Guidebook for Minneapolis
Food Scene
Best bakery in the Twin Cities and just down the street. Outdoor seating.
84 locals recommend
Patisserie 46
4552 Grand Ave SBest bakery in the Twin Cities and just down the street. Outdoor seating.
Great coffee and pastries (especially the gluten free pumpkin donuts!) A quick walk. Outdoor seating.
14 locals recommend
Royal Grounds Coffee
4161 Grand Ave SGreat coffee and pastries (especially the gluten free pumpkin donuts!) A quick walk. Outdoor seating.
Great food for the whole family. Quality American fare i.e. grass fed beef, gluten free bun option, rotating beer tap. Some outdoor seating.
55 locals recommend
The Lowbrow
4244 Nicollet AveGreat food for the whole family. Quality American fare i.e. grass fed beef, gluten free bun option, rotating beer tap. Some outdoor seating.
George and the Dragon
813 W 50th StOrganic English Pub food.
Victor's 1959 Cafe
3756 Grand Ave SYummy cuban food
Farm-to-table restaurant so guaranteed local, fresh, seasonal-- fine dining a short walk away.
21 locals recommend
Corner Table
4537 Nicollet AveFarm-to-table restaurant so guaranteed local, fresh, seasonal-- fine dining a short walk away.
Fried chicken (gluten free option), johnnycakes, hush puppies, collards . . . delicious southern fare.
104 locals recommend
Revival
4537 Nicollet AveFried chicken (gluten free option), johnnycakes, hush puppies, collards . . . delicious southern fare.
Venezuelan stuffed arepas and craft cocktails are their speciality. It's a great place to drink sangria out on the patio in the summertime. Food is amazing--best green sauce I've ever had. Delicious! Gluten free, dairy free options.
122 locals recommend
Hola Arepa
3501 Nicollet AveVenezuelan stuffed arepas and craft cocktails are their speciality. It's a great place to drink sangria out on the patio in the summertime. Food is amazing--best green sauce I've ever had. Delicious! Gluten free, dairy free options.
Pizza Lucé Uptown
3200 Lyndale Ave SLots of pizza options. Gluten free and dairy free options too.
Quality diner food. Everything made from scratch, locally sourced and many rotating drinks. Outdoor seating.
48 locals recommend
Nighthawks Diner & Bar
3753 Nicollet AveQuality diner food. Everything made from scratch, locally sourced and many rotating drinks. Outdoor seating.
When you just want authentic chicken tacos and guacamole come here. Great Ecuadorian food.
6 locals recommend
Cocina Latina
3764 Nicollet AveWhen you just want authentic chicken tacos and guacamole come here. Great Ecuadorian food.
Everything is fresh and locally sourced. Salads, pasta, fish and meat entrees.
47 locals recommend
Blackbird
3800 Nicollet AveEverything is fresh and locally sourced. Salads, pasta, fish and meat entrees.
Upscale Latin America inspired dishes. Just down the block. Outdoor seating.
34 locals recommend
Cafe Ena
4601 Grand Ave SUpscale Latin America inspired dishes. Just down the block. Outdoor seating.
This is a dedicated gluten free bakery. Many options that are also dairy free, soy free, egg free. Get there early because they sell like hot (gluten free) cakes. I love this place.
14 locals recommend
Sift Gluten Free
4557 Bloomington AveThis is a dedicated gluten free bakery. Many options that are also dairy free, soy free, egg free. Get there early because they sell like hot (gluten free) cakes. I love this place.
El Asador
4750 Grand Ave SMexican cuisine that is a bit upscale. Outdoor seating.
Rincón 38
3801 Grand Ave SAmazing tapas bar. Kind of fancy.
Tiny restaurant that offers 6 courses for $50 per person. They will accommodate food sensitivities and such. I haven't been here yet because it recently opened but it gets fantastic reviews.
8 locals recommend
Tenant Restaurant
4300 Bryant Ave STiny restaurant that offers 6 courses for $50 per person. They will accommodate food sensitivities and such. I haven't been here yet because it recently opened but it gets fantastic reviews.
