Best Restaurants for Local Ingredients in Albert Lea

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodIndianMexican

Regions

Twin Cities / MinneapolisTwin Cities / St. PaulTwin Cities / Western Suburbs

Neighborhoods

BloomingtonCalhoun IslesDowntown / Mill DistrictDowntown / North LoopMinnetonkaSaint Paul

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for fine wines

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

10 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

1. Chilango

4.5

Awesome(40)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Mexican • Calhoun Isles

Booked 18 times today

MEXICAN CUISINE REIMAGINEDYucatán raised, Mexican born Chef Jorge Guzmán has dedicated his life to perfecting the flavors of the Mexican cuisine he was raised with, but presenting them in a way that is unique & unexpected. Chilango is the culmination of his culinary journey & his love letter to Mexican cuisine & culture. Guzmán's distinguished career has earned him national recognition, including being named as a James Beard Award Finalist & featured in the New York Times.Step into a space adorned with vibrant murals over looking Lake Bde Maka Ska. Enjoy dishes like charred sweet potato enchiladas bathed in a rich yellow mole & nachos piled high with fresh ingredients. Don't miss our spicy mango margarita, a testament to the bar's creative prowess. FREE ramp parking.Experience Chilango Hospitality, Warm & Welcoming, Authentic & Grateful. We LOVE hosting you for any occasion, a simple dinner on a weekday, a weekend outing, a celebration dinner or social / corporate events.

2. Zelo

4.9

Exceptional(4144)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 28 times today

At Zelo, we serve simple, fresh Italian cuisine made from local ingredients. Our handcrafted meals accompany a thoughtful, approachable wine selection. We believe dining is more than a menu: it is an experience, and ours is quality. When you’re our guest, our staff learn your name and remember your favorite glass of wine. We passionately commit to bring you the full dining experience – quality food and wine presented with welcoming service. Every meal. Every day. Please join us. An enduring Minneapolis destination, Zelo was opened in 1999 by Rick Webb, a Minnesota restaurateur whose pursuits have set the standard in Twin Cities dining for over 40 years. Looking for another unparalleled dining experience in the south metro? Visit Rick Webb’s acclaimed Ciao Bella, the restaurant that inspired Zelo’s handcrafted food and dedicated service.

3. Blondette

4.6

Exceptional(115)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Downtown / Mill District

Booked 5 times today

A local favorite, Blondette is a brunch restaurant located on the fifth floor of the historic Rand Tower Hotel in a bright, glass-covered atrium with an outdoor terrace and firepits and one of Minneapolis’ only retractable roofs. Blondette offers a casual brunch each weekend from 9am - 2pm that highlights the best of American cuisine fused with local ingredients.Blondette also offers curated holiday menus for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Eve, Easter and Mother's Day. SPECIAL OFFER: The 2,000 sq. ft. restaurant is available for private dining, reception events or a full buyout for up to 80 people. Book an event by March 31, 2025 and 10% off your event package!

4. Ciao Bella

4.8

Exceptional(6848)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Bloomington

Booked 47 times today

CURRENTLY, ALL RESERVATIONS MADE WILL BE FOR INSIDE SEATING. PATIO SEATING IS ALL FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE. THANK YOU.At Ciao Bella, we serve simple, fresh Italian cuisine made from local ingredients. Our handcrafted meals are accompanied by a thoughtful, approachable wine selection. We believe dining is more than food: it is an experience, and ours is quality. Enjoy your handcrafted meal on our lively outdoor patio, or take in the local art collection in our dining room. Our philosophy is simple: quality food and wine presented with welcoming service. Every meal. Every day. Please join us. A Minneapolis metro favorite, Ciao Bella was opened in 1997 by Minneapolis restaurateur Rick Webb, whose pursuits have set the standard in Twin Cities dining for over 40 years. Heading downtown? Visit Ciao Bella’s sister restaurant, Zelo, for another dining experience from Rick Webb featuring handcrafted food and dedicated service.

A photo of FireLake Grill House Mall of America restaurant

5. FireLake Grill House Mall of America

4.1

Excellent(970)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Bloomington

Booked 21 times today

Enjoy farm-to-table dining in the heart of the city at the highly acclaimed FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar, located in Radisson Blu Mall of America. Voted one of the best restaurants in Mall of America. Each dish is prepared with local, Midwestern ingredients from Twin Cities-based food artisans like Red Table Meat Co. and Stickney Hill Dairy. Our culture is deeply rooted in the flavors and service of the north. From a two-person date night to a 100-person special event, we have you covered. Our private dining spaces are perfect for holiday parties, corporate meetings, wedding rehearsals, baby showers, birthday parties, and friend/family gatherings. We are open 365 days of the year, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, and New Years. Whether you are from out of town or from down the street come experience a taste of Minnesota at FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar. *Covered Parking Garage with Validated Parking when dining in FireLake.*Valet Parking Offered.

