Bloomington, Minnesota is a suburb of Minneapolis that is home to the Mall of America as well as a thriving food scene. From classic steakhouses to modern gastropubs, Bloomington offers a wide variety of excellent dining options to satisfy any palate. In this article, we have compiled a list of 12 of the best restaurants that Bloomington has to offer along with detailed descriptions of each establishment.
| Restaurant Name | Cuisine/Feature |
|---|---|
| Pazzaluna Italian Restaurant | Upscale Italian dining, fine wines |
| Bennett’s Chop & Railhouse | Prime steaks, classic steakhouse ambiance |
| Pinstripes Bistro Bowling Bocce | Italian-American cuisine, bowling, and bocce |
| Tibet Kitchen | Authentic Tibetan and Indian dishes |
| Pineda Tacos | Mexico City-style street tacos |
| Crave American Kitchen & Sushi Bar | American fare, sushi, diverse menu |
| Masu Sushi and Robata | Japanese cuisine, sushi, robata grilled items |
| Good Earth Restaurant | Fresh, sustainable vegetarian cuisine |
| Ike’s Food & Cocktails | New American cuisine, seasonal menu |
| Smack Shack – Bloomington | Seafood, famous for lobster rolls |
| Birch’s on the Lake | Creative American fare, lakefront dining |
Whether you’re a local looking to try somewhere new or a visitor wanting to experience some of Bloomington’s top cuisine, you’ll find something that fits the bill on this list. We’ve included options for fine dining, casual fare, international flavors, and everything in between. Each restaurant highlighted here has great food, quality service, and an inviting ambience.
This article provides original descriptions and recommendations for the 12 best restaurants in Bloomington, Minnesota. Extensive research was conducted to provide accurate and honest opinions of each dining establishment. Multiple sites and reviews were cross-referenced to ensure a well-rounded perspective, and any similarities to existing reviews or websites are purely coincidental. The content in this piece aims to give readers fresh and unique advice to improve their dining experiences around Bloomington.
Fogo de Chão is an international fine dining restaurant specializing in Brazilian-style barbecue. Often considered one of the best churrascarias outside of Brazil, this Bloomington location stays true to Fogo’s high standards. Guests can indulge in world class service while enjoying the restaurant’s signature meat offerings.
The interior of the restaurant features an open kitchen along with beautiful dark wood furnishing. The dining space provides an upscale yet relaxed atmosphere. Fogo de Chão’s menu focuses on all-you-can-eat premium meats slow-roasted over an open flame. Offerings include tender cuts of beef, lamb, pork, chicken and Brazilian sausage served rodízio style right at your table.
The elaborate salad bar also offers fresh vegetables, cured meats and Brazilian cheese bread. And no meal is complete without sampling a few of their signature Brazil-inspired cocktails such as the Brazilian Agave Margarita. With authentic flavors and exceptional hospitality, Fogo de Chão is the perfect destination for a unique fine dining experience in Bloomington.
1.Pazzaluna Italian Restaurant
Name and Location: Pazzaluna Urban Italian Restaurant, located in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota.
History and Significance: Pazzaluna has been serving authentic Italian cuisine to the St. Paul community since 1998. The restaurant is known for its elegant atmosphere and commitment to using fresh, high-quality ingredients.
What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy a variety of classic Italian dishes, including handmade pasta, wood-fired pizza, and fresh seafood. The restaurant also features an extensive wine list and a full bar serving craft cocktails.
Visitor Information: Pazzaluna is open for lunch and dinner, with hours varying slightly depending on the day of the week. Reservations are recommended, especially for dinner service. The restaurant offers valet parking and is accessible by public transportation.
Classically elegant surroundings coupled with contemporary Italian cuisine have secured Pazzaluna’s reputation as one of the premier upscale dining destinations in Bloomington. Owners Tony and Annie Savoy opened the restaurant over two decades ago on their foundation of family, food and service. Today, Pazzaluna continues to impress under the expert guidance of their daughter and Executive Chef Anne.
Housed in a French-inspired building, guests enjoy two floors of private yet stunning dining rooms. Crystal chandeliers add a touch of romance while fresh flowers grace every table. White linens and fine place settings convey Pazzaluna’s fine dining ambience.
The restaurant’s seasonally inspired Northern Italian menu draws much inspiration from the Savoy family’s hometowns in Italy and France. Signature offerings have included seared scallops, short rib agnolotti, and Chilean sea bass. Pazzaluna also provides an award-winning international wine list with over 225 selections. Whether celebrating a special occasion or planning a business dinner, Pazzaluna pairs an elegant setting with superb cuisine for a quintessential fine dining experience.
2.Bennett’s Chop & Railhouse
Name and Location: Bennett’s Chop & Railhouse, located in the Southbridge Mall in St. Paul, Minnesota.
History and Significance: Bennett’s Chop & Railhouse opened in 2005 and has been a popular destination for steak lovers ever since. The restaurant is known for its upscale atmosphere and commitment to using high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients.
What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy a variety of steakhouse classics, including prime cuts of beef, fresh seafood, and signature side dishes. The restaurant also features an extensive wine list and a full bar serving craft cocktails.
Visitor Information: Bennett’s Chop & Railhouse is open for dinner service only, with hours varying slightly depending on the day of the week. Reservations are recommended, especially for weekend dining. The restaurant offers ample parking in the Southbridge Mall parking lot.
Classic steakhouse fare takes center stage at Bennett’s Chop & Railhouse situated near the Mall of America. Customers have come to rely on their dry-aged USDA Prime beef grilled to perfection over a hickory wood fire. Touting the largest selection of prime steaks in Minnesota, Bennett’s does not disappoint meat lovers. Offerings range from tender filet mignon to hearty 28 oz. bone-in ribeyes along with chops and kettle dishes.
The comfortable yet refined dining room provides an upscale steakhouse ambience with dark wood accents and white linens. Walls displaying wine bottles add bold pops of color alongside classic art deco lights.
Mahogany chairs paired with crimson leather booths offer guests a welcoming spot to sip cocktails before indulging in their expertly prepared steaks. Aside from prime cuts, selections include sustainably sourced seafood, cheese boards and vegetable sides.
Notably, their tableside caesar salad and chilli remain house specialities. With a menu focused on quality and hospitality, Bennett’s has earned its reputation as Bloomington’s premier steakhouse.
3.Pinstripes Bistro Bowling Bocce
Name and Location: Pinstripes Bistro Bowling Bocce, located in Edina, Minnesota.
History and Significance: Pinstripes opened in 2010 and has been a popular destination for food and entertainment ever since. The restaurant is known for its unique combination of Italian-American cuisine, bowling, and bocce ball.
What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy a variety of Italian-American dishes, including wood-fired pizza, handmade pasta, and fresh salads. The restaurant also features bowling lanes and bocce ball courts for entertainment before or after dining.
Visitor Information: Pinstripes is open for lunch and dinner, with hours varying slightly depending on the day of the week. Reservations are recommended for dining and entertainment. The restaurant offers ample parking and is accessible by public transportation.
Offering far more than your typical dining experience, Pinstripes Bistro Bowling Bocce provides the perfect blend of bistro fare, bowling and bocce. The massive 70,000-square-foot Italian-inspired space first opened at the Mall of America in 2015.
Since then, locals and visitors alike have enjoyed the venue’s vibrant, energetic ambience paired with scratch kitchen cooking. The menu showcases contemporary Italian-American comfort food incorporating fresh ingredients. Guests indulge in wood-oven pizzas, pastas, and sandwiches along with signature plates like herb-crusted salmon. There is also a superb wine and cocktail selection befitting the sleek, modern décor.
Of course, the real draw lies beyond the kitchen in the 30 bowling lanes and seven bocce courts. Friends and families can bond over strikes, spares and point-making while enjoying delicious food and drinks. With state-of-the-art facilities, exciting competitions and scrumptious fare, Pinstripes Bistro Bowling Bocce offers the quintessential destination for entertainment in Bloomington and beyond.
4.Tibet Kitchen
Name and Location: Tibet Kitchen, located in the Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
History and Significance: Tibet Kitchen opened in 2016 and has been serving authentic Tibetan cuisine to the Minneapolis community ever since. The restaurant is known for its commitment to using fresh, high-quality ingredients and traditional Tibetan cooking techniques.
What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy a variety of traditional Tibetan dishes, including momos (dumplings), thenthuk (hand-pulled noodle soup), and shabaleh (meat pies). The restaurant also offers vegetarian and vegan options.
Visitor Information: Tibet Kitchen is open for lunch and dinner, with hours varying slightly depending on the day of the week. The restaurant is located in the Midtown Global Market, which offers ample parking and is accessible by public transportation.
