Craft beer (brewed on-site) meets cured meat, cheese, pizza, locally foraged greens and mushrooms and more in a charmingly presented space in Rochester. Forager is proof that some of the trends dominating the biggest cities (in Minnesota and elsewhere) can be successfully translated elsewhere. That means everything from a seasonal and local bent to the menu to an atmosphere that welcomes rather than intimidates.

Tucked away in a quiet, residential neighborhood of St. Paul, Mucci's intimate dining room and menu of old-school comfort foods help make it one of the coziest joints in town. Its emphasis on classic, red-sauce Italian food made with top-quality ingredients results in a place that's simple, timeless and welcoming. Mucci's combination of don't-worry-about-it atmosphere and serious eats lets you have your tiramisu and eat it, too. 

Upscale but relaxed, stylish but welcoming, The Kenwood represents the best that Joel DeBilzan, one of the state's best-loved chefs, has to offer. With its hunting lodge-like decor and cooking that reflects the balance and restraint of a serious working chef, The Kenwood is a lovely place to unwind for an evening — or start a leisurely Sunday, if you're the type of person who takes brunch seriously.

You might not be searching for European hospitality on the shores of the St. Croix River in Stillwater, but if you are, you’ll be pleased when you stumble upon Domacin, one of the state's loveliest little wine-and-cheese bars. With an unpretentious but knowledgeable approach to wine and a simple, small plates-heavy menu that evokes dining in Spain or provincial France, Domacin is a perfect place to curl up and relax, with Continental flair.

Sometimes coziness is nothing more than a bowl of warm noodles and broth — with a comfortingly spicy undertone if you're talking about the bun bo hue at Tay Ho on University Avenue in St. Paul. This small, old-fashioned neighborhood staple also serves up an excellent meatball banh mi and a variety of pho and other noodle dishes that taste equally good in the depths of winter or the heat of summer.

With a menu that stretches from slow-roasted turkey dinners all the way to vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes, Duluth Grill is the epitome of humble, Midwestern excellence. It takes the appeal of a small-town diner (breakfast all day!), blends it with the sophistication of a contemporary urban restaurant and gives equal footing to both sides of the equation. So whether you're an early-to-rise farmer or a late-to-bed foodie, Duluth Grill feels like home to practically everyone. It's also spawned a couple of well-regarded cookbooks, so pick one up if you'd like to bring the laidback deliciousness of the Grill home with you.