Minnesota offers a remarkable variety of casual dining experiences that go far beyond basic meals. From underground Minneapolis haunts to scenic North Shore gems, these restaurants combine delicious food with unforgettable atmospheres. Whether you’re craving a legendary burger, Indigenous cuisine, or Asian street food, the Land of 10,000 Lakes serves up dining adventures worth traveling for.
1. Hai Hai: Vibrant Southeast Asian Street Food
Housed in a former strip club in Northeast Minneapolis, Hai Hai now bursts with tropical energy and electric blue accents. Chef Christina Nguyen transforms the flavors of her Vietnamese heritage and Southeast Asian travels into shareable plates that explode with flavor and color.
The banana blossom salad arrives like an edible rainbow, while the Vietnamese crepe (bánh xèo) shatters satisfyingly with each bite. Cocktails incorporate ingredients like pandan, lychee, and Thai basil, creating perfect companions to the bold food.
The restaurant’s name means ‘two two’ in Vietnamese – a playful nod to good fortune. With its lush patio adorned with string lights and tropical plants, Hai Hai transports diners thousands of miles from Minnesota winters. Don’t miss the water fern cakes – pillowy rice flour dumplings topped with sweet-savory crumbles that regulars order without even glancing at the menu.
2. Hell’s Kitchen: Underground Comfort Food Haven
Descending the stairs into Hell’s Kitchen feels like entering a quirky culinary underworld where breakfast reigns supreme all day long. The employee-owned Minneapolis institution serves up comfort food with a creative twist, including their famous lemon ricotta hotcakes that have locals lining up on weekends.
The walls adorned with offbeat artwork create a playful atmosphere where both families and late-night diners feel equally at home. Their homemade peanut butter and signature Bloody Mary bar have developed cult followings among Twin Cities food enthusiasts.
Beyond breakfast, the menu offers hearty options like walleye BLTs and bison burgers that showcase Minnesota flavors. Live music on weekends transforms this underground lair into a complete experience that feeds both stomach and soul.
3. Matt’s Bar: Home of the Original Jucy Lucy
A tiny, no-frills bar in South Minneapolis that changed burger history forever. Matt’s Bar claims to be the birthplace of the legendary ‘Jucy Lucy’ – a burger with molten cheese sealed inside the patty rather than on top. The intentional misspelling of ‘Jucy’ has become part of local lore, distinguishing it from imitators.
The interior hasn’t changed much since the 1950s: worn booths, wood-paneled walls, and a bar where regulars have been perching for decades. Cash-only and deliberately unfancy, Matt’s represents Minnesota’s unpretentious food culture perfectly.
First-timers beware – that first bite of molten cheese can be dangerously hot! Locals know to patiently wait or risk a scalded mouth. Paired with greasy fries and a cold beer, it’s a Minnesota rite of passage worth experiencing.
4. Owamni: Modern Indigenous Cuisine by the Falls
Perched near the sacred Owámniyomni (St. Anthony Falls), this groundbreaking restaurant reclaims Indigenous food traditions with a contemporary approach. Chef Sean Sherman, known as ‘The Sioux Chef,’ has created a decolonized menu completely free of European ingredients like wheat flour, dairy, and cane sugar.
Instead, diners discover native ingredients like wild rice, smoked lake fish, and foraged herbs presented in visually stunning arrangements. The space itself honors its location with expansive windows overlooking the Mississippi River – the very waters that have sustained Indigenous communities for centuries.
Named James Beard’s Best New Restaurant in 2022, Owamni offers more than just a meal; it provides a cultural education through food. The staff explains each dish’s significance, connecting diners to the land’s original caretakers while creating new culinary traditions that honor ancient wisdom.
5. Pizzeria Lola: Wood-Fired Pies in a Cozy Setting
Named after the owner’s dog, this South Minneapolis gem centers around a copper-clad wood-burning oven imported from France. Chef Ann Kim, a Korean immigrant who traded a career in acting for pizza-making, creates pies that blend traditional techniques with unexpected flavor combinations.
