Where to Go | What to Eat | How to Get There |
Transportation
Metro Transit serves Minneapolis, St Paul, Airport, and Mall of America. https://www.metrotransit.org
- Blue Line Light Rail runs between downtown Minneapolis and Mall of America including airport terminals.
- Green Line Light Rail runs from downtown Minneapolis to downtown St Paul.
- Fares $2.00 non-rush hour, $2.50 rush hour (M-F 6-9 am & 3-6:30 pm) and includes bus transfers.
- Trains generally depart every 10-15 minutes.
- Purchase ticket before boarding the train https://www.metrotransit.org/how-to-use-a-ticket-machine
Around downtown Minneapolis
Downtown Zone fare $0.50 see https://www.metrotransit.org/downtown-zone
Things to Do / Events
The Guthrie Theater
818 South 2nd Street
Box Office - 612-377-2224
Minneapolis Institute of Art
2400 Third Avenue South
888-642-2787
725 Vineland Place
612-375-7600
1010 Nicollet Mall
Downtown Minneapolis
- Molly Tuttle, March 24
- Ladysmith Black Mambazo, March 25 - 2 shows
Mall of America
Blue Line Light Rail from Nicollet Mall station (about 35 minutes one way)
Shopping, entertainment, dining.
Checkout the new 5D Extreme Attraction by Matrix Technology
St Paul
Green Line from Nicollet Mall to Central then walk to the following:
- Minnesota History Center (10 minute walk from 10th Street Station)
- Science Museum of Minnesota (10 minute walk from Central Station)
- Ordway (6 minute walk from Central Station)
- March 23 – Classic Albums Live – Beatles - Abby Road
- March 24 – Red Hot Chili Pipers (Bagpipers who rock)
- St Paul Central Library and James J Hill Center at Rice Park
Dining
Classic Minneapolis
Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant
1010 Nicollet Ave
Great ambiance at this local jazz club. Bar menu is a good choice for cheaper fare, but the regular dinner menu is definitely worth experiencing.
Murray’s
26 S 6th St
http://www.murraysrestaurant.com/
This is a Minneapolis institution that has been around since the 1940s. Try the Silver Butter Knife Steak, a steak so tender you can cut it with a butter knife. Reservations are recommended. Pricey, but worth it!
Monte Carlo
219 3rd Avenue N
Business lunch atmosphere with a solid supper club menu. A fine place to sip a Martini as it was meant to be.
Solid Bets
112 Eatery
112 N 3rd Street
They have a little bit of everything here – salads, pasta, burgers – but with the volume turned up One of 3 of James Beard Award Winning chef Isaac Becker’s restaurants that will be on this list.
Bar La Grassa
800 Washington Ave N
Another Isaac Becker restaurant featuring delicious Italian cuisine. A perennial favorite among locals since it opened.
Brit’s Pub
1110 Nicollet Mall
Need a fish n’ chips fix? Brit’s is your place. British specialties along with traditional American bar food fare.
Burch Steak & Pizza Bar
1942 Hennepin Ave
http://www.burchrestaurant.com/
Lots of choices here – fine steakhouse dining to more casual bar and pizza fare. It is all amazing. Be sure to get some of the homemade dumplings.
Hell’s Kitchen
80 S 9th Street
https://www.hellskitcheninc.com/
Funky fare open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Zen Box Izakaya
602 S Washington Ave
Japanese comfort food.
The Local Irish Pub
931 Nicollet Mall
Your “local” pub complete with a good selection of traditional Irish pub fare (as well as good old American choices). Open for lunch or dinner.
Maxwell’s American Pub
1201 Washington Ave S
Bar food and drink with daily specials.
The Newsroom
990 Nicollet Mall
http://www.thenewsroommpls.com/home.aspx
Good selection of food served in a very interesting atmosphere.
Spoonriver
750 S 2nd St
Great choice for healthy eating with many options for vegetarians and vegans.
Zelo
831 Nicollet Mall
Good choice for Italian/Mediterranean food options. Nice ambiance and a good choice for late night dining.
Fine Dining
Capital Grille
801 Hennepin Ave
The Capital Grille is a good choice for great service and an even better steak house menu. Reservations are recommended.
McCormick & Schmick’s
800 Nicollet Mall
A solid choice for a good seafood menu that changes daily.
Monello
1115 2nd Ave S
High-end Italian fare with exceptional service. Nice splurge option.
Murray’s
26 S 6th St
http://www.murraysrestaurant.com/
This is a Minneapolis institution that has been around (and not redecorated) since the 1940s. Try the Silver Butter Knife Steak, a steak so tender you can cut it with a butter knife. Reservations are recommended.
Oceanaire
50 S 6th Street
Located near the Hilton this is a fine choice for good seafood in Minneapolis. Menu changes daily based on what’s fresh. Reservations are recommended.
Sea Change
806 S 2nd St
https://www.seachangempls.com/
Located in the same building as the Guthrie Theater. Great high end seafood dining. Make sure to make a reservation if you plan to make a show at the Guthrie the same night.
Spoon and Stable
211 N 1st St
https://www.spoonandstable.com/
Gavin Kaysen is a James Beard Award Winning Chef and this restaurant appears on lists best restaurants in the U.S. (most recently, Food and Wine). High end dining option with a lovely atmosphere. Reservations recommended.
Eat Street
Black Sheep Pizza
2550 Nicollet Ave
Coal-fired pizza ovens make some amazing pizzas!
Jasmine Deli
2532 Nicollet
https://www.jasminedelimpls.com/
Delicious Vietnamese food.
Icehouse
2528 Nicollet Ave
Restaurant and live music – great food and bar options.
Lu’s Sandwiches
2624 Nicollet
Vietnamese sandwich and bubble tea shop.
My Huong Kitchen
2718 Nicollet
http://www.myhuongkitchen.com/
More delicious Vietnamese choices.
Pho Tau Bay
2837 Nicollet
Vietnamese food, specializing in Pho.
Pho 79
2529 Nicollet Ave
Vietnamese noodle house.
Pimento Jamaican Kitchen
2524 Nicollet Ave
Winner of Food Network’s Food Court Wars serves up delish Jamaican fare.
Quang
2719 Nicollet
http://www.quang-restaurant.com/
Most highly recommended Pho in the Twin Cities.
Happy Hour
The Newsroom
990 Nicollet Ave
http://thenewsroommpls.com/menu.aspx
Kieran’s Irish Pub
85 N 6th St
Barrio
925 Nicollet Mall
Hell’s Kitchen
80 S 9th St
https://www.hellskitcheninc.com/
Mercury Dining Room and Rail
505 S Marquette Ave
Just Like Home…
Buca di Beppo
1204 Harmon Place
Rock Bottom Brewery
800 LaSalle Plaza
A brew-pub that has a wide selection of beers for the hops connoisseur. Menu is basic American bar fare.
Coffee Shops/Breakfast Choices
Band Box Diner
729 S 10th St
Open at 7am for a traditional diner breakfast.
Caribou Coffee
800 Nicollet Mall (and many more locations throughout downtown)
D. Brian’s
800 Nicollet Mall (in Target/USBank skyway)
Hell’s Kitchen
89 S 10th St
https://www.hellskitcheninc.com/
Keys Café and Bakery
821 Marquette Avenue (in the Foshay Tower)
Traditional breakfast fare, diner style.
Starbuck’s
80 S 8th Street (in IDS Center, Skyway level)
(and many more locations throughout downtown)
Dunn Bros
800 LaSalle
(and many other locations throughout downtown)
Minnesota’s own, locally roasted coffee. Undoubtedly the best cup of coffee in the Twin Cities.