What do you think of when you hear about Minnesota? Most people think about the snow, the frigid cold, ice fishing, the music artist Prince (may he rest in peace), and our 10,000 lakes.

With four seasons and skyways connected to hotels, shops, and restaurants, the Twin Cities has something for everyone.

I bet you didn’t know there are a lot of food nerds around cooking up some of the best food places in Minneapolis starting with Eat Street.

Whether you have visited Minnesota before or for the first time, I hope that one or more of these 15 best food places in Minneapolis encourage you to come back to eat with us and visit more often.

Twin Cities in Minnesota

Minneapolis and St. Paul are commonly known as the Twin Cities in Minnesota. These sister cities contain a melting pot of culture, food, and music waiting for you to experience.

Whether at a farmer’s market, the State Fair, or a food truck festival, there is always something cooking.

The places I am going to share with you may not look like much on the outside and perhaps scary.

I guarantee these hole in the wall places are warm, welcoming, and will make you feel like you are family.

If you’re just passing through, short on time, unable to sit down for a meal, or need to give your brain a creative boost with some yummy grub while working on a project from home, a lot of these restaurants are listed on food delivery apps or allow for pickup.

1. Emily’s Lebanese Deli

Address: 641 University Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413. This family-owned restaurant has been in business for 38 years. The Middle Eastern restaurant has been featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives show.

If you haven’t tried Lebanese cuisine before, be prepared to leave the restaurant well fed.

I recommend trying the appetizer plate that has a little bit of everything: hummus, baba ghannuj, olives & feta cheese & peppers.

For the main entree, I try the chicken kabob that comes with chicken and rice along with tabouli, bread and salad dressing for dipping. For dessert, keep it simple with a piece of baklava and Turkish coffee.

Website: https://emilyslebanesedeli.com/

2. Spoon and Stable

The restaurant serves seasonal Midwestern food with a French twist yet the food is simple and delicious.

Arrive early to get a good seat at the bar to watch the chefs prepare your food. End the evening with a couple of glasses of tawny port adding up to 100-years.

Website: https://www.spoonandstable.com/.

3. Victor’s 1959 Cafe

Experience a little piece of Cuba and revolutionary cooking. The restaurant has been featured on Food Networks “Best Of” Breakfast Spots and Diner’s Drive-ins and Dives shows. Items on the menu are made from traditional Cuban recipes.

The restaurant isn’t that big so be sure to arrive early or you will find yourself standing outside waiting for a table. Trust me, the wait is worth it.

My favorite item on the breakfast menu is the Cuban hash with a side of rice and of course a cortadito (espresso with steamed milk).

Website: http://victors1959cafe.com/.

4. Holy Land Deli and Restaurant

What can I say about this restaurant except that it is the best-hidden gem in town?

Somehow Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives found this Middle Eastern restaurant and gave a wonderful mention on its show.

What is nice is the grocery store/deli is physically connected to the restaurant.

You can buy from and enjoy at home like pickled cucumbers from Iraq, Turkish delights, and coffee.

Website: http://holylandbrand.com/.

5. Babani’s Kurdish Restaurant

Make it a weekend affair to go on a Middle Eastern culinary journey from Minneapolis to St. Paul starting with Emily’s Lebanese Deli, followed by Holy Land, and ending with Babani’s.

Other than it’s wonderful and very affordable cuisine, Babani’s is the first Kurdish restaurant to open in the United States. Upon entering the restaurant, you instantly feel like you are part of the family.

Website: http://www.babanis.com/.

6. Glam Doll Donuts

This isn’t your typical donut shop. Don’t let the quirky atmosphere of the donut shop upon walking in keep you away from enjoying a tasty work of art made from scratch.

Converse with the sassy Glam Dolls Teresa and Arwyn.

Learn about the history of Eat Street while enjoying a maple buttercream and caramelized bacon or mac and cheese donut.

Website: https://glamdolldonuts.com/.

7. Wuollet Bakery

If you haven’t noticed already, I am a donut and pastry girl and only the best will do. This family-owned bakery has been in open since 1944.

Unique European loaves of bread, irresistible tortes, fresh pastries, and coffee cakes will have you coming back again and again.

Website: http://www.wuollet.com/.

8. Hen House Eatery

Farm to table goodness, fresh ingredients with a fun atmosphere, Hen House Eatery is the best place to go to for an all-day breakfast menu.

My favorite is the ranchero tostadas and loon juice.

Website: https://www.henhouseeatery.com/.

9. Hmong Marketplace

Open year-round, experience Southeast Asian cuisine by touring the 125 stores, 11 restaurants, and outdoor farmer’s market.

My favorite dish is pork belly with a side of rice and an iced coffee bubble drink.

Website: https://hmongtownmarketplace.com/.

10. Los Andes Restaurant

Address: 317 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408. Serving dishes from Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia. If you have ever traveled to those places, this restaurant will bring back memories of South American cuisine and a lively family-like atmosphere full of laughter.

11. Minnesota State Fair

Annual “Minnesota Get Together” is where you can eat anything on a stick to your heart’s content, listen to good music, talk to farmers, learn about where your food comes from, and watch bees make liquid gold in front of your eyes.

The foodie event is so good that I schedule my travel around the 12 days of fun from Aug. 22 – Labor Day. I have been attending since I was a kid.

Website: https://www.mnstatefair.org/.

12. Saint Dinette

Explore French-inspired flavors from Montreal to New Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico by enjoying a bowl of shrimp and grits or foie gras.

Then go for a leisure walk to Lower Landing Park along the Mississippi River.

Website: https://www.saintdinette.com/.

13. Black Waffle and Coffee Bar

I don’t just come for the vanilla matcha latter, but also for the naughty waffles. Yes, the name is real and is on the menu. It’s a great place to hang out to catch up on email without it being too noisy.

Website: https://blackcoffeeandwaffle.com/.

14. Seward Co-op Creamery Cafe

Locally grown and raised ingredients from small-scale farmers are what makes keeps me coming back and warm hospitality from the staff.

Menu prices reflect the living wage paid to employees as the restaurant doesn’t accept tips.

Website: https://coopcreamery.coop/.

15. A.T. The Black and White Restaurant

I can’t begin to describe this place properly. The food is so fantastic that I can’t recommend just one entree. You simply have to come to experience the delicious food for yourself and the homemade desserts like the dark chocolate mousse.

The restaurant is located outside of the Twin Cities, 2 hours north in a city called Little Falls home to a population of 8700 people.

Website: http://attheblacknwhite.com/.

Walking Food Tour

I could go on and on with the number of places to eat in the Twin Cities, but if you really want to explore Minneapolis off the beaten path, I recommend squeezing in a walking food tour.

The Historic Northeast Minneapolis Food Tour takes you on a three-hour guided journey through the Minneapolis riverfront.

While learning about the historic importance of some of the Minneapolis neighborhoods, you get to experience small bites of Polish, Greek, Italian food from six restaurants. I did this tour a couple of years ago with a couple of friends.

Three hours flew by quick. I was blown away over the number of mom and pop restaurants in the area, longevity, and the mix of cultures within a few blocks of each other.

Even locals like me can learn something new about northeast Minneapolis food while walking through history and gain more appreciation for the various food cultures.

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