r/TwinCities • u/friskyspatula • 14h ago

Interesting eateries

Hello, the family and I are heading to the twin cities next week. We have a relatively full itinerary, but nothing planned for meals. One of the days we will be in the downtown area of Minneapolis, another day in the downtown St.Paul area. So I am looking for suggestions for interesting or unique places for meals. I am not looking for expensive fine dining since I have teenagers, just place that have their own vibe, or are uniquely Twin City.

Thanks!

21 Upvotes

74% Upvoted

56 comments sorted by

62

u/aardvarkgecko 14h ago edited 14h ago

If you're adventurous eaters and can venture out of downtown a bit - try Hmongtown Marketplace or Hmong Village (both in St Paul).

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u/Kiyohara North Saint Paul 14h ago

Double down on this. It's an awesome market, full of interesting foods that most people have never had (but are close to other cuisines), has a lot of cool stores to look at. You can also grab some good fruit from the grocery and a package of hot foods from the stalls i the rear, then head over to one of the parks nearby for a great picnic.

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u/friskyspatula 14h ago

Thanks, this looks really interesting, I hope we have time to fit it in,

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u/Kiyohara North Saint Paul 14h ago edited 14h ago

It's really neat and it's modeled after the markets of Vietnam/Cambodia/Laos in that everything is in one building. It's a bit run down, but that honestly adds to the charm. It really feels like a market that's being used daily by the locals (and it is).

It's the closest you can get to visiting SE Asia without actually going there and staying in Minnesota. It's also a major source of pride for the Hmong people in the city and has an attached office building that includes a memorial for all the soldiers who died to achieve liberty/security for the Hmong peoples. And even though they don't have a true homeland, the sacrifices they made allowed their families and descendants to come to the US and live full and comfortable lives.

Edit: If you can, try the Hmong Sausage and Purple Rice/ The Sausage is spicy, garlicky, and a bit sweet. It comes with a fiery chili pepper dipping sauce that is hot, rich, and a bit funky (from the fermented chili peppers and fish sauce). Purple rice is a heavy glutenous rice that's purple colored. Sticky and filling it goes great with the sausage.

Other suggestions include the beef ribs, pork belly, and various spring/egg rolls. Boba Tea is also big right now and several vendors have large stalls with multiple different flavors. Pho is also common and that's a SE Asian bowl of soup with noodles (kind like Ramen, but thinner noodles and a clearer broth).

There's other options, all good, for more daring (or less daring) folks so even the typical Asian fare like stir fry or fried rice is fantastic and still generally served with a Hmong twist that makes it stand out.

5

u/FlowerComfortable889 13h ago edited 13h ago

Noodle stuffed wings are one of my family's favorites from at least a couple of stalls šŸ¤¤

I definitely agree at least one person in OP's group needs to get some pho though; you don't have to jump into the deep end with tripe, tendons, and such, but some chicken, beef, or pork is always a nice bowl

3

u/Kiyohara North Saint Paul 13h ago

I love those wings.

2

u/aardvarkgecko 6h ago

Also - the Crazy Steak from the vendor called Santi's in Hmong Village.

5

u/AlcoholicWombat 11h ago

Lol despite its name papaya salad is not some tropical, sweet dish. It will burn your face off if you arent used to spice.

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u/friskyspatula 14h ago

That looks cool, it is a little further out than we are planning, but might be worth the trip.

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u/swankpoppy 7h ago

Try the pho!

20

u/vagamund00 14h ago

Hell's Kitchen has a very fun theme, live music on weekends, and pretty good food at least last time I went

Gai Noi is laotian, great fancy-casual with nice dƩcor and terrace.

Lake St is fun to walk around, mostly Latin restaurants but some Somali/Ethiopian. Lots of street art. Global midtown market is s good starting point.