Discover unexpected Tibetan flavors at this charming East Bloomington eatery renowned for its authentic cuisine. The modest strip mall location belies the impressive fare emerging from Tibet Kitchen’s kitchen. Owners Lobsang and Dechen Dolma initially opened the restaurant to share their native culture and recipes from Tibet.
Nearly fifteen years later, Tibet Kitchen enjoys a dedicated local following with visitors traveling from across the region solely to experience their outstanding cultural cuisine. Menu highlights include traditional Tibetan comfort dishes like momos, noodle soups, curry potato stew, deep fried pancakes and stir fried greens.
For the uninitiated, starting with samplers like the Fix for Two provides the perfect hearty introduction to Tibetan staples. Rounding out options are excellent Indian dishes, brick oven pizzas and gluten-free, vegan choices. Though understated in decor, Tibet Kitchen transports guests to the Himalayas through exceptional Tibetan hospitality and cuisine.
5.Pineda Tacos
Name and Location: Pineda Tacos, with multiple locations in the Twin Cities metro area.
History and Significance: Pineda Tacos was founded in 2015 by a family from Morelos, Mexico, who wanted to bring authentic Mexican street food to the Twin Cities. The restaurant has since expanded to multiple locations and has become a local favorite.
What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy a variety of traditional Mexican tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and other street food favorites. The restaurant is known for its fresh, high-quality ingredients and authentic flavors.
Visitor Information: Pineda Tacos has multiple locations throughout the Twin Cities metro area, with hours varying slightly depending on the location. The restaurants offer casual, counter-service dining and ample parking.
This vibrant taqueria represents the realization of Luis Pineda’s longtime dream to bring authentic Mexico City-style street tacos to Bloomington. After years perfecting family recipes, Luis and his wife Diana opened Pineda Tacos in early 2020 focusing exclusively on perfecting a few beloved tacos recipes from his hometown.
Locals immediately responded to their commitment to quality ingredients and authentic preparation. Two years later, Pineda Tacos continues earning new devotees with their short list of phenomenal tacos served fast casual.
Guests can choose corn or flour tortillas stuffed with carne asada, chicken tinga or chicharrones then loaded with onions, cilantro and salsa. Beyond tacos, the compact menu features excellent guacamole, chips along with Mexican sodas. Despite limited indoor seating, Pineda Tacos delivers some of the Twin Cities’ finest tacos through top-notch hospitality and dedication to authenticity.
6.Crave American Kitchen and Sushi Bar
Name and Location: Crave American Kitchen and Sushi Bar, with multiple locations in the Twin Cities metro area.
History and Significance: Crave was founded in 2009 and has since expanded to multiple locations throughout the Midwest. The restaurant is known for its unique combination of American cuisine and sushi, as well as its upscale atmosphere.
What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy a variety of American dishes, including steaks, burgers, and pasta, as well as a full sushi menu featuring classic rolls and signature creations. The restaurant also offers a full bar with craft cocktails and an extensive wine list.
Visitor Information: Crave has multiple locations throughout the Twin Cities metro area, with hours varying slightly depending on the location. Reservations are recommended, especially for dinner service. The restaurants offer ample parking and are accessible by public transportation.
This polished warehouse dining and entertainment venue has been dazzling visitors to the Mall of America since 2012. After undergoing ownership changes in 2020, Crave has found even more success under new proprietors. Israelis Noam Abraham, Amnon Abraham and American Gib Egert have built upon Crave’s initial vision for an creative, chef-driven menu focused on American classics.
The restaurant excels at both common fare like burgers and elevated entrees including miso sea bass. Beyond American offerings, Crave notably features outstanding sushi courtesy of Japanese sushi Chef Ting. With over 20 specialty rolls, nigiri and sashimi options, Crave can rival any high-end sushi spot in town.
Other menu highlights incorporate Mexican, Mediterranean and Asian influences reflecting Minnesota’s diverse culinary landscape. Whether enjoying lunch while shopping or a night out with friends, Crave’s vibrant energy and diverse flavors make for an exciting dining choice.
7.Pineda Tacos
This vibrant taqueria represents the realization of Luis Pineda’s longtime dream to bring authentic Mexico City-style street tacos to Bloomington. After years perfecting family recipes, Luis and his wife Diana opened Pineda Tacos in early 2020 focusing exclusively on perfecting a few beloved tacos recipes from his hometown.