The Korean BBQ pizza topped with short ribs, kimchi, and arugula has become an iconic Minneapolis dish. Meanwhile, the Lady ZaZa with housemade kimchi and Korean sausage shows how Kim fearlessly incorporates her heritage into Italian traditions.
The restaurant’s photo booth invites diners to snap pictures that eventually adorn the walls, creating a growing community collage. Families, couples, and solo diners all feel equally welcome in the warm space scented with wood smoke and melting cheese. Arrive early or be prepared to wait – locals know Lola’s pizzas are worth every minute in line.
6. Cossetta Alimentari: Italian Food Empire in St. Paul
This sprawling Italian market, eatery, and pasticceria has fed St. Paul for over a century. Founded in 1911 by an Italian immigrant, Cossetta has expanded from a tiny food cart to a 40,000-square-foot culinary complex where generations of Minnesota families have gathered around heaping plates of pasta.
The cafeteria-style main floor offers pizza, pasta, and hot sandwiches with a view of the bustling kitchen. Upstairs, Louis Ristorante provides a more refined experience with tableside service and rooftop views of the Cathedral of Saint Paul.
Before leaving, visitors should browse the market section stocked with imported cheeses, meats, and pantry staples impossible to find elsewhere in the Twin Cities. The pasticceria showcases glass cases filled with Italian cookies, cannoli, and tiramisu made by pastry chefs trained in Italy. Many locals make special trips just for the rainbow cookies – tri-colored almond cake layers joined by apricot jam.
7. The Buttered Tin: Lowertown’s Beloved Breakfast Spot
Morning sunshine streams through the windows of this corner bakery-café in St. Paul’s historic Lowertown neighborhood. Chef Alicia Hinze, a Cupcake Wars champion, created this homey spot where everything from the English muffins to the jam is made from scratch daily.
The Farmgirl Hashbrown Bake – a comforting casserole of hashbrowns, ham, and cheese topped with farm eggs – exemplifies Minnesota comfort food at its finest. Sweet-toothed visitors gravitate toward the banana foster French toast drizzled with rum caramel sauce.
Glass cases near the entrance showcase towering layer cakes, flaky pastries, and the signature ‘Damn Good Cookies’ that locals grab by the dozen. The restaurant’s commitment to community shines through its hiring practices that create opportunities for those facing employment barriers. Weekend brunch draws crowds, but the weekday breakfast feels like a delicious secret shared among downtown workers and neighborhood residents.
8. Tongue in Cheek: Playful Fine Dining Without Pretension
‘Sustainably sexy’ reads the neon sign inside this East Side St. Paul restaurant where serious culinary techniques meet playful presentation. The menu blends global influences with Midwest sensibilities, offering both omnivore and vegetarian tasting menus that change with Minnesota’s seasons.
Their ‘teaser’ program lets diners sample one-bite wonders for just a couple dollars each – perfect for the culinary curious. The cocktail program matches the kitchen’s creativity, with drinks like the ‘Beet It’ that combines beet-infused gin with ginger and lemon.
Despite the sophisticated food, the atmosphere remains decidedly unstuffy. Vintage finds and local art create a space where neighbors celebrate special occasions alongside everyday dinners. The restaurant proudly sources ingredients from ethical producers, even listing local farm partners on their menu. For those who appreciate thoughtful food without formality, this neighborhood gem strikes the perfect balance between special and accessible.
9. New Scenic Café: North Shore Culinary Destination
Perched along Highway 61 between Duluth and Two Harbors, this unassuming roadside café has been luring travelers for over two decades. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame Lake Superior views that change dramatically with Minnesota’s seasons – from summer’s sparkling blue to winter’s ice-encrusted majesty.
Chef Scott Graden’s menu celebrates local ingredients through a global lens: think Lake Superior fish with Thai influences or foraged mushroom risotto. The café grows many ingredients in its own gardens, visible from the dining room.
The triple berry pie has achieved legendary status among North Shore travelers, who sometimes drive hours just for a slice. On summer weekends, the outdoor patio buzzes with hikers refueling after North Shore adventures. While technically a café, the sophisticated food and thoughtful wine list elevate it far beyond typical casual dining. Make reservations well in advance – this hidden gem isn’t so hidden anymore.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
