absolute food lovers. I just hope this place doesn't close down due to it being more expensive than other bakeries/ whole foods. Keep it alive!!
(5)Aaron B.
Many people would consider Rustica's bread to be the best in town. I think with the presence of 46 Patisserie and Turtle Bread, that is something that can be debated. However, in my opinion, when you combine this bread with the incredible coffee from Bull Run, you can't beat this place. Plus, it's right next to a Punch Pizza and Barnes and Noble, so it really is a good place to visit. I buy this coffee to grind at home, and treat myself to the occasional loaf or other sweet treat when I'm in the area.
(4)Jess R.
so good I made my 2nd trip back within 4 days....but really people....save me some Ginger cookies too. Lucked out and got the last brioche, the Significant Other and I pretty much ate the whole loaf for breakfast today. Am sad that we will have to wait a whole week until Brioche Tuesday comes again.
(5)Beverly L.
Please note that the following review is for Bull Run Coffee Bar. Bull Run isn't the kind of coffee shop for casual coffee drinkers or people who like to drink their grande soy carmel mochas with whip on the run from Starbucks. Bull Run IS the kind of coffee shop for coffee drinkers (straight up, folks), who enjoy and appreciate the differences in brewing styles (syphon v. clover, etc.) and gourmet beans. I dropped by for a Friday afternoon coffee treat last week, and was not disappointed. I had a cup of coffee to go (Peaberry), but stuck around to have it syphon brewed. YUM. It was incredible. I didn't find the coffee experience to be as good as Kopplin's, but certainly close. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had had my coffee in a ceramic mug, and relaxed for a bit. So, the difference is not their fault, it was mine. I will definitely get a cup of coffee here any time I am in the neighborhood.
(4)Mario N.
I really want to give this a 5 star as I love the bakery and the concept! I have to say that since they moved into the larger space it is a bit sterile and cavernous - maybe this is just part of being in a strip mall. My biggest complaint however is the coffee - and reading some of the reviews I think that I am cursed. The first visit (just after opening - so I will give them a bit of a break) it took like 20 minutes to get a drip coffee, and it was full of grounds. I have also ordered a coffee from the clover numerous times and each time I feel as if they just do not know how to operate it. The coffee comes back watery and lacking flavor. Perhaps I should move on to the espresso drinks......
(3)Kimberly T.
I've only had the pleasure of trying the ginger cookies, chocolate chip cookies & hot chocolate. Everything was delicious & I loved the interior of the bakery. I look forward to trying more - especially the breads!
(4)John R.
The pastry and coffee where divine, the sample of bread the gave was also very good. The machine they use to make coffee was really neat. the only thing I had against the place was a $0.50 charge for a small container to butter containing about 2 pats. I figure it should be part of the price of the stuff we already brought, Oh well back to the dreamy pasties, did I mention we will make it back again some day.
(4)Liz A.
This place is absolutely perfect. Their fruit and nut bread is UNBELIEVABLE. Perfectly crusty on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. Delicious.
(5)Joel P.
Excellent americano. Wish I would have tried the single cup coffee, definitely plan to on one of my many upcoming visits. I really appreciate that they take coffee seriously and brew to order via clover, pour over, french press or siphon brewing options. Since moving here from SF I have been on a quest to find a place that not only has great coffee but equally great atmosphere. Glad to have finally found one here in mpls that is comparable to sf! Oh and didn't try the bread but it looked amazing. My wife had a scone and loved it.
(5)Ryan P.
How have I not reviewed Rustica until now? Somehow it got overlooked. The coffee is super gourmet and very good. My dad was a bit overwhelmed by all the choices they offered him, but he's from Brainerd, so what can you do? Some random thoughts about Rustica. - Paradoxically it's in a strip mall next to places like Subway. - There's also Punch Pizza next door which is great. - Parking on the right side of the strip mall is often quite crowded. - Parking on the left side is usually a lot less busy/crazy. - If you go anytime near peak hours, expect to not find a seat. - It's a weird system to buy stuff, if you walk in and know what you want just walk up to the cash register to find someone. Otherwise if you linger around the treats, someone will usually come up to you. The line often seems nonlinear. - I've heard some people feel like they weren't given good treatment by the employees at the counter. However I can only attest to my treatment which is impeccable, the folks who work there are ALWAYS SUPER FRIENDLY. - The hot chocolate? It's made for the Gods by the Gods. But anyone can order it and drink it. Even mere mortals. In the winter time? Transcendent. - Remember what I said about not being to find a seat when they are busy? I won't lie, it's kinda awkward. I dunno I just feel like this could be better. A good solution? Take your treats over to the Barnes & Noble next door and enjoy them with a book. - The pastries? They taste as good as they look. Truth. - The bread? Soooo good. Ask them what they recommend they won't steer you wrong. - The chocolate chip cookies. As you know I'm always looking for the best chocolate chip cookies in the world. What they have is very good. It's not huge and thus won't ruin your diet and it's extremely flavorful. - Once you order something that takes a little bit to prepare (like a latte or whatever) it can feel a tad bit awkward waiting for it, especially when it's busy because the seating is weird. Thank god for cell phones. So there you have it. Rustica in a nutshell. As mentioned, my only gripe is the seating. My advice is when you walk in scope out a place to sit and grab it if you find one. No places to sit? Just adjust your order or get it to go and life is good.
