Hard Times Cafe Reviews

Hard to imagine the place is vegetarian/vegan. Looks more live a dive bar. Food is outstanding. A must visit.

The coffee here is amazing. Never thought I would enjoy vegan food, but I was wrong. The peanut butter cookies are worth the trip alone. Super friendly people.

Love this place! Awesome vegan and vegetarian options. Plus the best coffee in Minnesota. And, they have Deane's Kombucha on tap!

Vegan food. Decent. Staff can be spotty but overall a decent dive food spot.

Incredibly rude service. Told us to go somewhere else where they ll kiss your ass . We wrote our order on the slip as instructed but we apparently made a mistake and that really set this guy off.

Food's good, coffee's good, decor is eclectic but in a good way. Obviously good for vegan and vegetarian options. Just be aware of the fact that it's cash only.

If u know the menu you can fill your self up for a good price.

3 star rating, because they are cash only, and I only had plastic. I didn't see this ahead of time, and cash only is so rare in the US. I didn't think to look in advance.

Food is ok and their coffee is expensive. And it's cash only.

I cannot emphasize how much I love Hard Times. The atmosphere is dark, grimy, and punk-rock. I love it. Their food is also delicious. In addition to being delicious, it s also super affordable. You get huge portions, and a lot of their menu is under $10! It s also nice knowing that they re pretty much open all day and all night (with the exception of 4am-6am). And if you re vegan or vegetarian, their menu was made for you! Also note that it is cash only! I ve forgotten a few times.

Absolutely lovely drinks with a smashing Chai Latte and a wide variety of herbal and caffeinated loose leaf teas. Clean and unique, and so well priced for a place of its like! Got a medium chai and pumpkin cranberry muffin for a total of $4.75.

This is honestly one of my favorite places, and is definitely my favorite after hours spot. I like to eat plant based for the most part, and Hard Times has some of the best vegan options. Their vegan breakfast sausage is especially good, it's got a great texture and everything. The atmosphere is super relaxed and gritty, in a good way. Very comfortable.

Great Food, Great Place. If you came here expecting a smile and enthusiasm to serve you. Your not in the right place. You want good food, great people, best tea and sweet selection.. yep

The Hard times is a great place. But this description is totally wrong. There are no TVs, Wings or Burgers. It's Vegetarian. It is is not a chain. It is Cooperatively Owned by the members of the cooperative, all or most of whom (I assume) Currently work at Hard Times and are a part of its maintenance. The food IS really good, wholesome, delicious, and affordable. It's a great place to hang out and enjoy their large selection of loose leaf teas. I would also argue that they have some of the best french press coffee I've had in the city.

Perhaps the best thing about the Hard Times Cafe is that when you go there and eat their food and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, ALL of the remuneration will go to those who actually just served you with their time and effort. There is no Beneficiary taking advantage of these employees. No one is getting rich; the hard times is supporting people who actively work there and contributing to the community and culture of Minneapolis.

Love this place. The food is not gormet but the quantities are great and it's "basic" good food, prepared quickly. It's a no frills place and you order your food on a slip of paper, pay cash (only) and bus your own dishes. I love people watching, the depressed decor and the names carved into the worn wood table tops. I look forward to my next visit. I had a half order of the vegan helter skelter which was perfectly prepared...a little greasy, but just enough grease. Being vegan and a retired person who has lots of money but is still cheap. Did i mention the prices? Most items are $10 bucks or less. Love it!!!!!!!

Food is at a fantastic price point. Staff is very personable.

Best vegan Biscuits and gravy in town. A soy cap to die for and fine staff who behave like real human beings. Thanks HTC for all of the good things you do.

Been here multiple times, loved the food each time. Super reasonable prices, great variety of foods to choose from.

Best vegan breakfast around for an awesome price. Huge portions. I try to stop by whenever I'm in town.

There are no hard times because of hard times. Vegan biscuits and gravy are to die for.

Awesome place for some vegan grub! The Biscuits and gravy are to die for.

Worker-owned shop that's great for late night studying. Tasty veggie food, to boot.

Decent food. Good to have some meatless options in town.
I'm generally pretty liberal with my reviews and I really wish I could rate highly a vegetarian place but:
Cash only. Always a big negative in my book. Maybe it's "hip" for some, IDK.
The vibe is a bit off-putting. The whole place looks like some old shack. And the service was just OK. The menus are dirty and hard to read.
Overall definitely a disappointment. Would probably not return.

