Minneapolis has become a major culinary destination in recent years thanks to its vibrant dining scene. From casual food truck eats to white tablecloth establishments, the city offers exceptional flavors to satisfy any palate. Mixing midwestern hospitality and international influences, Minneapolis restaurants craft unforgettable dining experiences.
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| Spoon and Stable | Contemporary American | Seasonal menus, award-winning chef |
| Young Joni | Pizza/Italian | Creative pizzas, lively atmosphere |
| Restaurant Alma | Fine Dining | Seasonal tasting menus, intimate setting |
| Victor’s 1959 Cafe | Cuban | Authentic Cuban dishes, cozy atmosphere |
| ShopHouse Southeast Asian Grill | Vietnamese | Fast-casual, fresh ingredients |
| Pizzeria Lola | Pizza | Unique toppings, exceptional crust |
| Borough | Gastropub | Comfort food, craft beers |
| Butcher and the Boar | American | Charcuterie, meat-centric dishes |
| Hai Hai | Vietnamese | Bright flavors, sophisticated atmosphere |
| Broders’ Cucina Italiana | Italian | Hearty portions, classic dishes |
| Travail Kitchen | Avant-Garde | Innovative 20-course meals |
| Young Joni Back Bar | Bar | Craft cocktails, bar snacks |
To help you navigate the fantastic food options, here is a list of the 12 best restaurants in Minneapolis to add to your must-try list on your next visit. From innovative newcomers to local institutions, these Minneapolis eateries all shine bright in the city’s stellar culinary scene.
Spoon and Stable
Name and Location: Spoon and Stable is an acclaimed restaurant located in Minneapolis, Minnesota’s North Loop neighborhood.
History and Significance: Opened in 2014, it quickly garnered attention for its commitment to using locally sourced ingredients and its elegant dining experience.
What to Expect: Guests can expect a sophisticated menu that combines French influences with Midwestern ingredients, creating a unique and memorable dining experience.
Visitor Information: Reservations are recommended for this popular restaurant. It’s an excellent choice for a special occasion or a fine dining experience.
Led by award-winning Chef Gavin Kaysen, Spoon and Stable restaurant resides in the trendy North Loop neighborhood. The chic modern space with exposed beams and concrete floors hosts a bustling open kitchen dishing out contempory American cuisine. Chef Kaysen sources high-quality ingredients from local purveyors to create seasonal tasting menus that may include dishes like cedar roasted duck breast or crispy steelhead trout.
Pastry Chef Diane Yang also prepares exquisite desserts like the crowd-favorite milk jam doughnut. Precision technique and presentation elevate the entire fine dining experience at this incredibly popular Minneapolis destination. Arrive hungry and ready to indulge in a meal made with care at Spoon and Stable.
Young Joni
Name and Location: Young Joni is a trendy restaurant located in the Northeast Arts District of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
History and Significance: Opened by renowned chef Ann Kim, Young Joni has received critical acclaim for its wood-fired cooking and inventive menu.
What to Expect: Guests can expect a cozy and stylish atmosphere, wood-fired pizzas, and a range of inventive dishes showcasing seasonal ingredients.
Visitor Information: Reservations are highly recommended. Young Joni is known for its bustling ambiance and exceptional cuisine.
For top-notch pizza in a lively atmosphere, look no further than Young Joni in northeast Minneapolis. James Beard-nominated chef Ann Kim puts inventive twists on pizza and other Italian-influenced small plates that keep loyal customers coming back. Diners can order dishes a la carte or opt for the chef’s tasting menu to sample broadly across their menu.
Menu standouts include the Korean BBQ pizza with house-made kimchi, the Arctic char crudo and their Italian rice ball arancini appetizer. Balance flavor exploration with comfort in the stylish industrial-chic interior housing a buzzing bar scene. Since opening in 2016, Young Joni quickly became one of the hottest tables in town, so reservations are a must!
Restaurant Alma
Name and Location: Restaurant Alma is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and has been a culinary fixture in the city since 1999.
History and Significance: With a focus on farm-to-table dining, Restaurant Alma has been a pioneer in the local food movement.