(5)Leah L.
Rustica has the best baguette in Minneapolis and their cookies are amazing. I rarely let myself buy their six packs of bittersweet chocolate cookies because I can't control myself and I end up eating all of them. Their eclairs are pretty unreal as well. I'm not a huge fan of their new location -- the space is too big and it feels empty. It's not a big deal when you're just stopping in to pick up something from the bakery though.
(5)Brien G.
I love you Rustica, but you've broken my heart. I miss you in the neighborhood. Are the rumors true? In a strip mall by Burger Jones? Please say it ain't so. Best bakery in Minneapolis. And now the Best Bakery in a Strip Mall. I've only bought bread from them, but I've sampled all types. Unbelievable every time. If I'm really good, will you come back to South?
(5)Rebecca B.
I'm going to go for it and give this place 5 stars, and I hate having to admit a place is five stars. Chocolate Cherry scone? Awesome. Pastry thingy with apricot in the middle? Awesome. Anzac biscuits? Mind blowing, I have tried almost a dozen times at home to bake these and I'm not even close to Rustica's Chocolate Croissant? Just as good if not better than the many I ate while in Paris. Bittersweet Chocolate cookie? Phenomenal...is it as good as Lucia's? I'm not sure, I'll have to keep testing the two, and then test them some more. I hear their bread is insanely good...I just have such a sweet tooth and get distracted every time I go in by the sweets. So I'm giving the place 5 stars without even trying the thing they are most famous for. And the coffee is the best I have ever had. Granted, I am not a coffee snob, but damn that was a fine latte. Last time I was there they mixed up my order and I ended up with the "miel" drink (that's honey folks) and it rocked my day, big time.
(5)Lori G.
Their coffee is better than their bread!!!
(4)Becky L.
Best coffee in the Twin Cities!
(5)Erin B.
Some of the best coffee I have ever had and the scone was amazing. Everything is so fresh. I really don't think you could be dissappointed with anything on the menu.
(4)Joshua Z.
Best. Bakery. Ever. Rustica's breads are, absolutely, the highest quality loaves you can find in this city. Their levain, a sourdough, is fantastic. Baguettes rival what I've had in Paris, though I'm sure a Parisian would disagree. But if you really want to die "le petit mort" in public, get the currant scone. It is so unbelievable good that it is the ONLY thing I order here. Why? Because it is completely, unbelievably perfect. Crunchy, buttery, rich goodness speckled with little chewy tart pieces of currant. The poseurs who get the chocolate ones are misguided, as the chocolate overwhelms the butter flavor.
(5)Scott F.
The croissant was nice and flaky, but did not have enough flavor to it. The kouign aman was too hard/crisp. But the pecan/chocolate swirl was excellent (see photo). The brioche bun and chocolate/orange scone were also good. Java Jack's Coffee Cafe is an adjoining cafe that shares the same space, and their espresso is very good.
(4)Jeff P.
The best pain au raisin this side of Paris. The coffee bar was out of this world...impressive!
(4)Ellen S.
I normally stop at Yum! to buy desserts before I head over to dinner with my family, but decided at the last minute to pop in to Rustica to see what kinds of desserts they had. I ended up getting a chocolate caramel torte that was AMAZING and really yummy chocolate chip shortbread cookies. We even tried the bostok which was really yummy as well.
(5)Jodi E.
Only place to buy bread in this city.
(5)Judd S.
