Top 10 Best Minneapolis Restaurants

Minneapolis food that draws interest for food tourism are the modernized New American and Midwestern-inspired offerings, Scandinavian dishes, and iconic food like the "Jucy Lucy" (or "Juicy Lucy") burger. The good food in Minneapolis often highlights ingredients from the Upper Midwest, such as freshwater fish (walleye), wild rice, and seasonal produce. What sets Minneapolis food apart is its blend of hearty, cold-weather comfort with a sophisticated, chef-driven approach seen in many of its acclaimed restaurants. While specific cooking techniques that originated solely in Minneapolis are few, the city's chefs are known for their skill in contemporary American methods, wood-fired cooking, and fermentation. Special ingredients often utilized include foraged items like mushrooms and berries, locally sourced dairy products, and heritage grains. The city's food presents a modern take on regional bounty.

The average cost of a meal in Minneapolis can range from $15 to over $150 per person, depending on the establishment and type of dining experience. A single meal at a budget-friendly restaurant or a casual spot might cost between $15 and $35. For a group meal at a mid-range restaurant, individuals can expect to spend between $40 and $75 each. When considering a high-end or fine dining restaurant in Minneapolis, the cost for one person can be $80 to $150 or significantly more, especially for tasting menus or at highly acclaimed venues.

Minneapolis has a wide selection of popular fast-food restaurants like Subway and McDonald’s. These establishments are known for their recognizable brands and efficient service. Some of the most popular fast-food restaurants in Minneapolis include:

• McDonald's: A global fast-food leader with numerous locations.
• Subway: Known for its customizable sandwiches.
• Wendy's: Popular for its square beef patties and Frosty desserts.
• Burger King: Famous for its Whopper sandwich.
• Taco Bell: Offers Mexican-inspired fast food.
• Arby's: Known for its roast beef sandwiches.
• Culver's: A Midwestern favorite recognized for its ButterBurgers and frozen custard, with a strong presence in the metro area.
• Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers: Popular for its simple menu focused on chicken fingers.

Minneapolis's food scene is constantly evolving, with new establishments frequently opening and adding fresh concepts. While "newest" is a continuously changing descriptor, here are some examples of new Minneapolis restaurants that have opened or generated significant buzz more recently:

• Mara Restaurant & Bar (Reopened): While the Hewing Hotel's restaurant space isn't new, its relaunch as Mara with a focus on rustic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food in late 2023 felt like a significant new opening.
• SOCIETY (New Concept): This Downtown East spot opened offering a multi-level experience with a supper club feel, focusing on American food and live entertainment.
• Vinai (Anticipated Opening): Chef Yia Vang's highly anticipated Hmong restaurant, Vinai, has been in development and its opening (or expanded pop-up presence) continues to be a major point of interest in the new restaurant landscape.
• Petite León (Continued Acclaim as a newer staple): Though open a bit longer, this South Minneapolis restaurant offering Mexican and French-influenced dishes continues to be regarded as a strong, relatively recent addition.
• New concepts in food halls: Minneapolis has seen growth in food halls like Malcolm Yards and The Market at Rosedale, which frequently introduce new, smaller food vendors.

Yes, there are often new fancy restaurants downtown Minneapolis worth trying, as the city's dining offerings continue to evolve. The re-conceptualized Mara Restaurant & Bar in the Hewing Hotel offers an upscale experience with a focus on wood-fired Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food; its "fancy" feel comes from its sophisticated hotel setting, refined menu, and craft cocktail program. Another recent addition, SOCIETY, in Downtown East, aims for an elevated supper club atmosphere with a focus on American food and live entertainment, providing a "fancy" night out. When considering Minneapolis fine dining or fancy restaurants Minneapolis has to offer in the downtown core, it's also worth noting that established places sometimes undergo significant renovations or chef changes that bring a fresh, upscale experience. Always check recent reviews and local food publications for the latest openings that fit a "fancy" or fine dining description.

Yes, Minneapolis has many fun restaurants Minneapolis is known for that are excellent for group outings, offering lively vibes, shareable plates, or activities. Establishments like Young Joni, with its wood-fired pizzas and global small plates, and Hai Hai, offering vibrant Southeast Asian street food, are great fun places to eat in Minneapolis for groups due to their energetic atmospheres and menus designed for sharing.

• Young Joni: Its communal tables, shareable pizzas and small plates, and the buzzy atmosphere (plus a hidden back bar) make it ideal for groups looking for a lively dinner.
• Hai Hai: The tropical decor, bold flavors, shareable dishes, and sought-after patio create a fun, escape-like atmosphere perfect for a group gathering.
• Brit's Pub: A long-standing favorite, Brit's offers a spacious pub environment, rooftop lawn bowling (in warmer months), and a menu of British pub fare, making it a classic group spot.
• Punch Bowl Social (St. Louis Park, near Minneapolis): This spot combines a restaurant and bar with activities like bowling, karaoke, and arcade games, providing built-in entertainment for groups.
• Food Halls (e.g., Malcolm Yards, North Loop Galley): These offer multiple food vendors under one roof, allowing individuals in a group to choose their preferred food while still dining together in a communal, often lively, setting.

