Penny's Coffee — Restaurant in Wayzata

Visiting Wayzata, my one-time home place, after a year of being in relative isolation through these Days of COVID, I found myself craving the simple thing of a cup of coffee shop coffee. I ended up feeling more than a little regret, though, after downing a syrupy sludge of a latte from the franchise down the street from your location. Family suggested I try Penny's, to get my impression of their offerings. I'm glad I did. It’s good to know that in a market that often does not acknowledge that any sense of quality and value—and yes, social standing—in an industrialized, low-grade cup of Starbucks or the current manifestation of Caribou one might presume is, at best, misdirected. Penny’s offers genuinely good and authentic fare—the rich, flavorful (and real) latte I had, a locally baked scone. Their business model and vision, prominently displayed on the wall, appears to reflect more than the token nod to fair and ethical relationships with their professional staff, the immediate community, and those who grow the coffee they serve (despite the “fair trade” labeling seen in many commercial and franchised operations, the coffee trade continues to be characterized by the poverty-reinforcing reality that actually trickles down to the growers in Guatemala, Honduras, etc.). If you appreciate genuine goodness, worthy of taking the time and attention to indulge, I recommend Penny’s. I’m looking forward to visiting again—perhaps when COVID restrictions have eased to where we can try more of...

I’m a Penny’s regular. Espresso is fantastic and pastries are incredible…when they’re available. The shop opens at 8, but I’ve learned through trial and error pastries and breakfast items are typically not available until after 9. I prefer to order through the app, so I can pick up before work. The problem is that I’ll place an order and when I arrive, no food is in the case. Today the barista didn’t know how to refund my credit card. Not a great way to start the day. Pains me to say it, but I’m hesitant to return. That’s sad. I’m rooting for this local business, because it has a ton of potential, but needs a management and operations...

Absolutely fantastic experience, I used to work at a chain coffeeshop in the area and Penny's absolutely blows them away on every front. The espresso was fantastic, the baristas were knowledgable and polite, the food was excellent, the wifi was fast, and the ambiance is perfect, with a comfortable temperature and a vibe that was conducive to either having a conversation, reading a book, or getting work done. This is the best place to get coffee without going all the way into...