Guidebook for Minneapolis
Food Scene
This is part of a larger "Global Market" containing a lot of great food options. There is also a brewery in the building.
6 locals recommend
Taco Cat
920 E Lake StThis is part of a larger "Global Market" containing a lot of great food options. There is also a brewery in the building.
Organic/sustainable/locally sourced ingredients, delicious bakery. We are big fans of the turkey burger. It's also near the Mississippi river so you can plan for an after-meal walk!
65 locals recommend
Birchwood Cafe
3311 East 25th StreetOrganic/sustainable/locally sourced ingredients, delicious bakery. We are big fans of the turkey burger. It's also near the Mississippi river so you can plan for an after-meal walk!
Good breakfast spot, especially if vegan or vegetarian. Walking distance from our house.
40 locals recommend
Modern Times
3200 Chicago AveGood breakfast spot, especially if vegan or vegetarian. Walking distance from our house.
Good cup of joe. They have a garage door over the front so you can sit inside while still getting a good breeze.
76 locals recommend
Five Watt Coffee, Kingfield
3745 Nicollet AveGood cup of joe. They have a garage door over the front so you can sit inside while still getting a good breeze.
This is at the end of our block and is a collectively owned indoor market. Good (and cheap) Mexican/Latin food, shops, and sometimes live music.
16 locals recommend
Mercado Central
1515 E Lake StThis is at the end of our block and is a collectively owned indoor market. Good (and cheap) Mexican/Latin food, shops, and sometimes live music.
Great coffee, hip/modern atmosphere. The one on lake street is attached to a store selling some locally made (and also very hip) home decor.
33 locals recommend
Dogwood Coffee Bar - East Lake
4021 E Lake StGreat coffee, hip/modern atmosphere. The one on lake street is attached to a store selling some locally made (and also very hip) home decor.
AREPAS! "nuff said. Good option for the gluten intolerant. Fun, almost tropical atmosphere.
122 locals recommend
Hola Arepa
3501 Nicollet AveAREPAS! "nuff said. Good option for the gluten intolerant. Fun, almost tropical atmosphere.
Kyatchi
3758 Nicollet AveGood sushi.
Home of the juicy lucy burger. President Obama stopped here when he was in town. It's a greasy spoon type place, been around forever. Cash only.
178 locals recommend
Matt's Bar
3500 Cedar AveHome of the juicy lucy burger. President Obama stopped here when he was in town. It's a greasy spoon type place, been around forever. Cash only.
If you decide to check out Minnehaha Falls (recommended below) this is a great spot to hang out after your hike. Good seafood and beer. Seating mostly outside. Only open April-October.
102 locals recommend
Sea Salt
4825 Minnehaha AveIf you decide to check out Minnehaha Falls (recommended below) this is a great spot to hang out after your hike. Good seafood and beer. Seating mostly outside. Only open April-October.
Super delicious oven-cooked pizzas. They also have a photo booth. Expect to wait for a table (with a cold beer in hand) on weekends.
43 locals recommend
Pizzeria Lola
5557 Xerxes Ave SSuper delicious oven-cooked pizzas. They also have a photo booth. Expect to wait for a table (with a cold beer in hand) on weekends.
Smoke in the Pit
3733 Chicago AveDivey take-out BBQ. Near the house.
Southern food in a hip setting. There is another location in St. Paul. Expect a wait on weekends.
104 locals recommend
Revival
4537 Nicollet AveSouthern food in a hip setting. There is another location in St. Paul. Expect a wait on weekends.
Drinks & Nightlife
Best patio in Minneapolis! Lawn bowling, great views of the skyline, good drinks list, and typical pup fare.
46 locals recommend
Brit's Pub
1110 Nicollet MallBest patio in Minneapolis! Lawn bowling, great views of the skyline, good drinks list, and typical pup fare.
This place is considered one of our best breweries. They also offering great pub fare with a modern twist. Large beer hall atmosphere. Outdoor seating (with large fire pits) if the weather is decent.
189 locals recommend
Surly Brewing Co.
