Minneapolis-St. Paul Dining Guide
Jucy Lucys, supper-club steaks, Indigenous cooking and a lively chef-driven scene.
Minnesota food has deep roots in Scandinavian, German and Central European kitchens, which shows up in hotdish, wild rice soup and the walleye on nearly every menu. Newer communities have reshaped the scene: Hmong, Somali, Vietnamese, Mexican and Ethiopian cooks run some of the most interesting places in both cities. And a group of nationally recognized chefs, including the team behind Owamni, has made Minneapolis a food destination in its own right.
Our list mixes landmarks with newer favorites and is grouped by area. Reservations are a good idea for dinner at the chef-driven restaurants, especially on weekends; the classic bars and breakfast counters work on a first-come basis.
Downtown Minneapolis, the Riverfront and the North Loop
Close to the hotels, the theaters and the river.
Chef Sean Sherman's restaurant beside St. Anthony Falls, cooking without wheat flour, cane sugar or dairy; it won the James Beard award for best new restaurant in 2022.
Chef Gavin Kaysen's restaurant in a former horse stable, known for its seasonal menu and polished service.
A big, classic steakhouse in the W Minneapolis hotel at the Foshay Tower, famous for very large cuts.
A family-run supper club open since 1946, known for its Silver Butter Knife steak for two.
A lively basement restaurant popular for breakfast, especially its lemon ricotta hotcakes and homemade peanut butter.
Jucy Lucys and Minneapolis Classics
The burger the city argues about, plus a famous breakfast counter.
A small neighborhood bar that claims to have invented the Jucy Lucy, a burger with molten cheese sealed inside.
A former speakeasy that makes the rival claim to the original Juicy Lucy, spelled with an i.
A tiny, narrow counter near the University of Minnesota, open since 1950, where diners wait behind the stools for a seat.
Northeast and South Minneapolis
Neighborhood restaurants near the lakes and in the arts district.
Chef Christina Nguyen's colorful restaurant serving street-food-inspired dishes from Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines.
A family-run deli and bakery known for house-made sausages, pierogi and cabbage rolls.
Chef Ann Kim's wood-fired pizza restaurant, with Korean-inspired pies alongside Italian classics.
A seasonal counter beside Minnehaha Falls serving fish tacos, po'boys and oysters, with long lines on summer weekends.
Dozens of family-run food stalls under one roof on Lake Street, from Somali to Mexican to Scandinavian.
St. Paul
Steakhouses, Italian markets and Grand Avenue favorites.
A restaurant in an 1889 building on Selby Avenue, known for its garden patio and wine list.
An Italian market, pizzeria and pastry shop on West Seventh Street with roots going back to 1911.
A family-owned steakhouse open since 1948, with steaks cooked over open charcoal pits and a retro lounge.
A St. Paul institution dating to the 1930s, restored and reopened with its classic dining rooms intact.
A cafeteria-style spot for soups and salads, best known for its tall layer cakes and turtle cake.
Restaurants change hours, menus and ownership often — check with the restaurant before you go. Listings are editorial picks, not paid placements.
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Get free trip quotes »Minneapolis-St. Paul Dining — FAQ
What is a Jucy Lucy?
A hamburger with the cheese sealed inside the patty, so it melts as it cooks. Matt's Bar and the 5-8 Club, both in south Minneapolis, each claim to have invented it. Let it cool a minute before the first bite.
What food is Minnesota known for?
Walleye, wild rice, hotdish, the Jucy Lucy and food on a stick at the State Fair. The Twin Cities also have strong Hmong, Somali, Vietnamese and Mexican food scenes.
Do I need reservations in the Twin Cities?
For popular chef-driven restaurants like Owamni and Spoon and Stable, yes, often weeks ahead for weekend dinners. Bars, cafes and food halls are walk-in.