I ordered a vegan cherry chocolate coffee cake and the vegan espresso cupcake and my date ordered the seitan bahn mi. The coffee cake was alright, the cupcake was super dry. The seitan in the bahn mi was super rubbery, which is a bummer considering the sauce and pickled veggies were great. Top it off with very little handicap accessibility (I struggled to get a stroller up the steps and through the door), I'm not coming back. Go to May Day Cafe for better veggie and vegan options.

One of my favorite places when Im in MN for Vegan/ Organic food and coffee...

Real Ingredients and you can't beat the price. Awesome soups.

Food and music kick ass. Super paid back atmosphere.

Good prices, lots of room to sit. Vegan/vegetarian food. The cashier often isn't super happy to see you, so don't take it as a personal thing. It's employee owned, which is super great for the workers.

The thing that gets me is how dirty it is. I get that it's a dive, though, so I guess it's just not my thing. I also don't appreciate the aggressive tip jar: "you're supposed to tip!!!"....I wish they would lead the charge and just add my tip to the price of the food so I don't have to feel like I'm being accosted when I'm deciding what to tip the so they can make a living. I just came here for the food.

Open nearly 24 hours a day. Great vegan and vegetarian food. Made fresh daily.

Great vegan joint, and has a very good aesthetic. Has an eclectic mix of people that made me feel at home. Always good music playing. Inclusive place, run by proper allies.

The Hard Times Cafe is great, and this is coming from a guy that loves meat. It's vegan. It's tasty. And it's cheap. Great student food, free wifi, and it's open late.

Love that theyre open 6am-4am but some of the baristas play the music way too loudly and a certain few dont look at all interested in helping their customers

Cash only with such cheap options!
Great coffee, muffins, and community space!!!

Great food and friendly staff. Has been my post show staple for many years!

This place is a West Bank legend! I ve never felt anything but welcomed here. The food and coffee are just as stellar as the staff and atmosphere.

Real city vibes but great food for everyone and anyone with a vegan counterpart for the whole menu

Mostly vegetarian, with quite a bit of vegan food too, amazing place

Very good omelette and the atmosphere is unique and tastefully dingy, but BEWARE, Its cash only and the atm has a fee

I always love stopping in here when I am in the Twin Cities

You know if someone who hates coffee loves this place it says something. I hate coffee and will forever hold this place in my heart and memory. I practically lived there 30 years ago and was ecstatic to find the same vibe, better options and even some of the same faces when I came through for a recent visit. It s the heart of a community with great service and offerings.

Lgbtqpa friendly environment. Wide Vegan friendly menu. Great skateboard spots in the street.

This place has the perfect name and is in the perfect area. Coffee is good. The help is better.

The place had great vegan and gluten free options however, it was vary scummy feeling and cash only place. Coffee was delicious.

Vegan buskers and gravy, any questions? This is original punk rock veg place in Minneapolis. The food is great and non-vegans can get eggs and cheese. Punk rock plays in the background and gutter punks mix with population. It's cash only but cheap. And while the bathrooms are plastered with graffiti they are clean. Required visit for modern vegans. Alfalfa hippies need not apply.

I'd give it 6 stars if I could. It's perfect in every way and if you disagree you're wrong.

Amazing food, cooperatively operated, and spectacular community space :)

Hard Times is my favorite cafe in Minneapolis, hands down. The food is delicious, the prices are so fair, they have a nice tea collection, and the staff is warm and make you feel at home. They have board games and I ve spent many afternoons studying here. This place is a true gem.

I am here visiting from Las Vegas and I must say I wish we had a cafe like this there. The service and atmosphere might be a little rough around the edges for those that don't venture much outside of the cookie cutter food chains but... for serious vegetarians and vegans this place is a foodie wonderland! I can't wait to visit again before I go back home. Warning the portion size is BIG so bring an appetite and bring cash because they do not accept credit cards. Highly recommend the Turkish coffee.

Some places never change, and I am ok with this. Thick coffee, interesting people, and great food.

Hard Times lacks basic kindness and respect. My wife and I went in for breakfast today, and we were refused service for asking about dietary restrictions. The guy at the counter got mad that my wife asked about ingredients that she s allergic to, then crumpled and threw my food slip asking for vegan migas. I thought it was a joke--Hard Times is known for not having a sunny disposition--but I realized he was serious when he told us to eat somewhere else. Are you not a restaurant? Why couldn t we give you money in exchange for the food that s on your menu?

We went to Seward Cafe; good vegan food, kind people, and a short walk away at 2129 E Franklin Ave, 55404. I recommend it :).

