Dream Cloud Coffee Roasters — Restaurant in Lake No. 2

I have been a loyal and frequent supporter to this coffee shop location since 2014 when it was Mocha Moose, so I have lots of history with the space and the previous owners. We locals have been anticipating the launch of the newly named Dream Cloud Coffee, which was established in Duluth, MN, and is now in the old Mocha Moose building.

What Owners Emily and Charlie have done to re-design the space is truly amazing. It felt almost French modern with some comfy wood furnishings combined with a contemporary feel. The space feels larger even though they didn't move any walls (mostly), and the mostly communal seating has be relegated to the adjoining room, which allows for lots of space for people to comfortably place their orders without falling on top of each other. The space is bright and vibrant, yet cozy, and individuals can still sit on fun bar stools along the front window. Emily's lovely photos decorate the walls, and the bakery case was filled with yummy homade baked goods, including three types of cake doughnuts.

Their coffee drinks are priced like most of the coffee shops in the area, and the baked goods seemed a bit spendy, yet worth the money. I am not sure if they will be offering other food items or if this will be more like a coffee shop and bakery. They also roast their own bean, apparent by the roaster installed in the adjacent room, adding to the ambiance of the space. Emily and Charlie were the only 'employees', and they are both super friendly, with great service and positive energy. Charlie also does pottery, which is available for purchase, along with Emily's photos. I am guessing for artists like me, this will no longer be a business for local artists to sell their creations.

Keep in mind, they have a later morning opening time than what we were used to by previous owners (10 am to 4 pm), so if you are an early riser and want coffee, you will have to seek out other options. And they are only open Friday through Sunday, so keep that in mind if you are traveling from outside the area as I know many found the Mocha Moose to be a regular stop traveling to and from the North Shore. And maybe these are their roll-out times and days as maybe they will adjust their hours in the future. There is still seating in the outside deck, too, which is wonderful.

Those who joined me during my visit are also locals, and we are all excited that the coffee shop is open again. I highly recommend you stop in! I wish them the...

This is such a special little coffee shop, and I am lucky my friend introduced me to it. After walking in, I soon realized it would be one of the most thoughtfully curated coffee shops I have ever been to. I found myself observing everything around me since there were so many unique things to see. The seating area reminded me of being in a miniature museum with items from near and far. It's one of those places where you will probably notice something new every time you come here. I really appreciated the atmosphere as well. You have people reading, conversing, and playing board games which just gives it this easy going and lighthearted feeling.

I could go on and on about how much I loved the design, decor, and ambience but I should get to how amazing their baked goods and coffee was too. We ordered a banana bread muffin with nutella, a lemon curd bun, a shot of espresso, and a chai tea latte. My friend and I both loved our drinks and the pottery they came in too! The banana bread was so fluffy and delicious, and the lemon curd bun was also fluffy and had a really nice lemon curd filling. I wish I could've just sat here all day drinking coffee and eating everything in their display case. I could easily see myself coming here weekly with how perfect everything was. The owners were chill folks and they have really done an amazing job with Dream Cloud...

Dream Cloud Coffee Roasters is a true gem. The baked goods were absolutely fantastic—you can clearly tell they’re handmade in smaller batches with care. Earlier this year, I had the chance to try the “world’s best cinnamon rolls” at Isles Bun & Coffee in Minneapolis, and honestly, Dream Cloud’s cinnamon rolls were even better in my opinion. I also loved seeing unique offerings like fresh focaccia and handmade hand pies, which I was happy to bring home.

The café itself is incredibly cute and cozy, and it’s obvious the owners put a lot of time and love into curating the atmosphere. There are plenty of coffee options to suit every taste, and they even sell their own branded beans so you can bring a bit of the experience home with you.

I do wish they opened a bit earlier for those of us who like to start the day with an early cup, but that’s just a personal preference, not a flaw. If you plan to visit, I’d recommend arriving early to snag the baked goods while they’re fresh and before they sell out. I’ll...