Guidebook for Minneapolis
Food Scene
Blackbird
3800 Nicollet AveIt's a great date night or casual friend catch-up kind of place.
The coffee drinks are amazingly unique, since Five Watt treats their coffee like cocktails.
76 locals recommend
Five Watt Coffee, Kingfield
3745 Nicollet AveThe coffee drinks are amazingly unique, since Five Watt treats their coffee like cocktails.
The best, most consistent Thai restaurant we've found in the Twin Cities.
10 locals recommend
KhunNai Thai Cuisine
2523 Nicollet AveThe best, most consistent Thai restaurant we've found in the Twin Cities.
Great food, and even better when you take the food to go and hang out at Fair State Brewery just a block away.
38 locals recommend
Sen Yai Sen Lek Thai
2422 Central Ave NEGreat food, and even better when you take the food to go and hang out at Fair State Brewery just a block away.
One of the first farm-to-table restaurants in Minneapolis. It's a great all-around eatery for breakfast, lunch, dinner, happy hour, etc. We've never had a meal we haven't enjoyed, and the food suits people of all ages.
104 locals recommend
French Meadow Bakery & Cafe
2610 Lyndale Ave SOne of the first farm-to-table restaurants in Minneapolis. It's a great all-around eatery for breakfast, lunch, dinner, happy hour, etc. We've never had a meal we haven't enjoyed, and the food suits people of all ages.
It's just around the block from our house, so it's super convenient. The food is pretty basic, but their breakfast is always enjoyable.
18 locals recommend
Gigi's Cafe
824 W 36th StIt's just around the block from our house, so it's super convenient. The food is pretty basic, but their breakfast is always enjoyable.
It's great food and worth the wait. Call before you leave to put your name on the waitlist.
56 locals recommend
Broders' Pasta Bar
5000 Penn Ave SIt's great food and worth the wait. Call before you leave to put your name on the waitlist.
Bar La Grassa
800 N Washington AveWonderful Italian food!
Lu's Sandwiches
2624 Nicollet AveThe best bahn mi in town!
One of the best Vietnamese places in town, and it's right around the corner from our house.
11 locals recommend
Vo's Vietnamese Restaurant
3450 Lyndale Ave SOne of the best Vietnamese places in town, and it's right around the corner from our house.
Quang Restaurant
2719 Nicollet AveRoutinely acknowledged as the best Vietnamese place in town.
Great for unusual or classic pizzas for meat-eaters, vegetarians, and even vegans. Our favorite pizza is the baked potato pizza. They also have a wonderful outdoor patio. Delivery is always ahead of their estimated time since we live so close.
47 locals recommend
Pizza Lucé Uptown
3200 Lyndale Ave SGreat for unusual or classic pizzas for meat-eaters, vegetarians, and even vegans. Our favorite pizza is the baked potato pizza. They also have a wonderful outdoor patio. Delivery is always ahead of their estimated time since we live so close.
A great dinner after a bike ride around Lake Calhoun, Punch Pizza is located off the northwest corner of Calhoun. Nationally known for their neopolitan pizzas. No delivery.
20 locals recommend
Punch Pizza Lake Calhoun
3226 W Lake StA great dinner after a bike ride around Lake Calhoun, Punch Pizza is located off the northwest corner of Calhoun. Nationally known for their neopolitan pizzas. No delivery.
Consistently a great meal, with unbeatable service and a quiet atmosphere.
9 locals recommend
Darbar India Grill & Bar
1221 W Lake StConsistently a great meal, with unbeatable service and a quiet atmosphere.
Their brioche dough donuts are simply fantastic. The brown butter glazed donut is fantastic slightly heated up in the microwave.
34 locals recommend
Bogart's Doughnut Co.
904 W 36th StTheir brioche dough donuts are simply fantastic. The brown butter glazed donut is fantastic slightly heated up in the microwave.
Run by an internationally acclaimed pastry chef, you won't be disappointed with anything you order.
