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Hours
Sun
7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Mon
7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thu
7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Fri
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sat
7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
4.0
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
Learn More
CUISINES
American, Cafe
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch
features
Menu
Main
Wild Rice Porridge**
Wild rice, real maple syrup, cranberries and pecans simmered to perfection. Served with toast or an English muffin
Vegetarian
Cup
$7
Bowl
$9
Substitute Soy Milk or Almond Milk (Extra)
$1
Pancakes
Vegetarian
Cranberry Wild Rice
$9
Granny Ginny's Fresh Blueberry
$8
Loaded Chocolate Chip
$8
Hearty Buttermilk
$7
Add Bacon, Pork Sausage, Chicken Sausage or Ham
$3
Grandma Bergman's Swedish Pancakes
Three thin house-made pancakes filled with chilled Swedish lingonberries served with Vanilla Bean butter
$9
Vegetarian
Norwegian Crepes
Two delicate house-made crepes filled with our chilled mixed berry jam and served with Vanilla Bean butter
$8
Vegetarian
Scandinavian Breakfast**
Slices of our house-made caramel pecan bread pudding dipped in batter, grilled and drizzled with our housemade caramel sauce and served with ham, bacon, pork sausage patty or chicken sausage link and seasonal fruit
$12
North Shore Huevos Rancheros*
Home-fried potatoes piled high with guacamole, refried beans, roasted corn salsa, Formaggio cheese and topped with two eggs any style
$12
Vegetarian
Gluten Free
Does this restaurant offer table service?
Details
About
Great food is all about flavor. Wake up your taste buds today with a home cooked meal at the Vanilla Bean Restaurant in Two Harbors. Whether you choose our signature oven-baked omelets, Swedish pancakes with lingonberries or our award-winning soups and sandwiches, or pan-seared fish dinner, you'll find great flavor, great value, and great service. The Vanilla Bean is way more than great coffee. We are proud to say that our friendly servers and accommodating kitchen staff are truly the best you'll find anywhere!
CUISINES
American, Cafe
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch
FEATURES
Takeout, Seating, Parking Available, Street Parking, Free off-street parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Free Wifi, Discover, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
Contribute
4.0
542 reviews
Excellent
311
Very good
111
Average
51
Poor
27
Terrible
42
Richard S
Abilene554 contributions
Oct 2020 • none
This is a great breakfast stop. The tables are well spaced, the staff very friendly, and great breakfast menu. My wife enjoyed baked omelets that were fantastic...round, thick, plenty of flavor and ingredients. They made a mistake and served me the wrong omelet, so took right omelet with us for breakfast the next morning. It heated up great using the hotel microwave.
FYI...the shop next door had an excellent selection of different wild rice offered for a fair price.
Written October 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jasonv701
Thank you so much Richard! We appreciate your business.
Written October 19, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bluesfoundry
2 contributions
Jun 2021 • none
Most of the breakfast options in the Two Harbors area serve diner food, which is okay, yet if you are looking for something a bit more unique, I recommend Vanilla Bean. They are known for their 'baked' omelette which reminds me of a fritata, and are amazing. They also have several Scandinavian influenced dishes that are wonderful.
They serve both breakfast and lunch all day, and offer both coffee and espresso based drinks, along with bar drinks and juices. Their prices are very reasonable and their staff is very friendly and helpful.
Written June 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason V
We think so too! :-) Thank you so much.
Written September 16, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
_JayT_Travels
Minneapolis24 contributions
Mar 2021 • none
Having driven through Two Harbors more times than I can count, I stopped at the Vanilla Bean for the first time with a friend.
What a great little cafe! The server was lovely and the food was unique, fresh, and downright delicious. For a small town restaurant, I wasn't expecting anything other than your standard breakfast and lunch food so I was pleasantly surprised.
Written April 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason V
Thank you so much Jay! We appreciate your review and business.