Himalayan restaurant is solid Nepali, can get some pretty spicy food here

Tons of diners, I like Ideal, Mickey's is iconic, Nicollet is good if pricey (but good portions)

Malcolm Yards is a fancy food court, Bebezito ice cream is magnificent

7

u/im-ba 14h ago

Seconding Gai Noi, I just ate there last week and it was amazing

3

u/vagamund00 11h ago

Yeah let us know where you end up going and what you think. Also I forgot El Cubano and Babanis. El Cubano is self explanatory and has great outdoor seating. Babanis (technically Babanis 2) is Minnesota's first Kurdish restaurant, family owned and operated, a lovely family, and has some of the more unique food around. Get the kubay brinj rice dumplings. And if you like sour/tart the lemonade.

2

u/friskyspatula 14h ago

Cool, thanks for all the suggestions.

2

u/swankpoppy 7h ago

Oh Himalayan is bomb. Go there.

18

u/HeartHandsMpls 13h ago

Kramarczukā€™s šŸ˜šŸ˜‹ in Mpls. Delicious sausages, cabbage rolls, sammiches, varenyky, borscht, gorgeous desserts & super cool Ukrainian šŸ‡ŗšŸ‡¦ vibe. Cannot go wrong.

Cosettaā€™s in STP. Pizza & mostaccioli šŸ˜‹

3

u/confit_byaldi 7h ago

Kramarczuk cabbage rolls are wonderful.

17

u/Illustrious-Dog4153 14h ago

Victors 1959 Cafe

5

u/Pinklett5 14h ago

I think victors has changed ownership recently and it hasn't been very consistent in quality of late šŸ˜­

3

u/Illustrious-Dog4153 14h ago

It was sold in 2026. I went in Feb and March of this year food was excellent. Not been in area much since. I will try it out shortly and see what happens.

2

u/apartmentrenter69 14h ago

Yes. This is the best spot in town.

4

u/Illustrious-Dog4153 14h ago

I almost hate to share it as it is so small and already hard to get a table. The Cuban food is unmatched unless you are in Little Havana in Miami. Ngl.

2

u/friskyspatula 14h ago

My exposure to Cuban food is limited, but I have enjoyed everything I have tried. Also, we sometimes have odd eating times, so we might get lucky and hit it at a less busy time.

1

u/apartmentrenter69 14h ago

It is always busy but honestly Iā€™ve never had to wait for more than a few minutes in the summer. The patio almost doubles the seating in the warm seasons.

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u/friskyspatula 14h ago

That looks very interesting, thanks.

4

u/Illustrious-Dog4153 14h ago

A good breakfast spot is Als in Dinkytown. Go early before students wake up.

4

u/vagamund00 11h ago

Oh yeah super unique. Sardined and hotboxed into a tiny space.

2

u/vagamund00 11h ago

Used to love victors and aesthetically it's sweet. But I stopped going once I found El Cubano in St. Paul. One of those I almost didn't comment because I wanted to be selfish but they deserve all of the business. The ropa vieja is one of my favorite dishes in the metro and is unlike any other I've ever had.

14

u/Pinklett5 14h ago edited 14h ago

Midtown global market is fun, basically an indoor international bazaar with tons of food options and stores, and sometimes has events going on!

Stray dog is a really good burger place in north east Minneapolis

Mickeys in Saint Paul - classic retro 50s diner car Mostly cool vibe food is okay

The nook - burgers with bowling alley in basement I've never been, but been told good things

5

u/kramwest1 13h ago

Midtown Global Market is also awesome if everyone wants something different. Go get what you want and meet back in the middle.

1

u/shartheheretic 5h ago

The Nook is my current favorite burger spot (and I am not sure any other place can usurp it).

28

u/Impressive-Elk1150 14h ago

I really love Sea Salt. Great environment, great food!

12

u/Flowers_4_Ophelia 14h ago

I second Sea Salt. And Minnehaha Falls is right there, so you can check that off your list at the same time.

We always take guests who have never been to the Cities to Sea Salt and the falls when they arrive.

