Minneapolis, MN Favorites💎

My favorite spot for a staycation as well as recommendation for visitors! The standard Hewing King is roomy with cozy and rustic decor. Don't miss the rooftop lounge and spa pool with city views as well as the Tullibee Restaurant featuring locally sourced, upscale Nordic cuisine & cocktails.

The decor of the hotel is a tribute to art deco, with a comfortable blend of classic design and modern twists. Manny's Steakhouse is a must for dinner, and don't miss the Posh Living Room lobby bar and the Prohibition Bar on the 27th floor with 360-degree views of the downtown Minneapolis. Also worth noting is the interesting history of the building's namesake Wilbur B. Foshay - see https://salidamuseum.org/history/wibur-foshay

Conveniently located near the MSP Airport and connected to the Mall of America (MOA) via skyway, this contemporary hotel offers modern and spacious rooms. The FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar offers locally-inspired foods; everything from walleye and cheese curds to Minnesota wild rice.

Tasty homestyle breakfast (and lunch) at this welcoming and vibrant spot! My favs are Chilaquiles, any of their omelets, and caramel rolls (baked fresh daily, get ’em while they last).

Kind of a throwback diner with a friendly and welcoming vibe. All of their food is made fresh in-house with meats, vegetables, and cheese produced in Minnesota. Their soufflé omelettes and pancakes are especially tasty, and if the weather's nice, grab a seat in their garden patio!

A bright and fun diner offering "urban comfort food" for breakfast and more. In addition to eggs, their breakfast pancakes are especially tasty (and big)!

A wonderful cafe with all things bread and pasty! Delicious and fresh baked goods and sandwich menu as well. Relaxed spaced with floor-to-ceiling windows and a terrace. Make sure to grab a chocolate or almond croissant!

One of the longest running certified organic bakeries in the country, French Meadow Cafe offers fresh, organically grown, humane, and sustainably farmed vegetables, herbs, meats, flours, eggs, and dairy products. They offer both day and evening menus.

A spacious location near the University of Minnesota (UofM) campus, this food hall of Minneapolis flavors offers options from Asian to vegan, plus self-service beer, in a trendy industrial food court. My recent favs are the char siu at Abang Yoli and empanadas at DelSur. Plenty of parking as well as seating indoors and out.

Featuring diverse chef-inspired food concepts, this food hall spans two stories and offers a roof-top patio as well. My recent favs are Soul Bowl for fast-casual soul food, as well as Union Hmong Kitchen by award-winning chef Yia Vang. Order a Zoo Siab meal with one main (I like the pork belly), one side, pickled veggies, purple sticky rice, and lettuce wrappers. P.S. You can also find Union Hmong Kitchen at its second location on 901 W. Lake St, Minneapolis.

Offering many tastes in one place, this is an internationally themed market with stalls selling food and crafts from around the world; a vibrant reflection of Lake Street's cultural diversity. Lots of options to include the Arepa Bar, Indigenous Food Lab Market, MomoDosa, and Soul to Soul Smokehouse BBQ.

My favorite among all of James Beard awrd-winning chef/owner Gavin Kaysen’s restaurants, Spoon & Stable in the North Loop is located in a space that was once a horse stable. Be sure to snag a dinner reservation (available one month prior); the chef's counter option is perfect for foodies and they also offer a bar menu for a more casual visit (they can open up the garage door in nice weather). The menu changes seasonally, and the bar manager is none other than U.S. Bartender of the Year Jessi Pollak. Cheers!

Here for a special celebration? Demi is another Gavin Kaysen offering, this time in the form of a trendy, intimate and sophisticated restaurant serving contemporary, creative cuisine. Located across from sister restaurant Spoon & Stable, the experience a "must do" if you're a foodie! They offer 7- or 11-course tasting menu with optional wine or spirit-free drink pairing. Bon appetit! P.S. You can also check out Gavin Kaysen's vision at the recently opened Four Seasons Minneapolis: Mara Restaurant & Bar.

