I almost always stop here when on Grand Ave, perhaps it's time for me to chime in with my 2 cents. They make a good latte, I like a drink from a glass on occasion and not always a coffee mug. Mango Blueberry Cheesecake, yum. Service is always friendly, the staff I've encounted always seems to like chatting with the customers, a big plus in my book. Yes, it can get really busy and if you know Grand Ave, you know parking can be a challenge. But go anyway & enjoy!
(4)
Beth F.
I think there's a chance a girl could substitute the chocolate cake at Cafe Latte for sex and feel okay about it. It's rich and decadent and HUGE and amazing and gooey and would you believe that I don't especially *like* sweets? This place really is the ultimate soup, salad and sandwich shop. It's served up deli-style so grab a tray, hop in line and watch them create your meal exactly to your specifications. The last time I came here, I ordered my sandwich after my friend. She's a mayo lover and I'm a mayo hater so I was extremely pleased to see the sandwich maker wipe off the knife (without being asked) she had just used to cut my friend's drenched-in-mayo-turkey-sandwich before coming anywhere near my bone-dry-cheese-and-veggie-delight. I love conscientious sandwich makers! If it's not 11 a.m. in the middle of the week, this place ain't worth the hype. If it's not swarming with folks, go. If it's packed, move along. It's good, but not worth the wait or the hassle.
My sister and her family introduced me to Latte a number of years ago. I had never eaten a cake with flavor and texture their cream cake layering process imparts. Its really rich and sweet but not that overwhelming too much raw sugar sweet. It has a texture that with the proper amount of flavoring and sweetness only enhances the overall expierience of taste bud arousal. I never had that sensation before and probably not after at any other place, at least not to the level they provide. So in the past 3 yrs all other desserts have been judged by my in reference to Cafe Latte desserts. The only reason there is not 5 stars is i dont like having to fight for a table or balance my tray of desserts, and drinks as i am forced to assualt the stairs in a mission to find an empty table. But being a business owner myself. If i had their obvious success judged on how busy they always are, i wouldnt change a thing either. I also heard and i have never confirmed it that they give all cakes and other baked goods to a food pantry or feeding place at the end of the day and only serve fresh stuff the next day. Hope thats true, if for no other reason then it gives me an excuse to go there again and support those who help those less fortunate.
(4)
Sarah L.
We came here for the sole purpose of having dessert and coffee, so I can't really comment on the soups, salads, or sandwiches here. And for that purpose alone, we had a great time. We were here one evening during the weekend and to our surprise, it wasn't as busy as I've seen it before. But we did have to take a number as if we were waiting in line at the DMV, but they gotta have a system of some sorts, right? The girl who was helping us was very friendly and gave us recommendations since we weren't sure what to get. We ended up getting the Turtle Cake and the Chocolate Pistacchio Torte and paired them off with a mocha and something called the Swedish. All these things came out to be about $17-18. Seems a bit expensive for me, but the tastebuds was telling me otherwise. The turtle cake was delicious...the chocolate cake was very moist and it wasn't too sweet, so that really good. And the choco pistachhio torte was a nice surprise. We sat upstairs in a cozy corner and chatted the night away. If you're looking for a place to hang out with coffee and dessert, it's a fun place to be and great desserts to try! Oh yes, parking sucks, so having fun looking around for parking!
(4)
Jane B.
SOOO good! I would drive here every day if I could - but I live on the other side of the river (aka, Minneapolis). It's great for lunch or a light dinner. They have really good quality food. The desserts are absolutely unreal - triple layer chocolate cake... :) Usually I find street parking within a block or two otherwise you can park behind the complex with Chipotle and Hot Momma. There is also a pay ramp behind Pottery Barn.
(5)
Becky L.
Tollhouse tart!
(4)
Parka P.
OMG. What can I say. I'm not a lover of desserts...however, their raspberry creme torte...that's to die for. TO DIE FOR. The first time I went there, I almost stabbed the wait staff for trying to take away my plate before I was finished licking off every last crumb/cream off my plate. I have never in my entire life, ever ever had something so fine. It's such a shame I don't live in St. Paul. NYC is the greatest city in the world, but we ain't got nothing on you Cafe Latte. :-)
(4)
Emily M.
I LOVE this place!!! I used to live in MN and this is one of the restaurants I miss the most. When we come back to MN for a visit, we eat there multiple times- often we go there straight from the airport! All of the food we have ever tried is delicious!! My husband is a fan of their pasta salads. We both love their soups- there is always an array of choices! They always have Chickens Salsa Chili- which is great (and the recipe is available on their website!). We also love the spread sampler. And the desserts and scones?? WOW- AMAZING! The only downfall is that it can be a little pricey, but honestly, in my opinion, it's worth every penny. We also love the atmosphere and location of Cafe Latte. :)
(5)
Emily U.
Cafe Latte. It's hoppin' on Grand but the front door is probably where the excitement stops. I'll cut right to the point. If I want to order like I'm in a cafeteria, I'll go back to my high school. The sandwiches and soups are totally mediocre, and I'd have to say a bit pricey.I just have an issue with dragging a tray down a long counter and then walking all around the restaurant trying to find a place, eventually ending up in the back. I think this is a good place for dessert but if you want a sandwich and soup, try somewhere else. I agree with the others. The crowds are out of control.... go here on a weekend and expect to wait.
(1)
Angela L.
Great place to come for dessert and coffee. HUGE cakes to overwhelm your taste buds. The coffees, mochas and hot chocolates here are heavenly. I like to take my mom here for lunch, the deli lunch line is SLIGHTLY confusing, which would be my only con, but everything here is good. It is really busy most of the time which is partly why the the service line is so confusing. Great soups and salads.
(4)
Josh T.
The food is generally fresh and tasty, with sandwiches and soups the Latte's most consistent pleasers. What really keeps people coming back, however, is the selection of desserts. There's a reason the Cafe is often sold out of the chocolate cakes (try the turtle and you'll crave it forever) - they're delicious and wonderfully decadent. Unfortunately, I agree that the crowds are out of control at lunch, and the "ladies who lunch" are sometimes frenzied and rude. Parking is also a nightmare, but if you come at an off hour, prepare to eat well.
(4)
Adam B.
Great cheesecake!
(4)
Jeff R.
Food is pretty tasty, particularly if you've got a hankering for some soup, a salad, or a hunk of chocolate cake, but good luck finding a seat. Also, be sure to bring your patience as you elbow your way through the sea of suburbanites who are completely clueless in crowded places. Overall not bad, but choose your time wisely.
Love this place! Everything I've tried has been delicious, from soups, salads, sandwiches and cakes. Their employees are friendly and helpful and the restaurant is clean, despite how busy it can get. I would also highly recommend the high tea. It's fun and totally worth the price!!
(5)
Anna S.
I love, love, love Cafe Latte. I live in Texas but whenever I come up for a visit I spend time shopping on Grand Avenue and I have a meal at Cafe Latte. I always get a couple extra scones or rolls to go, too :) They have an ever changing menu of soups, salads, breads and desserts. Everything is fresh and fantastic. Today I had the chicken vegetable stew and the apricot coconut roll. Plus we shared an orange chocolate scone and a raspberry strudel scone. Dad's favorite is the German Chocolate cake. We pick one up for birthdays. It's divine. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Love Cafe Latte!! :)
(5)
Drew B.
Hmmm what do I want Should I go soup or sandwich I want THAT dessert (This place has always amazed me. How can a place that serves simple sandwiches, soups, and desserts be SO popular? The answer is QUALITY. They have provided Grand Avenue with top-notch food for ~20 years, and they have been busy every single day while doing it! Not many restaurants can hold that title. Congrats, Cafe Latte. You deserve the praise. Highly recommended.)
(5)
Victor M.
the deserts are very good. I love there cheese cakes and the area has a great feel
(4)
Elliot Y.
This place is great for coffee and their desserts are amazing. their food I would say is good its run in kind of a cafeteria sort of way, line up get food find somewhere to sit. unfortunately it is a bit busy, other than that this place is awesome.
(4)
Susan R.
Every time I go back to St Paul I get their chocolate cake. I love, love, love it.
(5)
C T.
Rude people, over priced and pretty much worthless. Went in for cake, ended up paying more for six individual pieces than a whole cake. Asked management if they could charge us for the price of a whole cake, even though we were getting six pieces and they said no. Asked if they could just give us a whole cake and they said no because they wanted to sell it in pieces and no whole cake was available. Ridiculous.
(1)
Chandler P.
Always fresh ingredients. Amazing soups, salads and sandwiches. The cafeteria style does not bother me when the food is this good!
(4)
Lori G.
Their bread and desert is delicious! The neighborhood is lovely! I had a beautiful Saturday afternoon over there!
(4)
Zachary S.
I really cannot stand this place. Not sure what the fuss is about. Where to begin? For starters, they are overpriced. If I am going to spend that much on a salad, I want to sit at a table and have somebody bring it to me. The whole grab a tray and point to what you want reminds me of both grade school lunch, or Shawshank Redemption. Half the staff is still in Highschool, don't make eye contact and mumble. Do yourself a favor and go to A Piece of Cake on Selby, or Cupcake on University. That way you won't feel like you could get a shiv for taking a seat from a soccer mom in from Eagan for the afternoon.
(1)
Laura 'jinx.tv' K.
Mmmm...mmmm...mmmm! Everything here is so delicious. When I wanted to get my mom a cake for her birthday, but I was a couple thousand miles away, the first thing I thought of was "I'll get her one from Cafe Latte and get it delivered". Well, Cafe Latte doesn't deliver *pout* but they let me buy a cake over the phone after describing to me what they had that day and were then very patient as I called around to limo services, delivery services and taxi companies trying to find one that would take a credit card over the phone. FINALLY I found some random stranger on craigslist who was looking to earn some extra cash, I PayPal-ed him his delivery fee and he picked up and deliverd to my mom this giant, delicious (or so she and everyone she shared it with said) chocolate, chocolate, chocolate cake. AND he didn't try to rob her and wasn't scary and it wasn't weird or anything. Hurray for that "Minnesota Nice" (even with a pricetag attached) and hurray for Cafe Latte!
(5)
Marcel H.
Similar to corner bakery
(4)
Elisabeth A.
Oh, I love this place. It makes me miss California a little less. First off, the ambiance is wonderful. Despite claiming it is a cafe, you can treat it like a restaurant. There are usually interesting (but unobtrusive) pieces of art on the high shelves, and the lights are in what look like hand blown glass sconces. The clientle tends to be young and well employed, and probably hops to the bar next door after eating. You can come in jeans and a t-shirt or dressed for prom and fit in either way. The pizza is pretty good, but go for the desserts. Amazing. Order at the counter, but you can keep a tab. If you like this place and you're ever in the East Bay, you should try Jupiter! The similarity is half of why I love this place.
(4)
MALEAH A.
I have been waiting weeks to find the right time to check this place out. I understood that I have to come here for the dessert, so the right time happened to be mid-afternoon on a busy errand day for my boyfriend and me. Thanks to all the helpful yelp reviews here i knew what i was walking into. be prepared for crap parking, a bit of a chaotic atmosphere, know what you are ordering in advance, make your order fast and get outta the way! we were ready. We did have to circle the block for parking, but when we walked in, although it was crowded and bustling, there was no line! I walked right up to the dessert counter and asked for a slice of the chocolate cake and a slice of the pumpkin cheesecake. great, that was easy. ok, coffee, i need a coffee. I am told to order that at the register. ok. got it. take my tray and my slices and get in line to pay. wait, do i need to be in line? these people are still trying to figure out what lunch items to order. I DON'T WANT LUNCH! I JUST WANT TO PAY FOR THESE SLICES SO I CAN SIT DOWN AND EAT THEM!! (the caps is out of excitement, not anger) so i casually (no one's watching, right?) swing out of line and sway down to the register. just these two slices. oh and a coffee!! oh! and boyfriend decides he would like a hot chocolate. what's that? hot chocolate should've been ordered with the cake slices? er.. umm. ok. thanks for letting it slide this time. just take your time, as everyone in line seems to be glaring at me wondering what the hold up is (i'm sure i'm just being paranoid). lucky for us, we find a table right next to the door. the hot chocolate looks pretty in it's clear glass, but with no handle, it's too hot to handle! could use one of those slip on things. but enough of all that. the most important part is coming.... the first bites. the chocolate cake: MOIST. great flavor, rich, almost sensual. wish i could've had some straight from the oven. i like my cake warm. and the frosting would've been better had it not been chilled and hardened. having said that, this is the best chocolate cake i've ever had from a restaurant. the pumpkin cheesecake: really really good. nothing special about the crust, but the flavor of the pumpkin was great, and had a super creamy texture that we all love in our cheesecakes. this was our favorite of the two. definitely check this place out, but please go prepared. i can see how people can get stressed going here. next time i'll try the food, it did look pretty good too!
(4)
Tacy T.
Love, love, love this place. Chicken salsa chili always hits the spot on a cold day. If you feel like finger food, the spread sampler platter (with your choice of three spreads) is very filling. And who can skip a luscious, thick slice of their German Chocolate Cake? The only thing they need to improve upon is the layout -- they should have separate stations for soup, salad, sandwiches, etc, instead of one too-long line. Yes, I know you can skip ahead of the person ordering a sandwich in front of you, but it usually results in getting the evil eye.
(5)
Meg C.
This is a must stop on my once a year visits home. Can NEVER decide if I want more savory or sweet foods from here.
(5)
Dan C.
I kept hearing of Cafe Latte from friends and coworkers from the cities. I heard all about the cake, the cake and the cake. Living directly across the street, the on street parking really was no bother. I went a few times to the wine bar in the back for a spot of dessert and a glass of vino, and also took it to go. I loved the atmosphere. Lots of people, lots of fun. My personal favorite is their Chocolate Tres Leches cake. I have never even seen a Chocolate Tres Leches cake before this and since moving home, I have found my self craving it. The Original and Raspberry Cheesecakes are great, however, I found the Flourless Chocolate and Turtle EXTREMELY rich. Just before moving back west, I decided to try out the food food as I had heard great things in this respect also. This is where I felt they fell short. I received a sandwich (turkey avocado lala), a salad (chicken caesar pasta), some chips and sourdough bread. For $20, it was not the business. It wasn't horrible, but definitely not worth the money. With the nightlife on Grand Ave, I feel they should stay open a bit later. Many a sweet tooth went unsoothed after 10pm. Also, a patio would fit in well among the Grand Ave. set. Some tips, expect to wait in line. In the front or back. These guys have a huge fan base in St. Paul. There is street parking and also a parking garage for Victoria Crossing available on Victoria just south of Grand. KNOW WHAT YOU WANT!!! The servers behind the counter are quick and efficient, but are often held back from folks not being ready. The way the line works, you have plenty of time to check out the selection before reaching the counter. The staff is very friendly and has no problem answering any questions about the cakes, salads, soups, wines, etc. Great atmosphere, good dessert and friendly service, but short hours, and disappointing cafeteria flare knocked my rating down to 3 stars.
(3)
Yiling W.
Passable good, fast, affordable food with desserts that look really tasty (did not try), served cafeteria style.
(2)
Ann J.
We just had a nice lunch at Cafe Latte today. Be aware that this is a very crowded area and parking is a problem. Service is cafeteria style and even at 1:00 the wait in line was still almost 20 minutes. If you want to see wht they have that day I would suggest you take turns getting out of line and going ahead to see otherwise you will have to order before you can see everything they have. I had the salad trio and it also came with my choice of bread. The salads were fresh and orginal and the bread was good. My husband had a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread - warning - he said the mustard was good, but very spicey. Disappointed that they didn't have better chips or fruit with the sandwhiches though you could get a small salad for 5 or 6 dollars to go with it. We did bring him a piece of chocolate cake that we have yet to try. Overall pretty good and we will go back, but you need to be prepared for the crowd and the wait.
(3)
Chloe S.
AMAZING desserts and soups! When I lived in St. Paul the Chicken Salsa Chili was my absolute favorite! That with a nice beer and some Italian fruit tart to finish with! So yummy!
(5)
Wendellone L.
My love for the cakes usually allows me to overlook the inconvenient and pricey parking and poor service. This time, however, I couldn't. Even though the place was nearly empty, it tooks a while to get the attention of anyone behind the counter. They had trouble understanding our order and argued when we said we wanted a to go cup. They didn't tell us the bread came with our order, we had to ask for it and how much it cost. They claimed they couldn't toast the bread. They were loud and stood around not doing anything. The prices were high for cafeteria style food and poor service. And I still resent them packing my cakes and cupcakes poorly so they slid and fell over by the time I got them home. I wouldn't go out of the way for this and in this neighborhood it is definitely going out of the way.
(2)
Kendra R.
First off, of course the desserts are magnificent! The Turtle Chocolate cake is my favorite. I have friends that drive up to half an hour just to take a slice of cake home. Choices of what cake to try shouldn't be your only concern though. Whenever I come home for a visit, I make a stop for at least a slice of heaven. Cafe Latte also has various selections of pasta salads, soups, spreads, and your able to order your sandwich just the way you like it. The salads are inventive along with some of their soups, and their sandwich are based upon their own baked breads. I'd call this restaurant an urban cafeteria within a modern setting. Parking can be awkward, and the line can go as far out as onto the sidewalk, but if you've ventured to Grand on a busy night or weekend this shouldn't be a surprise.
(5)
Heidi S.
Fantastic place. You can get a salad, soup, sandwich, cake, coffee and pizza! They are always busy, but get your order fast. I absolutely love the cakes and desserts there! Delicious. They make the best cakes and treats in town. The soups are amazing and the staff will let you try one if you're not sure. The salads are great as well. They can make any kind of salad you want. The location is great and right next to a bunch of stores to shop at. Perfect for a weekend coffee stop.
(5)
D N.
Can't ever go wrong amaaaaazing cakes... just unbelievable... German Choc is the current fave. Soups very good as well... about the best around. Why 4 and not 5 stars?... just not much atmosphere here... so let's say 4.5 stars.
(4)
Rhonda G.
I came here a few weeks ago after not having been for a year. It's amazing how good something can be after you haven't had it for a year. I'll just review what I ate. I love the cream cheese based sandwiches, I ordered one with salmon. I wasn't disappointed. I was equally pleased that it's a good ice cream scoop size, not the little blob scoop you used to get. For 3 or 4 bucks, I want to taste the damn thing. I ordered a soup I've never seen there before. Pumpkin soup, creamy, topped with plenty of pumpkin seeds. I was a soup person in soup heaven. It was so good that I didn't want to lose the taste by finishing off with dessert. Imagine that! From what I remember of the price, the bowl is only a dollar more, so unless a cup is enough, you're not getting your money's worth. For those that aren't in the know, the clam chowder is some of the best. When I first moved here, it didn't take long to realize that this was the place to see and be seen. Real attitudes here, and that's the customers. But you get used to it.
(5)
Ra M.
I love this place! I've been going there for lunch dates and dessert dates for many years and I don't think there is another place to compare it with. Their pizzas are always delicious and they have a nice selection of cakes. My absolute favorite is the tres leches, but the banana is also really good. It's not cheap, but it's not bad at all. I have always found the service really good, too. The downside is parking. While there is a ramp just across the street, Cafe Latte doesn't validate parking and the immediate residential areas don't allow parking on the streets.
(4)
Brooke S.
yes please!! an adorable spot in an even more adorable neighborhood! No frill, no waiters, and good good good food....CL is set up cafeteria style with trays and a "lunch line"....last time, I had the chicken caesar pasta salad and a cup of potato leek soup....both deeeeelish! oh yea, and did i mention the raspberry white chocolate scone...which was to die for. CL is completely charming and if I lived in st. paul you might not recognize me because i'd have some german chocolate cake on the thighs, scones on the arms and soup on the tush! a fabulous place for a casual date, catch up with friends, or just to grab a coffee and some cake and settle in with the paper. yum yum yum city
(4)
Cortney G.
I've had a love affair with Cafe Latte since before I can remember. Their desserts are pure indulgence. The chicken chili followed by a large slice of chocolate chocolate cake is my go-to meal, but i'm always down for doing their hummus sampler for take out or splitting a slice of one of their fabulous cheesecakes with the roomie, too. Great location for people watching, if you can grab one of the tables by the window. Tots delish.
(4)
Ninja S.
Cafe Latte is a near ideal casual date venue. It is fun and easy where you can have a salad [pasta or greens], soup, sandwich, all made in a different and interesting way daily. They also bake great bread which is served as an accompaniment to those that didn't order sandwiches. I have family members that demand chocolate cakes from this place. I have to bring them back with me to the airport if I am going to be in town. This is a jewel on the already charming grand avenue.
(5)
Libby J.
While I've never been a fan of the cafeteria-style salad/pasta salad/sandwich bar, the desserts here more than make up for any faults. Absolutely amazing, delicious cakes and tortes! I lived just around the corner for a summer, but I never really figured out the pizza/wine bar thing in back. However, you can buy fresh baked bread by the loaf (and sometimes day old bread) for very reasonable prices at the back counter.
(4)
Dan S.
I go here for the desserts. You can't go wrong with a tort, carrot cake, cheese cake, or the fan favorite german chocolate. This is a MUST on Grand Ave.
(5)
Kathy C.
Yeah they have good food and great desserts but the cafeteria line coupled with the high prices make me stay away. Not to mention the clientle is primarily soccer moms and their offspring. If you want a salad or sandwich it's pretty much a nice Panera, and the desserts at Cupcake or Wuollet's are just as good if not better. Sorry St. Paul.
(3)
Victoria K.
When i lived in Minnesota, this was my favorite place to go for dessert. I can't comment on food since i only went there for dessert which is very decadent. Their dessert menu is huge and there are soo many choices-that's the only hard part. One of my favorites was Banana Chocolate chunk Cheesecake, which definately tastes like banana cream with large chocolate chunks throught. Their Chocolate Turtle Cake is quite good as well however not as good as Nordstrom's Marketplace Cafe. Portions are quite huge and sharing a dessert is probably a good idea. However, be warned that all of their desserts are very, very sweet. Now I like sweet but I think they need to cut down on the amount of sugar in the desserts because sometimes it was quite overwhelming. My taste leans more towards French and European desserts which are not as cloyingly sweet however that's just a personal preference. When i will come back to MN for a visit, this is one of the places I still would like to visit. Be warned, however, that Cafe Latte is ALWAYS busy. I was there after lunchtime(2 -3pm) and in the evening and line was out the door, and you will have trouble finding a seat. Usually, one person in my party would take dessert orders and stand in line and the rest of us would go to find a table. Despite all that, its still a lovely place to relax with decadent dessert and cup of coffee.
(4)
Shannon U.
Cafe Latte has the best food and greatest atmosphere! I love the soups, salads, and of course the desserts!! I highly recommend! Enjoy!
(5)
Sandy Y.
I've been away from Minnesota for about six years, but I often return to visit my parents or attend a swing dancing events. I always make a point to stop at Cafe Latte. I have fond memories of going to Victoria Crossing after school with my mom and having their high tea, which was tasty. The desserts are, of course, divine. Excellent chocolate in the truffles, the cakes are moist despite laws requiring them to be stored in a refrigerated display case, the tarts are beautiful. The food is delicious. I usually get whatever soup catches my fancy and am never disappointed. Also delicious is the bread, and I used to always get the spread sampler. The chicken caesar salad also used to be a favorite, though sometimes the chicken can be a bit dried out. The service is friendly and helpful (the restaurant is deli-style). My mom and I used to have conversations with the owner, who was friendly and very excited about food. Alas, I have never tried any of the alcohol since the bar opened up in back, nor have I ever tried any of the hot beverages, so I can't say whether or not they're good. Make sure to try the sister store across Victoria Crossing (Bread & Chocolate) for some tasty baked goods. One last thing: they don't validate parking anymore, which is sad. And while I'm glad that they've been revitalizing that area, I wish that it weren't with Pottery Barn and Banana Republic, or whatever the heck stores they put in. It invites a lot of uninformed, pretentious douchebaggery.
OK, who doesn't like Cafe Latte? I have some friends in Chicago that still long for this place. Darn hard to find a good place to just go and grab a bit of dessert at any time. My wife has to get the german chocolate cake every time. I only wish they didn't put the coffee in glasses. I really have a thing for putting coffee in a nice cup. Anyway, great place.
(4)
Taals B.
I just had their German chocolate cake there with some coffee. What can I say, the taste is still lingering in my mouth. That is biggest slice I have gotten for a mere $4 and the softest and tastiest ever!! I'll go again and again. You guys rock!!
(5)
Nate K.
Yes this is a real cafe - with trays, a line and a cash register at the end. But if you need a great late night spot for the best cheesecake or Dutch Chocolate Cake in the Twin Cities - Cafe Latte is the place to be. Great social scene, great deserts and an awesome view of Grand Avenue --- in Minneapolis what more could you ask for? Insiders note: try the chocolate moo
(4)
Spike N.
Some people want to been seen in effete over-priced coffee shops- you know, the kind of place with lots of French on the menu. Somewhere you might catch a glimpse of Garrison Keillor, or some other effete over-weight wanker. Some people would find this situation to be hell on earth. I am firmly in the latter camp. I am no class warrior, but the bourgeois decadence of this place makes me want to kick over tables, sing "The Internationale," and raise a red banner while I replace the chocolate torts (high alkali, or low, whichever is more expensive- naturally) with dark crusty bread made from crudely ground rye, and potato soup.
(1)
P X.
What is it about cafeteria style dining that is so annoying, yet so addicting? Is it the awkward walk to a table, hoping you don't spill your Coke? Is it the never ending line that you can't prepare for because it just keeps getting better? Is it the awkward check-out moment when on a date and the person who is paying is still drooling over the sandwich bar while you are hesitantly smiling at the cashier? I am not sure, but I know these are only a portion of the reason I keep going back. The other part is the yummy food, killer desserts, and ease of simply dining out at a cafeteria. Bonus-you get to carry a red tray!
(4)
Andrew K.
I miss the hustle and bustle of this urban trendy cafeteria and bakery. The salads are all stellar and the turtle cake is worth lugging cross-continentally. I would go A LOT were I to live in Minnesota.
(4)
Cindcy J.
Amazing. I've been twice for take out lunches and have been beyond happy. Both times I had a salad and soup. The different daily offerings are great! Definitely try this restaurant! Fresh ingredients and many healthy options.
(5)
Lacey P.
I don't really get why everyone swoons when you mention Cafe Latte. Yes, the pastries are good (no vegan ones though), but that's where the excitement ends. I don't like having to stand in line, slide my tray down and feel pressured, and then have to walk with my tray of food up those steps without backs on them. The food is ok, not mindblowing, but if you want someone else to make a sandwich and put some chips on your plate even though you could do the exact same thing at home, then I guess this is your place.
(3)
Diane M.
This is a pretty casual place with pretty good food. They have tons of soups, sanwiches, salads, and desserts to choose from. The service is pretty good. The only downside to this place is that fact that it can get really noisy with all the kids and teens hanging out. The prices are pretty reasonable and the desserts were awesome!
(5)
lisa n.
mmmm. turtle chocolate cake!! great for a quick bite, from pasta to bread, tarts to cupcakes, fizzy izzy to tea. grab your lunch tray bc the line is usually wrapped around the cafe. its generally quite loud and you've got to keep an eye out for a seat but its well worth it.
(4)
Kate Z.
The three salad lunch with a slice of their turtle chocolate cake is Kate heaven. Just bust through the other hordes of people that already know about this place and pretend that its all yours.
(5)
Benjamin C.
this place is one of the most overrated places in the twin cities (see my chino latino review). the desserts are good. the soup is good. the sandwiches are overpriced and uninspiring. the salads are meh. i go to school like two blocks away, and i'm still never desperate enough to eat lunch here.
(2)
Kelsey K.
Great place to go with a girlfriend for lunch. They have a wonderful desert selection, and I love there spreader/baguette choice. So nummy.
(4)
Carrie S.
Let me start by saying that Cafe Latte has some of the BEST desserts in St. Paul. I haven't had one I didn't completely savor every morsel of since I began my love affair with this place in high school (and that was quite a while ago). Their salads usually leave me wanting salt and spices so I tend to steer clear of those. Sandwiches are better, soup and pizza is where its at for regular fare. The chicken Chili is pretty much a meal of its own with cheese, sour cream, onions, and a bag of chips to put in it not to mention a choice of breads too. Delicious! Hit up the wine bar in the back for a more quiet atmosphere. The main dining room gets loud and crowded quickly but people seem not not realize there is a back area. Bonus tip, if you want a piece of chocolate goodness to go, hit up the back area where you can get in and out and on your way without waiting in line for the rest of the food in the front.
(4)
Lisa S.
I have been going to Cafe Latte for at least 15 years. I moved away from St. Paul 4 years ago, but everytime I return home this is one of the places that I definitely have to visit. The cakes are to die for. My favorite is the raspberry torte and my husband's favorite is the tres leches. All of the cakes are really good. As silly as this sounds in all the years I've been coming here I have never eaten food here. Nothing ever caught my eye and truth be told my all time favorite sandwiches are the ones across the street at Bread & Chocolate which the Quinns also own. I go to Cafe Latte to the short line on the side to buy my cake and walk across the street to Bread & Chocolate and get my sandwich and eat it there. I have a scrumptious cake and an amazing sandwich. Even though I have gone through 2 lines its still shorter than waiting in the long line at Latte for food and I've never seen a table shortage at Bread & Chocolate like there is at Latte!
(5)
Rego S.
TURTLE CAKE!!!! Try it, love it, savor it, live it! I'm already drooling just thinking about it. I was reading some book (somebody help me out here) by a couple who travelled across the country sampling everything in their path, and this cake was one of the pinnacles of the twin cities. I agree wholeheartedly.
(5)
Brian S.
I had been to Cafe Latte years ago for desserts to go which were heavenly. Recently, I splurged on lunch and desserts. Now, the acustics make it a bit loud, but I can still hear well. The service is very friendly and they will answer any questions that you may have at this cafiteria style cafe. The chicken and liver pattae sandwich is to die for with smooth, rich pattae, fresh cucumbers, olives, tomatos, onions, and olives on seasoned fucaca. The curry chicken salad is out of this world with fresh, tender chicken breast, rasins, onions, nuts, and a mild but still sinus clearing curry dressing. The cornbread and malasis roll that comes with it is light and sweet with the smooth cornbread meeting the naturally sweet malisis. The pastries are to die for with the amereto truffle being a light, smooth shell with smooth, creamy amareto filling. The plum tort is flaky and buttery with plum curd that is naturally sweet and not sugary sweet; a light rounding off to a glutenous lunch. The trase laches cake is sinful with tart raspberry filling, sweet white chocolate, and graminyae or whatever it is soaked in to give it a complimenting kick. The fudge truffles are as decidant as decidant allows with their smooth exterior and interior alike. So, for excellent sandwiches, salads, and pastries in a lively, friendly atmosphere with friendly, knowlegable employees at reasonable prices, Cafe Latte cannot be beat. Oh,! round your meal off with either the blackberry or palmigranit sparkling water and you will not be disappointed. Keep up the good work guys.!
(5)
m m.
THE BEST cesar salad around...simple, but SO damn good! I've asked (numerous times) for the salad dressing recipe, but to no avail! :( If anyone gets their hands on it, feel free to send it my way!
(5)
Ali O.
Cafe latte is my favorite place on Grand Avenue. Everything is delicious, especially the gigantic cakes! Healthy food (salads, sandwiches, etc) are equally good, but if you eat those, you won't have room for dessert. Or, suggested plan: order a meal and dessert and split both with a friend. Endless possibilities.
(5)
MM R.
This a great concept gourmet cafeteria type bistro that existed LONG befort lattes became popular via Starbucks. Plenty to choose from in the salad category, sandwiches, soups and deserts. Casual yet decadent. Meet a friend.
(4)
Aurora D.
I am very careful with my 5 stars but Cafe Latte certainly deserves one. Every time I go, I am greeted and serviced with exceptional customer service and from what I've seen, employees treat everyone as if they're all familiar faces. I had the Au Gratin Pizza (sliced potatoes, cheddar, sour cream, tomatoes). Interesting combo but very tasty! I also had their Tres Leches Salted Caramel cake. Wow. That dessert is certainly what I picture in my heaven. (Also try the regular Tres Leches and Turtle cakes when you get a chance!!!! Their best sellers.) My biggest thing is cleanliness at places like this and the employees are quick to clear the tables when people before you leave. Summary: Friendliness, efficiency and yum yums for days.
SWEET HEAVEN !! There aren't enough words to describe this restaurant. They have the most scrumptious, luscious, delectable desserts. The only downfall to this restaurant is that the selection is so awesome that one has a hard time choosing just what wonderful item to eat. I have only had their desserts, can't stop myself from heading over to the bakery section once there. What makes them so special - for me two : Tres Leches and Cheesecake. Their tres leches are absolutely delicious: quite rich and with an apt level of sweetness (not too sweet which I love). I love that they have different flavors in Tres Leches like Salted Caramel, Chocolate. Now I'm not a big fan of cheesecakes, until I came here. Blown Away. Their cheesecakes are so light, creamy, right sweetness and texture; it just melts in your mouth. Heavenly!! The cakes are reasonably pricey the portions are generous. It is absolutely worth it and is loved by everyone I have bought here. Ambiance is lively, wait staff is friendly and restaurant is clean. Many thanks to the Cafe Latte chefs who create this delightful treat! I'm glad I live in West Minneapolis far away from Cafe Latte.
(5)
Molly C.
Sinful desserts! Their chocolate turtle cake...let's just say I now know why articles have been written about it! It's is magnificent! Cafe Latte is a great place on Grand surrounded by so many fun shops and restaurants, it's a must to any visitor in the area! So if you're shopping, take a break (or drive out of your way!) for a delicious treat!
(5)
David B.
A short review for a short meal. Ok, calling it a meal might be a stretch because I only got dessert, but no doubt about it... that cheesecake was incredible and the raspberry tart was unreal. Five star desserts for sure. It's all served in a fast casual, cafeteria style ordering system with a classy, date night feeling interior. Skip the mediocre dessert at whatever restaurant you're eating at, and finish your night at this perfect post-dinner bonus spot.
(5)
Sarah U.
Tres leches cake of course. lunch/salad/soup bar is not all that, just ok the other side with the brick oven pizzas are better but my review stars are solely on the fact that they make a tres leches like no other
(4)
Ana T.
There are a couple different ways you can experience this place: they are a bakery, and you can order loaves of bread, one slice of cake, or full sized cakes (which are TO DIE FOR, every single one of them. Also worth mentioning is their cakes are quite expensive. Obviously worth it, but $40 keeps me from eating a cake every weekend haha)... and they are a cafeteria/ cafe in which you can grab a tray, make your way through a line with quite the variety of dishes, pay at the end, and then go find yourself a table. The food, I can say nothing badly about. Love their soups, salads, and rice dishes. Very fairly priced in my opinion. Serving sizes are moderate, I've never needed a take-home box (I would say I always do at other restaurants). One of my favorite places on Grand, and I'm apparently not the only one because they are always busy and parking is difficult.
(5)
S L.
Great desserts selections!! Cakes are awesome and the atmosphere is very trendy and clean. Great salads and sandwiches too!! 5 stars all the way!!
(5)
Cindy D.
Last time I came here was when I just arrived from the airport and came straight here cause my friend and I had planned to do brunch. I arrived and was told by my friend to go upstairs. I almost forgot how big the place was. It was crowded and I had to find my friend. I realized that my good friend got a hold of most of our girlfriends to surprise me for my birthday. I was shocked and happy to see their faces. Of course, they got me tres leche, my favorite cake. Great friends are hard to find! This place have a lot of food options to choose from.There are soups, salads, sandwiches and drinks available. They are known for their cakes, pretty delicious! They sell by slices or you can buy a whole cake too. I usually come here for their tres leches cause the size of it is big. It is served as cafeteria style so you grab a tray and tell them what you want. At the end of the line is when you pay. Prices are pretty decent. A lot of people like to bring their family and kids to this place. I am not sure if they well alcohol though. It goes get loud and crowded on the weekend. I suggest to show up early to get a seat. I forgot to mention that this place is located in a shared building with Bonfire and other shops. If you are looking for a bathroom it is somewhere in the hallway. Parking is not the greatest since it is located on a busy street. Enjoy!!!
(4)
Jackie C.
I really like this place for two reasons: their decadent cakes, and the fact that they support non profit organizations. I went to a silent auction for a non profit and won a certificate (which they donated) for a full size cake. I eventually used the certificate on the Chocolate Chocolate Cake for thanksgiving dinner and it was a hit. It was very rich and just the right amount of sweetness. The cake was much bigger than expected but that was good since I had a large group. Since I picked up the cake the night before and I really wanted to eat cake right then and there I also bought a slice of Tres Leches cake and it was delicious!! Even though the chocolate cake was great I would have chosen the Tres Leches cake for thanksgiving instead. Next time I find myself near Grand Ave. I will definitely be making a stop.
(4)
Marie J.
What is not to love about this place!? Their soups, sandwiches snd salads are so good! My favorite is the spread varieties and bread. The green olive is divine! You can't go wrong with any of their desserts either. They have the most amazing chocolate cake of all time and it pairs nicely with an espresso!
(5)
See X.
