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Best Restaurants for Celebrating Derby Day in Minneapolis - St. Paul

A photo of Red logo
by OpenTable x Woodford Reserve
Updated April 08, 2021

To mark this year's Derby Day, OpenTable and Woodford Reserve have come together to bring you a list of restaurants offering Derby Day drink specials and celebratory dishes near you. Whether you are donning your finest Derby attire and heading to a local watering hole or planning a feast for the festivities at home, we've got the restaurant (and game day tipple) for you. CRAFTED CAREFULLY. DRINK RESPONSIBLY. Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Whiskey, 43.2%-45.2% Alc. by Vol., The Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles, KY. Woodford Reserve is a registered trademark. ©2021

Thirty Bales
4.7 (883)
$30 and under
American
Hopkins

Thirty Bales is a celebration of everything Midwestern cuisine has to offer. We're an upbeat neighborhood restaurant bringing together bright personalities, bold recipes, clean ingredients and craft spirits and playing with the flavors that make the Midwest a place unlike any other.

If you're curious about our name, it comes from the legend of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. As the story goes, Babe had an appetite as big as Bunyan himself and is rumored to have eaten 30 bales of hay a day.

Like our restaurant's big blue spirit animal, we're a pack of people that lives to eat and drink. We're endlessly in love with the Midwest and its connection to seasonal ingredients grown close to home. It's what inspires our menu and our team. And it's what inspires us as we tell our own story with the flavors and spirits of the Midwest.
Top review
Andrew
Dined 3 days ago
Excellent food and service. I needed a salad with slightly different ingredients and the kitchen was very accommodating.

Thirty Bales is a celebration of everything Midwestern cuisine has to offer. We're an upbeat neighborhood restaurant bringing together bright personalities, bold recipes, clean ingredients and craft spirits and playing with the flavors that make the Midwest a place unlike any other.

If you're curious about our name, it comes from the legend of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. As the story goes, Babe had an appetite as big as Bunyan himself and is rumored to have eaten 30 bales of hay a day.

Like our restaurant's big blue spirit animal, we're a pack of people that lives to eat and drink. We're endlessly in love with the Midwest and its connection to seasonal ingredients grown close to home. It's what inspires our menu and our team. And it's what inspires us as we tell our own story with the flavors and spirits of the Midwest.
Top review
Andrew
Dined 3 days ago
Excellent food and service. I needed a salad with slightly different ingredients and the kitchen was very accommodating.
Gold Nugget Tavern & Grille
4.7 (730)
$30 and under
Grill
Minnetonka
Welcome to Gold Nugget Tavern & Grille!

The Gold Nugget is home to the best burger in the Twin Cities and so say the people at the 2014 Twin Cities Burger Battle. We also feature handcrafted sandwiches, soups and salads, made from scratch in our kitchen. Our beer menu focused on local craft beers and outstanding national selections, we always have something new from our neighborhood brew masters.

Everyone in your family, on your team, or from you company can find something to please their palate. We also have a great kid’s menu and gluten-sensitive offerings.
Top review
roisin
Dined 2 days ago
It was packed, we were sat immediately, a little understaffed, but our server was exceptional! Order the asada bowl you won’t be disappointed!
Welcome to Gold Nugget Tavern & Grille!

The Gold Nugget is home to the best burger in the Twin Cities and so say the people at the 2014 Twin Cities Burger Battle. We also feature handcrafted sandwiches, soups and salads, made from scratch in our kitchen. Our beer menu focused on local craft beers and outstanding national selections, we always have something new from our neighborhood brew masters.

Everyone in your family, on your team, or from you company can find something to please their palate. We also have a great kid’s menu and gluten-sensitive offerings.
Top review
roisin
Dined 2 days ago
It was packed, we were sat immediately, a little understaffed, but our server was exceptional! Order the asada bowl you won’t be disappointed!
The Smack Shack
4.6 (1780)
$31 to $50
Seafood
Downtown / North Loop
Casual, coastal restaurant in the North Loop. Reservations taken for 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 appetite for fresh lobster in the Twin Cities was as strong as any coastal city.

Smack Shack is committed to serving sustainable seafood and is a current 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.
Top review
Jennifer
Dined on May 29, 2025
Fun environment! Love the open garage doors to the patio. The hot lobster roll was delicious! The service was excellent! We were celebrating my birthday and received a complimentary cheesecake for dessert. Will definitely go back!
Casual, coastal restaurant in the North Loop. Reservations taken for 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 appetite for fresh lobster in the Twin Cities was as strong as any coastal city.

Smack Shack is committed to serving sustainable seafood and is a current 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.
Top review
Jennifer
Dined on May 29, 2025
Fun environment! Love the open garage doors to the patio. The hot lobster roll was delicious! The service was excellent! We were celebrating my birthday and received a complimentary cheesecake for dessert. Will definitely go back!
Nicollet Island Inn
4.7 (3442)
$31 to $50
American
Downtown / North Loop
The Nicollet Island Inn has stood witness to over a century of change on the shores of the Mississippi River. The Inn is consistently named the most romantic restaurant in the area and its river views have been voted some of the best in the city. An immediately recognizable Minneapolis landmark, the Inn offers world-class cuisine created by Executive Chef Michael Rain , whose innovative and constantly updated menu includes a variety of seafood, steaks and gourmet specialty dishes. Our wine menu has been chosen specifically to compliment the food and highlight producers from the world's leading wine regions.

Nic's bar, just off the main dining room, is a casual, old-world tavern and the patio offers stunning views of the Minneapolis skyline. The Inn is a convenient, comfortable destination for breakfast or lunch meetings while the 3 or 5-course Sunday Brunch is the perfect weekend indulgence.
Top review
SharolE
Dined 2 days ago
It was great but the cost for brunch with tip is getting a bit too high
The Nicollet Island Inn has stood witness to over a century of change on the shores of the Mississippi River. The Inn is consistently named the most romantic restaurant in the area and its river views have been voted some of the best in the city. An immediately recognizable Minneapolis landmark, the Inn offers world-class cuisine created by Executive Chef Michael Rain , whose innovative and constantly updated menu includes a variety of seafood, steaks and gourmet specialty dishes. Our wine menu has been chosen specifically to compliment the food and highlight producers from the world's leading wine regions.

Nic's bar, just off the main dining room, is a casual, old-world tavern and the patio offers stunning views of the Minneapolis skyline. The Inn is a convenient, comfortable destination for breakfast or lunch meetings while the 3 or 5-course Sunday Brunch is the perfect weekend indulgence.
Top review
SharolE
Dined 2 days ago
It was great but the cost for brunch with tip is getting a bit too high
Nolo's Kitchen & Bar
4.7 (1152)
$30 and under
Contemporary American
Downtown / North Loop
**Please note all reservations are for Nolo's Kitchen, the rooftop is first come, first serve. For cabana rentals please visit https://www.rooftopbarmpls.com/cabanas**


Located at the historic Gardner Hardware Building at 515 Washington Ave N in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis. The NOLO's team consists of Marty Collins, Brett Johnson and Peter Hoff, each native Minnesotans with extensive industry experience. The team shares a passion for the restaurant and bar industry and sees an opportunity to fill gaps in the market in the North Loop.
Top review
Andrew
Dined on Jun 2, 2025
We had a great dining experience. The wait staff was tremendous.
**Please note all reservations are for Nolo's Kitchen, the rooftop is first come, first serve. For cabana rentals please visit https://www.rooftopbarmpls.com/cabanas**


Located at the historic Gardner Hardware Building at 515 Washington Ave N in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis. The NOLO's team consists of Marty Collins, Brett Johnson and Peter Hoff, each native Minnesotans with extensive industry experience. The team shares a passion for the restaurant and bar industry and sees an opportunity to fill gaps in the market in the North Loop.
Top review
Andrew
Dined on Jun 2, 2025
We had a great dining experience. The wait staff was tremendous.
Baldamar
4.8 (7259)
$31 to $50
Steak
Roseville
If you're going to take your name from a badass like the patron saint of blacksmiths, you better be able to back it up. Baldamar marks the turning point where we usher in the new standard for style, service and steak. It means the menu’s made with old-world craft at its core and modern day meat eaters in mind — with flavors forged in fire and folded into pure primal perfection. It’s where every steak is aged 40 days and 40 nights for a taste of biblical proportion, and where crazy-fresh seafood means it was caught during your morning commute. At the bar sits every spirit imaginable, and someone who isn’t afraid to use them. This is more than a new steakhouse. It’s a line in the sand. It’s not just where you celebrate special occasions. It’s where you create them.

