The Tastiest Cocktail Bars in Minneapolis

Brick & Bourbon

★★★★☆ 4.2 (760) • $$

"The wagyu sliders were amazing! Absolutely loved that and the mac and cheese side that I got. I thought the fries would taste pretty generic but they were good too.Super popular spot but the service is good!"

Black Sheep Coal Fired Pizza

★★★★☆ 4 (673) • $$

"Was torn about where to order dinner from on my last night in Minneapolis, and, since I had a craving for pizza, opted for Black Sheep after seeing it recommended a couple times. I can't really speak to the ambience of the restaurant itself (I ordered for delivery via DoorDash), but the pizza didn't really impress me. Maybe my expectations were too high after seeing it recommended multiple times? No idea. Either way, my "build your own" pizza (fennel sausage, feta, golden pineapple, oyster mushrooms, and kalamata olives) + chop salad with dressing on the side arrive pretty promptly... but I was kind disappointed on the cook on the pizza. The middle seemed undercooked, and the crust was way too crunchy (there was none of that "chew" that's so delightful when biting into a well-made, coal-fired pizza). Also, the fennel sausage didn't really seem to have much of any flavor? So sad. Now, maybe the fact that I ordered pineapple on my pizza will mean a good portion of folks dismiss this review entirely (and you know what? #SorryNotSorry ), but the pizza from Black Sheep just didn't live up to the hype I saw online. I had ordered from a different pizza place while in Minneapolis as well, and I should have just ordered from them again. Hindsight is 20/20 though, amirite?"

Handsome Hog

★★★★☆ 3.8 (741) • $$$

"The ambiance here was great! We came on a Sunday night so it was not busy at all. The service was quick, and our waitress Bri was very kind. She made great food recommendations, which we loved!For the appetizer: Pig Wings- a GREAT choice. Has a good amount of spice, and comes with coleslaw. It was really delicious, would highly recommend. Drinks: C.R.E.A.M. - a really interesting drink concept that tastes very good, and goes well with spicy foodOld fashioned- "deceptively strong"Entree: chicken and waffles- really good, get a good amount of food for the price! Would highly recommend Secreto+ was AMAZING! On the pricier side, but that is understandable given the quality of the food. All of the elements blend well together Dessert: smoked crème brûlée- good, nothing to write home about"

Parlour

★★★★☆ 4.3 (465) • $$

"Let me just say this...They got the best burgers in Minnesota. Hands down. Nothing else even come close.If you haven't, make sure to try them."

Angelina's Kitchen Italian Restaurant and Wine Bar

★★★★☆ 4.4 (429) • $$

"Probably my favorite restaurant in the twin cities right now. Every time I come back I'm left impressed and satisfied. Try any of the dishes with the white sauce. It is so creamy and velvety."

The Block Food & Drink

★★★★☆ 4.2 (429) • $$

"It has been a long while since I was last at The Block, and I can tell you they have improved! I will start with the food because that is where the improvement is for me. We ordered some burgers and a beer for our furry friend. The food came out timely, it was hot, and seasoned perfectly. I could have ordered a second if it weren't so filling. I had a burger with garlic aioli, red onion, and cheese, and it was delicious. I upgraded to fries as well, and they were so good. I HIGHLY recommend The Block for a good burger.We also brought our dog. It was his first time out, so we were prepared to leave in case he was behaving or uncomfortable, but he did so well. That is also because the tables on the patio are well-spaced. He did quite care for the dog beer until we went home and could drink it in his own bowl, but that's not on The Block. He did chug it once we got home!The staff was also wonderful. They clearly understand the nuances of dog ownership and are adaptable. They loved saying hi to our dog. Whether you have a dog or not, I highly recommend the block for a burger, beer, and a good time!"

Highland Grill

★★★★☆ 4 (380) • $$

"We went on a Sunday morning and got seated right away even though it was packed. The brunch vibes here are great. It's cozy, loud (not too much), and bright. We got the hot hash and holly and the blueberry French toast. The hash is my favorite in the cities! I loved the hollandaise on it. The blueberry French toast was really good with the whipped cream cheese, although one of the two bread slices was rock hard. The state fair blueberry and basil lemonade is also served here! Overall a great brunch pick."

