Here are links to nearby food and drink which we (and our guests) recommend. We enjoy them all! Note that most Twin Cities restaurants do have vegetarian or vegan options.
These restaurants are either within walking distance, on the GreenLine train, or are a very short drive away from Bobbin House Studio. We enjoy the food at all of them. Yes, there are many others which are just as good. These are nearby and easy to find. Note that the UofMN campus is just a few blocks away where you will find dozens of bars and restaurants which we can't even try to keep track of! This list was updated: 7/27/22
- The Market at Malcolm Yards A six minute walk away. One block behind Fresh Thyme is a fantastic "food hall" restaurant. (Think indoor food trucks without the trucks.) many food vendors, fantastic pizza, amazing ice cream, a full bar and a wall of pay by the ounce beer and wine taps. A bit noisy with people of all ages having fun and great food.
- Fresh Thyme Farmer's Market A five minute walk away. Our local grocery store has take out salads, soups, sandwiches, pizzas, hot meals, bakery items and snacks, along with a fresh meat market, plus all the usual grocery and produce items. They also have a liquor store on the parking lot side of the building.
- The Naughty Greek Greek street-food, including sandwiches, salads and full-meal plates. The nearby Location is at the corner of Raymond and University Aves.
- The Workhorse Coffee Bar is also at the corner of Raymond and University Aves. They can serve your morning cuppa with fresh baked goods and you'll find ever-changing simple and satisfying lunch choices. Be sure to notice the smallest museum in St Paul near their front door!
- Surly Brewing A six minute walk away. Yes, they brew their famous beers there, plus they have 2 restaurants. They offer chef-quality food in the "Beer Hall" and their "Pizza Upstairs" restaurant has become a local favorite. You can also schedule a tour of the brewery!
- O’Shaughnessy Distilling Company A six minute walk away. You can get food and drinks here.
At the O’Shaughnessy Distilling Company, the vision is to bring together the best of Irish and American whiskey making traditions. Helmed by world-renowned Master Distiller Brian Nation, former Master Distiller at Jameson, Redbreast and Midleton Very Rare whiskey’s.
The magic of whiskey making begins with three triple copper pots where they make American Whiskey in the traditional Irish triple distillation style. Their flagship offering, "Keeper’s Heart Irish + American Whiskey" is the first whiskey to blend the very best of Irish and American distilling traditions to deliver a truly unique and remarkable taste experience. Your host Steve, loves Keeper's Heart!
- Lake Monster Brewing Ranging from esoteric to approachable, subtle to over-the-top, the beers adhere to the philosophy that there is always more to be discovered. A different food truck is parked outside every day, or bring your own food!
- Urban Growler Brewing The first women-owned microbrewery in Minnesota. An inviting Taproom and Beer Garden with traditional beers and a wide variety of specialty brews with a local twist.
- Can Can Wonderland Playland for grown-up-kids. Located in St. Paul’s Hamline Midway neighborhood and the Creative Enterprise Zone, Can Can Wonderland combines art and play to create a one-of-a-kind arts immersive environment for people of all ages to enjoy. Mini golf, vintage pinball, crazy drinks and fun food. Short drive, easy parking.
- Cafe Biaggio A moderately upscale Italian Bistro just a few blocks to the east. The food is deliciously memorable, the atmosphere is romantic.
- Keys Cafe Since 1973, a Twin Cities tradition for breakfast and lunch only. Its old-fahioned atmosphere and down-to-earth food is great every time!
- U Garden Chinese Just 3 blocks away. Friendly menu service or inexpensive self-service buffet. We eat here often!
- Caspian Bistro and Marketplace Persian food in a full-service restaurant plus a Mid-Eastern food market. Great food and friendly service! This has been a favorite with many of our guests and us too!
- Foxy Falafel Oh how we love this place! A charming, funky little cafe with healthy, earthy, chef-quality food. YUM!
- Seward Cafe A whole-food cafe that's been there since 1974. Healthy and delicious food with environmental and social conscience.
- On's Kitchen Thai Cuisine Up-scale Thai food in an unassuming location on the "GreenLine" near the Snelling Ave. Station.
- Seward Co-op A delightful natural-foods grocery store, cafe and deli.
- Hampden Park Co-op Another nearby natural foods grocery store.
- Egg and I - East At 2550 University Ave West, it's a short walk away. Standard American breakfast fare. Open only until 2:00 pm.
- My Burger Stadium Village 213 Oak St SE (MPLS UofMN campus) Fantastic and definitely NOT your average fast-food burger. They deliver too!
- Hong Kong Noodle Nearby on the "Greenline" at the UofMN campus, this very casual noodle house is about as authentic as you can get in MPLS. Our favorite is jumbo shrimp and walnuts. Delicious!
