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 dishes: Tilia burger, Buttermilk biscuits
Must 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.
Address: 2726 W 43rd St, Minneapolis, MN 55410
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.
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.
