View Full Version : Best of the Twin Cities, MN - (that's St. Paul/Minneapolis)


Sweet Willie
Jun 11, 03, 6:18 pm
Best of the Twin Cities, MN, there are newer lists posted later in this thread as well as this earlier one.

BEST AFRICAN RESTAURANT
House of Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant
3300 E. Lake Street
Minneapolis
612.724.4040

BEST BREAKFAST
Ideal Diner
1314 Central Avenue NE
Minneapolis
612.789.7630

BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT
Chan's Seafood Restaurant
10 W. 25th Street
Minneapolis
612.870.2666

BEST FRENCH RESTAURANT
café un deux trois
114 Ninth Street S.
(in the Foshay Tower)
Minneapolis
612.673.0686

BEST GREEK RESTAURANT
It's Greek to Me
626 W. Lake Street
Minneapolis
612.825.9922

BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT
Sri Lanka Restaurant
3226 W. Lake Street
Minneapolis
952.926.0110
www.srilankampls.com (http://www.srilankampls.com)

BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT (NOT CHEAP)
Pane Vino Dolce
819 W. 50th Street
Minneapolis
612.825.3201

BEST JAPANESE RESTAURANT
Fuji-Ya
600 W. Lake Street
Minneapolis
612.871.4055
www.sushicontrol.citysearch.com (http://www.sushicontrol.citysearch.com)

BEST KOREAN RESTAURANT
Hoban
1989 Silverbell Road
Eagan
651.688.3447

BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT
Tacos Morelos
14 W 26th Street
Minneapolis
612.870.0053

BEST MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT
Jerusalem's
1518 Nicollet Avenue S.
Minneapolis
612.871.8883

BEST POWER LUNCH
Anodyne@43rd
4301 Nicollet Avenue S.
Minneapolis
612.824.4300

BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
Oceanaire Seafood Room
1300 Nicollet Mall
(in the Hyatt Regency Hotel)
Minneapolis
612.333.2277

BEST THAI RESTAURANT
Chiang Mai Thai
3001 Hennepin Avenue S.
(in Calhoun Square)
Minneapolis
612.827.1606

BEST VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT
Jasmine Deli
2532 Nicollet Avenue S.
Minneapolis
612.870.4700

BEST VEGETARIAN-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT
French Meadow Bakery & Café
2610 Lyndale Avenue S.
Minneapolis
612.870.7855
www.frenchmeadow.com (http://www.frenchmeadow.com)

Above from: http://citypages.com/bestof2002/restaurants

jimc_usa
Jun 19, 03, 7:15 am
There are a handful of Indian restaraunts in the whole of the Twin Cities - but a new one opened in Woodbury at the Tamarac shopping Mall - Buffet Lunch every day - great food and dining miles.

afish
Dec 11, 03, 6:38 pm
I have to say that although I have been to Taco Morelos I like El Loro much more. Generous servings, great taste, fine service and good prices. Occasionally they even have live music. Located in Burnsville on Cliff Road 1 block east of Highway 13.

Sweet Willie
Oct 22, 04, 5:26 pm
Gourmet Mag’s (Oct 04) “Big Deal / Good Deal” restaurants in Minneapolis/St Paul

Big Deal = Gourmet, Elegant food
Good Deal = “cheap” local’s spots

Big Deal Restaurants:

Levain
4762 Chicago Avenue
Minneapolis
612.823.7111

Solera
900 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis
612.338.0062

Good Deal Restaurants:

Abu Nader
2095 Como Avenue
St Paul
651.647.5391

Evergreen Taiwanese
2424 Nicollet Ave
Minneapolis
612.871.6801

Non-NonRev
Nov 8, 04, 4:22 pm
When in St. Paul last year I had an excellent breakfast at one of the Keys Cafe locations (the one on Robert Street). I also had a fun (and good) snack at an old-style diner in St. Paul whose name escapes me..

