Guidebook for Minneapolis
Food Scene
A hidden gem because not only is it wonderful pastries, sandwiches and salads, but tables are INSIDE Bachman's Floral garden center GREENHOUSE! Even in summer this is a treat, but in winter.....the best escape for good lunch and tropical atmosphere.
9 locals recommend
Patrick's Bakery & Cafe
2928 W 66th StA hidden gem because not only is it wonderful pastries, sandwiches and salads, but tables are INSIDE Bachman's Floral garden center GREENHOUSE! Even in summer this is a treat, but in winter.....the best escape for good lunch and tropical atmosphere.
Somewhat secret spot: no sign at the entrance because they're busy enough via word of mouth.....this French cuisine restaurant ($$-$$$$) by very popular chef Steven Brown. It's also good for a bar-stop (their champagne menu includes Miller High Life's " champagne of beers"), like during Drinks Only between 2:00-4:00 on weekends.
29 locals recommend
Saint Genevieve
5003 Bryant Ave SSomewhat secret spot: no sign at the entrance because they're busy enough via word of mouth.....this French cuisine restaurant ($$-$$$$) by very popular chef Steven Brown. It's also good for a bar-stop (their champagne menu includes Miller High Life's " champagne of beers"), like during Drinks Only between 2:00-4:00 on weekends.
Hidden jewel, because it's tucked into a quiet neighborhood and serves exquisitely innovative Mexican by a chef trained in Paris. Seafood focus with varying flavors of standard and non-traditional Mexican dishes.
10 locals recommend
El Asador
4750 Grand Ave SHidden jewel, because it's tucked into a quiet neighborhood and serves exquisitely innovative Mexican by a chef trained in Paris. Seafood focus with varying flavors of standard and non-traditional Mexican dishes.
Classic burgers, fries and really good malts. Relatively inexpensive and very family friendly
25 locals recommend
The Malt Shop
809 W 50th StClassic burgers, fries and really good malts. Relatively inexpensive and very family friendly
And coffee shop . . .. their pastries are pure decadence and arguably the best French version in the city - several high end restaurants contract them for their desserts and breads. Dark miche bread is rich and hearty - you don't have to buy the whole loaf!
84 locals recommend
Patisserie 46
4552 Grand Ave SAnd coffee shop . . .. their pastries are pure decadence and arguably the best French version in the city - several high end restaurants contract them for their desserts and breads. Dark miche bread is rich and hearty - you don't have to buy the whole loaf!
Fun bar & Restaurant with spiffed-up comfort food and great drinks. Within walking distance. Always busy 'cuz it's so popular, so expect a wait.
41 locals recommend
George and the Dragon
813 W 50th StFun bar & Restaurant with spiffed-up comfort food and great drinks. Within walking distance. Always busy 'cuz it's so popular, so expect a wait.
Voted best Italian deli in Mpls for decades. Two other Broder's eateries at same intersection: Broder's Pasta Bar is sit-down pasta dinners, mid-priced meals. Terzo, is their ritziest Italian restaurant, expensive but very good cuisine.
18 locals recommend
Broders' Cucina Italiana
2308 W 50th StVoted best Italian deli in Mpls for decades. Two other Broder's eateries at same intersection: Broder's Pasta Bar is sit-down pasta dinners, mid-priced meals. Terzo, is their ritziest Italian restaurant, expensive but very good cuisine.
Fantastic stone oven pizza. 36 craft beers on tap. Only 5 blocks away.
21 locals recommend
Red Wagon Pizza Company
5416 Penn Ave SFantastic stone oven pizza. 36 craft beers on tap. Only 5 blocks away.
New brick-and-mortar that started as a food truck, by a Mexican immigrant who not only uses recipes from his mother, but still takes instructions from her - she's "the chief" in the name. Ceviche is one of the best we've had in years, and neighbors talk about the fish tacos.
El Jefe Cocina & Bar
2916 Lyndale Ave SNew brick-and-mortar that started as a food truck, by a Mexican immigrant who not only uses recipes from his mother, but still takes instructions from her - she's "the chief" in the name. Ceviche is one of the best we've had in years, and neighbors talk about the fish tacos.
