ZAO Bakery + Café
A charming Chinese bakery and cafe offering authentic pastries, comforting congee, and savory noodle dishes in a serene, modern setting.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
ZAO Bakery + Café
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A charming Chinese bakery and cafe offering authentic pastries, comforting congee, and savory noodle dishes in a serene, modern setting.
Visit during off-peak hours
Avoid crowds and ensure freshly baked goods are available by visiting during less busy times.
Warm up your baked goods
Enhance the taste of your baked goods by warming them up in the provided microwave.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Chinese
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Authentic Chinese Bakery Delights
Discover unique Chinese bakery items like the BBQ pork bun and pineapple bun, not easily found elsewhere.
Savory Noodle Bowls & Congee
Savor hearty and flavorful noodle soups and congee, perfect for a comforting and delicious meal.
Tranquil & Modern Atmosphere
Experience a bright, clean, and peaceful ambiance with unique decor, ideal for a relaxing dining experience.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Visit during off-peak hours
Avoid crowds and ensure freshly baked goods are available by visiting during less busy times.
Warm up your baked goods
Enhance the taste of your baked goods by warming them up in the provided microwave.
Try specialty drinks
Don't miss out on unique drinks like Ovaltine mocha or chrysanthemum milk tea.
Consider transportation
Public transportation is recommended, and parking is available next to the building or in the neighborhood.
Tips
from all over the internet
Visit during off-peak hours
Avoid crowds and ensure freshly baked goods are available by visiting during less busy times.
Warm up your baked goods
Enhance the taste of your baked goods by warming them up in the provided microwave.
Try specialty drinks
Don't miss out on unique drinks like Ovaltine mocha or chrysanthemum milk tea.
Consider transportation
Public transportation is recommended, and parking is available next to the building or in the neighborhood.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
ZAO Bakery + Café is praised for its authentic Chinese bakery items and flavorful noodle dishes, offering a comforting taste of home. Diners appreciate the tranquil and modern atmosphere, making it a delightful spot for a meal or a treat. While the food generally receives high marks, some have experienced inconsistent wait times for seating during peak hours.
"I don't know much about zen but am pretty sure this place has it.
Their atmosphere is SO beautiful & peaceful & clean; it's the most I've enjoyed a restaurant in months. They've clearly poured a lot of love into the design, from the decor to the incredible wood benches to the pretty China serving dishes on the table. There's even a microwave to heat your steam buns! 🥹
The food is phenomenal; I had the red pork noodles & got a variety of pastries. Enjoyed the Ovaltine mocha. I've been to another twin cities Chinese bakery & enjoyed but found this far superior."
Autumn May
"Shared the Pork congee, BBQ egg noodles, curry bun, ham soi gok, pineapple bun, oolong milk tea, and chrysanthemum milk tea.
Both the noodle soup and congee were so wonderfully savory and flavorful. They were warm, comforting, and steaming right out of the kitchen.
The ham soi gok was the perfect balance of sweet and chewy on the outside and salty and savory on the inside.
I don't usually prefer spicy food but the curry bun was very flavorful and paired really well with the congee.
Pineapple bun was sweet, soft, and nice and crackly on the top.
The drinks were also amazing. Both teas had nice strong tea flavors and weren't too sweet. Though honestly, the whole day I could not forget about the taste of the chrysanthemum milk tea. I might go back just for that and to try the soy milk that a bunch of other reviews are raving about.
The only thing I would note for next time would be to go closer to when they open because by the time we got there it was packed and there wasn't a ton of seating. We had to wait a bit."
李Victoria
"The fresh soy milk was delicious. I don't think any other restaurant in the Twin Cities serves fresh soy milk so I will definitely be returning just for that. I also tried their beef noodle soup and bought a bunch of the pastries to take home for me and my family to try. I just wanted to give their chili oil a shout out, I don't know if it's home made or store bought but it was spicy. A little went a long way. 🤤 I like that the water was self service so I can go refill as much as I want and I was able to seat myself. They had a very laid back setting. It's definitely a place where you don't have to feel shy eating by yourself."
Ai Xi
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Many diners rave about the authentic Chinese bakery items like the BBQ pork bun, pineapple bun, and the congee and noodle soups.
While the ambiance is great for working, WiFi can be unreliable. Consider using your mobile hotspot.
Yes, they offer fresh soy milk, which is highlighted as a unique and delicious option by many customers.
Visiting during off-peak hours is recommended to avoid crowds and ensure the best selection of freshly baked goods.
Reservations are not typically mentioned; however, seating can be limited during peak times, so arriving early is advised.
They offer a variety of specialty drinks including Ovaltine mocha, chrysanthemum milk tea, and matcha-based beverages.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
Best New Restaurants in Saint Paul 2025
This Minnesota-based Chinese bakery & cafe is inspired by the early morning meals the owner shared with their family. Enjoy a selection of treats like flavored baked buns including BBQ pork, red bean, curry chicken and more!. [ OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS ]
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit