Delicious fresh food, atmosphere fun, quick service. Great history and food ! Bob Dylan ate here. The place is a legend in Minneapolis!

Elite food. The ambiance is what keeps people coming back. The rich history behind Al's and the outstanding service is all a breakfast lover could ask for.

Love is not too strong of a word to describe the full mind and body feeling that I get when I think of my meal at Al's Breakfast. I had the Jose, which is a heap of crispy hash brown topped with poached eggs, salsa, and cheese. It was bonkers good, but the real star was the pile of steamy hot blackberry pancakes. I could eat my weight in those things. Actually a part of me wished that I ate food through my chest and belly so I could reasonably rub those pancakes all over my body. The coffee at this place is also delicious, which came as a slight surprise given the unpretentious diner that Al's is. I love Al's Breakfast, and I think that it, in and of itself, is worth a trip to Minneapolis.

The best breakfast (in this style) hands down! I have been coming to Al's for about 15 years and I have never been disappointed. Be aware it is an adventure breakfast. You will most likely be waiting in line directly behind other diners so you need to be ok with close encounters with humans. Even though the owners have changed the ambiance and food quality remain. Amazing pancakes, and my favorite the 1 egg jose! Have cash, be ready to wait and be patient but it's worth the wait!

This little place has made many lists and won many awards, including a James Beard Award. So does it live up to the hype? You betcha. I ended up coming here twice during my last visit to Minneapolis, it was just that good. I normally don't do breakfast but I had to try it and try it again. I was lucky, both times I came here there were seats available about 9:30 and 11:30 on a weekday but filled up quickly afterwards. The staff is wonderful and very welcoming, accommodating, and friendly. But hey this is Minnesota so what would you expect? The first time I was suggested to try the José (Poached eggs on Hashed Browns with Salsa and Cheddar Cheese) and that along with a side of sausage and some solid coffee made for a good breakfast. Add to that some good conversation and getting some local recommendations, especially for a good burger and everything was A-OK. I decided to stop by once more before I left town and got the Jose again (which is great with the large selection of hot sauces that they have) and this time added a short stack of buttermilk flapjacks with blackberries and chocolate chip, OMG soo good! A must visit and worth the wait.

Perfect little breakfast spot in Dinkytown... 70 years and counting, so it must be good. Had an amazing crispy (?) omelet and bacon... nice coffee and super great service. There are like 10 seats in this place, so be prepared to wait outside in the MN cold...

Imagine an alleyway, a narrow space between buildings where the cats tread. Then picture the best fry cook in the whole Midwest cleaned that out, put a bar lengthwise - bisecting the already narrow alley - and built a little restaurant around it. A bar, a low roof, and a floor *squeezed* between two buildings, that's Al's Breakfast. You walk inside this intimate, elongated space and immediately to the right, on the other side of the bar, there's a sizzling hot flat top and he's cooking eggs, hash browns, and delicious pancakes! And it smells good!! The seats at the bar are all full, so you stand in line just behind someone as they eat their breakfast. Then you'll take their spot when they're finished and someone fills the spot behind you (well that was 1950s-2020. Now if you're not at one of the bars 14 stools you're lined up outside... regardless of weather!) I know Al's for their distinctive Eggs Benedict, with the real lemony, sour hollandaise. I select precisely this from the menu and the server YELLS IT OUT to the lady at the flap top (nowadays it's a she) , who somehow keeps all the orders straight. I'm served a hot cup of not-great-but-perfect diner-style coffee, and then stare at all the photos, ball caps, and paper currency that spatters the facing wall. Currency... I would suddenly remember to check my wallet, they're CASH ONLY!! Al's is a very analog, human experience. When the food is ready, they'll grab your ketchup,and whichever hot sauce you subscribe to, from behind the counter and you eat your meal with someone at your right and left, with the conversation and banter of strangers in stereo sound. But if you're me, that's just ambiance while I'm devouring the very well-made, classic breakfast. Al's Facts - the pancakes are famous and can be found at the MN State Fair - You can't squeeze an ATM in that space. They're cash only, a small Target has one next block down - I would suspect any UofM grad knows about Al's. - There is something in your Minnesotan heart that has always longed for this place and always will. - They open at 6am! Wake up early and beat the line. Hot coffee will be ready