I love the desserts at this place, but I was there last night right before their live music portion and the musician they hired was the rudest, disrespectful, snobby old lady I had ever come across. I didn't get her name, but if her music was as ugly as her behavior then people better cover their ears. I was working on my laptop, so I found a table by an outlet to work at. As I was in deep concentration this old lady kept walking around me and angrily throwing random stuff around me. She threw her things on the ground angrily and on the table I was sitting at. When I looked up at her for an explanation she just huffed and puffed and walked away. I did not know what her problem was. Then later on a worker came by and politely told me that she was tonight's musician and needed to set up there bc of the outlets. Well that made sense now. He suggested other places to work but I needed an outlet that wasn't being used so I said it was ok and that I'd just go home to work. THEN the old lady yells out loud sarcastically to the worker, "Aww she doesn't want to join in on the fun and she's going home... Hey! She doesn't wanna join in on the fun and she's going home." I did not know what her problem was. I didn't know she was so entitled. But whatever. I packed my things and started walking out. On my way out I walked past her and she snootily smirked and said, "Sooooorry" as if to have a last word. Wtf? I was being super polite and composed, but she was getting on my nerves. Cafe Latte, you guys need to hire musicians with more professionalism. I'm never going back there to dine. I'll only order out cakes, but that's it. Beware for snobby ass crowd. And if anyone knows who the musician was that played on Friday, June 5th for their live music, I would like to know. Total bitch.
(1)
Sarah A.
I had to come here for my birthday to get some delicious desserts. Their cheesecake is light and fluffy. The whipped cream on top just melts in your mouth and it's perfect. The famous turtle cake I must say looked really good, but it is pretty filling. I ended up taking that one home but it's not my favorite dessert they have. I'll have to come back and try something new again. I do love this place
(3)
Jennifer N.
Only had dessert here. The layout is like a upscale cafeteria. Salads and soups looked good but didn't try it. The strawberry rhubarb cheesecake is to die for and the tres leches is really good! I will be back for lunch. Dropped a star because paying just for the dessert was a bit of a fiasco. Had to get back in line to pick up my hot chocolate.
(3)
Ruth D.
Amazing desserts! I recently visited Cafe Latte for a late-night meeting with a colleague, and it really lives up to the hype. I'm looking forward to trying more of the desserts, as well as the soups. I love any restaurant where all the options are laid out before me in a yummy array, and that's what Cafe Latte offers (might be a big reason why I love Nelson's deli, too!) They also have a full bar, which is a big perk, and the ambiance is cozy and lovely. The only downside is the parking situation -- there are VERY few places to park, and it's street parking only -- but that's the problem that plagues almost all Grand Avenue businesses.
(4)
Nhi V.
The Tres Leches cake is AMAZING ... BUT for some reason lately their cake has been going downhill. I always get the Tres Leches so I know how it should be. It's been quite mushy and it falls apart rather than staying in a nice slice when cut. Also I disapointed that they use WAY too much cream/frosting than cake. It's like 65% whipped cream and the rest cake. The cream over compensates and is overwhelming. Not too happy about paying $22 for whipped cream cake. Hopefully Cafe Latte will modify their recipe.
(3)
Zarina M.
2 words. Tres Leches. This is where you make your B line to the dessert section. This cake is what they are known for. This cake will memorize sweet lover and NON sweet lover alike. Its... shall I say? PEEEERFECT. Perfect texture, fluff and creamy sweetness. It goes great with any of their espresso drinks.
(5)
Linda L.
Very nice place and friendly environment! Thanks to Catherine C's review on Cafe Latte! I've always tried to find good place to eat good, delicious and yummy food in the Twin Cities. This is for sure a nice place for tea time, hangout with friends, meet up with clients, and have good time with family! From Coffees, salads, sandwiches, soups and the must have desserts( Cakes to Cheesecakes). After my first visit today, I will come back for more foods!
(4)
Jessica L.
I ordered the chicken Caesar salad and loved it ! My husband ordered a latte and enjoyed that as well. Will definitely return soon!
(5)
Angelica L.
Reasonable price, amazingly delicious food and bakery. I had lunch there once, and the taste of the salad was amazing. Their desserts are heavenly delicious, one of my favorite restaurants in twin cities.
(5)
Susannah H.
For those who know me (a few of you actually do), I'm a soup freak. When I say soup freak, I mean questionable OCD soup freak. Little known Susannah the Soup Freak fact: I've eaten soup for breakfast almost every day for 28 years....like I said, questionable OCD. So when Rhonda G. told me Cafe Latte had the best clam chowder in the Twin Cities, you better believe I was all over that. First time at Cafe Latte - sort of like an upscale cafeteria: soups, salads, lovely looking desserts, built your own sandwiches, etc...but I only had eyes for the soup, although Rhonda very generously shared her salmon spread sandwich with me. From what I gathered, they always have the clam chowder on Fridays, even if it isn't listed on the daily soup board. My bowl of chowdah and a coke was around $7.70ish, not bad for a good sized and filling bowl of soup. Verdict: good consistency/thickness, very green (parsley), good balanced flavor with a decent amount of clams. If someone were to make a Minnesotan interpretation of clam chowder, this might be it. Was it as good as the chowder I had at a small restaurant inside an old wooden fisherman's boat in Maine? No, but it was still very tasty. Was it the best homemade chowder I've had at a restaurant in the Twin Cities? Yeah, I think so. Thanks for the tip, Rhonda G!
(4)
Katie C.
I absolutely adored this place and frequented quite often with my in laws only living a few blocks away. The last few times we have gone have been so incredibly disappointing. First off, my 8 year old ordered a ham sandwich and in the middle of eating it got a huge sliver in his tongue. I honestly didn't believe him and argued with him. A couple minutes later, he reached in his mouth and pulled out a sliver of the bamboo pick they used on the sandwich out of his tongue! It was bad enough to make it bleed. He is 8 and there were 4 adults with so we know he wasn't messing around with the pick, the sliver was in his sandwich. I talked to management that day and they could not have possibly cared less. I wasn't looking for anything free, just an apology and hopes that it wouldn't happen to another little one. We have been buying cakes for our employees birthdays...and sometimes "just because". We average 1-2 cakes a month from there and occasionally will stop by for a slice with dinner. My husband knows I love their Tres Leche cake! For my birthday on Friday he stopped and grabbed one to surprise me with. He brought it to the office and everyone was excited! We started to serve it and the first person took a bit and said it tasted "off". Then the following 2 people said it wasn't very good, something didn't taste right. I finally got my piece and went to dig in, it was awful! The whipped cream tasted awful! At that point no one else even wanted to try it. We dumped our plates and called cafe latte, their wasn't anyone to talk to so they requested I call back Monday. I called back Monday and after talking to management and being told that no one else complained I was brushed off. I have work food and wow, if this place was judged solely by how they handle customers they would be gone. Customer service there has never been great, but when you have an issue with something, management shouldn't immediately brush you off. I'm really disgusted. They treated me both times like I was a liar and looking for something free. My sons tongue was literally bleeding and their response was "oh well". Four people got sick from a cake I bought there and their response was "no one else did." So clearly I must be lying. Nothing like throwing a whole cake out because they don't stand by their products. I even offered to bring the almost whole cake we had left in so they knew we weren't scamming them. Disgusted.
(1)
T B.
Although, I don't get a chance to frequent this place as much as I'd like to, every time I do is a full reminder why I love it so much. Today, I stopped in only by chance & didn't have very much time to chow. Being that it was such a rainy yucky day I checked the board for a yummy soup-in the back of my mind crossing fingers for chicken wild rice. (What can I say I'm Minnesotan yah) They had it! It was almost a toss up between the many others including a chicken salsa chili, potato, some kind of salmon soup I still chose my favorite. Creamy chicken wild rice to go. I highly recommend it. It was my first time having it at Cafe Latte, but certainly not the last. I paired it with one of the 5 rolls offered. A jalapeño bread. Yum. Total $4.25. Can't be beat. Now, usually when I dine here I get the chicken spinach spread on foccacia with all the toppings. Please try it! You won't be let down. I haven't had dessert YET but I was eyeballing a sea salt caramel cake in the case. I think it had my name on it!
(5)
Andrew W.
A bit pricey for the food. Thats why its not 5 stars. But otherwise its great bite to grab. Cafeteria style. Bread is very well baked and made. I wish the sandwiches had more variety but if you are more into fun salads and soups, this is your spot.
Met a friend for lunch, we each had a cappuccino and split a slice of salted caramel cheesecake. It was delicious. Not the best cheesecake of my life, but very very good. Very decadent.
(4)
Mike S.
Deserts are a dime a dozen in this town. If you're looking for a REALLY a good one though, look no further!!! Not only does Cafe Late have AMAZING cakes & coffee, perfect for any late night get together, but they have some pretty good food as well for the day time meal. Found just outside the heart of St. Paul, on it's happening Grand Ave, you can find this place. Perfect for a late night date.
(5)
Keying Q.
I cannot help come to this place second time in a week just for dessert. They have probably the BEST cheesecake in the twin cities area. Strongly recommend the mango and blueberry cheesecake if you like fruity, and you can just stay classic with the vanilla cheesecake. The salad and soup looks fresh and delicious as well. Need to try next time :)
(5)
Donna V.
I've only been there for their cakes. I've eaten their strawberry cheesecake and chocolate cake. By far the best, and moist cake yet! Definitely recommended.
(5)
Elizabeth C.
Love getting their Tres Leches cake for the holidays! There are 2 different sizes you can get. You can order ahead of time but they usually have a few in the bakery area already made (and other cakes).
(4)
Jeff D.
Pretty sad this hip place doesn't have any vegan desserts. Maybe not as hip as it used to be. Probably the last time I'll eat here.
Very good soup and sandwiches make this a nice lunch spot. Decent wine bar too. Overall, kind of pricey.
(3)
Sarah S.
Been there way too many times-today ordered pesto pizza and afternoon tea-loved the scone and clotted cream and lemon spread.Ahh great afternoon tea!!
(4)
Annie P.
I do enjoy their food but the long lines are annoying and finding a table can be hectic. Some of the staff behind the counter are passive and don't give eye contact to help you. If you're not a regular you may be eaten alive - like my hubby was :) Do not recommend for elderly or children.
(3)
Alexander M.
Cafe Latte has amazing sandwiches (get it on Focaccia bread) and soups (get it with focaccia bread). Everything is fresh and delicious and clearly done with care. The soup isn't from a frozen bag, and the sandwiches are made with great ingredients that don't need some extremely flavorful dressing to cover up their sub-par taste. The Raspberry Torte is the best thing i've ever had, it really messed me up when I ate it because I knew other desserts would just taste like disappointment.
(5)
Josh K.
The girlfriend and I made a trip to Grand to stop here and get some cheesecake on her birthday. First and foremost, the parking is a nightmare. If you're not from St Paul or know about the parking on Grand Ave, it's terrible. Expect to park a block or two away (likely residential or on Summit if you can't find a spot in a ramp or lot down the block) and expect to hoof it. But, it was a gorgeous day out so who cares about walking? When you get into the restaurant there are a couple of ordering stations, so don't think its "too" busy or there won't be enough seating (I'll touch on this later). I got a lemon tart and she got a chocolate chunk and toffee cheese cake slice. The main eating area was full, but the entire back area towards the mall was wide open, and there was some seating available up stairs. Considering it was high noon and the line was out the door, they have adequate seating. My dish was amazing. I'm a sucker for pretty much anything lemon and this tart was as spot on as it gets. Perfect amount of lemon flavor with an incredibly light crust and just enough dusted powdered sugar for a sweet zip. Absolutely incredible. The cheese cake - truth be told I don't care for toffee or chocolate all that much - was out of this world. It's baked to the very edge with no side crust, which might upset some crust lovers. But, the perfect mix of chocolate marble in the cake itself, incredible cream topping with delicious little chocolate bar chunks on top. The amazing part is that even though it was a big slice, and looked heavy, the cheesecake itself was VERY light. Which, makes for a welcome surprise when you're going to walk up and down Grand in the sun. Definitely in the top 5 for me for cheesecakes.
(5)
Michelle T.
I've only been here a couple times mostly just to get some cake since I live about half an hour away. My favorite cake is the Raspberry cream torte because its very flavorful (raspberry flavor of course) with the right amount of sweetness! Tres Leche is a very popular cake here and a lot of people tend to favor this cake over the others, but for some reason in my opinion, I don't think it's that great because it doesn't have a lot of flavor like the Raspberry cream torte, and it tastes very neutral like not a lot of sweetness or flavor... They have a variety of cake options though! I've also been here when it's super busy around lunch time. Probably not the best place to go to around lunch time because everything takes longer to park, to wait, to order, etc. They have a piano outside for you to play music which can be fun! Tips: -parking can be difficult to find unless you decide to park on the ramp next door for a couple bucks -good variety of sandwhiches, salads, and soups -the seating environment to enjoy your meal is a bit disappointing for such a great food place. The furniture is all black with regular chairs and tables.
(4)
Clint L.
It appears that bad customer service is becoming a trend every time I come to this cafe. The workers always seems to be in a bad mood, and they take it out on the customers with their passive aggressiveness. Today, I came to grab lunch with a friend of mine, and we each wanted to get a slice of cake. However, there wasn't anyone at the cake station, so we got in line for the rest of the food and asked one of the servers if he could get us one. The server told us to go up to the cashier at the end of our purchase and tell him that we wanted a slice added to our bill. When I did, the casher was being very sassy and there were other customers watching. He asked me why I didn't get a slice of cake in the first place, and I told him there wasn't anyone at the cake station to serve us. Despite his attitude, I brushed it off and told him I wanted to add it to my bill. Before my friend could tell him what cake she wanted, he left to get mine but came back empty handed. He told me I could get the cake myself with a negative tone. It didn't bother me that I had to get the cake myself. I knew I was going to have to do that. But, the thing that bothered me was his continual attitude. I asked him if there was anyone at the cake station at that time. He said no, and so I said that was the problem! That is why I came up to him in the first place to ask for the cake, and instead of being responsive to the customer's needs, he decided to be a littlebitch. He handed me the receipt and continued to be condescending by saying "well here's your solution." I saw an older lady shake her head as he said that to me, so I know I am not being out of line when I say that customer service at this cafe needs improvement. This is becoming a regular trend amongst the staff, and I think it's absolutely ridiculous that it has gone this far. I just hope a manager sees this message so that this behavior can be put to an end.
(1)
Myly F.
If you happen to be in St. Paul, head over for good treats here! Thumbs up: Good tres leche and other treat options Coffee drinks are delish and cheaper then coffee shops Food is in front of you, nice to see it made somewhat Veggie options Pretty fast service/friendly Thumbs down: Parking sucks, unless you ramp it for a couple of bucks Don't go during prime time lunch super busy, like a zoo. Grand Ave = crazy traffic Average food for average prices ( I guess pro, you get what you pay for) Will be back when I am in area for a quick lunch, AFTER lunch time!
(3)
Brandon D.
Decent food, but the espresso was silty and gross.
(2)
Jordan H.
amazing deserts, massive portions.
(4)
Amy B.
Served cafeteria style, this is THE place for desserts in the Twin Cities. It was a great choice for desserts - we left with two jumbo choices of deliciousness. One of the perks here seems to be the quantity, perhaps over quality. Although we were really happy with our choices, they weren't as gourmet as I'd hoped.
(4)
Nathan N.
A Grand Avenue staple, Cafe latte is great meeting spot for lunch or late night desert after dinner. With all the seating, it can sometimes be chancy to get a spot on a fri or sat late night. Known for their cakes, they have a perfect line up with something for everyone. Soups, salads and sandwiches offer a wide range of lunch options. Street parking
(4)
Happy W.
This review is for the cheesecake. Forget Cheesecake Factory and other "wanna be the best" places because NOTHING tops this place for cheesecake!! I've been eating here for almost 20 years and it hasn't disappointed me or my guest(s) yet. The homemade breads are amazing too. Try the chicken salsa chili with all of the fixins ;) Love it!
(5)
Ann H.
"When in doubt, Cafe Latte" as my friends and I say. I can't even write this review without wanting to hop in my car and head straight there. The turtle cake is a personal favorite, though some may say it's too rich. I advise every chocolate lover to try it. But eat with caution... Speaking from experience you may end up heading back to the counter to order another.
(5)
Geoffrey R.
Amazingly enough, I'm not a big fan of the sweets here. I find them a bit too heavy and rich for my taste (in particular, I had a rather unpleasant experience with a glass of red wine and a slice of german chocolate cake). I just haven't been overwhelmed in this regard. And I thought the scones (with cream and berries) were particularly lackluster. But I do like the salads - they're a bit pricey though (and they tend to be a bit excessive with the cheese; disclaimer: I'm not used to living in such a dairy-centric part of the country and I get a bit overwhelmed). But I think the soups and rolls are delicious and they rotate flavors and options very frequently. The New England clam chowder isn't great but the Chicken Salsa Chili is a real standout. Overall, a solid weekday (it's packed during weekend daytimes) place to eat.
(3)
Olivia H.
I'm never ever disappointed! Good sandwiches, soups, and you MUST try the turtle cake...yummm
(5)
Loren B.
The clear choice for a mouth-watering desert in comfortable surroundings. Whether your in cheese-cake, turtle-cake, or anything else you're doctor probably wouldn't recommend. A good place to take lady in attempt prove you're classy and discerning without spending foolish amounts of money.
(4)
M K.
This place is one of the best in the area for hanging out and having a quick grab or have a discussion over a warm cup of coffee. I have always found this cafe to be especially attractive in winter nights. You can get to meet many people here and there is a lot of hustle and bustle that goes around you to make things interesting. Love this place.
(4)
Nick L.
Cafe Latte is a cafeteria style restaurant on Grand Avenue that offers Americana food including sandwiches, soups, pizza, coffee, and several types of pies and cake. The food is just all right, nothing bad, nothing great, but everything is relatively expensive for what you get. The acoustics upstairs are great for hearing people who are across the room, but horrible for talking to people right next to you.
(3)
Kari G.
Cafe Latte used to be one of my favorite Grand Ave hot spots... I went in this week and was disappointed to find slow service and wait staff that were unenthusiastic and not helpful but rather negative about their job. Sad disappointment...I hope this hot spot turns around from the snobby behavior that is its new undertaking....
(1)
Jennifer W.
At first I was put off by the cafeteria style setting- However, In the word's of Rachel Ray "YUMMO!" I love all the different soups, salads, and sandwiches I can choose from and that everything comes with a delicious roll. The only thing is I wish I could remember to save room for dessert! I have had the fruit tart once (I had to go back later and get it) and it was scrumptious! It's a great place to take friends/family for lunch or to get coffee and an awesomely sinful dessert!
(4)
Kate C.
So I went here the other night to meet up with some folks for dessert. I was primarily annoyed by the fact that I had to park a zillion blocks away and had a 50/50 chance of getting a parking ticket for sort of blocking a driveway that didn't really have any delineation between curb and driveway. I refuse to pay to park. After the initial annoyance, I actually got in the door. Etc Etc. Stared at cake for awhile, got hungry for real food. The bartender guy who makes the pizzas was pretty awesome. The pizza was fantastic, although the dough sort of reminds me of those Freschetta rising crust pizzas. Except I can never cook those properly. Anyway, the toppings on the medditerranean pizza were fab. I also got a slice of the dulce de leche torte. The frosting and filling was fantastic. The cake itself, less than memorable. Or perhaps memorable for the wrong reasons. It was incredibly dense and sort of dry and tasteless. But the frosting was great, and I don't generally care for frosting. This resulted in me eating the frosting off of the cake and leaving half of the cake bits. I was immediately sick to my stomach for about, oh, the entire night. This was not enjoyable. This experience was filed under "conditioned taste aversion." They could do with simplifying things or putting written directions on where to go for what things. There is a cafeteria line for soup, salad, and sandwiches. There is a separate cashier line for bakery and coffee purchases. And an additional seperate area to order pizzas. It isn't particularly new-user friendly. But the pizza was good. For certain. ...Also, this place shares a bathroom with Axels, which I'm sure is just fine during normal times of the day, but during dueling piano bar time with the drunkies at midnight on a Friday night, this is not so fantastic.
(3)
Ericka A.
This cafe is a bit pricey and service could be better, but they give you decent portions. My friend and I go there to get our late night cake binge on. Usually it is accompanied by one of their coffee drinks. The cake slices are huge and abundant in flavor choices. Be prepared to bring more for something to drink. You cannot order a piece without getting something to wash it down. They aren't just about desert. So while their truffles are to die for, you have to try the pizza. It is always delicious. Sandwiches and salads are another option. 2 slices of cake, 1 specialty coffee drink, 1 glass of milk, 2 truffles = ~$20
(3)
Amy L.
I really love Cafe Latte. They have amazing desserts (thats all I have tried so far). The place is in a busy location, so if you are heading there on a Friday or Saturday night, be prepared to wait. The atmosphere is fun and enjoyable.
(4)
Naomi T.
Meh...I've had better. This place always has a line for it's cafeteria style fare and after several visits, I still don't know what all the hulabaloo is about. Sure, the desserts are fabulous and I enjoyed my raspberry mocha, but the margherita pizza was just so so as were the sandwiches and soup. It's good but I wouldn't go out of my way to get there.
(2)
Jennifer L.
I stopped in here for a cup of coffee after getting my yarn fix at The Yarnery. I ordered a Turtle Latte and waited while they made it. The place is really clean and had a nice attitude about it. When my coffee was handed over with REAL whip cream (not spray can whip cream) and caramel dripping off the whip cream I smiled. When I took my first sip I stopped dead in my tracks. The cold whip cream combined with the yummy sticky caramel and the hot coffee coming in after wards - It blew my mind. I can't tell you how heavenly it was! Total mouth-gasm. How the hell am I going to drink Caribou now?!?! I am ruined. I also foresee me spending more time on Grand Avenue in the future so I can get more! Super Yum! Thanks Cafe Latte!
(5)
Michelle P.
White chocolate raspberry almond cheesecake? Yes please. Always busy, especially on weekend nights. Desserts are always delicious. Busy atmosphere, good for friends.
(4)
Erik D.
I haven't been here in a while, but when I lived in that part of town I was a regular. What I really like about the place is the deli where you can choose a variety of salads-- and then for dessert, amazing chocolate cake. My parents, who live out of town, have occasionally ordered me one of the Cafe Latte' cakes for my birthday-- a great gift. Oh, and they also have a variety of tasty soups every day-- you can get a bowl of soup and a hunk of bread for a pretty low price-- it's a good workday lunch, or sustenance for shopping the local Grand Avenue spots. Or they'll make a sandwich to order, too. Those are also good. It's usually busy, especially at lunch. But it's worth going.
(4)
T S.
This is a great place to go to follow up a meal on Grand Ave with dessert and coffee. I like grabbing dessert and coffee here after eating at Salut, Brassa, or Punch. The dulce de leche cake is great.
(4)
Ashley F.
I am a cheesecake fan. I have been to many places that all claim to have "The Best Cheesecake" and really, you just can't beat the Original Vanilla Cheesecake with that big friggin' berry on top. Cafe Latte may be busy, and the decor reminds me of 90210, but oh my, the dessert is just better than anywhere else. Turtle Cake, Cheesecake, Fruit Tarts.. You just can't miss. Also, for a quick lunch (if the line isn't out the door insane) the spread trio and soup is fantastic.
(5)
Joyce L.
Even though the food here is amazing, I cannot give this place 5 stars simply because no matter what time you go, it's freaking crowded. The turtle chocolate cake is amazing. Service for drink orders is a little slow.
(4)
Tori M.
This is THE sweet-tooth's paradise in the Cities. Their berry desserts are always insanely delicious and their cheesecake is to die for; I am also always impressed by their soups, as they are fresh and I think worth the money. You also get to pick an accompanying bread, which is lovely to dip in the soup. Boyfriend and I like to come here for later dinners, as some days we are both so tired we can't be arsed to cook. It's a bit of a trek from Uptown even with a car, but it's totally worth it and totally delicious. It's also a cute date place to stop if you're shopping on Grand.
(5)
Andy W.
The place I always used to bring out-of-towners is now the place I make sure I return to since becoming an out-of-towner myself. On offer are delicious, fresh salads (my go-to is the Chicken Caesar Pasta salad), cakes and goodies to satisfy my obsessive need for frosting, and the Swedish latte that gives me my cardomom and coffee fix all at once. The prices are fair, the selection is solid, and any city I live in, I look for Cafe Latte's analog.
When I worked near here, I used to spend my lunch break in line for a piece of cake. During lunch it would take almost 30 minutes to wait in line at Cafe' Latte let alone parking somewhere near by. Anyway as soon as I would take the first bite of that cheesecake or raspberry whip cream torte, it would all be worth it. Honestly, some of the best cakes and pastries in the Twin Cities are here. Totally worth the hassle and wait.
(5)
Daniel P.
This has been one of my favorite spots in St. Paul for the past decade. I remember going on weekend nights in high school, and still to this day, it's a favorite any time of day when I'm back in St. P. Great breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert options. I particularly like it as an evening place for dessert/coffee - delicious cheesecake; through beware of how rich/decadent it is! A single slice can definitely be split between two, otherwise you're going to end up feeling a bit nasty afterwards as I did :) A good spot to catch up with friends or take the fam. The bartender on my visit last night seemed to be totally over his job and literally threw the check toward me when I closed out (??) -- but despite the occasional service quirks, I still like the place.
(4)
Anna S.
I have tried a Tres Leche with raspberries. That was rich, moist and delicious! Scone was also good. It was so fluffy that it kept freshness by next day. I recommend you to take scones to go. : )
(4)
Ellen G.
"But I have to carry my own tray! Whine whine whine!" Hush your face. This restaurant is the best thing that ever happened to Grand Avenue...you can get your best-in-the-world German Chocolate cake and then burn a few extra calories carrying your tray up the stairs. Yes, the lines are long. Yes, you have to make a lot of rapid fire decisions. Get over yourself. This place is a control freak's paradise - you actually get to SEE the food before you pick it, and yet it is classy and chic in an entirely non-Old-Country-Buffet kind of way. Fresh salads, amazing sandwiches, and fabulous soup (ummm, the vegetarian chili? Legendary.) And the art collection on the walls is fun too. Just avoid the lunch rush, get your German Chocolate cake, and you'll be fine.
(5)
David J.
Their bread, their cakes are delicious. The overall atmosphere is meh--alright. Everyone talks about the Turtle Cake, but as a former employee--the Tres Leche (three milks) is the cake we all couldn't get enough. A great place to have a date, and feel like you're still in high school. If that's what you're going for. SFCritic
(3)
Kristina K.
Whenever I'm near Grand Avenue, I deviate to Cafe Latte. I go for the three salads plate and devour the bread that comes with it. The food is served cafeteria style and the noise is like a cafeteria.
(4)
Chanstay Y.
I have been here several times and I just don't get the hype. I was there a few days ago and we ordered a slice of plain cheesecake and pumpkin/white chocolate cheese cake and it just was not worth $12. I mean, it wasn't very good, maybe I'm just hard to please because I make the best cheesecake anyone who's tasted it has ever tasted. I've had there sandwiches, twice I've had the tuna, I kinda forgot what it was like the first time and accidentally ordered it a second. It is very bland. There other food I've eaten there is ok. I vow not to go back if I can avoid, which is harder than you might think because I live so close by and friends always want to go there and since I don't find most restaurants on Grand to be that great, I may have to. Hopefully they'll be paying because I don't think it's worth it, j/k, well kind of.
(2)
Llorona N.
Kind of overrun by suburbanites, yes. But still delicious! I have great memories here of lunches with my mom over the past, um... 17 years? gross, I'm old. The soups and sandwiches are great, as are the side dishes. The desserts are so/so, but if you aren't exceptionally picky about your sweets, you'll be happy. I'm not a fan of heavy frosting lacking flavor, but I honestly say I've only experienced that a few times with their cakes. I did enjoy a cobbler I got here, once, immensely. All in all, great place for lunch with mom. That ain't a bad thing.
(4)
K s.
Just had a delish soup and salad here. The food is fresh and the desserts look great, I'm in town solo for business and wanted a place to get a good meal but in a casual cafe setting. Perfect since I can hang out have a espresso or beer while getting some work done after my meal. Small downside is they don't have wifi but this isn't a reason not to eat here. Definitely will return!
(4)
Tim R.
Very nice selection of bakery, salad and soup items. This place gets a little busy during prime dating times of the week so choose your time of arrival carefully. The afternoon tea was excellent last time I was there. The scones and layered cakes are excellent.
(5)
Vannezsa S.
Only went for dessert, which was very good. Had the strawberry rhubarb tart (although they did not call it a tart). Very excellent. Not overly sweet and the crust was nice and buttery, and NOT dry -- my pet peeve. Latte was not bad either. Will go back for their beautiful selections of salads, sandwiches, pasta salads, and soups. Sadly, was not impressed with their beer selections. Although, they defiantly cater more to their wine selections.
(4)
Sloane S.
The moment we walked in the staff was sooo so very nice. Where was the tip jar? I was just dying to give a tip. Not to mention the little slice of cake I got was exceptionally delicious as well as the flavored skim milk sweet drink I ordered. It was so nice to hang out with friends here.
(5)
Alice W.
Love love love! Cafe Latte is where I want to meet a girlfriend for lunch--two-or three- salad plate (quinoa and asparagus in a light dressing, chicken & pasta with a light mayo dressing, grapes, and candied pecans), choice of their wonderful breads. Cafe Latte is where we go every year for my birthday, so I can have a GREAT piece of cake that I don't have to bake myself. (I'm a traditionalist--chocolate for me; but I've never heard or read a complaint yet about their desserts--German chocolate cake, cheesecakes, fruit tarts, carrot cake, truffles). And Cafe Latte is even a great place to stop by myself in the middle of a day of errands, if I have a paper or a book to read--Chipotle chicken chili or vegetarian chili, corn chips (or pizza from the back section). There is a reason Cafe Latte is so crowded--they do what they do incredibly well. If you can't handle the cafeteria style service; if you can't put your tray down in line to "save" your place and then scope ahead for what's on offer, then maybe it's not for you. But then you're missing out on fresh, tasty, well-made food in a fun, handy part of town. My gripes? Those dang stairs! I have to remember not to wear a skirt when I go there, for fear of giving diners below a less-than-artistic view, and please, Cafe Latte--add a soda machine upstairs so we don't have to wobble our way down each time we need a refill! Otherwise, thanks for being there, always!
(5)
Ali H.
I'm visiting my folks and came to my old standby, Cafe Latte, last week. For the first time I tried their afternoon tea service, and it was great! It's like 12 bucks, and includes a pot of your choice of fine teas, a mini scone, 2 shortbread cookies, half a slice of dessert, and an amazing cucumber/basil spread sandwich. Basically we got lunch, dessert, and tea for 12 bucks. I was really impressed with the quality of everything. We had their chocolate peanut butter tart and a pumpkin mousse, and took a piece of chocolate turtle cake home to my folks. Completely honestly, I've never had a dessert there that didn't knock my socks off. This was no exception! I will note that I got a package of pepper flatbread to take home, and, though it openly admitted to being pepper flavored, I found it to be much too peppery! Almost inedibly peppery. The bread itself was great, very cripsy and nice, and I will definitely try the other flavors in hopes of less overwhelming pepper flavor.
(5)
Nora P.
I've heard the pizzas here are amazing. The soups? I've been told superlative. A few times I've seen someone with incredibly yummy looking salads. However these are things I've never experienced first person. You see, Cafe Latte is not very user friendly, if you've never been here be sure to bring someone who has. There are no "order here" signs, or even a definitive line of people for you to follow, just kind of a crush around the counter. I've only ordered coffee drinks, which I've had to stand in line 10 minutes to pay for, and when I get to the register they aren't ready (or prepared wrong because the barista couldn't hear the words I attempted to shout over the cacophonous din of other patrons)... One time my boyfriend got me a piece of turtle cake, it was delicious, but I've never figured out how to procure another for myself. I would really like to try the food, since so many good things are said about it, but every time I go I end up quite frustrated and leaving. And in talking to other people, I'm not the only one. I think a sign or two, or perhaps a quick half-sheet computer print map for new-comers would be very helpful, or maybe just maybe, if the employees see someone looking confused they could, I don't know, stop talking to each other and provide service.
(2)
Alexa C.
Great desserts. Delicious, and bigger than your head. The meal food isn't anything to write home about, seems like overpriced basic deli food.
(4)
Camille L.
I am a massive pasta salad fan and this place has a lot to choose from. They also have an ample sandwich selection. You can also have specialty salads made for you and they have some delightful looking soups and spreads. Be sure to save room for dessert since this place is well known for their desserts too. The German Chocolate cake is decedent! It can be tough to find a place to sit since this place is so popular. The cups for drinks are meager and you have to go all the way downstairs to refill your fountain drink. Most of the tables are located upstairs so this place should have installed a refill station for drinks up there too (hopefully their manager is reading this). Oh, and if you want to know where high schooler's spend their time on Sat. nights, rest assured you will find multiple groups of them here.
(4)
Jessica P.
Five star food, ZERO star service... I've been going to Cafe Latte since I was about 10 years old (15 years). I've always enjoyed their food, but as of late (within the last couple of years, anyway), their service has been awful. I come here 3-4 times a year, and my last experience was just plain unacceptable. I arrived in the mid-afternoon on a Thursday, and the place was basically dead. Although there were several "servers" standing behind the counters talking amongst themselves, I had to announce my presence 3-4 times before I received any acknowledgement. When they finally noticed me, I was approached by a dour thirty-something woman who gave me a blank stare as a greeting. Intending to order dinner, I asked for a sample of a pasta salad. She handed me a small sample (with NO fork, toothpick, etc.) and then WALKED AWAY to continue chatting with her coworkers. I had to yell after her, "Can I have a fork, please?" She shooed me over to the other end of the bar to get it myself. When I returned to actually purchase a salad, no one was to be found. This should've been hint enough that they were uninterested in receiving my patronage, but I decided to give it one more shot at the sandwich bar area. Another woman made me a sandwich with a salad (which was doused a bit too liberally with their vinaigrette). When I took my food to the register to pay, there was no one around to ring me up (free meal...? Should've been.) After poking my head around the back corner into the kitchen area, I finally got some assistance. When the cashier then rang up my order, I mentioned that the price seemed a little high, and she said that was the cost of a turkey sandwich with cheese. How she came to the conclusion that I had a turkey sandwich with cheese when I had a veggie sandwich with no cheese is beyond me. She corrected her mistake and brought my tab down a couple of bucks (I'm 25 and frugal as hell, so don't think you're going to overcharge me for a damn sandwich). Needless to say, my food was nothing special after receiving such rude and incompetent service. After 15 years of patronage from my family, I will NOT be returning to this stuck-up establishment. The only reason they get one star (beside the fact that there is no lower rating) is due to the very nice, attentive busser (whose worked their 15+ years) who is amazing. Seriously the nicest man ever.
(1)
T F.
Love this place! My husband and I are both big fans of the "salad samplers" where we can each taste 2-3 of the rotating delicious salads for $7.99. There are always a few vegetarian options. Their soups, stews and desserts are also fantastic. I don't think there's anything over $8 on the menu (the pizzas might be--did I mention they serve pizzas too?). We typically do take out, but if you choose to stay and eat you can get a glass of wine, too.
(5)
Derek C.
If you really want to experience Grand Avenue and a typical Saint Paul lunch eatery, then Cafe Latte is a great place to try. The cafeteria style set-up is great if you are looking for a quick solo lunch, or if you want to stay a while for a meeting or hangout. The upstairs mezzanine allows you to over look Grand Ave, or tuck away in a corner. It seems like a popular hang out spot for many ages. Everything is made fresh. The soups are homemade and fantastic. They serve fresh baked bread with their soups, which are great for chilly days. They also make fresh sandwiches with fresh bread, deli meats and veggies. Supposedly they have great cakes too!
(5)
Alexis S.
I am already drooling just thinking about the desserts. I pretty much always get the raspberry torte. So scrumtrulescent, I forced myself to finish the entire thing despite the fact that I had too much to eat before hand. The food coma afterwards was worth it though, as I had time to reflect on the amazingness of the dessert. The food I had was quite good too. I got the caeser salad with the butternut squash soup. The soup was super delish and flavorful as well. I have to say though that I purchased a vanilla latte after dinner and it was really disappointing. How can you screw up a Latte'? It tasted like they forgot to put in any coffee, which could have been the case. I had to knock of one star for that. Oh well, I don't so much care about the coffee. It's all about the dessert.
(4)
Katie F.
Cafe Latte is hip, fun and a great place if you want to meet friends for lunch and not have deal with the hassle of splitting up the bill, as it is cafeteria style. However, it gets really crowded, and it can be confusing if you haven't been here previously. You can have a good-sized lunch for about $12, including beverages. I hesitate to give them five stars because the parking in this area sucks, unless you want to pay the ramp fee. Also, if you have a stroller or a wheelchair, there are limited options on the lower level for seating. Sometimes, I will hike up the stairs, but it makes me anxious carrying a tray of soda, soup and gooey desserts. Also, the tables upstairs can be so close, I have to concentrate hard not to listen to other conversations. My suggestion: if you aren't a chocolate lover, skip the cheesecake and try the Tres Leches cake. I love Cafe Latte enough, that I opted not to have a traditional wedding cake, and instead had them supply a variety of choices, which were great, and much less expensive.
(4)
Guillermo H.
Overpriced lunch food. Salads, soups and sandwiches. None of the food will blow you away, and the only warm food they have (the soups) are boring and tasteless. Menus are completely confusing and it's not clear what you can get, with what, and how much it will all cost you. Couple all of this with terrible parking (expect to spend a bunch of time finding a parking spot on the street and be prepared to walk several blocks, even during off-peak hours), I'd rather get soup and sandwiches elsewhere.
(2)
Katheryn A.