I am unfortunately having to re-review the place because of their big move. In my book, there are two HUGE factors weighing in on my review, and I choose not to demote Rustica to four-star territory because one is a BIG plus, and the other a BIG minus, which cancel each other out. The BIG plus is the coffee, which has improved mega-fold from Java Jack's to Bull Run. These folks now pull the best, smoothest espresso *anywhere* in the TC for sure, now comparable to Kopplin's. Wow is all I can say. This, paired with the still stupendous baked goods, which range from perfectly executed croissants to fantastic baguettes and nutty breads makes this place truly wonderful. But, UGH! Why did they have to move to the awful Calhoun parking lot city? That place is just so depressing. Trekking out this far west to sit by some windows overlooking a sea of cars makes it feel more like an airport or used-car lot than a cafe. Forget having outdoor space here come summer...even if they toss a few tables and chairs in front of the place, who would want their brew imbued with the flavors of exhaust fumes? This is going to put a huge damper on my enjoyment of the place. Their old space was really beautiful - in an old garage, with gorgeous plants outside, set on a serene South Minneapolis residential block. Big downer. In the winter though, you can be inside and sorta not notice it. However, the crowd has changed a bit with the move as well. It's older, with more chatty baby-boomers and a surfeit of kids as well. It is now certifiably impossible to study or really relax here. I would say just come for the breads and take them away, but the coffee is so good and can only truly be enjoyed in a ceramic cup sitting down...so I put up and love every sip anyway.
(5)Carla J.
This is the best bread in the Twin Cities, without exaggeration or caveat. Rustica's bread are for those who know what great bread should be, which is rare in our supermarket culture. The baguettes are perfect with an excellent crust and delicious flavor. The texture inside is great. Put a ripe tomato on one of these and you will be in heaven. We get the Levain bread for toast at home and it is bliss. The pastries are also awesome. Get a 4" galette and don't share it! Eat it yourself and live the good life. The scones define what a scone is meant to be. The cookies, sublime. You can tell I am completely, wholeheartedly a fan of Rustica. Go there for your bread and you will enjoy eating at home again. Seriously.
(5)Mary T.
Dogwood coffee is snobby and ridiculous, and it has ruined my favorite coffee shop, Urban Bean. I loved their coffee, it was the best. Now they sell that #%&*! Dogwood brand. When when I went to Rustica/Bull Run /aka Dogwood to get a breve (modified) to go I was told they cannot sell breve's or cappuccino's to go as it " ruins the foam". at Urban Bean I was told Americans don't understand how true coffee is supposed to be prepared and served. As someone who started drinking " Un cafe expres" in Paris in 1967 I do not need to be told how my coffee should taste or how it should be served. Hello Starbucks where I can still by a bag of french roast beans and get the coffee drink I like served to go.
(1)M.C. C.
You're not likely to find a better French/Italian style bakery in the country. "Surely, you can't be serious," you say. Oh, but I am serious and don't call me Shirley. Not convinced? Try a single olive roll with it's perfect balance of crisp crust, pillow soft bread, and moist, savory olives and then we'll talk. Scones? If your gauge for scones are the shortening-bombs they pawn off as baked goods at Caribucks, well, you simply haven't had a real scone. You owe it to yourself to sink your chompers into one of Rustica's lightly-sweet, butter-crumbly currant scones. These are scones the way the nature intended. There's more. Oh, so much more: chocolate cookies that melt on your tongue like a french kiss from a chocolate angel; crusty/soft baguettes; tarts, tarts, and more tarts. Side bonus: Rustica is located within Java Jack's so you can sit an enjoy the always entertaining people watching and bustling neighborhood vibe. Note: As another commenter pointed out, you can't get a Rustica baked good and a coffee rung up at a single register. Sure, it would be nice, but I don't know, no biggie for me.
(5)Joel M.
The pastry items are good and the clover coffee rocks. When i am in the mood for a foo foo drink I like the Cafe Miel Iced.. Highly recommend!
(4)Greg N.
Woohoo! Finally, an excellent coffee bar in Minneapolis. I have been driving to South St. Paul each weekend to get the best coffee in town at Black Sheep. While I'll need to return to Rustica a few more times to be able to compare the two shops, I can say after two visits to Rustica that this is the best place to get coffee in Minneapolis. They do Clover and siphon brews, as well as press pot and pour over. I am a big Clover fan and so far have not strayed. The Ethiopia Amaro bean brewed on the Clover is an incredible coffee experience. It is truly a wine-like cup, with very complex and layered flavors...you'll taste cherry, raisin, and chocolate. This is really just a wonderful coffee! My only complaint is the puzzling lack of baked goods at the coffee bar. I'm a coffee freak, but my wife goes along for the scones and cookies and whatnot. There was very little to choose from both days we visited, especially considering the place is a bakery! I'm there for the coffee however, and I am so happy that Minneapolis finally has a place for the coffee snob to go. Thank you Bull Run/Rustica!