Kyatchi
3758 Nicollet AveGreat sushi restaurant.
Vo's Vietnamese Restaurant
3450 Lyndale Ave SGreat Vietnamese food at a good price.
Sun Street Breads
4600 Nicollet AveSandwiches, pastries, yum!
Butter Bakery Cafe
3700 Nicollet AveOrganic, locally sourced, great neighborhood bakery.
Five Watt Coffee, Kingfield
3745 Nicollet AveAwesome coffee shop
Another great coffee shop in the neighborhood. Good breakfast food too. Outdoor seating.
13 locals recommend
Studio 2 Coffee Shop & Wine Bar
818 W 46th StAnother great coffee shop in the neighborhood. Good breakfast food too. Outdoor seating.
This place has been open since the 1940s and has pretty much anything you might want to eat for a cheap price.
12 locals recommend
Curran's Family Restaurant
4201 Nicollet AveThis place has been open since the 1940s and has pretty much anything you might want to eat for a cheap price.
Cute little cafe for sandwiches, soup, biscuits and gravy and the like.
18 locals recommend
Gigi's Cafe
824 W 36th StCute little cafe for sandwiches, soup, biscuits and gravy and the like.
Authentic Ethiopian restaurant with delicious food. Vegan and vegetarian options. And gluten free injera. (flat bread)
Lucy's Market & Carry-Out (Ethiopian Restaurant)
3749 Cedar AveAuthentic Ethiopian restaurant with delicious food. Vegan and vegetarian options. And gluten free injera. (flat bread)
Ramen Kazama
3400 Nicollet AveRamen, ramen, and more ramen.
Prima
5325 Lyndale Ave SIf you are looking for Italian food, check this place out.
This is on the other side of Lake Harriet and has amazing Thai food.
19 locals recommend
Naviya's Thai Brasserie
2812 W 43rd StThis is on the other side of Lake Harriet and has amazing Thai food.
Charming French pub food is the theme. A bit fancy. Great wine list.
29 locals recommend
Saint Genevieve
5003 Bryant Ave SCharming French pub food is the theme. A bit fancy. Great wine list.
Burgers, sandwiches and the like. Not great if you have food sensitivities but otherwise very popular with reasonable prices.
25 locals recommend
The Malt Shop
809 W 50th StBurgers, sandwiches and the like. Not great if you have food sensitivities but otherwise very popular with reasonable prices.
This is like the Wedge food-coop but much smaller and has mostly prepared foods to go like salads, soups, burritos.
10 locals recommend
The Wedge Table
2412 Nicollet AveThis is like the Wedge food-coop but much smaller and has mostly prepared foods to go like salads, soups, burritos.
Check out the Kingfield Farmer's Market for fresh produce, flowers, and treats. Just a few blocks walk from our house.
Kingfield Farmers Market
4055 Nicollet AveCheck out the Kingfield Farmer's Market for fresh produce, flowers, and treats. Just a few blocks walk from our house.
Be sure to eat here after visiting Minnehaha park and falls. Outside dining. It gets super busy so get in line early.
102 locals recommend
Sea Salt
4825 Minnehaha AveBe sure to eat here after visiting Minnehaha park and falls. Outside dining. It gets super busy so get in line early.
Juice, smoothies, coffee, speciality hot drinks, acai bowls, soups and salads. Super cute place, super yum.
Whole Sum Kitchen
824 W 50th StJuice, smoothies, coffee, speciality hot drinks, acai bowls, soups and salads. Super cute place, super yum.
Farm to Table Fare. Make a dinner reservation because they can get really busy. They do not do reservations for brunch/lunch so come early. Good eatin'
43 locals recommend
Wise Acre Eatery
5401 Nicollet AveFarm to Table Fare. Make a dinner reservation because they can get really busy. They do not do reservations for brunch/lunch so come early. Good eatin'
Charming French Cafe that is open for dinner Tuesday-Sunday and Sunday brunch. Accepts reservations. Cornbread Harris plays piano on Sundays starting at 6pm.
32 locals recommend
Grand Cafe
414 North 3rd AvenueCharming French Cafe that is open for dinner Tuesday-Sunday and Sunday brunch. Accepts reservations. Cornbread Harris plays piano on Sundays starting at 6pm.
Drinks & Nightlife
Pat's Tap
3510 Nicollet AveGreat pub food. Gluten free options. And you can play Skee-ball!
This is a fantastic venue for seeing live music. They get a number of good bands but shows sell out quickly so look at the playlist in advance.
