It’s that time of year when we all reflect on the joys and the hardships of the past 365 days. Undoubtedly, one of the joys of 2024 is how the Minneapolis/St. Paul food scene has continued to grow, with new dining experiences popping up left and right. Although it’s a tough job, someone’s got to do it — here, we’ve selected the 12 best new Twin Cities restaurants of 2024.
Photography provided by The Restaurant Project
Minari
Restaurateur extraordinaire Daniel del Prado has done it again, this time in collaboration with his longtime executive chef and culinary director, Jeff Watson. The extensive menu at Minari reflects Watson’s Korean ancestry, with a range of enticing East Asian flavors. The dim sum, the poached scallops, the crab ramyeon, the charcoal BBQ strip loin, the inventive cocktails — there’s not a wrong move here. The interior design of this Northeast Minneapolis eatery is equally as beautiful as the food itself.
Photography by Chad Holder/Destiny Western
Bûcheron
Francophiles know this South Minneapolis neighborhood spot is as close as it gets to the bistros of Paris thanks to its inviting atmosphere and exquisite fare. Of course, we’d expect nothing less from former Demi Chef de Cuisine Adam Ritter and former Bellecour General Manager Jeanie Janas Ritter, who spent years crafting the excellent experience at Gavin Kaysen’s eateries. The seasonally rotating menu is equal parts Minnesota and France, with standouts like smoked whitefish dip, butternut squash agnolotti and a grilled Berkshire pork chop.
Photography by ENGLE // OLSON
Eloise
Lindsay Pohlad is continuing to elevate the Wayzata food scene, adding this elegant dinner-only eatery right next door to her popular Grocer’s Table cafe and market. The vibe is moody yet mod, inviting you to belly up to the bar, nosh on the relish tray (yes, there’s a relish tray) and spend some time laughing with your fellow mankind. No detail is overlooked, from the housemade garnishes adorning artful cocktails to can’t-miss dishes like the salmon tartare, pan-seared steelhead trout and wagyu meatloaf wellington.
Photography by Gemma Weston/Connor Siedow
Diane’s Place
Another Gavin Kaysen alum who struck out on her own this year is Diane Moua, pastry chef turned restaurateur who’s honoring her Hmong heritage with her Northeast Minneapolis eatery. At Diane’s Place, she shares flavors reflecting her upbringing on a central Wisconsin farm raised by immigrant parents. That comes to life in dishes like a Spam and nori croissant, sour pork short ribs, and of course Hmong sausage. And yes, there are still plenty of incredible pastries to be had.
Photography provided by Barcelona Wine Bar
Barcelona Wine Bar
With nearly 400 wines on offer plus dozens of tapas for pairing, Barcelona is a oenophile’s dream. The North Loop restaurant is a hot spot primed for many occasions: girls’ wine night, happy hour with the coworkers, a pre- or post-Twins game drink — you name it. It’s easy to get entranced by the buzzy atmosphere, and before you know it, you’ve closed down the bar. Just don’t miss out on the entrées and desserts, which are equally deserving of your attention.
Photography provided by Jorge Guzman/Chilango
Chilango
Twin Cities foodies have shared in Jorge Guzmán’s successes and struggles over the years, and now we’re all rejoicing that he’s cooking up authentic yet unexpected Mexican cuisine at Chilango. On the plate, that translates to tuna tostadas, steak fajitas, Baja fish tacos and camarones al diablo. The Uptown eatery looks out on Lake Bde Maka Ska, serving up picturesque views in addition to these delectable dishes.
Photography provided by Saturday Dumpling Co.
Saturday Dumpling Co.
What began as a popular pop-up shop is now a casual yet cozy Northeast Minneapolis eatery offering its namesake food as well as rice bowls and scallion pancake burritos (yes and yes). The back story: Husband-and-wife owners Peter Bian and Linda Cao found themselves craving the foods of their childhoods, so they started making dumplings from scratch and sharing them with loved ones. Soon they were getting requests for orders — then for a brick-and-mortar location. Lucky us that they delivered on that ask.
Photography by Tyson Crockett
Lagniappe
Minneapolis meets New Orleans at this South Minneapolis restaurant next door to the Du Nord Cocktail Room (and from the same team behind that popular spot). The name itself speaks to the idea of that little something extra, which the team here certainly delivers on. We suggest starting with the char-broiled oysters, pimento cheese and fried green tomato, then following up with the crawfish monica and grillades and grits if you’ve still got room. Oh, and you’ll need a pan of cast-iron cornbread, obviously.
Photography by Isabel Subtil/Wing Ho
Dario
Pasta lovers unite! Industry veterans Joe Rolle and Stephen Rowe teamed up to bring handmade pastas and other contemporary Italian favorites to the North Loop. The poppy pink interiors are as Instagram-worthy as the fare is mouth-watering, making for a dining experience that’s sure to please all the senses. The only challenge is determining which entrées you’ll be savoring tonight — think garganelli with pork ragu, wild mushroom tortellini, and beef short rib and agnolotti — and which you’ll be saving for your next trip to this buzzy restaurant.
Photography by Jeremy Lee
Boketto
St. Louis Park has a new steakhouse, and this one is for keeps. But there’s more than just beef on the menu; there are also plenty of Japanese influences at this self-proclaimed “Mediterr-Asian” eatery. The vibe is fun and festive, and so is the food — including hits like the short rib bao bun, lobster pappardelle, and wagyu and foie gras sushi roll that’s torched tableside. You’ll also need to save room for some steak, including certified angus, Australian jade wagyu and Japanese A5 wagyu cooked to perfection and served with your favorite accompaniments and sides.
Photography by Roy Son
Dexter’s
Can a sports bar really make a best restaurants list? Yes, if it’s from Daniel del Prado in partnership with a former employee and her husband, Carla and Spencer Jones. It’s an elevated take, of course, situated at 50th & France in Edina. Sports are indeed on the TVs lining the walls, while plates are filled with refined bar fare like cinnamon dry-rub wings, onion rings, trout roe dip and some of the best burgers in town. Good food in an easy-going atmosphere? Yes, please.
Photography by Lauren Cutshall
Vinai
And last but certainly not least is perhaps the most celebrated debut of the year, Yia Vang’s long-awaited Vinai. The renowned Hmong-American chef named the Northeast Minneapolis restaurant after the Thailand refugee camp where his parents met and where he was born, and it’s an all-out love letter to his parents. The menu is full of culinary delights based on family recipes, including the must-try sardines snack, fried catfish, crabby fried rice and braised beef rib; there’s even a secret menu for those in the know.