(5)K G.
Fantastic bakery, nice atmosphere. We tried the chocolate croissant, Kougin Amann, and brought home some bittersweet chocolate cookies. All excellent. We bought a loaf of Miche bread- it was nice that it was a whole loaf (as opposed to being 1/4 of the loaf which is how one must over the same amount of bread from Patisserie 46), however the Miche wasn't as good as the Patisserie 46's Miche.
(4)E P.
I really enjoy the pastries, they are outstanding. I have been there several times with my friends, none of us have ever had a bad piece of pastry no matter what we pick. I regret to say that the espresso coffee, it doesn't matter if it is espresso, macchiato, or cappuccino, it has been below quality for the simple fact that it has an after taste of beans being over roasted, giving a burned after taste. Very disappointing for my friends and me who are european and know what a good espresso should really taste like. We have been several times and unfortunally the espresso was always...bad. 5 points for the pastries but only 1 point for the coffee, so I gave an overall rating of 3. They really should consider changing their coffee roasting process.
(3)Joe P.
I'll be the first to admit that coffee is not among my snobberies. Given my druthers, I drink slightly sweet, coffee-favored milk. But be that as it may, I find it unacceptable to be told that half-caf won't be possible. They ended up doing it, but by that point the first impression had been made.
(3)Mon P.
Passion fruit tart and Parmesan bread! .. i just love them.
(4)Brooke S.
the setting: 1030am, saturday, one of the first 70 degree days of midwestern spring the backstory: groggy couple needs sugar, pastry and coffee the order: one vanilla bean scone, one apricot soleil, 2 cafe au laits. to go please! the experience: super busy but not crowded. free samples. courteous and friendly staff. delicious pastry treats and fresh coffee from high tech coffee makers. 10 bucks for a filling, if not super sugary, breakfast to be enjoyed on a bunch overlooking lake calhoun. what a treat!
(5)Leah D.
We love Rustica. We love the coffee, the bread, the cookies, the lemonade, the location. What else is there to say. Well the location could be better, it could be next door to my house-wait I would gain a lot of weight and spend a lot of money-so correction the location is good, right off the greenway. Rustica, we love you.
(5)Ross L.
Inviting atmosphere, great location and the coffee is phenomenal. I ordered an Ethiopian blend roasted at nearby Bull Run and was blown away by the flavor their high-tech Clover machines unleash. Along with my coffee I ordered an almond sweet bread pastry that I devoured far to fast! Although the this place is more expensive than your average café it is well worth it. Haven't had a better cup of coffee since I was in Florence. Can't wait to visit again.
(5)Lynn A.
Rustica's amazing-ness has turned out a congo line of rave reviews. I'm not usually a joiner -- like Groucho Marx, I don't want to join any group that might have me as a member! -- but in this instance let me join the chorus of ecstatic voices. First, the breads. )pause(. They deserve a full moment of silent respect. Americans just don't do bread well. Rustica is an exception: perfect balance between crusty shell, and chewy interior. I like the Rustic baguette (sold only on Saturdays) far more than the usual baguette, as it tastes more like a classic French baguette. The multigrain is tangy without being as dense as the Black Forest. Their olive bread and rolls has that perfect salty, savory flavor without overwhelming you. The Rustic loaf is a delicate, flavorful white bread, even for those who don't like white bread. Now the pastries. A few rough spots -- those eclairs look bloated, their proportions are all wrong -- but in general, oh so tasty! The Marjolaine and Opera are layered chiffon; the rhubarb galette uses a marvelous pastry base that nicely contrasts the tartness of the rhurbarb. It is all too much. Oh, yeah, and the coffee is good! I enjoy that you can actually taste the difference between the beans, I respect that some of these I don't like, and I am forever grateful I can now order a cappuccino without having to convince a bored fourteen-year old not to use too much milk.
(5)Gene W.
Coffee very good, pastries even better, tried apricot soleil & fruit & nut bread with Vermont butter, with just a bit of delicious raspberry jam ...out of this world!
(5)Jennifer H.