Great interior with a variety of foods. Personally I'd just go there for some cake, coffee, free complimentary water and my Macbook/newspaper! You can hold a conversation here too if you'd like, it doesn't get too loud.
(3)
Kat W.
The only reason I can't give this five stars is because it is completely impossible for a newcomer to make a decision when they stand at the beginning of the serving line, and I live in perpetual fear of getting rammed into by another spirited customer whilst trying to take my newly-plated meal to a table. Such is the way of life. If you've never been before, I would definitely recomment walking behind the actual line to see what your meal options are. If you're with a friend, DEFINITELY share things. We split a Greek Salad and a plate of spreads (We did two, a basil artichoke and a tuscan one? One was red, one was green) which I was a huge fan of because I've been on a big crusty bread-jag lately. Our ulterior motive was so that we could each sample a cup of soup as well. Given the choice of roll, I would suggest the foccacia, especially if you enjoy parmesan and rosemary as flavors. The desert case is to-die-for. If you have a sweet tooth, save some room or be prepared to cart a piece or two out of this place to enjoy at home. You won't be disappointed by anything that you order.
(4)
John S.
We have been there before and the food is always exceptional, as it was the other night. My bride had the triple salad and I had a delicious smoked turkey sandwich and small salad. But what was outstanding was the person, Pilar, who made my sandwich. She was exceptional in her rendering of outstanding customer service. She bent over backwards to serve you with a smile. I was in a position to watch her during out entire dinner. I could see the non-verbal expressions of the people she waited on. You could see right away that she uplifted their mood. Mine certainly was. You just don't see that very often in a restaurant, especially in a serving line environment. Thank you so much Pilar! You made my day and many others you served. You can bet we will be back when we come up from Omaha!
(5)
Blair J.
The pizza/wine bar is the best. They have a great selection of wine and the pizza is tasty. Plus the bartenders are awesome.
(5)
Kelly E.
Took some good advice from a friend of ours and checked this place out because she told us the desserts were fab. We decided to skip dinner (who needs nutrition on a Sunday night, right?!) and went for some sugar instead. Turtle cheesecake for me and German chocolate cake for my boyfriend. He got a minty steamer thingee, and I got a raspberry Italian soda. All of it was divine! Not from the area, but I will be having sweet dreams about this fun little place... NOTE: Cheesecake is better than Cheesecake Factory. ;)
(4)
Mary H.
This cafe is a "must stop" when I'm visiting the Twin Cities. I love their soups and stews, and the bread that accompanies them. On this last visit, I had a bowl of Chicken Divan stew, which was fantastic, and a vanilla latte afterwards. I often ask for a taste of a soup or stew that I haven't had before, and the servers gladly accomodate me. We have nothing like this in Colorado Springs, and I look forward to my visits to Cafe Latte. I have never had a bad meal there. Food quality and recipes are fantastic.
(5)
Aimee N.
Ever since my friends brought cake from here to a party over 5 years ago, I have been hooked. Whenever I can, I will order cakes for special events for here. Averaging 20-25 per cake, it's a decent price for amazing desserts. They also offer a large lunch and dinner menu but I come for the desserts which they are known for. Some of my favorites are the Raspberry torte and tres leches cake. Their cheesecakes are extremely yummy too! A must try, they are packed every single time I am there. They are right off of grand so come early if you plan to try to park on the street or there is a pay ramp nearby you can park at as well if you don't want to deal with parallel parking
(5)
Jeannine Marie P.
So delicious! I recently photographed a wedding who got their desserts here! The couple wanted a variety of different cakes and cheesecakes- Cafe Latte did a great job working with the couple and presenting beautiful cakes! The cake presentation was perfect!
(5)
S. B.
Always a great place for fresh, healthy food. I find I can always get the portion size I want and just the right items that hit the spot. Tip: go to the back counter and ask for the smaller scones. They are superb!
(5)
Mosi G.
It is a little expensive but definitely worth the money. We tried chocolate chocolate cake and we were in chocolate heaven a moment later. The coffee was also great.
(5)
Soobin C.
Turtle cake was amazing, chai latte was decent, interior/ overall ambience was very nice, but the service could be improved greatly.
(3)
Jenn B.
Love there bread spreads and breakfast pizzas are awesome! The service is awesome! This is my favorite place to come to for lunch and even dinner. We have tried there desserts and I am not a sweet tooth girl but the cakes are rich and it's not so sweet it's perfect! I can see why they have long lines.
(5)
Renisha P.
My favorite dessert place in the Twin Cities! I've tried many of their desserts (and some food too) but my favorite is their caramel turtle cheesecake, and the tres leches cake. Both are so rich, decadent and divine but not overly sweet; they're just perfect :)
(5)
Johanna V.
You haven't been to Cafe Latte yet? As my sweet, Southern Grammy would say, "what're you doin', child??" If you like cake, you were born to go to Cafe Latte! Seriously, there is an gaping hole in your heart and the only cure is a piece of their turtle cake. For real though, all of their sweets are delicious. As for their food, I have no complaints. They have fresh salads, soups, and sandwiches. I recently tried their pizzas and was pleasantly surprised. I would suggest the chicken nacho pizza.
(5)
Sarang K.
Delicious cakes! Is about all I can say about the food. Oh and good coffee. We had a tres leches cake and a raspberry coolie tort! Oh my goodness it was delicious. I loved the whipped cream they use, and with a cup of light but bitter coffee, it was just... heavenly. It's a nice casual atmosphere, totally chill. Closes at 10 but didn't kick us out even at 10:10. I really appreciated that. It seems like the place to be! I hear the pizzas are pretty good too! Totally worth a check out. Oh and it's cafeteria style, that pretty much wraps around the entire center of the restaurant. There's a second floor that's nice and a little more quiet, a little less foot traffic. Bathrooms are outside, in the building, but outside of Cafe Latte.
(4)
Susie A.
Three words : Turtle Chocolate Cake "Get your buzz on" dark, rich, and not too sweet. First bite had a pecan in it and sent me to heaven. Had to have another bite. Went to heaven again. Before I knew it half the huge slice was gone and I was getting looks sent my way saying "put the fork down...." Good thing I will get to go to heaven again tomorrow with the left-overs. Thanks Cafe Latte for making my desert dreams come true! Someday I will try the other food, but for now it is all about the cake.
(5)
Deb S.
Oh My Gawd Delish. The desserts here cannot be beat - loved the chocolate cake, but couldn't begin to finish it. The pies, the pastries, the coffee, the tea, the friendly counter service - you have my vote. This little street of shops, restaurants, homes, and the like was one of the highlights of our trip to the Twin Cities - loved it!!
(5)
Keith S.
A perennial favorite. I seldom stray from my usuals here but when I do it's generally in the dessert variety. Staples: Raspberry creme torte. Oh my. There have multiple times over the years where an entire torte finds its way into my fridge. Caesar chicken pasta. Chili or one of the other soups. Sourdough bread Pro tip. They often have day old desserts wrapped up at the cashier, save yourself a buck and grab a treat. My only complaint is that service has routinely been a bit slow over the years. I often find myself standing at the counter for a bit before someone helps me.
(4)
Joy H.
What's a good way to end a meal at a chinese place? Go to another place for a piece of cake, I'd say. Admit it: Life is short and you should always enjoy the sweets while you can. I got a strawberry and chocolate cheesecake and totally loved it. My other girlfriends got a variety of other cakes and everything was nothing less than delish. I would go there again any day, but I would NOT park in the effing neighborhoods around there ever again since I just got a ticket from one of them. I think there's a free public parking near chipotle? If you're thinking about going for the first time, be sure to look out for that. You've been warned.
(4)
Bea K.
Really fresh salads and yummy soups! I had Latte Caesar with kalmata olives and artichoke & creamy chicken stew. Yum! Sometimes cream soups have a dried milk taste not this one! Sis had salad sampler and creamy dill leek soup and friend. Had veg chili. All were yummy, not too much dill to be overpowering, but enough to taste! We bought turtle cake to try at home... We've heard the desserts are amazing, and since the other food was so good... Will post dessert review later!!
(5)
Nivedita B.
I've been coming here with my family since I was a wee little child. Perfect spot for lunch! Try their spreads - especially the sonoma basil and the salads. Usually I stuff my face with the spreads and then I stare at the desserts for a good 15-20 minutes. All of the desserts I've tried have been to-die-for. If you can't eat it all then I suggest going for the Turtle Cake or Chocolate Chocolate Cake. I once drove 2 hours round-trip to bring home a Chocolate Chocolate Cake for my sister's birthday. Worth it. Also bring home some scones, jam and cream if you are feeling especially British!
(4)
Meg K.
Love this place! You really must try the soup. They are homemade and delicious. I haven't tried one I didn't like. Also, the dessert is to die for! Another favorite is the Greek salad. I love their greek dressing! They list which items are vegetarian and gluten free. Plus, they are usually knowledgeable if you have other ingredient concerns. The line may sometimes look quite long, but it goes really quick! My only complaint is my chai latte was so hot I couldn't drink it until I was finished eating. But I will take too hot over not hot enough any day!
(5)
Dan F.
What else do I have to say: Turtle cake. If you've been here you know what I mean. If you have not, go and get it while you can. I am a chocolate freak, super freak even. This cake is one of the bets and moist cakes I have ever had and that says a lot. The service and atmosphere was very clean and friendly. I will return if I return to this part of the country just for the turtle cake.
(5)
Sherrie B.
THE Best Desserts in the metro area and likely the whole state. Raspberry white chocolate cheesecake is a slice of heaven but classic vanilla is a close second!!! Our family has been coming here for over 20 years and never been disappointed. Another favorite is the Chocolate Chocolate Cake, yum!!!
I was introduced to this place several years ago when my sisters went to school at Central High School. I still love it because you can get a good salad soup or sandwich or indulge in some great desserts. I went last week and tried a tre leche cake so yummy! The only issue I have with this location is the parking. Either street park it or pay extra to park in the ramp.
(5)
Abbie F.
Cafe Latte...wow! Part of me wants to say I wished I'd found this place sooner and the other part of me knows I'd be 15 pounds heavier if that was the case! Went there for dessert on a Saturday night. Since we couldn't pick just one dessert we ended up ordering four of them-tres leches, vanilla bean cheesecake, toffee cheesecake and German chocolate cake. My partner said that the vanilla cheesecake was the best he had ever had! I thought the German chocolate cake was pretty out of this world! The tres leches was also amazing delicious! The toffee was good too but not as amazing as everything else. I want to go back and try every single one of their desserts! I should have taken a picture for you too see but then the decision to go or not to go would have been too easy. You would have run there to get some if the desserts. The only downside is the desserts are pretty expensive at $6 each. However, they are REALLY DELICIOUS!
(5)
Anjali M.
My biggest pet peeve is when a coffee shop doesn't have wifi. You're in an area with college students and professionals. Other than that, the food and tea selection is pretty good.
(3)
Franz V.
Not what it used to be. Miss the old place.
(3)
Naomi O.
It's such torture this place is a mile from my house. This is such a diet fail for yours truly, but the flourless chocolate cake - whoa! I make love to it so fast. SO GOOD. They had a mocha chocolate cake a couple months back... my my MY! mmmm! (keep in mind, their sweets are made on specific days/weeks, so ask the associate what's available that day). Not only is it a dessert place, but they serve other good eats such as soups, salads, pizza to name a few - which are also good! Once in a while, this girl loves her soup & salad...with a piece of dessert of course! It can get packed at times, but the wait is worth it.
(5)
Jennifer Z.
I had such an enjoyable time here. I still don't know where this is but I love the neighborhood it is located in. There isn't any parking lots so you have to find street parking but there was plenty of that. You can order dessert cafeteria style and seat yourself. It is such a cute little place. I wish I worked nearby and could come here for lunch. The dessert was amazing! I had the original cheesecake and it was really good cheesecake according to my standards. It was on the pricier side but I will definitely come back here and explore some more.
(5)
Jessica H.
Visiting from out of town and my girlfriend told me she was going to take me to get the best cheesecake in the entire world. I am not even understating when I say that this was hands down the best cheesecake I've ever had in my whole life. We got the original which came with a fat strawberry dipped in glaze. The whipped cream was fluffy airy and the perfect compliment to the smooth delicate bites of cheesecake. The texture of the crust is hard to describe. It literally melts in your mouth. This place is an absolute must try.
(5)
Lauren S.
I love this place. I've been here for lunch once, and dessert twice. I left 100% satisfied all three times. When I came for lunch, it was an early spring day - cold, but sunny and pleasant. I was still an omnivore then, and I ordered the chicken noodle soup. I remember it blowing my mind; it was hearty and flavorful and packed with veggies. The second time, it was a miserably cold night, the day after an infamous Minnesota blizzard. We stopped in for dessert after a disappointing meal elsewhere. Nothing else could have cheered us up like those tarts and cakes did. I can't even remember exactly what they were called: one was chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, and the other two were some sort of tarts (one with peach, one with pear). Incredible. The third time, I met a friend there to say goodbye before moving to the east coast. She ordered the tres leche cake (which was fabulous), and I selected the strawberry almond mousse tart. Good gracious. Cafe Latte knows how to make food. Next time I'm in town, I'll most certainly try the espresso, and maybe give the food another go. Or just get more dessert. ;)
(5)
Jason Y.
The coconut cake here is amazing amazing! They don't offer it all the time so be prepared to have a back up plan. I will stop and pick up slices of coconut cake here just to take home because I am so in love with it!! Parking is a tough one for this place. Be aware that this area is Saint Paul's worst area for parking tickets in the city. Watch out where you park when visiting this place.
(4)
S T.
We got 2 salads, a mixture of rolls, and 6 cakes from Cafe Latte for our wedding, and it was fantastic and super affordable! The salads really dressed-up the dinner, made it look super gourmet and fancy, the guests couldn't stop commenting on how lovely the salads were. (our main food caterer was wonderful and didn't mind co-catering with Cafe Latte) We had a small traditional wedding cake from another bakery, but we also had a variety of cakes from Cafe Latte. The variety of cakes were such a hit, that they were all gone by the end of the night! Cafe Latte was super considerate and helpful during the ordering process. For example, after the initial order, they called asking how much time between pick-up and eating in terms of whether dressing should be put on so that it didn't get wilty so that we had beautiful presentation. In comparison to traditional wedding bakeries with $7-15/slice, the $2-4/slice we paid at Cafe Latte was a steal! And arguably tastier than any other bakery in town! And since we were able to get 6 different kinds of cake, everyone had something they liked, whether it was fruity and light, dense and chocolate, or rich cheesecake, etc.!
(5)
Ken C.
Cafe Latte is my go to for desserts. No matter where I dine out for dinner in the cities, if I get a strong craving for dessert, I make my way over to Victoria Crossing in St. Paul (corner of Victoria and Grand). I love their turtle cafe, but I've tried just about every cake, cupcake, etc that they serve and they're all winners. They also have soup, sandwiches, and salads made to order but the dessert is the only reason to go in my opinion. Actually scratch that they do have a wine/pizza bar which is also good. Cafe Latte is great for a date, meet up with your friends or place to study/read. Lots of family's visit cafe Latte during the day so be prepared for the amount of kids you'll run into. Otherwise perfect. Enjoy!
(5)
Guy C.
Stopped in late in the evening for a dessert and a coffee. Place was packed with many others doing the same. Decent German chocolate cake and latte'.
(3)
Angie K.
Yummy! Cafe Latte has some amazing food! However, I'd rather go there for desserts than for a meal. It's really easy to go overboard in the cafeteria style line. By the time you get to the main course, you've already got your tray full of sides. Their spreads and soups are pretty delicious, if you get that far in the line! But, like I said, their main attraction is the dessert!
(4)
Nikki R.
Really love this place. My girlfriends introduced me to it. I try to go at least once every month or so. Nice atmosphere, good food as well. Give it a try!
(4)
Drew G.
Rude server. Got two lattes that were cool, or room temp at best. I think the milk was unsteamed and straight out of the fridge. I will most likely only go back for the cakes. Edited review: management responded to my email and has addressed my concerns. I'm impressed with their response and changed my rating.
(4)
Vic S.
Nothing wrong with the food here. I've been coming here for 14yrs. The issue is the upstairs patrons. The dirt from the soles of their shoes has the potential to fall right down into the soup and bread below. Nobody has ever notice this because they are always looking down at the food. Next time you are there, when you get to the soups Look Up.
(2)
Donna A.
Stopped in for lunch and had a decent smoked turkey with basil pasta salad, sourdough roll and the wonderful tres leches cake. Counter service was fine; cashiering seemed a little slow. One quibble: Why are there no salt and pepper shakers (or even little packets) anywhere except at the (often crowded condiments) station on the first floor? When I realized I wanted a little salt and pepper on my salad, I had to tromp downstairs, wait for the condiments line to clear, and then sprinkle salt into my palm (I hadn't expected to have to use the one salt and pepper in the restaurant, so hadn't brought down my salad). The counter help said the only salt and pepper was at the small, crowded condiments station. I'm not sure whether Cafe L is trying to save staff time/hassle filling up empty salt and pepper shakers, or whether this is a not-so-subtle admonishment to patrons that they shouldn't alter the food that's served, but the experience sure left a bad taste in my mouth.
(3)
Tian Q.
Desserts (~$5 a slice): 1. German chocolate cake = Chocolate-chocolate cake with coconuts 2. The "famous" turtle cake = Chocolate-chocolate cake with caramel and pecan 3. Chocolate-chocolate cake = cake mix from Target? 4. Salted caramel tres leche; the tres leche cake portion, milky, moist, and delicious; salted caramel cream, puke Service: Friendly with an endearing grandpa working the counter; mostly self-serve Misc: Decent variety, average quality, clean and spacious setting Moral of the story, the cakes were nothing extraordinary, calm the fuck down.
(3)
Mickelos G.
This is one of my favorite soup and said places by far! The Greek chicken salad is probably my favorite, and the chicken chili goes great with anything! They are always busy and the prices are decent. It's perfect for grabbing lunch and maybe even a little dessert to go! Their white chocolate pumpkin cheesecake was amazing!
(4)
Jack F.
They have a cafeteria servicing style here and can be confusing at first, especially if they are busy, which they usually are. Their food is mediocre at best and with a high price point. If you are looking for a lunch spot I would hop across the street to Brasa. The desserts and coffee on the other hand are pretty good, the Tres Leche is my favorite cake, smooth, soft, and not too sweet. They have ample seating and open late if you are in the area to study, you can find a quite corner upstairs or around the other side by the bar. There is a lot of hype around this restaurant, people need to relax, its really not as good as you think, try Patrick's bakery in Edina, they do not mass produce a couple good cakes like this place does. Final word; If it was just a dessert place I would give them higher marks, but their food pulled them down like an anchor. BUT, get their tres leche if your in the area.
If you are in the cities and looking for delicious amazingly cake? Yes cake..! This is to place to be ... Tiramisu tres leche and strawberry cheesecake.. Don't worry about calories.. It just makes you happy happy person.
(5)
Alaina M.
My girlfriend and I had an entire dinner of desserts. As an afterthought we got the fruit tart just because it was beautiful. I can easily say the fruit tart was the best fruit tart I've ever in my life. It was perfect!
(5)
St. P.
Brilliant concept, exceptional delivery. I love this place. The salads, soups, and rolls do not disappoint. The desserts are divine. I highly recommend the classic vanilla cheesecake and turtle cake. Wow.
(5)
Shue H.
In all honesty, I usually only come here for the cake. I've had the food here on several occations and it's nothing to really rave about, but the cake, I will rave about. Let me just put it this way, I haven't had a single slice of cake here that wasn't good. I live in Las Vegas, NV, and we seriously don't have a place that quite compares when it comes to cake. Thus, I make it a point to visit Cafe Latte several times during my visits to MN. They have seaonal cakes, so be sure to visit often...and maybe keep your regular workout routine going as well. My absolute favorites are their German Chocolate Cake, Strawberry Cheesecake, Lemon Tart, and Tres Leches. If you want an entire cake, be sure to place your order in advance. The atmosphere is very casual. This is a great place for a relaxed get-together or even a date. Who doesn't love a "sweet" date.
(5)
Matt M.
Cafe Latte does it right. My favorite things here: 1. Tres Leche cake. This is amazing dessert, maybe my favorite dessert in the Twin Cities area. I've never had tres leche cake better anywhere, that's for sure. All their desserts are good- chocolate cakes are always super moist, turtle cake is another crowd pleaser. 2. The spread sampler. There's about 15 different spreads you can choose to put on fresh baked bread. The black bean spread is my personal favorite, but it's fun to try something new! Great to split with a few people. 3. Chicken salsa chili. This stuff is AMAZING, and the best part is they have the recipe on their website! Tastes just like it does there. 4. Southwest salad. This is one of those salads that probably isn't healthy for you at all (hi sour cream, hi cheddar cheese) but it's delicious. They put that black bean spread on it, and that makes it go from a regular taco salad to something much tastier. 5. The local art. A lot of places put up local art, but the art here is better than most. It's fun to always see different stuff hanging up from month to month! If you aren't looking at the art, be sure to people watch- all types of people come through here at lunch and dinner, from St. Thomas coasties to the 80 plus senior crowd.
(4)
Kate M.
It's probably a good thing this place is far enough way to fall off my radar. I love their cheesecake - shortbread crust with a layer of whipped cream..It's rich but it's not overkill. The cheesecake isn't gummy/chewy, but fits perfectly in texture with the whipped cream. Last visit I tried their soup and bread, which were good too. I saw a pizza with squash that might have me back for dinner.
(4)
Kelly S.
I remember going here YEARS ago & being amazed by the beautiful case of desserts & selection of coffee drinks. My husband & I rarely make it out to St. Paul, so while in the area last night we made a stop at Cafe Latte. Wow, has this place gone downhill!!! The options for desserts are slim. 3 cheesecakes, a tres leches cake, a salted caramel cake, a turtle & german chocolate cake. Everything looked & sounded fairly similar, which I thought was strange. We opted for the tres leches & the turtle, based on the other reviews. The staff were clearly annoyed to have paying customers disrupting their co-worker conversations. Once we had her attention a female staff member sliced up the cakes (while continuing to talk to her co-workers) & then slammed the 2 plates of sloppily sliced desserts onto the counter. We said thank you, she said nothing. We were a little confused as to how the flow of the restaurant worked so we asked where to go to order coffee drinks. She told us to pick up our desserts & walk around to the back bar area to order the coffee, so we complied. When we arrived at the back bar, same situation! An employee way more interested in chatting with co-workers than serving guests. When she was available, she slowly made my husband a cappachinno & poured me a luke-warm coffee. Our bill was $18 & the desserts weren't good enough to finish. The service left us insulted & the vibe of the place is lacking, considering it's inside a mall & packed with baby showers & chatty ladies. I will definitely not return!
(1)
Chris C.
My daughter who lives in MN LOVES this place; she even had their cakes at her wedding, so we stopped by for desserts. I tried a bite of her Tres Leches cake that was OH SO GOOD that I'd wished I'd ordered it. I ordered the German Chocolate cake since I'm a chocaholic and it was divine. My husband's Turtle cake was also yummy. I had a bite of the cheesecake that was also good but I prefer a graham crust. The other food looked good too so I want to stop back here next time I'm in town.
(4)
Manij S.
Best Tres leches in town. You won't be disappointed. Good selection of salads and sandwich along with some soup
First time eating here. Learned about it through am950. Shared the turkey avocado sandwich, chicken dijon stew, and turtle chocolate cake. We liked everything and finished it off with wine and a beer. Great place. Will be returning.
(4)
Qaiser B.
One of the best places to have desserts in twin cities, in my humble opinion. I love their Tres Leeche and Raspberry Torte cake. The place is a little pricey and can get a little crowded at times however take out is also an option. Its on Grand Ave and parking can get a little nightmarish.
(5)
Abdallah A.
Cakes A+, Hot drinks A+, friendly service and great atmosphere. food: soups good, salad is ok without chicken, chicken on salad not good at all. the spread of 2 or 3 items is very good. NO WIFI. other than that this place is a very nice place to be at specially on the weekend.
(5)
Bea V.
BEST cakes I have ever had. EVER. 'nough said.
(5)
Sammy V.
You just got to try all there cakes! Amazing! Moist, tasteful, and wow! My all time favorite if the cheesecake and the tres leche cake!
(5)
M S.
Like: combo plate with fruit, scone, jam, and clotted cream. Cappuccino. Their solo scone, clotted cream and jam. The customer service. The fact that you can call ahead in the evening to see if they have scones left....and they told me which kind too. The english current is very good and it's pretty true to nature to London's and the Pump House in Bath. Don't Like: the cafeteria style set-up. It's not so much a cafe as a boring food bar with the basic salad and sandwich options. Cafe Latte was so played up to me as THE place to go for breakfast that I was really disappointed. Thank god for the scone combo. I'd like to try more bakery options. Oh, and on my second trip I saw they had a nice bar on the bakery side of the place. Maybe cocktails in the future.
(4)
Lesley G.
Great desserts! No one in the MSP area could disagree!
(4)
Amy R.
I've eaten here a handful of times. Mainly for dessert and to catch up with friends. While it's a notable and popular place (the parking lot and surrounding streets always reflect that) there is just something off about the whole dining in experience. Could be that it's really loud and crowded, but its a popular place so I expect that. Could it be the cafeteria style dining? Nah, I don't really mind that. I like seeing the fresh salad ingredients they are throwing together for my salads. The desserts? Nah. They are pretty decadent. Especially the turtle cheesecake which is highly recommended. They do have quite a bit of variety of good looking desserts to choose from. Cakes, cheesecakes, tarts and other pastries. I can't put my finger on it, I just prefer to grab my stuff and go. It's more of a 3.5 for me. Just can't consider myself a fan of the whole experience.
(3)
Jessica T.
This review is for the High Tea offered here every day. Go to the back (where they have the pizza/wine bar) and say you'd like the High Tea. For about $13 you choose type of tea, dessert (they give you about 3 options). The dessert options are usually a fruit tart, as well as chocolate cakes. After a few minutes they bring out a silver tray with an individual tea pot with your tea steeping and cup/saucer. The beauty that follows is this; a tray with your dessert, 4 triangular cream cheese/cucumber sandwiches, scone, two small tea cookies, chocolate heart candy, 3 little containers (one raspberry, creme fresh, lemon curd) to dip scone and/or cookies. My friends and I like the high tea for a girls' lunch, celebrate joint birthdays, treat your mom and take out of towners. It's such a good price for all the food you get. I usually need a take home box. Plus, you get to feel like a lady.
(5)
Catherine C.
It was a cold and windy Autumn night and my roomie and I decided to go to Cafe Latte for some food, desserts and coffee. This was my first time going to this place, and I absolutely loved it! Even at 9pm, the place is packed with people having supper, chatting and enjoying a nice Friday night out. I was very impressed with the desserts. I had the Tres Leches (to go) and then I got a Chocolate Kahlua Cheesecake which was to die for! Ordered a decaf coffee which was fresh and hot and just perfect on this chilly evening. The Tres Leche cake was ok - I wish I could say I loved it more. It's not super sweet, which is good, but I think I enjoyed the cheesecake more. My roommate swears by the Turtle Cake, she says it's the best ever - so I'm trying that next time for sure! What a lovely place. I am certainly going to be coming back for more.
(5)
Kim R.
I've been to Cafe Latte numerous times, but last night was the first time we went to the other side of the cafe and ordered pizza. It was delicious! It was also nice that you can pick a seat and they will serve you. We ordered their seasonal pizza with pesto, chicken and squash. I loved the sweet flavor of the squash paired with the pesto. Normally I do not like red onions, but they were great on this pizza. We also ordered a bowl of the chicken salsa chili and it was phenomenal. I've had this soup before and it's always great. I like that they serve it with tortilla chips, cheese and sour cream. The toppings just add a little something extra. You can't leave Cafe Latte without desert. We had the triple berry tart. It was full of juicy blueberries and had a great shortbread crust. Definitely big enough for two to share!
(4)
Leigh J.
My most reliable go-to lunch place! Call ahead to find out what their salads & soups are for the day. My favorite is the white bean rosemary soup & chocolate cupcakes with homemade chocolate frosting.
(5)
Amy C.
What's up with the pissy remarks about the place being overrun by suburban soccer moms? Sheesh. Elitist much? Yes, I live in the suburbs, though I'm not a soccer mom. It can't be difficult to understand why I would seek out food in urban areas rather then allowing my taste buds to languish at Perkins or Applebees. I'm pretty sure the owners don't care what zip code is on my license. Anyway. I've loved this place since moving to the Cities 13 years ago. Of course the desserts are heavenly and you probably need an insulin shot after browsing the pastry case, but the food here is wonderful too. I love the homemade soups and fresh baked rolls. For a light meal/late dinner, the wine bar makes tasty little pizzas that aren't too bad.
(4)
William F.
Cafe Latte has really great desserts, with my favorite being their turtle cake. The actually food isn't worth it though. Atleast they realize this and sale it cafeteria style (pushing). Parking is terrible though, good luck on street parking. With all of that said it was worth the struggle for decadent delight. ;)
(4)
Kim L.
They have really good cakes!!! Although it's a little bit pricey, it is still very good. This is the place where I normally come for my cake cravings.The environment there is great. I love how they have an upstairs dining area. I also like the spread samplers. The guacamole with bread is amazing!
(4)
Jennifer H.
All I know is their tres leche cake and it is amaze-ballz!!! I'm not big on chocolate and super sweet desserts are not my thing. This tres leches cake is perfect, though from the amazing reviews of the Black Forest cake ill have to come back and give it a try. Never had any other food or cakes. May come back since its such a cute place...
(5)
Beth N.
I visited Cafe Latte a while back this winter, my boyfriend and I came here while running errands and killing time before a movie. I have always held Cafe Latte very high on my list for places to eat in St Paul, even after only eating here a few times in the past. I came here today looking for healthy, non-sandwich options, and I was very disappointed in the lack of variety. I ended up getting a pasta salad, which was very flavorless. The only redeeming quality of this place is obviously the cake and desserts, which were really good (of course). Just wish there were more healthy options!
We had the turtle cake, coffee, and an afternoon tea. The food was okay, but we really loved the atmosphere. It seems like a great place for studying (especially with the tasty desserts and free coffee refills). We didn't get lunch, but the sandwiches and salad bar looked yummy.
(4)
Sarah Z.
Yum! I finally wasn't let down by a salad! Because they know how to do things right here. Usually, when I go to a restaurant and feel like being healthy I get excited because restaurants should make good salad right? Most of the time they're actually not good. But this one was! Lucky me. I like how you can kind of order whatever you want here, you just have to stand in line a few times. I did unfortunately get pretty confused the first time I came here, and the people behind the counter making the food seemed a little impatient with me. So minus one star for that, but otherwise I had a really good experience. The interior of the restaurant is nice. I don't know why, but it just puts me in a good mood to enjoy their food. It's fun to sit upstairs and watch everyone below ordering their meals. They also have plenty of things to go. You can get awesome cakes and pies and other sweets. Can't wait to try more of them. The neighborhood is also really fun. You can walk up and down Grand just to enjoy the night, or to shop and explore! Can't wait to visit again.
(4)
Jane R.
Never had anything here I didn't like... All of the food is excellent. The service isn't anything to rave about, which is why I give Cafe Latte four stars, not five. The highlight here is the tres leches cake. It is the BEST I ever had; it's tart, not sweet - it's milky, not sticky. It's the best, that's it. I live in Las Vegas now, and usually whenever I see a tres leches cake on a restaurant menu, I always try it, hoping I'll find a match to Cafe Latte's. - I have not been successful. This place is worth going to for a quick power lunch, or a coffee/tres leches break. Note: I recommend sitting on the second floor... It's quieter than the first level - better for conversations with friends : )
Bakery is awesome. Have to try the damp use turtle cake! Yum! A little on the pricey end for cakes but well worth it.
(4)
Risa Y.
I love Cafe Latte. This review is for the desserts only, not the main dishes .which are a bit mediocre...the salads, soup and sandwiches...it's the basics but it is good. That being said, even though the main dishes may be a bit mediocre... their desserts are OUTSTANDING. So what makes their dessert outstanding and different from the other bakeries in the Twin Cities? Well, to me, there are two: CHEESE CAKE and their HIGH TEA platter. First, their cheese cake...IT IS TO DIE FOR! I have never ever been a fan of cheesecake, ever I've always found it too sweet and dense for me. Well, until I was introduced to Cafe Latte. Wow, for you non-cheesecake people, be sure to be blown away. My experience with their cheese cake: now this cheese cake is so light, heavenly, creamy and just the right texture and sweetness, it literally melts in my mouth. Favorite is the original vanilla cheese cake with the glazed strawberry and whipped cream. You haven't lived until you try this cheesecake! If you haven't yet, do so soon! I also love cafe latte for their afternoon "High Tea" which is offered every afternoon, including Saturday and Sunday. My girlfriends and I have this ritual of coming here once a year on a Sunday, to enjoy this special treat. For $13 you choose type of tea, dessert (they give you about 3 options of cakes and tarts), finger cream cheese/cucumber sandwiches, scone, two small tea cookies, chocolate heart candy, 3 mini dip containers (one raspberry, creme fresh, lemon curd) to dip the scones and cookies. It's all served on a beautful silver tray, with your own tea pot and cup...so pretty. Yes, it's an eyeful, but you don't have to eat it all - you can take it home to enjoy later or the next day or two...! Cafe Latte is a great place for a get together, too. Located on Grand Avenue in St. Paul...really cute area.. I'm so glad that I live in Minneapolis, though...otherwise it will be hard to stay away!
(5)
Jonathan K.
Always love coming here for a nice lunch. I always like to get the chicken caesar pasta salad although the daily ones they provide are pretty good too. I also grab a cup of their soups to go along with my meal which provide a good variety. The cardamom potato sausage soup I had was delicious. To finish off the meal I had my favorite dessert - Cafe Latte' tres leche. So good!
(4)
John R.
Great place for coffee and dessert after dinner. It's like the D'Amico's of dessert. Order at the counter, take it to your table. Quick and easy. Any place that invents my favorite cake (Tres Leches) and puts the recipe on the web so my wife can make it every year for my birthday is okay by me.
(5)
Kelly S.
Why I've not yet reviewed this place is strange to me. If I lived closer to Grand Avenue, I'd be in trouble. Decadent Desserts Galore! And not that this place needs anymore praise, but I'll give it to them anyway. I know I use the word favorite a lot in my reviews, but since life is short and good food is a great social tool, I'm adding this one to my list. If you get there for lunch at about 11 on weekends, my favorite time to go, you can just beat the lunch rush. The chicken pasta salad with added artichokes is my favorite with a sandwich on the side with as many healthy condiments as you so choose. But need I remind you to save room for dessert? Well just for the sake of how delightful they all are, save room for dessert! Split two with a friend if you must, just don't miss out on all their mouth watering tasty treats!
(5)
Erin P.
Cafe Latte is a classic installation on Grand Avenue. This is a fantastic spot to meet a friend to catch up over some coffee and a delicious dessert or a light lunch. The desserts are the highlight for me here, but the food is nice as well. Classic soups, sandwiches, and salads which all taste like they're well prepared. My favorite here though is their tea service. For about $13, you get tea, a cucumber sandwich, a scone, shortbread cookies, a slice of dessert (you get to choose from a selection of 3-4) and chocolate hearts. This is an amazing value for everything you get, and a lovely way to spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. They have tea service available daily from 11 am - 5 pm -- just go to the back counter to ask for it. I did this with a small group of girls for an informal baby shower, and it was perfect. Definitely would do it again!
(4)
Alisha H.
I've loved this place since we used to stroll the shops along Grand Avenue in college on a lazy sunday. Is it a little pricey? Sure. Is it ALWAYS packed with Summit Ave Moms pushing oversized strollers? Absolutely. Does it lack a patio? Sadly, yes. BUT. It does have some great options to linger around on a slow day with a cup of coffee. Things not to be missed: *Chicken Salsa Chili - I don't care if it's the middle of summer or the coldest day of the year. This chili is yummy year round. Comes with tortilla chips, bread, cheese, sour cream, and onions (if you choose). They even package it up really nice to go. *The Bread Sampler: Hello carbs. A mini loaf of bread served with your choice of two or three spreads garnished with cucumbers and tomatoes. The roasted red pepper, chicken dill, tuna, hummus, they're all good. *Tres Leche cake: A staple for birthday celebrations. *Original Cheesecake: Need I say more? A huge glazed strawberry atop fluffy cheesecake and a crumbly crust. Stop in for a snack, dessert or just to peruse the cafe line for next time.
(4)
Quincy M.
Cafe Latte is a delicious cafe on Grand Avenue. My personal favorites are the sandwiches, particularly, the Egg Salad. The spread platter and the soups are also delicious as well. They are a great place to grab lunch, the only downfall can be if you come during a rush it gets crowded very quickly and finding a table gets difficult. In addition to lunch, they also are a cafe and have all sorts of coffee beverages and deserts. My go to desert is the Turtle Cake. It is carmel, pecans, dark chocolate, and to top it off it is 3 layers. Overall, Cafe Latte is a great place to have lunch, but watch out for the crowds because they come quick!
(5)
kyle t.
Chocolate Cake that is so sinful you almost feel dirty after you're done eating it, like you've just experienced something in public that should be private. Maybe that's just me and maybe it was the company but damn that cake was good. Really nice open location and great coffee (although after having a latte my stomach was doing some kind of nasty dance, had been a long night though) and a very nice decor. This is the place you want to come after a few drinks and really relax and unwind a bit. Add to that the incredible desserts and all in life is good. KT
(4)
Joel R.