18 locals recommend
Palace Theatre
17 W 7th PlThis is a fantastic venue for seeing live music. They get a number of good bands but shows sell out quickly so look at the playlist in advance.
A great place to see live music. Check out their website for a list of upcoming shows.
199 locals recommend
First Avenue
701 N 1st AveA great place to see live music. Check out their website for a list of upcoming shows.
Neighborhood bar and often have live music. Nothing fancy about this place but great for getting a drink.
18 locals recommend
Driftwood
4415 Nicollet AveNeighborhood bar and often have live music. Nothing fancy about this place but great for getting a drink.
If you are interested in seeing live music right in the neighborhood without the booze, this is the perfect fit. Get a kombucha and enjoy a very cozy concert.
The Warming House
4001 Bryant Ave SIf you are interested in seeing live music right in the neighborhood without the booze, this is the perfect fit. Get a kombucha and enjoy a very cozy concert.
Rotating beer and cider selection, pub food--good if you are looking for a less hectic location than uptown.
43 locals recommend
Town Hall Tap
4810 Chicago AveRotating beer and cider selection, pub food--good if you are looking for a less hectic location than uptown.
How can you go wrong with good beer and bowling. Go early if you don't want to wait for a lane as they get busy on the weekends.
41 locals recommend
Town Hall Lanes
5019 S 34th AveHow can you go wrong with good beer and bowling. Go early if you don't want to wait for a lane as they get busy on the weekends.
Arts & Culture
Minneapolis Institute of Art
2400 3rd Ave SMIA is awesome and free.
Go to the Guthrie if you want to see exceptional theater in action. Visit https://www.guthrietheater.org/shows-and-tickets/2017-2018-season/ to see the lineup for 2018.
376 locals recommend
Guthrie Theater
818 S 2nd StGo to the Guthrie if you want to see exceptional theater in action. Visit https://www.guthrietheater.org/shows-and-tickets/2017-2018-season/ to see the lineup for 2018.
Get your picture taken with the iconic "Spoon and Cherry" sculpture. You can't leave without visiting this park.
251 locals recommend
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
725 Vineland PlGet your picture taken with the iconic "Spoon and Cherry" sculpture. You can't leave without visiting this park.
They always have excellent exhibits making this a great place to visit while you are in town.
51 locals recommend
The Museum of Russian Art
5500 Stevens AveThey always have excellent exhibits making this a great place to visit while you are in town.
Minnesota Children's Museum
10 7th Street WestSo much fun for the kids!
This place is renowned for putting on fabulous performances for the whole family. Check out their schedule to see what is playing when you are in town.
35 locals recommend
Children's Theatre Company
2400 3rd Ave SThis place is renowned for putting on fabulous performances for the whole family. Check out their schedule to see what is playing when you are in town.
This museum always has very cool exhibits that my kids love. It also has an omnitheater so you can be surrounded by stunning scenery on the giant 90 foot dome screen.
235 locals recommend
Science Museum of Minnesota
120 W Kellogg BlvdThis museum always has very cool exhibits that my kids love. It also has an omnitheater so you can be surrounded by stunning scenery on the giant 90 foot dome screen.
Parks & Nature
Lake Harriet is 9 blocks to our west. You can ride bike or jog around the lack, rent paddle boards, go swimming, take your kids to the park, rent a canoe, watch live music at the bandshell, go to an outdoor movie after dark, get ice cream, or visit the gardens. In the winter it's great for snow shoeing or cross country skiing. The trails are not groomed so if that's a priority look into Theodore Wirth Park or Hyland Lake Park Reserve.
185 locals recommend
Lake Harriet
4135 W Lake Harriet PkwyLake Harriet is 9 blocks to our west. You can ride bike or jog around the lack, rent paddle boards, go swimming, take your kids to the park, rent a canoe, watch live music at the bandshell, go to an outdoor movie after dark, get ice cream, or visit the gardens. In the winter it's great for snow shoeing or cross country skiing. The trails are not groomed so if that's a priority look into Theodore Wirth Park or Hyland Lake Park Reserve.
