These Restaurants Hold The Title Of Minnesota’s Most Expensive in 2026

Price tags rarely tell the whole story, yet a handful of restaurants across Minnesota justify theirs completely once the food actually arrives.

Tasting menus stretch across multiple courses here, ingredients flown in or sourced specifically for dishes that take hours of preparation before ever reaching a table. Service matches that same level of attention too, staff trained to anticipate needs before anyone even has to ask.

Earning a reputation this expensive without backlash takes genuine consistency over years, not just one impressive meal that got lucky. These restaurants built that trust slowly, proving repeatedly that the cost reflects something real rather than just marketing.

Diners willing to spend this much rarely leave disappointed. Minnesota’s most expensive tables in 2026 apparently earned that title honestly, one carefully justified bill at a time.

1. Manny’s Steakhouse, Minneapolis

Few steakhouses in the country can match the sheer theater of a rolling meat cart arriving tableside. That signature touch at Manny’s sets the tone immediately, giving the whole experience a confident, old-school energy that feels both timeless and exciting. The cuts on display are serious business.

The dining room has a warm, dark ambiance that makes it feel like a celebration even on a regular Tuesday. Service is attentive and knowledgeable, guiding guests through a menu that covers everything from prime beef to fresh seafood towers. Sides are generous and clearly made with care.

Breakfast and lunch are also on offer, which is unusual for a restaurant at this level. But dinner is where Manny’s truly shines, and Saturday nights pack the room fast. The $100+ price range is well-established, with group meals often climbing past $500 for a table.

It is a place where the experience matches the investment, and where a great steak dinner becomes a genuine memory rather than just another meal out.

Address: 825 S Marquette Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55402

2. Gianni’s Steakhouse, Wayzata

Wayzata is one of those lakeside towns that already feels like a treat to visit, and Gianni’s fits right into that elevated atmosphere. The white-tablecloth dining room carries a classic elegance that does not feel stuffy.

The steaks here have a reputation for consistency, which matters more than people realize at this price point. A perfectly cooked filet is a given, but what really rounds out the experience is the depth of the supporting menu.

Live music and a fireplace make Gianni’s a genuinely versatile spot, equally suited to a romantic dinner or a group celebration. The menu also includes a kids’ section, which is a rare find at a restaurant in this tier.

Address: 635 Lake St E, Wayzata, MN 55391

3. Forepaugh’s Restaurant, St Paul

Eating inside a restored 1870 Victorian mansion is an experience that goes well beyond the food on your plate. Forepaugh’s delivers that full package, with parquet floors, twelve-foot ceilings, and three intimate dining rooms that feel plucked straight from a period novel.

The setting alone makes a reservation feel like an event.

After a million-dollar restoration completed in 2024, every corner of this historic Irvine Park landmark feels polished and purposeful. The menu leans into upscale New American territory, with dishes like Beef Wellington and petite filet surf and turf that match the grandeur of the surroundings.

A private dining room is available for special gatherings.

Patio dining is available for warmer months, adding a garden-party feel to an already atmospheric property. Guests regularly report spending around $150 per person, with some evenings pushing well past $200 for two.

For a historic Saint Paul dining experience that combines architecture, cuisine, and hospitality into one memorable night, Forepaugh’s is a clear standout.

Address: 276 Exchange St S, Saint Paul, MN 55102

4. Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Rochester

Rochester might be best known as a medical destination, but its Ruth’s Chris location proves the city has serious dining ambitions too. The brand’s signature sizzling butter-topped steaks arrive with that familiar theatrical flair.

The Rochester outpost delivers the full experience in a setting that feels genuinely upscale rather than corporate.

The menu covers all the expected highlights, from bone-in ribeyes to creamed spinach and sweet potato casserole that regulars tend to order without even checking the menu. A strong dessert program, including a well-regarded crème brûlée, rounds out the meal on a high note.

Curbside pickup and takeout are available, which is a practical option for visitors staying nearby. Reservations are strongly recommended for dinner. The $100+ price bracket is firmly in place, with individual steaks priced in the $79 range and group meals often running into significant totals.

For travelers passing through Rochester who want a reliable, high-end steak experience, this location delivers exactly what the name promises.

Address: 20 2nd Ave SW, Rochester, MN 55902

5. Demi, Minneapolis

There are maybe twenty seats at Demi, and that intimacy is entirely the point. Every detail, from the way dishes arrive to the unhurried pace of service, feels considered and intentional. The open kitchen wraps around the dining room, so the energy of the chefs becomes part of the atmosphere itself.

The food is contemporary and creative, with presentations that feel more like edible art than a standard dinner plate. Seasonal ingredients take center stage, and the kitchen clearly takes provenance seriously.

Each course builds on the last in a way that keeps you genuinely curious about what comes next.

Reservations are required, and the experience runs well into the evening. Non-alcoholic drink pairings are available alongside traditional options, which is a thoughtful touch. The restaurant carries a $100+ price tier, and diners regularly report spending around $350 per person by the end of the night.

It is the kind of place that justifies saving up for, especially if you appreciate craft at every level of a meal.

Address: 212 N 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55401

6. Meritage, St Paul

Meritage occupies the ground floor of the historic 1919 Hamm Building, and that heritage gives the restaurant a sense of permanence that newer spots simply cannot manufacture.

The room feels genuinely Parisian, with copper-and-ebony banquettes and a tin ceiling that sets a mood from the moment you arrive. It is a beautiful space to sit in, full stop.

