MINNEAPOLIS 

112 Eatery 

Isaac Becker and Nancy St. Pierre’s first North Loop eatery earned Becker a James Beard Award for Best Chef Midwest. Over a decade later, 112 Eatery still endures as one of Minneapolis’ best restaurants. In a world of constantly rotating menus and finicky food trends, 112 is refreshingly consistent; several of the dishes have remained unchanged since its 2005 opening. 

Don’t mistake its constants for complacency. Becker’s commitment to precise technique and high-quality ingredients have kept locals coming back for its signature take on steak tartare and stringozzi with lamb sugo. From the spiced nuts and olives that start every meal to the warm and welcoming hospitality, 112 is a date night you can depend on.  

Aster House 

A supper club with style to spare, Aster House is the most noteworthy addition to St. Anthony Main — a cobblestone street right alongside the Mississippi River — in years. Owner Jeff Arundel (also of the nearby Aster Cafe and Jefe Urban Cocina) lets its century-old stone building speak for itself with brooding lighting and a restrained look that fits the classic yet contemporary menu of consulting chef Karyn Tomlinson (Myriel). 

Start with a Lazy Susan of rotating snacks or wild rice fritters and a lightly dressed salad, then move onto the main event with a pork chop, stewed kale and butter beans, slow-cooked chicken, cabbage and Dijon cream, or a prime NY strip with gold potatoes and a pat of rich butter.  

Bar La Grassa 

Located in Minneapolis' North Loop, the ever-popular Bar La Grassa — an Italian restaurant with a James Beard Award-winning chef — is a pasta lover’s paradise. Menu items, designed to be shareable, include gnocchi with cauliflower and orange, soft eggs and lobster bruschetta, red wine spaghetti with pine nuts, and more. The open kitchen, sparkling chandeliers, tall ceilings and cozy seating make it an ideal spot for a special night out. Reservations are recommended, as it’s a popular spot with locals. 

Bûcheron  

A couple of key alums from Gavin Kaysen's restaurant group (former Bellecour front-of-house manager Jeanie Janas Ritter and her husband Adam, the chef de cuisine for Demi’s widely revered opening run) brought a slice of Paris to South Minneapolis when they opened Bûcheron in 2024. 

An instant hit in the neighborhood, it's casual and cozy, and full of daring flavors that reach well beyond standard brasserie fare. That goes for everything from a meaty pork chop made with a cashew purée, Brussels sprouts, epazote, morita chili and morcilla jus to a complex vegetarian combo of sweet potato with a banana glaze, lentil and pumpkin porridge, radish, tatsoi and pickled elderberry. 

Cafe Lurcat 

Located right next to Loring Park, Cafe Lurcat boasts a big ol’ wine list (we're talking hundreds of bottles) and splashy dinner plates like a braised lamb shank with birria bean puree, pickled red onion, radish, cilantro and lime, a glazed Kurobuta pork chop with grilled lemon, baby potatoes, sauce charcutière and bitter frisée greens, and four different cuts of locally sourced Wagyu steak. 

If you’re more of a cocktail person, Cafe Lurcat’s signature bread service and parade of crowd-pleasing small plates will pair nicely with house-made hits like a delicately balanced blend of curry-infused vodka, fernet, rum, coconut, ginger, lime and currant (Curry Me Away) or dry curaçao, cranberry, thyme, beet-ginger shrub and two different kinds of gin (The Steady Beet of Thyme).  

Demi 

Demi's exemplary tasting menu is available in either seven (The Barrington) or 11 (The WC Whitney) courses that reflect Minnesota’s four distinct seasons in real time alongside thoughtful wine pairings or a spirit-free option that leans into special teas, juices, shrubs and various infused drinks. Expect dishes that elevate downtown Minneapolis dining to another plane entirely, whether that means a buckwheat tart with caviar, smoked whitefish and a hen egg emulsion, grilled and braised takes on North Dakota bison, or a meal-sparking bite of matsutake chawanmushi with pine nuts, spruce tips and brown butter.  

