Here are St. Cloud's top coffee shops and what makes them special

The St. Cloud area is home to many coffee shops, including lots of locally owned establishments. Several roast the beans in house, while others buy from local roasters.

Here are the places Yelp labels the top five coffee shops in central Minnesota:

Kinder Coffee Lab

St. Cloud roastery Kinder Coffee Lab uses small-batch roasting to create a range of coffee options for customers to buy and brew at home, though they also serve some items in person. Their menu includes a range of coffee drinks, like espressos, Americanos, and cold and nitro brews. They also offer some non-coffee teas and refreshers, as well as pastries.

Kinder Coffee Lab is located at 214 Second Ave N. in Sauk Rapids. It is open 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Sunday.

The Local Blend

St. Joseph's The Local Blend offers a traditional coffee shop atmosphere, complete with a chalkboard menu on the wall. The coffee shop specializes in organic, local products. The Local Blend also makes its pastries, soups and breads in its on-site kitchen. While this coffee shop largely focuses on coffee and food items like quiches and sandwiches, it also has a wine menu and hosts events.

They do not roast on site but serve coffee roasted by Muggsy’s Beans, a longtime local roaster based in St. Cloud.

The Local Blend is located at 19 W. Minnesota St. in St. Joseph. It is open 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Korppi Coffee co-owner Laura Wolfram makes a latte Nov. 18 at Korppi Coffee.

Korppi Coffee + Bakeshop

This one-of-a-kind coffee shop features lots of drinks and foods to choose from. Along with coffees and teas, the shop has housemade chai, hot cocoa and tea lattes. Its newist drink is the Petrichor. It's made out of jasmine tea and house-made blackberry syrup — and it's topped with an edible flower.

Foods are homemade as well, with all types of eggs, granola, soups and French toast. And for something super special, try a ginger smoothie or a decadent nutty chocolate one.

Korppi Coffee is located at 71 County Road 120 in St. Cloud. The shop is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Jules' Bistro in St. Cloud collaborates with other local businesses, such as Backwards Bread Company and Spice of Life Tea Shop, on several menu items.

Jules’ Bistro

Jules' Bistro has a unique breakfast menu, featuring chilaquiles, shakshuka and "not your grandmama’s biscuits & gravy," among other dishes. Jules' dishes are made from scratch, with flavors from places around the world, as well as the employees' own cultural backgrounds and previous work experiences. Jules also works closely with several other local businesses to supply items for the menu. These include St. Cloud's Backwards Bread Company and Spice of Life Tea Shop.

Jules' Bistro is at 921 W. St. Germain St. in downtown St. Cloud. It is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. The cafe is closed on Monday.

District Coffee in St. Cloud is one of several independent coffee shops in the area.

District Coffee

Located in the heart of South St. Cloud, District Coffee offers lots of unique pastries from St. Joseph's Flour & Flower. Two favorite coffees from the founders are the oat milk latte, Molly Windfeldt's go to, and Amie Danielson's top choice, an Americano.

Some specialties include crepes, bagels, sandwiches, eggs and pastries. In addition, the shop sells banana bread overnight oats and caprese avocado toast.

District Coffee is located at 3035 Roosevelt Road in St. Cloud. Its hours are 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday.