Best Restaurants that are Worth The Drive in Downtown / Mill District

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSeafoodPizzeriaBarbecueGrill

Regions

Twin Cities / MinneapolisTwin Cities / Northern SuburbsTwin Cities / Western Suburbs

Neighborhoods

BloomingtonDowntown / Mill DistrictDowntown / North LoopLittle CanadaMinnetonkaSouth Minneapolis

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

11 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

A photo of The Melting Pot - Minneapolis restaurant

1. The Melting Pot - Minneapolis

4.7

Exceptional(2873)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Fondue • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 27 times today

Bring your big appetite to the big city. In downtown Minneapolis, The Melting Pot is your quintessential fine-dining restaurant. Start with freshly made salads and handcrafted dressings before you skewer succulent strips of steak, and finish the smorgasbord with our famous chocolate fondue. Desserts rank high here, and just like the complex taste of our entrées, there’s something to be said of our artisan cheeses and luscious chocolates. But in our cozy corner of dessert paradise, we’re more than just a classy addition to Minnesota’s culinary scene. We are casual and approachable, which makes us an excellent choice for reconnecting with long-lost friends, updating loved ones about your life, or simply breaking the ice on a romantic date.

2. Breva

4.3

Awesome(121)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Downtown / Mill District

Booked 2 times today

Welcome to Breva, the quintessential neighborhood gathering spot in the heart of Downtown Minneapolis. At Breva, we invite you to experience the essence of conviviality, served up with a touch of elegance in a casual chic setting. Our culinary journey is guided by a team of seasoned hospitality professionals. Together, they've crafted a menu that's a true celebration of the New American spirit – elevated, unpretentious, and discerning. Breva is just minutes from the Convention Center and Orchestra Hall, and a short drive from local theaters and sports stadiums. Breva is an ideal destination for all groups and occasions!

A photo of Trax Burgers and Bar restaurant

3. Trax Burgers and Bar

4.6

Exceptional(232)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown / North Loop

We are now open!

A photo of Topgolf Swing Suite at Graduate Minneapolis restaurant

4. Topgolf Swing Suite at Graduate Minneapolis

4.4

Awesome(32)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Sports Bar • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 1 time today

Make a sport out of socializing at the new Topgolf® Swing Suite® at Graduate Minneapolis. Cheer on the Gophers while playing a game of your own. Rent out a hitting bay (or the whole space!) for your next work or social gathering. It’s the perfect spot to host a party, hang with pals, or even practice your drive during the off-season.

5. Ciao Bella

4.8

Exceptional(6865)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Bloomington

Booked 90 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.

6. Pizzeria Lola

4.8

Exceptional(202)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Pizzeria • South Minneapolis

Booked 30 times today

Pizzeria Lola is James Beard award-winning Chef Ann Kim's neighborhood pizzeria in Minneapolis. Our menu features signature wood-fired pizzas, sharable salads & sides, wine & beer wine, and a curated list of classic cocktails. Pizzas include familiar classics including My Sha-Roni (pepperoni & sausage) and Margherita, and signature guest favorites like Lady Zaza (kimchi and Korean sausage) and Korean BBQ (our #1 best-seller). Our menu is vegetarian-friendly and offers a housemade gluten-free crust as an option for all of our pizzas. Pizzeria Lola has been featured in the New York Times and on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," "CBS Saturday" and Netflix's "Chef's Table: Pizza." Pizzeria Lola is located in Southwest Minneapolis (just off Highway 62) and is easily accessible on the way to or from Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport.We're open for lunch and dinner daily. Reservations are available and walk-ins are always welcome.

A photo of Jimmy's Kitchen and Bar restaurant

7. Jimmy's Kitchen and Bar

4.7

Exceptional(4249)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Minnetonka

Booked 32 times today

Jimmy's features contemporary and traditional American cuisine with global influences, market fresh fish and seafood, Certified Angus Beef steaks and chops, slowly roasted baby back ribs, gourmet salads, chicken, pastas, burgers and hand-crafted sandwiches, served in a rich, handsome upscale-casual atmosphere.

A photo of Porterhouse Steak and Seafood - Little Canada restaurant

8. Porterhouse Steak and Seafood - Little Canada

4.7

Exceptional(7322)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Steak • Little Canada

Booked 36 times today

Porterhouse Steak and Seafood offers casual-fine dining with a Supper Club atmosphere. The menu consists of premium steaks aged a minimum of twenty eight days, fresh fish & seafood. All entrees are served with a choice of House, Caesar or Spinach salad, bread and choice of Potato or Vegetable.

A photo of Kincaid's - Bloomington restaurant

9. Kincaid's - Bloomington

4.6

Exceptional(5474)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Seafood • Bloomington

Booked 26 times today

Artfully serving quality steaks, and fresh and innovative seafood since 1986. Enjoy lunch, dinner or perhaps a special business or romantic occasion in our warm and inviting dining room.

A photo of The Smack Shack Bloomington restaurant

10. The Smack Shack Bloomington

4.5

Awesome(1048)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Bloomington

Booked 17 times today

Casual, coastal restaurant in Bloomington. Reservations are taken for the dining room only, patio seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please check in with hosts upon arrival for patio seating.Although named for the boats used to catch lobster, Smack Shack was launched as a food truck in 2010 serving lobster rolls from a land-locked downtown Minneapolis parking lot. Owner Josh Thoma had a great recipe and a belief that the appetite for fresh lobster in the Twin Cities was as strong as in any coastal city.Smack Shack is committed to serving sustainable seafood and is a partner in the Minnesota Zoo’s Fish Smart program. Sustainable seafood is wild-caught or farm-raised seafood that has established practices to ensure the long-term growth and thriving populations of seafood with limited harm to the environment.Group reservations and private dining available. One of MSP's top 50 restaurants in 2022! Featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

B
Bryan
Minneapolis - St. Paul •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Lake Elmo Inn is the best - we go there often and we have never been disappointed. The food, service and hospitality are wonderful!
More info
Lake Elmo InnPrice: Expensive• Continental• Lake Elmo
•
4.8
L
LaurieVIP
Minneapolis - St. Paul •218 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
We were celebrating a birthday last night and had a DELIGHTFUL evening! Our wine and cocktails were fabulous! All of our meals- 1 New York Strip, 1 Petite Filet and 1 Crab Stuffed Salmon, were all scrumptious and cooked to perfection! Our server, Sara, was OUTSTANDING!!! She was so sweet and friendly and attentive! She brought us a complimentary birthday cake, complete with a candle, which truly made the evening even more special!
More info
Porterhouse Steak and Seafood - Little CanadaPrice: Very Expensive• Steak• Little Canada
•
4.7
B
BetsyVIP
Minneapolis - St. Paul •70 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 21, 2025
Our service was excellent from the hostess to our server, the gentleman removing our dirty dishes and two different managers checking in. The food tasted even better than it usually does and maybe that’s due to the new system of bringing the cheese already hot and mixed? Our server was excellent!
More info
The Melting Pot - MinneapolisPrice: Expensive• Fondue• Downtown / North Loop
•
4.7

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