*A 20% Service Fee is added to all groups of 6 or more.
Top review
Tammy
Dined 6 days ago
Beautiful place, excellent service, fun cocktails, and delicious food. Baldamar is a gem!!
If you're going to take your name from a badass like the patron saint of blacksmiths, you better be able to back it up. Baldamar marks the turning point where we usher in the new standard for style, service and steak. It means the menu’s made with old-world craft at its core and modern day meat eaters in mind — with flavors forged in fire and folded into pure primal perfection. It’s where every steak is aged 40 days and 40 nights for a taste of biblical proportion, and where crazy-fresh seafood means it was caught during your morning commute. At the bar sits every spirit imaginable, and someone who isn’t afraid to use them. This is more than a new steakhouse. It’s a line in the sand. It’s not just where you celebrate special occasions. It’s where you create them.

*A 20% Service Fee is added to all groups of 6 or more.
Top review
Tammy
Dined 6 days ago
Beautiful place, excellent service, fun cocktails, and delicious food. Baldamar is a gem!!
Gianni's Steakhouse
4.8 (2670)
$31 to $50
Steak
Wayzata / Long Lake
Prestigious 2014 Beef Backer award winner Gianni's Steakhouse is an upscale restaurant for all ages to enjoy. In addition to our hormone, antibiotic-free, USDA prime and local beef, Gianni's also offered chops, chicken & fresh seafood. Enjoy our famous tableside "spun" Caesar salad now safety crafted in our kitchen, potatoes papalette, grilled shrimp appetizers, and a first-class, internationally represented wine list. Invite your friends out tonight in our newly redecorated space. Gianni's has received the award of excellence from Wine Spectator for 2018 - 2023.
Top review
MelanieVIP
Dined 1 day ago
Excellent menu, food, service and atmosphere! Highly recommend!
Prestigious 2014 Beef Backer award winner Gianni's Steakhouse is an upscale restaurant for all ages to enjoy. In addition to our hormone, antibiotic-free, USDA prime and local beef, Gianni's also offered chops, chicken & fresh seafood. Enjoy our famous tableside "spun" Caesar salad now safety crafted in our kitchen, potatoes papalette, grilled shrimp appetizers, and a first-class, internationally represented wine list. Invite your friends out tonight in our newly redecorated space. Gianni's has received the award of excellence from Wine Spectator for 2018 - 2023.
Top review
MelanieVIP
Dined 1 day ago
Excellent menu, food, service and atmosphere! Highly recommend!
The Nicollet Diner
4.5 (109)
$30 and under
Breakfast
Downtown / Loring Park
Visit our scratch kitchen, where you can enjoy breakfast anytime! We also serve fresh burgers, sandwiches, soup, salad, and ice cream 24/7 in our classic diner! We are the only 24-hour restaurant in downtown Minneapolis, serving top-quality ingredients for a hearty meal day or night. We are conveniently located on Nicollet Mall next to the Minneapolis Convention Center.
Top review
Jordan
Dined on Apr 20, 2025
Music was a little loud while having a conversation, but over all I enjoyed my time and will probably be back.
Visit our scratch kitchen, where you can enjoy breakfast anytime! We also serve fresh burgers, sandwiches, soup, salad, and ice cream 24/7 in our classic diner! We are the only 24-hour restaurant in downtown Minneapolis, serving top-quality ingredients for a hearty meal day or night. We are conveniently located on Nicollet Mall next to the Minneapolis Convention Center.
Top review
Jordan
Dined on Apr 20, 2025
Music was a little loud while having a conversation, but over all I enjoyed my time and will probably be back.
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