This is my favorite cafe in Minneapolis! They have the best coffee and the cheapest most delicious food! It's crazy they have huge vegan pastries for like a dollar or 2! Try the biscuits and gravy or the cranberry walnut vegan muffin

Incredible!!! The daily special was quesadillas, so happy to find vegan quesadillas. The atmosphere was great and the food was all A+!

Nice quiet place. I'm not vegan but my gf is, loves the options. Coffee is good, pancakes not so much. Pretty dense but the omelet was delicious. Definitely reccomend. Wouldn't go out of my way to come but it's a really nice little spot.

The hashbrowns here are the best I've ever had. If you're looking for a more laid back diner/cafe feel, this place is perfect.

Vegetarian place. Great prices, food is awesome, service has always been great, chill.

The atmosphere here is extremely strange. No one looks comfortable and there's no service that makes you feel comfortable. You bus yourself, serve yourself and order at the counter. I love it for this aspect. They provide very inexpensive vegetarian and vegan meals with absolutely no care for customer service and the meals are massive and DELICIOUS! It's honestly one of my favorite places to eat. I love the unwelcome feeling as a bunch of misfits and tweakers eat their food in a rocky state of peace.

You wanna see true coexistence and sociological studies just go find a seat for a few hours.

I really like their food but the service is pretty poor. I love the vegetarian and vegan options and the hours, but these guys told me it was impossible to make a ruben on a tortilla because "then it wouldn't be a sandwich". They also kicked my friend out for dropping his wallet and phone on the floor while completely sober. Coffee refills cost money. I love the food and still go just for that, but they could step it up.

I once was into snarling young blondes who are nasty this one hour ever was off-putting the food was good atmosphere was good but the condescending sideways sneer by the young woman good take away from what was the number was very nice experience.

Excellent hippie atmosphere. highly recommend the cappachino with half and half

HARD TIMES IS THE BEST CAFE I HAVE EVER BEEN TOO IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. I feel at home when i am there. Their food is delicious, and service is always speedy. The friendly staff is always welcoming. What a treat. best place in Minneapolis hands down.

It is exactly what it is, and that makes it perfect.

Won't find another place like it. Every item on the menu is either vegan or vegetarian. The odd thing about Hard Times is the ordering style. You right your order on a piece of scratch, then pass it to one of the friendly but disinterested employees. That sounds mean but it's an energy that works for this restaurant.
Regardless, their food is fantastic and filling.

Pretty good. Better than expected. Great for vegans and vegetarians.

Coffee is still perfect. Coffee is still a buck. And the coffee is somehow always rhe exactly perfect temperature to drink right away.

Absolutely classic cafe with good healthy foods at very reasonable prices.

This place is original. Their prices are as low as it gets and the atmosphere is excellent. They serve good coffee and cheap, vegetarian comfort food that always hits the spot.

I have had many great experience at hard times in the past. But today I experienced something less than pleasant. The girl working this morning was surprisingly rude. I greeted her and she just stared at me, she literally threw the change on the counter. As I m sitting writing this she is glaring at me. I hope this isn t the new standard for hard times or I won t be returning

I go here before my accounting class. It's a little drafty during the winter, and food takes a while, but it's cheap and they make good coffee. The first time I went it was a bit overwhelming!

An amazing radical staple of Minneapolis. Delicious vegan options and a fantastic spot for even late night dining.

Amazing food, amazing service. Nice place to sit down for an hour and talk.

Hard Times is a Minneapolis landmark. It is been a container for some of the most eclectic and artistic minds of the Twin Cities for as long as I can remember. The coffee is respectable as hell, and they offer a menu of surprisingly sophisticated Foods. The vibe is a middle finger To the corporate aesthetic that has become the norm these days. You can t truly say that you ve been to Minneapolis if you ve never been to Hard Times.

Love that there is a place where you can hear good music , drink good coffee and have vegan food. Hard times was a regular haunt when I lived in the area, and still a place I enjoy going to when we are in the neighborhood.

Cool, cozy atmosphere. You won't be out of place here. Food is priced very fairly, and it's all delicious. Yes, it's all vegan, but so long as you're not craving meat, it make a difference in quality in the slightest.

The vegan buscuits and gravy, OMG! Cashew mushroom gravy, with biscuits that lasted for leftovers! Cash only, these guys offer a ton of modern food options and are especially considerate with dietary restrictions while also making amazing food!

A great place to hang out, and cheap eats. Food can be amazing here, just make sure you go when everyone else is asleep. The best cooks tend to have the night shift.

My first vegan & vegitarian restraunt. It is a self serve restraunt, but the coffee they served was great.