520 Malcolm Avenue SoutheastThis place is considered one of our best breweries. They also offering great pub fare with a modern twist. Large beer hall atmosphere. Outdoor seating (with large fire pits) if the weather is decent.
Full disclosure, Isaac used to work here so we are biased...but that said, they have very good beer. Smaller space with more of a coffee shop vibe. Board games. And free open mic comedy on Thursday nights!
16 locals recommend
Sisyphus Brewing
712 Ontario Ave WFull disclosure, Isaac used to work here so we are biased...but that said, they have very good beer. Smaller space with more of a coffee shop vibe. Board games. And free open mic comedy on Thursday nights!
Delicious beer, small setting. Near other bars and restaurants of St. Paul
10 locals recommend
Barrel Theory Beer Company
248 7th St EDelicious beer, small setting. Near other bars and restaurants of St. Paul
Arts & Culture
Excellent contemporary art collection. If you don't want to pay admission, they have a free outdoor sculpture garden next door. Home to the famous Cherry On the Spoon piece. Good spot for picnics or lounging with a good book.
606 locals recommend
Walker Art Center
725 Vineland PlExcellent contemporary art collection. If you don't want to pay admission, they have a free outdoor sculpture garden next door. Home to the famous Cherry On the Spoon piece. Good spot for picnics or lounging with a good book.
For the history buff, this is a cool spot. It's an old fort on the Mississippi with people in period costume that tell you interesting facts as you walk through. Something they shoot off an old cannon, which is kind of fun.
Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory
For the history buff, this is a cool spot. It's an old fort on the Mississippi with people in period costume that tell you interesting facts as you walk through. Something they shoot off an old cannon, which is kind of fun.
Explore local MN history with lots of interactive exhibits (not just interactive for kids, either).
138 locals recommend
Minnesota History Center
345 W Kellogg BlvdExplore local MN history with lots of interactive exhibits (not just interactive for kids, either).
FREE art museum. It's got a lot of great pieces--I think our impressionist collection is pretty impressive. Extensive Asia art section. There is a little cafe on site and a great gift shop.
524 locals recommend
Minneapolis Institute of Art
2400 3rd Ave SFREE art museum. It's got a lot of great pieces--I think our impressionist collection is pretty impressive. Extensive Asia art section. There is a little cafe on site and a great gift shop.
High quality theater, so tickets do cost a bit. But even if you don't see a show, there is a very cool "endless bridge" that extends toward the Mississippi river and give you a great view of the industrial side of the city (which is now all condos). There is also a little bar (ask for the "target lounge") with good views.
376 locals recommend
Guthrie Theater
818 S 2nd StHigh quality theater, so tickets do cost a bit. But even if you don't see a show, there is a very cool "endless bridge" that extends toward the Mississippi river and give you a great view of the industrial side of the city (which is now all condos). There is also a little bar (ask for the "target lounge") with good views.
This museum is housed in a mansion! During Nov-Dec, they decorate each room for Christmas and highlight various Scandinavian countries' specific celebrations during the holiday season. There is a good restaurant housed in the museum.
104 locals recommend
American Swedish Institute
2600 Park AveThis museum is housed in a mansion! During Nov-Dec, they decorate each room for Christmas and highlight various Scandinavian countries' specific celebrations during the holiday season. There is a good restaurant housed in the museum.
Parks & Nature
Lakes Calhoun, Isles, and Harriet are connected. You can rent boats, paddle boards, kayaks, etc or just enjoy walking or biking around them and looking at the fancy houses. You can swim at these lakes in the summer.
375 locals recommend
Bde Maka Ska
West Bde Maka Ska ParkwayLakes Calhoun, Isles, and Harriet are connected. You can rent boats, paddle boards, kayaks, etc or just enjoy walking or biking around them and looking at the fancy houses. You can swim at these lakes in the summer.
Beautiful falls with some hiking paths along the creek past the falls. Good photo opps (even in the winter). There are a lot of great picnic spots and a restaurant at the top of the falls.
613 locals recommend
Minnehaha Falls
4801 S Minnehaha DrBeautiful falls with some hiking paths along the creek past the falls. Good photo opps (even in the winter). There are a lot of great picnic spots and a restaurant at the top of the falls.