From sunup to sundown, you have plenty of options when it comes to dining out in Bloomington. Here’s our tips for the best brunches and happy hours in our destination.
Breakfast and Brunch
FireLake Grill House
If you’re in the mood for a decadent meal to start your day, visit FireLake Grill House at Radisson Blu Mall of America. Their brunch menu, available Saturdays and Sundays from 11 AM-2 PM, includes delicious concoctions like the Hog Omelet, made with two different types of bacon and wild rice sausage, and Grand Marnier French Toast, a yummy dish topped with fruit and powdered sugar. Across the Mall at Cedar + Stone, Urban Table, nosh on savory (Shrimp + Grits, Croque Madame Pizza) or sweet (Chocolate Churro Waffle, Cedar + Stone Donuts) breakfast options before you start your day of shopping and fun.
There’s stand-alone options at MOA too, such as the recently opened Sweet Paris Creperie & Café. Open early at 8 AM, Sweet Paris serves mimosas, beer, and wine alongside its signature crepes and waffles. Mexican eatery Cantina Laredo puts a Southwestern spin on brunch with migas, chilaquiles, and more – plus, each diner receives a complimentary mimosa, Bloody Mary, or Bloody Maria.
Perk Up Kitchen
Directly across the street from Mall of America is Hazelwood Food + Drink, where weekend brunch starts promptly at 8:30 A.M. and offers signature dishes such as Strawberries & Cream French Toast and Monkey Bread. Perk Up Kitchen is open only for breakfast and lunch, so they’ve truly perfected the art of eggs benedict and pancakes. Visit the restaurant before noon to order the one-of-a-kind Breakfast Charcuterie, stacked with mini waffles, banana bread, and more morning goodies.
Any brunch cocktail enthusiast needs to make a stop at NorthStar Tavern in Normandale Village, which dedicates an entire section of its menu to Bloody Marys. The food at NorthStar shouldn’t be overlooked, though; it ranges from classic eggs and bacon to more creative fare like the Breakfast Poutine and Chicken and French Toast.
Looking for something lighter? Bloomington counts 4 Starbucks, 7 Caribou Coffees, and many independent coffee and tea shops within its borders.
Happy Hour
Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville
Take a timeout on shopping and roller coaster-riding for a happy hour bar crawl through Mall of America. Your first stop, Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, is a step into beachy paradise, with lounge chairs and live music that will make you feel like you’ve been transported from Minnesota to Key West. Margaritaville’s daily happy hour offers $2 off select margaritas, boat drinks, and appetizers.
Further along Level 3, South, which is lined with an endless variety of restaurants, you’ll find Mall of America’s Cowboy Jack’s outpost. This well-loved Minnesota chain has a mechanical bull and plenty of bar seating, plus select drinks for $3 and $4 and half off appetizers. At Japanese hibachi restaurant Benihana, there’s happy hour deals for $3, $6, and $9 on beverages and dishes including sushi, wings, and dumplings.
9 Mile Brewing
Happy hour options abound outside of MOA as well, with restaurants and bars in both west and east Bloomington offering discounts. Bloomington’s only brewery, Nine Mile Brewing, has happy hour each Wednesday, where you can score $1 off full pours and enjoy yard games like ladderball and bags. For even more fun and games, pop over to Full Tilt Tavern and belly up to the bar for happy hour beer, margaritas, adult slushies, and more before checking out their full arcade, variety of board games, and pool table.
The restaurants at Bloomington’s full-service hotels get in on the happy hour action too, with half-priced wine by the glass and $9 flatbreads and wings at Bloomington ChopHouse and $2 off cocktails/$3 off select appetizers at Lela Restaurant. The only thing better than discounted is free: guests who stay at Embassy Suites Bloomington/Minneapolis or Embassy Suites Minneapolis Airport are invited to the complimentary evening reception each night of their stay.
If you’re still hungry for more, view our list of restaurants in Bloomington and plan a weekend full of foodie favorites.