Husband used to work next door to the Java Jack's location and he'd frequently bring home treats from Rustica. The olive bread is fantastic. The baguettes are decent. But the real star is the bittersweet chocolate cookie. It is the perfect chocolate cookie. A tender center surrounded by a crust of sugar -- just enough to balance out the bitterness of the dark chocolate.
(5)Lindsay C.
This place hasn't wowed me yet. After a trip to MGM and on my way home to cook a delightful dinner it hit me, "Ooo" I thought "Rustica is really close by and I've heard rave reviews, a wonderful dessert would be quite a compliment to my home-cooked dinner." Have to admit I was a little disappointed. It was close to 5pm granted (but on a Saturday night!) and the bakery cases were damn near empty with only two choices. Bread Pudding and something I can't remember (guess it wasn't memorable) I got the bread pudding and it was delicious but I was looking for more options, and ambiance. Bare walled and no music. Rustica I'll give you another whirl soon, guess I need to try the bread.
(3)Darren G.
I think this place is absolutely amazing, to the point where I think I've tried everything in the bakery section - all very good. Additionally, the lattes are incredibly yummy. Probably here at least once per weekend, for the aforementioned reasons and good ambiance. My only complaint is that they should be cleaning the tables more...I often have to do that myself.
(5)Kari D.
YUMMY! I make a special trip to get their olive bread - so good it makes my mouth water!
(5)Scott R.
Incredible euro breads and treats. Close to perfection with French and Italian baking vernaculars. WonderCrusts with gluten wonders inside. My only quibble (and it's minor) is far too little chocolate in the pain au chocolat, and they're kind of bready, too. But hey, we can't all be Tartine. What I can't stand about Rustica/Java Jack's is how they maintain separate cash registers, which they seem to have decided to put close together, so that when it's busy that side of the space is a complete cluster. Also, the thing I like least about getting my coffee and pastry is the transaction part, why do you have to buzzkill and double it up on us? Figure out SKUs, run one register and divide the cash up!!!! I would go there three times more often. As it is, I'll only go in when I'm going by and can see that it's not busy.
(4)Alex E.
Came here from new york on a visit after a quick search for a great cup of coffee. Really, really good, strong makes-me-happy coffee, that they grind up right in front of you. Wish I tried something in the bakery section!
(4)Dena S.
Unsweetened cocoa in the mochas? Rustica, where have you been all my life?
(5)Megan P.
This is hands down my favorite place in the twin cities. The coffee is the best-- where else can you get such quality? The pastries are outstanding. The lemon poppy seed scones are only served a few days a week, with crystallized lemon cubes, it is bursting with poppy and lemon flavor. My only request would be for a savory pastry such as a ham and cheese croissant!
(5)Rona Y.
Excellent bread and pastries ... however do not come here expecting a traditional coffee shop where you can set up shop for a couple of hours, pull out the lap top and get work done! They only have one little corner that has electrical sockets, no other places! So unfortunate because I would totally come more often!
(3)Jennifer W.
I wish I lived closer... or actually it's probably best that I don't! I wanted one of everything. I ended up ordering the cinnamon roll and at first I thought "they burnt it!" but then I took a bite and it melted in my mouth and was clearly baked to perfection. I also sampled the fruit and walnut bread and that was great as well. This is a great place to sit outside and enjoy a pastry... (when it isn't frigidly cold out!)
(4)j e.
Best hot chocolate in Minnesota hands down. Their coffee and espresso is good but I prefer common grounds by just a little for a smooth espresso. However I've yet to find a better hot chocolate. Sandwiches are really fresh and have a nice flavor to them.
(5)Carissa S.
Pretty good baked goods, but a sort of stuffy atmosphere. Scone was weak, but cinnamon bun was good. Also, strip mall location is pretty unappealing.
(2)Julie S.