What to Expect: Guests can expect a seasonal menu with a blend of modern and traditional flavors, served in an intimate and welcoming setting.
Visitor Information: Reservations are recommended for this renowned restaurant. It’s a perfect spot for a romantic dinner or special celebration.
For fine dining in an intimate setting, treat yourself to the tasting menu at Restaurant Alma. Located in a historic building in downtown Minneapolis, Alma’s dining room has just 26 seats circling its u-shaped bar and open kitchen. The cozy venue allows you to admire Chef Alex Roberts’ crew as they prepare intricate contemporary dishes utilizing French techniques. Menus change with the seasons but may offer plates like foie gras terrine or suckling pig paired beautifully with wines selected by their sommelier.
Both the food and atmosphere at Restaurant Alma feel special, making it a treasured venue for marking occasions or simply spoiling your palate. The talented team aims to make each visit memorable through their passion for hospitality and culinary creativity.
Victor’s 1959 Cafe
Name and Location: Victor’s 1959 Cafe is a Cuban restaurant located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
History and Significance: Named after the year Victor’s family fled Cuba, this restaurant brings the flavors and traditions of Cuban cuisine to Minneapolis.
What to Expect: Guests can expect classic Cuban dishes like ropa vieja and Cuban sandwiches, as well as a lively and colorful atmosphere.
Visitor Information: Walk-ins are welcome, and it’s a great spot for a casual and flavorful meal.
Victor’s 1959 Cafe has become Minneapolis’ premiere destination for exceptional Cuban cuisine thanks to owners Victor and Margaret Vasquez. Tucked away on 38th Street, this husband-and-wife passion project dishes out classic Cuban dishes stemming from family recipes perfected over 60 years. Savor staples like slow-roasted pork shoulder, fried yucca, shrimp fritters and stuffed Cuban sandwiches overflowing with flavorful fixings. And don’t even think about skipping dessert – their key lime pie comes highly recommended! The cozy eatery only offers a few tables, but comfortable counter seating lets you watch the food preparation magic up close. For the most authentic and lovingly-crafted Cuban food in Minneapolis, Victor’s 1959 Café is a must!
ShopHouse Southeast Asian Grill
Name and Location: ShopHouse Southeast Asian Grill is a fast-casual restaurant with locations in several cities.
History and Significance: Inspired by the flavors of Southeast Asia, ShopHouse offers a customizable menu of bowls and salads.
What to Expect: Guests can expect a variety of fresh ingredients and bold flavors inspired by Thai, Vietnamese, and Malaysian cuisines.
Visitor Information: With quick service and a diverse menu, it’s a great choice for a fast and flavorful meal.
Fast casual chain ShopHouse Southeast Asian Grill originated right here in the Twin Cities before expanding nationally. For affordable and fresh Vietnamese favorites, step into this modern counter service spot. Order bowls, salads, stir-frys, or banh mi sandwiches stuffed with your choice of proteins and vegetables. Classic flavors like ginger lemongrass chicken or caramelized pork pair perfectly with customize spice levels.
Not only does ShopHouse offer quick, customizable meals, their ingredients also stay true to Southeast Asian cuisine. That means plenty of herbs, vermicelli noodles, flavorful broths and nuoc cham dipping sauce. Stop in for a relaxed meal or to grab takeout; either way ShopHouse delivers big, bold Vietnamese flavors without the wait.
Pizzeria Lola
Name and Location: Pizzeria Lola is a beloved pizzeria with multiple locations in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
History and Significance: Known for its creative pizza toppings and dedication to quality, Pizzeria Lola has become a local institution.
What to Expect: Guests can expect a diverse selection of artisanal pizzas, including both classic and unique flavor combinations.
Visitor Information: Pizzeria Lola is family-friendly and perfect for a casual meal with delicious pizza options.
Countless pizza joints populate the Twin Cities, but Pizzeria Lola stands above thanks to its exceptionally fluffy and flavorful crust. Owned and operated by Korean-American James Beard nominated chef Ann Kim, this hip pizzeria offers a focused menu of classic pies and little else. Diners can choose from a range of topping combinations or order the supreme pizza with a fully loaded roster of premium meats and veggies on Lola’s signature crust.
