Minnesota · best-of list
The 9 Best Restaurants in Minnesota
All 9 restaurants our route editors picked in Minnesota, across 5 destinations, gathered in one list. Expect tables and food stops, with Downtown Minneapolis & the Riverfront contributing the most (3).
Our curated picks
9 restaurants in Minnesota, grouped by destination. Destinations with the most picks come first; this is not a ranking.
Downtown Minneapolis & the Riverfront 3 picks
Manny's Steakhouse
Downtown Minneapolis & the Riverfront · On our Minneapolis New Year's Eve route
Big-portion steakhouse since 1988, now on the ground floor of the 1929 Foshay Tower.
Tip: Go early, then take the elevator to the Foshay's 30th-floor deck if it's open.
Murray's
Downtown Minneapolis & the Riverfront · On our Minneapolis New Year's Eve route
Family-run supper club on Sixth Street since 1946, known for the Silver Butter Knife Steak carved for two.
Tip: Reserve early for Dec 31 and order the steak for two.
Spoon and Stable
Downtown Minneapolis & the Riverfront · On our Minneapolis New Year's Eve route
Gavin Kaysen's restaurant in a former horse stable in the North Loop, open since 2014.
Tip: Book weeks out; it often runs a set menu on Dec 31.
Grand Marais 2 picks
Sven & Ole's
Grand Marais · On our Minnesota North Shore route
Long-running pizza joint with the Pickle Herring pub attached.
Photo: Marcus Corbin · Google
World's Best Donuts
Grand Marais · On our Minnesota North Shore route
Seasonal donut shop near the harbor since 1969.
Tip: Opens early; lines form by 8am in summer.
Photo: Jim Hautala · Google
Minneapolis 2 picks
Indígena by Owamni
Minneapolis · On our Minnesota North Shore route
Sean Sherman's Indigenous kitchen, no dairy, wheat or cane sugar, now in the Guthrie Theater with river views.
Tip: Separate entrance from the theater; reserve ahead.
Photo: Indígena by Owamni · Google
Matt's Bar
Minneapolis · On our Minnesota North Shore route
Corner tavern claiming the original 'Jucy Lucy' cheese-stuffed burger.
Tip: Let it cool before the first bite; cash was long required, check payment.
Photo: Indoorfish · Google
Duluth 1 pick
Duluth Grill
Duluth · On our Minnesota North Shore route
Local-sourcing diner in West Duluth with hearty breakfasts.
Photo: Duluth Grill · Google
Minnehaha Falls 1 pick
Hi-Lo Diner
Minnehaha Falls · On our Minneapolis New Year's Eve route
Diner in a restored 1957 dining car on East Lake Street, known for hi-top doughnuts and big breakfasts.
Tip: Go before the falls; it fills by late morning.
How we picked these
Every entry is a stop on at least one of TripsCircle's hand-curated routes, chosen by our route editors, who wrote the reason to go shown with each place. These are our curated picks, not a scored ranking: we haven't rated or reviewed them against each other. The list is grouped by destination, and within each destination places that appear on more routes come first.
Prices ($ to $$$$) and visit lengths are rough guides from our route notes, not quotes. Check opening hours before you go.
About this list
How did you choose the restaurants in Minnesota?
Each one is a stop on a TripsCircle route that our editors built by hand, and each comes with a written reason to go. This page shows all 9 of them. They are curated picks, not a ranked score.
Which part of Minnesota has the most restaurants on this list?
Downtown Minneapolis & the Riverfront has the most (3 of 9), followed by Grand Marais (2) and Minneapolis (2).
More lists for Minnesota
Best restaurants nearby
Destinations on this list
- Downtown Minneapolis & the Riverfront 3 on this list
- Grand Marais 2 on this list
- Minneapolis 2 on this list
- Duluth 1 on this list
- Minnehaha Falls 1 on this list
Turn this list into a plan
Open a curated route in TripsCircle, add the spots your crew wants, vote with polls and keep everyone on one shared itinerary.