Diane’s Place 

With multiple James Beard nominations for her pastry work in Gavin Kaysen’s Spoon and Stable and Bellecour and a wildly successful bakery collaboration with Cooks of Crocus Hill (now known as Cooks | Bellecour), Diane Moua had no shortage of accolades when she moved to open her eponymous restaurant. 

Diane’s Place is housed in Northeast Minneapolis’ Food Building and an homage to Moua’s Hmong-American heritage. Its soft opening hit the ground running with a stellar brunch, setting a high bar for dinner service and dialed-in dishes like a duck stew, eggroll-stuffed chicken, sour pork short ribs, and beef laab carpaccio.  Southeast Asian flavors also pop up in her drink menu, including hints of galangal, lemongrass, passion fruit, pandan, taro and yuzu.  

Jax Cafe 

A family business with roots that reach all the way back to 1910, Jax Cafe is about as classic (and classy!) as Minneapolis dining gets. Bring a few other friends to tackle a chilled seafood tower of King Crab meat, oysters, jumbo shrimp and lobster together, then move onto mains like slow-roasted prime rib, pan-seared scallops, ribeye served over hash browns and smothered with sauteed mushrooms and onions, or a masterful filet mignon, a.k.a. “the steak that made Jax famous.”  

Martina 

The restaurant that started it all for decorated chef/restauranteur Daniel Del Prado, Martina is a case study for how to make a fine dining restaurant that doesn’t feel fussy, with a vibey dining room that somehow caters to both the romantic date night and seen-and-be-seen crowd. But it’s not all style; Del Prado’s Italian-slash-Argentinian menu is full of crowd-pleasing but sophisticated dishes like spaghetti fra diavolo with lobster and a half-chicken served with vadouvan veloute and agrodolce. 

In the mood for something more casual? The pizzeria next door (Rosalia) churns out charred and chewy pies worthy of their own special trip.   

Petite León 

Chef Jorge Guzmán earned a Best Chef Midwest nod from the James Beard Awards for his forward-thinking menu at the South Minneapolis staple Petite León. Its dishes are as cozy and comforting as its seating, including a brick chicken with huli huli glaze, rice dumplings, peanuts and chives, braised beef ragu with egg pappardelle, grana Padano and fried rosemary, and caramelized cabbage with cannellini beans, mushroom broth, mushroom conserva and an optional slab of pork belly. The restaurant’s neighborhood-y vibe begs for a perfect burger something Guzmán delivers in the form of double patties, caramelized onions and pickles — all the better to pair with crisp frites and earthy turmeric aioli.   

Restaurant Alma

In 1999, after years of working in New York City’s top restaurants (Bouley and Union Square Cafe, to name a couple), Alex Roberts moved back to his home state and opened Restaurant Alma. In 2010, he won the James Beard award for Best Chef Midwest. In 2016, Alma bought their historic building and expanded, adding an (always packed) bakery and café and an adorable on-site boutique hotel.

The original restaurant remains best-in-class, and Executive Chef Maggie Whelan has continued Alma’s tradition of unpretentious (but delicious) cooking and strong emphasis on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Alma has also served as a training ground for some of the Twin Cities brightest talents, including Tiffany Singh (Laune Bread) and Ben Siers-Rients (Petite Leon, Lynette).  

Spoon and Stable 

Located inside a former horse stable in the North Loop, Spoon and Stable has a well-earned reputation as one of Minnesota's most delicious and exciting fine dining establishments. Run by James Beard-award winning chef Gavin Kaysen, the restaurant masterfully combines Midwestern ingredients with French techniques to produce meals that are familiar yet refined. (Dorothy's Pot Roast pulls its main inspiration from Kaysen's grandmother, for instance.) 

