Guidebook for Minneapolis

Melissa
Guidebook for Minneapolis

Food Scene

Best guac ever! Gorgeous patio! Within walking distance--3 blocks away.
8 locals recommend
El Norteno Authentic Mexican
4000 E Lake St
8 locals recommend
Best guac ever! Gorgeous patio! Within walking distance--3 blocks away.
Within walking distance (6 blocks) & around $10 or $12/plate.
31 locals recommend
Himalayan Restaurant
2910 E Lake St
31 locals recommend
Within walking distance (6 blocks) & around $10 or $12/plate.
Burned down. Will have to wait for them to rebuild. Within walking distance--about a mile.
15 locals recommend
Midori's Floating World Cafe
3425 East Lake Street
15 locals recommend
Burned down. Will have to wait for them to rebuild. Within walking distance--about a mile.
Burned down. Will have to wait for them to rebuild. Withing walking distance--about a mile. Amazing lunch buffet. Sometimes has live music at night. Great atmosphere. Sustainable practices; grow their own food!
35 locals recommend
Gandhi Mahal Restaurant
3025 East Franklin Avenue
35 locals recommend
Burned down. Will have to wait for them to rebuild. Withing walking distance--about a mile. Amazing lunch buffet. Sometimes has live music at night. Great atmosphere. Sustainable practices; grow their own food!
Best Thai food, just over the river. Gorgeous interior. Need a reservation on weekends.
15 locals recommend
Pad Thai Restaurant
1681 Grand Ave
15 locals recommend
Best Thai food, just over the river. Gorgeous interior. Need a reservation on weekends.
Best working class cafe ever. Real people. Real food. Best quiche and best croissants you will ever encounter.
56 locals recommend
May Day Café
3440 Bloomington Ave
56 locals recommend
Best working class cafe ever. Real people. Real food. Best quiche and best croissants you will ever encounter.
Dining train car brought in from PA--a destination restaurant with a patio. Food is generally considered to be barely passable but people go anyway.
59 locals recommend
Hi-Lo Diner
4020 E Lake St
59 locals recommend
Dining train car brought in from PA--a destination restaurant with a patio. Food is generally considered to be barely passable but people go anyway.
Limited menu, interesting drinks, date-night venue.
13 locals recommend
Dumpling
4004 Minnehaha Ave
13 locals recommend
Limited menu, interesting drinks, date-night venue.
Gotta have the beet/goat cheese/walnut salad and finish with the clafoutis dessert (Aaaaamaaazing!!!). Wine flight, live music, outdoor seating, intimate setting. Great date-night venue.
22 locals recommend
Riverview Wine Bar
3753 42nd Ave S
22 locals recommend
Gotta have the beet/goat cheese/walnut salad and finish with the clafoutis dessert (Aaaaamaaazing!!!). Wine flight, live music, outdoor seating, intimate setting. Great date-night venue.
OMG!!! Half block away--roll me over there!
12 locals recommend
Savory Bake House
3008 36th Ave S
12 locals recommend
OMG!!! Half block away--roll me over there!
A Cupcake Social
3800 S 28th Ave
Ever had an American Tea Cake?? Then make sure you stop by early to get it warm! OMG!
69 locals recommend
A Baker's Wife's Pastry Shop
4200 S 28th Ave
69 locals recommend