Apparently this kind of place is not my style. I found the food to be lackluster, the atmosphere to be reminiscent of a pretentious liberal arts college cafeteria and the whole thing to be bland and uninteresting. My wife, however, loves it. To each her own.
(2)
Norris B.
The best peanut butter and jelly sandwich east of the Grand Canyon. The desserts are to die for? It's always busy and seating can sometime be a challenge.
(5)
Kathy S.
Some nights, I just need good food and a good conversation. A friend brought me to Cafe Latte yesterday, and then I decided that this is where ALL of those nights are going to happen from now on! The first thing I came upon after getting to Cafe Latte was the dessert area. Holy freakin' cakes! I stood there drooling over the tres leches and cheesecake AND German chocolate cake until I realized that I hadn't actually eaten dinner yet (though who says you can't eat dessert before dinner?), so we grabbed our trays and headed down the good ol' cafeteria line. The butternut wild rice soup was creamy and surprisingly light, a good fit with the cheddar pepper roll I got, while my friend's white bean and rosemary soup was delish as well. I loved hanging out in the upstairs seating, enjoying the view of Grand Ave. For dessert, I loaded up with a huge slice of the lemon cream torte, which I hadn't stopped thinking about since I first set eyes on it. As a lemon fiend, this was absolutely heaven on a plate - especially the whipped cream frosting. The atmosphere is great for just sitting around catching up with friends, though it got a little loud during dinner, which doesn't surprise me. Loved the incredibly friendly service too...thanks for putting a smile on my face, guys! I'm kind of planning my next Cafe Latte date as we speak.
(5)
Angela K.
stopped in for lunch. only had the santa fe veggie salad and a sour dough roll. it was ok. being vegan and trying to pick out something was a headache. the ingredients aren't listed on the signs and because it's extremely packed/busy it just felt rushed. they could have had more plain salad and sandwich options than what was offered.
(3)
Mariel L.
Came here for an impromptu dessert outing with some friends, and I was really excited to try this place out. It was fun gawking at all the different pies, cakes, and more. I went for their "Famous" turtle cake, even though my first instinct was to get the Mocha White Chocolate cheesecake. Note to self: ALWAYS go with your gut. I mean, the turtle cake was very delicious and all. Lovely, sweet but not overly so, and just the right amount of caramel and chocolate mixed together. I had a bite of my friend's cheesecake though, and I think I want to come back and try that one. They also have some creative hot chocolate drinks and I got the one with cardamom and it was absolutely divine. LOVE the cardamom-infused chocolate drink and whipped cream on top. I can definitely see myself coming back here when my weird random cake cravings attack. Not that I've ever actually gone out of my way to eat a cake. But hey, there's a first time for everything.
(3)
Shital S.
Used to be a great place. Parking is very tough and the garage is expensive. Wifi is not strong and goes on and off. No outlets. Food is good, but expensive for cafeteria style. There is good food at other nearby venues. Good place to go on a special occasion.
(2)
Lindsay H.
Uh oh. What has happened? Since when did I enjoy eating cakes and sweets?! Ever since I found out about Cafe Latte, I've been here about six or seven times. The food is so-so, but the cake slices are delicious. Sometimes the line could get long, but their desserts will make any day better! Try the milk choco tres leche or the regular. I'm not a chocolate fan, but I heard the German Choco is yummers too, if you like chocolate!
(5)
Linda H.
I agree with my fellow yelpers in that most the food here is scrumptious! My faves are the salads and the desserts of course!! I love the Three Milk Cake and most the cheesecakes. The turtle and German chocolate cakes are super yummy and big enough to share but that comes from someone who is NOT a huge chocolate lover. They have a nice wine bar in the back where they serve pizzas. It looks like a nice place to catch up with an old friend. I have never had a coffee drink, regular cup of Joe on up to a flavored mocha or latte, that I like here...I stay away from their coffee. If you are really lucky, you can get half off goods by the back cash register area. Breads, croutons, and once in a while, day old pieces of cake. Usually around 9 PM is when you will start seeing these or when they first open. We stop in regularly just to see whats in the half price area. Why i am giving this place three stars is because I was around when Cafe Latte first opened (Yes, it never used to have an upstairs!). Over the years, I have seen the service diminish. The employees don't seem to want to be there and are not friendly at all. Maybe we just have had bad luck but when I go next time, I will upgrade my stars when I get someone that actually smiles!
(3)
Jennifer S.
Meeting others for an early lunch on a Thursday, I found no long waiting line for once. Yeah! I opted for their pre-made salads sampler plate. Each of the 3 salads I selected were chocked full of fresh vegetables and other ingredients, and flavorful dressings. My whole wheat roll was good. My dining companions seemed quite satisfied with their respective Caesar salads and chili. Seems we got there at the right time since hoards of people began streaming in after we sat down upstairs and commenced with our meal. I noticed the lovely new painting hanging on the walls around the restaurant. I love how they always present new art.
(4)
Amy S.
I love this place so much I had 7 different cakes from here instead of a traditional wedding cake all those years ago, but I vary rarely get to go here now that I have 4 kids. Today my husband and I had an unplanned 2 hours all to ourselves and decided to treat ourselves to lunch. We had the salad sampler, spread sampler and some soup and enjoyed every last bite. I did not enjoy, however, the rude employee who did not hide her annoyance when I asked what my options were for bread with the spread sampler. She pointed to a basket with three different types of bread that were not labeled and said, "um, they are right there" as she rolled her eyes. The employee working at the cash register made up for it though. She was so outgoing, friendly, patient and so on. She really seemed to be enjoying herself and every single customer she helped.
(4)
Tasha G.
When it comes to dessert at Cafe Latte. I'll take two please. When I'm with friends or family near the Grand Ave. area and they haven't tried Cafe Latte, it's always the first place I recommend when grabbing a bite for lunch. And so far, it hasn't disappointed. I must say, I mainly love this place because of the dessert and the tea/coffee but the food, wine, bread, and pizza are definitely a bonus. During my last visit my mom, future mom-in-law, and I split the Chicken Caesar Pasta salad, the Chicken Salsa Chili, a Tuna sandwich that my mom created, and slices of German Chocolate cake and the Salted Caramel Tres Leches cake. Needless to say, we all were "yumming" our way though this lunch. Everything tasted great, and what was even better is the recipes for the salad and the chili (along with a few others) are posted on Cafe Latte's website. Score! My only tidbit of advice for people making their first visit here, beware of the long lines. Especially at peak lunch and dinner times. But long lines in this case are definitely worth the wait and reflective of the quality of food you're going to get. I'll definitely be back. Again and again.
(5)
Annie C.
If you live near Grand Ave and haven't been here then you're missing out! Cakes galore, this place probably has something for everyone! For first timers I would recommend the Tres Leches cake. It was definitely my favorite. It's not like one of those overly artificially sweet cakes, but just sweet enough to satisfy my sweet tooth. If you're more of a chocolate lover (who isn't?), the turtle cake is a must try; moist, decadent and oh so amazing. If you're looking for more of a meal I would recommend that you try the soups. I came on a rather chilly afternoon, and the soup warmed me right up. They have a nice selection of soups, salads, sandwiches and pastas here so you're guaranteed to find something of your liking. If you're in the area, Cafe Latte is definitely worth a try! (Especially the cakes.)
(5)
Rachel C.
Good Selection, Good Salads! Really good fresh food
(4)
Karen F.
I've eaten here for lunch many times but what makes me come back again and again are their delectable cakes. This weekend, we ordered four different cakes- turtle chocolate, strawberry and rhubarb cheesecake, choco buttercream, and raspberry vanilla whip cream torte. Our group was very pleased with their choices. I personally LOVED my rhubarb/ raspberry cheesecake- if they sold that topping in a jar, I would have bought a couple that night. Also, the cheesecake had a wonderful consistency. Needless to say, our plates were clean. So even if you don't eat here for lunch or dinner, make a trip for dessert!
(3)
Nathan P.
One of my favorite places for lunch! The setting is very intimate and trendy. Situated right on the corner of Grand & Victoria in Saint Paul, this place is the perfect meeting place fora casual get together and quick bite to eat. Service is Cafeteria style, so I recommend taking a quick peek down the line before grabbing a tray. As far as food goes, best option is half sandwich (or cup of soup) with a salad. The Cafe Caesar is a great twist on the Caesar Salad with Kalamata olives (pits are in so beware!), tomatoes, artichoke hearts and the house caesar dressing! There are usually about 3-4 soups, and I highly recommend the Chicken Paprikash if they have it available that day! Now for dessert. Probably best known for their tempting cases filled with delicious tortes, cheesecakes and cakes, this is the place for some of the best desserts in the Twin Cities. Turtle Cake is their signature dessert. Rich chocolate cake with caramel and pecans; hello what could be better?! Occasionally the have their Lingonberry Pecan Cake, which is to DIE FOR! Be sure to look in the cases for "A Slice wit ha Pick", these are smaller portions I'm assuming that didn't cut symmetrically from the main cake, and they are half price! Great way to try the different desserts! Overall, this place gets nothing but high marks from me. Great place for lunch with friends, or a light dinner with casual conversation!
If it wasn't for my cousins, I would have never found the place. To me it was kind of hidden and the place looked eh, thinking that it is not that great....but O em Gee...the desserts were SO AMAZING. I ordered the chocolate banana cheesecake. The lady cut the slice to small and offered it for $2. I didn't think the original slice would cost that much so I said to just give me the original size. Turns out, the original size didn't make a difference and it cost $6. Shit. But it was still delicious. My cousin ordered the Raspberry almond mousse. I just wanted to get fat because of it. My other cousin ordered Raspberry tortes...now that...that I want to become obese with it. the BEST cake I have ever tasted. It has been a month since i tasted it and all I know is that the flavors were really balanced. Normally, american cakes tends to be really sweet and filled with icing and whipped cream, but it was moderate sweet, you can taste the raspberry perfectly along with the cake, the cream was so smooth and light and it was just plain amazing. There was another order of a chocolate chocolate cake. That was a beast. The slice was like 3 of the other slices combined. All chocolate. But it was good and moist. Need a lot of milk to go with it though. They also sell pizza and other stuff, but all I know is the dessert. Soo pretty much it is like Panera bread, but with cakes :] Too bad I live in California. I would come to this place when I am depressed, happy, content,......ehh you get the picture.
I've lived in Minneapolis for nearly 2 years and I JUST discovered this gem last night when my friend, who's lived in the Twin Cities for many years, took me after a evening of ballroom dancing. Super glad that the cafe didn't close until 11! When I first heard of "Cafe Latte," I imagined a small coffee shop, like Expresso Royale or Spyhouse, and thus was pleasantly surprised by the food offerings and the spaciousness of the place with seating all around the cafeteria-style serving line with an upstairs section too! As I picked up my black cafeteria tray, I momentarily reminisced to the old elementary to high school day where you either had "hot" lunches or "cold", and suddenly imagined everyone jumping up on their tables in a High-School-Musical-like late night St Paul rendition. Snapping out of the singing and dancing, I had to concentrate on food choices... One side of the serving line offered sandwiches and soups and the other side offered desserts. I was about to get a cup ($4.95) of the Chipotle Bean Chili, but had the lady upgrade me to a bowl ($6.95) when I realized you got 2 spoonfuls for the bowl and only one for the cup. Topped with cheddar cheese, red onions, and nacho chips, I was ready to spoon in. The texture of the soup with the crunchy chips was delightful and the slight kick of the chipotle made all the difference. Dessert was a tough choice, but we finally settled on the Turtle Chocolate Cheesecake. I tend to prefer my cheesecake like I do my mattress, a bit on the firmer side, but the melt-in-your-mouth goodness was very much appreciated. First bite in, I felt the cheesecake was a little bland; judging to soon is always a mistake as a moment later the creaminess really kicked in. The after-bite is a kicker and the chocolate cheesecake crust was probably the best part. I finished my whole bowl of soup, along with some bread, and my half of the cheesecake and I was good to go. It was exactly the rejuvenating meal I needed prior to dancing the rest of the night away downtown Minneapolis. Thanks Michael for introducing me to this fabulous cafe!
Of course Cafe Latte gets five stars but let it be known that I'm biased when it comes to any place with picturesque desserts! (It's so good that I forgot to take a picture of my meal today.) The servers behind the cafeteria-style counter are friendly. The atmosphere should be what you expect from a cafeteria-style diner. The food is the true star here. I don't usually try anything new when I come here. I can eat the Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad and it didn't disappoint today. All of the salads look fresh. They make the sandwiches fresh and I'm sure I wouldn't have gone wrong if I had ordered one. The soups and chilis also look like they could satisfy hunger visitors. I will never eat at Cafe Latte and NOT have dessert. I had the Chips 'n Chunks cheesecake today. I'm not a drinker or a smoker but I could've used a cigarette after lunch today... it was that good! :)
(5)
Kelly H.
Even though I try to eat somewhere new every time I come back to Narnia and feel like I'm being cheated of an new and exciting experience if I go somewhere I've already been, Cafe Latte is an exception. Its our default spot when multiple palettes must be appeased. Being vegan is getting easier in the Twin Cities, but Cafe Latte has always been a great spot for meatless fare. From the beet salad, to the Szechuan wild rice pilaf, and the killer chipotle chili plus their fabulous diner rolls, I have rarely been disappointed. Though some salads have far too much dressing, they are still flavorful and creative. The wine selection is good and nestling in the back to share a bottle provides a terrific setting for some lovely evening chit chat. Now if they could just make a vegan tart or German chocolate cake, I will give it 5 stars.
(4)
Mere W.
I will start off by saying that Cafe Latte has a special place in my heart. It was one of my first dates with my now husband about 5 1/2 years ago. That said, I do LOVE their food as well. Anyplace that you order dessert before lunch / dinner is good in my book. It just so happens that the dessert is great! My two favorites are the tres leches and raspberry tortes. However, if I'm in a decedent mood I get the cheesecake or cobblers. I have never actually ordered their chocolate cakes but I have some chocolate lover friends that are obsessed. The pre-made salads and soups are also very hearty. This is a great option for large hungry groups. While the experience can be overwhelming the food will make it worthwhile. If you just want dessert / coffee I recommend you use the counter in the back as it is much faster. The line can get annoying up front but they are pretty efficient at making it go fast. The only time I've had an undesirable experience is when other patrons get obnoxious. If you can avoid that, you'll be golden. Lastly, in lieu of not wanting a traditional wedding cake, my husband and I opted for about 15 cakes from cafe latte for our reception. They were amazingly easy to work with! Also, everyone at our wedding was impressed with the choices. I highly recommend them for your next event / wedding.
(5)
Maria S.
Stopped in here while on a business trip. Had an EXCELLENT Quinoa and asparagus salad and a Japanese salad and a latte. Everything was great! Good portions. Decent prices! I like it!
(4)
Sharon S.
I tried tres leches and it was good! I personally like afro deli tres.leches but this one tastes decent:)
(3)
Crystal S.
Awesome! Amazingly huge and tasty desserts, cute place, and adorable neighborhood. Plus, all the other food options looked awesome, I will be back!!
(5)
Amanda H.
Desserts = 5 stars; Food = 3+ stars. The desserts are the trip driver, the wine is a bonus, and the food is a nice to have in case you're looking for something quick and casual. I LOVE this place for a drink and dessert with a friend and I love that it's open a bit later than a typical cafe. I have yet to try the pizza on the bar side but the people sitting at the bar with a drink and a pizza always look like they are having a fabulous time :)
(4)
Nicole P.
Busy and rightfully so. Cake was AWESOME! We stopped in for a slice of sweets after some shopping on Grand. I had a Chai Latte (which is made with pre-bought mix, it was ok) and a slice of raspberry layer cake. The butter-cream frosting was smooth and thick, the raspberry preserve was well made and had a great fresh flavor, the cake was dense and dry to nicely pair with the moist frosting and filling. I'm a big sweet's person but I was still unable to finish my whole slice. It was a great place to sit with a girlfriend and eat & chat. You can order regular food but we cheated and went to the short coffee & cake line around the back. We skipped the food and the lines, though I have heard that their food is great for a light lunch. I'm only giving a three star now, after 1 a-ok experience. I would bump up my rating after another good visit.
(3)
Eva Y.
Creme tortes... salads... soups.... what can I say. My favorite place ever since 1997. The last time I visited MN after being away from 4 years.... still so yummy! The California cakes may be decent and fancy... nothing beats the black forest cake here at cafe latte... and I am lactose intolerant! The cake itself is so moist and the butter cream frosting.... just fluffy and light. The flourless cake is very dense but it's great with a nice cup of java. They serve their espresso drinks with these thin wafers that are made locally. I always enjoy their soup selection and they also serve pizza too. Yum!!!
(5)
Stephanie K.
Cafe Latte is a nice casual place to grab a bite and hang out. For dinner, they feature salads, sandwiches and soups. It's a little hard to see what they offer without walking all the way down the buffet line and then going back to order. It would be nice if they had a menu by the entrance. Cafe Latte is also very well known for their desserts. Every dessert I've had here has been fantastic. The turtle cake "takes the cake" for me! It's amazing!! The food here is solid but nothing too exciting. Their basil tomato soup has chunks of potato in it, which I find a bit odd but it tastes pretty good. Overall, I'd just go here if you need a light casual meal or if you're looking for dessert.
(3)
Prescilla X.
HOLY SMOKES....THIS PLACE IS AMAZIIIIIIIING! The only reason why this place doesn't get 5 stars is due to the fact that it's got the worst parking situation--the street. Granted, this place is cafeteria style where you have to grab a tray and go down the line and point at what you want like grade-school but it's sooooooooo worth it! It is absolutely delish and you can physically see what you're ordering. They've got a plethera of things to eat like different salads, sandwiches, and soups. Their desserts are to DIE for...there's so much to chose from and each one was amazing. MUST TRY: --Tuna Salad with farfalle pasta --Turkey Sandwich w/ Avocado and fresh guacamole --Tres Leches cake
(4)
Georgia M.
Cafe Latte began as an upscale bakery that morphed into the premiere St. Paul hot spot. From several varieties fresh baked bread, scones and muffins to my favorite three layer German Chocolate or Turtle Cakes, or homemade Dried Cherry Granola, this is the bakery that has something for everyone. Besides pastries and a full hot breakfast, Cafe Latte is the favorite Grand Avenue lunch and evening gnosh. From homemade pizza, to freshly made Caesar salad, to made-to-order deli sandwiches and chicken chili, patrons grab a tray and walk along the buffet stye line picking out their choices and taking their trays to one of the many tables and booths in this trendy hotspot. In the mid-afternoon, High Tea is also available complete with a selection of scones, creamy cakes and dainty sandwiches. Cafe Latte also makes specialty coffee and milk drinks and serves wine. Bread and Chocolate is their sister company across the street
(5)
Tina W.
LEMON CAKE ROCKS. I get a slice of it every year for my birthday. The food selections are really nice and light too. The lines can be ridiculous, so try it during the off times. Oh, and I am one of those suburban moms that those nasty barbs are pointed toward and the last time I checked, my money spends the same as yours. Chill!
(5)
Don C.
Last Friday night was cold-old here in the Cities. Below zero. But, the Cafe Latte was booming. Parked about a block away and walked through the chill. I hadn't done a " bad" dessert in awhile. By " bad" I mean decadent, fat, sweet, yummy. You get the picture. I had a need for Cheesecake and coffee. So that's what I had. The vanilla Cheesecake and a cup of good, dark and rich coffee. I savored it. Enjoyed it. I was content on that cold night. Mmmmm.
(4)
Alison T.
Yummo! I had so much fun sampling the desserts at Cafe Latte today. I really want to give them 5 stars, but I still can't due to the annoying cafeteria lines and general chaos around lunchtime. I spent several minutes drooling over the dessert case, torn between the choices of flourless chocolate cakes, creamy tortes, and cheesecakes. I settled on the tres leches cake and the strawberry rhubarb cheesecake. Loved the tres leches and gobbled up every last bite. The cheesecake was so mediocre in flavor that, shockingly, I left some on the plate. I found out from one of the bakery servers that all of their cheesecakes are made with a pie crust (which is quite bland in my opinion) and not one has a graham cracker crust! Boo! Nevertheless, Cafe Latte knows how to make some of the most beautiful sinful desserts in the Twin Cities. Go there ASAP next time you're hankerin' for the perfect indulgence.
(4)
Merrill A.
I come here a lot because it's close to my house. The food is excellent, the service ranges from adequate to A-. The coffee is C+. The one real complaint I have is, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD LATTE BUY SOME 16 OZ MUGS. COFFEE IN A PINT GLASS IS UNPLEASANT AND POSSIBLY DANGEROUS. I remark on this each visit and get either "I know, right?" from the server, or stony silence. Perennially disappointing.
(3)
Anna T.
Best cheesecake and other desserts in St. Paul. Good for a quick lunch with soup and salad, so you can save room for some tres leches cake, German chocolate cake, or a slice of any cheesecake - they're all amazing. We usually order birthday cakes from here, too.
(4)
Lauren O.
Tres Leches Cake. That is all. Well, almost. They have an adorable selection of pies and cakes. We got two party cakes (read: smalish, 8-10 servings) and 5 truffles and the bill was over $50, which is the only reason for deducting a star. I've only had the sweets (scones, cakes, truffles, etc.) but this place was packed at lunch...so I doubt all those people were eating cake (except for the adorable old people I saw sharing a slice of Black Forest). This is one popular destination.
(4)
Norm W.
OK if you are trying to find that one little place that has great food that no one has ever heard of then don't go here. Cafe Latte is busy because their food is so good! That is how it works they want to be busy. If you want a place that isn't that busy chances are they are new or have bad service or food. I am sure the owners of Cafe Latte could come up with a more efficient way of serving their food but half the charm of the place is how differ ant it is. Ok on to a review of the food. I have really enjoyed everything I have ever ordered from Cafe Latte they manage to make all their salads taste fresh and unique, their desserts are to die for! Sometime I will be driving down 94 on my way home from Minneapolis and I will have to exit off and find a place to park and run in and get some of the delicious cheesecake. Try this on off hours or if you really want some cheesecake then stop in at lunch time.
I came in here on Friday night to meet some friends. I sat at the table they were at for twenty minutes. No server even thought of coming to take an order from me. Finally I walked up to the bar, and stood there for ten minutes even though the bartender obviously saw me. Finally he walks over and does one of those, "Can I help you," while looking in another direction like he can't be bothered too much. "Do you only serve beer and wine?" I ask. He tosses at piece of paper at me, still looking somewhere else. "Do you have any other ciders that aren't on the menu?" Having worked in a micro brew restaurant, I know this happens. "What's on the menu...." He says again looking somewhere else and looking like he is finished talking to me. I order my drink, and I give him my card. He runs it, hooks a pen to the receipt, and tosses it all at me. A bit later my friend hours up and orders a pizza. The bartender brings it to the table and basically just throws it towards us, and walks away. Never. Go. Here.
(1)
Sal K.
I hate Cafe Latte. Let me count the ways... Hoards of people in various unmarked lines waiting for god knows what... Hungry people holding trays of food walking the opposite direction of everyone else... Menus in less than obvious places... Salad/sandwich bar attendants trying to describe food to you through clear panels with crazy loud chatter all around... Pain in the ass parking... At first glance, it is not apparent what food is offered here. The only sign you see is a big board with fancy coffee drinks. Then you spot the salads and they look colorful, so you order one. As you move down the line with your stupid tray, you realize there are other food options besides the salads at the beginning of the line. But you felt too pressured to order something and move along because of the mounting crowd behind you. Then you look down at your $6 boring salad and feel resentment toward everything and everyone within 10 feet of you. At this point, you have to decide if you want to spend another $6 on a sandwich to go with it. Might as well...they have interesting spreads. You watch the guy behind the counter make your sandwich. Then he asks if you want chips or a salad to go with it. Except you've just spent $6 for a salad at the beginning of the line. GAH! I hate crowds. I hate cafeterias. I hate poorly laid out floor plans. I hate you, Cafe Latte. I only visited you because I had a gift card. Next time I get stuck with a Cafe Latte gift card, I'm going to try to swap it on Craig's List.
(1)
Wenkai Y.
love Tres Leche. :)
(5)
Clare O.
This place used to be better. It's been coasting on past laurels for a while now. The prices went up, but the quality of most stuff went down. Cakes have been dry or soggy, hair found in salad, dirty glasses. It's overpriced for selection, but where else can you go late at night for a long lingering dessert? Great for moms catching up on life, but we don't go for the food anymore, just the cafeteria style tables where they won't kick us out. We do like the bread & spreads, but wouldn't go here for a meal on purpose.
(3)
Leang E.
We came here for lunch although the name had me thinking it might be more of a brunch spot. I love the cafeteria style way that we were ordering our food. I had the grape and honey chicken salad, the vegetarian chili, and the turkey guacamole sandwich. It was all very good, and I was stuffed. Yet somehow I managed to fit in a cappuccino and a raspberry pear tart. I figured if I was going to indulge on vacation I might as well go all the way. It was totally worth it. The dessert options are insane, and I felt like I gained 10 lbs. by just looking at them through the glass window cases. The prices will definitely rack up especially given the meal that I got. They have fresh breads here, and I love that their website has some recipes posted up of items that they make. We sat upstairs and it was very nice to be by the windows with the views of the shops on Grand.
(4)
Mon P.
It's a nice place for a cup of soup, some salad, sandwich and a piece of dessert. The place time to go is probably later in the evening because during the afternoon, this place is shocked full of screaming kids. I thought I walked in a friggin zoo this afternoon. The thought of having a nice late lunch and catch up with my friends was all gone. On to the food, I normally get their soup and salad because they are always fresh and tasty. I used to love german chocolate and turtle cake, but they are a bit too rich and too sweet and I can never finish the whole piece. The cheese cakes are also very rich and great. Now my faves dessert are all kinds of fruits tarts and torts. The acidity from the fruit contrast so well with the sweetness of the whole tarts. Still a nice a place to go but just make sure you dont go while all the soccer moms and those screaming kids occupy the place.
(4)
Bill W.
You say you've been a good boy or girl and crave a decadent dessert or tasty treat? You say you like to indulge in a little something sweet once in a while? This is your calling; come here and meet all your like-minded friends for a little gastronomical tingling....you will not be disappointed!
(4)
Darshy N.
Cafe Latte to Saint Paul is what Yum is to Uptown Minneapolis. I echo the same sentiments as Zachary: - "Do yourself a favor and go to A Piece of Cake on Selby, or Cupcake on University. That way you won't feel like you could get a shiv for taking a seat from a soccer mom in from Eagan for the afternoon." This is soccer mom/ teen central. But even then I really didn't care. I really just came for the tres leches and the tres leches were nothing, NOTHING to rave about. I'm beginning to think that people who rave about the tres leches here obviously have no idea what tres leches are about. It's a cake - soaked in 3 types of milk, evaporated, condensed and regular whole milk. The operative word being soaked. The tres leches here at Cafe Latte was a moist sponge cake with a whipped topping that had IMO all of the three types of milk. I don't care about your toppings, I really care about the cake. The hell is that? I sampled from my other friends who had berry desserts, and if it weren't for those I would be giving this joint 1 star - pretentious tres leches! Also, I really don't get the cafeteria style servings, but whatevs.
(2)
Kashmir S.
So I found myself drinking with friends at a bar where I also decided to get dinner and dessert. I was satisfied with the dinner but the dessert failed miserably. My friends then mentioned Cafe Latte and how good the desserts are over there, so we jumped into the car and got there as fast as we could, since they were about to close, but we made it in time. I wanted 1 and only one thing, tres leches. My eyes were definitely happy when I saw the display case with the cake. So I got on this cafeteria lunch style line, placed my order for my cake, put it on my tray and then dragged the tray over the cafeteria style metal poles they used as shelves. Glided passed all the food and drinks to finally get to the end and pay for my dessert. After sitting down and biting into piece of tres leches cake I was not a happy camper. There was no wow or mmmmhh factor. I would have to say this was below average on a rating scale for me. It was not moist from the 3 milks that it's supposed to be soaking in, I think the baker forgot about the part of the process. So I left this place with my sweet tooth not satisfied. Guess I'll just have to continue the hunt for the sweet delicious tres leches. I do know one place that makes a really really good tres leches, but that place no longer makes it :( guess I'll have to convince the baker to get back into the business of making that finger licking goodness. I'm willing to give this place another try, but I doubt I'll be having the tres leches here ever again, it's just not worth it. I'm pretty sure they make other desserts pretty well, but tres leches is just not one those. So if you have a sweet tooth and need to satisfy that craving this is a place worth checking out.
(2)
Laura S.
Love love love! This place is always packed & finding a spot to sit is a challenge (hence 4 stars). Everything is yummy! You won't be disappointed in your selection(s).
(4)
Ken R.
Love this place...LOVE IT. Fantastic desserts and I like their pizza's. The German Chocolate is one of the best I've ever eaten, and we won't even get into the Cheese cakes. A great place to meet friends, hang out and get some good, well made food. Its a bit pricey, but then again what isn't if you're craving quality. Coffee and cake/dessert...what the hell else is there?
(4)
Matt R.
I really only come to this place for their cake/cheesecakes. I find that it's a bit pricey for their other food and being on the confluence of Grand and Victoria, there are other more favorable options around for lunch/dinner. But the cakes are delicious! The staff can be a bit snobby regarding them, but who cares about that part - take your fork to a slice and forget about the rest. Selection varies, but some of my favorites are the Italian Fruit Tart (one of the photos on here - looks like a fruit pizza), Key Lime Cheesecake, and Tres Leches. Pros - delicious desserts - ample seating throughout - pretty wide selection on food from brick oven pizza to liver pate Cons - Parking is along Grand (with lots of other businesses) or in a pay ramp. - Pricey, but for desserts its worth it
(4)
Emily H.
I went to Cafe Latte for the first time with a friend who claims to have been "raised on their desserts." I've heard from a countless number of people how amazing their desserts are, but since we were only in for a light lunch, I didn't indulge. So this review is only about the food. Everything is served cafeteria-style, which is great, but the lines moved quick and I felt kind of rushed in my choices. Since I hadn't been there before, and it wasn't clear what the options were as you progressed down the line, I felt kind of impulsive when I ordered my food. Usually I like to look at all my options at once on a menu before deciding, and I couldn't really do that. That being said, there's a solid variety of choices - soups, salads, sandwiches, pizzas, etc. I got a sandwich with a small side salad, and the food was good, but I wasn't totally blown away. I'll have to come back another time when I'm in the mood for dessert, since I hear that's what they do best.
Not that Cafe Latte needs any more business, but they are one of my favorite places to go in St. Paul for lunch or dessert. The food is always, consistently wonderful. I usually will get a light lunch of one of the soups or salads and a roll. The desserts are what this place is famous for and they are worth a trip. Can get very busy on weeknights and weekends.
(5)
Clint B.
I only came here for the cheesecake. It's been a couple years since I've had lunch here. But, the cheesecakes are always great. We got the cookies and cream cheesecake and the chocolate raspberry cheesecake. Both were sweet, smooth and creamy -- some of the best you'll find in town. I just wish they had flavors that were a little more unique. This place is always busy. So, here's a tip if you're just stopping by to get cake or pie to go... go around to the back register and order it there. There won't be the massive hordes of hungry people waiting that you'll find at the front cafeteria line.
(4)
Katie O.
Cafe Latte is actually worth the hype it receives. I haven't had a bad dessert from here - I've ordered Tres Leches, german chocolate cake and a few different cheesecakes from here and they are all DELICOUS! I've never had their food, but the desserts are definitely worth a stop by.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dessert Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Kristi C.
I almost always stop here when on Grand Ave, perhaps it's time for me to chime in with my 2 cents. They make a good latte, I like a drink from a glass on occasion and not always a coffee mug. Mango Blueberry Cheesecake, yum. Service is always friendly, the staff I've encounted always seems to like chatting with the customers, a big plus in my book. Yes, it can get really busy and if you know Grand Ave, you know parking can be a challenge. But go anyway & enjoy!
(4)Beth F.
I think there's a chance a girl could substitute the chocolate cake at Cafe Latte for sex and feel okay about it. It's rich and decadent and HUGE and amazing and gooey and would you believe that I don't especially *like* sweets? This place really is the ultimate soup, salad and sandwich shop. It's served up deli-style so grab a tray, hop in line and watch them create your meal exactly to your specifications. The last time I came here, I ordered my sandwich after my friend. She's a mayo lover and I'm a mayo hater so I was extremely pleased to see the sandwich maker wipe off the knife (without being asked) she had just used to cut my friend's drenched-in-mayo-turkey-sandwich before coming anywhere near my bone-dry-cheese-and-veggie-delight. I love conscientious sandwich makers! If it's not 11 a.m. in the middle of the week, this place ain't worth the hype. If it's not swarming with folks, go. If it's packed, move along. It's good, but not worth the wait or the hassle.
(3)Randy B.
Café Latte doesn't totally jive with my interests, but if the cold pasta, smears of cheese on bread, light salads and soups are your deal, you will love it (that's meant as a compliment). I will confess to not trying the fire baked pizza, which could change my way of thinking a little. Overall, I think it's more about the experience than the food. Though judging from other posts, people seem to really love the food. I think of it more in terms of dessert and coffee than I do about having a satisfying meal. I find their desserts are a little overhyped, save for the Turtle cake, which is really, really good (think more dark chocolate than milk chocolate). I'll make a special trip for that. From time to time we'll go out of our way to pick up a good treat for home, and the Turtle cake aside, it's usually a disappointment. The squares of lemon cake in the bakery section at Rainbow Foods are better. The plain cheesecake is also reliable, and I recommend going that route than being seduced by the other souped-up varieties. Off-street parking is usually tough to find, and the busy intersection makes it difficult to wait for openings, but the ramp across the street is very inexpensive, so save yourself the hassle and just park in the ramp. All that said, I'm not opposed to going to Café Latte, and in fact, it's a decent spot to have a quick, light lunch with my wife, or pick up a slice of Turtle cake or plain cheesecake on the way home from an evening out with the family.
(2)Dave K.
My sister and her family introduced me to Latte a number of years ago. I had never eaten a cake with flavor and texture their cream cake layering process imparts. Its really rich and sweet but not that overwhelming too much raw sugar sweet. It has a texture that with the proper amount of flavoring and sweetness only enhances the overall expierience of taste bud arousal. I never had that sensation before and probably not after at any other place, at least not to the level they provide. So in the past 3 yrs all other desserts have been judged by my in reference to Cafe Latte desserts. The only reason there is not 5 stars is i dont like having to fight for a table or balance my tray of desserts, and drinks as i am forced to assualt the stairs in a mission to find an empty table. But being a business owner myself. If i had their obvious success judged on how busy they always are, i wouldnt change a thing either. I also heard and i have never confirmed it that they give all cakes and other baked goods to a food pantry or feeding place at the end of the day and only serve fresh stuff the next day. Hope thats true, if for no other reason then it gives me an excuse to go there again and support those who help those less fortunate.
(4)Sarah L.
We came here for the sole purpose of having dessert and coffee, so I can't really comment on the soups, salads, or sandwiches here. And for that purpose alone, we had a great time. We were here one evening during the weekend and to our surprise, it wasn't as busy as I've seen it before. But we did have to take a number as if we were waiting in line at the DMV, but they gotta have a system of some sorts, right? The girl who was helping us was very friendly and gave us recommendations since we weren't sure what to get. We ended up getting the Turtle Cake and the Chocolate Pistacchio Torte and paired them off with a mocha and something called the Swedish. All these things came out to be about $17-18. Seems a bit expensive for me, but the tastebuds was telling me otherwise. The turtle cake was delicious...the chocolate cake was very moist and it wasn't too sweet, so that really good. And the choco pistachhio torte was a nice surprise. We sat upstairs in a cozy corner and chatted the night away. If you're looking for a place to hang out with coffee and dessert, it's a fun place to be and great desserts to try! Oh yes, parking sucks, so having fun looking around for parking!
(4)Jane B.
SOOO good! I would drive here every day if I could - but I live on the other side of the river (aka, Minneapolis). It's great for lunch or a light dinner. They have really good quality food. The desserts are absolutely unreal - triple layer chocolate cake... :) Usually I find street parking within a block or two otherwise you can park behind the complex with Chipotle and Hot Momma. There is also a pay ramp behind Pottery Barn.
(5)Becky L.
Tollhouse tart!
(4)Parka P.
OMG. What can I say. I'm not a lover of desserts...however, their raspberry creme torte...that's to die for. TO DIE FOR. The first time I went there, I almost stabbed the wait staff for trying to take away my plate before I was finished licking off every last crumb/cream off my plate. I have never in my entire life, ever ever had something so fine. It's such a shame I don't live in St. Paul. NYC is the greatest city in the world, but we ain't got nothing on you Cafe Latte. :-)
(4)Emily M.
I LOVE this place!!! I used to live in MN and this is one of the restaurants I miss the most. When we come back to MN for a visit, we eat there multiple times- often we go there straight from the airport! All of the food we have ever tried is delicious!! My husband is a fan of their pasta salads. We both love their soups- there is always an array of choices! They always have Chickens Salsa Chili- which is great (and the recipe is available on their website!). We also love the spread sampler. And the desserts and scones?? WOW- AMAZING! The only downfall is that it can be a little pricey, but honestly, in my opinion, it's worth every penny. We also love the atmosphere and location of Cafe Latte. :)
(5)Emily U.
