Best Casual Restaurants in University of Minnesota

98 restaurants available nearby

1. Baldamar

4.9

Exceptional(6726)

Price: Expensive

• Steak • Roseville

Booked 93 times today

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 8 or more.

A photo of Hell's Kitchen Minneapolis restaurant

2. Hell's Kitchen Minneapolis

4.7

Exceptional(5642)

Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 81 times today

Comfort food with an upscale twist...In the heart of downtown Minneapolis, appropriately located in a beautiful underground space, you'll discover Hell's Kitchen, an employee-owned restaurant known for its damn good food. Join us for breakfast, lunch, dinner or drinks 7 days a week, and enjoy REAL comfort food made by chefs who care, described by food writers as "unique but not fancy; interesting but not fussy". Almost everything is made from scratch, from our award-winning peanut butter to our unique dips and dressings, winning us over 67 "best" awards as well as accolades in Gourmet Magazine, Conde Nast Traveler, Midwest Living, and other national magazines. And bring the kids along... you should see the cheeky notes they write to us!"Rather than rave on, let us just say if you're in Minnesota and want to wow your tastebuds, go to Hell's Kitchen. It is inspired and inspiring." (Jane & Michael Stern, NPR)

A photo of Nolo's Kitchen & Bar restaurant

3. Nolo's Kitchen & Bar

4.6

Exceptional(1100)

Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 35 times today

**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. Marty has owned over 10 restaurant concepts in Minneapolis, MN, Kansas City and Columbia, MO, and Iowa City, IA. Brett and his family have owned and operated The Hilltop Restaurant for the past 40 years. Pete, the head chef, brings his most recent culinary experience and creativity from California to NOLO’s, The Rooftop Bar and The Basement Bar. His culinary vision and passion for local ingredients create new modern comfort food dishes. 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.

4. Beacon Public House - Graduate Minneapolis

4.6

Exceptional(326)

Price: Moderate

• Gastro Pub • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 12 times today

The Beacon is a warm and inviting neighborhood gastropub. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, we serve up a menu of American classics and feature an extensive selection of craft cocktails and beers. Get your game on over a local brew at our pool table, cozy up with friends at a booth or high top, or gather 'round the communal table in our private dining room for more intimate conversation.

5. Billy Sushi

new

4.8

Exceptional(6)

Price: Moderate

• Sushi • Downtown / Mill District

Booked 66 times today

There are ninety-nine different ways to write “sushi” in the Japanese script of kanji. Each with its own unique interpretation and meaning. It was with great deliberation that our founder, Billy, chose 寿司 to best represent his personal interpretation of the word - Celebration of Fish!That’s exactly how Billy feels about the art of making sushi and the atmosphere that surrounds it - it should be a celebration! Which is why Billy Sushi is more than just a restaurant, it is an experience for anyone who allows themselves to take part. A three-ring performance of sorts - sushi bar, sake bar and dining room - brought to life by the performances of sushi chefs, bartenders and servers. And the Ring Master and your host, Billy.

A photo of Milly's Wine Bar & Bistro restaurant

6. Milly's Wine Bar & Bistro

4.8

Exceptional(41)

Price: Moderate

• Wine Bar • Northeast Minneapolis

Booked 21 times today

Just on the edge of downtown, we’re located in the stunning Mill District! Milly’s is a gathering place whether you are a wine enthusiast or novice, we hope to find the perfect pairing for you. Our goal is to make wine accessible, affordable, & fun, with food to delight your taste buds.Pull up a chair, grab a book, try something new, meet a neighbor or make a new friend. Like we always say- ‘Come for a glass, stay for a bottle!’

A photo of Cafe Lurcat - Minneapolis restaurant

7. Cafe Lurcat - Minneapolis

4.8

Exceptional(5246)

Price: Very Expensive

• American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 29 times today

Café and Bar Lurcat, located next to Loring Park, is a hip, urban venue that boasts serious food and voguish design. Café Lurcat is a perfect blend of classic old world style with a Noveau twist. The expansive bar and lounge is ideal for casual cocktails and a la carte bites, while the romantic dining room creates the perfect ambiance for an exceptional foodie experience featuring sophisticated comfort food. We offer the perfect event venue for family celebrations, trendy parties, marriages, Bar Mitzvahs, showers, charity events, galas, graduations and black tie events. This iconic Minneapolis restaurant continues to age like a fine wine as it approaches its 20th year.