6. Crasqui

4.8

Exceptional(145)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Venezuelan • Saint Paul

Booked 5 times today

Crasqui is a lively Venezuelan restaurant in Saint Paul. Recipes are inspired in our chef-owner Soleil Ramirez childhood, family and friends in her home-country Venezuela. For us Crasqui is more than just a restaurant—it’s a vessel for memories, dreams, flavors, and connections. We will keep infusing our passion, dedication and love into every dish to make every guest experience memorable.

7. Aspen and Oak

4.7

Exceptional(2)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Comfort Food • Bloomington

Located in the Doubletree Bloomington South Hotel on the corner of HWY 100 & 494. We feature local flavors and ingredients. Big screen TVs great for cheering on the local (or not so local) teams. 14 Taps showcasing local (and Micro) breweries. Hand crafted cocktails. Handmade desserts. Best kept secret in Bloomington! **************Mother's Day Brunch.Sunday May 12, 2024 11am-2PM.Build your own Omelete Station, Ham & Marinated Tri Tip Carving Station, various fruits, salads, entrees and desserts. Adults $40 Children 12 & Under $15.

8. Clay Oven

5.0

Exceptional(7)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Indian • Minnetonka

Booked 8 times today

Clay Oven Plymouth is the culmination of a life long dream and desire of owner Mr.Diljit Khosa to showcase the true diversity of Indian cuisine. To translate this vision, Executive Chef Sam combines fresh local ingredients from the Pacific Northwest with traditional ingredients and spices from across India. The tastes are at once familiar, yet new and exciting. Prepare for a dining experience with diversity and subtlety of flavors not available in any other Indian restaurant!

A photo of Bloomington Chop House restaurant

9. Bloomington Chop House

4.1

Excellent(988)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Steakhouse • Bloomington

The Bloomington ChopHouse pays homage to the classic American steakhouse while evolving our craft for the modern gastronomer. We deliver craft-built cocktails, local brews and an extensive award-winning wine list to pair with our hand-cut steaks, chops and seafood from some of the country's premier meat and seafood purveyors. Along the highest quality meat and fish, our team keeps a constant focus on the best local ingredients and producers, infusing them into our menu to provide a truly elevated experience.

A photo of LARS Restaurant & Bar restaurant

10. LARS Restaurant & Bar

4.7

Exceptional(1)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Bloomington

Welcome to LARS Restaurant & BarOur Bloomington, MN eatery provides a casual dining experience with a menu infused with local ingredients and flavors.The features, feel, and ambiance of LARS is specifically designed to resonate with all our patrons, on many levels. From delicious cocktails to bar rituals and even live music, there is always a welcoming atmosphere.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

M
Mary
Houston •3 reviews
5.0
Dined today
The food was delicious and the service was great!!
More info
ZeloPrice: Moderate• Italian• Downtown / North Loop
•
4.9
A
Ann
Minneapolis - St. Paul •17 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Ciao Bella is a consistently excellent experience. The food is fresh and delicious, the service outstanding and the atmosphere comfortable for a conversation. I highly recommend this restaurant.
More info
Ciao BellaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Bloomington
•
4.8
D
Darrel
South Dakota •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Food was fantastic! Service from everyone was great.
More info
FireLake Grill House Mall of AmericaPrice: Expensive• American• Bloomington
•
4.1
W
Winston
Minneapolis - St. Paul •29 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
This was my 3rd time dining at Chilango, and it never disappoints. The quality and flavor of the food is at the highest level. We tried many different dishes, and they were all outstanding. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be either the NY strip al norteño or the camarones al diablo. The flavors are uncommonly good.
More info
ChilangoPrice: Expensive• Mexican• Calhoun Isles
•
4.5
M
Mahin
Minneapolis - St. Paul •5 reviews
4.0
Dined on May 11, 2025
A classy and delectable spot, with friendly and professional service, and beautifully refreshing cocktails. Would be 5 stars, except the 6 oz. ribeye steak I ordered medium-rare came out medium. The server did notice this and offered to have it replaced, but I was quite hungry and it was otherwise deliciously seasoned. It would have been nice to have the steak portion only comped, but c'est la vie, it's only brunch.
More info
BlondettePrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• Downtown / Mill District
•
4.6

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