The menu is a love letter to French brasserie cooking, featuring oysters, escargots, moules frites, and a steak tartare that earns its reputation. A sidewalk patio extends the dining experience outdoors during warmer months.

The oyster bar is a particular draw, and the kitchen’s commitment to seasonal sourcing keeps the menu feeling alive rather than static.

Chef Russell Klein opened Meritage in 2007, and nearly two decades later it remains one of Saint Paul’s most celebrated fine dining addresses. Dinner for two typically lands around $200 to $300 with drinks. Reservations are required, and the room fills up quickly on weekend evenings.

For a French brasserie experience that feels rooted and authentic rather than trend-chasing, Meritage is hard to beat in Minnesota.

Address: 410 St Peter St, Saint Paul, MN 55102

7. Joan’s in the Park, St Paul

Joan’s in the Park has the kind of energy that makes you feel like you have found a secret. It is small, warm, and deeply personal in a way that larger restaurants rarely manage to pull off.

The seasonal menu of New American small plates changes to reflect what is actually good right now, which keeps every visit feeling slightly different from the last.

Desserts have a devoted following. The room feels cozy rather than cramped, with an atmosphere that is upscale but never intimidating, the kind of place where you naturally slow down and enjoy the evening.

It is family-run, and that shows in the attentiveness of the service and the care that goes into each plate’s presentation. Reservations are required and fill quickly on operating evenings.

The $100+ price point reflects the quality of the experience, and diners consistently describe the full evening as worth every penny. For a neighborhood fine dining gem in Saint Paul that punches well above its modest exterior, Joan’s is a genuinely special find.

Address: 631 Snelling Ave S, Saint Paul, MN 55116

8. Travail Kitchen and Amusements, Robbinsdale

Travail is not a restaurant that tries to blend in. The industrial-chic space in Robbinsdale is loud with personality, from its open kitchen to the unconventional tasting menu format that keeps guests genuinely entertained between courses.

It is the kind of place where dinner feels more like an event you attend than a meal you simply eat.

The kitchen is known for innovative New American cooking that leans playfully into the unexpected. Hanging bacon appetizers and themed dinner party nights have become part of the restaurant’s identity.

The staff bring a casual energy that balances the technical ambition of the food, making the whole experience feel approachable rather than precious.

Travail also offers rooftop seating and live music on select evenings, adding extra layers to an already dynamic night out. The crowd skews diverse and celebratory, and the inclusive atmosphere is part of what makes the place so magnetic.

Reservations are required, and Friday and Saturday evenings fill up fast. At the $100+ price tier, Travail delivers a multi-course experience that is genuinely hard to replicate anywhere else in the Twin Cities area.

Address: 4134 Hubbard Ave N, Robbinsdale, MN 55422

9. Myriel, St Paul

Named for the merciful bishop in Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables, Myriel carries its literary namesake’s spirit of generosity into every aspect of the dining experience.

The 32-seat room is intimate and unhurried, with a warmth that makes even a multi-hour tasting menu feel like time well spent rather than time endured. Chef-owner, a James Beard Award winner for Best Chef: Midwest, leads a kitchen that takes hyperlocal Midwestern ingredients seriously.

Whole-animal butchery and seasonal sourcing inform a menu that shifts with the Minnesota landscape. Both a prix fixe chef’s tasting menu and an a la carte option are available, which gives guests real flexibility in how they experience the kitchen’s range.

The 12-course tasting menu comes to roughly $196 per person with tax and fees, and drink pairings add further to the total. It is a significant investment, but the level of detail and care in each dish justifies the commitment. Outdoor seating is available for warmer months.

For the full picture of what Minnesota fine dining can be in 2026, Myriel is essential.

Address: 470 Cleveland Ave S, Saint Paul, MN 55105

10. Tenant Restaurant, Minneapolis

Tenant operates out of a snug, residential-feeling space in south Minneapolis that immediately puts you at ease. The prix fixe format means the kitchen is fully in control of the evening’s direction, and that trust pays off course after course.

There is a near-Michelin-level precision to the cooking that feels remarkable given the relaxed, homey atmosphere of the room.

Seasonal New American fare drives the menu, with local sourcing shaping what appears on the plate each night. The staff are genuinely warm, which makes the formal tasting format feel accessible rather than stiff.

Reservations are required and the restaurant does not offer takeout, keeping the focus entirely on the dine-in experience. Full evenings for two can reach $400. For a restaurant that delivers this level of culinary ambition, Tenant is a genuine Minneapolis treasure.

Address: 4300 Bryant Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55409

11. Murray’s, Minneapolis

Murray’s has been a downtown Minneapolis institution since 1946, and the fact that it still fills its dining room on a Wednesday night says everything you need to know about its staying power.

The atmosphere is classic without feeling dated, with a stylish room that balances history and elegance in a way that makes every occasion feel worth dressing up for. I think that kind of longevity is genuinely rare in this industry.

The signature Silver Butter Knife Steak for Two has become something of a Minnesota legend, and the Chateaubriand for Two follows a similar shared-plate philosophy that encourages lingering over the meal. French onion soup is a standout starter.

The full menu also covers lunch, which is an unusual and welcome option for a steakhouse of this caliber.

Service is polished and consistent, with a team that clearly takes pride in the restaurant’s legacy. The $100+ price tier is well-established, and the experience is regularly described as a premium dining benchmark for the city.

Delivery and takeout are available, though the real magic happens inside the room. For a first-time visitor to Minneapolis, Murray’s is the classic steak dinner the city is famous for.

Address: 26 S 6th St, Minneapolis, MN 55402