Ever had an American Tea Cake?? Then make sure you stop by early to get it warm! OMG!
Dancing! Tango on Sunday evenings. Amazing food and decor. Expensive. Must check out the bathrooms. Excellent date-night venue.
20 locals recommend
Loring Pasta Bar
327 14th Avenue Southeast
20 locals recommend
Dancing! Tango on Sunday evenings. Amazing food and decor. Expensive. Must check out the bathrooms. Excellent date-night venue.
If you're going to the Shakopee area (Canturbury Downs, Tribal business, etc) then don't miss this place. It looks like an old Dennie's (probably is) but the people are very nice, the service is great and the food is AMAZING!! Expensive and very much worth it.
Suzette's Restaurant
20251 Johnson Memorial Dr
If you're going to the Shakopee area (Canturbury Downs, Tribal business, etc) then don't miss this place. It looks like an old Dennie's (probably is) but the people are very nice, the service is great and the food is AMAZING!! Expensive and very much worth it.
Very good food and a lot of variety. Good for when everyone has a hankering for something different or you don't know what you want...
16 locals recommend
Shish
1668 Grand Ave
16 locals recommend
Very good food and a lot of variety. Good for when everyone has a hankering for something different or you don't know what you want...
Home-made ice cream with interesting flavours and an Izzy scoop--a little scoop of a flavour you want to try. A mile and a half away.
17 locals recommend
Izzy's Ice Cream Cafe
17 locals recommend
Home-made ice cream with interesting flavours and an Izzy scoop--a little scoop of a flavour you want to try. A mile and a half away.
Nicollet Pot-Hole & Salty Caramel ice cream.
75 locals recommend
Sebastian Joe's Ice Cream Cafe
1007 W Franklin Ave
75 locals recommend
Nicollet Pot-Hole & Salty Caramel ice cream.
Two or three blocks from the Guthrie Theater, this is one our best sushi restaurants--excellent tempura, vegetarian options and really good, warm saki. Highly recommended. Wasabi Fusin offers a wide array of the fine Japanese dishes ranging from traditional dish such as Soups and Salads, Tempura Appetizers, Hot Appetizers, Sushi Appetizers, Sushi and Sashimi, Sushi Sashimi Entree, Roll and Hand Roll, Chef's Special Roll…and much more! Try our food service today. Come for a Lunch Specials or during evening for a delicious Japanese food. Our goal at Wasabi Fusion is to provide an unforgettable dining experience for all our patrons.
Wasabi Sushi Fusion
903 S Washington Ave
Two or three blocks from the Guthrie Theater, this is one our best sushi restaurants--excellent tempura, vegetarian options and really good, warm saki. Highly recommended. Wasabi Fusin offers a wide array of the fine Japanese dishes ranging from traditional dish such as Soups and Salads, Tempura Appetizers, Hot Appetizers, Sushi Appetizers, Sushi and Sashimi, Sushi Sashimi Entree, Roll and Hand Roll, Chef's Special Roll…and much more! Try our food service today. Come for a Lunch Specials or during evening for a delicious Japanese food. Our goal at Wasabi Fusion is to provide an unforgettable dining experience for all our patrons.
Get a cup of joe one block away!
Milkweed
3822 E Lake St
Get a cup of joe one block away!