Minneapolis offers a strong and growing number of restaurants serving vegan food, including The Herbivorous Butcher, Trio Plant-based, J. Selby's (in St. Paul but a key metro destination), and Reverie Cafe + Bar. The Herbivorous Butcher is a unique all-vegan butcher shop that also serves hearty vegan sandwiches and deli items, famous for its plant-based meats and cheeses. Trio Plant-based offers a menu of Southern-inspired vegan comfort food. J. Selby's in nearby St. Paul provides a full menu of familiar comfort foods, all completely plant-based, from burgers to "chicken" wings. Reverie Cafe + Bar is known for its vegan fare, coffee, and cocktails in a welcoming atmosphere. Many other Minneapolis restaurants across different food styles, including several on the provided top 10 list like Owamni (naturally dairy-free and can often accommodate vegan) and Hai Hai, also feature thoughtful and clearly labeled vegan dishes.

Numerous restaurants in Minneapolis accommodate diners looking for gluten-free food, like the Sift Gluten Free Bakery (which has some savory options), Brim, and many contemporary American restaurants that are accustomed to such requests. Sift Gluten Free Bakery is a dedicated gluten-free facility offering a wide array of baked goods and some light cafe fare, ensuring no cross-contamination. Brim focuses on globally inspired, health-conscious bowls and plates, with many naturally gluten-free options and clear labeling. Restaurants like Spoon and Stable or Alma (from the provided list), known for their focus on fresh, from-scratch cooking, are often well-equipped to handle gluten-free requests by adapting dishes. It is always recommended for diners with celiac disease or severe sensitivities to communicate their needs clearly to the restaurant staff.

Minneapolis food is recognized for its blend of Midwestern comfort, Scandinavian heritage, and an increasingly prominent New American and globally-influenced food scene. The city’s kitchens showcase a range of styles that reflect its unique cultural makeup and access to regional ingredients. Some of the most famous food styles in Minneapolis include:

• New American/Midwestern Contemporary: This is a leading style in Minneapolis, with many acclaimed chefs creating innovative dishes that highlight seasonal, locally sourced ingredients from the Upper Midwest. Its fame comes from a sophisticated, modern approach to regional bounty.
• Scandinavian-American: Reflecting the strong Nordic heritage in Minnesota, Scandinavian-inspired dishes (like lefse, pickled herring, and items featuring dill or caraway) can be found, and this influence sometimes subtly infuses other local food. This is famous for its connection to the region's cultural history.
• Southeast Asian: Restaurants serving vibrant Vietnamese and Hmong food are well-represented and popular in Minneapolis, known for their bold flavors, fresh herbs, and unique dishes. Their fame stems from strong local communities and the appealing freshness of the food.
• Italian: From red-sauce joints to upscale establishments focusing on handmade pasta (like Bar La Grassa), Italian food is a beloved and prominent part of the Minneapolis dining landscape. Its enduring popularity makes it famous.
• Brewpub Fare/Gastropub: Minneapolis has a thriving craft beer scene, and many breweries and gastropubs offer elevated pub food designed to pair with their beers, a style famous for its casual sociability and hearty offerings.
• Indigenous Native American: With the groundbreaking work of establishments like Owamni, food focused on decolonized Indigenous ingredients is gaining national and international fame for its cultural significance and unique flavors.

Minneapolis offers several unique restaurants in Minneapolis that provide memorable and distinct dining experiences, going beyond just the food to create an immersive or unconventional outing. These often feature special themes, hidden elements, or interactive components.

• Owamni by The Sioux Chef: This restaurant offers a profoundly unique experience by serving a menu exclusively featuring decolonized Indigenous North American ingredients—no colonial ingredients like wheat flour, dairy, or cane sugar. Dining here is an educational journey into Native American foodways and history, set beautifully on the Mississippi River.
• Young Joni (Back Bar): While Young Joni itself is a popular restaurant, its "Back Bar" offers a hidden speakeasy-style experience. Accessed through an unmarked alley entrance, it has a completely different, more intimate and cocktail-focused ambiance than the main restaurant, making it feel like a secret discovery.
• Al's Breakfast: This tiny, legendary Dinkytown diner offers a unique experience due to its extremely limited counter seating (just 14 stools), its long history (since 1950), and its cash-only, no-frills, classic greasy-spoon breakfast. The cramped quarters and shared experience with strangers make it uniquely communal.
• Psycho Suzi's Motor Lounge: This Northeast Minneapolis spot offers a unique tiki bar and pizza parlor experience with over-the-top, kitschy Polynesian decor, strong tiki cocktails, and a lively, escapist atmosphere, especially on its large riverside patio.
• Travail Kitchen and Amusements (Robbinsdale, near Minneapolis): Known for its highly interactive and theatrical tasting menus, Travail offers a playful and often surprising dining experience where chefs directly engage with diners and the food presentation is part of the show. It’s a dinner-as-entertainment concept.