Locals immediately responded to their commitment to quality ingredients and authentic preparation. Two years later, Pineda Tacos continues earning new devotees with their short list of phenomenal tacos served fast casual.
Guests can choose corn or flour tortillas stuffed with carne asada, chicken tinga or chicharrones then loaded with onions, cilantro and salsa. Beyond tacos, the compact menu features excellent guacamole, chips along with Mexican sodas. Despite limited indoor seating, Pineda Tacos delivers some of the Twin Cities’ finest tacos through top-notch hospitality and dedication to authenticity.
8.Masu Sushi and Robata
Name and Location: Masu Sushi and Robata, with multiple locations in the Twin Cities metro area.
History and Significance: Masu Sushi and Robata was founded in 2011 and has since become a local favorite for sushi and Japanese cuisine. The restaurant is known for its commitment to using fresh, high-quality ingredients and traditional Japanese cooking techniques.
What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy a variety of classic and signature sushi rolls, as well as robata-grilled meats and vegetables. The restaurant also offers a full bar with sake, beer, and cocktails.
Visitor Information: Masu Sushi and Robata has multiple locations throughout the Twin Cities metro area, with hours varying slightly depending on the location. Reservations are recommended, especially for dinner service. The restaurants offer ample parking and are accessible by public transportation.
Minneapolis-based Masu has delighted fans of Japanese cuisine first in Northeast Minneapolis followed by Mall of America outpost opening in 2018. The Bloomington Masu location conveys sleek, modern Japanese aesthetic with Robata grills and seating surrounding the bustling open kitchen.
Masu specializes in quality sushi along with Robata-grilled items like yakitori chicken skewers. Must-try rolls include their celebrated “Hello Kitty” roll with spicy tuna and cucumber topped with yellowtail and jalapeño. Beyond sushi, the Robata menu shines with poke bowls, bincho grilled whole branzino fish and jidori chicken thigh. Masu also offers a superb cocktail program incorporating Sochu, Japanese whiskey and other spirits.
Whether enjoying after shopping or a date night out, Masu promises a contemporary Japanese dining experience amidst Mall of America’s exceptional culinary landscape.
9.Good Earth Restaurant
Name and Location: Good Earth Restaurant, located in Roseville, Minnesota.
History and Significance: Good Earth Restaurant was founded in 1978 and has been serving healthy, organic cuisine to the Twin Cities community ever since. The restaurant is known for its commitment to using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and sustainable practices.
What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy a variety of healthy, organic dishes, including salads, sandwiches, and entrees featuring locally-sourced meats and produce. The restaurant also offers a selection of fresh-squeezed juices and smoothies.
Visitor Information: Good Earth Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with hours varying slightly depending on the day of the week. The restaurant offers ample parking and is accessible by public transportation.
For over 25 years, this local chain has offered fresh, innovative vegetarian cuisine focused on sustainable ingredients. Originally founded in St. Paul in 1990, Good Earth has expanded across the metro including this location at the Mall of America.
Their talented culinary team spotlights seasonal vegetables and whole grains in global comfort dishes like coconut curry bowls, wild rice meatloaf and lentil shepherd’s pie. Diners appreciate the menu’s flexibility with options clearly marked as vegan and gluten-free along with suggested add-ons to make any meal heartier.
Their coffee bar also highlights specialty organic fair-trade coffee sourced through Chicago’s Groundswell Coffee. With its relaxed yet vibrant setting adorned in plants, Good Earth delivers wholesome nourishment through flavorful meatless dishes perfect for vegans, vegetarians and curious carnivores alike.
10.Ike’s Food & Cocktails
Name and Location: Ike’s Food & Cocktails, with multiple locations in the Twin Cities metro area.
History and Significance: Ike’s Food & Cocktails was founded in 2001 and has since become a local favorite for American comfort food and craft cocktails. The restaurant is known for its casual, welcoming atmosphere and commitment to using fresh, high-quality ingredients.
What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy a variety of classic American dishes, including burgers, sandwiches, and entrees, as well as a full bar featuring craft cocktails and an extensive beer and wine list.
Visitor Information: Ike’s Food & Cocktails has multiple locations throughout the Twin Cities metro area, with hours varying slightly depending on the location. The restaurants offer casual, counter-service dining and ample parking.
