[Here’s a quick noob-torial, should you look as lost as I did upon my first time here.]
-First, watch your bloody step.
-Once past the threshold, take an order slip and menu from the front podium and find a temporary seat in the dining room.
-Write your choice on the slip and your name at the bottom - one name and order per ticket.
-Submit back at the counter, where you’ll be asked if you fancy anything to drink. (Hot tip: A cup of black coffee steadfastly defies inflation at $1 per cup. Take that, stupid inflation.)
-Armed with your drink of choice, claim a spot from which to devour your incoming order.
[Thank you, this concludes the tutorial.]
My vantage was ideal and the biscuits & gravy were ribstickingly good. It was at this stage, sipping joe from a brown bell mug, absorbing caffeine and surroundings, it hit me that I do believe this place is perfect. The haphazard seating in middle morning was occupied by a motley mix of students clacking away on laptops and old-guard intellectuals scribbling on notepads. At the counter, an elderly lady bought a pack of smokes. A shrine in back bore names of, and notes for, dear friends departed too soon. And the air resonated with softly stated punk rock. Breakfast punk rock.
I took it all in, and felt myself catching feelings for the Hard Times Cafe, this urban creature so seemingly symbiotic with the city’s beating heart. I happened upon a truly unaffected and unapologetic community bastion, no doubt a “third place” to aid many just going through the motions.
Being alive means that hard times will happen. This particular one though, I look forward to going through again.
Updated from previous review on 2026-02-19
Dana Duran
One of my favorite restaurants! I’ve been ordering the quesadilla and vegan rancheros here for 10 years and still haven’t gotten tired of it. And the cupcakes here are the best!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jim Pearsall
Cash only.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Marshall S
Awesome vibe. Awesome people. Awesome food and punk music.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
amy graham (Grahamwich)
Moved in next door fall of ‘25. Needed super healthy boost and found it here! I love the menu and I’m not even a vegetarian. Everyone working does a fantastic job to be chill create amazing drinks, meals and snacks. This is a place I went to back in the early 90’s. So glad it survived to today. Well worth a visit.
They cook food fresh and it's worth the wait. Very fun views of the neighborhood and close to parts of the UMN campus. It's obvious they treat their workers well and the workers seem happy to be there. There's something for everyone on the menu too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anthony Spada
Got very sick from their woke food . Mice running around . Very dirty
Sam Stein
Great vegetarian options, very fun atmosphere. Join the revolution!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Rachel M
It’s been surprisingly hard for me to find good vegan food in Minneapolis, but Hard Times is a gem. The vegan options are incredible, with tons of variety, all at prices that feel almost unreal by today’s standards, so I don’t mind it being cash only (there’s an ATM available if you need). We visit Minneapolis every year and this is a must-stop every single time. The vegan biscuits and gravy are my favorite, and all the baked goods I’ve had have been outstanding. Beyond the food, it’s very clear that the staff and restaurant are committed to creating a safe, welcoming space rooted in love and inclusion—while making it equally clear that hate (ICE) and harmful ideologies are absolutely not welcome. I love spending my money at a place that aligns so strongly with my values :) Can’t recommend it enough.
[Here’s a quick noob-torial, should you look as lost as I did upon my first time here.] -First, watch your bloody step. -Once past the threshold, take an order slip and menu from the front podium and find a temporary seat in the dining room. -Write your choice on the slip and your name at the bottom - one name and order per ticket. -Submit back at the counter, where you’ll be asked if you fancy anything to drink. (Hot tip: A cup of black coffee steadfastly defies inflation at $1 per cup. Take that, stupid inflation.) -Armed with your drink of choice, claim a spot from which to devour your incoming order. [Thank you, this concludes the tutorial.] My vantage was ideal and the biscuits & gravy were ribstickingly good. It was at this stage, sipping joe from a brown bell mug, absorbing caffeine and surroundings, it hit me that I do believe this place is perfect. The haphazard seating in middle morning was occupied by a motley mix of students clacking away on laptops and old-guard intellectuals scribbling on notepads. At the counter, an elderly lady bought a pack of smokes. A shrine in back bore names of, and notes for, dear friends departed too soon. And the air resonated with softly stated punk rock. Breakfast punk rock. I took it all in, and felt myself catching feelings for the Hard Times Cafe, this urban creature so seemingly symbiotic with the city’s beating heart. I happened upon a truly unaffected and unapologetic community bastion, no doubt a “third place” to aid many just going through the motions. Being alive means that hard times will happen. This particular one though, I look forward to going through again. Updated from previous review on 2026-02-19
One of my favorite restaurants! I’ve been ordering the quesadilla and vegan rancheros here for 10 years and still haven’t gotten tired of it. And the cupcakes here are the best!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cash only.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Awesome vibe. Awesome people. Awesome food and punk music.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Moved in next door fall of ‘25. Needed super healthy boost and found it here! I love the menu and I’m not even a vegetarian. Everyone working does a fantastic job to be chill create amazing drinks, meals and snacks. This is a place I went to back in the early 90’s. So glad it survived to today. Well worth a visit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pancakes, Huevos Rancheros, Vegan Biscuits \u0026 Gravy, Soups
They cook food fresh and it's worth the wait. Very fun views of the neighborhood and close to parts of the UMN campus. It's obvious they treat their workers well and the workers seem happy to be there. There's something for everyone on the menu too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Got very sick from their woke food . Mice running around . Very dirty
Great vegetarian options, very fun atmosphere. Join the revolution!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
It’s been surprisingly hard for me to find good vegan food in Minneapolis, but Hard Times is a gem. The vegan options are incredible, with tons of variety, all at prices that feel almost unreal by today’s standards, so I don’t mind it being cash only (there’s an ATM available if you need). We visit Minneapolis every year and this is a must-stop every single time. The vegan biscuits and gravy are my favorite, and all the baked goods I’ve had have been outstanding. Beyond the food, it’s very clear that the staff and restaurant are committed to creating a safe, welcoming space rooted in love and inclusion—while making it equally clear that hate (ICE) and harmful ideologies are absolutely not welcome. I love spending my money at a place that aligns so strongly with my values :) Can’t recommend it enough.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Pancakes, Vegan Helter Skelter, Vegan, Vegan Rancheros, Hashbrowns, Vegan Biscuits \u0026 Gravy, Biscuits and Mushroom Gravy, Blueberry Muffin
Very good food, great atmosphere. It may be Hard Times, but it feels like home.
Restaurantji Recommends
Staff was rude, had to wait way too long for some fake food … not good at all
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 3
Wouldn't eat here if i was starving
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
We found ourselves here on movie night and absolutely loved it!
I found the most amazing message written on a table
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I go here couple times a week. Can't beat it.
Recommended dishes: Vegan
Been coming here since 2017... Still the best coffee vegan/vegetarian baked goods and food!
Pay with cash and use your best handwriting to order ;)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Biscuit Breakfast
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