Cafe Latte. It's hoppin' on Grand but the front door is probably where the excitement stops. I'll cut right to the point. If I want to order like I'm in a cafeteria, I'll go back to my high school. The sandwiches and soups are totally mediocre, and I'd have to say a bit pricey.I just have an issue with dragging a tray down a long counter and then walking all around the restaurant trying to find a place, eventually ending up in the back. I think this is a good place for dessert but if you want a sandwich and soup, try somewhere else. I agree with the others. The crowds are out of control.... go here on a weekend and expect to wait.
(1)Angela L.
Great place to come for dessert and coffee. HUGE cakes to overwhelm your taste buds. The coffees, mochas and hot chocolates here are heavenly. I like to take my mom here for lunch, the deli lunch line is SLIGHTLY confusing, which would be my only con, but everything here is good. It is really busy most of the time which is partly why the the service line is so confusing. Great soups and salads.
(4)Josh T.
The food is generally fresh and tasty, with sandwiches and soups the Latte's most consistent pleasers. What really keeps people coming back, however, is the selection of desserts. There's a reason the Cafe is often sold out of the chocolate cakes (try the turtle and you'll crave it forever) - they're delicious and wonderfully decadent. Unfortunately, I agree that the crowds are out of control at lunch, and the "ladies who lunch" are sometimes frenzied and rude. Parking is also a nightmare, but if you come at an off hour, prepare to eat well.
(4)Adam B.
Great cheesecake!
(4)Jeff R.
Food is pretty tasty, particularly if you've got a hankering for some soup, a salad, or a hunk of chocolate cake, but good luck finding a seat. Also, be sure to bring your patience as you elbow your way through the sea of suburbanites who are completely clueless in crowded places. Overall not bad, but choose your time wisely.
(2)Molly B.
Café Latte is the kind of classic local eatery that does simple comfort food really well. I've had a succession of favorite dishes over the years ranging from the house Caesar salad (with kalamatta olives, yum!) to their hot, spicy chili to a simple veggie sandwich with lots of sprouts. The ingredients are always fresh, tasty, and well prepared. The only thing I've been disappointed by in the past is some of the salads which, if not made fresh in front of you, can end up limp and boring by the time they get on your plate. Also, because Café Latte is so popular, seating can be a problem so plan ahead and be willing to push tables together. I also highly recommend their classic cheesecake with raspberry preserves. Go for the simple, homey meals since it seems that the fancier the dish, the more likely they are to miss the mark.
(4)melissa p.
Love this place! Everything I've tried has been delicious, from soups, salads, sandwiches and cakes. Their employees are friendly and helpful and the restaurant is clean, despite how busy it can get. I would also highly recommend the high tea. It's fun and totally worth the price!!
(5)Anna S.
I love, love, love Cafe Latte. I live in Texas but whenever I come up for a visit I spend time shopping on Grand Avenue and I have a meal at Cafe Latte. I always get a couple extra scones or rolls to go, too :) They have an ever changing menu of soups, salads, breads and desserts. Everything is fresh and fantastic. Today I had the chicken vegetable stew and the apricot coconut roll. Plus we shared an orange chocolate scone and a raspberry strudel scone. Dad's favorite is the German Chocolate cake. We pick one up for birthdays. It's divine. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Love Cafe Latte!! :)
(5)Drew B.
Hmmm what do I want Should I go soup or sandwich I want THAT dessert (This place has always amazed me. How can a place that serves simple sandwiches, soups, and desserts be SO popular? The answer is QUALITY. They have provided Grand Avenue with top-notch food for ~20 years, and they have been busy every single day while doing it! Not many restaurants can hold that title. Congrats, Cafe Latte. You deserve the praise. Highly recommended.)
(5)Victor M.
the deserts are very good. I love there cheese cakes and the area has a great feel
(4)Elliot Y.
This place is great for coffee and their desserts are amazing. their food I would say is good its run in kind of a cafeteria sort of way, line up get food find somewhere to sit. unfortunately it is a bit busy, other than that this place is awesome.
(4)Susan R.
Every time I go back to St Paul I get their chocolate cake. I love, love, love it.
(5)C T.
Rude people, over priced and pretty much worthless. Went in for cake, ended up paying more for six individual pieces than a whole cake. Asked management if they could charge us for the price of a whole cake, even though we were getting six pieces and they said no. Asked if they could just give us a whole cake and they said no because they wanted to sell it in pieces and no whole cake was available. Ridiculous.
(1)Chandler P.
Always fresh ingredients. Amazing soups, salads and sandwiches. The cafeteria style does not bother me when the food is this good!
(4)Lori G.
Their bread and desert is delicious! The neighborhood is lovely! I had a beautiful Saturday afternoon over there!
(4)Zachary S.
I really cannot stand this place. Not sure what the fuss is about. Where to begin? For starters, they are overpriced. If I am going to spend that much on a salad, I want to sit at a table and have somebody bring it to me. The whole grab a tray and point to what you want reminds me of both grade school lunch, or Shawshank Redemption. Half the staff is still in Highschool, don't make eye contact and mumble. Do yourself a favor and go to A Piece of Cake on Selby, or Cupcake on University. That way you won't feel like you could get a shiv for taking a seat from a soccer mom in from Eagan for the afternoon.
(1)Laura 'jinx.tv' K.
Mmmm...mmmm...mmmm! Everything here is so delicious. When I wanted to get my mom a cake for her birthday, but I was a couple thousand miles away, the first thing I thought of was "I'll get her one from Cafe Latte and get it delivered". Well, Cafe Latte doesn't deliver *pout* but they let me buy a cake over the phone after describing to me what they had that day and were then very patient as I called around to limo services, delivery services and taxi companies trying to find one that would take a credit card over the phone. FINALLY I found some random stranger on craigslist who was looking to earn some extra cash, I PayPal-ed him his delivery fee and he picked up and deliverd to my mom this giant, delicious (or so she and everyone she shared it with said) chocolate, chocolate, chocolate cake. AND he didn't try to rob her and wasn't scary and it wasn't weird or anything. Hurray for that "Minnesota Nice" (even with a pricetag attached) and hurray for Cafe Latte!
(5)Marcel H.
Similar to corner bakery
(4)Elisabeth A.
Oh, I love this place. It makes me miss California a little less. First off, the ambiance is wonderful. Despite claiming it is a cafe, you can treat it like a restaurant. There are usually interesting (but unobtrusive) pieces of art on the high shelves, and the lights are in what look like hand blown glass sconces. The clientle tends to be young and well employed, and probably hops to the bar next door after eating. You can come in jeans and a t-shirt or dressed for prom and fit in either way. The pizza is pretty good, but go for the desserts. Amazing. Order at the counter, but you can keep a tab. If you like this place and you're ever in the East Bay, you should try Jupiter! The similarity is half of why I love this place.
(4)MALEAH A.
I have been waiting weeks to find the right time to check this place out. I understood that I have to come here for the dessert, so the right time happened to be mid-afternoon on a busy errand day for my boyfriend and me. Thanks to all the helpful yelp reviews here i knew what i was walking into. be prepared for crap parking, a bit of a chaotic atmosphere, know what you are ordering in advance, make your order fast and get outta the way! we were ready. We did have to circle the block for parking, but when we walked in, although it was crowded and bustling, there was no line! I walked right up to the dessert counter and asked for a slice of the chocolate cake and a slice of the pumpkin cheesecake. great, that was easy. ok, coffee, i need a coffee. I am told to order that at the register. ok. got it. take my tray and my slices and get in line to pay. wait, do i need to be in line? these people are still trying to figure out what lunch items to order. I DON'T WANT LUNCH! I JUST WANT TO PAY FOR THESE SLICES SO I CAN SIT DOWN AND EAT THEM!! (the caps is out of excitement, not anger) so i casually (no one's watching, right?) swing out of line and sway down to the register. just these two slices. oh and a coffee!! oh! and boyfriend decides he would like a hot chocolate. what's that? hot chocolate should've been ordered with the cake slices? er.. umm. ok. thanks for letting it slide this time. just take your time, as everyone in line seems to be glaring at me wondering what the hold up is (i'm sure i'm just being paranoid). lucky for us, we find a table right next to the door. the hot chocolate looks pretty in it's clear glass, but with no handle, it's too hot to handle! could use one of those slip on things. but enough of all that. the most important part is coming.... the first bites. the chocolate cake: MOIST. great flavor, rich, almost sensual. wish i could've had some straight from the oven. i like my cake warm. and the frosting would've been better had it not been chilled and hardened. having said that, this is the best chocolate cake i've ever had from a restaurant. the pumpkin cheesecake: really really good. nothing special about the crust, but the flavor of the pumpkin was great, and had a super creamy texture that we all love in our cheesecakes. this was our favorite of the two. definitely check this place out, but please go prepared. i can see how people can get stressed going here. next time i'll try the food, it did look pretty good too!
(4)Tacy T.
Love, love, love this place. Chicken salsa chili always hits the spot on a cold day. If you feel like finger food, the spread sampler platter (with your choice of three spreads) is very filling. And who can skip a luscious, thick slice of their German Chocolate Cake? The only thing they need to improve upon is the layout -- they should have separate stations for soup, salad, sandwiches, etc, instead of one too-long line. Yes, I know you can skip ahead of the person ordering a sandwich in front of you, but it usually results in getting the evil eye.
(5)Meg C.
This is a must stop on my once a year visits home. Can NEVER decide if I want more savory or sweet foods from here.
(5)Dan C.
I kept hearing of Cafe Latte from friends and coworkers from the cities. I heard all about the cake, the cake and the cake. Living directly across the street, the on street parking really was no bother. I went a few times to the wine bar in the back for a spot of dessert and a glass of vino, and also took it to go. I loved the atmosphere. Lots of people, lots of fun. My personal favorite is their Chocolate Tres Leches cake. I have never even seen a Chocolate Tres Leches cake before this and since moving home, I have found my self craving it. The Original and Raspberry Cheesecakes are great, however, I found the Flourless Chocolate and Turtle EXTREMELY rich. Just before moving back west, I decided to try out the food food as I had heard great things in this respect also. This is where I felt they fell short. I received a sandwich (turkey avocado lala), a salad (chicken caesar pasta), some chips and sourdough bread. For $20, it was not the business. It wasn't horrible, but definitely not worth the money. With the nightlife on Grand Ave, I feel they should stay open a bit later. Many a sweet tooth went unsoothed after 10pm. Also, a patio would fit in well among the Grand Ave. set. Some tips, expect to wait in line. In the front or back. These guys have a huge fan base in St. Paul. There is street parking and also a parking garage for Victoria Crossing available on Victoria just south of Grand. KNOW WHAT YOU WANT!!! The servers behind the counter are quick and efficient, but are often held back from folks not being ready. The way the line works, you have plenty of time to check out the selection before reaching the counter. The staff is very friendly and has no problem answering any questions about the cakes, salads, soups, wines, etc. Great atmosphere, good dessert and friendly service, but short hours, and disappointing cafeteria flare knocked my rating down to 3 stars.
(3)Yiling W.
Passable good, fast, affordable food with desserts that look really tasty (did not try), served cafeteria style.
(2)Ann J.
We just had a nice lunch at Cafe Latte today. Be aware that this is a very crowded area and parking is a problem. Service is cafeteria style and even at 1:00 the wait in line was still almost 20 minutes. If you want to see wht they have that day I would suggest you take turns getting out of line and going ahead to see otherwise you will have to order before you can see everything they have. I had the salad trio and it also came with my choice of bread. The salads were fresh and orginal and the bread was good. My husband had a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread - warning - he said the mustard was good, but very spicey. Disappointed that they didn't have better chips or fruit with the sandwhiches though you could get a small salad for 5 or 6 dollars to go with it. We did bring him a piece of chocolate cake that we have yet to try. Overall pretty good and we will go back, but you need to be prepared for the crowd and the wait.
(3)Chloe S.
AMAZING desserts and soups! When I lived in St. Paul the Chicken Salsa Chili was my absolute favorite! That with a nice beer and some Italian fruit tart to finish with! So yummy!
(5)Wendellone L.
My love for the cakes usually allows me to overlook the inconvenient and pricey parking and poor service. This time, however, I couldn't. Even though the place was nearly empty, it tooks a while to get the attention of anyone behind the counter. They had trouble understanding our order and argued when we said we wanted a to go cup. They didn't tell us the bread came with our order, we had to ask for it and how much it cost. They claimed they couldn't toast the bread. They were loud and stood around not doing anything. The prices were high for cafeteria style food and poor service. And I still resent them packing my cakes and cupcakes poorly so they slid and fell over by the time I got them home. I wouldn't go out of the way for this and in this neighborhood it is definitely going out of the way.
(2)Kendra R.
First off, of course the desserts are magnificent! The Turtle Chocolate cake is my favorite. I have friends that drive up to half an hour just to take a slice of cake home. Choices of what cake to try shouldn't be your only concern though. Whenever I come home for a visit, I make a stop for at least a slice of heaven. Cafe Latte also has various selections of pasta salads, soups, spreads, and your able to order your sandwich just the way you like it. The salads are inventive along with some of their soups, and their sandwich are based upon their own baked breads. I'd call this restaurant an urban cafeteria within a modern setting. Parking can be awkward, and the line can go as far out as onto the sidewalk, but if you've ventured to Grand on a busy night or weekend this shouldn't be a surprise.
(5)Heidi S.
Fantastic place. You can get a salad, soup, sandwich, cake, coffee and pizza! They are always busy, but get your order fast. I absolutely love the cakes and desserts there! Delicious. They make the best cakes and treats in town. The soups are amazing and the staff will let you try one if you're not sure. The salads are great as well. They can make any kind of salad you want. The location is great and right next to a bunch of stores to shop at. Perfect for a weekend coffee stop.
(5)D N.
Can't ever go wrong amaaaaazing cakes... just unbelievable... German Choc is the current fave. Soups very good as well... about the best around. Why 4 and not 5 stars?... just not much atmosphere here... so let's say 4.5 stars.
(4)Rhonda G.
I came here a few weeks ago after not having been for a year. It's amazing how good something can be after you haven't had it for a year. I'll just review what I ate. I love the cream cheese based sandwiches, I ordered one with salmon. I wasn't disappointed. I was equally pleased that it's a good ice cream scoop size, not the little blob scoop you used to get. For 3 or 4 bucks, I want to taste the damn thing. I ordered a soup I've never seen there before. Pumpkin soup, creamy, topped with plenty of pumpkin seeds. I was a soup person in soup heaven. It was so good that I didn't want to lose the taste by finishing off with dessert. Imagine that! From what I remember of the price, the bowl is only a dollar more, so unless a cup is enough, you're not getting your money's worth. For those that aren't in the know, the clam chowder is some of the best. When I first moved here, it didn't take long to realize that this was the place to see and be seen. Real attitudes here, and that's the customers. But you get used to it.
(5)Ra M.
I love this place! I've been going there for lunch dates and dessert dates for many years and I don't think there is another place to compare it with. Their pizzas are always delicious and they have a nice selection of cakes. My absolute favorite is the tres leches, but the banana is also really good. It's not cheap, but it's not bad at all. I have always found the service really good, too. The downside is parking. While there is a ramp just across the street, Cafe Latte doesn't validate parking and the immediate residential areas don't allow parking on the streets.
(4)Brooke S.
yes please!! an adorable spot in an even more adorable neighborhood! No frill, no waiters, and good good good food....CL is set up cafeteria style with trays and a "lunch line"....last time, I had the chicken caesar pasta salad and a cup of potato leek soup....both deeeeelish! oh yea, and did i mention the raspberry white chocolate scone...which was to die for. CL is completely charming and if I lived in st. paul you might not recognize me because i'd have some german chocolate cake on the thighs, scones on the arms and soup on the tush! a fabulous place for a casual date, catch up with friends, or just to grab a coffee and some cake and settle in with the paper. yum yum yum city
(4)Cortney G.
I've had a love affair with Cafe Latte since before I can remember. Their desserts are pure indulgence. The chicken chili followed by a large slice of chocolate chocolate cake is my go-to meal, but i'm always down for doing their hummus sampler for take out or splitting a slice of one of their fabulous cheesecakes with the roomie, too. Great location for people watching, if you can grab one of the tables by the window. Tots delish.
(4)Ninja S.
Cafe Latte is a near ideal casual date venue. It is fun and easy where you can have a salad [pasta or greens], soup, sandwich, all made in a different and interesting way daily. They also bake great bread which is served as an accompaniment to those that didn't order sandwiches. I have family members that demand chocolate cakes from this place. I have to bring them back with me to the airport if I am going to be in town. This is a jewel on the already charming grand avenue.
(5)Libby J.
While I've never been a fan of the cafeteria-style salad/pasta salad/sandwich bar, the desserts here more than make up for any faults. Absolutely amazing, delicious cakes and tortes! I lived just around the corner for a summer, but I never really figured out the pizza/wine bar thing in back. However, you can buy fresh baked bread by the loaf (and sometimes day old bread) for very reasonable prices at the back counter.
(4)Dan S.
I go here for the desserts. You can't go wrong with a tort, carrot cake, cheese cake, or the fan favorite german chocolate. This is a MUST on Grand Ave.
(5)Kathy C.
Yeah they have good food and great desserts but the cafeteria line coupled with the high prices make me stay away. Not to mention the clientle is primarily soccer moms and their offspring. If you want a salad or sandwich it's pretty much a nice Panera, and the desserts at Cupcake or Wuollet's are just as good if not better. Sorry St. Paul.
(3)Victoria K.
When i lived in Minnesota, this was my favorite place to go for dessert. I can't comment on food since i only went there for dessert which is very decadent. Their dessert menu is huge and there are soo many choices-that's the only hard part. One of my favorites was Banana Chocolate chunk Cheesecake, which definately tastes like banana cream with large chocolate chunks throught. Their Chocolate Turtle Cake is quite good as well however not as good as Nordstrom's Marketplace Cafe. Portions are quite huge and sharing a dessert is probably a good idea. However, be warned that all of their desserts are very, very sweet. Now I like sweet but I think they need to cut down on the amount of sugar in the desserts because sometimes it was quite overwhelming. My taste leans more towards French and European desserts which are not as cloyingly sweet however that's just a personal preference. When i will come back to MN for a visit, this is one of the places I still would like to visit. Be warned, however, that Cafe Latte is ALWAYS busy. I was there after lunchtime(2 -3pm) and in the evening and line was out the door, and you will have trouble finding a seat. Usually, one person in my party would take dessert orders and stand in line and the rest of us would go to find a table. Despite all that, its still a lovely place to relax with decadent dessert and cup of coffee.
(4)Shannon U.
Cafe Latte has the best food and greatest atmosphere! I love the soups, salads, and of course the desserts!! I highly recommend! Enjoy!
(5)Sandy Y.
I've been away from Minnesota for about six years, but I often return to visit my parents or attend a swing dancing events. I always make a point to stop at Cafe Latte. I have fond memories of going to Victoria Crossing after school with my mom and having their high tea, which was tasty. The desserts are, of course, divine. Excellent chocolate in the truffles, the cakes are moist despite laws requiring them to be stored in a refrigerated display case, the tarts are beautiful. The food is delicious. I usually get whatever soup catches my fancy and am never disappointed. Also delicious is the bread, and I used to always get the spread sampler. The chicken caesar salad also used to be a favorite, though sometimes the chicken can be a bit dried out. The service is friendly and helpful (the restaurant is deli-style). My mom and I used to have conversations with the owner, who was friendly and very excited about food. Alas, I have never tried any of the alcohol since the bar opened up in back, nor have I ever tried any of the hot beverages, so I can't say whether or not they're good. Make sure to try the sister store across Victoria Crossing (Bread & Chocolate) for some tasty baked goods. One last thing: they don't validate parking anymore, which is sad. And while I'm glad that they've been revitalizing that area, I wish that it weren't with Pottery Barn and Banana Republic, or whatever the heck stores they put in. It invites a lot of uninformed, pretentious douchebaggery.
(4)Sophie S.
5 stars just for the turtle cake.
(5)John A.
I must admit: I enjoy sitting by myself with a newspaper and pretending to read when in fact I'm just enjoying the people and the atmosphere. Cafe Latté is a great place for people watching--it's smack on the corner of busy Grand Avenue, with all its window-shoppers and hand-holding couples and dog-walkers and what-have-you. Sometimes, however, the environment makes you a participant, rather than an observer. One time I was walking through the doors and a cabal of young high school girls in their dresses (for some stupid dance no doubt) ambushed me. The tall one--surely the alpha of the group--stepped in front of me and shouted, "Will you marry me?" I told her I was gay. I meant it as a witty comeback but they thought I was serious, as I dress rather sharp and dandy-like. It was a lie. I'm not gay.* All said, one must not necessarily be alone to enjoy the expansive warmth of Cafe Latté's interior. It's one of my go-to locations for drinking coffee with a friend and catching up after he's been out of town for a few months. The coffee itself is above average, especially if you like the modern concoctions with whip cream and caramel and chocolate. Personally, I prefer a traditional Italian brew, something with no frills. But the somewhat silly coffee adds an allure of nonchalance to the place, as if it really doesn't care what you think. I appreciate the style, even if it's not my favorite. In any case, the bakery and dessert items make up for the coffee's casual attitude. The German chocolate cakes are legendary in this part of the Twin Cities. Coming to Cafe Latté and enjoying its pleasures--a piece of cake, a whipped-cream caramel cappuccino, an excellent conversation with a friend, a maritally-desperate high school girl--is one of the main reasons to come to Grand Avenue. *Not that there's anything wrong with that.
(4)Mark S.
OK, who doesn't like Cafe Latte? I have some friends in Chicago that still long for this place. Darn hard to find a good place to just go and grab a bit of dessert at any time. My wife has to get the german chocolate cake every time. I only wish they didn't put the coffee in glasses. I really have a thing for putting coffee in a nice cup. Anyway, great place.
(4)Taals B.
I just had their German chocolate cake there with some coffee. What can I say, the taste is still lingering in my mouth. That is biggest slice I have gotten for a mere $4 and the softest and tastiest ever!! I'll go again and again. You guys rock!!
(5)Nate K.
Yes this is a real cafe - with trays, a line and a cash register at the end. But if you need a great late night spot for the best cheesecake or Dutch Chocolate Cake in the Twin Cities - Cafe Latte is the place to be. Great social scene, great deserts and an awesome view of Grand Avenue --- in Minneapolis what more could you ask for? Insiders note: try the chocolate moo
(4)Spike N.
Some people want to been seen in effete over-priced coffee shops- you know, the kind of place with lots of French on the menu. Somewhere you might catch a glimpse of Garrison Keillor, or some other effete over-weight wanker. Some people would find this situation to be hell on earth. I am firmly in the latter camp. I am no class warrior, but the bourgeois decadence of this place makes me want to kick over tables, sing "The Internationale," and raise a red banner while I replace the chocolate torts (high alkali, or low, whichever is more expensive- naturally) with dark crusty bread made from crudely ground rye, and potato soup.
(1)P X.
What is it about cafeteria style dining that is so annoying, yet so addicting? Is it the awkward walk to a table, hoping you don't spill your Coke? Is it the never ending line that you can't prepare for because it just keeps getting better? Is it the awkward check-out moment when on a date and the person who is paying is still drooling over the sandwich bar while you are hesitantly smiling at the cashier? I am not sure, but I know these are only a portion of the reason I keep going back. The other part is the yummy food, killer desserts, and ease of simply dining out at a cafeteria. Bonus-you get to carry a red tray!
(4)Andrew K.
I miss the hustle and bustle of this urban trendy cafeteria and bakery. The salads are all stellar and the turtle cake is worth lugging cross-continentally. I would go A LOT were I to live in Minnesota.
(4)Cindcy J.
Amazing. I've been twice for take out lunches and have been beyond happy. Both times I had a salad and soup. The different daily offerings are great! Definitely try this restaurant! Fresh ingredients and many healthy options.
(5)Lacey P.
I don't really get why everyone swoons when you mention Cafe Latte. Yes, the pastries are good (no vegan ones though), but that's where the excitement ends. I don't like having to stand in line, slide my tray down and feel pressured, and then have to walk with my tray of food up those steps without backs on them. The food is ok, not mindblowing, but if you want someone else to make a sandwich and put some chips on your plate even though you could do the exact same thing at home, then I guess this is your place.
(3)Diane M.
This is a pretty casual place with pretty good food. They have tons of soups, sanwiches, salads, and desserts to choose from. The service is pretty good. The only downside to this place is that fact that it can get really noisy with all the kids and teens hanging out. The prices are pretty reasonable and the desserts were awesome!
(5)lisa n.
mmmm. turtle chocolate cake!! great for a quick bite, from pasta to bread, tarts to cupcakes, fizzy izzy to tea. grab your lunch tray bc the line is usually wrapped around the cafe. its generally quite loud and you've got to keep an eye out for a seat but its well worth it.
(4)Kate Z.
The three salad lunch with a slice of their turtle chocolate cake is Kate heaven. Just bust through the other hordes of people that already know about this place and pretend that its all yours.
(5)Benjamin C.
this place is one of the most overrated places in the twin cities (see my chino latino review). the desserts are good. the soup is good. the sandwiches are overpriced and uninspiring. the salads are meh. i go to school like two blocks away, and i'm still never desperate enough to eat lunch here.
(2)Kelsey K.
Great place to go with a girlfriend for lunch. They have a wonderful desert selection, and I love there spreader/baguette choice. So nummy.
(4)Carrie S.
Let me start by saying that Cafe Latte has some of the BEST desserts in St. Paul. I haven't had one I didn't completely savor every morsel of since I began my love affair with this place in high school (and that was quite a while ago). Their salads usually leave me wanting salt and spices so I tend to steer clear of those. Sandwiches are better, soup and pizza is where its at for regular fare. The chicken Chili is pretty much a meal of its own with cheese, sour cream, onions, and a bag of chips to put in it not to mention a choice of breads too. Delicious! Hit up the wine bar in the back for a more quiet atmosphere. The main dining room gets loud and crowded quickly but people seem not not realize there is a back area. Bonus tip, if you want a piece of chocolate goodness to go, hit up the back area where you can get in and out and on your way without waiting in line for the rest of the food in the front.
(4)Lisa S.
I have been going to Cafe Latte for at least 15 years. I moved away from St. Paul 4 years ago, but everytime I return home this is one of the places that I definitely have to visit. The cakes are to die for. My favorite is the raspberry torte and my husband's favorite is the tres leches. All of the cakes are really good. As silly as this sounds in all the years I've been coming here I have never eaten food here. Nothing ever caught my eye and truth be told my all time favorite sandwiches are the ones across the street at Bread & Chocolate which the Quinns also own. I go to Cafe Latte to the short line on the side to buy my cake and walk across the street to Bread & Chocolate and get my sandwich and eat it there. I have a scrumptious cake and an amazing sandwich. Even though I have gone through 2 lines its still shorter than waiting in the long line at Latte for food and I've never seen a table shortage at Bread & Chocolate like there is at Latte!
(5)Rego S.
TURTLE CAKE!!!! Try it, love it, savor it, live it! I'm already drooling just thinking about it. I was reading some book (somebody help me out here) by a couple who travelled across the country sampling everything in their path, and this cake was one of the pinnacles of the twin cities. I agree wholeheartedly.
(5)Brian S.
I had been to Cafe Latte years ago for desserts to go which were heavenly. Recently, I splurged on lunch and desserts. Now, the acustics make it a bit loud, but I can still hear well. The service is very friendly and they will answer any questions that you may have at this cafiteria style cafe. The chicken and liver pattae sandwich is to die for with smooth, rich pattae, fresh cucumbers, olives, tomatos, onions, and olives on seasoned fucaca. The curry chicken salad is out of this world with fresh, tender chicken breast, rasins, onions, nuts, and a mild but still sinus clearing curry dressing. The cornbread and malasis roll that comes with it is light and sweet with the smooth cornbread meeting the naturally sweet malisis. The pastries are to die for with the amereto truffle being a light, smooth shell with smooth, creamy amareto filling. The plum tort is flaky and buttery with plum curd that is naturally sweet and not sugary sweet; a light rounding off to a glutenous lunch. The trase laches cake is sinful with tart raspberry filling, sweet white chocolate, and graminyae or whatever it is soaked in to give it a complimenting kick. The fudge truffles are as decidant as decidant allows with their smooth exterior and interior alike. So, for excellent sandwiches, salads, and pastries in a lively, friendly atmosphere with friendly, knowlegable employees at reasonable prices, Cafe Latte cannot be beat. Oh,! round your meal off with either the blackberry or palmigranit sparkling water and you will not be disappointed. Keep up the good work guys.!
(5)m m.
THE BEST cesar salad around...simple, but SO damn good! I've asked (numerous times) for the salad dressing recipe, but to no avail! :( If anyone gets their hands on it, feel free to send it my way!
(5)Ali O.
Cafe latte is my favorite place on Grand Avenue. Everything is delicious, especially the gigantic cakes! Healthy food (salads, sandwiches, etc) are equally good, but if you eat those, you won't have room for dessert. Or, suggested plan: order a meal and dessert and split both with a friend. Endless possibilities.
(5)MM R.
This a great concept gourmet cafeteria type bistro that existed LONG befort lattes became popular via Starbucks. Plenty to choose from in the salad category, sandwiches, soups and deserts. Casual yet decadent. Meet a friend.
(4)Aurora D.
I am very careful with my 5 stars but Cafe Latte certainly deserves one. Every time I go, I am greeted and serviced with exceptional customer service and from what I've seen, employees treat everyone as if they're all familiar faces. I had the Au Gratin Pizza (sliced potatoes, cheddar, sour cream, tomatoes). Interesting combo but very tasty! I also had their Tres Leches Salted Caramel cake. Wow. That dessert is certainly what I picture in my heaven. (Also try the regular Tres Leches and Turtle cakes when you get a chance!!!! Their best sellers.) My biggest thing is cleanliness at places like this and the employees are quick to clear the tables when people before you leave. Summary: Friendliness, efficiency and yum yums for days.
(5)Whitney G.
I absolutely adore this little café. Though the food is a little pricier, it is totally worth it. I recommend sharing with another person like I did, especially for trying their various dips that come with cucumbers and a small loaf of bread. For our three spread choices, we picked the spinach and chicken, the Sonoma Basil, and a cheddar spread. All were fabulous, and we had enough to take home. I also ordered the Chipotle Bean Chilli Soup, which comes with blue corn tortilla chips. Twas amazing! I don't usually order vegetarian chilli, but this packed enough flavor that I hardly noticed. For dessert, I had a slice of the tiramisu cake. It was so light and fluffy, I thought I was eating a dream. Also, I tried some of my roommate's caramel apple cheesecake. That was extremely decadent. Be on notice, they constantly change their flavors of the day for their desserts. I've had their mango blueberry cheesecake on a whim and have been desperately wanting more, but alas, I'm too lazy to stalk their dessert calendar.
(4)Rishab S.
SWEET HEAVEN !! There aren't enough words to describe this restaurant. They have the most scrumptious, luscious, delectable desserts. The only downfall to this restaurant is that the selection is so awesome that one has a hard time choosing just what wonderful item to eat. I have only had their desserts, can't stop myself from heading over to the bakery section once there. What makes them so special - for me two : Tres Leches and Cheesecake. Their tres leches are absolutely delicious: quite rich and with an apt level of sweetness (not too sweet which I love). I love that they have different flavors in Tres Leches like Salted Caramel, Chocolate. Now I'm not a big fan of cheesecakes, until I came here. Blown Away. Their cheesecakes are so light, creamy, right sweetness and texture; it just melts in your mouth. Heavenly!! The cakes are reasonably pricey the portions are generous. It is absolutely worth it and is loved by everyone I have bought here. Ambiance is lively, wait staff is friendly and restaurant is clean. Many thanks to the Cafe Latte chefs who create this delightful treat! I'm glad I live in West Minneapolis far away from Cafe Latte.
(5)Molly C.
Sinful desserts! Their chocolate turtle cake...let's just say I now know why articles have been written about it! It's is magnificent! Cafe Latte is a great place on Grand surrounded by so many fun shops and restaurants, it's a must to any visitor in the area! So if you're shopping, take a break (or drive out of your way!) for a delicious treat!
(5)David B.
A short review for a short meal. Ok, calling it a meal might be a stretch because I only got dessert, but no doubt about it... that cheesecake was incredible and the raspberry tart was unreal. Five star desserts for sure. It's all served in a fast casual, cafeteria style ordering system with a classy, date night feeling interior. Skip the mediocre dessert at whatever restaurant you're eating at, and finish your night at this perfect post-dinner bonus spot.
(5)Sarah U.
Tres leches cake of course. lunch/salad/soup bar is not all that, just ok the other side with the brick oven pizzas are better but my review stars are solely on the fact that they make a tres leches like no other
(4)Ana T.
There are a couple different ways you can experience this place: they are a bakery, and you can order loaves of bread, one slice of cake, or full sized cakes (which are TO DIE FOR, every single one of them. Also worth mentioning is their cakes are quite expensive. Obviously worth it, but $40 keeps me from eating a cake every weekend haha)... and they are a cafeteria/ cafe in which you can grab a tray, make your way through a line with quite the variety of dishes, pay at the end, and then go find yourself a table. The food, I can say nothing badly about. Love their soups, salads, and rice dishes. Very fairly priced in my opinion. Serving sizes are moderate, I've never needed a take-home box (I would say I always do at other restaurants). One of my favorite places on Grand, and I'm apparently not the only one because they are always busy and parking is difficult.
(5)S L.
Great desserts selections!! Cakes are awesome and the atmosphere is very trendy and clean. Great salads and sandwiches too!! 5 stars all the way!!
(5)Cindy D.
Last time I came here was when I just arrived from the airport and came straight here cause my friend and I had planned to do brunch. I arrived and was told by my friend to go upstairs. I almost forgot how big the place was. It was crowded and I had to find my friend. I realized that my good friend got a hold of most of our girlfriends to surprise me for my birthday. I was shocked and happy to see their faces. Of course, they got me tres leche, my favorite cake. Great friends are hard to find! This place have a lot of food options to choose from.There are soups, salads, sandwiches and drinks available. They are known for their cakes, pretty delicious! They sell by slices or you can buy a whole cake too. I usually come here for their tres leches cause the size of it is big. It is served as cafeteria style so you grab a tray and tell them what you want. At the end of the line is when you pay. Prices are pretty decent. A lot of people like to bring their family and kids to this place. I am not sure if they well alcohol though. It goes get loud and crowded on the weekend. I suggest to show up early to get a seat. I forgot to mention that this place is located in a shared building with Bonfire and other shops. If you are looking for a bathroom it is somewhere in the hallway. Parking is not the greatest since it is located on a busy street. Enjoy!!!
(4)Jackie C.
I really like this place for two reasons: their decadent cakes, and the fact that they support non profit organizations. I went to a silent auction for a non profit and won a certificate (which they donated) for a full size cake. I eventually used the certificate on the Chocolate Chocolate Cake for thanksgiving dinner and it was a hit. It was very rich and just the right amount of sweetness. The cake was much bigger than expected but that was good since I had a large group. Since I picked up the cake the night before and I really wanted to eat cake right then and there I also bought a slice of Tres Leches cake and it was delicious!! Even though the chocolate cake was great I would have chosen the Tres Leches cake for thanksgiving instead. Next time I find myself near Grand Ave. I will definitely be making a stop.
(4)Marie J.
What is not to love about this place!? Their soups, sandwiches snd salads are so good! My favorite is the spread varieties and bread. The green olive is divine! You can't go wrong with any of their desserts either. They have the most amazing chocolate cake of all time and it pairs nicely with an espresso!
(5)See X.
I love the desserts at this place, but I was there last night right before their live music portion and the musician they hired was the rudest, disrespectful, snobby old lady I had ever come across. I didn't get her name, but if her music was as ugly as her behavior then people better cover their ears. I was working on my laptop, so I found a table by an outlet to work at. As I was in deep concentration this old lady kept walking around me and angrily throwing random stuff around me. She threw her things on the ground angrily and on the table I was sitting at. When I looked up at her for an explanation she just huffed and puffed and walked away. I did not know what her problem was. Then later on a worker came by and politely told me that she was tonight's musician and needed to set up there bc of the outlets. Well that made sense now. He suggested other places to work but I needed an outlet that wasn't being used so I said it was ok and that I'd just go home to work. THEN the old lady yells out loud sarcastically to the worker, "Aww she doesn't want to join in on the fun and she's going home... Hey! She doesn't wanna join in on the fun and she's going home." I did not know what her problem was. I didn't know she was so entitled. But whatever. I packed my things and started walking out. On my way out I walked past her and she snootily smirked and said, "Sooooorry" as if to have a last word. Wtf? I was being super polite and composed, but she was getting on my nerves. Cafe Latte, you guys need to hire musicians with more professionalism. I'm never going back there to dine. I'll only order out cakes, but that's it. Beware for snobby ass crowd. And if anyone knows who the musician was that played on Friday, June 5th for their live music, I would like to know. Total bitch.
(1)Sarah A.
I had to come here for my birthday to get some delicious desserts. Their cheesecake is light and fluffy. The whipped cream on top just melts in your mouth and it's perfect. The famous turtle cake I must say looked really good, but it is pretty filling. I ended up taking that one home but it's not my favorite dessert they have. I'll have to come back and try something new again. I do love this place
(3)Jennifer N.
Only had dessert here. The layout is like a upscale cafeteria. Salads and soups looked good but didn't try it. The strawberry rhubarb cheesecake is to die for and the tres leches is really good! I will be back for lunch. Dropped a star because paying just for the dessert was a bit of a fiasco. Had to get back in line to pick up my hot chocolate.
