For many of us, this year challenged us in unimaginable ways. And yet, amid the chaos that was 2025, there was also cause for celebration, like the latest restaurant openings adding flavor and flair to the thriving Minneapolis/St. Paul food scene. Including revivals of old favorites — such as hometown hero Gavin Kaysen’s Bellecour — and additional outposts of new favorites — such as husband-and-wife duo Peter Bian and Linda Cao’s Saturday Dumpling Co. — here are the best new Twin Cities restaurants of 2025.
Photography by Sarah Corder
Bellecour North Loop
Gavin Kaysen’s Bellecour is back alongside its Soigné Hospitality siblings (Spoon and Stable, Demi, Mara), and it’s better than ever. It was très triste when the initial Wayzata iteration of this beloved French bistro-meets-bakery shuttered in 2020. But there’s a happy ending to this story, with a full-service revival in the North Loop (as well as a daytime cafe in Edina). The day-to-night transformation feels familiar but with a more intimate, more intentional vibe. Much like its local celebrity chef, Bellecour feels distinguished yet down-to-earth. Cheers to more fine-dining experiences that follow suit.
Photography by Roy Son
Animales BBQ Co.
Here in the Twin Cities, no one does barbecue like Animales. What was once a seasonal food truck is now a 12,500-square-foot house of meat in Minneapolis’s burgeoning Harrison neighborhood. Chef/owner Jon Wipfli has wisely developed a food-meets-fun destination, with live music, a kids play area and more. It’s a whole vibe for the whole family, centered around smoked meats. The best plan of attack here? Meeting up with friends so you can taste more of the menu. The St. Louis–style ribs steal the show, but the pork belly, chopped pork shoulder and andouille sausage also pair nicely with starters like crab hushpuppies and sides like coleslaw, mac and cheese, and dill-picked green beans.
Photography provided by Stock & Bond
Stock & Bond
We’re calling it: Stock & Bond represents the resurgence of the downtown Minneapolis steakhouse scene. Of course, it never truly went away, but it has definitely laid dormant in recent years. Housed in the Farmers and Mechanics Bank building, this moody eatery delivers on all fronts, from the food to the decor to the FOMO factor. The beef here — featuring Linz family heritage angus — is outstanding, as are the whiskey offerings (350+ options) and the entire cocktail program, for that matter. It’s the perfect special-occasion eatery with something to satisfy every taste.
Photography provided by London King
Thérèse
Daniel del Prado does it again, this time with a neighborhood French brasserie in Edina named for his mom. Setting up shop in prime 50th & France real estate (in the former Lynhall space), the upscale yet easygoing eatery answers Francophiles’ every craving. Our advice? You’d best arrive hungry, because you’ll certainly leave sated, thanks to delectable dinnertime dishes like raw oysters, beef tartare, chicken liver pate and lobster thermidor. For those feeling extra bougie, there’s caviar service. Brunch and lunch offerings are equally as enticing, albeit on the lighter side (think salads, sandwiches and tartines).
Photography provided by Stargazer
Stargazer
What happens when some of the Twin Cities’ best foodie and libation innovators join forces? This intimate intergalactic-themed bar. A collaboration between the Travail crew (Mike Brown, Bob Gerken, James Winberg) and Meteor co-owner Robb Jones, Stargazer is situated in one of the buzziest parts of Northeast — right next door to Yia Vang’s celebrated Vinai. When all parties involved have been recognized by the James Beard Foundation, you know you’re in for a good time. Elevated bar snacks like Nashville hot chicken nuggets, mussels fra diavolo and spaghetti giapponese complement creative cocktails with monikers like Fiasco, Boogie Nights and Milky Whey. It’s a reminder that food — even really good food — shouldn’t be taken too seriously.
Photography provided Mirabelle
Mirabelle
The Excelsior food scene got some major upgrades this year, with inventive eateries from renowned restaurateurs taking up residence here. Case in point? Jester Concepts’ Mirabelle, which shares a building with sister concepts Shiki and Parlour Bar. It embodies all the best traits of this western suburb: warm, welcoming, unassuming. Plus the wide-ranging menu includes everything from raw and grilled oysters to prime rib to a Parlour Burger (obvi). Everything here invites you to settle in with a good friend and some good food and stay awhile.
Photography by Earth Girl Creative
St. Pierre Steak & Seafood
This spring, power culinary couple Isaac Becker and Nancy St. Pierre (112 Eatery, Bar La Grassa) transformed their Snack Bar space in the North Loop into a steak and seafood emporium. Devotees will notice delightful holdovers from both Burch (RIP) and the aforementioned Snack Bar — think dishes like the schupfnudeln, the pici, the pressed game hen — alongside soon-to-be favorites on the menu. Our top picks? The crab and sea bean salad, the foie gras toast with escargot, the barramundi in crazy water, the Niman Ranch hanger steak and of course the gougères.
Photography by the Glass Plate
Mestiizo
Mexican and Asian flavors mix and meld at this Northeast cocktail lounge from bartending extraordinaire Danny Guerrero (previously at Colita, Martina, Hola Arepa) and business partner Luis Puentes. Sure, there’s a decided focus on the libation front here, but that doesn’t mean that the food is an afterthought — far from it. Head chef Marco Luna worked with José Alarcón and Jonny Kabat to develop a menu that deftly brings together tacos, sushi, birria egg rolls and a bibimbap bowl. Echoing that sentiment of collaboration, tortillas are sourced from Gustavo and Kate Romero’s Nixta just next door.
Photography by John Mumm
Vagabondo
Fhima goes west! Foodie family David, Lori and Elijah Fhima also bet on Excelsior this year, opening this Sicilian-inspired spot on red-hot Water Street. The seafood is fresh, the pasta is handmade and the atmosphere is ever-inviting. By day, it’s a coffee lounge, and by evening, it’s an inspired Italian eatery with plenty of personality — just like its well-known proprietors. Lunch and brunch are also on offer these days, as are several rotating flavors of housemade gelato. Oh, and you can’t go wrong with a Neapolitan-style pizza, adorned with toppings like spicy sausage, fresh mozzarella and vine-ripened tomatoes.
Photography by Matt Lien
Saturday Dumpling Co.
Peter Bian and Linda Cao keep humbly expanding their Twin Cities dumpling empire. The latest Saturday Dumpling Co. outpost recently popped up in Minneapolis’s Armatage neighborhood. What makes this one particularly special is that it’s the only SDC location serving breakfast. We’re talking drool-worthy soufflé egg sammies dressed to your liking and can’t-miss congee hash browns with ginger scallion dipping sauce (trust us on this). Of course, the fan-favorite dumplings are also on offer here, meaning you’re sure to be satisfied all day long. Don’t thank us — thank Bian, Cao and company.
