The Best New Restaurants To Check Out In Minneapolis
Minneapolis is one of the most vibrant cities in the Midwest and the restaurant scene is just as much! New restaurants are popping up all the time but very few new restaurants stay open past the first year. With that being said, there are still some restaurants that are fairly new to the scene that are worth trying! Here is a list of some of the best new restaurants to check out in Minneapolis!
Thirty Bales
Named after the number of hay bales Paul Bunyan’s blue ox ate each day, Thirty Bales offers a menu that pays homage to the Midwest. While serving up popular plates like burgers, chicken, and salads, this brand new restaurant takes a new spin on these dishes by hay-smoking its ingredients. Almost all of the ingredients used at Thirty Bales are locally-sourced. The dishes are unique, fresh, and of high-quality, making this hot-spot a must-try for both Midwesterners as well as out of state visitors. The street-facing patio is surrounded by pots of growing hay, giving diners that Midwest vibe all while in the middle of vibrant and buzzing Minneapolis. Be sure to save room for dessert as the secret recipe, blue-ribbon carrot cake is to die for!
Alma
Located in southeast Minneapolis, Alma is a casual restaurant that offers upscale dishes. While only open for dinner, Alma specializes in a seasonally changing three-course menu, with the option of wine-pairings and dessert. Starting at $62 a plate, this modern and eclectic restaurant’s summer menu serves up perfected dishes like chilled sweet corn soup, mung bean pancakes, and melt-in-your-mouth poached Alaskan halibut. Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and vegetarian menus are also available upon request. Because the dining room is on the smaller side, be sure to reserve a table way in advance as it can be difficult to get a table as soon as the doors open at 5:00 PM.
Pub 819
Located in southwest Minneapolis, this whiskey, beer, and burger spot serves up comfort-food dishes like lobster mac and cheese and hearty, hot sandwiches as well as healthier options like greens and grains bowls with made-in-house dressings. Monday nights are burger nights. Every Monday the Pub offers half-price pink or no-pink burgers and two types of ketchup, both made from scratch. The restaurant’s two patios are dog-friendly, so feel free to bring along your furry friends and order them a meal off of the dog menu. While lunches at Pub 819 are generally quieter, be sure to reserve a table for dinner as the restaurant and its patios fill up quickly, especially on the weekends.
Cream and Amber
One of the trendiest hot spots to hit Minneapolis combines our love for books, beer, and food, serving up all three in a standalone building that resembles a house. The vibe is hip yet laid back and the small restaurant smells of crisp books and delicious food. Cream & Amber serves mainly light and healthy options like a veggie Panini with brie, red peppers, zucchini, and dill as well as salads including a fresh blue cheese and cranberry salad. You can also find snacks there like mini donuts, seasoned pretzels, and sweet bread. The beer menu is extensive; it includes six rotating local taps that offer a wide variety of flavor profiles. While Cream & Amber is closed Mondays, be sure to stop in the rest of the week and on weekends for a beer, book, and bite to eat!
Lago Tacos
Lago Tacos on Lyndale Avenue in Minneapolis offers both a unique and affordable dining option to the Uptown area without sacrificing the quality of service and food. This brunch, lunch, and dinner taqueria serves up meat, fish, and vegetarian tacos, burritos, and bowls that honor traditional Mexican dishes while also incorporating modern food trends (avocados are a staple here). Unlike fast-food style Mexican restaurants like Chipotle, Lago Tacos is a full service restaurant with an extensive beer, wine, and cocktail selection. Enjoy an authentic margarita on the private yet lively patio or sit indoors and marvel at the colorful décor while indulging in spicy dishes that are just as colorful!
Hoagies Family Restaurant
This breakfast and lunch destination dishes up both familiar and filling breakfast and lunch options at an affordable cost without sacrificing quality and service. Open at 5:00am Monday through Saturday, and 7:00am on Sundays, Hoagie’s offers diner-inspired plates like the all-American eggs, bacon, and toast breakfast until 11 as well as burgers and hot sandwiches for lunch. The restaurant is first come, first serve, so be prepared to wait in a short line for the next available table. Otherwise, while there is no alcohol offered at Hoagies, having breakfast at the bar is always an option. Naturally, this diner also has a daily special which can be found listed on a whiteboard next to the front door. Surrounding the whiteboard, the walls are covered with whimsical artwork and humorous signs that at times can be slightly shocking. The specials can range from a BBQ beef sandwich with onion rings to roast turkey with mashed potatoes and gravy. Whether seating yourself for breakfast or lunch, the portions are large, so be sure to arrive on an empty stomach!
Pizzeria Lola
Located on Xerxes Avenue in Minneapolis, this brand new restaurant is something to write home about! Opened by a Korean immigrant and named after her dog Lola, Chef and owner Ann Kim opened Pizzeria Lola with the dream of serving pizza and dishes she hopes her guests will like just as much as her – and we do! Offering pizzas with names like Hawaii Pie-O and Old Reliable, the former consisting of Applewood smoked bacon, fresh pineapple, mozzarella, provolone, cream, serrano peppers and the latter being your classic red sauce and cheese pizza, there is something for everyone here and each dish is made with thought and inspiration. This pizzeria takes reservations, offers takeout, as well as online delivery so you can satisfy your pizza craving any way you want!