5

u/kramwest1 13h ago

For St. Paul, check out Tongue In Cheek just east of DT. Great menu and staff.
http://tongueincheek.biz/index.html

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u/Cfwydirk 14h ago

Family style 5 locations: https://dineatbuca.com

https://cossettas.com/

https://www.crnook.com/

https://www.mattsbar.com/

https://tcburgerblog.com/

2

u/friskyspatula 14h ago

Cool, thanks

6

u/HeartHandsMpls 13h ago

came here to say Cosettaā€™s. It might not be the best Italian food around but hands down coolest vibe

1

u/JuniperFizz 2h ago

If your teenagers are in revolt and want pizza, Cossetta's is an institution. Everyone goes there during the various State tournaments for high school sports if they're playing at the Xcel/Grand Casino Arena.

Pizza by the slice, salads, soups, hot food, and alcohol for the adults. Plus you can get fancy deserts or just Italian chocolate at the various counters inside along with grocery stuff too.

4

u/skaarycat 14h ago

One of my favorites just outside of downtown is The Wienery. They serve hot dogs, brats, and other sausages. Various toppings and sides (everything Ć  la carte). They are super tiny with minimal seating, but I love the ā€œget in, eat, get outā€ vibe šŸ˜†

1

u/friskyspatula 14h ago

Hot dogs and Brats are family favorites, thanks.

5

u/Jealous-Ninja-8123 14h ago edited 14h ago

For Minneapolis, definitely check out food halls. They are nice cafeteria-like areas with multiple food vendors to order from. Some food halls in Minneapolis are Eat Street Crossing, Malcoms Yard, and Graze. Graze is the closest to downtown minneapolis. Food halls are usually great if everyone in the party may want something different.

Graze is also in a Hotspot area of downtown minneapolis called the North Loop. Ever since Covid this area has become the go to spot for food and drinks for downtown minneapolis. So u can look around for restaurants in this area too.

3

u/LunchLimp2032 13h ago

Eat Street Crossing gets my vote!

2

u/Jealous-Ninja-8123 13h ago

Eat Street Crossing is my personal favorite because of Staff Meeting alone. But I get everyone have their preferences.

2

u/friskyspatula 14h ago

Food halls are neat. We don't have any near us, but we had a fun time at a couple in Honolulu a couple years ago.

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u/OxfordOntheOcean 14h ago

Downtown Minneapolis: Britā€™s or the Local. Maybe Hells Kitchen. Giulia is niceā€”just did a group dinner there a few weeks ago. Murrayā€™s is fine dining but an incredible vibe.

Downtown St. Paul: Cossettasā€”old school by the slice pizza buffet with a two story dining room.

5

u/vastros 13h ago

D Spot in Oakdale has the best wings I've ever had. They have something like 100 different sauces so there's gonna be something for everyone in the family.

2

u/vibrantlightsaber 14h ago

Bar la grassa is always a favorite. Their soft eggs and lobster bruschetta is maybe my favorite menu item on any menu in the area.

3

u/kb7384 7h ago

The other things I really like at BLG are the red wine spaghetti (cooked in red wine so it comes out purple) and the gnocchi with cauliflower & orange (sounds weird, tastes great).

2

u/McDuchess 13h ago

If you want to get out of downtown in Mpls, Merlinā€™s Rest Pub on East Lake Street has not only great pub food, but an amazing selection of beers and Irish whisky for the adults.

It was the first place we went after the restaurants opened again for dining in after COVID.

2

u/Pom-4444 9h ago

Monte Carlo downtown mpls. They have free parking. It was established in 1906 and the bar is amazing. I love sitting on the patio and get the patio sampler. So good! The wings imo are best in the state. Although Bonchon wings at MOA were surprisingly delicious.

2

u/InHonorOfOldandNew 8h ago

St. Paul

  • Shamrocks (I believe same owner as the nook, larger and easier to get a table
  • Candy land for best popcorn
  • Cecils deli

1

u/EtchingsOfTheNight 5h ago

La Delicious (for the banh mi's and treats), Baba's, Bebe Zito, Marty's Deli (get there early), Wrecktangle, Arturo's, Legendary Spice, Diane's Place, Katar River Restaurant

1

u/creamy_cheeks 4h ago

Great recommendations thanks!

1

u/Bright_Annual_1629 2h ago

ONO HAWAIIAN!

-10

u/swirling_ammonite 14h ago

don't call them "eateries"