Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Minneapolis - St. Paul

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Minneapolis - St. Paul? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Mara

4.9

4.9 (4)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Downtown / Mill District

About the restaurant

Mara Restaurant and Bar, led by acclaimed Chef Gavin Kaysen, is a premier Mediterranean restaurant in downtown Minneapolis, located at Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis. Indulge in handmade pastas, wood-fired meats, and fresh seafood, crafted with locally sourced ingredients. Whether you're savoring breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner, enjoy an inviting ambiance, an extensive wine list, and signature cocktails. Perfect for a night out, a special occasion, or a stop near Target Center, Mara offers an unforgettable dining experience between North Loop and downtown Minneapolis. Featuring a thoughtfully curated dessert menu and a selection of artisanal cheeses, we ensure a delightful finish to your meal. Reserve your table today!

Top review

Rita

Dined on Jun 27, 2025

Food and service were great. It's just so so expensive. If it was just a little better value we would come more often.

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4.8

4.8 (1519)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Downtown / North Loop

About the restaurant

Borough was created to represent the chefs point of view of simplicity. We are a casual eatery with an ever changing menu that focuses on simple ingredients that are seasonal and sourced locally. This ever changing menu allows our chefs to stay creative with the changing of the seasons and the food that is offered by foragers during them.

Parlour seating is on a first come, first serve basis.

Top review

Linda Sue

Dined 2 days ago

The summer menu exceeds Borough's very high standards - I would eat that cucumber salad every day - as well as the cavatelli. Always a joy to dine at Borough - not only becuase of the food, but because of the talented people who work there.

Young Joni

4.8

4.8 (960)

$31 to $50

Pizzeria

Northeast Minneapolis

About the restaurant

Young Joni is James Beard award-winning chef Ann Kim's restaurant located in the Arts District of Northeast Minneapolis. The menu is inspired by wood fire cooking and features an array of globally influenced dishes and signature pizzas. Dining Room reservations are offered for dinner and weekend brunch; walk-ins are available at our bar and community table.

Young Joni is the recipient of 2019's James Beard Award for "Best Chef Midwest"; it has been featured in the New York Times and Vogue, and on Netflix's "Chef's Table: Pizza."

Tucked discreetly behind Young Joni is the back bar, serving full and no-proof craft cocktails and pizzas in a warm, analog setting. Esquire named it one of 2019's Best Bars in America and Eater called it an "Essential Minneapolis Bar." Walk down the alley alongside Young Joni and look for the red light; when the light is on, the back bar is open!

Top review

Kirk

Dined 3 days ago

We had the mussels and two astounding pizzas. The chew of the crust, the flavors, everything blended for a delicious experience. Recommendation: Hang on to the bowl of mussel broth and dip your pizza crust in it.

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Experience

Chef's Counter

Bleu Duck Kitchen

4.8

4.8 (1355)

$31 to $50

American

Rochester

About the restaurant

Our Chef’s take inspiration from Billy Madison who drew a blue duck because he had never seen one before, and he wanted to see a blue duck! Well, since our chefs love classic Adam Sandler humor and innovative cooking, we thought that Bleu Duck was the perfect name to showcase our fun environment and staff as well as our unique and creative menu. Just like Billy, we like to try things that you’ve never seen before!

Bleu Duck Kitchen and Oyster Bar is a full service restaurant that provides a fun and welcoming atmosphere where white linens meet a casual feel to create the new concept of “fun-dining”. Co-Owners Erik Kleven and Jennifer Lester regard each customer as a welcomed friend, and aim to provide them with an experience that is both personal and unique every time they visit.

Top review

JodiVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Bleu Duck was a great experience! The food options were creative and delicious. I had the beet and goat cheese salad and Pork Shank with slaw and beans. The mix of flavors were a perfect picnic throwback. My husband had the shrimp app with avocado and jalapeño and the fish pot pie. It was more like f a creamy fish stew and he loved it. Excellent food, wine and ambience.

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4.8

4.8 (301)

$31 to $50

American

Rochester

About the restaurant

Chefs Nick Diaz and Kiefer Manning have been hard at work renovating the historic Chicago & Great Western Railroad Depot into a cozy and inviting restaurant for you to enjoy. Our Paladar offers a locally sourced, seasonal dinner menu most evenings. You can look forward to handmade breads and pastas along with small and main plates. Patio seating is available when the season allows. The team at Our Paladar cannot wait to welcome you!

Top review

Amy

Dined on Jun 22, 2025

I’d heard that friends had the best drink of their lives here and I’m only in town for a few days so I talked some people into going to happy hour with me on Saturday and dinner on Sunday (had to try all the menus I could). It’s fantastic. The drinks are delicious and the food is like modern comfort meets upscale. I would highly recommend coming here, especially for the happy hour.