Visit the beautiful and stunning falls and then eat at the popular Sea Salt. Get there early though or be prepared to stand in line for a very long time.
613 locals recommend
Minnehaha Falls
4801 S Minnehaha DrVisit the beautiful and stunning falls and then eat at the popular Sea Salt. Get there early though or be prepared to stand in line for a very long time.
(Formerly known as Lake Calhoun) Nature Fun! You can walk, jog or bike around this lake. Rent a canoe or hang out on the beach. Typical Minneapolis lake fun to be had.
375 locals recommend
Bde Maka Ska
West Bde Maka Ska Parkway(Formerly known as Lake Calhoun) Nature Fun! You can walk, jog or bike around this lake. Rent a canoe or hang out on the beach. Typical Minneapolis lake fun to be had.
Fun for the kids as this park has a wading pool and lots of equipment to play on. You will also find a soccer field and basket ball courts here.
Fuller Park
4802 Grand Ave SFun for the kids as this park has a wading pool and lots of equipment to play on. You will also find a soccer field and basket ball courts here.
Essentially this a series of interconnected parks and parkways that loop around the entire city. It includes 50 miles of paved pedestrian trails, 50 miles of bike paths, and 50+ miles of driving parkways. We are just blocks from accessing this bike parkway to the West at Lake Harriet or to the south at Minnehaha Creek.
10 locals recommend
Grand Rounds Scenic Byway
Grand Rounds Scenic BywayEssentially this a series of interconnected parks and parkways that loop around the entire city. It includes 50 miles of paved pedestrian trails, 50 miles of bike paths, and 50+ miles of driving parkways. We are just blocks from accessing this bike parkway to the West at Lake Harriet or to the south at Minnehaha Creek.
Another fun lake nearby with beach, water recreation, snacks, park and bike/walking path that goes around the perimeter.
138 locals recommend
Lake Nokomis Park
4955 W Lake Nokomis PkwyAnother fun lake nearby with beach, water recreation, snacks, park and bike/walking path that goes around the perimeter.
Beautiful nature escape in the city. Hiking and biking trails, bird sanctuary, gardens, groomed cross country skiing trails. They also have a great sledding hill.
95 locals recommend
Theodore Wirth Regional Park
1301 Theodore Wirth PkwyBeautiful nature escape in the city. Hiking and biking trails, bird sanctuary, gardens, groomed cross country skiing trails. They also have a great sledding hill.
Great park reserve just outside Minneapolis. They offer a nature center, play area, and trails for biking and hiking. In the winter they offer groomed cross country skiing trails including lighted paths as well as snow shoeing and snow boarding.
16 locals recommend
Hyland Lake Park Reserve
10145 E Bush Lake RdGreat park reserve just outside Minneapolis. They offer a nature center, play area, and trails for biking and hiking. In the winter they offer groomed cross country skiing trails including lighted paths as well as snow shoeing and snow boarding.
Entertainment & Activities
Riverview Theater
3800 42nd Ave SBest movie theater in town. $2 matinees!
Bryant-Lake Bowl
810 W Lake StSuper fun and hip bowling alley.
Target Field
1 Twins WayGo see the Twins play baseball in this amazing stadium.
Brave New Workshop Comedy Theatre
824 Hennepin AveGreat place to see improv and comedy
Memory Lanes
2520 26th Ave SCosmic bowling on nights and weekends!
Down hill skiing just outside Minneapolis. Has trails that accommodate all levels. It's not a mountain but pretty great for the area. Can get busy so may want to go during off hours.
32 locals recommend
Afton Alps
6600 Peller Ave SDown hill skiing just outside Minneapolis. Has trails that accommodate all levels. It's not a mountain but pretty great for the area. Can get busy so may want to go during off hours.
Beautiful new enclosed stadium to go see a Vikings game. Skol, Vikings!
246 locals recommend
U.S. Bank Stadium
401 Chicago AveBeautiful new enclosed stadium to go see a Vikings game. Skol, Vikings!
Lyndale Farmstead Park
3900 Bryant Ave SFun kids park, ice skating, tennis courts, soccer field
HUGE Improv Theater
2728 Lyndale Ave SMost evenings offer multiple improv shows. Good stuff.
Essentials
This is the closest food-coop in the neighborhood and takes about 6 minutes by car. Amazing hot bar, salad bar and deli. Gluten free and dairy free options galore. Lots of bulk items, organic produce and the like. If you are eating on the cheap this is not the place to go though.
