The arts district, old Eastern European stockyards turned brewery row. Young Joni, Alma, Brasa, Indeed and Surly within twenty minutes by foot of each other.
Gustavo Romero's Oro by Nixta on Northeast 2nd Street runs a masa-focused kitchen in Minneapolis since 2023. Kitchen leans mexican, masa-focused.
Signature: Heirloom-corn tacos, Masa platos
Order: The tasting of heirloom-corn tacos and the platos with seasonal masa.
Tip: Reservations recommended but walk-ins fit at the bar. Ten-seat mezcal bar; Wednesday-Saturday 16:00-21:00.
Alex Roberts's Alma on University Avenue has run Minneapolis's seasonal-American room since 1999. James Beard Best Chef Midwest 2010 winner.
Signature: Three-course prix fixe, Seasonal tasting
Order: The three-course prix fixe with the heritage pork main and the seasonal stone fruit dessert.
Tip: The cafe at the front serves all-day pastries; book the dining room three weeks out. The B+B upstairs is the splurge.
Christina Nguyen's Hai Hai on University NE has run Southeast Asian street food in Minneapolis since 2018. Located in Northeast. Priced at $$$.
Signature: Banh xeo crepe, Khao soi
Order: Banh xeo turmeric crepe and the khao soi northern Thai curry noodles.
Tip: Saturday lunch dim sum cart pulls hot bites from a steamer. Tiki-style cocktails on the back patio in summer.
Alex Roberts's Brasa on East Hennepin has run a wood-fired rotisserie counter in Minneapolis since 2008. Slow-roasted pork, the city's casual favourite.
Signature: Slow-roasted pork, Yuca with mojo
Order: Slow-roasted pork plate with yuca, collards and cornbread on the side.
Tip: Order at the counter, find a seat. Family-style pans serve four; gluten-free options across the menu.
Yia Vang's Vinai on Northeast 2nd Street has run a Hmong fine-dining room in Minneapolis since 2024. Beard finalist; named for the Vinai refugee camp.
Signature: Sai oua sausage, Hmong sticky rice
Order: Sai oua Hmong sausage and the lemongrass-grilled chicken with sticky rice.
Tip: Book three weeks out; the dining counter overlooks the open kitchen. Communal sai oua family-style serves four.
Alex Roberts's Alma on University Avenue has run seasonal-American fine dining in Minneapolis since 1999. James Beard Best Chef Midwest 2010 winner.
Yia Vang's Vinai in Northeast Minneapolis runs the country's most serious Hmong dining room since its 2024 opening. James Beard finalist two years running.
The Anchor Fish and Chips on 13th Avenue NE has run an Irish-pub fryer in Northeast Minneapolis since 2009. Priced at $$. Kitchen leans irish pub.
Signature: Fish and chips, Shepherd's pie
Order: Beer-battered cod, hand-cut chips and a cup of mushy peas.
Tip: Cash and cards both fine; lunch line shorter than dinner. Late kitchen Friday and Saturday.
Arif Mohamed's Nashville Coop on Washington Avenue SE has fried Nashville hot chicken with Ethiopian spices in Minneapolis since 2020. Located in Northeast.
Signature: Nashville hot chicken, Hot chicken and waffles
Order: The Hot Chicken sandwich with the medium heat level and house coop sauce.
Tip: Five heat levels from Minnesota Nice to Cluckin' Hot. Closed Sundays at the Stadium Village location.
Kramarczuk's on East Hennepin has cured Eastern European sausages in Minneapolis since 1954. Located in Northeast. Priced at $. At 215 E Hennepin Ave.
Signature: Polish sausage, Pierogi
Order: Polish sausage on a bun with sauerkraut and a side of pierogi.
Tip: Cafeteria line moves fast at lunch; the deli counter at the front sells uncooked sausage.
Silver Fern on East Hennepin Avenue has run a Northeast Minneapolis cafe-by-day and wine-bar-by-night since 2023. Order the seasonal coffee flight.
Signature drink: Seasonal coffee flight
Matchbox Coffee Shop on 2nd Street NE has run a Northeast Arts District worker-owned cafe in Minneapolis since 2005. Fair-trade organic coffee and a patio.
Signature drink: Cold press
Spyhouse Coffee Roasters at the Northeast Broadway roastery has roasted specialty coffee in Minneapolis since 2008. Open mon-sun 06:30-19:00.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Colombia, Guatemala
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Whole bean retail
Dogwood Coffee Co on Tyler Street NE has roasted specialty coffee in Minneapolis since 2010. Direct-trade beans, the Northeast roastery glass wall.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Kenya, El Salvador
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Subscription
Silver Fern on East Hennepin pours small-producer wines in Northeast Minneapolis since 2023. Cafe by day, wine bar by night with charcuterie and small plates.
