Minneapolis Dinner Recommendations
Ok, you have friends and family in from out of town, and they want recommendations on where to grab dinner. The Twin Cities area is killing it with amazing dinning options now, here are some of my recommendations for impressing your guests – from the super urbane to those looking for a comfortable spot to catch up.
Meritage
My favorite fine-dining restaurant in the Cities – and in a lovely part of St Paul. Get ready for superb service and excellent French-inspired fare. Their seafood is flown in fresh daily (its the only place I order fresh oysters in town). Their wild-caught Pacific shrimp is simple and flavorful enough to impress even friends from the coasts. A perfect wine menu and excellent drinks program are paired with staff that will make you feel totally welcome. They take reservations and will make you feel like a prince, but for something more casual I recommend sitting at the bar. http://www.meritage-stp.com/
Camden Social
This restaurant in North Minneapolis is only a few years old but already feels like a supper club that has always been there. The weeknights feature live music (Jazz with a 3 piece band and singer last time I was there), the welcome is warm, and the food is well curated and lovely. It is a Black owned restaurant in one of Minneapolis’s oldest Black communities. They also have a robust cigar bar and weekend brunch menu to suit everyone! https://www.thecamdensocial.com/
Gai Noi
I won’t be the first one to recommend Gai Noi, but it is excellent and worth the wait. They don’t take reservations, parking is a real pain (one of the few times that valet in Minneapolis makes sense) and it is always bustling. But the food is excellent and so is the drinks program. Here you will find Asian dishes (heavily Laotian) served family style and bringing depth of flavor and heat the Midwest has not been known for. They do have side rooms that are reservable for smaller events. https://www.gainoimpls.com/
Hai Hai
Of all the new school Southeast Asian places in Minneapolis, Hai Hai needs to be on the top of your list. A fun, almost Polynesian vibe and super bold flavors give nowhere for conservative taste buds to hide, and that is the best part. Many vegan friendly options and so so tasty. https://www.haihaimpls.com/
Spoon and Stable
This downtown restaurant is still the one to beat, even as it heads into its second decade. It has accolade from the James Beard Foundation, chef-driven dining, excellent sommelier program, and food to match the hype. It’s the kind of place where they spank the mint instead of muddling it because that’s better for releasing the oils in your mojito, they make their own bread with wild fermentation, and everything from the hospitality to the desserts are exceptional. Getting a reservation is tough but possible. https://www.spoonandstable.com/
Estelle
Lovely food with a Spanish/Portuguese influence and excellent wine program. But truly the thing you should know is that they make a traditional Portuguese egg tart desserts (pasteis de nata) that is one of the best tastes you can ever put in your mouth. One time I ordered two for myself while my husband was left to order his own dessert. https://estellestp.com/
Sanjusan
Simulated dialogue based on actual events:
Friend from east coast: Where are we headed for dinner?
Me: There is an amazing high end italian/Japanese fusion restaurant and my favorite dish is a pizza that features raw tuna.
FFEC: #midwest
But bring them anyway because the food delivers. The atmosphere (and they have outdoor dining when weather permits) is minimalist with a Japanese sensibility (the top floor is an excellent omakase Japanese restaurant). It also features an excellent drinks program. https://www.sanjusanrestaurant.com/
Colita
Small plate dining inspired by Mexican fair and paired with a lovely drink menu. This is fun without being flippant, and a welcoming place to catch up with friends. https://www.colitampls.com/
Alma
The chef is Beard award winning, and the restaurant features a great value in tasting menus with an excellent wine list. Located close enough to campus that visiting professors are often there, it’s also attached to its own boutique hotel (Hotel Alma) and coffee shop (Cafe Alma), which has excellent pastries and coffee. https://www.almampls.com/
Owamni
This is a fine dining restaurant with a fully pre-colonial kitchen featuring indigenous ingredients created by individuals representing many local indigenous traditions including Anishinaabe, and several Lakota and Dakota communities. It is almost impossible to get reservations here, but everyone should know that it exists and is elevating the concept of indigenous foods. They recently won a Beard Award for best new restaurant, so it is a pretty big deal. https://owamni.com/
Baldamar
Your relatives want a steakhouse, and you want it to feel modern. Baldamar is an excellent space for you to find common ground. The beef program is serious and delicious, the sides feel classic but updated, and the salads are lovely. The only downside is that it is adjacent to the Roseville mall, but that means the parking is ample! https://www.baldamar.com/
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Updated 2026
Hi, I’m Becca!
Things you should know about me: I love running my photography business. and I also love food. My husband runs The Heavy Table, a local food magazine, and together we have documented the food and drink of the Upper Midwest by creating books including Lake Superior Flavors (University of Minnesota Press) and The Master Cheesemakers of Wisconsin (University of Wisconsin Press).
Having lived in other parts of the country before choosing Minneapolis as our home, we’ve accumulated friends from all over the country who visit regularly. Our February based Thanksgiving celebration (Febgiving, baby!) was even featured in the New York Times.
Basically – we take special pride in finding the restaurants and experiences that showcase the awesome food being created in the Twin Cities right now, from haute cuisine to local mom-and-pop shops.
I deeply want the Twin Cities to be showcased at their best.
Fun Fact: I also offer SHORT portrait sessions every Thursday night at Minnehaha Falls – if your guests are up for some updated portraits in the city, they can find more info about Thursday Portraits at Minnehaha!
