moto-i

Name: moto-i
Address: 2940 Lyndale Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN, United States, 55408
Telephone: (612) 821-6262
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.2

4.2

1036 Reviews

$30 and under

Izakaya

Top Tags:

moto-i is a local ramen shop and sake brewery in the Lyn-Lake neighborhood. We feature house-made steamed buns, tokyo straight style noodle ramen, weekend brunch, rooftop patio with a MPLS skyline view, rotating chef specials, and streamed sumo wrestling tournaments.

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Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

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Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Izakaya, Ramen, Asian
Hours of operation
Daily 12:00 pm–11:00 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–2:00 pm
Phone number
(612) 821-6262
Website
http://www.moto-i.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Tyler Orvis

Location
2940 Lyndale Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Neighborhood
Uptown
Cross street
Lake
Parking details
Parking on Lyndale, Aldrich, Lake and 29th. A public parking lot is located across the street behind the Jungle Theater.
Public transit
On the MTC #4, #21 and #53.
Entertainment
The Big Boy LoungeMonday - Karaoke 9:00 PM Tuesdays - Open Mic 8:00 PMWednesday - Artist Showcase 8:00 PM
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

100 Minneapolis - St. Paul Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

What 1,036 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.2

4.2 based on all time ratings

4.2Food
4.1Service
4Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

1,036 Reviews

OT
OpenTable Diner
Dallas
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 4, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing spot to check out!! Everything was delicious!
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MS
louiseinMSP
Minneapolis
46 reviews
vip
5.0
46 reviews
Dined on December 28, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
This restaurant is so unique, food delicious and cocktails that are so....moto-i. I love that they brew their saki.
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KP
KatP
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 26, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicious food and wonderful sake menu. We went at a quiet time and the service was great.
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E
Exceptional
Minneapolis
25 reviews
5.0
25 reviews
Dined on December 13, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
My partner and I love Moto I. The food is so good. We love the pork belly bun and the Japanese fried chicken. The green salad is big enough for a family! It reminds us of a little bar somewhere on the outskirts of New York City!
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LB
LaBeau
Minneapolis
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 9, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
If you are looking to avoid all forms of disappointment, this is the place for you. Loved it!
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D
Desi
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 6, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
It was sooooooo good! We went for my husband’s birthday, the food was delicious and service was quick. 10/10 definitely recommend and will be going back.
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S
Soberversary
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 5, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience3
Food and service were both fantastic! The overall atmosphere was a bit loud, but what else to expect on a Saturday night. Everything was excellent.
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J
Joer
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 1, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food and service were fantastic! It was a bit pricy for the whole meal but worth it, I wish we could afford to eat there more often.
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D
Dalton
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 30, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food and great service. Can't wait to go back!
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Minneapolis
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on November 22, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food, friendly waitress, reasonable prices. Tried two kinds of pork buns, which were both excellent. I loved the mushroom ramen and my friend really liked the classic ramen. Will definitely be going back! Made a reservation for a Sunday night though likely wouldn’t have needed one.
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RH
RachelH
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 21, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience4
I have been here many times and the food and service are consistently excellent.
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DM
DavidM
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on November 14, 2021
overall3food4service2ambience4
Seemed understaffed. Apps came out after the entrees. Ramen was flavorful, but pretty much all noodles and just a trace of protein and veg. Wanted a bit better all around, but I get it, it’s tough stuff running a restaurant these days.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Minneapolis
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 9, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
My favorite place in Minneapolis. I’ll never, ever get tired of Moto-i. The food, atmosphere, noise level, MUSIC, everything is always perfect. Servers are always kind and attentive. I’ve been coming back to Moto-i for years and have literally never had a bad experience. I’m a server myself and I refuse to apply to work here because I love it so much lol. 10/10, & I’ll probably be back there tonight lmao.
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L
Leslieme21
Milwaukee
12 reviews
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on November 7, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
All the staff we interacted with were very friendly. Food was divine....ramen, buns and edamame!!!
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S
Shmus
Minneapolis
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 6, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Moto I was, as always, a joy. The service was excellent, the food was amazing as usual, and the bartender knew what they were doing.
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BA
BriAnne
Minneapolis
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 30, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food is always amazing. Service was great! Love this place!
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SE
SusanE
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 28, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fantastic dinner and service. Looking forward to our next time already.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on October 26, 2021
overall2food2service5ambience5
Noodles pretty greasy
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TW
TauW
Minneapolis
10 reviews
vip
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on October 13, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
I love this place, they never do any wrong
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n
navykat
New Orleans
5 reviews
vip
3.0
5 reviews
Dined on October 12, 2021
overall3food2service4ambience2
Food was good, but not as good as hoped. Service was great. Sake had poor descriptions and were all very similar and underwhelming.
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CA
CathyA
Minneapolis
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 9, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
I took my son out to experience a restaurant that was not fast food. We enjoyed the rooftop patio, had great service and the food was very enjoyable. We will be back.
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SL
SandraL
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 2, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
One of my go to places for consistently delicious quality Ramen and ambiance…..
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d
dollface187
Minneapolis
28 reviews
5.0
28 reviews
Dined on October 1, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Once again had a great time. The food was amazing, the special sake was delicious, and the staff were extra friendly. Because many people served us, i really can't name anyone personally but you all were on top of your game. I look foward to coming back.
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KG
KateG
Minneapolis
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on October 1, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
