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Let these guides be just a starting point…follow your senses and try a little bit of everything…be kind, remembering you are but a visitor here

 At the time of writing this, Minneapolis has rarely been more in the spotlight. My beloved Timberwolves are in the NBA’s Western Conference Finals. The TNT basketball crew, Wolves fans worldwide, and countless celebrities (Gunna, Metro Boomin, Lee Sung Jin, and countless MN sports legends were all in attendance during the last series) have descended upon the city during the playoffs. And above all, Charles Barkley asked Wolves’ star player Anthony Edwards for restaurant recs in the city.

I’ve tried to track down Ant’s list. I think it would be the kind of treasure I’d want to preserve in outer space for future generations to see, given that he tends to refreshingly eschew fancy clothes, fancy food, fancy anything in favor of simplicity and comfort. And there’s a lot of simplicity and comfort to love in the Twin Cities. Those of us who grew up in Minneapolis know the food has always been excellent, even if it can take a while for trends or techniques to trickle in from the coasts. 

I’ve seen a few local publications and social media accounts offer their own recommendations in the last couple days. These lists are good, but really cater to…well, all the wealthy folks that can afford tickets to the Western Conference Finals. For me, the key to finding good food in Minneapolis has been to look into its myriad cuisines from different cultures, the less glamorous restaurants that showcase a world of flavor and an abundance of heart. Minneapolis, like any truly American city, is a true amalgamation of different cultures that have settled here, from the Dakota and Ojibwe cultures that had their lands stolen from them, to the German and Scandinavian peoples that did much of the stealing, to the Hmong and Somali cultures that took refuge here, to Mexican and Ecuadorian and Ethiopian and Vietnamese and more. All of that is showcased in its food, which is every bit as complex and thoughtful as the city’s fine dining–and all of these cultures deserve their due, too.

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Downtown Minneapolis:

Owamni: A recent winner of the James Beard Foundation’s Best New Restaurant, Owamni is well worth a visit if you can find a reservation. Striking a balance between traditional and modern, Chef Sean Sherman and his team compose thoughtful indigenous dishes made without wheat, dairy, sugar and other ingredients that colonizers brought with them. I had a revelatory lunch experience here once, fawning over the simultaneous simplicity and complexity of the smoked fish salad and especially the nixtamalized blue corn mush with maple syrup and blueberries. Check our their South Minneapolis outpost, too, the Indigenous Food Lab, for more casual fare and to support a place that’s studying and preserving and celebrating a wide array of indigenous traditions.

Gai Noi: Khaluna, chef Ann Ahmed’s other Minneapolis restaurant, will get more attention, but I prefer Gai Noi. It’s a bit more casual, with the menu featuring a wide variety of plates to share, and it’s located right on the edge of Loring Park, across from the Walker and the Sculpture Garden. 

Sanjusan: Yes, this one might break the bank, but it’s worth it. Located in the North Loop, this multi-storied building holds a few different restaurants/bars that are all part of the same group. The bottom floor is Sanjusan, an Italian-Japanese restaurant where the menu features pizzas and pastas made with some Japanese accents, plus a hefty yakitori section. On the second floor you’ll find an Omakase experience for the purists in Kado no Mise, as well as what is to me the best kept secret in the Cities: a sleek, simple Japanese whiskey bar called Gori Gori Peku. 

Bar Brava: the requisite wine bar in the cities, if you’re into that sort of thing. Their menu has changed often in the last few years, as they’ve been hosting chefs in residence more often than not, so I don’t really know what kind of food offerings you’ll find there. That said, they are usually quite good, and give a platform for up and coming young chefs in the area to hone their skills and gain a following. That, and the best wine list of any bar in the cities, make this worth your time if you have a free evening. While you’re at it, Meteor is a fantastic dive bar a couple blocks away. Neither are directly downtown, but on the far edge where it turns into North Minneapolis.

NE Minneapolis:

Oro by Nixta: This one is my personal favorite restaurant in Minneapolis, though it can be harder to get a table these days since they’ve received a lot of national attention in the last year. It’s centered entirely around masa, which is made in house with corn from Mexico, and then composed into thoughtful dishes that showcase true regional Mexican specialties that you won’t find anywhere else. Fresh, vibrant, and colorful, this restaurant is a triumph. 

Chimborazo: an unassuming Ecuadorian restaurant in NE Minneapolis that showcases specialities from all over Ecuador. Hearty portions, fare prices, and friendly service–and as of last month, a second location in St. Paul. 

Hai Hai: a restaurant that feels like a microcosm of the Twin Cities food scene at large to me. If you’ve had Southeast Asian food in Portland, L.A., New York, or abroad, you’re not going to have your mind blown by this restaurant, but you’re nonetheless going to leave content and without having broke the bank. It’s refreshing to see Bahn Xeo, Nam Khao, and Bahn Beo in a city that often sticks to Pho and Bun.

Dream Creamery: in the era of the smashburger, this might be my favorite I’ve had. Set up like something of an old-school ice cream parlour, this simple restaurant in NE offers primarily burgers, fries, and a wide array of ice cream flavors. Order burgers as a single, double, or triple patty, and enjoy a nice Minneapolis evening on the small patio out front.

Dong Yang: Amazing Korean dishes located in the back of a grocery store in the outskirts of NE Minneapolis. The kind of place that’s all over Los Angeles but can be hard to find a Midwest. Friends of mine rave about this spot. 

