Top 25 Restaurants in Minneapolis

"A revolution on a plate."

Sean Sherman's James Beard Award-winning restaurant centers Indigenous food traditions, removing all colonial ingredients — no wheat, dairy, or cane sugar. What remains is stunning: cedar-braised bison, wild rice bowls, and flavors that reconnect you with the land. Moving to the Guthrie Theater in 2026.

"A Southeast Asian escape in Northeast."

Walking into Hai Hai is like catching a flight to Saigon. The fish sauce wings are a citywide obsession, the patio is legendary, and the tropical cocktails hit different. It's vibrant, loud, and exactly the kind of place Minneapolis needed.

"Southern Italian warmth in a neighborhood gem."

Daniel del Prado's Linden Hills spot feels like dinner at a friend's house in the Italian countryside. The handmade pastas are revelatory, the wood-fired rotisserie chicken is legendary, and the wine list is affordable and perfectly curated.

"Ann Kim's pizza empire started here."

Before Young Joni, there was Lola. Ann Kim's wood-fired pies blend Korean flavors with Italian tradition in ways that shouldn't work but absolutely do. The Lady Za Za and the Boise are local legends. The vibe is casual, the pizza is serious.

"The pasta destination."

Isaac Becker's handmade pasta empire has been a North Loop anchor for over a decade. The open kitchen, the buzzy energy, the soft egg yolk raviolo — it all comes together into one of the most consistently excellent dining experiences in the city.

"Upscale Mexican with serious cocktails."

Centro elevates Mexican cuisine beyond the expected with mole that takes days to make, fresh tortillas pressed to order, and a mezcal and tequila selection that rivals any bar in the Midwest. The warm, candlelit space makes everything taste better.

"The fried chicken that put Minneapolis on the map."

Revival's Tennessee hot chicken is the stuff of legend — crispy, spicy, and absolutely addictive. But this isn't just a fried chicken joint. The sides (pimento mac, collard greens) are restaurant-quality, and the cocktails are surprisingly refined.

"Dinner as theater."

Travail isn't a restaurant — it's a performance. The multi-course tasting menu changes constantly, courses arrive in unexpected ways, and the energy in the room is electric. It's the most unique dining experience in Minnesota, full stop.

"Minneapolis's most intimate fine dining."

Gavin Kaysen's 20-seat tasting menu restaurant is a masterclass in refinement. Every course is a jewel, the service is flawless without being stiff, and the wine pairings are exceptional. Getting a reservation is the hard part.

"A sleeper hit in Northeast."

Bardo quietly serves some of the most inventive food in the neighborhood. The small plates are meant for sharing, the natural wine list is smartly curated, and the intimate space rewards those who stumble in without expectations.

"Fine-dining Mexican with a mezcal obsession."

Daniel del Prado's Mexican-inspired restaurant is ambitious and delivers. Complex moles, pristine seafood, and one of the best mezcal programs in the Midwest. The moody, plant-filled space is a destination in itself.

"The best arepas in the Midwest."

From the same team as Hai Hai, Hola Arepa brings Venezuelan street food to Minneapolis with generous stuffed arepas, plantain bowls, and fresh juices. The small space has massive charm, and the patio is a summer essential.

"A tiny room with big ideas."

This intimate North Loop spot serves a rotating omakase-inspired menu that showcases whatever ingredients are best that week. The counter seating puts you right in the action. It's personal, creative, and deeply satisfying.

"Global comfort food done right."

WSK takes street food from around the world and makes it fast, affordable, and incredibly flavorful. The Korean BBQ burrito, yum yum rice bowl, and rotating specials make this a go-to for a quick, satisfying meal.

"The pho that Minneapolis lines up for."

Quang has been serving some of the best Vietnamese food in the Twin Cities for decades. The pho is deeply flavored, the egg rolls are crispy perfection, and the prices are unbeatable. No frills, no pretension — just excellent food.

"Farm-to-table before it was a buzzword."

Alex Roberts' Alma has been a Minneapolis institution for two decades, championing local farms and seasonal cooking long before it became trendy. The café downstairs is casual and excellent; the dining room upstairs is a refined tasting menu experience.

"The North Loop's neighborhood bistro."

Estelle brings easygoing Mediterranean vibes to the North Loop with shareable plates, an accessible wine list, and a gorgeous patio. It's the kind of place where you pop in for one glass and stay for three courses.

"Minneapolis's ramen destination."

Zen Box delivers serious ramen and izakaya small plates in a cozy, wood-paneled space. The tonkotsu is rich and deeply satisfying, the gyoza are perfect, and the sake list is well-chosen. A cold-weather essential.

"Ecuadorian soul food in South Minneapolis."

This family-run Lake Street gem serves generous plates of Ecuadorian comfort food at prices that feel like a gift. The llapingachos, hornado, and encebollado are deeply flavorful and made with obvious love. Minneapolis's best-kept secret.

"The best rotisserie chicken in Minneapolis."

Alex Roberts' casual counterpart to Alma serves slow-roasted meats, Southern sides, and Creole-inspired dishes that punch way above their price point. The rotisserie chicken with yams and collards is a complete meal for under $15.

"Understated elegance near the lakes."

Tucked into a quiet Kenwood corner, this neighborhood restaurant serves refined New American cuisine in a warm, unpretentious setting. The seasonal menu changes frequently, the wine list is thoughtful, and the brunch is one of the best in the city.

"Laotian flavors, fine dining presentation."

Chef Ann Ahmed's Uptown restaurant brings Laotian and Thai flavors to a fine dining setting with stunning results. The dishes are vibrant, herbaceous, and unlike anything else in Minneapolis. The space is beautiful, the hospitality is warm, and the flavors linger.

"Tokyo meets Rome in the North Loop."

Chef Jeff Brunnette's stunning Japanese-Italian fusion delivers bold, unexpected combinations that somehow work beautifully. The handmade pastas with Japanese inflections are unlike anything else in the city, and the wood-fired pizzas are equally inspired. The space is gorgeous and the Tock-only reservations go fast.

"Prime cuts and gaucho spirit in the North Loop."

Daniel del Prado's modern Argentinian steakhouse features all prime beef ranging from 100% grass-fed to A5 wagyu, served in a stunning North Loop space. The wine list leans South American, the service is polished, and every cut is cooked over live fire with precision.