A cartoon illustration of a smiling sun with a happy face, black eyes, and yellow rays radiating outward on a black background.

Hot Plate is a happy place

Tucked in the heart of South Minneapolis, Hot Plate is a cozy, colorful breakfast spot serving scratch-made comfort food with a creative twist. Since 2007, we’ve been a neighborhood favorite for made-from-scratch dishes, strong coffee, and a whole lot of personality.

From our signature pancakes and hearty scrambles to vegetarian favorites and playful daily specials, every plate is made with love and a touch of nostalgia. Whether it’s your first time or you’re a longtime regular, you’ll always be greeted with friendly faces, good vibes, and food that feels like home.

Come hungry and see why Hot Plate has been keeping Minneapolis mornings bright (and delicious) for years.

People dining in a lively restaurant with colorful artwork and hanging lamps, engaged in conversation.
A wall decorated with various colorful paintings and framed artwork, including landscapes, animals, and portraits, illuminated by a green and blue hanging lamp.
A woman with dark hair sitting on concrete steps outside a building with a brick wall and glass door. She is smiling and wearing a black t-shirt, blue jeans, and white sneakers. To her left is a large teal planter with red, pink, white, purple, and green flowering plants. A red mailbox is attached to the brick wall above the planter, and a small decorative gnome is visible behind her.

Meet Carmen,
Hot Plate’s Proud Owner

Carmen is the heart behind Hot Plate — a proud woman-owned small business rooted in creativity, resilience, and community. She has poured her passion for good food, welcoming spaces, and genuine connection into every corner of the restaurant since 2017.

What began as a dream has now grown into a Minneapolis staple, thanks to her commitment to making every guest feel right at home. Today, Carmen continues to lead Hot Plate with warmth, grit, and a deep love for the neighborhood and community that has supported her from the very beginning.

So, what’s the deal with the paintings?

Max Klein

In the late 1940’s, Max Klein, a chemist and former merchandising researcher for General Motors, acquired the Palmer Show Card Paint Co., which eventually became Palmer Paint Sales Co., which became Palmer Pann, Inc., maker of Craft Master paint-by-number sets. An entrepreneur ahead of his time.

Dan Robbins

The “Paint-By-Number Guru” who was in charge of the Palmer Paint Sales Co. design department. He designed the original paint-by-number sets, package design and Craft Master logo and supervised what became a large staff of artists and designers in the creation of numerous series of painty-by-number products.

Hot Plate Sightings