- Himalayan Restaurant A Short drive away on East Lake Street. A small, local-family-owned restaurant serving Nepali, Indian and Tibetan Cuisine. Optional buffet at lunch! Menu only for dinner. YUM!!!
- Pizza Luce Seward A pizza place with a contemporary attitude.
- Denny's The chain restaurant you probably already know. Decent food and reasonable prices. Easy and ample parking and a short walk from light rail.
- Zipp's Liquors A liquor store with character! They call themselves, "the chicken and waffles" of liquor stores. (It's a fun and funky place.) A large hand-picked selection of unusual specialties makes them different and entertaining. Note that ALL Minnesota liquor stores close at 10:00 pm.
- Sharrett's Liquor A small liquor store just a few blocks east, located on the corner of Raymond and West University Avenues in the Midway area of St. Paul, (just east of Highway 280.)
Look Below: Here Are More Choices For Food!
These places are just a bit further away than the ones listed above, but they're still nearby, and are absolutely worth a short drive. (These are the places Steve and Tom go to most often.)
- Wilde Cafe Named after Oscar Wilde, it's a full-service neighborhood restaurant with an updated Victorian feel, but it's not your typical cafe. They've tried to create an atmosphere that would suit Wilde's tastes. A comfortable place where you can go alone, or with friends to enjoy a latte or glass of wine by their 1900's fireplace on a Chesterfield couch. A perfect place for a romatic evening and a leisurely walk, it's on the historic Mississippi riverfront, along the St. Anthony Falls Heritage Trail, and near the Guthrie Theater.
- Kramarczuks Also in the Historic NE Minneapolis riverfront district, not far from Wilde Roast. It's a deli for dine-in or take-out, a meat market and a bakery! Imagine the smells of fresh baked bread, pastries, tortes, smoked sausages and stewed cabbage. For sixty years Kramarczuk’s has represented the quality and taste of Eastern European foods in Minneapolis. YUM!!! (The cabbage roll with the "pink sauce" is one of our favorites!)
- Cafe Latte Is also in Saint Paul. They have a fantastic and ever-changing assortment of decadent cakes, pastries, breads, salads, sandwiches and drinks. Your BHS host,Tom, gets his favorite birthday cake from here! (Life is short, Eat dessert first.)
- Little Mekong District This is an Asian-business district several miles East of here on University Avenue beginning at Lexington Avenue. The many "mom and pop" restaurants are deliciously authentic, and probably as close to the home-cooking of their native cultures as you can get. Try something different!!! Several of these places are "regular" dining choices for us. Check out the Asian grocery stores too! The Green Line light rail train can zip you there easily.
- Shish A "Mediterranean" cafe, this is a place where we love to have hummous for breakfast, (they serve American breakfast too) but any time of day it's great food. Plus there's a bakery case that will definitely tempt your sweet tooth.
- Chimborazo This is probably our favorite restaurant in the entire TC Metro Area. They serve the traditional foods you'd find on an Ecuadorian family's table. This is simple food, fresh food, and beautiful food that will satisfy the tastes of both carnivores and vegetarians. Extremely flavorful, but not hot-spicy. They call themselves, "a small restaurant with a big heart." It's a popular and BUSY place, so there may be a wait for a table.
- https://holylandbrand.com/deli/ Take a short drive up Central Avenue to Northeast Minneapolis to see what brought Guy Fieri from Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives to Holy Land Bakery in Minneapolis: a truly authentic taste of the Mediterranean/Middle East region of the world. They offer a rich restaurant menu of delicious items that are seasoned and cooked old-world style over wood-fire grills, in Tandoor clay ovens, and on Rotisserie-style spits. Enjoy delicious sandwiches and entrees that include juicy free-range, vegetarian-fed Rotisserie Chicken, Arabic Shawirma, Burgers, the biggest, tastiest gyro in the Twin Cities and much more – all made using the highest quality Halal- Zabiha meats. There's also a complete grocery store with an amazing assortment of meats, bakery goods, olives and cheeses. You can't drive to North Africa, but you can drive to Central Avenue in Northeast in MPLS!
- Little India International Market Also on Central Avenue in Northeast MPLS, is our favorite "East Indian" market. They should charge just to walk in and smell the spicy fragrance of the store! They sell lots of British specialty foods too. Tom is crazy about this place!!!
Incidental Necessities, Groceries and Pharmacy
- Fresh Thyme Farmer's Market and Liquor Store See description above
- Lund's Grocery An upcale, full-service gorcery store with lots of chef-quality takeout food options. Free parking ramp. Full-service pharmacy.
- Other pharmacy options are located on the UofMN campus, in nearby downtown Minneapolis or the Midway area of Saint Paul on University avenue.