The minimalist menu lets you zero in the flavors that first put this neighborhood pizzeria on the culinary radar. Now with multiple metro locations, drop into the original Pizzeria Lola on 55th and Xerxes in Minneapolis to taste what started it all. Expect great food but limited seating so takeout is also a great option. However you slice it, Pizzeria Lola offers some of the cities tastiest and trendiest pizzas today!
Borough
Name and Location: Borough is an upscale restaurant located in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
History and Significance: Known for its inventive cuisine and craft cocktails, Borough has earned a reputation as a top dining destination.
What to Expect: Guests can expect a modern and creative menu that showcases seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.
Visitor Information: Reservations are recommended for this elegant restaurant, which is ideal for a special night out.
The beloved Borough burst onto the foodie scene by pairing gastropub fare with finely curated craft beers in lively, low-key environs. Now with added room and a great patio, this North Loop neighborhood joint still delivers quintessential comfort food and brews, just on a larger scale. Their diverse menu tempts taste buds with starters like truffle fries, salads heaped with seasonal veggies, burgers oozing savory toppings, bistro staples ratatouille and steak frites and crowd-pleasing mac and cheese or pot roasts for mains.
Borough keeps a rotating selection of nearly 50 specialist beers on tap with recommendations if you just can’t settle on what to pair with your meal. Come hungry, come thirsty and leave happy after enjoying quintessential local flavors at The Borough.
Butcher and the Boar
Name and Location: Butcher and the Boar is a restaurant located in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota.
History and Significance: Known for its craft beer selection and house-made sausages, Butcher and the Boar offers a unique dining experience.
What to Expect: Guests can expect a meat-centric menu, a wide range of beer options, and a lively outdoor beer garden.
Visitor Information: Reservations are recommended, especially for outdoor seating during the warmer months.
Modern gastropub Butcher and the Boar built its following thanks to unparalleled housemade charcuterie, sausage and other meaty fare paired with craft beer. Now under new ownership, B&B still serves its famed bacon flight and wild game offerings but also incorporated more seafood, vegan dishes and cocktails to its menu. No matter what you order, expect bold flavors whether that’s their loose meat sandwich doused in cheese sauce or fiery Nashville hot quail.
Don’t skip the loaded tater tots and homemade ice creams or sorbets to satisfy your sweet tooth too. The atmosphere at Butcher and the Boar also promises a good time thanks to taxidermy moose heads dotting the space and a bustling bar underlining it all. For hearty helpings of creative comfort food and good drinks in a lively downtown locale, Butcher and the Boar delivers big flavors.
Hai Hai
Name and Location: Hai Hai is a vibrant Vietnamese restaurant located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
History and Significance: With a focus on street food and traditional flavors, Hai Hai brings the vibrant cuisine of Vietnam to the city.
What to Expect: Guests can expect a menu filled with bold and flavorful dishes, including banh mi, pho, and unique cocktails.
Visitor Information: Walk-ins are welcome, and it’s a great spot for those looking to explore Vietnamese cuisine.
Chef Christina Nguyen of Hai Hai earned her first James Beard nomination in 2022 for her masterful cooking of the Vietnamese cuisine she grew up eating in her mother and aunt’s kitchens. The sophisticated atmosphere and detail oriented service fully showcase the beauty behind this cuisine and Chef Christina’s talents. Bright, clean flavors shine in the crispy rice salad and grilled coconut shrimp starters. Chicken Phở bowls, five spice duck breast and shaking beef stir fry arrive piping hot to your table, complexly layered but not overwhelming with authentic Southeast Asian zest. For something sweet, their coconut tres leches cake caps your meal on just the right subtly sweet note.
The attention and mastery of tasting that Chef Nguyen and team put into their cuisine at Hai Hai stays with you long after your meal concludes, making it a Minneapolis dining destination not to miss.
Broders’ Cucina Italiana
Name and Location: Broders’ Cucina Italiana is an Italian restaurant located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
History and Significance: A family-owned establishment, Broders’ has been serving authentic Italian cuisine since 1982.
