Food & Drink
If exploring a city means eating your way through it (and maybe sipping a few too many perfectly mixed cocktails), the Twin Cities will treat you well. From James Beard Award winners to dive bars, here’s how to taste your way around town.
Award-Winning Restaurants Worth Dressing Up For
These spots have earned national attention, so snag a reservation early:
Owamni – Named Best New Restaurant in America by the James Beard Foundation, this Indigenous-owned spot focuses on decolonized ingredients (no wheat, dairy, or cane sugar — and somehow still mind-blowingly delicious).
Spoon and Stable – Chef Gavin Kaysen’s French-inspired menu in a beautifully restored horse stable. Elegant but warm, with seasonal menus you’ll want to Instagram.
Demi – The ultimate intimate tasting-menu experience — think chef’s counter, 12 seats, and dishes that look like art.
Hai Hai – Southeast Asian street food that’s fresh, funky, and flavor-packed. James Beard semifinalist, and a blast of color in every sense.
Breweries, Cideries, and Distilleries
Northeast Minneapolis is beer central — try Indeed Brewing, Dangerous Man, and Bauhaus Brew Labs.
For cider, Sociable Cider Werks is a patio party waiting to happen.
For spirits, head to Tattersall Distilling or O’Shaughnessy Distilling Co. for craft cocktails made right where they’re distilled.
Legendary Dive Bars with Personality
For when you want to keep it casual, cheap, and unforgettable:
CC Club – Dark, sticky, and beloved. Kurt Cobain allegedly drank here. Enough said.
Dusty’s Bar – Home of “The Dago” sandwich and a tiny stage for live music.
Palmers Bar – The self-proclaimed “best dive bar on the West Bank” — equal parts grit and soul, with live music.
Local Classics – The Quintessential Twin Cities Bites
These aren’t necessarily trendy or fancy — they’re just ours, and we love them:
Matt’s Bar / The 5-8 Club – You can’t come here without trying a Juicy Lucy — that molten-cheese-in-the-middle burger. Choose between Matt’s Bar and The 5-8 Club, or just eat both and declare yourself the tie-breaker.
The Monte Carlo – Technically more of a historic supper club, but their wings are locally famous and the vibe is pure old-school charm.
Runyon’s – Old-school bar serving what many claim are the best Buffalo wings in the city.
Red Cow – Beloved for creative burgers and great beer lists.
Smack Shack – Lobster rolls in the Midwest? Trust us — these are the real deal.
Punch Pizza – Neapolitan-style pizza with a cult following. The margherita is a local rite of passage.
Mancini’s Char House – A St. Paul institution since 1948, Mancini’s is pure supper club nostalgia — leather booths, dark wood, glowing neon, and servers who feel like family. Known for perfectly grilled steaks, garlic toast, and classic cocktails.. Come for dinner, stay for the old-school lounge vibes and live music.
The Best Delis for Sandwich Lovers
For those who know the magic of a perfect pile of meat on good bread:
Cecil’s Deli – A St. Paul institution since 1949, famous for its corned beef, matzo ball soup, and rugelach.
Kramarczuk’s – Eastern European deli and sausage shop in Northeast Minneapolis — great for kielbasa, pierogies, and hearty sandwiches.
Mort’s Deli – A New York–style deli in Golden Valley serving towering pastrami, corned beef, and classic Jewish deli fare.
Be’Wiched Deli – A modern twist on deli classics with house-cured meats, creative specials, and fresh baked bread.
Historic Diners
Because sometimes you just want bottomless coffee and a plate that hasn’t changed in 50 years:
Al’s Breakfast – This Dinkytown legend is 14 stools wide and always has a line out the door. The pancakes are worth it.
Mickey’s Diner – A St. Paul icon since 1939, housed in an art-deco railcar. Open 24/7 and a filming location for several movies.
Our Kitchen – Cozy neighborhood diner with hearty breakfasts and no-nonsense charm.
Hi-Lo Diner – A lovingly restored 1957 diner shipped here from Pennsylvania, now serving playful twists on classics (try the Hi-Tops — donut-style pancakes).
Sweet Treats
Izzy’s Ice Cream – Famous for the “Izzy Scoop” — a tiny extra scoop on top, because sometimes you can have it all.
Patisserie 46 – Macarons, croissants, and other French pastries that are as beautiful as they are tasty.
Milkjam Creamery – Funky flavors like “Cereal Killer” and “Ridiculous” (yes, that’s the actual name).