Al's Breakfast

Al’s is a true old-school Minneapolis gem. This 14-seat diner has been open since 1950 and is beloved by generations of students from the nearby University of Minnesota. We’ve been told it’s the narrowest restaurant in the city—although we haven't visited with our rulers yet—and some regulars even still buy meals with prepaid tabs, tracked via the stacks of yellow booklets behind the counter. The walls are decorated with vintage photos and money from around the world, adding to the museum/diner feel of the place. Be sure to try the plate-sized blueberry pancakes served with Minnesota maple syrup and the “fancy scrambled eggs” loaded with cream and butter. Yes, there will be a wait, but tables turn over quickly.