Drinks & Nightlife

Boardgames, sometimes live music or watch political debates on tv..... Good food. 3/2 bar but best Bloody Mary's in town--they use saki (rice wine).
29 locals recommend
The Chatterbox Club
2229 E 35th St
29 locals recommend
Boardgames, sometimes live music or watch political debates on tv..... Good food. 3/2 bar but best Bloody Mary's in town--they use saki (rice wine).
In Historic Sears Building's Global Market. Great kombucha!
22 locals recommend
Eastlake Brewery & Tavern
920 E Lake St
22 locals recommend
In Historic Sears Building's Global Market. Great kombucha!
Sometimes live music. Two blocks away!
30 locals recommend
Merlins Rest Pub
3601 E Lake St
30 locals recommend
Sometimes live music. Two blocks away!
Du Nord opened the Twin Cities’ first cocktail room in early 2015. Current inventory includes L'etoile Du Nord Vodka, Fitzgerald Gin and Apple Du Nord, with an apple liqueur on the docket for this fall. The cocktail room is simple and comfortable, with lots of seating where a group can easily pass an evening with a rousing game of Cards Against Humanity and a few rounds of seasonal pours.
30 locals recommend
Du Nord Craft Spirits
2610 E 32nd St
30 locals recommend
Du Nord opened the Twin Cities’ first cocktail room in early 2015. Current inventory includes L'etoile Du Nord Vodka, Fitzgerald Gin and Apple Du Nord, with an apple liqueur on the docket for this fall. The cocktail room is simple and comfortable, with lots of seating where a group can easily pass an evening with a rousing game of Cards Against Humanity and a few rounds of seasonal pours.
Locally crafted from locally-procured edibles. Best flavors so far include their "gin" and dandelion.
17 locals recommend
Urban Forage Winery and Cider House
3016 E Lake St
17 locals recommend
Locally crafted from locally-procured edibles. Best flavors so far include their "gin" and dandelion.
Dancing! Depending on the night could be swing, country, or salsa.
7 locals recommend
Lee's Liquor Lounge
101 Glenwood Avenue
7 locals recommend
Dancing! Depending on the night could be swing, country, or salsa.
7 locals recommend
Dusty's Bar
1319 Marshall St NE
7 locals recommend
8 locals recommend
Hook & Ladder Theater and Lounge
3010 Minnehaha Ave
8 locals recommend
47 locals recommend
Turf Club
1601 University Ave W
47 locals recommend
12 locals recommend
Lucy Coffee Cafe
540 Fairview Ave N
12 locals recommend
6 locals recommend
Kieran's Irish Pub
85 N 6th St
6 locals recommend
Dancing in caves--is there anything better? Swing night is Thursdays. Dress in '40's garb if you can....
30 locals recommend
Wabasha Street Caves
215 Wabasha St S
30 locals recommend
Dancing in caves--is there anything better? Swing night is Thursdays. Dress in '40's garb if you can....
There are restaurants, bars and a movie theater here, along with amazing architecture and brick roads, but the real treat here is the view as you walk along the boardwalk of the river and see the lights on the bridges and a view of downtown.
23 locals recommend
St. Anthony Main
219 SE Main St
23 locals recommend
There are restaurants, bars and a movie theater here, along with amazing architecture and brick roads, but the real treat here is the view as you walk along the boardwalk of the river and see the lights on the bridges and a view of downtown.
The speakeasy-esque cocktail room in an industrial corner of the Seward neighborhood (aka The Hub of Hell) features quirky cocktails from the quirky minds of the Bittercube crew, in a chill, windowless room meant for long, relaxed sips. There are seasonal drinks, all revolving around gin or vodka distilled from 100% Minnesota Wheat, as well as a new rum, which is only available at the cocktail room. Also, they take their ice very seriously.
26 locals recommend
Lawless Distilling Company
2619 28th Ave S
26 locals recommend
The speakeasy-esque cocktail room in an industrial corner of the Seward neighborhood (aka The Hub of Hell) features quirky cocktails from the quirky minds of the Bittercube crew, in a chill, windowless room meant for long, relaxed sips. There are seasonal drinks, all revolving around gin or vodka distilled from 100% Minnesota Wheat, as well as a new rum, which is only available at the cocktail room. Also, they take their ice very seriously.
Nightspot with a divey, vintage vibe offering drinks, live music every day & simple Mexican bites. Join the spelling bee on Saturdays.
44 locals recommend
331 Club
331 13th Ave NE
44 locals recommend
Nightspot with a divey, vintage vibe offering drinks, live music every day & simple Mexican bites. Join the spelling bee on Saturdays.
52 locals recommend
Dakota
1010 Nicollet Mall
52 locals recommend
salsa dancing
Conga Latin Bistro
501 E Hennepin Ave
salsa dancing
Hip coffeehouse features specialty espresso drinks, craft beer, wines, art exhibitions & live music, often jazz.
17 locals recommend
Black Dog Cafe
308 E Prince St
17 locals recommend
Hip coffeehouse features specialty espresso drinks, craft beer, wines, art exhibitions & live music, often jazz.
Inspired by The Spirit of New Orleans Vieux Carré, (pronounced View- Kah’ray) earns its name from the French translation of “Old Quarter” and a love for the spirit of New Orleans’ rich food and music scene. Located in St. Paul, in the lower level of the historic Hamm Building, Vieux Carré offers a speakeasy atmosphere highlighting well crafted cocktails, an imaginative wine and beer list, a creole inspired menu, with music by Minnesota musicians.
13 locals recommend
Vieux Carré
408 St Peter St
13 locals recommend
Inspired by The Spirit of New Orleans Vieux Carré, (pronounced View- Kah’ray) earns its name from the French translation of “Old Quarter” and a love for the spirit of New Orleans’ rich food and music scene. Located in St. Paul, in the lower level of the historic Hamm Building, Vieux Carré offers a speakeasy atmosphere highlighting well crafted cocktails, an imaginative wine and beer list, a creole inspired menu, with music by Minnesota musicians.

