The 15 best restaurants in Minneapolis

While there may always be a battle between locals about whether the Jucy Lucy, a burger with molten cheese stuffed inside rather than on top, originated at (and/or is better at) Matt’s Bar or the 5-8 Club, one thing is certain: the no-frills approach Matt’s takes to the mere nine items on its menu stands out. Here, the Jucy Lucy is made with gooey cheese and either comes plain or with onions and pickles or not.

The wood paneling and cash-only payment option make this a divine dive bar and cozy neighborhood spot. 

With individualized, custom cocktails and wicked wine pairings, Demi's seasonal and hyper-local pre-fixe menu features a smattering of rare ingredients from around the globe and is an experience from start to finish. It may be spendy, but it's worth it.

The horseshoe-shaped bar wraps around the various cooking stations with a large and luscious floral arrangement at the center. The food at Demi is fancy, but the environment is warm and welcoming. It’s a dining experience unlike any other in the Twin Cities.

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Head to Victor’s 1959 Cafe for a Cuban breakfast to end all breakfasts. Think mango or banana pancakes (yes, they’re so good—get them), beans on beans on beans, Cubano sandwiches, empanadas, and all the eggs you can handle with plenty of cilantro and hot sauce on the side. Don’t forget to leave a message on the wall.

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Holy Land Bakery, Grocery, and Deli is a Minneapolis staple and a local favorite. Stop by the shop in the Midtown Global Market, stop by their restaurant in Northeast, or swing by their food truck in the Minneapolis airport’s Terminal 1, Concourse E to see what all the shawarma, falafel, and humus fuss is about. Guy Fieri even visited for an episode of Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. There are plenty of vegan and gluten-free options at Holy Land, too.

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What started as a taco stand inside a suburban gas station has blossomed into a full-service restaurant that's not to be missed. The birria tacos and accompanying consomé at El Sazón are some of the best in town, but the birria ramen is a creative dish that’s simply perfect for Minnesota winters.

The cocktails are fun and their salsas (all of which can be sampled with chips as an app) are excellent, to boot. In an area where there are plenty of Latin American restaurants, El Sazón stands out.

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Who would've imagined that Italian and Japanese fusion could be so good? Sanjusan’s dishes blend these two culinary traditions into unique and satisfying dishes like crab fettuccine with saffron and shisho and even a pizza that features raw tuna.

The best part is that Sanjusan doesn’t stand alone—upstairs you’ll find an intimate and delightful Japanese whiskey bar and an Omakase sushi restaurant, too. During the warmer months, Sanujsan’s outside tables set under twinkly lights make it a great spot for a summer date night.

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Chef Yia Vang has been on a mission to open this Hmong restaurant for years and it has finally come to fruition. Some may call it elevated Hmong food, but Vinai makes an important distinction that what it’s doing is illuminating Hmong food. It’s located where a brewery once was on what’s quickly becoming a power corner of the Minneapolis food scene in Northeast. Come for the creative dishes like mango, apple, and cucumber with fish sauce caramel, and stay for the gorgeous decor and delightful drinks.

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Mazza, a selection of small dishes served as appetizers or as accompaniments to main dishes, is the star of the show at this Middle Eastern spot in North Minneapolis. Dervish Mazza blends Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food and offers a delicious range of naturally vegetarian and vegan options. The best part? It’s not really a restaurant at all. Six-course dinners with drink pairings take place at chef Mo’s home—inside during the winter and outside during the summer.

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This south Minneapolis breakfast outpost is hard to beat. Hot Plate offers all of the classic breakfast dishes you’d want (eggs and toast, biscuits and gravy) plus plenty of Mexican dishes, too (think chilaquiles and a carnitas scramble).

Grab a booth, table, or a counter seat and take in the kitschy cool vibe that’s constructed by walls covered in paint by number paintings and groovy figurines hanging out wherever there’s a nook or cranny that can hold them.

Bûcheron, which means “lumberjack” in French, was started by a chef who came up through Demi and other fine dining restaurants around town. This sweet and cozy French spot, as the translation of its name might suggest, features the flair of Minnesota in its offerings that include a soaring seafood tower, steak, pasta, and more.

Just as you’d expect, Bûcheron features a well-crafted and extensive suite of wine offerings, too. Not into the whole dining experience? Grab a seat at the bar during the week for bar-only dishes.

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What started as a tiny doughnut shop in Uptown in 2014 has expanded into another location in nearby St. Louis Park that's now big enough to offer catering and delivery. Bogart’s Doughnut Co. has also expanded beyond its signature brioche and cake donuts, offering soft-serve ice cream during the summer. Later risers should rejoice, too, because the beloved donut shop is now open longer than ever before (who says donuts are only for mornings?).

As for what to order? Try one of the standard offerings like the brown butter-glazed brioche ring, or choose from frequently rotating specials. Once you have your treat picked out, you can unwind a bit by doodling on the ground with the bucket of chalk that lives on the Uptown location’s patio.

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Supper clubs—restaurants that peddle hearty meals and stiff drinks and serve as a social gathering place during frigid winters—are a signature of life in the rural upper Midwest. The heyday of supper clubs is mostly in the past, but the many that still survive have found a way to modernize the concept. 

At Creekside Supper Club and Lounge, modern dining is served with a healthy dose of Midwestern nostalgia; standout offerings include the signature fish fries and brandy old fashioneds. This one does breakfast, too, and is a great spot for a pre-show dinner before a show at The Parkway Theater down the street.

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While you can only enjoy this restaurant in the warmer months, its annual opening in April and closing in October signal the change of the seasons around Minneapolis.

This Old Bay-seasoned seafood spot has a Southern flair, beer and wine offerings, and an expansive patio that’s super dog- and kid-friendly. Plus, Sea Salt Eatery is located in a park right next to the beautiful Minnehaha Falls waterfall and the laid back hiking options that surround it.

Time Out tip: Grab a drink before getting in the sometimes long food line.

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Found in an old house in the Uptown neighborhood, the team at this quaint spot with a front patio cooks classic South Asian dishes from Nepal and India, so expect a lot of curry and chaat.

If it's in between meal times, make at a pitstop at Namaste Café to try the chai latte, which has been declared the best in town, and is just one of the great drinks from its extensive menu. Try a plain or masala chai, or opt for a specialty flavor like dark chocolate, spearmint or cardamom pistachio.

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This tiny, unassuming Ecuadorian restaurant flew under the radar for years until it started scooping up award after award and made its way into the Minneapolis food scene. Chimborazo offers authentic flavors from Ecuador and the Andes Highland that you'll be hard-pressed to find elsewhere in the Twin Cities. The affordable menu is meat-heavy, but vegetarians will enjoy the beans, sweet plantains, and yucca fries.