Minneapolis Lunch Recommendations
When you have friends and family in town for your wedding (or whenever), here are my top picks for where to send them to lunch (or a casual bite anytime).
Dong Yang (Northeast)
You walk into a Korean grocery store, go down the middle aisles, turn left, and when you are sure you have the wrong place, you will find an arched entrance to Dong Yang, the best Korean restaurant in the Cities. Tasty, casual, friendly, and a little unexpected. Bring a sense of adventure – they don’t have a website, but check out a great write on Dong Yang up here and their address is 735 45th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55421. More info: https://heavytable.com/dong-yang-in-the-winter/
Nashville Coop
This Black-owned local restaurant chain makes Nashville hot chicken. That is all they do. It is spicy, it is crispy, it is very very good. Works great for takeout. https://www.nashvillecoop.com/
Mi-Sant (Roseville and Brooklyn Park)
This casual restaurant is like a mix between a tiny banh mi counter and a suburban coffee shop. Lots of space for sitting, clean and modern interior, and seriously delicious Vietnamese food. The coconut croissant is amazing, as are all the banh mi (sandwich) and bowls I’ve tried there. https://mi-sant.com/
Cafe Racer (South Minneapolis
This little corner restaurant also has a casual outdoor picnic area when the weather is nice. They specialize in arepas and slow roasted pork with Latin flavors. I particularly recommend the arepas with kielbasa and plantains (always with plantains, please!) and a cafe con leche. This little gem ALSO has a huge heart, and they are combating food inequity by providing meals absolutely free to anyone who comes in and asks for one. http://www.caferacermn.com/
iPho (St Paul)
The Twin Cities area has a huge Vietnamese and Hmong population, and we have the restaurants to prove it. You can find excellent choices all along University Avenue in St Paul, but I always come back to iPho. The name is easy to remember, the herbs and veggies are fresh, the service is fast and friendly, and the menu is simple: pho, banh mi, and lots of bubble tea options. Note: even the small bowl of pho is pretty darn big, so don’t think about ordering the jumbo unless you don’t need to eat the rest of the weekend. http://iphomn.com/
On’s Kitchen (St Paul)
This is the best Thai restaurant in St Paul. It has indoor dining, works well for takeout, and does not shy away from the sweet/spicy/funky mix of flavors. Ingredients are fresh and cooked with care. http://www.onskitchen.com/
Costal Seafood (South Minneapolis and St Paul)
Costal Seafood is a local fish monger (and my recommendation for where to get the best fresh shellfish or sushi grade tuna in town). Both location also have a small restaurant in the back serving fish-focused fare. Casual, very tasty, and without pretense. https://www.coastalseafoods.com/
Iron Ranger (St Paul)
My husband and I wrote part of a book about immigration and food in MN based on a trip we took to Hibbing many years ago where we were served a pasty (Cornish), porketta (Italian), and poticia (Slovenian) at a roadside diner. In between the Twin Cities and the “north coast” of MN lies the Iron Range (of which Hibbing is a large part). The history of mining in this area meant that waves of immigrants came as workers and introduced new foods to the area. The Iron Ranger is actually celebrating the food histories from this area – try the porketta sandwiches or pastys or just pick from the rest of the general lunch fare). The owner even hails from Hibbing, home to the world’s largest open pit mine, grehound bus lines, and Bob Dylan. https://www.ironrangermn.com
World Street Kitchen and Milkjam (Uptown)
This is always the right choice – it started as a food truck run by one of the best fine-dining chefs in Minneapolis, and is now the perfect location for high-flavor foods and some of the friendliest service you will find. Their food is food truck-style fusion – rice bowls, lettuce wraps, burritos, with flavorful mayos and hot kim chi. They have vegan options, no pork, and have a bunch of gluten free choices as well. When you are done eating, head next door to their ice cream parlor Milkjam. You might not expect any of the flavors showcased at this super hip ice cream shop but you won’t regret any of them (plus many are vegan!). Make sure to get “Black” – it’s a dark cocoa ice cream that is a visual black hole or EVV (extra virgin vanilla), a creamy take on your childhood favorite. https://eatwsk.com/
Casper and Runyon’s Nook (St Paul)
Philadelphia has the cheesesteak, New Haven has the pizza, and the Twin Cities have the Jucy Lucy (yes, it’s even spelled wrong), a cheese-stuffed hamburger. When it is done right, its semi-molten cheese core improves on a standard cheeseburger while allowing the possibility that the cheese will spill all over onto your fries. The Nook in St. Paul does this best (seriously, we wrote a book chapter on Jucy Lucys). Don’t get into a fight with others who will mention the epic rivalry between Matt’s Bar and the 5-8 Club, just go to the Nook and order the Jucy and house-cut fries. https://www.crnook.com/
Northbound Smokehouse (South Minneapolis)
This neighborhood gem of a brewery and restaurant has a nice selection of its own beers and has become a legit BBQ destination specializing in bowls with either a salad or mac & cheese base. Plus, they have an excellent patio. This is quintessential South Minneapolis casual, plus beer. http://northboundbrewpub.com/
FOOD HALL at Malcom Yards (St Paul/University)
There are a lot of food halls that feel empty and chaotic, and this newer entry on the scene is a total exception to that. The hall is packed with very flavorful and excellent little entries (Abang Yoli has amazing Korean fried chicken, Del Sur empanadas, amazing dosas, you get the idea). It has several spacious indoor dining areas and an outdoor patio. https://malcolmyards.market/
J Selbys (St Paul)
Here is the thing about J Selby’s – it’s a very enjoyable, casual, new American style food place. It happens to be vegan. You probably wouldn’t even note it when you walk in, but by the time you browse to their cauliflower “buffalo wings” or their meat-less Big Mac style burger, you might be hooked.
Brasa (Northeast and St Paul)
There is a trend of high-end chefs opening casual second restaurants, and Brasa might be my favorite example. Started by chef Alex Roberts of Alma, Brasa has Southern-style shareable food – pulled chicken in creamy gravy, slow-roasted pork (get the green sauce!) and moist cornbread. Mostly gluten-free, way tasty, and so comfortable. Also great as take out, and they offer catering perfect for smaller weddings or family gatherings. https://www.brasa.us/
Black Sheep Coal Fired Pizza (Downtown Minneapolis )
True coal-fired pizza and an owner who really cares about ingredient quality makes this a no-brainer for a quick tasty pie. And, no joke, get the farmers market salad, which changes with the seasons. Even in winter, it is delicious. http://blacksheeppizza.com/
Wrecktange Pizza (Uptown and Malcom Yards)
This is “Detroit style” pizza, and in 2022 they won “best pizzeria in the country” contest so it’s not a hidden gem in any sense, but the pizza is great. Also, lots of vegetarian and vegan friendly options. Location in Uptown and in Malcom Yards food hall. https://wrecktanglepizza.com/
FOOD GUIDES:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Food Fun
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!