Arts & Culture

524 locals recommend
Minneapolis Institute of Art
2400 3rd Ave S
524 locals recommend
Unique collections that rotate frequently.
6 locals recommend
Hennepin History Museum
2303 3rd Ave S
6 locals recommend
Unique collections that rotate frequently.
Outdoor sculpture garden.
43 locals recommend
Franconia Sculpture Park
29836 St Croix Trail N
43 locals recommend
Outdoor sculpture garden.
Weird, changing frequently.
9 locals recommend
Soap Factory
514 2nd St SE
9 locals recommend
Weird, changing frequently.
Stately museum & culture center featuring Swedish history exhibits, a mansion & art classes. Also has a restaurant where you can get authentic Swedish food.
104 locals recommend
American Swedish Institute
2600 Park Ave
104 locals recommend
Stately museum & culture center featuring Swedish history exhibits, a mansion & art classes. Also has a restaurant where you can get authentic Swedish food.
The Danish American Center (DAC) - a center for Danish cultural exchange and Danish hygge is located in Minneapolis. The DAC is dedicated to the forwarding of anything Danish, offering a wide variety of activities and events which focus on aspects of Danish living and culture. Our mission statement: "The Danish American Center supports and fosters Danish culture through education and the celebration of traditions, customs and history."
Danish American Center
3030 W River Pkwy
The Danish American Center (DAC) - a center for Danish cultural exchange and Danish hygge is located in Minneapolis. The DAC is dedicated to the forwarding of anything Danish, offering a wide variety of activities and events which focus on aspects of Danish living and culture. Our mission statement: "The Danish American Center supports and fosters Danish culture through education and the celebration of traditions, customs and history."
The ONLY Russian Art Museum in the United States!!! The Museum of Russian Art is a museum in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, that houses a collection of Russian art from the 20th century, especially Soviet art.
51 locals recommend
The Museum of Russian Art
5500 Stevens Ave
51 locals recommend
The ONLY Russian Art Museum in the United States!!! The Museum of Russian Art is a museum in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, that houses a collection of Russian art from the 20th century, especially Soviet art.

Parks & Nature

Hiking, camping, skiing, rafting.
32 locals recommend
Afton Alps
6600 Peller Ave S
32 locals recommend
Hiking, camping, skiing, rafting.
Beautiful park with natural falls only two miles away. Can get food, ice cream and rent bikes. Dog park not far from here. Minnehaha Park is a city park in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, and home to Minnehaha Falls and the lower reaches of Minnehaha Creek. Minnehaha Park lies within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park Service. The park was designed by landscape architect Horace W.S. Cleveland in 1883 as part of the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway system, and was part of the popular steamboat Upper Mississippi River "Fashionable Tour" in the 1800s. The park preserves historic sites that illustrate transportation, pioneering, and architecture.
613 locals recommend
Minnehaha Falls
4801 S Minnehaha Dr
613 locals recommend
Beautiful park with natural falls only two miles away. Can get food, ice cream and rent bikes. Dog park not far from here. Minnehaha Park is a city park in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, and home to Minnehaha Falls and the lower reaches of Minnehaha Creek. Minnehaha Park lies within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park Service. The park was designed by landscape architect Horace W.S. Cleveland in 1883 as part of the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway system, and was part of the popular steamboat Upper Mississippi River "Fashionable Tour" in the 1800s. The park preserves historic sites that illustrate transportation, pioneering, and architecture.
Three blocks away. Ice skating with warming house, tennis courts, playground.
39 locals recommend
Longfellow Park
3435 36th Ave S
39 locals recommend
Three blocks away. Ice skating with warming house, tennis courts, playground.
Two blocks away. Entrance to Greenway bicycle path, basketball court, playground, soccer/baseball diamonds, skate board park.
Brackett Park
2728 S 39th Ave
Two blocks away. Entrance to Greenway bicycle path, basketball court, playground, soccer/baseball diamonds, skate board park.
Como Conservatory is amazing, especially in winter. It's a lush, humid, green, vivacious reminder in winter. Photographers can take photos of the plants, artists sit and draw, everyone else strolls through at their leisure--a treasure!
278 locals recommend
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
1225 Estabrook Dr
278 locals recommend
Como Conservatory is amazing, especially in winter. It's a lush, humid, green, vivacious reminder in winter. Photographers can take photos of the plants, artists sit and draw, everyone else strolls through at their leisure--a treasure!
This holds the famous Elf Door on a tree. People leave messages for the elf.
10 locals recommend
Deming Heights Park
1115 St Anthony Pkwy
10 locals recommend
This holds the famous Elf Door on a tree. People leave messages for the elf.