Written April 25, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MplsMary
55 contributions
Jun 2020 • none
We had a bad experience on Sunday, June 14. I begged my husband to drive 15 minutes out of the way to go to Vanilla Bean. We tried calling for reservations, as that is what the website stated. We called 3-4 times and no one ever answered. We got there about 10:30 and they said 20-25 minute wait, but ended up only being 15 min, which was great. Waiter (male) took our order and an hour later no food. He did stop by at some point and said it would be soon and that was probably at 45 min. We had to leave as we had to be somewhere, so I told the waiter we were leaving and he was totally fine with that and told me a table seated prior to us was still waiting and they were over an hour. it seemed like the gal waiting on tables outside was constantly bringing out food, so not sure what happened. At a minimum the waiter should have offered us comp drinks given that our order took so long.
He acted like he didn't care. we were super disappointed. Also, I get that it was the first weekend open, but the situation was still not handled well.
I did post this to their website first and never heard back from anyone at all.
Written June 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jasonv701
MplsMary, I returned your email. Please see that for my response. Take care.
Written July 4, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
mike e
Minneapolis1 contribution
Aug 2020 • couples
I was there on Tuesday and 10:00 am. The service was very slow! 45 minutes. When we arrived they were standing right there and ignored us for several minutes. There were several waitresses once we sat down at 50% full with only 6 table inside. Food was just good. Had to ask where our food was she said it will be right up. They should have less waitresses and more cooks. They did have a sign on the wall saying good food takes time by the cashier. That would be at the front door in big letters. No reason it was that slow.
Written August 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jasonv701
Mike, I responded to your Google review. See that post for my response. Take care, and stay healthy.
Written August 24, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
kn56
Minneapolis218 contributions
Jul 2020 • none
If you are staying in Two Harbors it's probably one of your few options to eat breakfast. The menu is limited and there were several items that they were out of this morning. One of the items the waiter mentioned before were ordered, but my daughter had to change her order because several of their bakery items were out of stock.
I had an omelet and it was way too overcooked. I'm not sure how they cooked it as the bottom of the omelet was completely burnt and leathery but the top was barely done. I ended up leaving behind the burnt part of the omelet on my plate but the waiter didn't even ask what was wrong with it.
Written July 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jasonv701
Hello, and thank you for visiting. We wish you the best. Stay safe and healthy!
Written July 13, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
suzi j
Miramar Beach23 contributions
Mar 2021 • couples
I am a vegetarian and preferred a omelet without meat and dry toast. They brought buttered toast and omelet with ham. No apologies given by waitress. Finally brought correct food but by then I wasn’t hungry anymore. On the bill they charged me for 2 inlets and overcharged our to go hamburgers for our dog’s by $2 each. Will never go back.
Written March 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason V
I’m sorry to see that, Suzy. Hopefully you were able to talk with your server about those errors on the bill, because that’s real simple for us to fix. You take care. Stay safe and healthy.
Written March 14, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kgordon10
Minneapolis65 contributions
Aug 2021 • none
Never Have I Ever is a fun game to play with both people you just met for the first time and with your close friends. Yesterday, while dining at The Vanilla Bean in Two Harbors, MN , my husband and young daughter had an experience that never will I ever want to experience again.
We came in for lunch on a Saturday. The Vanilla Bean had three young adults sitting at a table and us. In other words, it was empty. The woman working the cash register, (older with short blond hair), has been there for many years. We know, we have been going to this place for a decade.
The young adults got up to pay. As they left the woman at the register shouted "I guess some people don't believe in tipping", the young adults were still in the restaurant trying to exit. The woman then became more upset and yelled " I should be giving each of you the finger."
OK. Really? Really?
I understand that all hospitality workers rely on tips for the bulk of their incomes. The guests should have tipped you. But I was also a customer. I was trying to dine with my young daughter and your feelings of anxiety and resentment should not have been displayed this way in front of her. It was simply not a decent thing to do.
I tipped you regardless. Not because you scared me. Not because you shamed others. We tipped because it is right to do. But never will we ever come back. NEVER.
And about our service and lunch...... It was the poorest quality walleye sandwich I ever had. The sweet potatoes fries were actually burned. The sandwich which offered a 3" by 3" filet was also cooked beyond recognition. It seemed like the entire plate had been cooked prior and reheated. Just the worst. Service? Thanks, for bringing the sandwiches. You never refilled drinks and you took forever to bring the check. Honestly, we wanted the check so we could leave as soon as possible.
