Isaac Becker's Bar La Grassa on Washington Avenue has run the North Loop's defining Italian in Minneapolis since 2009. James Beard Best Chef Midwest 2011.
Signature dishes: Soft egg and lobster bruschetta, Gnocchi with cauliflower
Must order: Soft egg and lobster bruschetta and the gnocchi with cauliflower.
Tip: Bar walk-ins open at 17:00; the bruschetta menu prints 12 options daily. Order three to share.
Address: 800 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Christina Nguyen's Hai Hai on University NE has run Southeast Asian street food in Minneapolis since 2018. James Beard semifinalist with a tropical back patio.
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.
Ann Ahmed's Lat14 in Golden Valley runs refined Southeast Asian cooking in the Twin Cities since 2017. James Beard semifinalist; menu maps the 14th latitude.
Signature: Salt-baked branzino, Wagyu yum nua
Order: Salt-baked branzino with green nam jim and the Wagyu yum nua.
Tip: Sunday lunch family-style is the easy seat. Book three weeks out for Friday or Saturday dinner.
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.
Matt's Bar on Cedar Avenue has poured the Jucy Lucy in South Minneapolis since 1954. The original cheese-stuffed burger; Anthony Bourdain ate here in 2009.
Signature: Jucy Lucy
Order: The Jucy Lucy with American cheese and grilled onions, fries on the side.
Tip: Cash and cards both accepted. Note the spelling on the sign: Jucy Lucy, no 'i' in Jucy. Be patient with the molten cheese.
The 5-8 Club on Cedar Avenue South claims the original Juicy Lucy in Minneapolis, contested with Matt's Bar. The other side of the cheese-burger debate.
Signature: Juicy Lucy
Order: The original Juicy Lucy with the Juicy Lucy Sampler if dining as a group.
Tip: Lunch crowd thins after 13:00. The patio in summer makes the cheese-burn waiting easier.
Quang on Nicollet Avenue has run Minneapolis's defining Vietnamese pho room on Eat Street since 1989. James Beard America's Classics Award 2024 winner.
Signature: Pho, Banh xeo
Order: Pho tai with rare beef and the banh xeo turmeric crepe.
Tip: Lunch line out the door by 12:30; arrive before noon or after 13:30. The cash discount is worth bringing bills.
