South Minneapolis lake district around Lake Calhoun and Lake of the Isles. Hennepin and Lake hosts patios; Lyn-Lake runs the dive bars, taquerias and pizza counters.
Ann Kim's Kim's on Lyndale runs a Korean-American supper club in Minneapolis since 2022. Bossam, Korean fried chicken and soju cocktails from a Beard winner.
Signature: Bossam, Korean fried chicken
Order: Bossam pork shoulder with banchan and the Korean fried chicken with gochujang.
Tip: The bar pours soju slushies; weeknight 21:30 walk-ins find space. Book the dining room a week out.
Ann Ahmed's Khaluna on Lyndale runs a refined Southeast Asian dining room in Minneapolis since 2021. James Beard nominee; sister to Lat14 in Golden Valley.
Signature: Khao soi, Whole branzino
Order: Khao soi northern Thai curry noodles and the whole salt-roasted branzino.
Tip: Book the chef's counter; the cocktail program leans tropical. Closed Mondays.
Mackbee and Lucas's Tenant on Bryant Avenue runs a 14-seat tasting room in Minneapolis since 2024. James Beard finalist 2024; six-week menu rotations.
Thomas Boemer's Revival on Nicollet runs Southern fried chicken in Minneapolis since 2014. James Beard semifinalist; brined birds with biscuits and pimento cheese.
Signature: Fried chicken, Buttermilk biscuits
Order: The Tennessee Hot fried chicken with biscuits and pimento cheese.
Tip: Walk-ins fill the bar by 18:00; the Saint Paul Selby location has shorter waits.
Sameh Wadi's World Street Kitchen on Lyndale runs global street food in Minneapolis since 2013. Yum yum rice bowls, Bangkok burritos, Bon Appetit Best 50 honoree.
Signature: Yum yum rice bowl, Bangkok burrito
Order: Yum yum rice bowl with chicken and the Bangkok burrito.
Tip: Take a seat at the counter or get it to go. Bar Wadi cocktail room sits next door.
Dogwood Coffee on Carleton Place has run a Minneapolis specialty roaster and cafe since 2010. Single-origin filters, four Twin Cities locations, North Loop flagship.
Signature drink: Filter coffee
Isles Bun and Coffee on 28th Street West has run Uptown Minneapolis's classic cinnamon-roll counter since 1994. The puppy dog tail, a small caramel-pecan roll.
Worth the queue: Puppy dog tail cinnamon roll
Sameh Wadi's Milkjam on Lyndale has run Asian-inspired ice cream in Minneapolis since 2015. The Black activated-charcoal flavour, cones and pints to take home.
Worth the queue: Black ice cream
Lucia Watson's Lucia's Bakery on 31st Street West has run a Minneapolis European-style bakery since 1985. The Beard winner's takeaway breads and pies.
Worth the queue: Almond cake
The Saloon on Hennepin Avenue has run a Twin Cities LGBTQ+ bar in downtown Minneapolis since 1977. Drag shows, dance floor, the city's longest-running gay venue.
Signature drink: Vodka soda
Food: Pub menu
Sameh Wadi's World Street Kitchen on Lyndale runs global street food in Minneapolis since 2013. Yum yum rice bowls and Bangkok burritos at counter speed.
Try: Yum yum rice bowls
The Sunday Mpls Farmers Market in Uptown has run weekly stalls in Minneapolis since 2003. South Minneapolis's neighbourhood produce circuit.
Uptown Art Fair on Hennepin and Lake has packed art booths and food trucks into Minneapolis since 1963. Three-day August weekend; the city's largest free street food event.
Tip: Get there before 11:00 to find shade. Food row sits along Lake Street west of Hennepin.
Open Streets Minneapolis closes a city avenue to cars on summer Sundays since 2011. Each Sunday a different street, with food trucks, bike rides and pop-up family events.
Tip: Lyndale, Lake Street and Franklin avenue editions are the food-truck-densest. Calendar at the Our Streets Minneapolis website.
Sameh Wadi's World Street Kitchen on Lyndale has run global street food in Minneapolis since 2013. Yum yum bowl under fourteen; Bangkok burrito at the same line.
Try: Yum yum rice bowl
Lake and Irving in Minneapolis serves Uptown's reliable Hawaiian-American brunch on West Lake Street, with loco moco, spam musubi and weekend cocktails.
Order: Hawaiian loco moco with kalua pork and a sunny egg.
Tip: Patio seats face Lake Street; the kitchen runs a Hawaiian-Regional Cuisine angle on Sunday brunch with spam musubi and saimin.
Moto-i in Minneapolis runs the country's first sake brewpub at Lyn-Lake, with weekend izakaya brunch, ramen and the rooftop garden in summer.
Order: The Tokyo straight ramen plus the breakfast buns with cured pork belly.
Tip: Open until midnight every night, so brunch rolls into late-afternoon ramen. The rooftop garden seats 24 in summer; first come first served.
CC Club in Minneapolis is the Uptown dive that fed The Replacements and Husker Du, with Heggies burgers and cheese curds served until 2am every night.
Try: Heggies burger, hot dogs, pickle fries and cheese curds
Tip: The Replacements and Husker Du local. Kitchen runs late but pickle-fries-and-curds order is the safe 1am pick; jukebox is the room.