Al’s Breakfast: A classic, timeless diner that friends of mine frequented in their University of Minnesota days, and who would direct ire at me if I didn’t include it. I’ve never been. Apologies to all!

Alma: I’m listing very few classic fine dining restaurants in this list, but Alma deserves a nod. Located just across the river from downtown in NE, it’s been a staple in the Cities forever. I like it because it offers something for everyone: an inventive tasting menu for dinner, a lovely and accessible cafe that’s open for lunch, and takeaway homemade baked goods that are delightful. They have a little shop in South Mpls called Alma Provisions that features some food and an even an apothecary, too.

Marty’s Deli: Best sandwich in the Twin Cities? For me, it’s at Marty’s, where you’ll find a modernized old-school deli menu that has veg and vegan options and some great gf focaccia too, if that’s your thing. Don’t miss the sides!

South Minneapolis:

Matt’s Bar: there’s a timeless debate over who created the Juicy Lucy (a burger with the cheese cooked in between the two patties, creating a molten cheddar layer in the middle) between here and the 5-8 club, but personally I don’t know anyone who prefers the latter. Matt’s to me is something of the perfect sports bar. A simple menu, a signature item that hits every time, great beer selection, pretty dark and dusky, cash only, etc. 

Quang: Quang feels like one of those timeless restaurants that opened the minute the city was founded, and that will be around until whenever the city crumbles. Amongst the countless restaurants on Nicolett, also titled Eat Street, Quang is the star of the show for me, a Vietnamese spot that serves all the classics and does them exceptionally well. An underrated part of the restaurant is its front counter, which you can swing by to pick up Banh Mi, rice tamales, bubble tea, and a variety of desserts. 

Little Tijuana’s: The best new-age dive bar in the cities, featuring an amazing selection of cocktails from some of my old coworkers, and a menu of sandwiches and shareable plates that’s sort-of-Indian, sort-of-European, sort-of-EastAsian. Think Palek Paneer, but also fried cauliflower with Furikake, but also a Potato Pelmini dumpling with chili crisp, but also Mapo Rigatoni, and a fantastic fried chicken sandwich with papaya salad slaw. Pro-tip: the nearby Institute of Art is free always, and open late Thursday nights, if you want to swing by there beforehand.

Fika: I’ll admit I’m biased, as someone with a lot of Swedish ancestry, but I think this restaurant inside the Swedish American Museum is wonderful. It’s all the Swedish classics like meatballs, cardamom buns, and rye bread, done with intention. Vegetables star on the menu as well in a way that makes this menu not too heavy. 

Good Times Pizza: This is the pizza of my childhood–thin, cracker-like Tavern Style–done at a higher level than the suburban bowling alleys I went to growing up. Fresh dough, fresh ingredients, piping-hot pizzas, plus natural wine and delicious salads? Say no more. 

La Loma Tamales: My personal favorite breakfast in the cities. A stand within Mercado Central off Lake Street that serves an array of savory and sweet tamales as well as Atole, Champurrado, and more. Try the Oaxaquenos Verdes or Oaxaquenos Rojos, which are steamed in banana leaves. A Mexican bakery operates in the same room, and many little shops and restaurants can also be found within the building. 

Asa’s Bagels: Really good people, really good bagels. Simple and executed beautifully.

Union Hmong Kitchen: chef Yia Vang is quickly becoming maybe the most famous chef in the Twin Cities. Featured on TV shows and with a highly anticipated fine dining restaurant called Vinai on the way for years now, the chef showcases the depth, complexity, and wide-ranging culinary offerings of Hmong food. It’s a long time coming for a city that is full of Hmong people but has had very very few Hmong restaurants for decades. UHK offers more casual fare like noodle bowls and rice salads at both of its locations, one a stand alone restaurant on Lake Street and a food stand in the North Loop.

Mesob: There’s an immense amount of fantastic Ethiopian food to find in the Twin Cities, and I could highlight any one of them happily. Mesob is one I particularly loved for truly delicious food and hospitable service, but also look into Bole and Demera, other favorites of mine. 

St. Paul:

Cheng Heng: There are countless Southeast Asian restaurants on University Avenue in St. Paul worth checking out, but this is the one I go to again and again. Maybe because it’s one of the only Cambodian spots, with a wide ranging menu you can’t find elsewhere. I’m especially fond of the refreshing and spicy Cambodian salads, as well as the many soups offered here. 

Hmongtown Marketplace: It’s crazy how I grew up twenty minutes away and never heard about this place until recent years; it’s crazy that so few people seem to know about it in general in a city that has such a large Hmong population. This large complex in St. Paul features many food carts, some small Hmong shops, and in the warmer months a farmers market. In addition to some amazing Hmong soups, meats, and vegetable dishes, you’ll find some Chinese and Pan-Asian restaurants. Find out what to try first here: https://www.visitsaintpaul.com/blog/where-to-eat-hmong-village-hmongtown-marketplace/

Soul Lao: The kind of food I want to eat all the time. Formerly a food truck that now has a brick & mortar location, this family run spot features vibrant Laotian dishes that don’t hold back on pungency and spice. They are beloved for their rotisserie, too, as well as Lao sausages.

Estelle: A classic for a reason. Southern European fare over on the restaurant side, really really good drinks on the sleek bar side.

Bole Ethiopian: This restaurant is an institution when it comes to Ethiopian food in the Twin Cities. Phenomenal array of dishes, both meat and veg friendly, and a great patio. There’s a smaller, express location in Minneapolis’ Cider-Riverside neighborhood as well.