What to Expect: Guests can expect classic Italian dishes, house-made pasta, and a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Visitor Information: Reservations are recommended for a taste of Italy in the heart of Minneapolis.
Classic red sauce Italian with heaping portions is the name of the game at family-owned local favorite Broders’ Cucina Italiana. Their passion for making Italian American staples shines through the minute you step through the doors and see the kitsch décor lining every inch of space. But people really flock to their two metro locations for the homemade pastas, pizzas bursting with toppings and hefty meat or seafood entrees covering every inch of your plate.
Balance rich entrees like chicken parm or lasagna Bolognese with lighter starters like their Italian wedding soup or signature Broders’ Chopped salad laden with gorgonzola cheese, salami and pepperoncini. And no matter how full you are, you must save room to finish with their giant slices of tiramisu cake. Broders’ Cucina Italiana offers big flavors, big portions and an utterly nostalgic Italian dining experience perfect for the whole family.
Travail Kitchen
Name and Location: Travail Kitchen is an innovative restaurant located in Robbinsdale, Minnesota.
History and Significance: Known for its immersive dining experiences and inventive menus, Travail Kitchen has gained national recognition.
What to Expect: Guests can expect a dynamic and ever-changing menu, interactive dining, and a culinary adventure.
Visitor Information: Reservations are highly recommended for this unique dining experience.
Avant garde tasting menu experience Travail Kitchen consistently lands on lists of the nation’s most innovative restaurants thanks to the sheer creativity their chef collective puts into every 20-course meal. Dining at Travail takes you on a flavor rollercoaster ride as each small plate surprises your senses with unique flavor profiles, textures, aromas and visuals through their cutting-edge culinary techniques. Offerings change frequently but may include dishes like cold potatoes turned hot through meat straw compression or their famous multi-layered roasted hen egg.
While Travail Kitchen offers no substitutions, they do brilliantly accommodate nearly all dietary restrictions. Led by executive chef and owner Mike Brown, Travail’s team puts on unforgettable dining productions customized nightly. Be prepared for a meal unlike any other if you secure reservations at this nationally revered Robbinsdale restaurant.
Young Joni Back Bar
Name and Location: Young Joni Back Bar is the bar section of the Young Joni restaurant in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
History and Significance: It offers a more casual and laid-back atmosphere compared to the main dining area, making it a great spot for drinks and snacks.
What to Expect: Guests can expect a well-curated selection of cocktails, craft beers, and a menu of shareable dishes.
Visitor Information: Walk-ins are welcome, and it’s an excellent choice for a relaxed evening with friends or a date night.
Young Joni on Central and 13th might star as one of northeast Minneapolis’ most popular pizza joints, but their adjacent Back Bar cocktail den makes the list in its own right. This stylish addition to the Young Joni enterprise mixes up excellent classic and crafted cocktails often utilizing Japanese spirits paired with beer and wine. Bar nibbles like seafood crudos, dumplings and gyoza all deliver bold flavor in just a few bites, beautifully complementing the drinks.
The vibrant atmosphere filled with locals make Back Bar a fun spot to grab a creatively constructed cocktail like their Japanese Highball made with Nikka whisky and sparkling water or the fan favorite Yes Honey with bourbon, allspice, lemon and honey. Add in some sharable plates and you have all the ingredients for an inventive night out without breaking the bank.
Conclusion
Boasting imaginative new dinner destinations plus cherished mainstays, Minneapolis captivates food lovers across neighborhoods. Brave the wait to snag a coveted spot at nationally esteemed restaurants like Spoon and Stable or Travails Kitchen to taste menus seldom found elsewhere. Or opt for locals favorites like Young Joni’s bustling back bar or Victor’s 1959 authentic Cuban flavors served alongside their heartwarming backstory. From white tablecloth to counter service, food trucks to fine dining, Minneapolis offers an incredible breadth of palate pleasing picks. Use this list featuring the city’s 12 finest restaurants as your launch point to eat your way through one of America’s celebrated emerging food cities. With such astonishing diversity in its dining scene, Minneapolis serves hunger pangs of all levels and persuasions.