Downtown Minneapolis gluten-free, vegan cafe Coconut Whisk is closing

The restaurant will shut down at the end of March.

The Minnesota Star Tribune
March 1, 2024 at 8:36PM
Coconut Whisk co-founder Bella Lam grew her waffle and pancake mix business into a cafe on Nicollet Mall.
Coconut Whisk co-founder Bella Lam has announced she is closing her downtown cafe at the end of March. (Mark Vancleave/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Coconut Whisk Cafe, a Nicollet Mall haven for downtown boba lovers as well as vegan and gluten-free folks, has announced it will close at the end of March.

Founders Bella “Nhi” Lam and Myles Olson launched their line of Coconut Whisk gluten-free and vegan baking mixes in 2018 at farmers markets after struggling to find products that fit both dietary needs. The brand quickly took off and soon began popping up in area co-ops and stores.

The cafe opened in May 2021 with a bright interior and a menu of treats like waffle sticks and mini pancakes. Beverages included boba and vegan Vietnamese iced coffee.

In a social media post, Lam and Olson expressed gratitude: “This cafe gave us a lot of hope during a dark time. It was our labor of love for the community.”

To close this chapter, the couple are hosting a farewell party March 23 from noon to 3 p.m. and hope fans will stop by and say goodbye.

Coconut Whisk’s mixes will continue to be produced and available for home cooks.

Coconut Whisk Cafe & Bubble Tea Shop, 905 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612-440-5734, coconutwhiskcafe.com

about the writer

about the writer

Joy Summers

Food and Drink Reporter

Joy Summers is a St. Paul-based food reporter who has been covering Twin Cities restaurants since 2010. She joined the Star Tribune in 2021. 

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