Voted Best Burgers in Twin Cities several times and for good reason. Hand-pressed, unique flavors and meats including a must-try tuna burger. So popular it's opened several locations in the area. This one is only 1.2 miles away. Often busy, but if willing to sit at the bar, usually seated right away.
55 locals recommend
Red Cow 50th & France
3624 West 50th StreetVoted Best Burgers in Twin Cities several times and for good reason. Hand-pressed, unique flavors and meats including a must-try tuna burger. So popular it's opened several locations in the area. This one is only 1.2 miles away. Often busy, but if willing to sit at the bar, usually seated right away.
Drinks & Nightlife
With more than 20 bars within a three-block radius, at least as many restaurants, theaters and music, this is a hot-spot for entertainment and eats. Our own Prince made the Uptown district famous; he made his musical debut here
108 locals recommend
Uptown
With more than 20 bars within a three-block radius, at least as many restaurants, theaters and music, this is a hot-spot for entertainment and eats. Our own Prince made the Uptown district famous; he made his musical debut here
The go-to area for local brew pubs. 3rd weekend in May there's the largest Art Crawl in the nation: Art a Whirl has over 500 artists, many with their studios in this NE. Area has recently undergone significant gentrification, as the 2011 "Surly" Law gave breweries permission to serve pints of their beer on site - now there are over 40 in Minneapolis, the majority of which are in NE.
13 locals recommend
Northeast Minneapolis Arts District
The go-to area for local brew pubs. 3rd weekend in May there's the largest Art Crawl in the nation: Art a Whirl has over 500 artists, many with their studios in this NE. Area has recently undergone significant gentrification, as the 2011 "Surly" Law gave breweries permission to serve pints of their beer on site - now there are over 40 in Minneapolis, the majority of which are in NE.
Arts & Culture
Not only the most famous theatre in town, but also has great views of the city (go to the very top as well as out on the "bridge" that juts out toward the river.) Several restaurant options here, including the estimable (and expensive) Sea Change.
376 locals recommend
Guthrie Theater
818 S 2nd StNot only the most famous theatre in town, but also has great views of the city (go to the very top as well as out on the "bridge" that juts out toward the river.) Several restaurant options here, including the estimable (and expensive) Sea Change.
Unique museum with wonderful tours, fascinating exhibits, and excellent gift shop. Cool architectural space, both inside and out, and can get through it in 1-2 hours.
51 locals recommend
The Museum of Russian Art
5500 Stevens AveUnique museum with wonderful tours, fascinating exhibits, and excellent gift shop. Cool architectural space, both inside and out, and can get through it in 1-2 hours.
Architect Frank Gehry designed this building and the adjacent bridge on the U of MN campus. Free admission; contemporary art with changing exhibits, easy to see within an hour. So walk around campus a bit afterwards.
93 locals recommend
Weisman Art Museum
333 E River PkwyArchitect Frank Gehry designed this building and the adjacent bridge on the U of MN campus. Free admission; contemporary art with changing exhibits, easy to see within an hour. So walk around campus a bit afterwards.
Free! Classic art museum spanning thousands of years. Something for everybody, but don't try to see it all in one day. Near "Eat Street" ethnic restaurants on nearby Nicollet Ave.
524 locals recommend
Minneapolis Institute of Art
2400 3rd Ave SFree! Classic art museum spanning thousands of years. Something for everybody, but don't try to see it all in one day. Near "Eat Street" ethnic restaurants on nearby Nicollet Ave.
Premier contemporary art museum, free for kids under 18. Eclectic art, perfomances and cinema. Sculpture garden has been recently renovated, and is free and open to the public. Right across from downtown with great views of the skyline.
606 locals recommend
Walker Art Center
725 Vineland PlPremier contemporary art museum, free for kids under 18. Eclectic art, perfomances and cinema. Sculpture garden has been recently renovated, and is free and open to the public. Right across from downtown with great views of the skyline.