SchmutzigMSP
Feb 12, 05, 6:18 pm
When in St. Paul last year I had an excellent breakfast at one of the Keys Cafe locations (the one on Robert Street). I also had a fun (and good) snack at an old-style diner in St. Paul whose name escapes me..


Mickey's Diner? That place is very well know, and famous. It's been featured in many movies that have taken place in the Twin Cities/Minnesota area.

Sweet Willie
Jul 8, 05, 7:49 am
New updated 2005 Best of List from: http://citypages.com/bestof2005/restaurants/

BEST BARISTA
Nicole at 2nd Moon
2nd Moon Coffee Cafe
2223 East Franklin Avenue
Minneapolis
612.343.4255

BEST BREAKFAST
Hell's Kitchen
89 South 10th Street
Minneapolis
612.332.4700
www.hellskitcheninc.com

BEST BREAKFAST WITH A HANGOVER
The Local
931 Nicollet Mall
612.904.1000
www.the-local.com

BEST CHEAP EATS
Holy Land
2513 Central Avenue Northeast
Minneapolis
612.781.2627

BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT
Yummy
2450 Nicollet Avenue South
Minneapolis
612.870.8000
www.yummyeat.com

BEST COFFEEHOUSE
Coffee News Café
1662 Grand Avenue
St. Paul
651.698.3324

BEST DIM SUM
Mandarin Kitchen
8766 Lyndale Avenue South
Bloomington
952.884.5356
www.mandarin-kitchen.com

BEST DINER
Bonnie's Cafe
2160 University Avenue
St. Paul
651.644.3393

BEST FRENCH RESTAURANT
Vincent, a Restaurant
1100 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis
612.630.1189
www.vincentarestaurant.com

BEST GREEK RESTAURANT
It's Greek to Me
626 West Lake Street
Minneapolis
612.825.9922

BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT
Udupi Café
4920 Central Avenue Northeast
Columbia Heights
763.574.1113
www.udupicafemn.com

BEST ITALIAN (CHEAP)
Broders' Southside Pasta Bar
5000 Penn Avenue South
Minneapolis
612.925.9202
www.broders.com

BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT (NOT CHEAP)
Ristorante Luci
470 South Cleveland Avenue
St. Paul
651.699.8258

BEST JAPANESE RESTAURANT
Sakura
350 St. Peter Street
St. Paul
651.224.0185
www.sakurastpaul.com

BEST KOREAN RESTAURANT
King's Fine Korean Cuisine
1051 East Moore Lake Road
Fridley
763.571.7256

BEST LOCAL CHEF
Doug Flicker
Auriga
1930 Hennepin Avenue South
Minneapolis
612.871.0777
www.aurigarestaurant.com

BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT
Salsa a la Salsa Mexican Grill
1420 Nicollet Avenue
Minneapolis
612.813.1970

BEST MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT
Khyber Pass
1571 Grand Avenue
St. Paul
651.690.0505

BEST NEW RESTAURANT
112 Eatery
112 NorthThird Street
Minneapolis
612.343.7696

BEST RESTAURANT FOR OUTDOOR DINING
Black Forest Inn
1 East 26th Street
Minneapolis
612.872.0812
www.blackforestinnmpls.com

BEST SEAFOOD
The Oceanaire Seafood Room
1300 Nicollet Mall
Hyatt Regency Center
Minneapolis
612.333.BASS
www.theoceanaire.com

BEST STEAKHOUSE
Manny's
1300 Nicollet Mall
Hyatt Regency Center
Minneapolis
612.339.9900
www.mannyssteakhouse.com

BEST SUNDAY BRUNCH
Tryg's
3118 West Lake Street
Minneapolis
612.920.7777

Chiang Mai Thai
3001 Hennepin Avenue South (Calhoun Square)
Minneapolis
612.827.1606
www.chiangmaithai.com

