The Twin Cities has become nationally renowned for its rich, robust dining scene, and the latest additions only deepen the flavors of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. We’ve spent the past eight months eating our way through them all to bring you the top 10 new Twin Cities dining experiences, including fresh restaurants, menu revamps and reboots of old favorites.
Photography provided by Stock & Bond
Stock & Bond
Ushering in a new era of the downtown Minneapolis steakhouse is moody yet mod Stock & Bond, which pays homage to its lauded locale in the Farmers and Mechanics Bank building (now home to the Westin). Every aspect of the Apicii-run eatery is on point, from the art deco ambiance (like a can’t-look-away ceiling mural by Aaron Petz) to the mouthwatering menu (including the must-try Fellers Ranch wagyu New York strip) to the beverage program (featuring more than 350 American whiskeys, bourbons and ryes). We reckon this restaurant might even bring back the power lunch.
Photography provided by Mirabelle
Mirabelle
Out west, Excelsior is the latest suburban hot spot, and Jester Concepts is bringing the heat. The local hospitality group has opened three eateries all at the corner of Water and Second streets within the past year, including a Parlour outpost, Shiki noodle bar and, most notably, new neighborhood favorite Mirabelle. Here, the vibe is coastal chill and the fare is American comfort. Highlights from the supper club–inspired menu include the relish tray (obviously), the bucatini and the crab-stuffed walleye — and of course the popovers with honey butter.
Photography by Erik Hamline
Bar Harmony
Cafe Harmony owner Erik Hamline opted to give his petite Northeast coffee shop a day-to-night alter ego with this European-style wine bar that’s open Thursday to Saturday evenings. Also the owner of next-door menswear shop EQUIPMENT, he is a champion of this part of the neighborhood, which has been experiencing a renaissance as of late. Rotating wines, sakes and cocktails are paired with bougie bar snacks like olives, boquerones, and cheese and charcuterie plates. Night owls will love the late-night happy hour, available from 10 p.m. to close.
Photography provided by Italian Eatery
Italian Eatery
This South Minneapolis favorite (better known as ie) became so beloved during its decade-long run under founders Eric and Vanessa Carrara that the entire neighborhood mourned its closing last fall — then celebrated its reopening this spring. The trio behind Travail Collective, which now helms the restaurant, wisely kept the classics (spaghetti pomodoro, mushroom cappelletti) to satisfy the regulars while also incorporating their signature inventive flair. As for the bar program, the wines are all Italian (as they always have been at ie) and the negroni list is extensive.
Photography provided by Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar
Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar
A day of watching horseracing at Shakopee’s Canterbury Park just got an upgrade with this expansive entertainment venue conceived by industry veterans Joe Berg (Pourhouse, The Rabbit Hole) and Thomas Pivec (Lord Fletcher’s). Boasting a massive trackside patio, Boardwalk is bringing good eats and good times — think live music, lawn games, horse betting and playful equestrian-inspired decor — to the south metro. In the kitchen, Executive Chef Chris Dmochowski (CōV Wayzata, Campiello) cooks up elevated sports bar eats with an East Coast influence, such as hot smoked salmon, shrimp hush puppies, crispy buffalo cauliflower and ricotta gnocchi.
Photography by John Mumm
Vagabondo
David Fhima has continued to expand his empire, this time to Excelsior with a concept that feels highly personal. This Sicilian-inspired restaurant pays homage to the acclaimed Twin Cities chef/restaurateur’s family history, with fresh seafood, housemade pastas, Neapolitan-style pizzas and spritzes aplenty. During our delightful dinner here, we were particularly fond of the beef carpaccio, pappardelle pancetta carbonara and bavette steak with fries. Breakfast and (soon) lunch are also on offer in the airy space that gets plenty of natural light just blocks from Lake Minnetonka. As for the moniker? That’s Fhima’s childhood nickname.
Photography provided by Mr. Paul’s Supper Club
Carnival Bar
This fanciful back bar (formerly Po’ Boys and Jams) behind Mr. Paul’s Supper Club in Edina takes the whimsy of its sister eatery to a whole new level. That includes carnival-themed artwork on the walls by chef/owner Tommy Begnaud’s grandfather — the Mr. Paul — and festive food and drink offerings to match. Creative cocktails like a color-changing cordial and a popcorn margarita by Beverage Director Nick Kosevich complement Begnaud’s take on bar food: a smash burger, pimento cheese poppers and chicken liver pate. Open Thursday to Sunday with a back entrance, Carnival Bar gives off major IYKYK vibes.
Photography by Earth Girl Creative
St. Pierre Steak & Seafood
Much to the delight of Burch fans, chef Isaac Becker and restaurateur Nancy St. Pierre (112 Eatery, Bar La Grassa) have revived the local institution — sort of — in the former Snack Bar spot in the North Loop, with some seafood and some special touches. There’s really no wrong move at this clubby restaurant that’s as chic as it is cool, but we couldn’t get enough of the hand-rolled dumplings (à la Burch), the foie gras toast with escargot and of course the Niman Ranch steak program. Plus there are plenty of Snack Bar nods, too, like the pici and the fried eggplant.
Photography provided by Macanda
Macanda
This summer, this waterfront Wayzata mainstay got a welcome revamp that marries Japanese and Latin American flavors — think Nobu on the shores of Lake Minnetonka. (In fact, the team even made a jaunt to the famed fusion eatery’s Mexico City outpost for research purposes.) The result? An incredibly wide-ranging menu featuring everything from sushi to street tacos to sushi tacos (trust us on this one). The space also got a face-lift, with blue banquettes and verdant greenery that feel as transportive as the food itself.
Photography by Lock and Key
The Cabana Club
St. Anthony Main has long been a favorite Minneapolis destination, but we can all agree it has been in need of some new energy in recent years. Enter the Cabana Club, which earlier this year opened in the coveted Vic’s riverside spot that had sat vacant since 2018. Global flavor is the name of the game here, with travel-inspired eats like seabass crudo, piri piri shrimp, brisket pho and curried cauliflower. Equally enticing are the destination-oriented drinks (available in a range of proofs), from the tequila- and mezcal-imbued Mexico City to yuzu- and lemongrass-flavored Tokyo. Bon voyage!