Crasqui

4.8

4.8 (149)

$50 and over

Venezuelan

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Brent

Dined on Jun 19, 2025

We had a wonderful meal last night at Crasqui. All of the food, from appetizers to entrees, was great. It is not your typical St. Paul fare, which we appreciated. My goat entree was particularly good. We tried several of the specialty coctails. They tended to run a bit sweet side, but were generally enjoyable. Our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and very personable. The meal ran more than $100 per person. I think the food justifies it. However, the overall vibe of the restaurant is pretty casual, so it might seem a bit discordant. Overall, we highly recommend Crasqui.

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Experience

Paella & Sangria Sundays

Experience

Paella & Sangria Sundays

Experience

Date Night Wednesdays!

Stonegarden

4.8

4.8 (162)

$30 and under

Breakfast

South Minneapolis

About the restaurant

Minutes from Minneapolis-St.Paul Airport (MSP), Stonegarden blends global influences with French technique to create a chef-driven destination for breakfast and brunch. Join us when meeting friends, enjoying a date day, or business lunch; our modern, bright, and warm space is perfect for groups and individuals.

Start with our nourishing bone broths, the Scotch Egg or Maryland Crab Cake. Perhaps, indulge in the Poutine with smoked tomato gravy and sunny egg. Favorites include the French Onion Omelette, Norwegian Benedict with house-cured gravlax, Challah French Toast or delectable tartines.

Pair your meal with our handcrafted cocktails, like the Espresso Martini or Sage 75, mocktails, unique wines, or espresso beverages. Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free choices make Stonegarden inclusive and welcoming.

Open early, Stonegarden is perfect for travelers, locals, and business persons seeking delicious breakfast and brunch.

Top review

Matthew

Dined 4 days ago

Our server, Abraham, was exceptionally attentive! The zero-proof Mock-Mosa was beautifully balanced, and the poutine—topped with perfectly cooked eggs over easy—was the kind of indulgent comfort food that still felt thoughtfully elevated.

Lake Avenue Restaurant & Bar

4.6

4.6 (362)

$31 to $50

Global, International

Duluth

About the restaurant

Lake Avenue Restaurant & Bar in Duluth, Minnesota has been around since 1991, back when Canal Park was better known as an industrial harbor rather than a tourist location. The interior at Lake Avenue Restaurant & Bar has a cozy feel to it, thanks in large part to the reclaimed lumber used for the tables, booths and bar as well as thriving plants. When the weather is nice, you can dine on our deck, furnished with Loll patio furniture made locally.
We are a small restaurant, limited to 15 tables and 70 seats indoors. Because of this we are not able to accommodate groups larger than 8 people. If your party is larger than 8 people, please understand that your group may be split at separate tables, potentially not near each other. Please call us to discuss accommodating your large group events.
Due to the invariability of Duluth weather, our deck is non-reservable (with or without dogs) and subject to be closed without much notice. We seat the patio on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Top review

brianna

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

Amazing meal! Great food, service, and ambiance. Loved it!

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Smash Park - Roseville

4.5

4.5 (14)

$30 and under

American

Roseville

About the restaurant

Smash Park Roseville: Where Fun Meets Food
Smash Park is more than just a restaurant; it's an entertainment destination where you can enjoy delicious food, exciting activities, and a vibrant atmosphere. Whether you're looking for a casual night out with friends, a family outing, or a team-building event, Smash Park has something for everyone.

Fuel your adventures with our scratch-driven menu: Featuring a diverse selection of dishes made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. From juicy burgers and crispy wings to flavorful salads and innovative entrees.

Unleash Your Competitive Spirit: Challenge your friends and family to a game of pickleball, axe throwing, duckpin bowling, or cornhole. We also have a state-of-the-art arcade and private karaoke suites.

Soak in the Vibrant Atmosphere: With its modern design, comfortable seating, and lively atmosphere, Smash Park is the perfect place to relax and unwind while you enjoy a refreshing drink.

Happy Hour Available Mon-Fri, 2-6pm

Top review

MicheleVIP

Dined on May 30, 2025

The live music was great! The platter to share is an awesome deal & very tasty

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Experience

Summer Restaurant Week - Dinner

Experience

Summer Restaurant Week - Lunch

Experience

Private Cabana Happy Hour

The Ball Park TC

4.1

4.1 (58)

$31 to $50

American

Blaine

About the restaurant

Every plate at The Ball Park is thoughtfully curated to serve you the best quality ingredients, robust flavors, and unforgettable experience. We are proud to source locally.

Top review

Jackie

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

Very fun experience with great service and friendly staff, food was excellent as well. Great way to celebrate a grandchild’s birthday, our first time and we will be going back!

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