Restaurants
Best of the Twin Cities | Local PicksDirectory List
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UPTOWN. This hip, sleek member of the Wolfgang Puck family of restaurants is right at home in Walker Art Center, where museum-goers enjoy haute New American fare with a decidedly Asian kick. Views of the Minneapolis skyline are prominent as you feast on fresh butterfish, short ribs, tempura shrimp, and roasted Cantonese duck. Ingredients are amazingly fresh, allowing for the food's true flavors to come bursting forth. Don't miss the signature dessert Spoon, Cube, and Cherry which mimics the famous Claes Oldenburg sculpture, Spoonbridge and Cherry, in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.
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GRAND AVENUE. Acropol Inn, located in the fashionable Grand Avenue area, has been a staple on the St. Paul dining scene for decades. The mom-and-pop-style, family-owned restaurant offers an authentic Greek menu and refined dining. Expect to see well-heeled business types enjoying the likes of pasticcio, moussaka, lamb, dolmades, and Greek salads. In European tradition, the restaurant is closed for the month of July each summer.
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DINKYTOWN. Al's greasy-spoon decor has been preserved for many years, along with a classic breakfast menu. Located near the university, the place attracts students and alums who are thrilled to return and find Al's just as they remember it. Deemed by some folks as the best breakfast place in the Twin Cities, Al's is known for blueberry and blackberry buttermilk pancakes as well as for omelets and eggs Benedict. They only take cash, and if you're in the door before 1pm, they'll happily serve you. A small place, so don't be surprised by waits.
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NOKOMIS. Hearty southern Italian cuisine comes to South Minneapolis in this cozy restaurant. Yellow-gold paint and whimsical decorative touches create an intimate, welcoming space. Octopus with saffron potato and citronette makes for an unexpected starter, while updated classics like spaghetti with tomato and veal meatballs and gorgonzola-crusted steak with wild mushroom ragu populate the entrees menu. Arrive early on weeknights to sip half-price bottles of wine between 4:30pm and 5:30pm.
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SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS. Anodyne is a hip, funky coffee house that serves food throughout the day. The place is popular with Minneapolis's trendy folks, but you'll also see business folks stopping in at lunch, munching gourmet sandwiches, or putting away a delectable pastry or two. The beverage selection runs from espressos to teas and cocoas. Entertainments include open-mic events and various bands and performers. Local artwork is displayed too.
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DOWNTOWN. Babani's prides itself on being "America's first Kurdish restaurant." The storefront eatery offers unique atmosphere and is a great place for somewhat adventurous dining. Named after a Kurdish tribe, Babani offers traditional dishes like onion-tinged niskena soup and kubay sawar, a dumpling made with lean beef and vegetables. No meal can be complete without sampling the homemade Kurdish lemonade that is, if the imported Omani lemons have made it in!
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EDEN PRAIRIE. Just how authentic is Baker's? Try this on for size: It's the only one of nine locations not in the Lone Star State. Folksy and casual, they've built their rep on stick-to-your-ribs, hickory-smoked meats. In fact, their dishes have been called "tall food" thanks to their hefty sandwiches (chicken is the most popular). Of course, there's a wide selection of barbecue options too pulled pork, beef brisket, and ribs, for example. You can order a sandwich, a plate, or take something home by the pound.
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DOWNTOWN. One of Minneapolis's most evocative dining rooms, BANK occupies the former space of the Farmers and Mechanics Bank. Its thoughtful design is a true feast for the senses a sleek bar in the center, soaring ceilings and windows, a vault-turned-wine cellar, and beautiful early 20th century millwork. Representative mains include seared walleye with butter-poached lobster, 8-oz. beef fillet with mashed red potatoes and garlic-scented spinach, and short-rib lollipop with sweet potato hash.
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WEST ST. PAUL. This appealing Middle Eastern restaurant enjoys a fine reputation with the downtown lunch crowd, and it's not uncommon to see more than one table filled with business people. Beirut serves traditional Lebanese dishes like baba ghanoug, beef and lamb kebabs, hummus, and falafel. If you can't come at lunch for one of their awesome pitas, make an effort to show up for dinner on Friday and Saturday, when patrons are treated to belly dancing.
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EDINA. This fun, neighborhood restaurant offers a gourmet menu with Thai, Vietnamese, Indian, and Chinese dishes. Featured items include spicy Kung Pao, pad Thai, and lemon chicken all prepared right before your eyes. Homemade ginger ale is also a must.
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