Best Restaurants In Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota’s famous sister cities, has a rich culinary heritage influenced by Scandinavian and German food cultures. We take a look at the best restaurants in Minneapolis.
1. The Bachelor Farmer
Restaurant, European, American, Contemporary
Housed in a historic 19th-century brick-and-timber warehouse in Minneapolis’ North Loop neighborhood is The Bachelor Farmer. It opened in 2011 on two floors of the house, with a small rooftop farm. This place draws inspiration from the creativity of contemporary Scandinavian cooking and pays homage to Minnesota’s rich Nordic history. The Bachelor Farmer’s chef Paul Berglund adheres to simple flavors that showcase the freshness and quality of their ingredients. This respect for ingredients can be seen in their menu, which changes seasonally. Try The Bachelor Farmer’s meatballs (ingredients vary) and any of their toast options. Or, stop by for a refreshingly delicious Sunday brunch.
2. Tilia
Restaurant, European, American
3. Victory 44
Restaurant, American
4. Butcher & The Boar
Restaurant, Contemporary, Steakhouse, American
Be sure to watch where you walk when you visit this place because the industrial-chic dining room is paved with pennies — literally. Located in the historic Harmon district of Minneapolis, Butcher and the Boar brings its sausage specialties and Mississippi Delta favorites to the Twin Cities. Already, the restaurant has gained national attention under the direction of chef Jack Riebel. It has won a nomination for the 2013 James Beard semifinalist for Best New Restaurant and Best Chef: Midwest. Butcher & the Boar is a true specialist and is a meat-lovers haven with a huge selection of house sausages and cured meats. Sausage-and-beer aficionados rejoiced when Butcher & The Board announced the opening of its all-season heated beer garden. It serves house sausages, German nachos and more with a great selection of beers.
5. Travail Kitchen & Amusements
Restaurant, Contemporary, American
Molecular gastronomy meets Minnesotan culinary tradition at Travail Kitchen & Amusements. Having closed its doors in April in anticipation of a new Kickstarter-funded Robbinsdale space, Travail Kitchen & Amusements promises to reopen with a bang. In 2011, Travail Kitchen and Amusements came in at No. 4 on Bon Appétit Best New Restaurants in America list. Fun and innovative, with an eye on fusion flavors, Travail Kitchen energized the Minneapolis food scene. They turned the kitchen into a creative lab for experimenting with local ingredients, whether foraged or locally grown. Plus, they conceptualized never-before-seen combinations that simply work.
6. Borough
Restaurant, Bar, Contemporary, American
Shortlisted by Bon Appétit as one of the 50 Best New Restaurants in America, Borough is in Minneapolis’s North Loop neighborhood. Borough offers a beautiful dining experience with its glass-paned wall, simple furnishings and unusual lighting fixtures. The cheese graters transformed into ceiling lighting are a delightful touch that give the restaurant an elegantly rustic ambiance. They serve dishes made using organic, locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. Try the octopus with yam, soya, daikon, coriander, lime and peanuts and bay scallops.
7. Birchwood Café
Restaurant, Cafe, Contemporary, American
8. Pizzeria Lola
Restaurant, Fusion, Korean, Italian, American
9. Smack Shack
Restaurant, Seafood
From its humble beginnings as a mobile food truck with a loyal following, Josh Thoma’s Smack Shack officially opened its first brick-and-mortar shop in early 2013. This was much to the delight of Minneapolis’ seafood aficionados. Lobsters are undoubtedly the star of the show at Smack Shack. Midwestern locals come here for the beloved lobster roll. Chunky lobster meat is sandwiched between a roll and served either New England style or with a Connecticut twist. The menu also features po’ boys, crab rolls, lobster mac and cheese and more.
10. Izzy’s Ice Cream Cafe
Ice Cream Parlour, Contemporary, Ice Cream
Culture Trips launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes places and communities so special.
Our immersive trips, led by Local Insiders, are once-in-a-lifetime experiences and an invitation to travel the world with like-minded explorers. Our Travel Experts are on hand to help you make perfect memories. All our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.?>
All our travel guides are curated by the Culture Trip team working in tandem with local experts. From unique experiences to essential tips on how to make the most of your future travels, we’ve got you covered.