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Wine & Dine at These LGBTQ+-Owned Restaurants

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Wise Acre Eatery in Minneapolis / Wise Acre Eatery
LGBTQ+ // Food & Drink // List

Wine & Dine at These LGBTQ+-Owned Restaurants

By Jess Hoffert

Minnesota’s dining scene has never been more diverse, and we’re proud to feature a growing number of restaurants, breweries and other establishments helmed by members of the LGBTQ+ community. Show your rainbow pride by digging in at these awesome spots in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Duluth and beyond.

Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

  1. Hot Indian
    Burrito held up at festival

    The "Indurrito" from Hot Indian is a Indian burrito wrapped with house-made roti / @amyfoodadventures

    Hot Indian

    Executive chef Janene Holig helps conjure up the magical flavor combinations at this kicky Indian quick-service spot. While it no longer has any brick-and-mortar locations, Holig serves her palate-expanding food seasonally at the Minnesota State Fair and a stand at Target Field. She also recently opened Bussin Birria at Mall of America, a spot that specializes in braised beef and chicken tacos that are filled with fried cheese and dipped into consommé. 

    Must try: The Indurrito made with house roti (flatbread), rolled up and stuffed with your choice of fillings. Go spicy with the lamb and pickled aioli.

  2. Joan's In The Park
    Joan's In The Park

    Susan Dunlop and Joan Schmitt’s fine dining treasure in St. Paul’s Highland Park neighborhood feels classy without a hint of pretentiousness. Book early to score a table at the 40-seat, white-tablecloth restaurant, serving artfully plated four-course meals.

    Must try: Save room for the signature brown butter pudding with chocolate caramel, whipped cream and citron salt.

  3. Muffin Top Cafe
    Muffin Top Cafe

    This chill coffee mecca near Minneapolis’ Loring Park just got a fresh makeover and gorgeous back patio, but don’t worry: Married owners Sam Turner and Dion Coker kept your faves on the menu. Full-bodied roasts and lightning flash-roasted espresso will give you the morning jolt you need.

    Must try: You can’t go wrong with any of the namesake muffin tops, served in a rotating variety of flavors.

  4. Nicollet Diner
    Nicollet Diner burger Minneapolis

    It's hard to beat the one-two punch of Muffin Top and Nicollet Diner

    Nicollet Diner

    Also owned by Sam and Dion, and adjacent to Muffin Top Cafe, the only 24/7/365 restaurant in Minneapolis whips up diner staples (think pancakes, burgers and thick milkshakes). The menu also offers craft cocktails, spiked shakes, and plenty of vegan and gluten-free options.

    Must try: The house-made biscuits and gravy are some of the finest in town.

  5. Lush
    Lush

    With a mission of creating an inclusive and welcoming space, LUSH has just one request: “Be kind and have a good time.” The lounge and theater serve up live music, drag shows and other live performances, plus a weekend drag brunch. A second location of Betty and Earl’s Biscuit Kitchen has opened at LUSH (the first is at Rosedale Center’s POTLUCK Food Hall), with a menu that includes a variety of “small plates,” salads, sandwiches and those signature handmade, fresh-baked, southern-style biscuits. 

  6. Urban Growler
    Urban Growler Flight Saint Paul

    Flight of beer from Urban Growler in Saint Paul

    Urban Growler

    Opened in St. Paul in 2014, the first women-owned microbrewery in the state features a bustling beer garden and a fabulous mix of traditional and specialty brews dreamed up by the team of Jill Pavlak and Deb Loch.

    Must try: The Wisconsin perch fish fry (Fridays only) comes with sides of fries, slaw and pumpernickel rye bread. Pair it with the smooth Cowbell Cream Ale.

  7. Wise Acre Eatery
    Omelette Wise Acre Eatery Minneapolis

    The yummiest omelet you ever did see at Wise Acre Eatery

    Wise Acre Eatery

    Get a taste of rural Minnesota at this farmer-owned eatery in South Minneapolis. Scott Endres and Dean Engelmann raise grass-fed poultry, pork and beef, and grow produce year-round on their 142-acre farm in tiny Plato, Minn. It all makes its way to this Nicollet Avenue hotspot that continues to earn accolades.

    Must try: Any of the veggie-centric tapas items, like beets with bean puree, sheep’s milk cheese, garlic chips and mint.

    Duluth & The North Shore

  1. At Sara's Table Chester Creek Cafe
    At Sara's Table Chester Creek Cafe

    Married couple Barbara Neubert and Carla Blumberg have run this local institution since 2003, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, all with menus that highlight options for those with special dietary needs.

    Must try: The melt-in-your-mouth salmon pesto omelet with house-smoked salmon, Havarti cheese, spinach and house-made pesto.

  2. The Boat Club
    Boat Club bloody mary Duluth

    A bloody with a side of lobster? Yes, please!

    The Boat Club

    Lake Superior views star at this fine dining spot owned by Jason Vincent and Jeff Anderson. Part of the historic Fitger’s Brewery complex, the restaurant features daily happy hour specials including half-price tap beer, plus half off bottles of wine on Mondays.

    Must try: The “world famous” lobster bloody mary with a petite lobster tail, sriracha bacon and other garnishes.

  3. Vanilla Bean Restaurant
    Vanilla Bean Restaurant

    Also owned by Jason and Jeff, this breakfast-all-day favorite has been open in Two Harbors since 1998; a Duluth outpost opened in 2018. Both locations serve riffs on Minnesota traditions such as wild rice porridge and walleye eggs benedict.

    Must try: The cranberry club with turkey, ham, bacon, cucumber, tomato and spinach, all served on toasted cranberry wild rice bread slathered with house cranberry mayo.

Jess Hoffert

Jess is a Winona-area-raised travel writer who now lives in the Twin Cities. After going to school and working in that state just south of us, he decided to come home and explore the ever-growing cultural and culinary scene in Minnesota. Find him on Instagram at @jhoffert.