moto-i is a singular destination. House-made sake of complexity and variety of tastes, an interesting and unusual menu of house made ramen small plates, and specials, friendly and attentive waitstaff, and the rooftop patio! Been coming here for years. Go.
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CS
CandanS
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 19, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our server was amazing, prompt, informative and super friendly (unfortunately forgot his name). As a Vegan, I never knew how many options I would have at Moto-i, and it is my new favorite spot!
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n
nath55
Tampa
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on September 13, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
First of all, the food is absolutely DELICIOUS! This was my second time in 3 days coming. I had shown a picture of our food to some family and they wanted to come! The service is something to get used to--but it's not a bad thing! It's like most Japanese restaurants where the servers don't bug you unless you press the button and call for them. Both times I went, the staff was extremely friendly and the food was BOMB. If you get a chance, hit the rooftop on the weekend :)
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L
Lauren
Minneapolis
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 11, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food and service are always great here. We sat on the rooftop and it was a great experience. It was a really fun dinner for our date night. This was not our first time coming here and it won’t be the last. We love Moto-i.
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SR
ScottR
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 11, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
awesome. would love to come back. everything was great. only negative was the whole down town ambiance remains less than desirable. windows of plywood graffiti and feeling of lawlessness still.
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t
tessie
Minneapolis
5 reviews
4.0
5 reviews
Dined on September 10, 2021
overall4food4service4ambience5
Moto-i was a great experience! Our server was fun and very knowledgeable about Japanese cuisine including everything about saki! Sitting on the rooftop on a beautiful warm evening is a must if you can. You will be disappointed if you’re wanting a Chardonnay however- not a great wine selection. Otherwise all was good.
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RA
RyanA
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 9, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Very delicious food, great atmosphere! Service was spot on!
Is this helpful?
A
Anonymous
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 5, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Very delicious. Modern. Excellent staffing. Very thoughtful insight from wait and host staff. All cooked to order. A reasonable wait for food, however considering the quality and all, definitely worth a little patience.
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LL
LaLa
Minneapolis
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on August 31, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always exactly what I need. Curry Ramen, Benny Bun, and a few beers!
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CC
ChristinaC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 26, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great place for ramen! Excellent service! The hostess (Tyler?) was very accommodating, professional, and friendly.
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EZ
EmelyZ
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on August 25, 2021
overall3food2service5ambience2
This was our first time visiting Moto. Service was great! It was the bartender too, I forgot their name but super nice. The food was eh. My mother got the classic ramen and she couldn’t eat it. She said “there’s no flavor” and the smell of the pork started to make her nausea. I got the vegan mushroom ramen and it was average, the mushroom gave it flavor but the broth could’ve been better. I got the vegan mock duck bun and honestly was the best thing. Sucks it was only one though. Don’t think I’d be coming back:(
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TR
TaraR
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 24, 2021
overall5food4service5ambience5
I greatly enjoyed my visit! The only thing I was let down on was the mochi, which wasn’t very flavorful. The entrees, drinks, and customer service are superb though! Would definitely recommend.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 24, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
House brewed sake. Nice variety, all very good. Good and ambiance also good. Service is excellent
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Minneapolis
10 reviews
2.0
10 reviews
Dined on August 20, 2021
overall2food5service3ambience3
Moto I is one of our favorite places. I want to start this by saying we are big fans and will be back again. Unfortunately last night was an embarrassment. I had made reservations in June for a party of 10. When we arrived early to make sure things were okay it seemed that we were a huge inconvenience for the staff. They were rushing to figure out where to put us. I've never brought this group before to Moto I and had said such great things about it. I'm assuming the air conditioning was broken because the restaurant was boiling we had to use menus like fans at the table. We also tried to keep orders between parts of our group but due to I'm imagining our server not writing down food orders we ended up with extra things coming to the table. I don't feel the bill was directed correctly for the correct diners. There was just a lack of care and it was disappointing. I know many of my 1st time friends will not return.
1 person found this helpful
MS
MarkS
Minneapolis
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on August 10, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
always so nice going here. servers are so nice too.
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JZ
JoeZ
Minneapolis
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 5, 2021
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fantastic ramen and bun appetizers. Atmosphere was nice and the place wasn't packed, albeit it was a dark inside. They have a button at your table to call your waiter if you are ready to order or need anything which was nice to get help whenever you needed anything. Overall a great place with great food, will be coming back!
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LG
LiztheGriz
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 5, 2021
overall5food4service5ambience5
Great bathrooms. Well decorated, nice ambiance and equipped with sound system.
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Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
- Sealed or wrapped utensils used
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
Physical distancing
- Limited number of seated diners
- Distancing maintained in common areas
- Extra space between tables

Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
- Contact tracing information collected

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from moto-i using the Order Online button. moto-i also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (612) 821-6262.

moto-i is rated 4.2 stars by 1036 OpenTable diners.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.

Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing

Order delivery or takeout

2940 Lyndale Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55408

Additional information

Cross street
Lake
Neighborhood
Uptown
Hours of operation
Daily 12:00 pm–11:00 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–2:00 pm
Cuisines
Izakaya, Ramen, Asian
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Parking on Lyndale, Aldrich, Lake and 29th. A public parking lot is located across the street behind the Jungle Theater.
Public transit
On the MTC #4, #21 and #53.
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Tyler Orvis
Entertainment
The Big Boy LoungeMonday - Karaoke 9:00 PM Tuesdays - Open Mic 8:00 PMWednesday - Artist Showcase 8:00 PM
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.moto-i.com/
Phone number
(612) 821-6262

Featured in

100 Minneapolis - St. Paul Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

moto-i

Not available on OpenTable

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Featured in

100 Minneapolis - St. Paul Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Menu

What 1,036 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing

Physical distancing

Screening

FAQs

Does moto-i offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is moto-i restaurant rated?

Not available on OpenTable

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Featured in

100 Minneapolis - St. Paul Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day