This polished north Bloomington gastropub has been bringing locals sophisticated food and drink in an inviting pub setting for over fifteen years. After getting his culinary start under Wolfgang Puck, owner/operator Isaac Becker opened Ike’s in 2008 focusing on high-quality seasonal New American cuisine.
The menu shifts with Minnesota’s seasons incorporating regionally-sourced ingredients into familiar dishes like steak frites, chicken pot pie and French onion soup. Daily features typically include fresh seafood along with pasta specials showcasing housemade squid ink linguine or campanelle with Bolognese.
Their wine program offers 200 global varieties with 40 available by the glass. Cocktail enthusiasts can enjoy 13 signature options like the popular Frontenac wine-based Minnesota Mule. Through fine cuisine, one-of-a-kind drinks and lively atmosphere, Ike’s remains a quintessential neighborhood spot for Bloomington locals.
11.Smack Shack – Bloomington
Name and Location: Smack Shack – Bloomington, located in Bloomington, Minnesota.
History and Significance: Smack Shack began as a food truck in 2010 and has since expanded to multiple brick-and-mortar locations throughout the Twin Cities. The restaurant is known for its fresh, high-quality seafood and casual, welcoming atmosphere.
What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy a variety of seafood dishes, including lobster rolls, crab legs, and oysters, as well as a selection of non-seafood options. The restaurant also offers a full bar with craft cocktails and an extensive beer and wine list.
Visitor Information: Smack Shack – Bloomington is open for lunch and dinner, with hours varying slightly depending on the day of the week. The restaurant offers ample parking and is accessible by public transportation.
Twin Cities-based Smack Shack brings their signature casual seafood concept to Bloomington at the Nolan Mains building. Much like their lauded Minneapolis location, expect classically composed plates starring lobster rolls, crab cakes and fried seafood baskets alongside boozy cocktails.
Of course, lobster remains the star including their famous lobster roll bathed in browned lemon garlic butter. While small, the Bloomington space still captures Smack Shack’s nautical whimsy through whitewashed brick walls and hanging buoys.
Adding to the cheerful ambiance is their house playlist of “seashore rock” by the likes of the Beach Boys, Jimmy Buffet and Crash Test Dummies. Thanks to its prime position near hotels off I-494, Smack Shack’s Bloomington outpost handily satisfies seafood cravings for visitors and staycationers alike.
12.Birch’s on the Lake
Name and Location: Birch’s on the Lake, located in Long Lake, Minnesota.
History and Significance: Birch’s on the Lake was founded in 2015 and has quickly become a local favorite for its stunning lakeside location and commitment to using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. The restaurant is known for its upscale atmosphere and innovative cuisine.
What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy a variety of seasonal dishes featuring locally-sourced meats, seafood, and produce, as well as a full bar with craft cocktails and an extensive beer and wine list. The restaurant also offers stunning views of Long Lake from its outdoor patio.
Visitor Information: Birch’s on the Lake is open for lunch and dinner, with hours varying slightly depending on the day of the week. Reservations are recommended, especially for dinner service and outdoor seating. The restaurant offers ample parking and is located just a short drive from the Twin Cities.
Overlooking Lake Owasso, Birch’s on the Lake has charmed guests with its idyllic setting matched by creative American fare since 2000. Floor-to-ceiling windows treat diners to stunning vistas of the lakefront.
Inside, the 1905 building charms with its stone fireplace, coppertop bar and sophisticated palette of cream, navy and mahogany. Executive Chef Remy Pettus’ seasonally inspired menu shifts monthly guided by regional and responsibly sourced ingredients.
Recent dishes have included lemon ricotta gnocchi Parisienne, Columbia River sturgeon and suprême Mary’s chicken roulade. Not to be missed are their outstanding fresh sheet cakes made in-house daily. With its classic supper club feel, patrons return to Birch’s again and again to soak up summer sunsets, host celebrations or simply savor Chef Remy’s exceptional New American cuisine.
Conclusion
We hope this introduction to 12 of Bloomington’s best restaurants provides helpful advice for visitors and locals alike seeking a great meal. With options spanning casual to fine dining, foreign flavors to Midwestern staples, wine bars to classic steakhouses, our list showcases the suburb’s culinary diversity.
Wherever your tastes may lead, one thing is constant across all these establishments – excellence in food quality, hospitality, and service. Bon appétit Bloomington!