Eating Excellence
Find classic American dishes, international treats and first-class cuisine around every corner.
Minnesotans know how to make the most out of nice weather and good food. When the weather is warm, dining al fresco is the top choice. Head to the rooftop of Brit’s Pub in Minneapolis in the summer and enjoy watching lawn bowling on their beautiful rooftop while munching on traditional British cuisine. Or, walk over to enjoy the view from the rooftops of Solera and Crave in the heart of the Hennepin Theatre District. Saint Paul’s WA Frost and The Liffey also top the list of patio and rooftop dining experiences.
Minneapolis Saint Paul is filled to the brim with farm-fresh fare and scrumptious dishes that will leave you hankering for more. Taste the best from our James Beard award-winning chefs like Isaac Becker of 112 Eatery, Alex Roberts of Restaurant Alma and Tim McKee of La Belle Vie and Masu Sushi & Robata. Enjoy a delicious lunch at Gather in the Walker Art Center. Grab a pie at numerous local pizza joints like Pizzeria Lola or The Black Sheep. Enjoy Mediterranean dishes at Iron Chef contender Sameh Wadi’s Saffron. Head over to Saint Paul’s Lowertown where thrice James Beard-nominated Chef Lenny Russo uses locally-grown, farm fresh ingredients at the popular Heartland, while Meritage, which USA Today named a top place for oysters, serves up French American plates and scrumptious oysters.
Taste from around the world at many top-notch ethnic eateries. Flavors from different countries and continents, including Scandinavia (of course), South America, Africa, India and Asia, can all be found. From the south end of Minneapolis to 29th Street, Nicollet Avenue becomes Eat Street—filled with blocks upon blocks of local eateries serving up everything from Greek to Vietnamese. Try some Thai at Jasmine 26, Caribbean at Harry Singh’s and Malaysian at Peninsula. Or you can always hit up the Midtown Global Market for a little bit of everything.
To celebrate our growing Mexican and Latino communities, Saint Paul’s District del Sol (located across the Mississippi from downtown) offers up some of the most authentic burritos at El Burrito Mercado or delicious enchiladas at Boca Chica. At the intersection of Snelling and University in Saint Paul you’ll find even more, including Ethiopian and Vietnamese flavors.
With so many options to choose from, you’ll begin to wish you had more time and more room in your stomach.
I’m here. Now what?
NORTHEAST MINNEAPOLIS: Years ago, Polish, German and Scandinavian immigrants settled in this section of Minneapolis, located across the Mississippi from downtown. While still holding onto its roots, this neighborhood has become a go-to spot for patio dining, boutique shopping and a little nightlife.
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DINE: Order a delicious cocktail served in a shrunken head at
Psycho Suzi’s Motor Lounge, a tiki-themed restaurant. Experience the culture of Eastern Europe at
Kramarczuk’s. Order a brat or sausage with a side of cabbage rolls and wash it down with a cold beer. Dine on the divine small plates of
Aster Café and enjoy live music from the tree-lined patio.
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SHOP: Northeast Minneapolis is full of independent boutiques and local shops. Take a look around
Melrose Antiques for an eclectic variety of antiques and vintage items. Swing by
The Bibelot Shop for cute souvenirs, home accents and Minnesota-themed gifts. Or, drop by the trendy
Parc Boutique for a small shop feel and the latest fashions for women.
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PLAY:
Take a walk across the iconic
Stone Arch Bridge and savor a scenic view of the Mississippi River. Or, head for a night filled with good beer, good company and a mean polka band at
Nye’s Polonaise Room. Hop on the
Pedal Pub for a tour around historic Northeast Minneapolis, which allows you to bike, explore, socialize and have a few drinks simultaneously.
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FREE: Take a free tour of the historic
Ard Godfrey House, Minneapolis’ oldest remaining frame residence. Tours are available summer weekends (special group tours available year-round upon request).
Dine Like A Local
Matt’s Bar & the 5-8 Club: We don’t want to get in the middle of a burger war, so we’ll mention both these places for their signature Jucy Lucy/Juicy Lucy (spelling dependent on where you go). These cheese-filled burgers are beloved and have earned a national reputation (featured on Food Wars). Matt’s Bar,
3500 Cedar Avenue S., Minneapolis, 612-722-7072, www.mattsbar.com; 5-8 Club, 5800 Cedar Avenue S., Minneapolis, 612-823-5858, www.5-8club.com
Blue Door Pub: For even more Juicy Lucy goodness, head to this small restaurant and choose to stuff your burger with bites of pineapple or jalapeno. 1811 Selby Avenue, Saint Paul, 651-493-1865, www.thebluedoorpubmn.com
Haute Dish: For Midwestern cuisine with style, check out this spot in the North Loop of Minneapolis. Dine on a Tater Tot HauteDish made with short ribs or bite into a lamb meatball casserole. 119 Washington Avenue N., Minneapolis,
612-338-8484, www.haute-dish.com
Bryant-Lake Bowl: Add some action to your evening. Start with a delicious bar meal before strapping on bowling shoes or grabbing a seat with a view of the stage. 810 W Lake Street, Minneapolis, 612-825-3737, www.bryantlakebowl.com
Birchwood Café: Head over to this neighborhood joint for some good old home cooking and a slice of the best key lime pie in the area. 3311 E. 25th Street, Minneapolis, 612-722-4474, www.birchwoodcafe.com
Day By Day Café: This restaurant on Saint Paul’s West Seventh Street offers up scrumptious breakfasts (and soups, sandwiches and salads, too) and a cozy patio during the summer months. 477 Seventh Street W., Saint Paul, 651-227-0654, www.daybyday.com