74 locals recommend
Seward Community Co-op - Friendship Store
317 E 38th StThis is the closest food-coop in the neighborhood and takes about 6 minutes by car. Amazing hot bar, salad bar and deli. Gluten free and dairy free options galore. Lots of bulk items, organic produce and the like. If you are eating on the cheap this is not the place to go though.
This food-coop is about 10 minutes away by car and has a great deli, salad bar and hot bar. Great selection of bulk items, produce and my favorite--soft serve coconut ice cream from the machine. Amazing.
107 locals recommend
Wedge Community Co-op
2105 Lyndale Ave SThis food-coop is about 10 minutes away by car and has a great deli, salad bar and hot bar. Great selection of bulk items, produce and my favorite--soft serve coconut ice cream from the machine. Amazing.
Just 5 blocks away, this is great for quick food and items. They carry organic milk, meats, juice, deli food, baked goods and bread (gluten free too) and the basics you'd expect to find at the corner store.
8 locals recommend
Guse Green Grocer
4600 Bryant Ave SJust 5 blocks away, this is great for quick food and items. They carry organic milk, meats, juice, deli food, baked goods and bread (gluten free too) and the basics you'd expect to find at the corner store.
HealthPartners Nokomis Urgent Care Minneapolis
4730 Chicago AveNearby urgent care
Abbott Northwestern Hospital
800 E 28th StNearby Hospital system/ER
Blaisdell YMCA is our neighborhood gym. Has a pool, hot tub, sauna, fitness classes, elliptical machines, free weights. Diverse clientele and friendly staff.
Blaisdell YMCA
3335 Blaisdell AveBlaisdell YMCA is our neighborhood gym. Has a pool, hot tub, sauna, fitness classes, elliptical machines, free weights. Diverse clientele and friendly staff.
This is the closest YWCA in the neighborhood. I have heard good things from friends and neighbors about this gym.
7 locals recommend
YWCA Minneapolis Midtown
2121 E Lake StThis is the closest YWCA in the neighborhood. I have heard good things from friends and neighbors about this gym.
Walgreens
2650 Hennepin Ave24 hour pharmacy
This is the closest grocery store to our house (that is not a food coop.) It is a bit upscale and they carry everything you might need. Hot bar, deli, bakery, produce, bulk. They do have an organic section and some dairy free/gluten free options.
166 locals recommend
Kowalski's Market
2440 Hennepin AveThis is the closest grocery store to our house (that is not a food coop.) It is a bit upscale and they carry everything you might need. Hot bar, deli, bakery, produce, bulk. They do have an organic section and some dairy free/gluten free options.
Cheapest grocery store in the area. They don't have a great selection of organic, gluten free, dairy free if this is important.
118 locals recommend
Cub Foods
1104 Lagoon AveCheapest grocery store in the area. They don't have a great selection of organic, gluten free, dairy free if this is important.
Shopping
Giant mall. And amusement park. And aquarium. Not to mention, crayons and legos and comedy club and restaurants galore.
476 locals recommend
Mall of America
60 East BroadwayGiant mall. And amusement park. And aquarium. Not to mention, crayons and legos and comedy club and restaurants galore.
Tangletown Bike Shop
816 W 50th StBike shop and bike rental shop a few blocks away.
IKEA
8000 Ikea WayIkea will hook you up for all things Swedish.
digs
3800 Grand Ave SFor all your sewing and crafting needs right in the neighborhood.
A little of this and a little of that but it's all so so cute. You might not know how much you need that adorable whale mug or the Minnesota shaped cutting board until you walk into this store.
74 locals recommend
Patina
1009 W Franklin AveA little of this and a little of that but it's all so so cute. You might not know how much you need that adorable whale mug or the Minnesota shaped cutting board until you walk into this store.
Lots of little shops and restaurants line 50th and France such as Athleta, Banana Republic, Pacifier, Title Nine.
50 locals recommend
50th & France
Lots of little shops and restaurants line 50th and France such as Athleta, Banana Republic, Pacifier, Title Nine.