2025 Minnesota Renaissance Festival

Minnesota Renaissance Festival 2025 Hipster Hack Food Review
Standard

As I said last year I LOVE a costume party and while the Minnesota Renaissance Festival may frustrate some that it has become more of a cosplay convention for anything fantasy or even just nerdy instead of a sole celebration of the Renaissance era, I personally love it. You never know what you’re going to see. One second you’re looking at someone in period costume, the next second you’re looking at someone dressed up like Where’s Waldo, Batman or Bermuda Merlin from “Sword in the Stone” (true story haha).

You can check out my review from last year for some other foods I really like that are still available, but I did a really good job this year of trying new foods!
Pro: I liked everything enough.
Con: I missed out on the soup in a bread bowl, but there was also no way I was eating hot soup in today’s heat.

Continue reading

5 Outdoor Dining Spots | Saint Paul, MN

Standard

This list is my favorite patios and outdoor dining spots in Saint Paul and the east side suburbs. I know that there are a lot of revered spots in Minneapolis and the west burbs also, but I spend most my time on this side of the Mississippi so I’m making a list true to me!

If you have a spot you absolutely love, please drop it in the comments!

*Also shout out to my husband for being the star of most of these photos haha

Continue reading

7 Saint Paul Breweries | Minnesota Beer

Surly Brewing Company Surly Beer Hall St. Paul Minnesota Breweries Hipster Hack Review
Standard

The last two Sundays husband and I had off together so we had two brewery hopping dates. This made me realize it’s been a while since I did any beer features over here so I thought that in addition to calling out the 4 we visited, I’d include 3 of my other favorites and throw together a list my 7 go-to Saint Paul breweries….one for every day of the week 😉.

*I understand that there are many more options, so please don’t take offense or get up in arms if your favorite isn’t on this list.

Continue reading

Favorite Foods of 2024 | Twin Cities, MN

2024 Hipster Hack Food Review Twin Cities Minnesota
Standard

Last year I did a recap of my 12 favorite foods for 12 months and it was so fun I had to do it again for foods of 2024.

Sharing in no particular order…

Continue reading

Buca di Beppo | Saint Paul, MN

Buca di Beppo Saint Paul Minnesota Hipster Hack Review
Standard

Husband and I were invited to Buca di Beppo in St. Paul to try out their menu and learn more about the history of their company and the history of that location’s building…including some ghost stories 👻.*

Buca di Beppo is a national chain that actually started in a basement in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Their humble beginnings were actually the inspiration behind the name, with Buca di Beppo translating roughly to “Joe’s small place,” in Italian.

*I do want to add a disclaimer that while I was gifted a dinner experience, my review and thoughts are my own.

See pictures of everything we tried below.

Continue reading

Hope Breakfast Bar | Woodbury, MN

Hope Breakfast Bar Woodbury Minnesota Hipster Hack Review
Standard

I’ve previously visited Hope Breakfast Bar in St. Paul so I was excited to hear that they were opening one up so close to me in Woodbury.

We went for a Saturday brunch and lucked out that it was still warm enough outside to sit on the patio. Definitely recommend you have a reservation as the place is very small and generally book up at all locations.

Continue reading

2024 Minnesota Renaissance Festival

Minnesota Renaissance Festival 2024 Hipster Hack Food Review
Standard

I love a theme party and the Minnesota Renaissance Festival is the biggest costume party of the year! The theme is “renaissance” but within 5 minutes of being inside the gates you’ll see that the dress code isn’t universal; medieval, vikings, cottage core, witches, Zelda, Lord of the Rings characters, Dr. Who, Mario Kart, you name it – the gangs all here!

Continue reading

The Brickhouse | White Bear Lake, MN

Brickhouse White Bear Lake Hipster Hack Food Review
Standard

A friend and I stumbled upon the Brickhouse when we were searching for a place to grab some rooftop cocktails in White Bear Lake and it was definitely what I like to think Bob Ross would consider “a happy accident.”

Continue reading