Nightingale Food & Cocktails

★★★★☆ 4.1 (352) • $$

"5 stars all the way from California! Nightingale food and cocktails will always be one of my favorite places in Minnesota! I will forever be dreaming about the mushroom toast appetizer, OMFG so amazing!!! If you're looking for a fun, intimate, delicious restaurant then Nightingale is the place for you. Please review my food pics on the items you have to try. My absolute favorites is the mushroom toast and the green curry mussels! Holy shhhhhh, these dishes are bursting with flavor. Something about that green curry sauce, I feel like I can drink an entire bowl of that alone. On the night we visited, they had a live DJ playing vibey, throwback 90's R&B, I was all about it having a good ol' time! Can't say anything bad about this spot, all good good good things. Can't wait for my next visit back to the Midwest for that good good!"

Nico's Taco and Tequila Bar

★★★★☆ 3.5 (482) • $$

"We went for the holiday bar and had a wonderful time!First, parking - the area right in front of Nico's turns into a bus land during certain hours. They have a tiny parking area on the side of the building. I had no problem finding a spot just around the block (just watch for snow emergencies!). The bar was sooooo cute. I loved all the decorations and the music. We sat on the second floor and I loved how spaced out the seating was. I had a festive cocktail drink- it was priced right and tasted great! I ordered the Flautas Verdes with Carnitas and it was so flavorful and fresh. I loveddddd the verde sauce, which has a nice kick of spice."

Edina Grill

★★★★☆ 3.8 (404) • $$

"LOVE THIS PLACE and the people :)Beet salad with chicken is my fave! Kris at the bar always greets me like an old friend, Jen the server is amazing as well! Good folks and good food (cocktails rock too)-Enjoy!!"

Pub 819

★★★★☆ 3.8 (393) • $$

"Pub 819 offers an impressive variety of food for different preferences and dietary restrictions, along with a diverse list of adult beverages (including an entire menu dedicated to whiskey). Our group was seated right away on their patio and service was friendly and swift. This is a great place for a casual meal on Main Street in Hopkins, or a happy hour visit. It's particularly friendly for vegetarians and offered plenty of gluten free options as well. Our favorites were the Yum Yum bowl, Hot Chicken sandwich and Blackberry Mule, but everything we ordered was delicious."

Northeast Social

★★★★☆ 4 (346) • $$

"This restaurant is a hidden treasure nestled a couple blocks off Broadway.The ambiance is curated to be an upscale cocktail and New American Cuisine establishment with friendly service.I was impressed by the knowledge the waiter had on the beer list and food options.I gave 4 stars because I ordered the Potato Cavatelli Cacio e Pepe and was not enthralled by the flavor (over peppery). Everything else was great!"

Namaste Café

★★★★☆ 3.7 (389) • $$

"We went there for our 33d wedding anniversary. They were fully staffed, very attentive to our table and the food was excellent! Paapri Chat, Almond and Shrimp Coconut curry, and aloo paratha. Wine, beer and cocktail selection were excellent."

Kado No Mise

★★★★☆ 4.1 (278) • $$$$

"The food was amazing! We lucked out with it being Puffer Fish season...definitely recommend trying the platter because it was so flavorful with their Ponzu! The chef's tasting menu is definitely the way to go and the more courses the better!! I was in Japan and introduced to horse mackerel and this restaurant took it to a whole other level!! Service was excellent as you would expect! Quiet and semi-private tables in the restaurant and a nice dark whiskey bar. Japanese whiskey selection was excellent and the staff recommendations based on comparable other whiskey were On Point! Would definitely recommend!"

Rojo Mexican Grill

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (450) • $$

"Great street tacos, I got the Carnitas! Good happy hour deals. Good place to watch sporting events, plenty of TVs to cover every game. Servers continuously serve the chips and salsa (very yummy btw). Would recommend for a quick Mexican restaurant!"

Estelle

★★★★★ 4.7 (208)

"I love Estelle's. If you want great tasting consistent food this is your place. On street parking."

Bourbon Butcher Kitchen + Bar

★★★★☆ 3.5 (338) • $$

"A nice relaxed place. Good service and an intimidating selection of spirits, particularly bourbon (big surprise). We had a couple smoked bourbon s and whiskeys. My tri-tip with chimmichurri was perfect. Others had sandwiches and other entrees I wasn't privy to due to my face being busy with delicious mashed potatoes and roasted Brussels sprouts. Those seem a little bit of an afterthought. The flavors were great, but the sprouts were unevenly cooked, ranging from succulent to tough and undercooked. A fine time was had by all."