Shopping

BIG! Light rail will take you right there.
476 locals recommend
Mall of America
60 East Broadway
476 locals recommend
BIG! Light rail will take you right there.
Famous for their cafeteria which offers Swedish meatballs and lingonberry pancakes.
29 locals recommend
IKEA
8000 Ikea Way
29 locals recommend
Famous for their cafeteria which offers Swedish meatballs and lingonberry pancakes.
Historic Sears Building houses the indoor Global Market--Old-World stalls selling food, clothing, trinkets, etc.
Midtown Exchange
2929 Chicago Ave
Historic Sears Building houses the indoor Global Market--Old-World stalls selling food, clothing, trinkets, etc.

Everything Else

9 locals recommend
Midtown Farmers Market
2225 Minnehaha Ave
9 locals recommend
LP store one block away.
7 locals recommend
Hymie's Vintage Records
3820 E Lake St
7 locals recommend
LP store one block away.
'Cause caves are just coool.
8 locals recommend
Crystal Cave
W965 WI-29
8 locals recommend
'Cause caves are just coool.
Lise Wolff, Erin Piorier, Matthew Woods Saturday in September https://minnesotaherbalist.com/minnesotas-herbal-festival/
Lise Wolff Herbalist Ahg
4626 18th Avenue South
Lise Wolff, Erin Piorier, Matthew Woods Saturday in September https://minnesotaherbalist.com/minnesotas-herbal-festival/
Outdoor juried art festival in August www.uptownminneapolis.com/
Uptown Artfair
2815 Hennepin Ave S
Outdoor juried art festival in August www.uptownminneapolis.com/
Outdoor ski luminary festival in January. Magical! www.loppet.org/
The Loppet Foundation
1221 Theodore Wirth Pkwy
Outdoor ski luminary festival in January. Magical! www.loppet.org/
City park built around a historic old mill, featuring interpretive signs, walking & biking paths.
24 locals recommend
Mill Ruins Park
102 Portland Ave S
24 locals recommend
City park built around a historic old mill, featuring interpretive signs, walking & biking paths.

Essentials

Literally across the street.
39 locals recommend
Longfellow Park
3435 36th Ave S
39 locals recommend
Literally across the street.
Fully cooked, meat-free "meats" and "cheeses" are the specialty of this family-owned vegan market.
25 locals recommend
The Herbivorous Butcher
507 1st Ave NE
25 locals recommend
Fully cooked, meat-free "meats" and "cheeses" are the specialty of this family-owned vegan market.
"Keeping you in good spirits since 1934." We are proud to be Minnesota’s premier wine and spirits retailer. A family-owned and operated business, Surdyk’s Liquor Store was established in Northeast Minneapolis in 1934, just a block away from our current address on East Hennepin & University Avenue. We invite you to shop with us and explore our vast selection, talk with our expert staff, and visit our award-winning Cheese Shop.
58 locals recommend
Surdyk's Liquor & Cheese Shop
303 E Hennepin Ave
58 locals recommend
"Keeping you in good spirits since 1934." We are proud to be Minnesota’s premier wine and spirits retailer. A family-owned and operated business, Surdyk’s Liquor Store was established in Northeast Minneapolis in 1934, just a block away from our current address on East Hennepin & University Avenue. We invite you to shop with us and explore our vast selection, talk with our expert staff, and visit our award-winning Cheese Shop.