I have a convention this weekend at the Minneapolis Hilton. I want to get out of the hotel for a few meals, but don't want to be gone very long.

Any suggestions for good places within walking distance?

Thanks gang!

Keith

You are a block off of Nicollet Mall, which is a pedestrian/bus only street that has a ton of restaurants along it. Across Nicollet from Orchestra Hall is Britt's Pub, great for burgers or fish & chips. For great diner food, Key's is a short stroll up Nicollet - strongly recommended for breakfast or lunch. If you head another two blocks over to Hennepin Ave., there are a few options there as well. Palomino has great pasta dishes that you can order at the bar. Table of Contents is more upscale and also has very nice lunches & dinners.

I would recommend heading up Nicollet Mall and seeing what strikes your fancy. There are a ton of places along there. I used to work a few blocks from the Hilton but that was a couple years ago, so my memory of some of the names is fading! Oh, if you want an adventure, try Aquavit in the IDS tower for funky Scandinavian food - also upscale and very good.

To the top

I worked in downtown Minneapolis for 15 years. I'm not a gourmet, but here are my favorite places:

Hamlin's ($)(on Nicollet between 5th and 4th - inside the Renaissance building) - a diner that makes you forget you are in a big city -waitresses with hairnets, fresh pies made daily. Only open for breakfast and lunch. Go early (before 11:45 - it's small)

Peter's Grill ($) (2nd Ave and 8th Street)- it's an institution and a favorite hangout for bigwig politicos when they come into town.

Brit's ($$), mentioned by a former poster, is fun.

The original Buca di Beppo ($$)is in downtown Minneapolis (12th and Harmon). Go with a group - it's served family style!

Nicollet Island Inn ($$$)(NOT within walking distance, but worth taking a taxi). White linen tablecloths, but still somewhat casual atmosphere. One of the few places you can get food with a Minnesota flavor (walleye, wild rice).

Gluek's ($$) - also a Minneapolis institution. Worth going if only to see the mural on the side of the building. Burgers, brats+ (6th Street between Nicollet and 1st Ave. N.)

Origami ($$) - If you like sushi, this is the place to go (30 1st Ave. N.) - also not really within walking distance.

Sawatdee ($$) - Thai food (1005 Nicollet Mall) The original restaurant in a very popular Twin Cities chain.

There's a brand new Hard Rock Cafe if you want to try it out.

And my hand's down favorite - Palominos! ($$$) (12th and Nicollet - above the Rock Bottom) Mediterranean food - wood-fired and grilled. Good seafood choices. A place to see and be seen.

One more I forgot to mention - Basil's. It's on the skyway level of the IDS tower (or is it the American Express tower now?) - a blue glass skyscraper that takes up the whole block between 6th and 7th Streets and Marquette and Nicollet Avenues.

On the restaurants I recommended, the ones that are fairly close to you are Peter's Grill, Basil's, Brit's and Palominos. The Hilton is next to the Convention Center, which means that it isn't close to the center of downtown.

Never had a great experience at Basils.

A few more to try:

- Mannys (steak) at the Hyatt
- Oceanaire (also at Hyatt)
- Mortons
- Ruth's Chris
- JD Hoyts (take a taxi)
- Rainbow Chinese (10 mins on taxi)

I do not recommend Ichiban.

Thanks for all the help!

I am off to the airport in a few hours.

Keith

Lest us not forget Murray's on sixth, and yes one of my fav's is the Palomino, was just there two nights ago.

So, Keith, where did you go? How about some follow-ups for us?

Topping.

Keith? Are you out there? All of us Minneapolitans are waiting with baited breath to hear what you thought of the restaurants in downtown? Don't leave us hanging!

Sorry for keeping you waiting. Lets see how much I can remember.

I visited Brit's Pub (twice), an Irish Pub at Nicolet & 10th Street (can’t find the name online), Peter's Grill, and Sawatdee Thai Restaurant. All were good, except Peter's. It was kind of like a diner, with very good soup, but the fried whitefish looked and tasted like a giant fish stick.

Brit's was particularly handy since I was staying at the Hyatt Regency and Brit's is midway between the two hotels. They got extra points for having cider on tap. Brit's isn't pub like, but I liked the decor, atmosphere and food. The friends that I took there the first evening were also pleased.

My food and service at Sawardee was very good, but a large table of friends near me had extremely slow service. They were seated ahead of me, but were just getting their appetizers as I left.

Sunday noon was when I was going to treat myself to a fine meal, but all of the places I had picked out were closed then.

Thanks again for all your help.

Keith

Keith,

Thanks for the report. Glad you enjoyed Brits and Sawatdee. As you probably saw, they are both very popular in Minneapolis.

Sorry about Peter's Grill. The specialty there is "down-home diner" food (fried chicken, pork chops, hot turkey sandwiches, etc.). Clinton ate there are enjoyed it - that should tell you a little about the food. White fish probably isn't something they do very well.

Also sorry that you didn't get to try any of the nicer restaurants downtown. Many are closed for Sunday lunch, but open again for Sunday evenings since that is a big night for restaurants.