Bakery Hangouts

Birchwood Cafe
Homey yet spare, welcoming, and unpretentious, this Seward café shines. The food is fabulous and as varied and diverse as the clientele—no vegetarian, vegan, or carnivore goes away hungry. The scones are buttery, rich, and lovely, the bread pudding unparalleled. Who can resist the moist and spicy carrot cake? 3311 E. 25th St., Mpls., 612-722-4474

Cupcake
How cute can a fun, funky spot get? Cute, cute cupcakes, and even cuter “baby cakes” line up to be adored and admired, lifting spirits and conversation. This young, bustling café draws students and professors, writers, actors, and entrepreneurs who come for a great latte, to lighten up, to reconnect with their inner cute. 3338 University Ave. SE, Mpls., 612-378-4818

Finnish Bistro
A light, elegant café in charming St. Anthony Park, Finnish Bistro shines like morning sunlight on northern waters. Unabashedly beautiful and luscious and wholesome, Soile Anderson’s spot is at once simple yet luxurious and welcoming. The lingonberry pulla, frosted butterfly cookies, and scalloped ginger hearts are all pristinely stacked in clean glass cases meant to press your nose against. Yes, point to the ones you want, sit with endless cups of coffee and feel cared for. 2264 Como Ave., St. Paul, 651-645-9181

Jerabek’s New Bohemian Coffee House & Bakery
Almost 100 years old, Jerabek’s is a fixture in the Cherokee/Riverview area of West St. Paul, south of downtown, across the High Bridge, in one of those neighborhoods where kids play catch in the middle of the street, bikes propped against nearby trees. Jerabek’s serves up old-fashioned Lady Baltimore cake, honest-to-god pasties, and the spiciest ginger cookies around. It’s the kind of funky, warm, Midwest joint that defines neighborhood. 63 Winifred St., West St. Paul, 651-228-1245

Lucia’s Bakery & To Go
Sit near the sunny window, watching Uptown bustle by. Suddenly you’re in a French neighborhood café, no need for a plane ticket. Here a couple holding hands across a table, espresso cups pushed aside; there a mom sharing a croissant with her toddler; writers with laptops; heads huddled in business matters. All along the benches and broad front table, the place buzzes with business, companionship, romance—the stuff mornings are made of. Chic and relaxed, Lucia’s Bakery is all Paris (without the attitude). 1428 W. 31st. St., Mpls., 612-825-1572

Patrick’s Bakery & Café
In this crisp, friendly café, glorious pastries are served with the kind of European efficiency that inspires intellectual conversation and high-minded gossip. Patrick’s artful goodies are sculptural and heavenly tasting: The golden tarts ferrying jewel-like berries and the aptly named Opera cake (intensely rich coffee butter cream layered with ganache and tender cake) are served with easy decorum. All three locations are equally marvelous. 6010 Lyndale Ave. S. (inside Bachman’s), Mpls., 612-861-9277; 2928 W. 66th St., Richfield, 612-861-7570; 331 Broadway Ave. S., Wayzata, 952-345-6100