BEST VEGETARIAN-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT
Ecopolitan
2409 Lyndale Avenue South
Minneapolis
612.87.GREEN
www.ecopolitan.com

BEST VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT
Mai Village
394 University Avenue
St. Paul
651.290.2585

BEST WINE BAR
Cesaré's Wine Bar
102 South Second Street
Stillwater
651.439.1352
www.cesareswinebar.com

BEST WINE LIST
W.A. Frost & Company
374 Selby Avenue
St. Paul
651.224.5715
www.wafrost.com

Lehava
Jul 8, 05, 7:52 am
There are a handful of Indian restaraunts in the whole of the Twin Cities - but a new one opened in Woodbury at the Tamarac shopping Mall - Buffet Lunch every day - great food and dining miles.

Thanks for the info I will be travelling to the twin cities (and staying in Woodbury) the week of 7/17. Will definitely make sure I hit the new Indian bufftet, do you happen to know the name of it?

Sweet Willie
Jul 11, 05, 8:27 pm
Cheap Eats according to City Search
http://twincities.citysearch.com/bestof/winners/2005/cheap_eats

1. Big E's Soul Food
1831 Nicollet Ave S, Minneapolis, MN
A soothing visit to the South on Eat Street.

2. Matt's Bar
3500 CEDAR Ave S, Minneapolis, MN
Dig into a legendary Juicy Lucy burger in a classic dive-bar setting.

3. Joey D's
3101 E 42nd St, Minneapolis, MN
Da Bulls. Da Bears. Da dogs. This family-run hot dog and pizza stand is a great place to grab a dog or slice.

4. Cossetta's Italian Market & Pizzeria
211 7TH St W, St Paul, MN
A bustling Italian eatery that's been serving home-style delicacies since 1911.

5. 5-8 Club
5800 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis, MN
There's not much to this place but a stellar Juicy Lucy and a great patio.

6. Kinhdo Restaurant--Uptown
2755 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN
This Uptown fixture keeps up with the times with a huge menu that ranges from traditional to trendy.

7. Keys Cafe
767 Raymond Ave, St Paul, MN
If Paul Bunyan married Betty Crocker, they'd feed you lumberjack platters of home-style Midwestern food like this.

8. Quang Restaurant
2719 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN
Authentic Vietnamese food, friendly service and prices that are rub-your-eyes low.

9. White Castle
505 Rice St, St Paul, MN
Fast-food burger chain inspires cult-like devotion for its steam-grilled, all-beef Slyders.

10. Saigon Restaurant & Bakery
601 University Ave W, St Paul, MN

GUWonder
Jul 12, 05, 3:34 am
I spend a lot of time eating at Manny's or Chino Latino when around MSP. But Manny's is no substitute for Argentina ;) while Chino Latino has a rather distinct menu.

GUWonder
Jul 12, 05, 3:37 am
Chiang Mai is the best Thai I've found in Minneapolis, but it's not as good as my staple Thai restaurants in DC.

JMK1K
Nov 19, 05, 10:48 am
I highly recommend 112 Eatery and Chino Latino.

112 Eatery is a fairly small restaurant (~50 seats) with terrific food. The menu is filled with comfort food with an interesting spin (cauliflower fritters, one of the best cheeseburgers anywhere). They serve food until 1 a.m. every day they are open (Tue - Sat?)

Chino Latino specializes in food from near the equator. Large, eclectic menu with many good dishes. The crowd is young and trendy.

Diannap
Jan 15, 06, 2:00 pm
Check out mspmag.com . They have a full restaurant listing for the "Best of" a million different categories.

GUWonder
Jan 16, 06, 7:27 am
I highly recommend 112 Eatery and Chino Latino.

112 Eatery is a fairly small restaurant (~50 seats) with terrific food. The menu is filled with comfort food with an interesting spin (cauliflower fritters, one of the best cheeseburgers anywhere). They serve food until 1 a.m. every day they are open (Tue - Sat?)