(3)Ruth D.
Amazing desserts! I recently visited Cafe Latte for a late-night meeting with a colleague, and it really lives up to the hype. I'm looking forward to trying more of the desserts, as well as the soups. I love any restaurant where all the options are laid out before me in a yummy array, and that's what Cafe Latte offers (might be a big reason why I love Nelson's deli, too!) They also have a full bar, which is a big perk, and the ambiance is cozy and lovely. The only downside is the parking situation -- there are VERY few places to park, and it's street parking only -- but that's the problem that plagues almost all Grand Avenue businesses.
(4)Nhi V.
The Tres Leches cake is AMAZING ... BUT for some reason lately their cake has been going downhill. I always get the Tres Leches so I know how it should be. It's been quite mushy and it falls apart rather than staying in a nice slice when cut. Also I disapointed that they use WAY too much cream/frosting than cake. It's like 65% whipped cream and the rest cake. The cream over compensates and is overwhelming. Not too happy about paying $22 for whipped cream cake. Hopefully Cafe Latte will modify their recipe.
(3)Zarina M.
2 words. Tres Leches. This is where you make your B line to the dessert section. This cake is what they are known for. This cake will memorize sweet lover and NON sweet lover alike. Its... shall I say? PEEEERFECT. Perfect texture, fluff and creamy sweetness. It goes great with any of their espresso drinks.
(5)Linda L.
Very nice place and friendly environment! Thanks to Catherine C's review on Cafe Latte! I've always tried to find good place to eat good, delicious and yummy food in the Twin Cities. This is for sure a nice place for tea time, hangout with friends, meet up with clients, and have good time with family! From Coffees, salads, sandwiches, soups and the must have desserts( Cakes to Cheesecakes). After my first visit today, I will come back for more foods!
(4)Jessica L.
I ordered the chicken Caesar salad and loved it ! My husband ordered a latte and enjoyed that as well. Will definitely return soon!
(5)Angelica L.
Reasonable price, amazingly delicious food and bakery. I had lunch there once, and the taste of the salad was amazing. Their desserts are heavenly delicious, one of my favorite restaurants in twin cities.
(5)Susannah H.
For those who know me (a few of you actually do), I'm a soup freak. When I say soup freak, I mean questionable OCD soup freak. Little known Susannah the Soup Freak fact: I've eaten soup for breakfast almost every day for 28 years....like I said, questionable OCD. So when Rhonda G. told me Cafe Latte had the best clam chowder in the Twin Cities, you better believe I was all over that. First time at Cafe Latte - sort of like an upscale cafeteria: soups, salads, lovely looking desserts, built your own sandwiches, etc...but I only had eyes for the soup, although Rhonda very generously shared her salmon spread sandwich with me. From what I gathered, they always have the clam chowder on Fridays, even if it isn't listed on the daily soup board. My bowl of chowdah and a coke was around $7.70ish, not bad for a good sized and filling bowl of soup. Verdict: good consistency/thickness, very green (parsley), good balanced flavor with a decent amount of clams. If someone were to make a Minnesotan interpretation of clam chowder, this might be it. Was it as good as the chowder I had at a small restaurant inside an old wooden fisherman's boat in Maine? No, but it was still very tasty. Was it the best homemade chowder I've had at a restaurant in the Twin Cities? Yeah, I think so. Thanks for the tip, Rhonda G!
(4)Katie C.
I absolutely adored this place and frequented quite often with my in laws only living a few blocks away. The last few times we have gone have been so incredibly disappointing. First off, my 8 year old ordered a ham sandwich and in the middle of eating it got a huge sliver in his tongue. I honestly didn't believe him and argued with him. A couple minutes later, he reached in his mouth and pulled out a sliver of the bamboo pick they used on the sandwich out of his tongue! It was bad enough to make it bleed. He is 8 and there were 4 adults with so we know he wasn't messing around with the pick, the sliver was in his sandwich. I talked to management that day and they could not have possibly cared less. I wasn't looking for anything free, just an apology and hopes that it wouldn't happen to another little one. We have been buying cakes for our employees birthdays...and sometimes "just because". We average 1-2 cakes a month from there and occasionally will stop by for a slice with dinner. My husband knows I love their Tres Leche cake! For my birthday on Friday he stopped and grabbed one to surprise me with. He brought it to the office and everyone was excited! We started to serve it and the first person took a bit and said it tasted "off". Then the following 2 people said it wasn't very good, something didn't taste right. I finally got my piece and went to dig in, it was awful! The whipped cream tasted awful! At that point no one else even wanted to try it. We dumped our plates and called cafe latte, their wasn't anyone to talk to so they requested I call back Monday. I called back Monday and after talking to management and being told that no one else complained I was brushed off. I have work food and wow, if this place was judged solely by how they handle customers they would be gone. Customer service there has never been great, but when you have an issue with something, management shouldn't immediately brush you off. I'm really disgusted. They treated me both times like I was a liar and looking for something free. My sons tongue was literally bleeding and their response was "oh well". Four people got sick from a cake I bought there and their response was "no one else did." So clearly I must be lying. Nothing like throwing a whole cake out because they don't stand by their products. I even offered to bring the almost whole cake we had left in so they knew we weren't scamming them. Disgusted.
(1)T B.
Although, I don't get a chance to frequent this place as much as I'd like to, every time I do is a full reminder why I love it so much. Today, I stopped in only by chance & didn't have very much time to chow. Being that it was such a rainy yucky day I checked the board for a yummy soup-in the back of my mind crossing fingers for chicken wild rice. (What can I say I'm Minnesotan yah) They had it! It was almost a toss up between the many others including a chicken salsa chili, potato, some kind of salmon soup I still chose my favorite. Creamy chicken wild rice to go. I highly recommend it. It was my first time having it at Cafe Latte, but certainly not the last. I paired it with one of the 5 rolls offered. A jalapeño bread. Yum. Total $4.25. Can't be beat. Now, usually when I dine here I get the chicken spinach spread on foccacia with all the toppings. Please try it! You won't be let down. I haven't had dessert YET but I was eyeballing a sea salt caramel cake in the case. I think it had my name on it!
(5)Andrew W.
A bit pricey for the food. Thats why its not 5 stars. But otherwise its great bite to grab. Cafeteria style. Bread is very well baked and made. I wish the sandwiches had more variety but if you are more into fun salads and soups, this is your spot.
(4)Chelsea T.
I visited Café Latte a few weeks ago for lunch with a girlfriend. I'd never been and this was her second time. I was shocked at just how big this place actually was! I thought overall this place is perfect for a quick lunch, dessert, or both! here's how my experience went: So we go there right around 1-ish, it was super busy! Getting in line can be kind of confusing. It's very "up in the air" on where line start or end. Once we figured it out, I felt really rushed and a little overwhelmed with ordering and all the options. It' cafeteria style but the biggest complaint that I have is they tell you what's available as you go. Which can cause tons of confusion. I would have preferred they break down the stations on a large menu at the start of the line. Anyway, we both opted for a Caesar salad and a pick 2 spread I chose the Truffle and Chicken Salad both extremely delish! You're given the choice of bread and some veggies on the side. We also indulged in some very tasty desserts afterward. We tried the Salted caramel tres leches cake that was pure heaven (very authentic taste) and one of their cheesecakes that I simply cannot remember the name of but both were some of the best I've had, but you'll need a friend or a to-go bag cause the servings are huge! Overall I really did enjoy my visit here and I will most likely come again when I'm in the area.
(4)Erin G.
Met a friend for lunch, we each had a cappuccino and split a slice of salted caramel cheesecake. It was delicious. Not the best cheesecake of my life, but very very good. Very decadent.
(4)Mike S.
Deserts are a dime a dozen in this town. If you're looking for a REALLY a good one though, look no further!!! Not only does Cafe Late have AMAZING cakes & coffee, perfect for any late night get together, but they have some pretty good food as well for the day time meal. Found just outside the heart of St. Paul, on it's happening Grand Ave, you can find this place. Perfect for a late night date.
(5)Keying Q.
I cannot help come to this place second time in a week just for dessert. They have probably the BEST cheesecake in the twin cities area. Strongly recommend the mango and blueberry cheesecake if you like fruity, and you can just stay classic with the vanilla cheesecake. The salad and soup looks fresh and delicious as well. Need to try next time :)
(5)Donna V.
I've only been there for their cakes. I've eaten their strawberry cheesecake and chocolate cake. By far the best, and moist cake yet! Definitely recommended.
(5)Elizabeth C.
Love getting their Tres Leches cake for the holidays! There are 2 different sizes you can get. You can order ahead of time but they usually have a few in the bakery area already made (and other cakes).
(4)Jeff D.
Pretty sad this hip place doesn't have any vegan desserts. Maybe not as hip as it used to be. Probably the last time I'll eat here.
(1)Tweetie T.
Got Tres Leché, sweet enough, rich milky+cream taste and the raspberry add the fruity flavor. Each bite of this delicacy just melt on your tongue. Services are great, fast and friendly. Will come back for other varieties they have. Great place for chilling!
(5)Judy O.
Very good soup and sandwiches make this a nice lunch spot. Decent wine bar too. Overall, kind of pricey.
(3)Sarah S.
Been there way too many times-today ordered pesto pizza and afternoon tea-loved the scone and clotted cream and lemon spread.Ahh great afternoon tea!!
(4)Annie P.
I do enjoy their food but the long lines are annoying and finding a table can be hectic. Some of the staff behind the counter are passive and don't give eye contact to help you. If you're not a regular you may be eaten alive - like my hubby was :) Do not recommend for elderly or children.
(3)Alexander M.
Cafe Latte has amazing sandwiches (get it on Focaccia bread) and soups (get it with focaccia bread). Everything is fresh and delicious and clearly done with care. The soup isn't from a frozen bag, and the sandwiches are made with great ingredients that don't need some extremely flavorful dressing to cover up their sub-par taste. The Raspberry Torte is the best thing i've ever had, it really messed me up when I ate it because I knew other desserts would just taste like disappointment.
(5)Josh K.
The girlfriend and I made a trip to Grand to stop here and get some cheesecake on her birthday. First and foremost, the parking is a nightmare. If you're not from St Paul or know about the parking on Grand Ave, it's terrible. Expect to park a block or two away (likely residential or on Summit if you can't find a spot in a ramp or lot down the block) and expect to hoof it. But, it was a gorgeous day out so who cares about walking? When you get into the restaurant there are a couple of ordering stations, so don't think its "too" busy or there won't be enough seating (I'll touch on this later). I got a lemon tart and she got a chocolate chunk and toffee cheese cake slice. The main eating area was full, but the entire back area towards the mall was wide open, and there was some seating available up stairs. Considering it was high noon and the line was out the door, they have adequate seating. My dish was amazing. I'm a sucker for pretty much anything lemon and this tart was as spot on as it gets. Perfect amount of lemon flavor with an incredibly light crust and just enough dusted powdered sugar for a sweet zip. Absolutely incredible. The cheese cake - truth be told I don't care for toffee or chocolate all that much - was out of this world. It's baked to the very edge with no side crust, which might upset some crust lovers. But, the perfect mix of chocolate marble in the cake itself, incredible cream topping with delicious little chocolate bar chunks on top. The amazing part is that even though it was a big slice, and looked heavy, the cheesecake itself was VERY light. Which, makes for a welcome surprise when you're going to walk up and down Grand in the sun. Definitely in the top 5 for me for cheesecakes.
(5)Michelle T.
I've only been here a couple times mostly just to get some cake since I live about half an hour away. My favorite cake is the Raspberry cream torte because its very flavorful (raspberry flavor of course) with the right amount of sweetness! Tres Leche is a very popular cake here and a lot of people tend to favor this cake over the others, but for some reason in my opinion, I don't think it's that great because it doesn't have a lot of flavor like the Raspberry cream torte, and it tastes very neutral like not a lot of sweetness or flavor... They have a variety of cake options though! I've also been here when it's super busy around lunch time. Probably not the best place to go to around lunch time because everything takes longer to park, to wait, to order, etc. They have a piano outside for you to play music which can be fun! Tips: -parking can be difficult to find unless you decide to park on the ramp next door for a couple bucks -good variety of sandwhiches, salads, and soups -the seating environment to enjoy your meal is a bit disappointing for such a great food place. The furniture is all black with regular chairs and tables.
(4)Clint L.
It appears that bad customer service is becoming a trend every time I come to this cafe. The workers always seems to be in a bad mood, and they take it out on the customers with their passive aggressiveness. Today, I came to grab lunch with a friend of mine, and we each wanted to get a slice of cake. However, there wasn't anyone at the cake station, so we got in line for the rest of the food and asked one of the servers if he could get us one. The server told us to go up to the cashier at the end of our purchase and tell him that we wanted a slice added to our bill. When I did, the casher was being very sassy and there were other customers watching. He asked me why I didn't get a slice of cake in the first place, and I told him there wasn't anyone at the cake station to serve us. Despite his attitude, I brushed it off and told him I wanted to add it to my bill. Before my friend could tell him what cake she wanted, he left to get mine but came back empty handed. He told me I could get the cake myself with a negative tone. It didn't bother me that I had to get the cake myself. I knew I was going to have to do that. But, the thing that bothered me was his continual attitude. I asked him if there was anyone at the cake station at that time. He said no, and so I said that was the problem! That is why I came up to him in the first place to ask for the cake, and instead of being responsive to the customer's needs, he decided to be a littlebitch. He handed me the receipt and continued to be condescending by saying "well here's your solution." I saw an older lady shake her head as he said that to me, so I know I am not being out of line when I say that customer service at this cafe needs improvement. This is becoming a regular trend amongst the staff, and I think it's absolutely ridiculous that it has gone this far. I just hope a manager sees this message so that this behavior can be put to an end.
(1)Myly F.
If you happen to be in St. Paul, head over for good treats here! Thumbs up: Good tres leche and other treat options Coffee drinks are delish and cheaper then coffee shops Food is in front of you, nice to see it made somewhat Veggie options Pretty fast service/friendly Thumbs down: Parking sucks, unless you ramp it for a couple of bucks Don't go during prime time lunch super busy, like a zoo. Grand Ave = crazy traffic Average food for average prices ( I guess pro, you get what you pay for) Will be back when I am in area for a quick lunch, AFTER lunch time!
(3)Brandon D.
Decent food, but the espresso was silty and gross.
(2)Jordan H.
amazing deserts, massive portions.
(4)Amy B.
Served cafeteria style, this is THE place for desserts in the Twin Cities. It was a great choice for desserts - we left with two jumbo choices of deliciousness. One of the perks here seems to be the quantity, perhaps over quality. Although we were really happy with our choices, they weren't as gourmet as I'd hoped.
(4)Nathan N.
A Grand Avenue staple, Cafe latte is great meeting spot for lunch or late night desert after dinner. With all the seating, it can sometimes be chancy to get a spot on a fri or sat late night. Known for their cakes, they have a perfect line up with something for everyone. Soups, salads and sandwiches offer a wide range of lunch options. Street parking
(4)Happy W.
This review is for the cheesecake. Forget Cheesecake Factory and other "wanna be the best" places because NOTHING tops this place for cheesecake!! I've been eating here for almost 20 years and it hasn't disappointed me or my guest(s) yet. The homemade breads are amazing too. Try the chicken salsa chili with all of the fixins ;) Love it!
(5)Ann H.
"When in doubt, Cafe Latte" as my friends and I say. I can't even write this review without wanting to hop in my car and head straight there. The turtle cake is a personal favorite, though some may say it's too rich. I advise every chocolate lover to try it. But eat with caution... Speaking from experience you may end up heading back to the counter to order another.
(5)Geoffrey R.
Amazingly enough, I'm not a big fan of the sweets here. I find them a bit too heavy and rich for my taste (in particular, I had a rather unpleasant experience with a glass of red wine and a slice of german chocolate cake). I just haven't been overwhelmed in this regard. And I thought the scones (with cream and berries) were particularly lackluster. But I do like the salads - they're a bit pricey though (and they tend to be a bit excessive with the cheese; disclaimer: I'm not used to living in such a dairy-centric part of the country and I get a bit overwhelmed). But I think the soups and rolls are delicious and they rotate flavors and options very frequently. The New England clam chowder isn't great but the Chicken Salsa Chili is a real standout. Overall, a solid weekday (it's packed during weekend daytimes) place to eat.
(3)Olivia H.
I'm never ever disappointed! Good sandwiches, soups, and you MUST try the turtle cake...yummm
(5)Loren B.
The clear choice for a mouth-watering desert in comfortable surroundings. Whether your in cheese-cake, turtle-cake, or anything else you're doctor probably wouldn't recommend. A good place to take lady in attempt prove you're classy and discerning without spending foolish amounts of money.
(4)M K.
This place is one of the best in the area for hanging out and having a quick grab or have a discussion over a warm cup of coffee. I have always found this cafe to be especially attractive in winter nights. You can get to meet many people here and there is a lot of hustle and bustle that goes around you to make things interesting. Love this place.
(4)Nick L.
Cafe Latte is a cafeteria style restaurant on Grand Avenue that offers Americana food including sandwiches, soups, pizza, coffee, and several types of pies and cake. The food is just all right, nothing bad, nothing great, but everything is relatively expensive for what you get. The acoustics upstairs are great for hearing people who are across the room, but horrible for talking to people right next to you.
(3)Kari G.
Cafe Latte used to be one of my favorite Grand Ave hot spots... I went in this week and was disappointed to find slow service and wait staff that were unenthusiastic and not helpful but rather negative about their job. Sad disappointment...I hope this hot spot turns around from the snobby behavior that is its new undertaking....
(1)Jennifer W.
At first I was put off by the cafeteria style setting- However, In the word's of Rachel Ray "YUMMO!" I love all the different soups, salads, and sandwiches I can choose from and that everything comes with a delicious roll. The only thing is I wish I could remember to save room for dessert! I have had the fruit tart once (I had to go back later and get it) and it was scrumptious! It's a great place to take friends/family for lunch or to get coffee and an awesomely sinful dessert!
(4)Kate C.
So I went here the other night to meet up with some folks for dessert. I was primarily annoyed by the fact that I had to park a zillion blocks away and had a 50/50 chance of getting a parking ticket for sort of blocking a driveway that didn't really have any delineation between curb and driveway. I refuse to pay to park. After the initial annoyance, I actually got in the door. Etc Etc. Stared at cake for awhile, got hungry for real food. The bartender guy who makes the pizzas was pretty awesome. The pizza was fantastic, although the dough sort of reminds me of those Freschetta rising crust pizzas. Except I can never cook those properly. Anyway, the toppings on the medditerranean pizza were fab. I also got a slice of the dulce de leche torte. The frosting and filling was fantastic. The cake itself, less than memorable. Or perhaps memorable for the wrong reasons. It was incredibly dense and sort of dry and tasteless. But the frosting was great, and I don't generally care for frosting. This resulted in me eating the frosting off of the cake and leaving half of the cake bits. I was immediately sick to my stomach for about, oh, the entire night. This was not enjoyable. This experience was filed under "conditioned taste aversion." They could do with simplifying things or putting written directions on where to go for what things. There is a cafeteria line for soup, salad, and sandwiches. There is a separate cashier line for bakery and coffee purchases. And an additional seperate area to order pizzas. It isn't particularly new-user friendly. But the pizza was good. For certain. ...Also, this place shares a bathroom with Axels, which I'm sure is just fine during normal times of the day, but during dueling piano bar time with the drunkies at midnight on a Friday night, this is not so fantastic.
(3)Ericka A.
This cafe is a bit pricey and service could be better, but they give you decent portions. My friend and I go there to get our late night cake binge on. Usually it is accompanied by one of their coffee drinks. The cake slices are huge and abundant in flavor choices. Be prepared to bring more for something to drink. You cannot order a piece without getting something to wash it down. They aren't just about desert. So while their truffles are to die for, you have to try the pizza. It is always delicious. Sandwiches and salads are another option. 2 slices of cake, 1 specialty coffee drink, 1 glass of milk, 2 truffles = ~$20
(3)Amy L.
I really love Cafe Latte. They have amazing desserts (thats all I have tried so far). The place is in a busy location, so if you are heading there on a Friday or Saturday night, be prepared to wait. The atmosphere is fun and enjoyable.
(4)Naomi T.
Meh...I've had better. This place always has a line for it's cafeteria style fare and after several visits, I still don't know what all the hulabaloo is about. Sure, the desserts are fabulous and I enjoyed my raspberry mocha, but the margherita pizza was just so so as were the sandwiches and soup. It's good but I wouldn't go out of my way to get there.
(2)Jennifer L.
I stopped in here for a cup of coffee after getting my yarn fix at The Yarnery. I ordered a Turtle Latte and waited while they made it. The place is really clean and had a nice attitude about it. When my coffee was handed over with REAL whip cream (not spray can whip cream) and caramel dripping off the whip cream I smiled. When I took my first sip I stopped dead in my tracks. The cold whip cream combined with the yummy sticky caramel and the hot coffee coming in after wards - It blew my mind. I can't tell you how heavenly it was! Total mouth-gasm. How the hell am I going to drink Caribou now?!?! I am ruined. I also foresee me spending more time on Grand Avenue in the future so I can get more! Super Yum! Thanks Cafe Latte!
(5)Michelle P.
White chocolate raspberry almond cheesecake? Yes please. Always busy, especially on weekend nights. Desserts are always delicious. Busy atmosphere, good for friends.
(4)Erik D.
I haven't been here in a while, but when I lived in that part of town I was a regular. What I really like about the place is the deli where you can choose a variety of salads-- and then for dessert, amazing chocolate cake. My parents, who live out of town, have occasionally ordered me one of the Cafe Latte' cakes for my birthday-- a great gift. Oh, and they also have a variety of tasty soups every day-- you can get a bowl of soup and a hunk of bread for a pretty low price-- it's a good workday lunch, or sustenance for shopping the local Grand Avenue spots. Or they'll make a sandwich to order, too. Those are also good. It's usually busy, especially at lunch. But it's worth going.
(4)T S.
This is a great place to go to follow up a meal on Grand Ave with dessert and coffee. I like grabbing dessert and coffee here after eating at Salut, Brassa, or Punch. The dulce de leche cake is great.
(4)Ashley F.
I am a cheesecake fan. I have been to many places that all claim to have "The Best Cheesecake" and really, you just can't beat the Original Vanilla Cheesecake with that big friggin' berry on top. Cafe Latte may be busy, and the decor reminds me of 90210, but oh my, the dessert is just better than anywhere else. Turtle Cake, Cheesecake, Fruit Tarts.. You just can't miss. Also, for a quick lunch (if the line isn't out the door insane) the spread trio and soup is fantastic.
(5)Joyce L.
Even though the food here is amazing, I cannot give this place 5 stars simply because no matter what time you go, it's freaking crowded. The turtle chocolate cake is amazing. Service for drink orders is a little slow.
(4)Tori M.
This is THE sweet-tooth's paradise in the Cities. Their berry desserts are always insanely delicious and their cheesecake is to die for; I am also always impressed by their soups, as they are fresh and I think worth the money. You also get to pick an accompanying bread, which is lovely to dip in the soup. Boyfriend and I like to come here for later dinners, as some days we are both so tired we can't be arsed to cook. It's a bit of a trek from Uptown even with a car, but it's totally worth it and totally delicious. It's also a cute date place to stop if you're shopping on Grand.
(5)Andy W.
The place I always used to bring out-of-towners is now the place I make sure I return to since becoming an out-of-towner myself. On offer are delicious, fresh salads (my go-to is the Chicken Caesar Pasta salad), cakes and goodies to satisfy my obsessive need for frosting, and the Swedish latte that gives me my cardomom and coffee fix all at once. The prices are fair, the selection is solid, and any city I live in, I look for Cafe Latte's analog.
(5)Jamie T.
I adore this place. Grand Avenue is such a cute area, and Café Latte is a major draw. It's very cafeteria-like, so not a serene environment; but it's a great spot to meet up with a friend, grab some food and chat in a casual atmosphere. They have a fantastic selection of salads, sandwiches and soups; there is something for everyone. I love getting the salad sampler because it's impossible for me to decide on any one item. It gets really busy around the lunch hour, but the line moves quickly, and tables seem to turnover frequently enough that you can find a place to sit more easily than it may appear at first glance, and the bussers do a good job of maintaining a clean environment. Finding on-street parking can be challenging, but there's a nearby garage that's pretty inexpensive. Definitely worth checking out their incredible selection of desserts. Yum. :)
(4)Chloe S.
When I worked near here, I used to spend my lunch break in line for a piece of cake. During lunch it would take almost 30 minutes to wait in line at Cafe' Latte let alone parking somewhere near by. Anyway as soon as I would take the first bite of that cheesecake or raspberry whip cream torte, it would all be worth it. Honestly, some of the best cakes and pastries in the Twin Cities are here. Totally worth the hassle and wait.
(5)Daniel P.
This has been one of my favorite spots in St. Paul for the past decade. I remember going on weekend nights in high school, and still to this day, it's a favorite any time of day when I'm back in St. P. Great breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert options. I particularly like it as an evening place for dessert/coffee - delicious cheesecake; through beware of how rich/decadent it is! A single slice can definitely be split between two, otherwise you're going to end up feeling a bit nasty afterwards as I did :) A good spot to catch up with friends or take the fam. The bartender on my visit last night seemed to be totally over his job and literally threw the check toward me when I closed out (??) -- but despite the occasional service quirks, I still like the place.
(4)Anna S.
I have tried a Tres Leche with raspberries. That was rich, moist and delicious! Scone was also good. It was so fluffy that it kept freshness by next day. I recommend you to take scones to go. : )
(4)Ellen G.
"But I have to carry my own tray! Whine whine whine!" Hush your face. This restaurant is the best thing that ever happened to Grand Avenue...you can get your best-in-the-world German Chocolate cake and then burn a few extra calories carrying your tray up the stairs. Yes, the lines are long. Yes, you have to make a lot of rapid fire decisions. Get over yourself. This place is a control freak's paradise - you actually get to SEE the food before you pick it, and yet it is classy and chic in an entirely non-Old-Country-Buffet kind of way. Fresh salads, amazing sandwiches, and fabulous soup (ummm, the vegetarian chili? Legendary.) And the art collection on the walls is fun too. Just avoid the lunch rush, get your German Chocolate cake, and you'll be fine.
(5)David J.
Their bread, their cakes are delicious. The overall atmosphere is meh--alright. Everyone talks about the Turtle Cake, but as a former employee--the Tres Leche (three milks) is the cake we all couldn't get enough. A great place to have a date, and feel like you're still in high school. If that's what you're going for. SFCritic
(3)Kristina K.
Whenever I'm near Grand Avenue, I deviate to Cafe Latte. I go for the three salads plate and devour the bread that comes with it. The food is served cafeteria style and the noise is like a cafeteria.
(4)Chanstay Y.
I have been here several times and I just don't get the hype. I was there a few days ago and we ordered a slice of plain cheesecake and pumpkin/white chocolate cheese cake and it just was not worth $12. I mean, it wasn't very good, maybe I'm just hard to please because I make the best cheesecake anyone who's tasted it has ever tasted. I've had there sandwiches, twice I've had the tuna, I kinda forgot what it was like the first time and accidentally ordered it a second. It is very bland. There other food I've eaten there is ok. I vow not to go back if I can avoid, which is harder than you might think because I live so close by and friends always want to go there and since I don't find most restaurants on Grand to be that great, I may have to. Hopefully they'll be paying because I don't think it's worth it, j/k, well kind of.
(2)Llorona N.
Kind of overrun by suburbanites, yes. But still delicious! I have great memories here of lunches with my mom over the past, um... 17 years? gross, I'm old. The soups and sandwiches are great, as are the side dishes. The desserts are so/so, but if you aren't exceptionally picky about your sweets, you'll be happy. I'm not a fan of heavy frosting lacking flavor, but I honestly say I've only experienced that a few times with their cakes. I did enjoy a cobbler I got here, once, immensely. All in all, great place for lunch with mom. That ain't a bad thing.
(4)K s.
Just had a delish soup and salad here. The food is fresh and the desserts look great, I'm in town solo for business and wanted a place to get a good meal but in a casual cafe setting. Perfect since I can hang out have a espresso or beer while getting some work done after my meal. Small downside is they don't have wifi but this isn't a reason not to eat here. Definitely will return!
(4)Tim R.
Very nice selection of bakery, salad and soup items. This place gets a little busy during prime dating times of the week so choose your time of arrival carefully. The afternoon tea was excellent last time I was there. The scones and layered cakes are excellent.
(5)Vannezsa S.
Only went for dessert, which was very good. Had the strawberry rhubarb tart (although they did not call it a tart). Very excellent. Not overly sweet and the crust was nice and buttery, and NOT dry -- my pet peeve. Latte was not bad either. Will go back for their beautiful selections of salads, sandwiches, pasta salads, and soups. Sadly, was not impressed with their beer selections. Although, they defiantly cater more to their wine selections.
(4)Sloane S.
The moment we walked in the staff was sooo so very nice. Where was the tip jar? I was just dying to give a tip. Not to mention the little slice of cake I got was exceptionally delicious as well as the flavored skim milk sweet drink I ordered. It was so nice to hang out with friends here.
(5)Alice W.
Love love love! Cafe Latte is where I want to meet a girlfriend for lunch--two-or three- salad plate (quinoa and asparagus in a light dressing, chicken & pasta with a light mayo dressing, grapes, and candied pecans), choice of their wonderful breads. Cafe Latte is where we go every year for my birthday, so I can have a GREAT piece of cake that I don't have to bake myself. (I'm a traditionalist--chocolate for me; but I've never heard or read a complaint yet about their desserts--German chocolate cake, cheesecakes, fruit tarts, carrot cake, truffles). And Cafe Latte is even a great place to stop by myself in the middle of a day of errands, if I have a paper or a book to read--Chipotle chicken chili or vegetarian chili, corn chips (or pizza from the back section). There is a reason Cafe Latte is so crowded--they do what they do incredibly well. If you can't handle the cafeteria style service; if you can't put your tray down in line to "save" your place and then scope ahead for what's on offer, then maybe it's not for you. But then you're missing out on fresh, tasty, well-made food in a fun, handy part of town. My gripes? Those dang stairs! I have to remember not to wear a skirt when I go there, for fear of giving diners below a less-than-artistic view, and please, Cafe Latte--add a soda machine upstairs so we don't have to wobble our way down each time we need a refill! Otherwise, thanks for being there, always!
(5)Ali H.
I'm visiting my folks and came to my old standby, Cafe Latte, last week. For the first time I tried their afternoon tea service, and it was great! It's like 12 bucks, and includes a pot of your choice of fine teas, a mini scone, 2 shortbread cookies, half a slice of dessert, and an amazing cucumber/basil spread sandwich. Basically we got lunch, dessert, and tea for 12 bucks. I was really impressed with the quality of everything. We had their chocolate peanut butter tart and a pumpkin mousse, and took a piece of chocolate turtle cake home to my folks. Completely honestly, I've never had a dessert there that didn't knock my socks off. This was no exception! I will note that I got a package of pepper flatbread to take home, and, though it openly admitted to being pepper flavored, I found it to be much too peppery! Almost inedibly peppery. The bread itself was great, very cripsy and nice, and I will definitely try the other flavors in hopes of less overwhelming pepper flavor.
(5)Nora P.
I've heard the pizzas here are amazing. The soups? I've been told superlative. A few times I've seen someone with incredibly yummy looking salads. However these are things I've never experienced first person. You see, Cafe Latte is not very user friendly, if you've never been here be sure to bring someone who has. There are no "order here" signs, or even a definitive line of people for you to follow, just kind of a crush around the counter. I've only ordered coffee drinks, which I've had to stand in line 10 minutes to pay for, and when I get to the register they aren't ready (or prepared wrong because the barista couldn't hear the words I attempted to shout over the cacophonous din of other patrons)... One time my boyfriend got me a piece of turtle cake, it was delicious, but I've never figured out how to procure another for myself. I would really like to try the food, since so many good things are said about it, but every time I go I end up quite frustrated and leaving. And in talking to other people, I'm not the only one. I think a sign or two, or perhaps a quick half-sheet computer print map for new-comers would be very helpful, or maybe just maybe, if the employees see someone looking confused they could, I don't know, stop talking to each other and provide service.
(2)Alexa C.
Great desserts. Delicious, and bigger than your head. The meal food isn't anything to write home about, seems like overpriced basic deli food.
(4)Camille L.
I am a massive pasta salad fan and this place has a lot to choose from. They also have an ample sandwich selection. You can also have specialty salads made for you and they have some delightful looking soups and spreads. Be sure to save room for dessert since this place is well known for their desserts too. The German Chocolate cake is decedent! It can be tough to find a place to sit since this place is so popular. The cups for drinks are meager and you have to go all the way downstairs to refill your fountain drink. Most of the tables are located upstairs so this place should have installed a refill station for drinks up there too (hopefully their manager is reading this). Oh, and if you want to know where high schooler's spend their time on Sat. nights, rest assured you will find multiple groups of them here.
(4)Jessica P.
Five star food, ZERO star service... I've been going to Cafe Latte since I was about 10 years old (15 years). I've always enjoyed their food, but as of late (within the last couple of years, anyway), their service has been awful. I come here 3-4 times a year, and my last experience was just plain unacceptable. I arrived in the mid-afternoon on a Thursday, and the place was basically dead. Although there were several "servers" standing behind the counters talking amongst themselves, I had to announce my presence 3-4 times before I received any acknowledgement. When they finally noticed me, I was approached by a dour thirty-something woman who gave me a blank stare as a greeting. Intending to order dinner, I asked for a sample of a pasta salad. She handed me a small sample (with NO fork, toothpick, etc.) and then WALKED AWAY to continue chatting with her coworkers. I had to yell after her, "Can I have a fork, please?" She shooed me over to the other end of the bar to get it myself. When I returned to actually purchase a salad, no one was to be found. This should've been hint enough that they were uninterested in receiving my patronage, but I decided to give it one more shot at the sandwich bar area. Another woman made me a sandwich with a salad (which was doused a bit too liberally with their vinaigrette). When I took my food to the register to pay, there was no one around to ring me up (free meal...? Should've been.) After poking my head around the back corner into the kitchen area, I finally got some assistance. When the cashier then rang up my order, I mentioned that the price seemed a little high, and she said that was the cost of a turkey sandwich with cheese. How she came to the conclusion that I had a turkey sandwich with cheese when I had a veggie sandwich with no cheese is beyond me. She corrected her mistake and brought my tab down a couple of bucks (I'm 25 and frugal as hell, so don't think you're going to overcharge me for a damn sandwich). Needless to say, my food was nothing special after receiving such rude and incompetent service. After 15 years of patronage from my family, I will NOT be returning to this stuck-up establishment. The only reason they get one star (beside the fact that there is no lower rating) is due to the very nice, attentive busser (whose worked their 15+ years) who is amazing. Seriously the nicest man ever.
(1)T F.
Love this place! My husband and I are both big fans of the "salad samplers" where we can each taste 2-3 of the rotating delicious salads for $7.99. There are always a few vegetarian options. Their soups, stews and desserts are also fantastic. I don't think there's anything over $8 on the menu (the pizzas might be--did I mention they serve pizzas too?). We typically do take out, but if you choose to stay and eat you can get a glass of wine, too.
(5)Derek C.
If you really want to experience Grand Avenue and a typical Saint Paul lunch eatery, then Cafe Latte is a great place to try. The cafeteria style set-up is great if you are looking for a quick solo lunch, or if you want to stay a while for a meeting or hangout. The upstairs mezzanine allows you to over look Grand Ave, or tuck away in a corner. It seems like a popular hang out spot for many ages. Everything is made fresh. The soups are homemade and fantastic. They serve fresh baked bread with their soups, which are great for chilly days. They also make fresh sandwiches with fresh bread, deli meats and veggies. Supposedly they have great cakes too!
(5)Alexis S.
I am already drooling just thinking about the desserts. I pretty much always get the raspberry torte. So scrumtrulescent, I forced myself to finish the entire thing despite the fact that I had too much to eat before hand. The food coma afterwards was worth it though, as I had time to reflect on the amazingness of the dessert. The food I had was quite good too. I got the caeser salad with the butternut squash soup. The soup was super delish and flavorful as well. I have to say though that I purchased a vanilla latte after dinner and it was really disappointing. How can you screw up a Latte'? It tasted like they forgot to put in any coffee, which could have been the case. I had to knock of one star for that. Oh well, I don't so much care about the coffee. It's all about the dessert.
(4)Katie F.
Cafe Latte is hip, fun and a great place if you want to meet friends for lunch and not have deal with the hassle of splitting up the bill, as it is cafeteria style. However, it gets really crowded, and it can be confusing if you haven't been here previously. You can have a good-sized lunch for about $12, including beverages. I hesitate to give them five stars because the parking in this area sucks, unless you want to pay the ramp fee. Also, if you have a stroller or a wheelchair, there are limited options on the lower level for seating. Sometimes, I will hike up the stairs, but it makes me anxious carrying a tray of soda, soup and gooey desserts. Also, the tables upstairs can be so close, I have to concentrate hard not to listen to other conversations. My suggestion: if you aren't a chocolate lover, skip the cheesecake and try the Tres Leches cake. I love Cafe Latte enough, that I opted not to have a traditional wedding cake, and instead had them supply a variety of choices, which were great, and much less expensive.
(4)Guillermo H.