ST. PAUL

Emerald Lounge 

Nestled into an old storefront, Emerald Lounge has tons of style packed into a very small footprint. This no-reservations eatery has a distinctly New York vibe, with exposed brick walls and a tightly edited menu of delicious, reasonably priced dishes. The true “lounge” is in back, where vintage furniture and rugs encourage patrons to nestle in for a few cocktails on chilly Minnesota evenings. 

Estelle 

Tucked into an unassuming storefront on a residential block, Estelle's southern European menu of pastas, pintxos, and tapas perfectly balance comfort and skill. The rigatoni with fennel sausage and calabrian chili shouldn’t be missed, and don’t skip out on ordering a few pasteis de nada (Portuguese egg tarts) to end your meal. Don’t have a reservation? Go sit at the vibey bar, which is in a slim hallway separate from the restaurant dining room and perfect for a first or second date. 

Gus Gus 

Gus Gus is the platonic ideal of a neighborhood restaurant: a super-cozy subterranean dining room serving a shareable menu that can be casual enough for a weeknight date but elevated enough for a special occasion. With a constantly-changing seasonal menu and don’t-take-yourself-so-seriously happy hour that features a $5 jello shot, Gus Gus is at its best on a chilly Minnesota evening when you’ve got an empty stomach and nowhere else to be. 

Hyacinth 

A tiny-but-mighty Italian spot. Hyacinth’s vibes are distinctly Brooklyn, with marble tables packed close together and chill but personal service from servers in Warby Parker frames. Cozy, quiet, and romantic, Hyacinth is the perfect spot for a special date night or reconnecting with a friend. 

Joan’s in the Park 

Chef Susan Dunlop and maître d' Joan Schmitt dreamt up the idea for their first joint restaurant while working at Morton's in 2006. Rather than go the steakhouse route once again, Joan's in the Park offers a four-course tasting menu that includes a round of revelatory baked goods (selections have included a savory chocolate babka with salted butter and an eclair made with speck ham and pine nut cream) and such from-scratch finds as quinoa with buttered lobster, anchovy and asparagus, cappelletti with braised beef neck, sweet onion soubise and preserved lemon, and autumn truffles shaved over Brussels sprouts, pear and a semolina cake. 

Meritage 

A romantic Saint Paul mainstay for over 15 years, James Beard-nominated Meritage is known for its flawless execution of French classics and some of the best service in the entire state. Make a reservation to celebrate a special occasion or just stop by on a weeknight to cozy up to the candlelit bar for an unbeatable bowl of Moules Frites and a glass of old-world wine. 

Myriel 

Think you have to go downtown for true fine dining? Think again. Karyn Tomlinson’s elegant, romantic Myriel is pint-sized and refined, with a menu of delicate but flavorful dishes and an atmosphere that conjures Parisian brasseries. Whether you sit at the intimate, honed black marble bar or in the low-lit dining room, Tomlinson’s attention to detail and originality are present in every bite.  

W.A. Frost 

Famous for their twinkle-lit, magical patio, W.A. Frost is equally charming in the colder months, with a dining room full of art and vintage rugs and an extremely cozy lower-level lounge. On a January night, when you’re bellied up to the mirror-backed bar with an expertly crafted old-fashioned, it’s easy to remember why Cathedral Hill was the old stomping ground of F. Scott Fitzgerald 

GREATER METRO 

Birch’s on the Lake
Long Lake 

This supper club on the shores of Long Lake offer a cozy dining space on the main floor or a brewhouse in the lower level where they brew their own beer on-site. In the summer, their patio is a popular spot, and you feel like you’re in the middle of lakes country, just outside the city. Get a taste of Minnesota with their walleye wild rice cakes, cheese curds, and walleye. 

CŌV
Wayzata  

When you’re dining at CōV, you feel like you’re in Nantucket or the Hamptons. This coastal-inspired spot features beautiful views of Lake Minnetonka at their Wayzata location. On the menu you can find wood-fired artichokes, crab cakes, pasta, seafood, steaks, and shareable sides like fresh popovers, truffle fries, and wood-fired cauliflower. 