BG, it is true... The new Rustica is in the strip mall by Burger Jones. Once you are in, you can kind of forget the strip mall outside though. The old space was so cozy and quaint. This is huge, by comparison! I asked our barista about the move and he said that the back bakery area alone was bigger than the total space at the old location. It is still a little spartan, but I am sure decor is on its way. As for the goodies, they still have a good selection of breads and rotating breads of the day. We were there at night, so the sandwiches and bread selections were getting a little low. Bummer. I would have loved a loaf of the rye with brandy-soaked currants! I went with Jess, so I was on the "cookie and coffee before the MOA" mission the other night. Mission accomplished -- and then some! Their ginger cookie is FANTASTIC! It is a real ginger cookie, not a gingersnap. Delicious. I also like that they will brew your coffee either by coffee bong (not the official name, but it makes the coffee really smooth and sediment-free), pour-through (for those who like a little sediment) or clover (in the middle). What I really like is that they will ask you what coffee blend you want to order at whatever level of coffee-addict you are at. If you want a "medium" blend, they will give you a couple of options and a recommendation (ex: Guatamalan). No pretense or snobbishness. If you are a bean nerd, like me, they will get excited when you order your Ethiopoian because you like the "nice earthy, berry qualities" to it. Just a super friendly staff who seems really proud of what they make and serve.
(5)katia H.
love the coffee and the treats.
(5)Benjamin C.
ben c. here. interested in talking about bull run's coffee. It's great to finally have a coffeeshop in Minneapolis. this place is actually a joint venture between rustica and bull run coffee. someone needs to correct the title :) frankly, the espresso isn't quite as good as kopplin's. but it's still pretty awesome. located in uptown and relatively cheap. the prices are about 10-15% lower than kopplin's. the service is somewhat faster. their milk is homogenized. kopplin's sells unhomogenized milk. does this affect the consistency of the cappuccino? I certainly don't know, but the BRRCO baristas will have us believe that the unhomogenized milk separates more quickly. AHHHHHHHH, at least they're thinking about it! I recommend ordering a cappuccino and a bostok (sweet almond bread). best combination ever. get there early! Rustica sells out of the bostoks quickly.
(5)Natalie W.
Best cookies I've ever purchased in a bakery. Or perhaps that I've eaten. The Rustica chocolate chip cookie made me think I'd died and gone to paradise. Same goes for the double (triple?) chocolate cookie. MELTS IN YOUR MOUTH! After reading more reviews, though, I'm gonna have to buy some bread, too! Also, the staff is awesome. I just wish they were open on Mondays, so I could pick up some baked goods for Monday Night Dinner!
(5)Carlo H.
it was a rainy day and the damp chilly weather was calling for a cup of joe so we ventured over to the rustica bakery. entering rustica we were surprised how big the inside was. plenty of inside seating, nice open space. to warm our tummies up we got coffees and complimented them with a few pastries. the coffee menu was absolutely impressive. huge variety of coffee to choose from and different ways of brewing them. the unique thing about it is that the coffee although elaborately made right in front of you could cost only $1.75. they also serve a few non coffee drinks, like chocolate milk but this is not your nesquik chocolate milk, they fancy it a bunch by using dark chocolate shaving instead. be warned it doesnt come sweet when it gets to you, rather kind of bitter, buts a few sugar packets makes things all better. the pastries unfortunately were not as impressive as their coffee. we got the chocolate croissant which was about 99.9% croissant and 0.1% chocolate, not good. the chocolate/pecan swirl was a bit tough probably baked a little too long. the lemon danish was nicely done though. had a tangy kick to it that was not over powering. overall we enjoyed the relaxing environment and friendly staff to decide that we'd frequent this place again another soggy day or if in the area. give these guys a try and let them dazzle you with their impressive coffee making skills. heck where else can you get a drink and a show for less then two bucks.
(3)karen y.
I've been enjoying Rustica breads for while now - they are sold in some of the best places in town, but today my daughter and I stopped in for bread, cappucino and a cookie. There are few words to describe the quality of the food and service. Eleven stars out of ten! I just hope that a bunch of those free-web leechers who sit there for hours over one little coffee will move their cheap a**es out so more paying customers can sbe there and have an enjoyable cup of coffee and treat.
(5)Vita B.
very tasty bread, pastries, cakes, cookies, coffee....but be prepared to wait for very slow services and if you order coffee add 10 min to you wait. They do have a good reason for long wait for coffee, each cup is made from scratch and they take their time to make it perfect every time.
(4)Lisa P.
will you please hurry up and move to my neighborhood? please? i've been dancing around like a kid trying not to pee my pants waiting for your new location. thanks.
(5)P X.
I could not expect more from a bakery and coffee shop than what this place offers! Great location (OK, maybe the strip mall isn't ideal, but near Lake Calhoun, bus lines, and lots of apartment buildings make it super user friendly!). The bakery and coffee are out of this world. Try all of the cookies and the dark chocolate caramel tart (which comes in a few sizes) is to die for. L-O-V-E at first bite.
(5)