Written August 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason V
Thank you for your detailed feedback. We're so sorry we won't be seeing you again. You please take care, and stay healthy.
Written September 16, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jo D
Saint Paul8 contributions
Jul 2022 • none
I was vacationing in two harbors and stopped in to the Vanilla Bean for breakfast. My eggs were over cooked and brown on the bottom, the jam appeared to be homemade but it wasn't sweet at all, and my sausage had a very odd flavor - like perfume. Our server never came back to our table to check on us or refill my coffee etc. We just didn't enjoy the food and the service could have been better.
Written July 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason V
Thanks for stopping in Kitty, and visiting Two Harbors. Take care!
Written July 17, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Deb M
Minneapolis57 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
We loved our lunch choices: the chicken wild rice soup with half turkey sandwich on cranberry wild rice bread and the Castle Danger hash - corned beef braised in the local brewery's product with potatoes, onion, and green pepper. Good coffee and caffeine free herbal tea, too. If you visit in the winter you don't have to stand in the line out to the street to get a table.
Written February 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jasonv701
Thank you Deb! We appreciate your business and review.
Written February 24, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Eve N T
14 contributions
Aug 2022 • solo
You know when there's a wait to be seated at a restaurant that it's usually going to be good & Vanilla Bean in Two Harbors did not disappoint.
Despite being busy & running every which way their staff was friendly & accommodating.. from the hostess to the wait staff as well as the cook with special requests.Their staff is Covid conscious so those with health conditions should feel comfortable here as well.
The hostess was friendly & helpful as I waited to be seated. My waitress was hustling to attend all her tables so I tried not to monopolize her too much but she still took the time to happily answer my touristy questions which I appreciate. The food... absolutely amazing! I couldn't decide so I had a bit of everything & my take home box is overflowing but so worth it to get a taste to bring home. They even did my special request for roesti hashbrowns (add onions & swiss cheese) just right!
I cannot praise this little place enough. Be sure to plan some extra time to wait for your table (there's a cute little shop right next door so no worries on what to do) & make the stop to Vanilla Bean. You won't be disappointed!
Written August 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason V
Thank you so much, Eve!
Written September 14, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ISLANDGIRL3013
Minnesota407 contributions
May 2022 • none
There was a wait they take your # and call you when ready that was a nice feature so you could wander the town a bit. We had the walleye sandwich, club, chicken fried steak and an omlette all was delicious. Staff was friendly and accommodating.
Written May 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason V
Thank you so much for the review! We appreciate your business.
Written May 26, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Deb H
Minneapolis88 contributions
Oct 2020 • none
Stopped in for the all day brunch. Hubby had the the chicken fried steak and eggs with American fries - delicious! The seasoning in the potatoes was amazing. I tried their known for cranberry club sandwich. Oh. My. Gosh! I’d drive up from the cities just to have this again for lunch!
Written October 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jasonv701
Thank you so much Deb! Great choices for brunch!
Written October 12, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lelelenole
20 contributions
Oct 2022 • couples
We were staying in Two Harbors over a weekend and looking for a good breakfast joint. We chose Vanilla Beans Restaurant because it was open at 7:00am on Sunday morning. When we got there, there was only one another couple. Our server was the only person in the front and she was very efficient. I ordered Castle Danger Hash and my husband ordered Pancake with egg and sausages on the side. The corn beef in my hash was very tasty and the pancakes were light and wonderful! We found our new favorite breakfast place in Two Harbors.
Written October 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason V
Thank you so much for the review. We appreciate your business.
Written October 3, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
whitelilli
14 contributions
Nov 2023 • friends
This used to be a bright spot to have lunch.
The menu is a total disappointment and half what it used to be with the NEW ownership.
Unfortunately I won't be back for the watered down wildrice soup, burnt bacon on the club hard toasted bread
Written November 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason Vincent
Hi there. I’m sorry you were disappointed in your experience. We certainly don’t like to see that, and hopefully you were able to talk with our great staff about that. But to clarify your review, there is no new ownership. I’m not sure where you got that wrong information. I have owned the restaurant for going on 10 years now. I wish you the best, and thank you for your business. Take care!
Written November 6, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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