Permanent and special exhibits are well presented in beautiful, easy-to-find museum just off of I-94 in St. Paul. Specializes in MN history, of course.
138 locals recommend
Minnesota History Center
345 W Kellogg BlvdPermanent and special exhibits are well presented in beautiful, easy-to-find museum just off of I-94 in St. Paul. Specializes in MN history, of course.
Sightseeing
http://mspmag.com/travel-and-visitors-guide.
This source (MplsSt.Paul Magazine) is what locals go to for the newest and best "to do, to see, to eat" in the Twin Cities. Here you'll find most up-to-date local suggestions.
Historical site with tours, displays, great view of the Mississippi, and nice museum displays. Historical society has occasional exhibitions and events
26 locals recommend
Unorganized Territory of Fort Snelling
Historical site with tours, displays, great view of the Mississippi, and nice museum displays. Historical society has occasional exhibitions and events
Parks & Nature
Only 1/2 mile away, free beach access. The walking and biking trails that ring Lake Harriet is accessible from this point; you'll see your first glimpse of the Lake Harriet Bandshell, which is only ~ 1.5 miles around the lake from the beach.
8 locals recommend
Lake Harriet South Beach
4612 E Lake Harriet PkwyOnly 1/2 mile away, free beach access. The walking and biking trails that ring Lake Harriet is accessible from this point; you'll see your first glimpse of the Lake Harriet Bandshell, which is only ~ 1.5 miles around the lake from the beach.
A beautiful waterfall on Minnehaha Creek. Large park with bandshell, playground, and popular (in summertime) Sea Salt restaurant (fish, fries, beer). Can rent pedal carriages for up to 6 people and ride the bike trails!
613 locals recommend
Minnehaha Falls
4801 S Minnehaha DrA beautiful waterfall on Minnehaha Creek. Large park with bandshell, playground, and popular (in summertime) Sea Salt restaurant (fish, fries, beer). Can rent pedal carriages for up to 6 people and ride the bike trails!
Easy paved hiking and biking trails parallel the Minnehaha Creek most of the way, and end up at the Mississippi River, It takes you past the Minnehaha Falls as well.
East Minnehaha Parkway
East Minnehaha ParkwayEasy paved hiking and biking trails parallel the Minnehaha Creek most of the way, and end up at the Mississippi River, It takes you past the Minnehaha Falls as well.
Shopping
Unique gift shop: clothing, presents for kids and adults, seasonal items are great
8 locals recommend
GoodThings
4315 Upton Ave SUnique gift shop: clothing, presents for kids and adults, seasonal items are great
Patina
1009 W Franklin AveLocal gift shop. Varying prices. Good quality items, and fun to peruse.
Essentials
A food cooperative that has most everything, including daily sushi, large cheese section, good deli choices, and all the organic, sustainable, and local produce, meats, and grocery items one expects of a high-end co-op. Coffee shop with seating inside, and behind the coop is a lovely picnic area that most people don't even know is there.
16 locals recommend
Lakewinds Food Co-op Richfield MN
6420 Lyndale Ave SA food cooperative that has most everything, including daily sushi, large cheese section, good deli choices, and all the organic, sustainable, and local produce, meats, and grocery items one expects of a high-end co-op. Coffee shop with seating inside, and behind the coop is a lovely picnic area that most people don't even know is there.
good all-around grocer, with good service and decent produce. Very convenient off of Hwy 62.
10 locals recommend
Lunds & Byerlys Richfield
6228 Penn Ave Sgood all-around grocer, with good service and decent produce. Very convenient off of Hwy 62.
Low-lighting for a grocery store, so stress seems low, though prices high - because produce is quite good, and cheese selections are optimal, deli is tops.
166 locals recommend
Kowalski's Market
2440 Hennepin AveLow-lighting for a grocery store, so stress seems low, though prices high - because produce is quite good, and cheese selections are optimal, deli is tops.
Walgreens
5428 Lyndale Ave SClosest drug store and pharmacy, toiletries etc.
M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital
6401 France Ave SClosest ER and urgent care hospital