Restaurant Recs for Minneapolis
 

We will be in Minneapolis later this week for 3 nights and would love restaurant recommendations. We're pretty electric in what we like...most ethnic cuisines and farm fresh American too. Price wise anything from food trucks to nice restaurants worth the splurge. We have read Minneapolis has become quite the food Mecca and would love to try some good food while there. Thanks!

Well, you haven't indicated where in the city you'll be staying and whether you have a car or will be utilizing public transit. I'll just throw out a few recs. and let you figure out what works for your situation:

1. Spoon and Stable: If Michelin were to star restaurants in MSP, this would be a one *. My favorite. Upscale, very cool and urban décor. Great food. Owner/Chef is local boy Gavin Kaysen. You'd be highly unlikely to get a sit down reservation at this point but the bar has a great menu, is lots of fun and on beautiful nights, is open to the sidewalk. North Loop, just outside of the central business district.

2. Bar La Grassa: Also in North Loop. Italian and known for their excellent pasta and gnocchi in particular. James Beard award-winning chef Isaac Becker. Urban chic/pretty people crowd.

3. Tilia: Linden Hills neighborhood. Very much a foodie restaurant. Local, neighborhood, loud vibe, varied menu. Food is outstanding. You'll need a car to get here as the Metro does not run nearby.

4. Masu: My favorite sushi bar in Mpls. Northeast neighborhood, just across the river from dt Mpls (so walking distance if staying downtown)

5. Saffron: Also in North Loop. Mediterranean but leans towards North African/Middle Eastern. Love their cookbook.

6. Oceanaire: Flagship location for this seafood chain. Very solid food. Clubby atmosphere. On the expensive side. Good oysters and crab cakes. On Nicollet Mall in dt Minneapolis.

I really like Butcher and the Boar, especially if it is nice enough to sit outside.

Bachelor Farmer is excellent modern, Nordic-inspired, farm-fresh cuisine. I think this is the most ambitious restaurant in Minneapolis and the one restaurant that I think really rises to the level of destination dining in the Twin Cities.

Surly has both a great upscale space and the taproom. Both are worth a trip.

I have not been to Spoon and Stable, but the reviews are generally raving.

I, personally, wasn't that impressed with Tilia. Don't get me wrong, it was good, and I'd be happy with it as my neighborhood place, but I think it overhyped.

Thanks so much! We do have a car, but would prefer something where public transportation works. We're staying at the Aloft at 900 Washington Ave South. Nice to have suggestions within walking distance, but we can uber or use public transportation if needed.

Hells Kitchen!

You really need to check out Hell's Kitchen's Build Your Own Bloody Mary bar that they open during their weekend brunches - There really isn't anything like it anywhere in the country. Their weekend brunch service is from 730 am to 3 and they have their bloody mary bar open from 9 am - 2 pm

Ah, it's a restaurant/bar...I thought an area like NYC's Hell's Kitchen! Thanks!

If you are staying at Aloft, then Oceanaire is about a 15m walk or 2 light rails stops (Blue or Green lines) from you. The other restaurants are the ones I'd most highly recommend and, except for Tilia, would be either a 20-30m walk or a short Uber from you.

Thanks! DC has or had an Oceanaire so that is low on my list. Thursday we' ll shoot for bar at Spoon and Stable so we an eat early and have time to watch the convention. Got a res at Bachelor Farmer for one night. We'll pick something for the third night once we check out the city.

<i>Got a res at Bachelor Farmer for one night.</i>

If you like cocktails, go early (or stay late) for a drink in the speakeasy downstairs. I hope you enjoy it. I think it is really a great restaurant - I love the genuine and passionate service.

Thanks for all the suggestions. We had delicious meals while in Minneapolis. We ate at the bar at Spoon and Table and the food was excellent. The Bachelor Farmer was superb. One of the best meals we have had on our 7 weeks going cross country. Our other dinner was at 112 Eatery which was very good. Couldn't get a reservation so we again sat at the bar. It's a sister to Bar Grassa. We had breakfast at Hells Kitchen and really enjoyed it.

Good choice on 112 Eatery. Glad you liked Bachelor Farmer.

Glad you enjoyed some of our finest. We're an underrated food city.