Located in the Linden Hills neighborhood of Minneapolis, this chic restaurant is a part of chef Daniel Del Prado's growing culinary empire in the Twin Cities area. Martina offers tasty food with Argentinian-Italian influences and delicious craft cocktails. My favorites are the beef tarter, yellowtail, crudo, and the octopus from the grill with squid ink mayo. Yum! P.S. Be on the lookout for a new restaurant concept opening August 2023 - Porzana Steakhouse and cocktail bar Flora Room in the North Loop.

Another of chef Daniel Del Prado's restaurants, Sanjusan is a Japanese-Italian fusion restaurant serving small plates in an intimate industrial space. Favorites dishes include the Hiramasa Crudo, Charred Shishito peppers, and Pork Gyoza as well as the beautifully-presented Evening Star cocktail.

Casual and lively Italian eatery with pastas and small plates by James Beard award-winning chef Isaac Becker and Nancy St. Pierre. Order a few plates to share, and don't miss the Soft Eggs & Lobster!

Another offering by Isaac Becker and Nancy St. Pierre, this intimate bistro features an eclectic menu spanning a wide range of price points. It's been a while since I've been back, but I loved the Steak Tartare and the Fried Bread starters, as well as the Tagliatelle with Foie Gras Meatballs entree. Don't skip dessert! Try Nancy Silverton's Butterscotch Budino or the Tres Leches cake!

A polished, full-service restaurant by chef Sean Sherman, Oglala Lakota, the James Beard Foundation named Owamni the best new restaurant in the United States in June 2022. Named for its location at OwamniYomni, the sacred site of peace and well-being for the Dakota and Anishinaabe people, two-thirds of Owamni’s staff identifies as Native. Specializing in Indigenous cuisine, its inspiring menu is curated around a mix of Indigenous game, fish, birds, and insects along with wild plants. Owamni prioritizes purchasing from Indigenous producers first, and their "decolonized" menu (which Sherman's partner and Owamni’s co-owner, Dana Thompson, calls “ironically foreign”) avoids dairy, wheat flour, cane sugar, beef, chicken & pork — colonial foods introduced and not originally from this land." Favorites include the Corn Taco, True Wild Rice, and Cured Salmon, as well as zero-proof cocktails and Indigenous teas.

James Beard award-winning chef Ann Kim's restaurant featuring a wood-fired cooking, the menu offers globally influenced dishes and signature pizzas. Enjoy the Sakura Pork Belly ssam (eat "wrapped" with leafy lettuce) and the Korean BBQ pizza. Seriously, the best fusion of Korean and Italian there is! Head to the speakeasy-style Back Bar for top-notch cocktail creations! As explained on their website, "Look for the red light in the alley. when the light is on, the back bar is open. Reservations are available, but not required. Walk-ins are always encouraged."

A wonderful park with a 53-foot waterfall named after the words for “water” and “waterfall” in the Dakota language, you can enjoy the many paths for a view of the cascading water from above or up close. There's plenty of seating to enjoy a tasty meal at the Sea Salt Eatery (open April - October), with everything from calamari and crab cakes to fish tacos and po boy sandwiches. They also offer Sebastian Joe's ice cream; perfect on a hot day! Tip: If visiting in the summer, check the dates for the Minnehaha Falls Art Fair in July!

This treasure-trove of over 90,000 works of art is free to visit, with tickets only required for special events and exhibitions. "Must see" pieces include Suit of Armor from the Kii Tokugawa Family (Japan), The Doryphoros statue (Roman), Cartonnage of Lady Tashat (Egyptian), and Shrine Head (Yoruba culture, Nigeria), along with Olive Trees by Vincent Van Gogh and Sunburst blown-glass by Dale Chihuly (see https://new.artsmia.org/programs/activities-for-self-guided-groups/must-see-artworks-at-mia). Enjoy the Agra Culture Restaurant (mezzanine level) and the Agra Culture Coffee Shop and Cafe (main lobby) for "healthy, sustainable, chef-crafted food," coffee, juice, wine, and craft beer.

Built during the late nineteenth century (1881-1883), the bridge crosses the Mississippi River at Saint Anthony Falls in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. The only arched bridge made of stone on the entire Mississippi River, it is now a pedestrian and bicycle bridge. Offering a beautiful view of the Minneapolis skyline, there are plenty of eateries on St. Anthony Main as well as Water Power Park for gorgeous views of the River and St. Anthony Falls. On the downtown side, you can head to the Mill City Museum to see the ruins and learn about the infamous mill explosion of 1878, or catch the Mill City Farmers Market on Saturday mornings (https://millcityfarmersmarket.org/).

