[MSP] Cafés with WiFi in Vadnais Heights, MN?

[The Dairy Queen]

I’m looking for a café-type place in Vadnais Heights (or maybe, but less desirably, in White Bear or Maplewood) where I can bring my laptop in the mornings before work (so, ideally, a place that opens at 7am or earlier) or over the lunch hour that has WiFi and doesn’t mind if I sit and play on my laptop while sipping my coffee leisurely.

The menu options don’t need to be that robust, just basic (and, hopefully, delicious). In the mornings, hopefully at least coffee, but ideally some sort of egg-y options, yogurt and/or fresh fruit-type breakfast options. For lunch, hopefully soup and salad, at a minimum.

Any ideas?

Thank you,

~TDQ

[shaft71]

I seem to recall that Taste of Scandinavia in North Oaks has WiFi. This is just a short drive west of Vadnais Heights and they open @ 6am. They have a pretty good selection for breakfast and some decent soups at lunch.

May be worth a call to verify if WiFi is available.

[AnneInMpls]

I'm with you on your quest for a non-chain location. Check out the WIFIfreespot web site in case they list something for Vadnais Heights / White Bear / Maplewood.

http://www.wififreespot.com/minn.html

Hey, I see a listing for The Chocolate Spoon Cafe in White Bear!

Anne

[The Dairy Queen]

The Chocolate Spoon Cafe! That sounds adorable! It doesn't open until 9am, so, it's a good lunch option... http://www.chocolatespooncafe.com/ Good thing I still have Panera and Dunn Bros for my breakfast option!

~TDQ

[soupkitten]

they have wraps that are okay and soup that is a little skimpy/watered down for the price (in general the shop is expensive, but it is independent), but fresh & homemade. good scones, truffles i have not tried. the lady who owns the place can be . . . eccentric. . . but sometimes nice to talk to. sally i think?

[Chris Mitra]

When I used to need Wi-Fi around there, I would go to the Panera and/or Dunn Bros on County Road E.

[The Dairy Queen]

Oh, you're right. I'm so biased against chains in general that sometimes they are practically invisible to me, but, these place you suggest do have wireless. Thank you for making them visible to me in my time of need. That Panera and that Dunn Brothers open at 6am on weekdays--that ought to fit my needs if I can't find an independent place to camp out...

(At least Dunn Brothers is a local chain, no? I don't know if they have food, though. Will have to investigate.)

~TDQ

[LauraB]

Dunn Bros is pretty much just a Twin Cities chain - and even not so long ago was only in a few places. I went to Macalester so I spent a fair amount of time hanging out in the original one near Grand and Snelling in Saint Paul. I still think this one is the best, but in general I find it to be better than Caribou or Starbucks. The Dunn Bros. I have been to have decent, but not great pastries, yogurts, pre-packaged egg sandwiches that they warm up for you, etc. for breakfast and some sandwiches and stuff for lunch. In general, I like the coffee better than the food.

[Chris Mitra]

Yeah, I'm with you TDQ on seeking out the independent places, but when I used to be up there it was slim pickings.

Dunn Bros is a Twin Cities chain; plus, each one roasts their own beans, and I think each one has a different selection of food -- so I don't count them as a chain as much.