Agra Culture Cafe, Minneapolis Institute of Art

Note: 2023 - Due to the pandemic, museum visits were on a long break…hope to get out there exploring and sipping coffee and writing more blog posts soon… but there’s plenty to remember here so far. I do have a 2022 museum visit I need to post, the Anne of Green Gables Museum on Prince Edward Island. Regretfully we did not make it to the Potato Museum on PEI though - I did hear they have a cafe that serves - only potatoes!

Why travel the world when there are world-class museums and museum cafes right here? Finally took my own advice and checked out the newly-redesigned lobby and cafe at Minneapolis Institute of Art. In 2015 the Minneapolis architects VJAA refreshed the design of the MIA entrances, main lobby and cafe. Loved it!

Cool and Comfortable

Yes, there’s a low ceiling but there the resemblance to the Smithsonian cafes ended. The area is welcoming and airy. The cafe chairs and tables enhance the space, rather than distract. The old cafe was tucked in a dark corner - the Agra Culture cafe proudly dominates the lobby and uses very cool white chairs to do it. I was delighted with the light and bright aesthetic. Plus the seating was comfortable - not always a given for eye-candy chairs. Met two friends there for coffee and it was a very pleasant environment to sit and talk and relax.