8. noa

4.5

Awesome(152)

Price: Expensive

• American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 22 times today

Noa, situated in the IDS Center in the heart of Minneapolis, provides guests with chef-crafted dishes in a welcoming and expansive setting. The restaurant exudes a cozy ambiance and vibrant energy, offering a selection of upscale yet accessible menu options. Featuring earthy hues and abundant natural light and greenery, Noa creates a relaxed environment for visitors throughout the year. Additionally, the establishment includes a private dining space for hosting events and is capable of handling large orders and accommodating special requests.

A photo of Fogo de Chao - Minneapolis restaurant

9. Fogo de Chao - Minneapolis

4.2

Awesome(5064)

Price: Moderate

• Brazilian • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 109 times today

Fogo de Chão is an internationally-renowned steakhouse from Brazil that allows guests to discover what's next at every turn. Founded in Southern Brazil in 1979, Fogo elevates the centuries-old culinary art of churrasco - roasting high-quality cuts of meat over an open flame - into a cultural dining experience of discovery. Please join us in our dining room, in our more casual Bar Fogo, or bring the Fogo Experience to you with Fogo To-Go or Catering. Visit our website to make a reservation or place an order.

10. The Smack Shack

4.6

Exceptional(1733)

Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 15 times today

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.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

M
Marie
Minneapolis - St. Paul •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Hells kitchen is amazing especially the bloody Mary bar that you make your own. They were so helpful and showing us and explaining to us how to do it. The food was also amazing.
More info
Hell's Kitchen MinneapolisPrice: Moderate• American• Downtown / North Loop
•
4.7
K
Kyle
Los Angeles •1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
We have been many times and always choose the sushi bar. Being able to chat and learn about the food we are eating really makes the difference for us as diners. The sushi chefs are phenomenal and have great personalities ! Highly recommend that everyone should try this place at least once!
More info
Billy SushiPrice: Moderate• Sushi• Downtown / Mill District
•
4.8
S
stephan
Minneapolis - St. Paul •19 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
My wife and I did the Champagner Brunch at Baldamar on Nov. 23. It was fantastic; everything we hoped it would be. The wait staff was very well informed about the food and drink offerings, and provided us with valuable insight. The food was very good, though somewhat hit and miss. The Scallop and pasta dish was fantastic; we ordered it twice. The crab cake was more cake than crab. The calamari was very good, as was the lamb curry. The cocktails, and limitless champagne and wine, were great. They did not go cheap on their alcohol offerings. Bottom line, it was a memorable experience for our anniversary celebration, and well worth the expense.
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BaldamarPrice: Expensive• Steak• Roseville
•
4.9
D
Donna
Minneapolis - St. Paul •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Excellent! Smash Burger gets rave reviews from our table! Service was excellent!
More info
Beacon Public House - Graduate MinneapolisPrice: Moderate• Gastro Pub• Downtown / North Loop
•
4.6
M
Martha
Minneapolis - St. Paul •1 review
5.0
Dined on Nov 16, 2024
Great food, absolutely wonderful server, fun atmosphere!
More info
Nolo's Kitchen & BarPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• Downtown / North Loop
•
4.6

Best Casual Restaurants in University of Minnesota

Price

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Top Rated

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98 restaurants available nearby

1. Baldamar

2. Hell's Kitchen Minneapolis

3. Nolo's Kitchen & Bar

4. Beacon Public House - Graduate Minneapolis

5. Billy Sushi

6. Milly's Wine Bar & Bistro

7. Cafe Lurcat - Minneapolis

8. noa

9. Fogo de Chao - Minneapolis

10. The Smack Shack

See what locals rave about

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