JUN

★★★★☆ 3.6 (317) • $$

"I've only eaten here once, but it was enough to know that this is one of the best Chinese restaurants I've been to. From appetizers to mains, I was in heaven. Great wontons, Szechuan dumplings, Xiang La wings (which is very similar to the Chong Qing main), everything was perfect. This is my favorite type of cuisine from China, and its spicy, so perhaps it's not for everyone, but I was as happy as I could possibly be and can't wait to return in the near future.Staff too were friendly and helpful in making recommendations for friends. The inside decor is chill and quiet, so there is nothing anywhere near I was wishing for more while visiting. Kudos to the chefs and staff. Fantastic experience!"

Dark Horse Bar & Eatery

★★★★☆ 3.8 (275) • $$

"Great food, great bar. I highly recommend their house Old Fashioned. Bar service can be a bit slow when's it's busy, but that's to be expected."

CōV Edina

★★★★☆ 3.6 (304) • $$

"I had a lovely dining experience at CōV Edina on a Sunday for brunch. We were seated quickly & had great service. They have the restaurant decorated for the holidays which was fun & festive. We ordered the Brisket Hash and the Lobster Tartine. The food was so flavorful & very filling. Highly recommend both of these dishes along with a crisp glass of one of their Sauvignon Blancs."

Northern Taphouse

★★★★☆ 4 (246) • $$

"Food is always phenomenal and the beer selection is great. Servers are always attentive and friendly."

Volstead House Whiskey Bar and Speakeasy, Eagan

★★★★☆ 4 (230) • $$

"Who knew this place was located in a strip mall in Eagan. Definitely recommend this place. Great food with even better pours. Only negative on our visit. The whiskey room was in use for a private event."

Raag Modern Indian Fine Dining

★★★★☆ 4.3 (199) • $$

"Heard good things about the food here so we decided to pop in for dinner. The atmosphere is top notch (love the fireplace) and the staff members were very welcoming. The food was amazing!!!! We will definitely be back"

NorthStar Tavern

★★★★☆ 4 (225) • $$

"I really like this place. It feels like a semi-upscale burger joint. Food is excellent. We went for a school fundraiser and loved it so I went back a few weeks later. Very good food."

Book Club Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.8 (243) • $$

"I want to love this place so much as a walkable brunch destination... and it continues to disappoint. I rarely write reviews, but I was irritated after our most recent visit.We live just around the corner and love and frequent other neighborhood establishments nearby: Cafe Ceres, Red Wagon, Colita, Ace, Broders, Nicos Tacos... often with our kiddos.The last time I was there with my two boys, the servers were cold and seemed to want to get rid of us, but at the same time, they were also so slow. I haven't been anywhere else in the twin cities where I felt unwelcome with my kids. They are little and wiggly, but were quiet, not messy, and not disturbing other patrons.Decided to try again Sunday around noon with our two kiddos and my husband. It was busy, and service was slow even accounting for the busyness. Server took a long time to even greet us, let alone come over. She was not friendly, but that's fine -- people have bad days? After finally taking our order, she returns to tell me they have no huevos "because they are no more tostadas." So I say, that's ok, I see there are other dishes with flour tortillas, can the kitchen give me a flour tortilla instead? She says no because the flour tortilla is bigger (?!). I push back a bit, and offer to pay extra... and she eventually says she'll ask her manager. She comes back and says the manager said no.As I'm looking for something else, she adds, "also, there's no rice." Haha, ok... so I ask if the other dishes that have rice are also out, and she said "yes" and then volunteers 2 or 3 more dishes I can't order. Eventually I order something. Kiddos drinks take another 10+ minutes after all this to arrive. Food was good, but not out of this world. Not a big deal, but just don't really need to spend money here when there are so many other good options."

Coalition Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.7 (240) • $$

"What a gem! Picked this place out strictly on ambiance through the window and now potentially my new favorite spot in Excelsior. Went here for brunch with my dad and daughter. They brought out freshly made doughnut holes with homemade raspberry sauce. What a treat - and honestly all my 1.5 yr old even needed. Food was great and service was even better."

Hope Breakfast Bar - St. Louis Park

★★★★☆ 3.6 (245) • $$

"It's a favorite! The menu is solid. Service is typically good too. They take reservations. Parking can sometimes be challenging - so plan ahead."