84 locals recommend
Patisserie 46
4552 Grand Ave SRun by an internationally acclaimed pastry chef, you won't be disappointed with anything you order.
A fun, quirky atmosphere with a wide array of donuts for all dietary types.
106 locals recommend
Glam Doll Donuts
2605 Nicollet AveA fun, quirky atmosphere with a wide array of donuts for all dietary types.
If you’ve never had an arepa, you should follow Alton Brown’s lead and go to Hola Arepa. Great brunch and dinner options, and a fantastic outdoor patio.
122 locals recommend
Hola Arepa
3501 Nicollet AveIf you’ve never had an arepa, you should follow Alton Brown’s lead and go to Hola Arepa. Great brunch and dinner options, and a fantastic outdoor patio.
Great outdoor patio and a fabulous beer selection. The food is above-average bar food, and their french fries with garlic aioli are among our favorites.
59 locals recommend
Pat's Tap
3510 Nicollet AveGreat outdoor patio and a fabulous beer selection. The food is above-average bar food, and their french fries with garlic aioli are among our favorites.
Icehouse
2528 Nicollet AveA great spot for date night, complete with live music.
Kyatchi
3758 Nicollet AveOne of our favorite sushi places. They also have Japanese hotdogs!
We've been here for breakfast, brunch, and dinner and have never had a meal we didn't like. The space focuses on gathering, so it's a large open setting, which makes it a bit louder but also cozy at the same time.
38 locals recommend
The Lynhall
2640 Lyndale Ave SWe've been here for breakfast, brunch, and dinner and have never had a meal we didn't like. The space focuses on gathering, so it's a large open setting, which makes it a bit louder but also cozy at the same time.
Some of the best ice cream in town! Lots of fun flavors that you can't resist. A perfect way to cap off a day around Lake Harriet, browsing stores, or a wonderful dinner out.
30 locals recommend
Sebastian Joe's Ice Cream Shop
4321 Upton Ave SSome of the best ice cream in town! Lots of fun flavors that you can't resist. A perfect way to cap off a day around Lake Harriet, browsing stores, or a wonderful dinner out.
Delicious homemade ice cream in flavors that bring out the seasons. If you're lucky to be here when they have their sweet corn ice cream, you've got to take advantage.
21 locals recommend
Sonny's Ice Cream Cafe
3403 Lyndale Ave SDelicious homemade ice cream in flavors that bring out the seasons. If you're lucky to be here when they have their sweet corn ice cream, you've got to take advantage.
Specialized coffee that treats your latte like a cocktail. Expertly blended and they taste delicious!
6 locals recommend
Five Watt Coffee Lyndale
3350 Lyndale Ave SSpecialized coffee that treats your latte like a cocktail. Expertly blended and they taste delicious!
You are lucky to be a mere 2 blocks from one of the best donut shops in the Twin Cities. Treat yourself to a brown butter glazed donut and you won't be sorry!
34 locals recommend
Bogart's Doughnut Co.
904 W 36th StYou are lucky to be a mere 2 blocks from one of the best donut shops in the Twin Cities. Treat yourself to a brown butter glazed donut and you won't be sorry!
Nearby Grocery and Liquor Stores
Lunds & Byerlys Uptown Minneapolis
1450 W Lake StAll natural and organic foods. They supply as much local produce, meat, and other items as possible.
107 locals recommend
Wedge Community Co-op
2105 Lyndale Ave SAll natural and organic foods. They supply as much local produce, meat, and other items as possible.
The closest liquor store to our house. It is more of a dive shop, but has a great selection and help!
6 locals recommend
Hennepin Lake Liquor Store
1200 W Lake StThe closest liquor store to our house. It is more of a dive shop, but has a great selection and help!
Lake Wine & Spirits
404 W Lake StGreat service, incredible wine deals, and fantastic selection.
Drinks & Nightlife
An awesome speakeasy! Please let us know if you'd like to visit and we'll make sure you know where it is. The ambiance, food, and cocktails are all very well done.