Overpriced lunch food. Salads, soups and sandwiches. None of the food will blow you away, and the only warm food they have (the soups) are boring and tasteless. Menus are completely confusing and it's not clear what you can get, with what, and how much it will all cost you. Couple all of this with terrible parking (expect to spend a bunch of time finding a parking spot on the street and be prepared to walk several blocks, even during off-peak hours), I'd rather get soup and sandwiches elsewhere.
(2)Katheryn A.
Great interior with a variety of foods. Personally I'd just go there for some cake, coffee, free complimentary water and my Macbook/newspaper! You can hold a conversation here too if you'd like, it doesn't get too loud.
(3)Kat W.
The only reason I can't give this five stars is because it is completely impossible for a newcomer to make a decision when they stand at the beginning of the serving line, and I live in perpetual fear of getting rammed into by another spirited customer whilst trying to take my newly-plated meal to a table. Such is the way of life. If you've never been before, I would definitely recomment walking behind the actual line to see what your meal options are. If you're with a friend, DEFINITELY share things. We split a Greek Salad and a plate of spreads (We did two, a basil artichoke and a tuscan one? One was red, one was green) which I was a huge fan of because I've been on a big crusty bread-jag lately. Our ulterior motive was so that we could each sample a cup of soup as well. Given the choice of roll, I would suggest the foccacia, especially if you enjoy parmesan and rosemary as flavors. The desert case is to-die-for. If you have a sweet tooth, save some room or be prepared to cart a piece or two out of this place to enjoy at home. You won't be disappointed by anything that you order.
(4)John S.
We have been there before and the food is always exceptional, as it was the other night. My bride had the triple salad and I had a delicious smoked turkey sandwich and small salad. But what was outstanding was the person, Pilar, who made my sandwich. She was exceptional in her rendering of outstanding customer service. She bent over backwards to serve you with a smile. I was in a position to watch her during out entire dinner. I could see the non-verbal expressions of the people she waited on. You could see right away that she uplifted their mood. Mine certainly was. You just don't see that very often in a restaurant, especially in a serving line environment. Thank you so much Pilar! You made my day and many others you served. You can bet we will be back when we come up from Omaha!
(5)Blair J.
The pizza/wine bar is the best. They have a great selection of wine and the pizza is tasty. Plus the bartenders are awesome.
(5)Kelly E.
Took some good advice from a friend of ours and checked this place out because she told us the desserts were fab. We decided to skip dinner (who needs nutrition on a Sunday night, right?!) and went for some sugar instead. Turtle cheesecake for me and German chocolate cake for my boyfriend. He got a minty steamer thingee, and I got a raspberry Italian soda. All of it was divine! Not from the area, but I will be having sweet dreams about this fun little place... NOTE: Cheesecake is better than Cheesecake Factory. ;)
(4)Mary H.
This cafe is a "must stop" when I'm visiting the Twin Cities. I love their soups and stews, and the bread that accompanies them. On this last visit, I had a bowl of Chicken Divan stew, which was fantastic, and a vanilla latte afterwards. I often ask for a taste of a soup or stew that I haven't had before, and the servers gladly accomodate me. We have nothing like this in Colorado Springs, and I look forward to my visits to Cafe Latte. I have never had a bad meal there. Food quality and recipes are fantastic.
(5)Aimee N.
Ever since my friends brought cake from here to a party over 5 years ago, I have been hooked. Whenever I can, I will order cakes for special events for here. Averaging 20-25 per cake, it's a decent price for amazing desserts. They also offer a large lunch and dinner menu but I come for the desserts which they are known for. Some of my favorites are the Raspberry torte and tres leches cake. Their cheesecakes are extremely yummy too! A must try, they are packed every single time I am there. They are right off of grand so come early if you plan to try to park on the street or there is a pay ramp nearby you can park at as well if you don't want to deal with parallel parking
(5)Jeannine Marie P.
So delicious! I recently photographed a wedding who got their desserts here! The couple wanted a variety of different cakes and cheesecakes- Cafe Latte did a great job working with the couple and presenting beautiful cakes! The cake presentation was perfect!
(5)S. B.
Always a great place for fresh, healthy food. I find I can always get the portion size I want and just the right items that hit the spot. Tip: go to the back counter and ask for the smaller scones. They are superb!
(5)Mosi G.
It is a little expensive but definitely worth the money. We tried chocolate chocolate cake and we were in chocolate heaven a moment later. The coffee was also great.
(5)Soobin C.
Turtle cake was amazing, chai latte was decent, interior/ overall ambience was very nice, but the service could be improved greatly.
(3)Jenn B.
Love there bread spreads and breakfast pizzas are awesome! The service is awesome! This is my favorite place to come to for lunch and even dinner. We have tried there desserts and I am not a sweet tooth girl but the cakes are rich and it's not so sweet it's perfect! I can see why they have long lines.
(5)Renisha P.
My favorite dessert place in the Twin Cities! I've tried many of their desserts (and some food too) but my favorite is their caramel turtle cheesecake, and the tres leches cake. Both are so rich, decadent and divine but not overly sweet; they're just perfect :)
(5)Johanna V.
You haven't been to Cafe Latte yet? As my sweet, Southern Grammy would say, "what're you doin', child??" If you like cake, you were born to go to Cafe Latte! Seriously, there is an gaping hole in your heart and the only cure is a piece of their turtle cake. For real though, all of their sweets are delicious. As for their food, I have no complaints. They have fresh salads, soups, and sandwiches. I recently tried their pizzas and was pleasantly surprised. I would suggest the chicken nacho pizza.
(5)Sarang K.
Delicious cakes! Is about all I can say about the food. Oh and good coffee. We had a tres leches cake and a raspberry coolie tort! Oh my goodness it was delicious. I loved the whipped cream they use, and with a cup of light but bitter coffee, it was just... heavenly. It's a nice casual atmosphere, totally chill. Closes at 10 but didn't kick us out even at 10:10. I really appreciated that. It seems like the place to be! I hear the pizzas are pretty good too! Totally worth a check out. Oh and it's cafeteria style, that pretty much wraps around the entire center of the restaurant. There's a second floor that's nice and a little more quiet, a little less foot traffic. Bathrooms are outside, in the building, but outside of Cafe Latte.
(4)Susie A.
Three words : Turtle Chocolate Cake "Get your buzz on" dark, rich, and not too sweet. First bite had a pecan in it and sent me to heaven. Had to have another bite. Went to heaven again. Before I knew it half the huge slice was gone and I was getting looks sent my way saying "put the fork down...." Good thing I will get to go to heaven again tomorrow with the left-overs. Thanks Cafe Latte for making my desert dreams come true! Someday I will try the other food, but for now it is all about the cake.
(5)Deb S.
Oh My Gawd Delish. The desserts here cannot be beat - loved the chocolate cake, but couldn't begin to finish it. The pies, the pastries, the coffee, the tea, the friendly counter service - you have my vote. This little street of shops, restaurants, homes, and the like was one of the highlights of our trip to the Twin Cities - loved it!!
(5)Keith S.
A perennial favorite. I seldom stray from my usuals here but when I do it's generally in the dessert variety. Staples: Raspberry creme torte. Oh my. There have multiple times over the years where an entire torte finds its way into my fridge. Caesar chicken pasta. Chili or one of the other soups. Sourdough bread Pro tip. They often have day old desserts wrapped up at the cashier, save yourself a buck and grab a treat. My only complaint is that service has routinely been a bit slow over the years. I often find myself standing at the counter for a bit before someone helps me.
(4)Joy H.
What's a good way to end a meal at a chinese place? Go to another place for a piece of cake, I'd say. Admit it: Life is short and you should always enjoy the sweets while you can. I got a strawberry and chocolate cheesecake and totally loved it. My other girlfriends got a variety of other cakes and everything was nothing less than delish. I would go there again any day, but I would NOT park in the effing neighborhoods around there ever again since I just got a ticket from one of them. I think there's a free public parking near chipotle? If you're thinking about going for the first time, be sure to look out for that. You've been warned.
(4)Bea K.
Really fresh salads and yummy soups! I had Latte Caesar with kalmata olives and artichoke & creamy chicken stew. Yum! Sometimes cream soups have a dried milk taste not this one! Sis had salad sampler and creamy dill leek soup and friend. Had veg chili. All were yummy, not too much dill to be overpowering, but enough to taste! We bought turtle cake to try at home... We've heard the desserts are amazing, and since the other food was so good... Will post dessert review later!!
(5)Nivedita B.
I've been coming here with my family since I was a wee little child. Perfect spot for lunch! Try their spreads - especially the sonoma basil and the salads. Usually I stuff my face with the spreads and then I stare at the desserts for a good 15-20 minutes. All of the desserts I've tried have been to-die-for. If you can't eat it all then I suggest going for the Turtle Cake or Chocolate Chocolate Cake. I once drove 2 hours round-trip to bring home a Chocolate Chocolate Cake for my sister's birthday. Worth it. Also bring home some scones, jam and cream if you are feeling especially British!
(4)Meg K.
Love this place! You really must try the soup. They are homemade and delicious. I haven't tried one I didn't like. Also, the dessert is to die for! Another favorite is the Greek salad. I love their greek dressing! They list which items are vegetarian and gluten free. Plus, they are usually knowledgeable if you have other ingredient concerns. The line may sometimes look quite long, but it goes really quick! My only complaint is my chai latte was so hot I couldn't drink it until I was finished eating. But I will take too hot over not hot enough any day!
(5)Dan F.
What else do I have to say: Turtle cake. If you've been here you know what I mean. If you have not, go and get it while you can. I am a chocolate freak, super freak even. This cake is one of the bets and moist cakes I have ever had and that says a lot. The service and atmosphere was very clean and friendly. I will return if I return to this part of the country just for the turtle cake.
(5)Sherrie B.
THE Best Desserts in the metro area and likely the whole state. Raspberry white chocolate cheesecake is a slice of heaven but classic vanilla is a close second!!! Our family has been coming here for over 20 years and never been disappointed. Another favorite is the Chocolate Chocolate Cake, yum!!!
(5)Luke S.
Born and raised in the twin cities and this not being my goto cafe for 20 years has me stumped. I may have been a little to worked up when one of the food line workers planted an unknown baked good (bread) on my tray and insisted I go no further with out testing it in front of him. So I Sunk my fangs in and instantly nodded in approval, followed with a smile, giggles of joy and the knowledge to never pass up one of these free rolls ever again. Bread people. I got worked up over an orange /cranberry roll! Being a meat and cheese guy this was groundbreaking. After escaping the grasps of line dude, my sister and I decided to go up stairs to enjoy our food. Seated, water cups full, time for the good stuff. Being lunch time and me feeling peckish, I had a large *Thai walnut shrimp salad*. Ive never had, let alone heard of such a salad but boy did it look good so I rolled the dice and gambled. Needless to say, I was using that delicious roll to get everything off my plate. A cup of fresh fruit served with honey yogurt comforted me after cleaning my plate. Great combo of grapes,strawberry,watermelon,cantaloupe, and blueberries . The large salad, fruit and side of bread didn't cut it so my sister insisted on getting dessert. This is why I love my sister. Walking up to the display of desserts I was impressed. Double chocolate cake, german chocolate, cheesecakes, cupcakes, turtle cakes, they had it! And thats from just my memory. I settled with a piece of *salted caramel cheesecake* and a *Nutella Latté* My people of yelp, I have found thee spot. The cheesecake was outrageous ! But the Nutella Latté... Was OUT OF THIS WORLD! Topped with whipped cream and ready to consume. Great service, good crowd, quality food to match their prices and the nutella latté has given me the drive to become a regular.
(5)Helen T.
I was introduced to this place several years ago when my sisters went to school at Central High School. I still love it because you can get a good salad soup or sandwich or indulge in some great desserts. I went last week and tried a tre leche cake so yummy! The only issue I have with this location is the parking. Either street park it or pay extra to park in the ramp.
(5)Abbie F.
Cafe Latte...wow! Part of me wants to say I wished I'd found this place sooner and the other part of me knows I'd be 15 pounds heavier if that was the case! Went there for dessert on a Saturday night. Since we couldn't pick just one dessert we ended up ordering four of them-tres leches, vanilla bean cheesecake, toffee cheesecake and German chocolate cake. My partner said that the vanilla cheesecake was the best he had ever had! I thought the German chocolate cake was pretty out of this world! The tres leches was also amazing delicious! The toffee was good too but not as amazing as everything else. I want to go back and try every single one of their desserts! I should have taken a picture for you too see but then the decision to go or not to go would have been too easy. You would have run there to get some if the desserts. The only downside is the desserts are pretty expensive at $6 each. However, they are REALLY DELICIOUS!
(5)Anjali M.
My biggest pet peeve is when a coffee shop doesn't have wifi. You're in an area with college students and professionals. Other than that, the food and tea selection is pretty good.
(3)Franz V.
Not what it used to be. Miss the old place.
(3)Naomi O.
It's such torture this place is a mile from my house. This is such a diet fail for yours truly, but the flourless chocolate cake - whoa! I make love to it so fast. SO GOOD. They had a mocha chocolate cake a couple months back... my my MY! mmmm! (keep in mind, their sweets are made on specific days/weeks, so ask the associate what's available that day). Not only is it a dessert place, but they serve other good eats such as soups, salads, pizza to name a few - which are also good! Once in a while, this girl loves her soup & salad...with a piece of dessert of course! It can get packed at times, but the wait is worth it.
(5)Jennifer Z.
I had such an enjoyable time here. I still don't know where this is but I love the neighborhood it is located in. There isn't any parking lots so you have to find street parking but there was plenty of that. You can order dessert cafeteria style and seat yourself. It is such a cute little place. I wish I worked nearby and could come here for lunch. The dessert was amazing! I had the original cheesecake and it was really good cheesecake according to my standards. It was on the pricier side but I will definitely come back here and explore some more.
(5)Jessica H.
Visiting from out of town and my girlfriend told me she was going to take me to get the best cheesecake in the entire world. I am not even understating when I say that this was hands down the best cheesecake I've ever had in my whole life. We got the original which came with a fat strawberry dipped in glaze. The whipped cream was fluffy airy and the perfect compliment to the smooth delicate bites of cheesecake. The texture of the crust is hard to describe. It literally melts in your mouth. This place is an absolute must try.
(5)Lauren S.
I love this place. I've been here for lunch once, and dessert twice. I left 100% satisfied all three times. When I came for lunch, it was an early spring day - cold, but sunny and pleasant. I was still an omnivore then, and I ordered the chicken noodle soup. I remember it blowing my mind; it was hearty and flavorful and packed with veggies. The second time, it was a miserably cold night, the day after an infamous Minnesota blizzard. We stopped in for dessert after a disappointing meal elsewhere. Nothing else could have cheered us up like those tarts and cakes did. I can't even remember exactly what they were called: one was chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, and the other two were some sort of tarts (one with peach, one with pear). Incredible. The third time, I met a friend there to say goodbye before moving to the east coast. She ordered the tres leche cake (which was fabulous), and I selected the strawberry almond mousse tart. Good gracious. Cafe Latte knows how to make food. Next time I'm in town, I'll most certainly try the espresso, and maybe give the food another go. Or just get more dessert. ;)
(5)Jason Y.
The coconut cake here is amazing amazing! They don't offer it all the time so be prepared to have a back up plan. I will stop and pick up slices of coconut cake here just to take home because I am so in love with it!! Parking is a tough one for this place. Be aware that this area is Saint Paul's worst area for parking tickets in the city. Watch out where you park when visiting this place.
(4)S T.
We got 2 salads, a mixture of rolls, and 6 cakes from Cafe Latte for our wedding, and it was fantastic and super affordable! The salads really dressed-up the dinner, made it look super gourmet and fancy, the guests couldn't stop commenting on how lovely the salads were. (our main food caterer was wonderful and didn't mind co-catering with Cafe Latte) We had a small traditional wedding cake from another bakery, but we also had a variety of cakes from Cafe Latte. The variety of cakes were such a hit, that they were all gone by the end of the night! Cafe Latte was super considerate and helpful during the ordering process. For example, after the initial order, they called asking how much time between pick-up and eating in terms of whether dressing should be put on so that it didn't get wilty so that we had beautiful presentation. In comparison to traditional wedding bakeries with $7-15/slice, the $2-4/slice we paid at Cafe Latte was a steal! And arguably tastier than any other bakery in town! And since we were able to get 6 different kinds of cake, everyone had something they liked, whether it was fruity and light, dense and chocolate, or rich cheesecake, etc.!
(5)Ken C.
Cafe Latte is my go to for desserts. No matter where I dine out for dinner in the cities, if I get a strong craving for dessert, I make my way over to Victoria Crossing in St. Paul (corner of Victoria and Grand). I love their turtle cafe, but I've tried just about every cake, cupcake, etc that they serve and they're all winners. They also have soup, sandwiches, and salads made to order but the dessert is the only reason to go in my opinion. Actually scratch that they do have a wine/pizza bar which is also good. Cafe Latte is great for a date, meet up with your friends or place to study/read. Lots of family's visit cafe Latte during the day so be prepared for the amount of kids you'll run into. Otherwise perfect. Enjoy!
(5)Guy C.
Stopped in late in the evening for a dessert and a coffee. Place was packed with many others doing the same. Decent German chocolate cake and latte'.
(3)Angie K.
Yummy! Cafe Latte has some amazing food! However, I'd rather go there for desserts than for a meal. It's really easy to go overboard in the cafeteria style line. By the time you get to the main course, you've already got your tray full of sides. Their spreads and soups are pretty delicious, if you get that far in the line! But, like I said, their main attraction is the dessert!
(4)Nikki R.
Really love this place. My girlfriends introduced me to it. I try to go at least once every month or so. Nice atmosphere, good food as well. Give it a try!
(4)Drew G.
Rude server. Got two lattes that were cool, or room temp at best. I think the milk was unsteamed and straight out of the fridge. I will most likely only go back for the cakes. Edited review: management responded to my email and has addressed my concerns. I'm impressed with their response and changed my rating.
(4)Vic S.
Nothing wrong with the food here. I've been coming here for 14yrs. The issue is the upstairs patrons. The dirt from the soles of their shoes has the potential to fall right down into the soup and bread below. Nobody has ever notice this because they are always looking down at the food. Next time you are there, when you get to the soups Look Up.
(2)Donna A.
Stopped in for lunch and had a decent smoked turkey with basil pasta salad, sourdough roll and the wonderful tres leches cake. Counter service was fine; cashiering seemed a little slow. One quibble: Why are there no salt and pepper shakers (or even little packets) anywhere except at the (often crowded condiments) station on the first floor? When I realized I wanted a little salt and pepper on my salad, I had to tromp downstairs, wait for the condiments line to clear, and then sprinkle salt into my palm (I hadn't expected to have to use the one salt and pepper in the restaurant, so hadn't brought down my salad). The counter help said the only salt and pepper was at the small, crowded condiments station. I'm not sure whether Cafe L is trying to save staff time/hassle filling up empty salt and pepper shakers, or whether this is a not-so-subtle admonishment to patrons that they shouldn't alter the food that's served, but the experience sure left a bad taste in my mouth.
(3)Tian Q.
Desserts (~$5 a slice): 1. German chocolate cake = Chocolate-chocolate cake with coconuts 2. The "famous" turtle cake = Chocolate-chocolate cake with caramel and pecan 3. Chocolate-chocolate cake = cake mix from Target? 4. Salted caramel tres leche; the tres leche cake portion, milky, moist, and delicious; salted caramel cream, puke Service: Friendly with an endearing grandpa working the counter; mostly self-serve Misc: Decent variety, average quality, clean and spacious setting Moral of the story, the cakes were nothing extraordinary, calm the fuck down.
(3)Mickelos G.
This is one of my favorite soup and said places by far! The Greek chicken salad is probably my favorite, and the chicken chili goes great with anything! They are always busy and the prices are decent. It's perfect for grabbing lunch and maybe even a little dessert to go! Their white chocolate pumpkin cheesecake was amazing!
(4)Jack F.
They have a cafeteria servicing style here and can be confusing at first, especially if they are busy, which they usually are. Their food is mediocre at best and with a high price point. If you are looking for a lunch spot I would hop across the street to Brasa. The desserts and coffee on the other hand are pretty good, the Tres Leche is my favorite cake, smooth, soft, and not too sweet. They have ample seating and open late if you are in the area to study, you can find a quite corner upstairs or around the other side by the bar. There is a lot of hype around this restaurant, people need to relax, its really not as good as you think, try Patrick's bakery in Edina, they do not mass produce a couple good cakes like this place does. Final word; If it was just a dessert place I would give them higher marks, but their food pulled them down like an anchor. BUT, get their tres leche if your in the area.
(3)Scott E.
We love Café Latte. Everything is awesome. On a nice summer night we stop in for a quiet dessert moment. For lunch we battle with the crowded room as the popularity of the place has a never ending long weekend lunch line. We bring our family here for special events. Parking is the only challenge. The service is super fast. The price for the quality is right. The staff is always friendly and smiling. It has a well designed interior from the upstairs area to the back wine bar area. The most difficult moment at Café Latte is deciding what to select. It all looks so good and tastes even better.
(5)sum l.
If you are in the cities and looking for delicious amazingly cake? Yes cake..! This is to place to be ... Tiramisu tres leche and strawberry cheesecake.. Don't worry about calories.. It just makes you happy happy person.
(5)Alaina M.
My girlfriend and I had an entire dinner of desserts. As an afterthought we got the fruit tart just because it was beautiful. I can easily say the fruit tart was the best fruit tart I've ever in my life. It was perfect!
(5)St. P.
Brilliant concept, exceptional delivery. I love this place. The salads, soups, and rolls do not disappoint. The desserts are divine. I highly recommend the classic vanilla cheesecake and turtle cake. Wow.
(5)Shue H.
In all honesty, I usually only come here for the cake. I've had the food here on several occations and it's nothing to really rave about, but the cake, I will rave about. Let me just put it this way, I haven't had a single slice of cake here that wasn't good. I live in Las Vegas, NV, and we seriously don't have a place that quite compares when it comes to cake. Thus, I make it a point to visit Cafe Latte several times during my visits to MN. They have seaonal cakes, so be sure to visit often...and maybe keep your regular workout routine going as well. My absolute favorites are their German Chocolate Cake, Strawberry Cheesecake, Lemon Tart, and Tres Leches. If you want an entire cake, be sure to place your order in advance. The atmosphere is very casual. This is a great place for a relaxed get-together or even a date. Who doesn't love a "sweet" date.
(5)Matt M.
Cafe Latte does it right. My favorite things here: 1. Tres Leche cake. This is amazing dessert, maybe my favorite dessert in the Twin Cities area. I've never had tres leche cake better anywhere, that's for sure. All their desserts are good- chocolate cakes are always super moist, turtle cake is another crowd pleaser. 2. The spread sampler. There's about 15 different spreads you can choose to put on fresh baked bread. The black bean spread is my personal favorite, but it's fun to try something new! Great to split with a few people. 3. Chicken salsa chili. This stuff is AMAZING, and the best part is they have the recipe on their website! Tastes just like it does there. 4. Southwest salad. This is one of those salads that probably isn't healthy for you at all (hi sour cream, hi cheddar cheese) but it's delicious. They put that black bean spread on it, and that makes it go from a regular taco salad to something much tastier. 5. The local art. A lot of places put up local art, but the art here is better than most. It's fun to always see different stuff hanging up from month to month! If you aren't looking at the art, be sure to people watch- all types of people come through here at lunch and dinner, from St. Thomas coasties to the 80 plus senior crowd.
(4)Kate M.
It's probably a good thing this place is far enough way to fall off my radar. I love their cheesecake - shortbread crust with a layer of whipped cream..It's rich but it's not overkill. The cheesecake isn't gummy/chewy, but fits perfectly in texture with the whipped cream. Last visit I tried their soup and bread, which were good too. I saw a pizza with squash that might have me back for dinner.
(4)Kelly S.
I remember going here YEARS ago & being amazed by the beautiful case of desserts & selection of coffee drinks. My husband & I rarely make it out to St. Paul, so while in the area last night we made a stop at Cafe Latte. Wow, has this place gone downhill!!! The options for desserts are slim. 3 cheesecakes, a tres leches cake, a salted caramel cake, a turtle & german chocolate cake. Everything looked & sounded fairly similar, which I thought was strange. We opted for the tres leches & the turtle, based on the other reviews. The staff were clearly annoyed to have paying customers disrupting their co-worker conversations. Once we had her attention a female staff member sliced up the cakes (while continuing to talk to her co-workers) & then slammed the 2 plates of sloppily sliced desserts onto the counter. We said thank you, she said nothing. We were a little confused as to how the flow of the restaurant worked so we asked where to go to order coffee drinks. She told us to pick up our desserts & walk around to the back bar area to order the coffee, so we complied. When we arrived at the back bar, same situation! An employee way more interested in chatting with co-workers than serving guests. When she was available, she slowly made my husband a cappachinno & poured me a luke-warm coffee. Our bill was $18 & the desserts weren't good enough to finish. The service left us insulted & the vibe of the place is lacking, considering it's inside a mall & packed with baby showers & chatty ladies. I will definitely not return!
(1)Chris C.
My daughter who lives in MN LOVES this place; she even had their cakes at her wedding, so we stopped by for desserts. I tried a bite of her Tres Leches cake that was OH SO GOOD that I'd wished I'd ordered it. I ordered the German Chocolate cake since I'm a chocaholic and it was divine. My husband's Turtle cake was also yummy. I had a bite of the cheesecake that was also good but I prefer a graham crust. The other food looked good too so I want to stop back here next time I'm in town.
(4)Manij S.
Best Tres leches in town. You won't be disappointed. Good selection of salads and sandwich along with some soup
(5)Christina P.
Café Latte is an absolute favorite of mine. Virtually everything is delicious here, whether it be desserts, salads, bread and spread sampler (love), and soups. Don't forget the pizza, their margherita is amazing (on a good day). I really love the fruit tart they have here, make sure you get the fruit cream one, not almond. It really makes a difference. Unless you prefer your tarts more bread-y. Besides that, the cheesecake and flourless chocolate cake are great choices as well. Their coffee is excellent with the desserts.
(5)Saul A.
First time eating here. Learned about it through am950. Shared the turkey avocado sandwich, chicken dijon stew, and turtle chocolate cake. We liked everything and finished it off with wine and a beer. Great place. Will be returning.
(4)Qaiser B.
One of the best places to have desserts in twin cities, in my humble opinion. I love their Tres Leeche and Raspberry Torte cake. The place is a little pricey and can get a little crowded at times however take out is also an option. Its on Grand Ave and parking can get a little nightmarish.
(5)Abdallah A.
Cakes A+, Hot drinks A+, friendly service and great atmosphere. food: soups good, salad is ok without chicken, chicken on salad not good at all. the spread of 2 or 3 items is very good. NO WIFI. other than that this place is a very nice place to be at specially on the weekend.
(5)Bea V.
BEST cakes I have ever had. EVER. 'nough said.
(5)Sammy V.
You just got to try all there cakes! Amazing! Moist, tasteful, and wow! My all time favorite if the cheesecake and the tres leche cake!
(5)M S.
Like: combo plate with fruit, scone, jam, and clotted cream. Cappuccino. Their solo scone, clotted cream and jam. The customer service. The fact that you can call ahead in the evening to see if they have scones left....and they told me which kind too. The english current is very good and it's pretty true to nature to London's and the Pump House in Bath. Don't Like: the cafeteria style set-up. It's not so much a cafe as a boring food bar with the basic salad and sandwich options. Cafe Latte was so played up to me as THE place to go for breakfast that I was really disappointed. Thank god for the scone combo. I'd like to try more bakery options. Oh, and on my second trip I saw they had a nice bar on the bakery side of the place. Maybe cocktails in the future.
(4)Lesley G.
Great desserts! No one in the MSP area could disagree!
(4)Amy R.
I've eaten here a handful of times. Mainly for dessert and to catch up with friends. While it's a notable and popular place (the parking lot and surrounding streets always reflect that) there is just something off about the whole dining in experience. Could be that it's really loud and crowded, but its a popular place so I expect that. Could it be the cafeteria style dining? Nah, I don't really mind that. I like seeing the fresh salad ingredients they are throwing together for my salads. The desserts? Nah. They are pretty decadent. Especially the turtle cheesecake which is highly recommended. They do have quite a bit of variety of good looking desserts to choose from. Cakes, cheesecakes, tarts and other pastries. I can't put my finger on it, I just prefer to grab my stuff and go. It's more of a 3.5 for me. Just can't consider myself a fan of the whole experience.
(3)Jessica T.
This review is for the High Tea offered here every day. Go to the back (where they have the pizza/wine bar) and say you'd like the High Tea. For about $13 you choose type of tea, dessert (they give you about 3 options). The dessert options are usually a fruit tart, as well as chocolate cakes. After a few minutes they bring out a silver tray with an individual tea pot with your tea steeping and cup/saucer. The beauty that follows is this; a tray with your dessert, 4 triangular cream cheese/cucumber sandwiches, scone, two small tea cookies, chocolate heart candy, 3 little containers (one raspberry, creme fresh, lemon curd) to dip scone and/or cookies. My friends and I like the high tea for a girls' lunch, celebrate joint birthdays, treat your mom and take out of towners. It's such a good price for all the food you get. I usually need a take home box. Plus, you get to feel like a lady.
(5)Catherine C.
It was a cold and windy Autumn night and my roomie and I decided to go to Cafe Latte for some food, desserts and coffee. This was my first time going to this place, and I absolutely loved it! Even at 9pm, the place is packed with people having supper, chatting and enjoying a nice Friday night out. I was very impressed with the desserts. I had the Tres Leches (to go) and then I got a Chocolate Kahlua Cheesecake which was to die for! Ordered a decaf coffee which was fresh and hot and just perfect on this chilly evening. The Tres Leche cake was ok - I wish I could say I loved it more. It's not super sweet, which is good, but I think I enjoyed the cheesecake more. My roommate swears by the Turtle Cake, she says it's the best ever - so I'm trying that next time for sure! What a lovely place. I am certainly going to be coming back for more.
(5)Kim R.
I've been to Cafe Latte numerous times, but last night was the first time we went to the other side of the cafe and ordered pizza. It was delicious! It was also nice that you can pick a seat and they will serve you. We ordered their seasonal pizza with pesto, chicken and squash. I loved the sweet flavor of the squash paired with the pesto. Normally I do not like red onions, but they were great on this pizza. We also ordered a bowl of the chicken salsa chili and it was phenomenal. I've had this soup before and it's always great. I like that they serve it with tortilla chips, cheese and sour cream. The toppings just add a little something extra. You can't leave Cafe Latte without desert. We had the triple berry tart. It was full of juicy blueberries and had a great shortbread crust. Definitely big enough for two to share!
(4)Leigh J.
My most reliable go-to lunch place! Call ahead to find out what their salads & soups are for the day. My favorite is the white bean rosemary soup & chocolate cupcakes with homemade chocolate frosting.
(5)Amy C.
What's up with the pissy remarks about the place being overrun by suburban soccer moms? Sheesh. Elitist much? Yes, I live in the suburbs, though I'm not a soccer mom. It can't be difficult to understand why I would seek out food in urban areas rather then allowing my taste buds to languish at Perkins or Applebees. I'm pretty sure the owners don't care what zip code is on my license. Anyway. I've loved this place since moving to the Cities 13 years ago. Of course the desserts are heavenly and you probably need an insulin shot after browsing the pastry case, but the food here is wonderful too. I love the homemade soups and fresh baked rolls. For a light meal/late dinner, the wine bar makes tasty little pizzas that aren't too bad.
(4)William F.
Cafe Latte has really great desserts, with my favorite being their turtle cake. The actually food isn't worth it though. Atleast they realize this and sale it cafeteria style (pushing). Parking is terrible though, good luck on street parking. With all of that said it was worth the struggle for decadent delight. ;)
(4)Kim L.
They have really good cakes!!! Although it's a little bit pricey, it is still very good. This is the place where I normally come for my cake cravings.The environment there is great. I love how they have an upstairs dining area. I also like the spread samplers. The guacamole with bread is amazing!
(4)Jennifer H.
All I know is their tres leche cake and it is amaze-ballz!!! I'm not big on chocolate and super sweet desserts are not my thing. This tres leches cake is perfect, though from the amazing reviews of the Black Forest cake ill have to come back and give it a try. Never had any other food or cakes. May come back since its such a cute place...
(5)Beth N.
I visited Cafe Latte a while back this winter, my boyfriend and I came here while running errands and killing time before a movie. I have always held Cafe Latte very high on my list for places to eat in St Paul, even after only eating here a few times in the past. I came here today looking for healthy, non-sandwich options, and I was very disappointed in the lack of variety. I ended up getting a pasta salad, which was very flavorless. The only redeeming quality of this place is obviously the cake and desserts, which were really good (of course). Just wish there were more healthy options!
(2)Bunny P.
I drive over an hour regularly so I can enjoy the tres leches cake from Café Latte! My favorite, so worth it.
(5)Latha P.
Delectable cakes ! Best in St.Paul.
(4)Lauren D.
We had the turtle cake, coffee, and an afternoon tea. The food was okay, but we really loved the atmosphere. It seems like a great place for studying (especially with the tasty desserts and free coffee refills). We didn't get lunch, but the sandwiches and salad bar looked yummy.
(4)Sarah Z.
Yum! I finally wasn't let down by a salad! Because they know how to do things right here. Usually, when I go to a restaurant and feel like being healthy I get excited because restaurants should make good salad right? Most of the time they're actually not good. But this one was! Lucky me. I like how you can kind of order whatever you want here, you just have to stand in line a few times. I did unfortunately get pretty confused the first time I came here, and the people behind the counter making the food seemed a little impatient with me. So minus one star for that, but otherwise I had a really good experience. The interior of the restaurant is nice. I don't know why, but it just puts me in a good mood to enjoy their food. It's fun to sit upstairs and watch everyone below ordering their meals. They also have plenty of things to go. You can get awesome cakes and pies and other sweets. Can't wait to try more of them. The neighborhood is also really fun. You can walk up and down Grand just to enjoy the night, or to shop and explore! Can't wait to visit again.
(4)Jane R.
Never had anything here I didn't like... All of the food is excellent. The service isn't anything to rave about, which is why I give Cafe Latte four stars, not five. The highlight here is the tres leches cake. It is the BEST I ever had; it's tart, not sweet - it's milky, not sticky. It's the best, that's it. I live in Las Vegas now, and usually whenever I see a tres leches cake on a restaurant menu, I always try it, hoping I'll find a match to Cafe Latte's. - I have not been successful. This place is worth going to for a quick power lunch, or a coffee/tres leches break. Note: I recommend sitting on the second floor... It's quieter than the first level - better for conversations with friends : )
(4)Jennifer K.
I can't believe I have never reviewed this place! I have been going here forever! We shared the spread sampler, with 3 scoops of spreads and a roll and cucumbers. The chicken salad, salmon spread, and pâté are all amazing. I had a lovely chicken Caesar. This place is just my happy place. There isn't a bad meal to be had! Talked myself into lemon cream birthday cake, and of course a Cafe Latte. Need to make it a point to get here more often.
(5)Kevin K.
Bakery is awesome. Have to try the damp use turtle cake! Yum! A little on the pricey end for cakes but well worth it.
(4)Risa Y.
I love Cafe Latte. This review is for the desserts only, not the main dishes .which are a bit mediocre...the salads, soup and sandwiches...it's the basics but it is good. That being said, even though the main dishes may be a bit mediocre... their desserts are OUTSTANDING. So what makes their dessert outstanding and different from the other bakeries in the Twin Cities? Well, to me, there are two: CHEESE CAKE and their HIGH TEA platter. First, their cheese cake...IT IS TO DIE FOR! I have never ever been a fan of cheesecake, ever I've always found it too sweet and dense for me. Well, until I was introduced to Cafe Latte. Wow, for you non-cheesecake people, be sure to be blown away. My experience with their cheese cake: now this cheese cake is so light, heavenly, creamy and just the right texture and sweetness, it literally melts in my mouth. Favorite is the original vanilla cheese cake with the glazed strawberry and whipped cream. You haven't lived until you try this cheesecake! If you haven't yet, do so soon! I also love cafe latte for their afternoon "High Tea" which is offered every afternoon, including Saturday and Sunday. My girlfriends and I have this ritual of coming here once a year on a Sunday, to enjoy this special treat. For $13 you choose type of tea, dessert (they give you about 3 options of cakes and tarts), finger cream cheese/cucumber sandwiches, scone, two small tea cookies, chocolate heart candy, 3 mini dip containers (one raspberry, creme fresh, lemon curd) to dip the scones and cookies. It's all served on a beautful silver tray, with your own tea pot and cup...so pretty. Yes, it's an eyeful, but you don't have to eat it all - you can take it home to enjoy later or the next day or two...! Cafe Latte is a great place for a get together, too. Located on Grand Avenue in St. Paul...really cute area.. I'm so glad that I live in Minneapolis, though...otherwise it will be hard to stay away!
(5)Jonathan K.
Always love coming here for a nice lunch. I always like to get the chicken caesar pasta salad although the daily ones they provide are pretty good too. I also grab a cup of their soups to go along with my meal which provide a good variety. The cardamom potato sausage soup I had was delicious. To finish off the meal I had my favorite dessert - Cafe Latte' tres leche. So good!
(4)John R.
Great place for coffee and dessert after dinner. It's like the D'Amico's of dessert. Order at the counter, take it to your table. Quick and easy. Any place that invents my favorite cake (Tres Leches) and puts the recipe on the web so my wife can make it every year for my birthday is okay by me.
(5)Kelly S.
