Twin Cities Dining
Twin Cities' residents sure do love to eat... out, that is. And local restaurants are available throughout the area to meet the demand serving up just about every cuisine imaginable. From casual coffee shops to ethnic specialties to haute couture fine dining, the Twin Cities has it all. Not surprisingly, local chefs and independent restaurants are thriving all over Minneapolis-Saint Paul.
Minneapolis ranked fourth among the best cities in 2007 for eating and living well according to Cooking Light magazine. Key factors that played a role in this award were the abundance of amazing farmer's markets, fine chefs, and healthy residents.
In the main artery of downtown Minneapolis, an abundance of fine dining choices surround Nicollet Mall. You'll find most folks enjoying the outdoors by dining alfresco during the warmer months. It's a great place to relax while you enjoy some magnificent food and the ever-popular spectator sport of people-watching.
The 17-block stretch from Nicollet Mall and extending south is often coined "Eat Street" by locals because of the spectacular variety of eateries available. You can sample foods from all over the world with the many ethnic restaurants here such as the elegant Italian fare at Zelo, the contemporary Mexican cuisine at Masa, or the German staples at the Black Forest Inn. The famous Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant offers some unique twists on comfort food classics such as bison burgers, short rib tacos, or chicken-fried quail breasts to name a few.
For a delicious variety of tapas, the appetizer-like dishes from Spain that have grown in popularity of late, try the Solera restaurant on Hennepin Avenue. For a fun family affair and stick-to-your-ribs enjoyment, don't miss the Market Bar-B-Que for an excellent down-home ribs and brisket experience. And you can't forget a fun evening of lawn bowling on the roof to go with a good meal at Brit's Pub; this place is a hot spot for singles and features a full bar, cigar room, gift shop, and classic British fare such as fish 'n chips and shepherd's pie.
Enjoy the beautiful natural backdrop of St Anthony Main and the Minneapolis Riverfront District set on the shores of the Mississippi River and dressed with a cobblestone main street and nearby historic buildings. Dine in style while enjoying views of the historic Stone Arch Bridge, Nicollet Island, and St Anthony Falls. Pracna on Main is the oldest restaurant in Minneapolis offering a variety of classic American steaks, salads, pasta, and more. VIC'S offers spectacular views, live indoor music, a full bar, and an ala carte menu featuring fresh fish, steak, chops, salads, and pasta dishes.
Classy establishments also grace the streets of Saint Paul. For award winning steaks and seafood, please your palate at the St Paul Grill. Nearby is the critically-acclaimed Pazzaluna Urban Itialian restaurant offering knock-your-socks off gnocchi and authentic Italian entrees in a formal, romantic setting. Enjoy tasty wood-fired pizza, chicken, or steak at the Downtowner Woodfire Grill. For authentic Mexican dishes, the District del Sol on Saint Paul's west side has several restaurants to satisfy your cravings for tamales, tacos, and other spicy delights.
For morning eye-openers, several coffee shops, bakeries, and diners are available around town for some great java and breakfast treats. At The Bad Waitress Diner & Coffee Shop, you get to fill out your own order ticket and take it to the register; they'll bring your food to the table after you pay. You can order a Bitchin' Breakfast Special or come back later for the daily Happy Drunk Hour. Hell's Kitchen is another fun and interesting place. They claim they are not a biker bar and that they serve the best damn breakfast and lunch in town. Oh, and you can rest easy for a meal after church on their Salvation Sundays where old-time gospel music plays in the background.
Home chefs will find a bounty of resources in the Twin Cities. We are best known for our luxury supermarkets offering high quality products and a nice selection of organic foods. You'll also find a variety of local ethnic markets specializing in everything from Asian to Eastern European to Middle Eastern fare. Local co-ops, independent stores, and farmer's markets are abundant as well providing the area with quality seafood, locally raised meats, and fresh produce.