The contemporary art center and adjacent Sculpture Garden are lovely place to visit, and a stroll around the garden includes the famous Spoonbridge and Cherry fountain in its center. The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is free, while the Walker Art Center has ticketed entry for its galleries (~ $20 with discounts available - see https://walkerart.org/visit/). Located within the Walker Art Center is Cardamom restaurant, with cuisine influenced by the Aegean and Mediterranean seas and another one of chef Daniel Del Prado's growing culinary empire (see Martina and Sanjusan above). Tip: Located across the interstate highway is the light blue and yellow Irene Hixon Whitney Bridge, connecting the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden with Loring Park. Near the park is Minneapolis College (https://www.minneapolis.edu) and St. Mary's Basilica (https://mary.org/), as well as Café and Bar Lurcat (http://www.lurcatminneapolis.com/) and newly opened Gai Noi restaurant featuring a Laotian-based menu (https://www.gainoimpls.com/).

Located inside the historic Colonial Warehouse in the North Loop district, Statement offers a curated selection of "women's fashions and accessories, local jewelry designs, and sassy gifts." With a selection of upscale brands and the latest trends, the shop's wonderful owner Molly features nearly 20 local brands as well! #ShopLocal For more info: ~ https://www.thestatementboutique.com/ ~ https://www.thestatementboutique.com/keepingitlocal

Featuring 100% soy candles in recycled glass jars in a variety of scents, Roseline's place also offers gifts and accessories as well as candle-making classes. My favorite scent (so far) is Fallen Leaves, and Roseline offers new and seasonal scents as well.

A wonderful selection of gifts and unique items! Patina is "specialty purveyor known for selling a mix of home decor, jewelry, fragrance, stationery, gifts and toys in an inspiring and ever-changing environment." Patina has 8 metro locations throughout the Twin Cities.

"Owned by author Louise Erdrich, Birchbark Books is a full range bookstore specializing in Indigenous American books, arts & gifts." "Birchbark Books is operated by a spirited collection of people who believe in the power of good writing, the beauty of handmade art, the strength of Native culture, and the importance of small and intimate bookstores. Our books are lovingly chosen. Our store is tended with care."

Selling products "from Japan to France to around the corner in NE Mpls," this shop offers a treasure trove of treasure trove of home goods & stationery especially from Japan. Check out their Instagram for a sample of offerings: https://www.instagram.com/shopumei/

"Magers and Quinn is an independently owned new and used bookseller located in the heart of the popular Uptown neighborhood." In addition to current releases, the shop offers hard-to-find editions and offers buy-back of used books as well.

Offering "curated, contemporary women's fashion," Co-Founder and CEO Megan Tamte alongside her husband and business partner Mike opened the first Evereve store in 2004. Now with over 100+ retail stores nationwide and a fast-growing ecommerce site, it's no longer only "local." But the heart of EVEREVE is definitely rooted in Minnesota, and it's one of my favorite places to shop!

"Paisley Park is a place where art, music, fashion, and culture are celebrated and inspired by the visionary creative spirit of Prince." Pre-purchase timed-entry tickets are required for entry. All tours include full access to special exhibitions, when available, and range in price from $69 to $189 for the ultimate VIP experience.

"Founded in 1958, The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a 1,200-acre public garden in Chaska, Minnesota, that attracts more than 500,000 visitors per year. Best known for its beautiful display gardens, nationally recognized tree collections, protected natural areas and research activity, the Arboretum is easy to explore via paved paths, such Three-Mile Walk and Three-Mile Drive, which are open year round. Many miles of wooded trails, stone pathways and routes for cross-country skiers and snowshoers provide access to the healing power of nature in all seasons." Tip: ~ The Gift & Garden Store offers a wide variety of horticultural items, gifts, and one-of-a-kind items. ~ Make the most of seasonal offerings, such as beautiful tulips in May, fall colors in Autumn, and the nearby AppleHouse selling local Minnesota apples and holiday gifts from late August - December. ~ Check the event calendar for special events offered year around: https://arb.umn.edu/events