55 locals recommend
Volstead's Emporium
711 W Lake StAn awesome speakeasy! Please let us know if you'd like to visit and we'll make sure you know where it is. The ambiance, food, and cocktails are all very well done.
A top notch brewery with delicious food to boot! A great outdoor space that is family friendly for little and big kids.
189 locals recommend
Surly Brewing Co.
520 Malcolm Avenue SoutheastA top notch brewery with delicious food to boot! A great outdoor space that is family friendly for little and big kids.
Award winning beers of all varieties. Located next to a German bakery, so enjoy a Bavarian pretzel with your beer, or bring in some food from the neighborhood.
60 locals recommend
Fair State Brewing Cooperative
2506 Central Ave NEAward winning beers of all varieties. Located next to a German bakery, so enjoy a Bavarian pretzel with your beer, or bring in some food from the neighborhood.
Parks & Nature
Within easy walking distance from us, Lake Calhoun has it all - beaches, green spaces, pedestrian and bike trails, rental boats, and a restaurant on the north end. A beautiful summer day can easily be spent at Calhoun, and you won't regret it!
375 locals recommend
Bde Maka Ska
West Bde Maka Ska ParkwayWithin easy walking distance from us, Lake Calhoun has it all - beaches, green spaces, pedestrian and bike trails, rental boats, and a restaurant on the north end. A beautiful summer day can easily be spent at Calhoun, and you won't regret it!
Arts & Culture
Minneapolis Institute of Art
2400 3rd Ave SWalker Art Center
725 Vineland PlHistoric Fort Snelling
200 Tower AveIf you've got kids, the reenactments are always a hit.
Jungle Theater
2951 Lyndale Ave SLoved by younger children (5 and under), still appreciated by older children. 3 full floors of fun specifically geared to fun and exploring!
97 locals recommend
Minnesota Children's Museum
10 7th Street WestLoved by younger children (5 and under), still appreciated by older children. 3 full floors of fun specifically geared to fun and exploring!
Great for spending a rainy or cold day with older kids. Our 3 year old loves it, but older kids will benefit even more from the exhibits.
235 locals recommend
Science Museum of Minnesota
120 W Kellogg BlvdGreat for spending a rainy or cold day with older kids. Our 3 year old loves it, but older kids will benefit even more from the exhibits.
Fun for older kids (5 and up?). Cap off a walk or bike ride with the museum! One to two hours is plenty to fully take in the museum.
29 locals recommend
The Bakken Museum
3537 Zenith Ave SFun for older kids (5 and up?). Cap off a walk or bike ride with the museum! One to two hours is plenty to fully take in the museum.
Music and Entertainment
Bryant-Lake Bowl
810 W Lake StFun bowling, with great food and drinks to boot.
Do you love Pac Man and Donkey Kong? Spend a fun date night or night with your friends. The bar is filled with vintage arcade games that you'll be busy all night long playing them all.
93 locals recommend
Up-Down Minneapolis
3012 Lyndale Ave SDo you love Pac Man and Donkey Kong? Spend a fun date night or night with your friends. The bar is filled with vintage arcade games that you'll be busy all night long playing them all.
Have a kid who loves building with Legos? Spend a rainy or cold day in a store filled with them!
Snapology of Minneapolis
2649 Lyndale Ave SHave a kid who loves building with Legos? Spend a rainy or cold day in a store filled with them!
An entire bar filled with pinball machines! What more could you ask for?
22 locals recommend
TILT Pinball Bar
2021 E 26th StAn entire bar filled with pinball machines! What more could you ask for?
Great live acoustic music, replicating an in-home concert. Artists come from across the nation to play in this space.
The Warming House
4001 Bryant Ave SGreat live acoustic music, replicating an in-home concert. Artists come from across the nation to play in this space.
One of the best places for live music in the nation - it's the Midwest's most infamous spot for top current artists. Prince was a huge fan!
199 locals recommend
First Avenue
701 N 1st AveOne of the best places for live music in the nation - it's the Midwest's most infamous spot for top current artists. Prince was a huge fan!