Why I've not yet reviewed this place is strange to me. If I lived closer to Grand Avenue, I'd be in trouble. Decadent Desserts Galore! And not that this place needs anymore praise, but I'll give it to them anyway. I know I use the word favorite a lot in my reviews, but since life is short and good food is a great social tool, I'm adding this one to my list. If you get there for lunch at about 11 on weekends, my favorite time to go, you can just beat the lunch rush. The chicken pasta salad with added artichokes is my favorite with a sandwich on the side with as many healthy condiments as you so choose. But need I remind you to save room for dessert? Well just for the sake of how delightful they all are, save room for dessert! Split two with a friend if you must, just don't miss out on all their mouth watering tasty treats!
(5)Erin P.
Cafe Latte is a classic installation on Grand Avenue. This is a fantastic spot to meet a friend to catch up over some coffee and a delicious dessert or a light lunch. The desserts are the highlight for me here, but the food is nice as well. Classic soups, sandwiches, and salads which all taste like they're well prepared. My favorite here though is their tea service. For about $13, you get tea, a cucumber sandwich, a scone, shortbread cookies, a slice of dessert (you get to choose from a selection of 3-4) and chocolate hearts. This is an amazing value for everything you get, and a lovely way to spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. They have tea service available daily from 11 am - 5 pm -- just go to the back counter to ask for it. I did this with a small group of girls for an informal baby shower, and it was perfect. Definitely would do it again!
(4)Alisha H.
I've loved this place since we used to stroll the shops along Grand Avenue in college on a lazy sunday. Is it a little pricey? Sure. Is it ALWAYS packed with Summit Ave Moms pushing oversized strollers? Absolutely. Does it lack a patio? Sadly, yes. BUT. It does have some great options to linger around on a slow day with a cup of coffee. Things not to be missed: *Chicken Salsa Chili - I don't care if it's the middle of summer or the coldest day of the year. This chili is yummy year round. Comes with tortilla chips, bread, cheese, sour cream, and onions (if you choose). They even package it up really nice to go. *The Bread Sampler: Hello carbs. A mini loaf of bread served with your choice of two or three spreads garnished with cucumbers and tomatoes. The roasted red pepper, chicken dill, tuna, hummus, they're all good. *Tres Leche cake: A staple for birthday celebrations. *Original Cheesecake: Need I say more? A huge glazed strawberry atop fluffy cheesecake and a crumbly crust. Stop in for a snack, dessert or just to peruse the cafe line for next time.
(4)Quincy M.
Cafe Latte is a delicious cafe on Grand Avenue. My personal favorites are the sandwiches, particularly, the Egg Salad. The spread platter and the soups are also delicious as well. They are a great place to grab lunch, the only downfall can be if you come during a rush it gets crowded very quickly and finding a table gets difficult. In addition to lunch, they also are a cafe and have all sorts of coffee beverages and deserts. My go to desert is the Turtle Cake. It is carmel, pecans, dark chocolate, and to top it off it is 3 layers. Overall, Cafe Latte is a great place to have lunch, but watch out for the crowds because they come quick!
(5)kyle t.
Chocolate Cake that is so sinful you almost feel dirty after you're done eating it, like you've just experienced something in public that should be private. Maybe that's just me and maybe it was the company but damn that cake was good. Really nice open location and great coffee (although after having a latte my stomach was doing some kind of nasty dance, had been a long night though) and a very nice decor. This is the place you want to come after a few drinks and really relax and unwind a bit. Add to that the incredible desserts and all in life is good. KT
(4)Joel R.
Apparently this kind of place is not my style. I found the food to be lackluster, the atmosphere to be reminiscent of a pretentious liberal arts college cafeteria and the whole thing to be bland and uninteresting. My wife, however, loves it. To each her own.
(2)Norris B.
The best peanut butter and jelly sandwich east of the Grand Canyon. The desserts are to die for? It's always busy and seating can sometime be a challenge.
(5)Kathy S.
Some nights, I just need good food and a good conversation. A friend brought me to Cafe Latte yesterday, and then I decided that this is where ALL of those nights are going to happen from now on! The first thing I came upon after getting to Cafe Latte was the dessert area. Holy freakin' cakes! I stood there drooling over the tres leches and cheesecake AND German chocolate cake until I realized that I hadn't actually eaten dinner yet (though who says you can't eat dessert before dinner?), so we grabbed our trays and headed down the good ol' cafeteria line. The butternut wild rice soup was creamy and surprisingly light, a good fit with the cheddar pepper roll I got, while my friend's white bean and rosemary soup was delish as well. I loved hanging out in the upstairs seating, enjoying the view of Grand Ave. For dessert, I loaded up with a huge slice of the lemon cream torte, which I hadn't stopped thinking about since I first set eyes on it. As a lemon fiend, this was absolutely heaven on a plate - especially the whipped cream frosting. The atmosphere is great for just sitting around catching up with friends, though it got a little loud during dinner, which doesn't surprise me. Loved the incredibly friendly service too...thanks for putting a smile on my face, guys! I'm kind of planning my next Cafe Latte date as we speak.
(5)Angela K.
stopped in for lunch. only had the santa fe veggie salad and a sour dough roll. it was ok. being vegan and trying to pick out something was a headache. the ingredients aren't listed on the signs and because it's extremely packed/busy it just felt rushed. they could have had more plain salad and sandwich options than what was offered.
(3)Mariel L.
Came here for an impromptu dessert outing with some friends, and I was really excited to try this place out. It was fun gawking at all the different pies, cakes, and more. I went for their "Famous" turtle cake, even though my first instinct was to get the Mocha White Chocolate cheesecake. Note to self: ALWAYS go with your gut. I mean, the turtle cake was very delicious and all. Lovely, sweet but not overly so, and just the right amount of caramel and chocolate mixed together. I had a bite of my friend's cheesecake though, and I think I want to come back and try that one. They also have some creative hot chocolate drinks and I got the one with cardamom and it was absolutely divine. LOVE the cardamom-infused chocolate drink and whipped cream on top. I can definitely see myself coming back here when my weird random cake cravings attack. Not that I've ever actually gone out of my way to eat a cake. But hey, there's a first time for everything.
(3)Shital S.
Used to be a great place. Parking is very tough and the garage is expensive. Wifi is not strong and goes on and off. No outlets. Food is good, but expensive for cafeteria style. There is good food at other nearby venues. Good place to go on a special occasion.
(2)Lindsay H.
Uh oh. What has happened? Since when did I enjoy eating cakes and sweets?! Ever since I found out about Cafe Latte, I've been here about six or seven times. The food is so-so, but the cake slices are delicious. Sometimes the line could get long, but their desserts will make any day better! Try the milk choco tres leche or the regular. I'm not a chocolate fan, but I heard the German Choco is yummers too, if you like chocolate!
(5)Linda H.
I agree with my fellow yelpers in that most the food here is scrumptious! My faves are the salads and the desserts of course!! I love the Three Milk Cake and most the cheesecakes. The turtle and German chocolate cakes are super yummy and big enough to share but that comes from someone who is NOT a huge chocolate lover. They have a nice wine bar in the back where they serve pizzas. It looks like a nice place to catch up with an old friend. I have never had a coffee drink, regular cup of Joe on up to a flavored mocha or latte, that I like here...I stay away from their coffee. If you are really lucky, you can get half off goods by the back cash register area. Breads, croutons, and once in a while, day old pieces of cake. Usually around 9 PM is when you will start seeing these or when they first open. We stop in regularly just to see whats in the half price area. Why i am giving this place three stars is because I was around when Cafe Latte first opened (Yes, it never used to have an upstairs!). Over the years, I have seen the service diminish. The employees don't seem to want to be there and are not friendly at all. Maybe we just have had bad luck but when I go next time, I will upgrade my stars when I get someone that actually smiles!
(3)Jennifer S.
Meeting others for an early lunch on a Thursday, I found no long waiting line for once. Yeah! I opted for their pre-made salads sampler plate. Each of the 3 salads I selected were chocked full of fresh vegetables and other ingredients, and flavorful dressings. My whole wheat roll was good. My dining companions seemed quite satisfied with their respective Caesar salads and chili. Seems we got there at the right time since hoards of people began streaming in after we sat down upstairs and commenced with our meal. I noticed the lovely new painting hanging on the walls around the restaurant. I love how they always present new art.
(4)Amy S.
I love this place so much I had 7 different cakes from here instead of a traditional wedding cake all those years ago, but I vary rarely get to go here now that I have 4 kids. Today my husband and I had an unplanned 2 hours all to ourselves and decided to treat ourselves to lunch. We had the salad sampler, spread sampler and some soup and enjoyed every last bite. I did not enjoy, however, the rude employee who did not hide her annoyance when I asked what my options were for bread with the spread sampler. She pointed to a basket with three different types of bread that were not labeled and said, "um, they are right there" as she rolled her eyes. The employee working at the cash register made up for it though. She was so outgoing, friendly, patient and so on. She really seemed to be enjoying herself and every single customer she helped.
(4)Tasha G.
When it comes to dessert at Cafe Latte. I'll take two please. When I'm with friends or family near the Grand Ave. area and they haven't tried Cafe Latte, it's always the first place I recommend when grabbing a bite for lunch. And so far, it hasn't disappointed. I must say, I mainly love this place because of the dessert and the tea/coffee but the food, wine, bread, and pizza are definitely a bonus. During my last visit my mom, future mom-in-law, and I split the Chicken Caesar Pasta salad, the Chicken Salsa Chili, a Tuna sandwich that my mom created, and slices of German Chocolate cake and the Salted Caramel Tres Leches cake. Needless to say, we all were "yumming" our way though this lunch. Everything tasted great, and what was even better is the recipes for the salad and the chili (along with a few others) are posted on Cafe Latte's website. Score! My only tidbit of advice for people making their first visit here, beware of the long lines. Especially at peak lunch and dinner times. But long lines in this case are definitely worth the wait and reflective of the quality of food you're going to get. I'll definitely be back. Again and again.
(5)Annie C.
If you live near Grand Ave and haven't been here then you're missing out! Cakes galore, this place probably has something for everyone! For first timers I would recommend the Tres Leches cake. It was definitely my favorite. It's not like one of those overly artificially sweet cakes, but just sweet enough to satisfy my sweet tooth. If you're more of a chocolate lover (who isn't?), the turtle cake is a must try; moist, decadent and oh so amazing. If you're looking for more of a meal I would recommend that you try the soups. I came on a rather chilly afternoon, and the soup warmed me right up. They have a nice selection of soups, salads, sandwiches and pastas here so you're guaranteed to find something of your liking. If you're in the area, Cafe Latte is definitely worth a try! (Especially the cakes.)
(5)Rachel C.
Good Selection, Good Salads! Really good fresh food
(4)Karen F.
I've eaten here for lunch many times but what makes me come back again and again are their delectable cakes. This weekend, we ordered four different cakes- turtle chocolate, strawberry and rhubarb cheesecake, choco buttercream, and raspberry vanilla whip cream torte. Our group was very pleased with their choices. I personally LOVED my rhubarb/ raspberry cheesecake- if they sold that topping in a jar, I would have bought a couple that night. Also, the cheesecake had a wonderful consistency. Needless to say, our plates were clean. So even if you don't eat here for lunch or dinner, make a trip for dessert!
(3)Nathan P.
One of my favorite places for lunch! The setting is very intimate and trendy. Situated right on the corner of Grand & Victoria in Saint Paul, this place is the perfect meeting place fora casual get together and quick bite to eat. Service is Cafeteria style, so I recommend taking a quick peek down the line before grabbing a tray. As far as food goes, best option is half sandwich (or cup of soup) with a salad. The Cafe Caesar is a great twist on the Caesar Salad with Kalamata olives (pits are in so beware!), tomatoes, artichoke hearts and the house caesar dressing! There are usually about 3-4 soups, and I highly recommend the Chicken Paprikash if they have it available that day! Now for dessert. Probably best known for their tempting cases filled with delicious tortes, cheesecakes and cakes, this is the place for some of the best desserts in the Twin Cities. Turtle Cake is their signature dessert. Rich chocolate cake with caramel and pecans; hello what could be better?! Occasionally the have their Lingonberry Pecan Cake, which is to DIE FOR! Be sure to look in the cases for "A Slice wit ha Pick", these are smaller portions I'm assuming that didn't cut symmetrically from the main cake, and they are half price! Great way to try the different desserts! Overall, this place gets nothing but high marks from me. Great place for lunch with friends, or a light dinner with casual conversation!
(5)Mike E.
Picture this: it's Friday night, and your evening has been a quiet one at home. Perhaps you and your posse (in my case, The Wolf Pack) ate in to save a few bucks, then as the night progressed, you began to get restless. Rather than the usual trip to a movie or the bar, someone has the clever suggestion of coffee drinks and dessert at Cafe Latté. The desserts are worth the trip alone, but I love the buzz that permeates this place. The coffee is legit, with free refills of regular coffee to boot. Great date spot, too. It's a nice alternative to the bar scene, I think.
(4)Jerry B.
One word: Cheesecake.
(5)Sitavy T.
If it wasn't for my cousins, I would have never found the place. To me it was kind of hidden and the place looked eh, thinking that it is not that great....but O em Gee...the desserts were SO AMAZING. I ordered the chocolate banana cheesecake. The lady cut the slice to small and offered it for $2. I didn't think the original slice would cost that much so I said to just give me the original size. Turns out, the original size didn't make a difference and it cost $6. Shit. But it was still delicious. My cousin ordered the Raspberry almond mousse. I just wanted to get fat because of it. My other cousin ordered Raspberry tortes...now that...that I want to become obese with it. the BEST cake I have ever tasted. It has been a month since i tasted it and all I know is that the flavors were really balanced. Normally, american cakes tends to be really sweet and filled with icing and whipped cream, but it was moderate sweet, you can taste the raspberry perfectly along with the cake, the cream was so smooth and light and it was just plain amazing. There was another order of a chocolate chocolate cake. That was a beast. The slice was like 3 of the other slices combined. All chocolate. But it was good and moist. Need a lot of milk to go with it though. They also sell pizza and other stuff, but all I know is the dessert. Soo pretty much it is like Panera bread, but with cakes :] Too bad I live in California. I would come to this place when I am depressed, happy, content,......ehh you get the picture.
(4)Mahesh K.
Cafe Latté is a very popular place in the TC for food and desserts. For this NYE party, I ordered a Tres Leches cake from them and I must say, it was the best tasting cake ever. I hope to try their food, which is supposedly as good as their desserts, one of these days. Only minor issue is that they don't write messages on the cake which I think they should to get the 5th star. And yeah, parking could be a problem on Grand. Well, there are way too many restaurants and coffee shops on Grand and most of them are busy during lunch and dinner.
(4)Samantha W.
Good but not worth the hype or price.
(3)Liuyin S.
I've lived in Minneapolis for nearly 2 years and I JUST discovered this gem last night when my friend, who's lived in the Twin Cities for many years, took me after a evening of ballroom dancing. Super glad that the cafe didn't close until 11! When I first heard of "Cafe Latte," I imagined a small coffee shop, like Expresso Royale or Spyhouse, and thus was pleasantly surprised by the food offerings and the spaciousness of the place with seating all around the cafeteria-style serving line with an upstairs section too! As I picked up my black cafeteria tray, I momentarily reminisced to the old elementary to high school day where you either had "hot" lunches or "cold", and suddenly imagined everyone jumping up on their tables in a High-School-Musical-like late night St Paul rendition. Snapping out of the singing and dancing, I had to concentrate on food choices... One side of the serving line offered sandwiches and soups and the other side offered desserts. I was about to get a cup ($4.95) of the Chipotle Bean Chili, but had the lady upgrade me to a bowl ($6.95) when I realized you got 2 spoonfuls for the bowl and only one for the cup. Topped with cheddar cheese, red onions, and nacho chips, I was ready to spoon in. The texture of the soup with the crunchy chips was delightful and the slight kick of the chipotle made all the difference. Dessert was a tough choice, but we finally settled on the Turtle Chocolate Cheesecake. I tend to prefer my cheesecake like I do my mattress, a bit on the firmer side, but the melt-in-your-mouth goodness was very much appreciated. First bite in, I felt the cheesecake was a little bland; judging to soon is always a mistake as a moment later the creaminess really kicked in. The after-bite is a kicker and the chocolate cheesecake crust was probably the best part. I finished my whole bowl of soup, along with some bread, and my half of the cheesecake and I was good to go. It was exactly the rejuvenating meal I needed prior to dancing the rest of the night away downtown Minneapolis. Thanks Michael for introducing me to this fabulous cafe!
(4)Alexandra H.
I may be young, but I've had a lot of cake in my day and let me tell you, Cafe Latté does Tres Leches cake the way God intended. (I'm willing to wager that this is the REAL manna.) Although Tres Leches happens to be my cake de choix, everything I've ever tried at Cafe Latté was wonderful...and like I said, I've had a lot of cake. This is a great place to grab dessert or a 'light' lunch...'light' so that you can go heavy on the dessert.
(5)Jarrin W.
Of course Cafe Latte gets five stars but let it be known that I'm biased when it comes to any place with picturesque desserts! (It's so good that I forgot to take a picture of my meal today.) The servers behind the cafeteria-style counter are friendly. The atmosphere should be what you expect from a cafeteria-style diner. The food is the true star here. I don't usually try anything new when I come here. I can eat the Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad and it didn't disappoint today. All of the salads look fresh. They make the sandwiches fresh and I'm sure I wouldn't have gone wrong if I had ordered one. The soups and chilis also look like they could satisfy hunger visitors. I will never eat at Cafe Latte and NOT have dessert. I had the Chips 'n Chunks cheesecake today. I'm not a drinker or a smoker but I could've used a cigarette after lunch today... it was that good! :)
(5)Kelly H.
Even though I try to eat somewhere new every time I come back to Narnia and feel like I'm being cheated of an new and exciting experience if I go somewhere I've already been, Cafe Latte is an exception. Its our default spot when multiple palettes must be appeased. Being vegan is getting easier in the Twin Cities, but Cafe Latte has always been a great spot for meatless fare. From the beet salad, to the Szechuan wild rice pilaf, and the killer chipotle chili plus their fabulous diner rolls, I have rarely been disappointed. Though some salads have far too much dressing, they are still flavorful and creative. The wine selection is good and nestling in the back to share a bottle provides a terrific setting for some lovely evening chit chat. Now if they could just make a vegan tart or German chocolate cake, I will give it 5 stars.
(4)Mere W.
I will start off by saying that Cafe Latte has a special place in my heart. It was one of my first dates with my now husband about 5 1/2 years ago. That said, I do LOVE their food as well. Anyplace that you order dessert before lunch / dinner is good in my book. It just so happens that the dessert is great! My two favorites are the tres leches and raspberry tortes. However, if I'm in a decedent mood I get the cheesecake or cobblers. I have never actually ordered their chocolate cakes but I have some chocolate lover friends that are obsessed. The pre-made salads and soups are also very hearty. This is a great option for large hungry groups. While the experience can be overwhelming the food will make it worthwhile. If you just want dessert / coffee I recommend you use the counter in the back as it is much faster. The line can get annoying up front but they are pretty efficient at making it go fast. The only time I've had an undesirable experience is when other patrons get obnoxious. If you can avoid that, you'll be golden. Lastly, in lieu of not wanting a traditional wedding cake, my husband and I opted for about 15 cakes from cafe latte for our reception. They were amazingly easy to work with! Also, everyone at our wedding was impressed with the choices. I highly recommend them for your next event / wedding.
(5)Maria S.
Stopped in here while on a business trip. Had an EXCELLENT Quinoa and asparagus salad and a Japanese salad and a latte. Everything was great! Good portions. Decent prices! I like it!
(4)Sharon S.
I tried tres leches and it was good! I personally like afro deli tres.leches but this one tastes decent:)
(3)Crystal S.
Awesome! Amazingly huge and tasty desserts, cute place, and adorable neighborhood. Plus, all the other food options looked awesome, I will be back!!
(5)Amanda H.
Desserts = 5 stars; Food = 3+ stars. The desserts are the trip driver, the wine is a bonus, and the food is a nice to have in case you're looking for something quick and casual. I LOVE this place for a drink and dessert with a friend and I love that it's open a bit later than a typical cafe. I have yet to try the pizza on the bar side but the people sitting at the bar with a drink and a pizza always look like they are having a fabulous time :)
(4)Nicole P.
Busy and rightfully so. Cake was AWESOME! We stopped in for a slice of sweets after some shopping on Grand. I had a Chai Latte (which is made with pre-bought mix, it was ok) and a slice of raspberry layer cake. The butter-cream frosting was smooth and thick, the raspberry preserve was well made and had a great fresh flavor, the cake was dense and dry to nicely pair with the moist frosting and filling. I'm a big sweet's person but I was still unable to finish my whole slice. It was a great place to sit with a girlfriend and eat & chat. You can order regular food but we cheated and went to the short coffee & cake line around the back. We skipped the food and the lines, though I have heard that their food is great for a light lunch. I'm only giving a three star now, after 1 a-ok experience. I would bump up my rating after another good visit.
(3)Eva Y.
Creme tortes... salads... soups.... what can I say. My favorite place ever since 1997. The last time I visited MN after being away from 4 years.... still so yummy! The California cakes may be decent and fancy... nothing beats the black forest cake here at cafe latte... and I am lactose intolerant! The cake itself is so moist and the butter cream frosting.... just fluffy and light. The flourless cake is very dense but it's great with a nice cup of java. They serve their espresso drinks with these thin wafers that are made locally. I always enjoy their soup selection and they also serve pizza too. Yum!!!
(5)Stephanie K.
Cafe Latte is a nice casual place to grab a bite and hang out. For dinner, they feature salads, sandwiches and soups. It's a little hard to see what they offer without walking all the way down the buffet line and then going back to order. It would be nice if they had a menu by the entrance. Cafe Latte is also very well known for their desserts. Every dessert I've had here has been fantastic. The turtle cake "takes the cake" for me! It's amazing!! The food here is solid but nothing too exciting. Their basil tomato soup has chunks of potato in it, which I find a bit odd but it tastes pretty good. Overall, I'd just go here if you need a light casual meal or if you're looking for dessert.
(3)Prescilla X.
HOLY SMOKES....THIS PLACE IS AMAZIIIIIIIING! The only reason why this place doesn't get 5 stars is due to the fact that it's got the worst parking situation--the street. Granted, this place is cafeteria style where you have to grab a tray and go down the line and point at what you want like grade-school but it's sooooooooo worth it! It is absolutely delish and you can physically see what you're ordering. They've got a plethera of things to eat like different salads, sandwiches, and soups. Their desserts are to DIE for...there's so much to chose from and each one was amazing. MUST TRY: --Tuna Salad with farfalle pasta --Turkey Sandwich w/ Avocado and fresh guacamole --Tres Leches cake
(4)Georgia M.
Cafe Latte began as an upscale bakery that morphed into the premiere St. Paul hot spot. From several varieties fresh baked bread, scones and muffins to my favorite three layer German Chocolate or Turtle Cakes, or homemade Dried Cherry Granola, this is the bakery that has something for everyone. Besides pastries and a full hot breakfast, Cafe Latte is the favorite Grand Avenue lunch and evening gnosh. From homemade pizza, to freshly made Caesar salad, to made-to-order deli sandwiches and chicken chili, patrons grab a tray and walk along the buffet stye line picking out their choices and taking their trays to one of the many tables and booths in this trendy hotspot. In the mid-afternoon, High Tea is also available complete with a selection of scones, creamy cakes and dainty sandwiches. Cafe Latte also makes specialty coffee and milk drinks and serves wine. Bread and Chocolate is their sister company across the street
(5)Tina W.
LEMON CAKE ROCKS. I get a slice of it every year for my birthday. The food selections are really nice and light too. The lines can be ridiculous, so try it during the off times. Oh, and I am one of those suburban moms that those nasty barbs are pointed toward and the last time I checked, my money spends the same as yours. Chill!
(5)Don C.
Last Friday night was cold-old here in the Cities. Below zero. But, the Cafe Latte was booming. Parked about a block away and walked through the chill. I hadn't done a " bad" dessert in awhile. By " bad" I mean decadent, fat, sweet, yummy. You get the picture. I had a need for Cheesecake and coffee. So that's what I had. The vanilla Cheesecake and a cup of good, dark and rich coffee. I savored it. Enjoyed it. I was content on that cold night. Mmmmm.
(4)Alison T.
Yummo! I had so much fun sampling the desserts at Cafe Latte today. I really want to give them 5 stars, but I still can't due to the annoying cafeteria lines and general chaos around lunchtime. I spent several minutes drooling over the dessert case, torn between the choices of flourless chocolate cakes, creamy tortes, and cheesecakes. I settled on the tres leches cake and the strawberry rhubarb cheesecake. Loved the tres leches and gobbled up every last bite. The cheesecake was so mediocre in flavor that, shockingly, I left some on the plate. I found out from one of the bakery servers that all of their cheesecakes are made with a pie crust (which is quite bland in my opinion) and not one has a graham cracker crust! Boo! Nevertheless, Cafe Latte knows how to make some of the most beautiful sinful desserts in the Twin Cities. Go there ASAP next time you're hankerin' for the perfect indulgence.
(4)Merrill A.
I come here a lot because it's close to my house. The food is excellent, the service ranges from adequate to A-. The coffee is C+. The one real complaint I have is, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD LATTE BUY SOME 16 OZ MUGS. COFFEE IN A PINT GLASS IS UNPLEASANT AND POSSIBLY DANGEROUS. I remark on this each visit and get either "I know, right?" from the server, or stony silence. Perennially disappointing.
(3)Anna T.
Best cheesecake and other desserts in St. Paul. Good for a quick lunch with soup and salad, so you can save room for some tres leches cake, German chocolate cake, or a slice of any cheesecake - they're all amazing. We usually order birthday cakes from here, too.
(4)Lauren O.
Tres Leches Cake. That is all. Well, almost. They have an adorable selection of pies and cakes. We got two party cakes (read: smalish, 8-10 servings) and 5 truffles and the bill was over $50, which is the only reason for deducting a star. I've only had the sweets (scones, cakes, truffles, etc.) but this place was packed at lunch...so I doubt all those people were eating cake (except for the adorable old people I saw sharing a slice of Black Forest). This is one popular destination.
(4)Norm W.
OK if you are trying to find that one little place that has great food that no one has ever heard of then don't go here. Cafe Latte is busy because their food is so good! That is how it works they want to be busy. If you want a place that isn't that busy chances are they are new or have bad service or food. I am sure the owners of Cafe Latte could come up with a more efficient way of serving their food but half the charm of the place is how differ ant it is. Ok on to a review of the food. I have really enjoyed everything I have ever ordered from Cafe Latte they manage to make all their salads taste fresh and unique, their desserts are to die for! Sometime I will be driving down 94 on my way home from Minneapolis and I will have to exit off and find a place to park and run in and get some of the delicious cheesecake. Try this on off hours or if you really want some cheesecake then stop in at lunch time.
(5)Ravi K.
Cheesecakes, creativity and good company! Café Latte is a Victoria Crossing deli/ cakery located right across from their kindly café, Bread and Chocolate. Good for first dates and group get togethers, Café Latte does offer steamed espresso drinks, but is well known for its cakes, tortes and pies. Try their soup and sandwich combos.
(5)J B.
I came in here on Friday night to meet some friends. I sat at the table they were at for twenty minutes. No server even thought of coming to take an order from me. Finally I walked up to the bar, and stood there for ten minutes even though the bartender obviously saw me. Finally he walks over and does one of those, "Can I help you," while looking in another direction like he can't be bothered too much. "Do you only serve beer and wine?" I ask. He tosses at piece of paper at me, still looking somewhere else. "Do you have any other ciders that aren't on the menu?" Having worked in a micro brew restaurant, I know this happens. "What's on the menu...." He says again looking somewhere else and looking like he is finished talking to me. I order my drink, and I give him my card. He runs it, hooks a pen to the receipt, and tosses it all at me. A bit later my friend hours up and orders a pizza. The bartender brings it to the table and basically just throws it towards us, and walks away. Never. Go. Here.
(1)Sal K.
I hate Cafe Latte. Let me count the ways... Hoards of people in various unmarked lines waiting for god knows what... Hungry people holding trays of food walking the opposite direction of everyone else... Menus in less than obvious places... Salad/sandwich bar attendants trying to describe food to you through clear panels with crazy loud chatter all around... Pain in the ass parking... At first glance, it is not apparent what food is offered here. The only sign you see is a big board with fancy coffee drinks. Then you spot the salads and they look colorful, so you order one. As you move down the line with your stupid tray, you realize there are other food options besides the salads at the beginning of the line. But you felt too pressured to order something and move along because of the mounting crowd behind you. Then you look down at your $6 boring salad and feel resentment toward everything and everyone within 10 feet of you. At this point, you have to decide if you want to spend another $6 on a sandwich to go with it. Might as well...they have interesting spreads. You watch the guy behind the counter make your sandwich. Then he asks if you want chips or a salad to go with it. Except you've just spent $6 for a salad at the beginning of the line. GAH! I hate crowds. I hate cafeterias. I hate poorly laid out floor plans. I hate you, Cafe Latte. I only visited you because I had a gift card. Next time I get stuck with a Cafe Latte gift card, I'm going to try to swap it on Craig's List.
(1)Wenkai Y.
love Tres Leche. :)
(5)Clare O.
This place used to be better. It's been coasting on past laurels for a while now. The prices went up, but the quality of most stuff went down. Cakes have been dry or soggy, hair found in salad, dirty glasses. It's overpriced for selection, but where else can you go late at night for a long lingering dessert? Great for moms catching up on life, but we don't go for the food anymore, just the cafeteria style tables where they won't kick us out. We do like the bread & spreads, but wouldn't go here for a meal on purpose.
(3)Leang E.
We came here for lunch although the name had me thinking it might be more of a brunch spot. I love the cafeteria style way that we were ordering our food. I had the grape and honey chicken salad, the vegetarian chili, and the turkey guacamole sandwich. It was all very good, and I was stuffed. Yet somehow I managed to fit in a cappuccino and a raspberry pear tart. I figured if I was going to indulge on vacation I might as well go all the way. It was totally worth it. The dessert options are insane, and I felt like I gained 10 lbs. by just looking at them through the glass window cases. The prices will definitely rack up especially given the meal that I got. They have fresh breads here, and I love that their website has some recipes posted up of items that they make. We sat upstairs and it was very nice to be by the windows with the views of the shops on Grand.
(4)Mon P.
It's a nice place for a cup of soup, some salad, sandwich and a piece of dessert. The place time to go is probably later in the evening because during the afternoon, this place is shocked full of screaming kids. I thought I walked in a friggin zoo this afternoon. The thought of having a nice late lunch and catch up with my friends was all gone. On to the food, I normally get their soup and salad because they are always fresh and tasty. I used to love german chocolate and turtle cake, but they are a bit too rich and too sweet and I can never finish the whole piece. The cheese cakes are also very rich and great. Now my faves dessert are all kinds of fruits tarts and torts. The acidity from the fruit contrast so well with the sweetness of the whole tarts. Still a nice a place to go but just make sure you dont go while all the soccer moms and those screaming kids occupy the place.
(4)Bill W.
You say you've been a good boy or girl and crave a decadent dessert or tasty treat? You say you like to indulge in a little something sweet once in a while? This is your calling; come here and meet all your like-minded friends for a little gastronomical tingling....you will not be disappointed!
(4)Darshy N.
Cafe Latte to Saint Paul is what Yum is to Uptown Minneapolis. I echo the same sentiments as Zachary: - "Do yourself a favor and go to A Piece of Cake on Selby, or Cupcake on University. That way you won't feel like you could get a shiv for taking a seat from a soccer mom in from Eagan for the afternoon." This is soccer mom/ teen central. But even then I really didn't care. I really just came for the tres leches and the tres leches were nothing, NOTHING to rave about. I'm beginning to think that people who rave about the tres leches here obviously have no idea what tres leches are about. It's a cake - soaked in 3 types of milk, evaporated, condensed and regular whole milk. The operative word being soaked. The tres leches here at Cafe Latte was a moist sponge cake with a whipped topping that had IMO all of the three types of milk. I don't care about your toppings, I really care about the cake. The hell is that? I sampled from my other friends who had berry desserts, and if it weren't for those I would be giving this joint 1 star - pretentious tres leches! Also, I really don't get the cafeteria style servings, but whatevs.
(2)Kashmir S.
So I found myself drinking with friends at a bar where I also decided to get dinner and dessert. I was satisfied with the dinner but the dessert failed miserably. My friends then mentioned Cafe Latte and how good the desserts are over there, so we jumped into the car and got there as fast as we could, since they were about to close, but we made it in time. I wanted 1 and only one thing, tres leches. My eyes were definitely happy when I saw the display case with the cake. So I got on this cafeteria lunch style line, placed my order for my cake, put it on my tray and then dragged the tray over the cafeteria style metal poles they used as shelves. Glided passed all the food and drinks to finally get to the end and pay for my dessert. After sitting down and biting into piece of tres leches cake I was not a happy camper. There was no wow or mmmmhh factor. I would have to say this was below average on a rating scale for me. It was not moist from the 3 milks that it's supposed to be soaking in, I think the baker forgot about the part of the process. So I left this place with my sweet tooth not satisfied. Guess I'll just have to continue the hunt for the sweet delicious tres leches. I do know one place that makes a really really good tres leches, but that place no longer makes it :( guess I'll have to convince the baker to get back into the business of making that finger licking goodness. I'm willing to give this place another try, but I doubt I'll be having the tres leches here ever again, it's just not worth it. I'm pretty sure they make other desserts pretty well, but tres leches is just not one those. So if you have a sweet tooth and need to satisfy that craving this is a place worth checking out.
(2)Laura S.
Love love love! This place is always packed & finding a spot to sit is a challenge (hence 4 stars). Everything is yummy! You won't be disappointed in your selection(s).
(4)Ken R.
Love this place...LOVE IT. Fantastic desserts and I like their pizza's. The German Chocolate is one of the best I've ever eaten, and we won't even get into the Cheese cakes. A great place to meet friends, hang out and get some good, well made food. Its a bit pricey, but then again what isn't if you're craving quality. Coffee and cake/dessert...what the hell else is there?
(4)Matt R.
I really only come to this place for their cake/cheesecakes. I find that it's a bit pricey for their other food and being on the confluence of Grand and Victoria, there are other more favorable options around for lunch/dinner. But the cakes are delicious! The staff can be a bit snobby regarding them, but who cares about that part - take your fork to a slice and forget about the rest. Selection varies, but some of my favorites are the Italian Fruit Tart (one of the photos on here - looks like a fruit pizza), Key Lime Cheesecake, and Tres Leches. Pros - delicious desserts - ample seating throughout - pretty wide selection on food from brick oven pizza to liver pate Cons - Parking is along Grand (with lots of other businesses) or in a pay ramp. - Pricey, but for desserts its worth it
(4)Emily H.
I went to Cafe Latte for the first time with a friend who claims to have been "raised on their desserts." I've heard from a countless number of people how amazing their desserts are, but since we were only in for a light lunch, I didn't indulge. So this review is only about the food. Everything is served cafeteria-style, which is great, but the lines moved quick and I felt kind of rushed in my choices. Since I hadn't been there before, and it wasn't clear what the options were as you progressed down the line, I felt kind of impulsive when I ordered my food. Usually I like to look at all my options at once on a menu before deciding, and I couldn't really do that. That being said, there's a solid variety of choices - soups, salads, sandwiches, pizzas, etc. I got a sandwich with a small side salad, and the food was good, but I wasn't totally blown away. I'll have to come back another time when I'm in the mood for dessert, since I hear that's what they do best.
(3)Brianne C.
Turtle cake!
(4)Kimberly T.
I went to St. Paul last weekend for the first time in many, many years, and ever since, I've wanted to go back. We went to Cafe Latté yesterday for lunch. The line was fairly long, but it didn't take that long to get through. I had a turkey sandwich w/ a side salad, a cup of tomato bisque soup & a piece of the tres leches cake. The sandwich was very good & the side salad was a huge portion with really good balsamic dressing. The soup was delicious & came w/ a really good roll. The cake definitely gives 112's a run for their money. It was absolutely delicious & the perfect way to end a great lunch. I thought the prices were very reasonable (we ordered 2 sandwiches, 2 cups of soup & a piece of cake for $30). I love the ambiance and the location. This will definitely be a place I'll frequent in the months to come.
(5)Suzie Q.
Not that Cafe Latte needs any more business, but they are one of my favorite places to go in St. Paul for lunch or dessert. The food is always, consistently wonderful. I usually will get a light lunch of one of the soups or salads and a roll. The desserts are what this place is famous for and they are worth a trip. Can get very busy on weeknights and weekends.
(5)Clint B.
I only came here for the cheesecake. It's been a couple years since I've had lunch here. But, the cheesecakes are always great. We got the cookies and cream cheesecake and the chocolate raspberry cheesecake. Both were sweet, smooth and creamy -- some of the best you'll find in town. I just wish they had flavors that were a little more unique. This place is always busy. So, here's a tip if you're just stopping by to get cake or pie to go... go around to the back register and order it there. There won't be the massive hordes of hungry people waiting that you'll find at the front cafeteria line.
(4)Katie O.
Cafe Latte is actually worth the hype it receives. I haven't had a bad dessert from here - I've ordered Tres Leches, german chocolate cake and a few different cheesecakes from here and they are all DELICOUS! I've never had their food, but the desserts are definitely worth a stop by.
(4)