Eli's East Food & Cocktails

★★★★☆ 3.9 (208) • $$

"Got together with a couple great friends. They suggested Eli's, as I'd never even heard of it.I feel glad that I was introduced to this wonderful place. The wait staff have a vibe kind of like Pizza Luce: Friendly, hip, and unconventional. The service was stellar, as was the food and drink.I had the Garden Party drink, and it was way too easy to drink. The flavors are balance and refreshing. I love cucumber in drinks (Pimm's & Lemonade), so this really hit the spot.I ordered the Goddess Chopped Salad and Elote. The Elote was ridiculously good. I should have ordered one to go, because I keep thinking about that corn. The salad was a wonderful mix of flavors and textures, as any good chopped salad should be. The dressing was the perfect accompaniment. This is a place I will visit again."

Duke's on 7

★★★★☆ 3.7 (223) • $$

"The food! The fireplace! The waitress!Duke's has the best of everything. The outdoor patio has igloos for the hearty in the winter....and the best dog friendly patio in the summer. Dogs even have their own menu!"

Coalition Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.9 (197) • $$

"Our server was very friendly and checked on us often without making us feel pressured or rushed to order. We enjoyed our drinks and a light dinner on the patio which was nice and cozy.The burrata came with fig jam, prosciutto, arugula, and ciabatta. Each item was absolutely delicious!! The sweet jam and creamy burrata paired well with the salty prosciutto and nicely toasted ciabatta. We ordered another serving of bread to enjoy the spread.It was a nice treat, but the prices are too high for me to visit regularly."

Porterhouse Steak and Seafood - Lakeville

★★★★☆ 3.9 (193) • $$$

"Amazing came here because my co worker said that porterhouse made the best steak. And they did not disappoint. Service was okay it was super busy so I understand why the service wasn't so great. Ambiance was great!"

Margaritaville - Mall of America

★★★☆☆ 2.9 (349) • $$

"This restaurant seems rundown and tired, in desperate need of a rehab. It seemed dark at times and the whole back half of the restaurant was empty during the dinner hour. It felt like a food court version of Margaritaville. The TVs in the bar and the patio weren't on even though it was night one of the World Series.Southwest chicken salad was fresh and yummy, the rest felt disappointingly standard. My margarita was really weak and watered down. Not worth the $100+ tab for our family of 4...and we didn't even hear Margaritaville once."

El Parian Mexican Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.1 (174) • $

"Very nice restaurant, right behind Target, almost passed it. Was greeted by the staff and sat in the booths. Nice and comfortable seating with privacy, also there are tables for larger families to dine in.I was greeted with chips and salsa along with a nice queso sauce that had a nice spicy hint. I ordered the carnitas platter, which came with rice and beans and salad with guacamole. It was so tasty, came with 4 tortillas to make your own tacos. Very flavorful and crispy carnitas. I noticed there were some optional sauces on the side but wish the dish came with a traditional house made salsa verde instead. To drink I had a Jarrito Tamarind flavor, very classic and paired so well. I was very full by the end and that was a total of 20$ for both. Service was great, the bathroom was very clean, the team was alert at all times. Will definitely come back again to try their mole enchiladas."

Tequila Butcher

★★★★☆ 3.5 (222) • $$

"Let me start by saying that our service was excellent! Ryan was kind, thoughtful and attentive while also providing great recommendations. We both started with drinks that were refreshing and great. The Brisket Mole is a MUST - it is one of the pricier options but so worth it and you get plenty of food for the next day. The meat is smoky and the mole has an incredible depth of flavor. It blew our socks off. The Carnitas tacos could have used a little more flavor, but I loved the corn and rice on the side. We also started with the crispy brussel sprouts which had a beautiful sweet and tangy sauce on top. It was loud inside when we arrived at 6:00 but quieted down by the time we left. Would definitely recommend for a happy hour or a delicious meal!"

The Tilted Tiki

★★★★☆ 3.8 (163) • $$

"Aloha! Come to The Tilted Tiki to enjoy live music and a tropical vibe. The service is inviting and has an extensive drink menu including many tropical cocktails. There's nice outdoor seating and lots of interesting decor. I am literally in Hawaii when I'm there!!! Just make sure to wear walking shoes if you plan on using the bathroom. It's a bit of a hike to get there through the halls behind the restaurant."