Gavin Kaysen's Spoon and Stable on North 1st Street has anchored Minneapolis fine dining since 2014. James Beard Best Chef Midwest 2018 winner.
Signature dishes: Hand-cut pasta, Bone marrow
Must order: The hand-cut pasta course and the wagyu bone marrow with sourdough toast.
Tip: Book six weeks out; the chef's counter seats four and goes fast. Bar seats hold space for walk-ins from 17:00.
Address: 211 N 1st St, Minneapolis, MN 55401
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: Soft egg and lobster bruschetta, Gnocchi with cauliflower
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.
Sean Sherman's Owamni on the Mississippi runs the country's most serious Indigenous kitchen in Minneapolis since 2021. James Beard Best New Restaurant 2022.
Signature: Cedar-braised bison, Wild rice
Order: Cedar-braised bison with smoked blue corn and the maple-glazed walleye when in season.
Tip: The tasting menu books out three months ahead. Walk-in bar seats open at 17:00; the patio over the river is the summer seat.
Ann Kim's Young Joni on 13th Avenue NE has run Northeast Minneapolis's defining wood-fired pizza room since 2016. James Beard Best Chef Midwest 2019.
Signature: Wood-fired pizza, Korean fried chicken
Order: The Korean-influenced pizza La Parisienne and the kimchi-glazed wings.
Tip: The unmarked back bar entrance is on the alley off Madison Street; weekday wait is 30 minutes after 19:00.
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.
Steven Brown's Tilia on West 43rd has run a Linden Hills neighbourhood bistro in Minneapolis since 2011. James Beard semifinalist French-American room.
Signature: Tilia burger, Buttermilk biscuits
Order: The Tilia burger with bone marrow butter and the buttermilk biscuits at brunch.
Tip: Walk-ins only for the bar; book the dining room a week out. Weekend brunch line forms by 09:30.
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: Soft egg and lobster bruschetta, Gnocchi with cauliflower
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.
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.