Chino Latino specializes in food from near the equator. Large, eclectic menu with many good dishes. The crowd is young and trendy.

Chino Latinos. Yes, I end up being taken there quite often and generally am very well taken care of by the staff there. I find the food eclectic and very interesting and tasty. I am there with such good company that -- if I pay, and that is a big IF -- I tip more than my bill there and still end up saving money. :D

Word of caution: have a reservation and/or expect a wait at prime eating times for dinner at Chino Latino.

And word of souvenir: grab one of the free Chino Latino magnets on your way out of the restaurant.

SchmutzigMSP
Jan 19, 06, 9:57 pm
Naturally, the CityPages "Best of ... 2005" list is probably the most current.

http://citypages.com/bestof2005/

trader61
Mar 25, 06, 7:00 pm
The best steak in the Twin Cities, and perhaps in the entire country is Murray's. They don't even have a close 2nd!!! Trust me, I know it's a helluva bold statement.

Others that are good include Manny's in Minneapolis and Mancini's in St. Paul.

fried.food.is.good
Mar 26, 06, 9:49 pm
Why is it that Minneapolis looks like a ghost town after 4pm? Where do all the people go?

Lehava
Mar 26, 06, 9:54 pm
Why is it that Minneapolis looks like a ghost town after 4pm? Where do all the people go?

The sit on 494 for hours and hours *smile*. Rush hour in the twin cities looks like an emergency evacuation gone wrong!

epsanderson
Apr 1, 06, 1:35 am
By 5 pm we are on our way home to our nice little overpriced home on the cul-de sac in the suburbs. 494 or 35 or 62 or 94- just pick your poison. And we have perfected the passive aggressive version of road rage............at least until we have been on the road for 2 hours and not even close to home just because of a little snow.

Alledgedly the highway system in the Mpls/St paul area was designed by someone who did not have a driver's license.

SchmutzigMSP
May 4, 06, 1:13 am
Why is it that Minneapolis looks like a ghost town after 4pm? Where do all the people go?

What time of the year? Late fall, winter, and early spring this is understandable. In the late spring, summer, and early fall there are always a lot of people out and about downtown. Minneapolis springtime is superb, IMO. Biased? Nah... :)

loomis
Jul 28, 06, 7:48 am
The best steak in the Twin Cities, and perhaps in the entire country is Murray's. They don't even have a close 2nd!!! Trust me, I know it's a helluva bold statement.

Others that are good include Manny's in Minneapolis and Mancini's in St. Paul.

I keep hearing Manny's and Murray's being mentioned. In reviewing their menus on-line it looks like their prices might be a little steep for my budget. Are there every any coupons or discounts for either of these two steakhouses?

swag
Jul 29, 06, 11:48 am
Curious for any recommendations specifically in downtown Minneapolis. Or easily reachable via light rail.

I'll likely be spending a lot of time there over the next few months, and I expect most of it will be without car.

Lehava
Jul 29, 06, 12:00 pm
Anyone in MSP looking to hang out with some FT'ers..... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=584169

BTW recommendation downtown, I love the Newsroom (have the bluegrass grog...mmmmm....grog....grog good)!!!!

Lehava
Jul 29, 06, 12:05 pm
www.pastramijacks.com

trader61
Aug 24, 06, 8:39 pm
I keep hearing Manny's and Murray's being mentioned. In reviewing their menus on-line it looks like their prices might be a little steep for my budget. Are there every any coupons or discounts for either of these two steakhouses?

I've never seen a coupon for either of these places. And I agree, they do seem high priced. However, I've never felt like the food wasn't worth every penny and I keep finding myself going back. Thats coming from a guy that uses a green wallet to camauflage his money :D

Business as usual
Aug 27, 06, 3:16 am
OK, so I haven't eaten at all of the previous recommendations, so I'm not an expert.

But I keep going back to Kincaid's, the Palomino and the Dakota (the Dakota for the jazz).