Signature pour: Seasonal flight
Wine focus: Small-producer curated, global
Food: Small plates, charcuterie
The Sample Room on Marshall Street NE has poured cocktails in a restored 1893 hotel-saloon building in Northeast Minneapolis since 2002. Booking recommended.
Signature drink: Seasonal cocktail
Food: New American small plates
Earl Giles Distillery on Quincy Street NE has poured house spirits and elixirs in Logan Park since 2022. Located in Northeast. Order the house gin cocktails.
Signature drink: House gin cocktails
Food: Wood-fired pizza
Bauhaus Brew Labs on Tyler Street NE has poured German-inspired beer in Minneapolis since 2014. Large indoor-outdoor taproom, food trucks on rotation.
Signature drink: Wonderstuff lager
Food: Food trucks
El Jibarito Food Truck has rolled Puerto Rican mofongo across Minneapolis since 2016. Family-run; the city's only sustained Puerto Rican cart.
Try: Puerto Rican sandwiches and mofongo
Abdirahman Kahin's Afro Deli on Washington Avenue SE has run East African street food near the U of M Stadium Village since 2011. Located in Northeast.
Try: East African beef sambusas
Indeed Brewing on 15th Avenue NE has poured craft beer in Northeast Minneapolis since 2012. At 711 NE 15th Ave. Booking recommended. Reservations advised.
Broken Clock on Marshall Street NE has poured cooperatively-owned craft beer in Northeast Minneapolis since 2017. Rotating ales, lagers and coffee.
Bauhaus Brew Labs on Tyler Street NE has poured German-inspired beer in Northeast Minneapolis since 2014. Wonderstuff helles lager and Stargrazer.
Insight Brewing on Northeast Hennepin has poured craft beer in Minneapolis since 2014. At 2821 NE Hennepin Ave. Booking recommended. Reservations advised.
Kramarczuk's on East Hennepin has cured James Beard America's Classics-winning sausages in Minneapolis since 1954. Located in Northeast. Booking recommended.
Try: Polish sausage plate
Abdirahman Kahin's Afro Deli on Washington Avenue SE has run Beard-nominated halal sambusas in Minneapolis since 2011. Located in Northeast.
Try: Sambusas, gyro
Zhora Darling in Northeast Minneapolis runs a late-night music room and bar on 1st Avenue with small plates, karaoke booths and food service to 1am.
Try: Small plates, flatbreads, sandwiches
Tip: The private karaoke room takes reservations; late-night food menu runs 22:00-01:00 daily, and the small-plates flight pairs with the cocktail program.
Ground Zero on Northeast 4th has been Minnesota's goth and industrial dance floor for over twenty years, with Friday and Saturday DJ sets and a long-running.
Tip: Open Friday and Saturday only from 22:00-02:00. Cash only with ATMs on site, 21+, two-for-one drinks until 23:30.
The 331 Club on 13th Avenue NE has anchored Northeast Minneapolis since 1899 and books live music every night of the week. Never a cover, every band.
Tip: No cover any night. Mondays at 21:00 brings the Roe Family Singers; Wednesdays 19:00 is Harold's House Party on KFAI radio.
LUSH on Central NE is a former garage turned LGBTQ bar with 24-foot ceilings, a green velvet tropical lounge and a back theater running drag.
Tip: Closed Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday drag bingo; weekend drag brunch books out via Resy. Biscuit kitchen runs all hours from Betty and Earl's.
Small Hours opened September 2024 in Northeast Minneapolis as the city's first dedicated hi-fi wine bar, with Klipsch La Scala speakers, Luxman turntables.
Tip: Wednesday to Thursday close at 23:00, Friday and Saturday at midnight, Sunday at 22:00. Tinned fish and bread to pair with the natural wine list.
Grumpy's Northeast is the Fourth Street NE dive bar that anchored the neighborhood's brewery row before craft beer arrived. Tight room, full tap list.
Tip: Small one-room dive; the downtown sister closed years back. Cash friendly, kitchen serves bar food, jukebox loud.
Jimmy's on Fourth Street NE is the cash-only Northeast dive with the wood-paneled bar, vintage signage and a back patio. One of the densest pockets of dives.
Tip: Cash only, ATM on site. No food kitchen. Open afternoon to 02:00 daily. Crowd thickens after 22:00 weekends.
Vegas Lounge on Central NE is the tiny holdout dive that refuses to update its decor, with karaoke nearly every night, pool tables and a patio out back.
Tip: Karaoke nightly; arrive before 22:00 to put your name on the list. Cash and card both accepted, no cover.