Domaćin
Stillwater 

Located in charming Stillwater, Domaćin offers small plates for sharing, beautiful entrees, and more. With an expertly curated wine list from around the world and a curated list of staff picks. If there's a cozier place to eat in Stillwater, we haven't found it. 

Spasso
Minnetonka  

This wine bar and Italian restaurant has an attached wine shop where guests can select a bottle of wine or bubbles and bring it to the restaurant for a complimentary corkage fee. Dine on classics like spaghetti and meatballs, shrimp scampi, Bolognese, gourmet pizzas, seafood, steak, sandwiches, burgers, and more.   

EXPLORE MORE

Bar Harbor Supper Club
Brainerd  

This gorgeous restaurant epitomizes “up north” vibes with its views of Lake Margaret. Dine on steak, fresh seafood, pastas, salads, soups, sandwiches, and more. Their patio offers sunny views of the water with a roaring fire pit. Be sure to save some time before or after your meal to stroll along the dock area to see incredible wood and vintage boats.   

Bleu Duck Kitchen
Rochester  

This popular spot in Rochester is surrounded by cozy exposed brick and dozens of paintings featuring a blue duck. Some of its most popular dishes are the steak, duck, rotating Chef’s catch, and more. Don’t miss their oyster bar with a rotating selection of oysters or their weekend brunch. 

Cru
Nisswa 

Located at the popular Grand View Lodge, this cozy restaurant offers more than 2,000 bottles of wines from around the world, and more than 20 wines by the glass. Cru creates elevated classic dishes using seasonal and fresh ingredients. Find dishes like local mushrooms, beet salad, smoked walleye ravioli, venison tenderloin, beef filet, and more. 

New Scenic Cafe
Duluth 

The New Scenic Cafe has become a North Shore fine dining mainstay, combining local fare, stellar desserts (including worth-eating-two-pieces pies) and globally influenced technique in a setting that embraces the beauty of the lake. Located about 15 minutes north of Duluth, New Scenic is simultaneously accessible and a little bit wild. 

Nosh Scratch Kitchen
Winona 

This popular farm-to-table kitchen focuses on fresh ingredients from the region and is heavily inspired by the Mediterranean. Located in a historic building in downtown Winona, this romantic spot offers small plates for sharing, soups, salads, and flavorful dishes like red curry, scallops, duck breast, sea bass, lamb sliders, shrimp tacos, and more. 

Terza Ristorante
Rochester 

Dine on fresh pastas, desserts, and more all crafted in-house at this popular spot in downtown Rochester. With a rotating seasonal menu, each dish uses the freshest ingredients in season. Find wood-fired pizzas, fresh oysters, salads, chicken, fish, seafood, and pastas. 

The Fireside
Detroit Lakes  

With a beautiful deck and views of Detroit Lake, The Fireside is one of the most romantic spots in lakes country. Established in 1948, this popular spot serves steaks, pasta, chops, seafood, walleye, and classic steakhouse sides. They also offer an extensive list of mocktails, cocktails, and beer and wine. 

Tutto Bene
Bemidji 

From squash cannelloni to maple glazed pork belly to chicken piccata the dishes on the menu at Bemidji's Tutto Bene offer up a level of sophistication that befits its college town locale. If you're in the area, load up on pasta or the pescato del giorno (fish of the day) at one of Minnesota's hidden gems. 

Va Bene
Duluth  

Serving fresh Italian food near the Lakewalk that offers beautiful views of Lake Superior, Va Bene in Duluth has been a popular spot for years. Find fresh pastas, seafood, steaks, salads, Italian gelato, and more. They offer vegan and gluten-free dishes and can create pasta choices for any dietary requirements. For the best views of the lake, grab a table in their sunny solarium.  

Find more food and drink trip ideas in Minnesota.