
Tao Organic Cafe + Herbery
East Isles, Minneapolis
Restaurant in Minneapolis, United States
The Read
Dress
Casual
Why go
Tao Organic Cafe + Herbery on Hennepin Ave S is a genuinely organic-focused cafe and working herbery; not a wellness-branded coffee shop. Easy walk-in access makes it a low-effort addition to any Uptown-area itinerary. Worth visiting if organic sourcing and herbal products align with what you're looking for; not a destination dining pick.
About Tao Organic Cafe + Herbery
What Tao Organic Cafe + Herbery Actually Is
If you're arriving at 2200 Hennepin Ave S expecting a typical Minneapolis brunch spot, recalibrate. Tao Organic Cafe + Herbery is not a conventional cafe with a wellness rebrand; it is a dedicated organic and herbal-focused space where the menu philosophy and the product offering are genuinely aligned. For first-timers, that distinction matters before you walk in.
Tao sits on one of Minneapolis's most active commercial corridors, that location is doing real work. Hennepin Avenue South connects Uptown to the Lowry Hill Edge, drawing a dense, walkable neighborhood population that skews toward health-conscious, independent-minded diners. In that context, a place that takes organic sourcing and herbalism seriously isn't a niche bet; it's a neighborhood anchor. If you live within ten blocks, this is the kind of venue that earns a weekly slot in your routine. If you're visiting from outside the area, it represents a legitimate reason to spend time on this stretch of Hennepin rather than defaulting to the larger dining clusters downtown.
The herbal dimension separates Tao from the broader organic cafe category in Minneapolis. Where most venues in this space lean toward smoothie bowls and avocado toast as their primary identity, Tao's integration of an herbery, a working retail and educational component focused on herbs and plant-based remedies, gives it a dual function that draws regulars back for reasons beyond the food menu alone. For a first visit, pay attention to both sides of what's on offer: the cafe and the herbery are complementary, not incidental to each other.
Booking is easy. This is not a reservation-required venue, walk-in access is the norm. Timing-wise, mornings and midday will serve most visitors well. If you are exploring our full Minneapolis restaurants guide, Tao fits cleanly into a Hennepin Avenue itinerary alongside venues like Hai Hai and Brasa Rotisserie for a day that covers the breadth of what this corridor offers.
For the wider Minneapolis dining picture, Owamni and Spoon & Stable represent the city's highest-profile dining. Tao is not competing on that tier, nor is it trying to. Its value is local, specific, consistent with what the Uptown-adjacent neighborhood actually needs.
Know Before You Go
- Address: 2200 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55405
- Booking difficulty: Easy, walk-ins expected
- Leading for: Solo visitors, local regulars, health-conscious diners
- Also explore: Minneapolis bars · Minneapolis hotels · Minneapolis experiences
Planning details
- Location
- 2200 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55405
- Website
- taoorganiccafe.com
- Phone
- +1 612 377 4630
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Tao Organic Cafe + Herbery reads like a modern neighborhood refuge for people who take food provenance seriously. It occupies a walkable stretch of Hennepin Avenue among independent cafes and specialty shops, and it blends plant-based cafe culture with an herbal-wellness sensibility. The tone is unpretentious and approachable — less about spectacle and more about everyday ritual — so the room feels casual and relaxed while still nodding to contemporary, health-forward trends. Expect a warm, community-minded spot that privileges organic sourcing and herbal ingredients without feeling lofty or exclusive.
Best For
The cafe is best for daytime and neighborhood visits: casual hangouts, weekday or weekend brunches, and easy family outings. Its focus on daily wellness and accessibility makes it a place you can visit frequently rather than saving for special occasions. Because Tao positions organic and herbal principles as part of routine eating, it works well for solo diners grabbing a nourishing bowl, groups seeking a health-focused meal, or families looking for straightforward, plant-forward options in a comfortable neighborhood setting.
Ordering Tips
Stick with the signature bowls to get a clear sense of the kitchen’s approach: the Tao Bowl, Coconut Curry Bowl, and Burrito Bowl showcase the cafe’s plant-based, organic orientation. Ask staff about the herbery component and any daily herbal preparations or dressings — the description emphasizes herbs and provenance, so specials may rotate with seasonal, organic ingredients. Portions are framed around accessibility and daily dining, so bowls are a reliable, balanced choice whether you’re stopping by for a quick solo lunch or sharing plates with others.
Venue details
Ambiance
Cozy and eclectic atmosphere with a welcoming community vibe, featuring an upstairs book nook and gift shop.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Small
Signature Dishes
- Tao Bowl
- Coconut Curry Bowl
- Burrito Bowl
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Kincaid’s; Steakhouse, Steakhouse
- 112 Eatery; Italian, Italian
- Brasa Rotisserie; American Creole, American Creole
- Lobby Bar at the Peninsula; Modern American, Modern American
- Punch Neapolitan Pizza; Pizzeria, Pizzeria
Restaurant context
Tao Organic Cafe + Herbery occupies a different register from most of its Minneapolis peers, so direct comparison requires some calibration. Kincaid's and 112 Eatery are evening dining destinations with full service, wine programs, higher per-head spend; if you're planning a dinner out, those venues are the relevant choice. Tao is a daytime, casual, values-driven space that doesn't compete on the same occasion.
Brasa Rotisserie is the closest peer in terms of accessibility and neighborhood positioning; both are walk-in friendly, mid-Hennepin-corridor venues with a defined food philosophy. Brasa wins on protein-forward comfort food; Tao wins if plant-based and herbal are your priorities. Punch Neapolitan Pizza serves a narrower function (pizza, lunch or dinner) but is similarly easy to book and consistently reliable. For casual daytime eating, Tao and Punch occupy comparable effort levels with very different menus.
Lobby Bar at the Peninsula targets a hotel-adjacent, cocktail-and-small-plates crowd; a different occasion entirely. If your decision is purely about where to eat on Hennepin Avenue during the day with minimal planning, Tao is the right pick for health-focused visitors. For everything else, the comparison set above covers the major alternatives by occasion type.
Explore Minneapolis
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Tao Organic Cafe + Herbery guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Tao Organic Cafe + Herbery
| Venue | Cuisine | Booking Difficulty | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tao Organic Cafe + Herbery | ; | Easy | No published awards |
| Kincaid’s | Steakhouse | Unknown | 2024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #822 |
| 112 Eatery | Italian | Unknown | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2025 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence2023 OAD Gourmet Casual Dining in North America Ranked · #1772023 OAD Casual in North America Recommended |
| Brasa Rotisserie | American Creole | Unknown | 2025 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #6392024 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #6082023 OAD Cheap Eats in North America in Recommended |
| Lobby Bar at the Peninsula | Modern American | Unknown | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Recommended2025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #5282025 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence2024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #5192023 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Recommended |
| Punch Neapolitan Pizza | Pizzeria | Unknown | 2025 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #5582024 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #5622023 OAD Cheap Eats in North America in Recommended |
Side-by-side comparison to help you decide where to book.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Tao Organic Cafe + Herbery located?
Tao Organic Cafe + Herbery is located in Minneapolis, at 2200 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55405.


















