MINNESOTA MASTER LIST

After living in Minnesota at the end of 2020 from September to November, I feel like I FINALLY have my go-to spots that I can confidently share with you. This Minnesota Master List can be your guide through the city for where to eat, drink, explore, and enjoy all the beautiful state has to offer!

+ WHY MINNESOTA?

Brennan was born & raised right outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota – during the height of the pandemic shutdowns in Los Angeles last year, we made the decision to sell most of our belongings, let go of our apartment lease, and head East! We took a massive road trip where we saw 7 national parks in 7 days. At the end of the road trip we ended up in Minnesota where we would live from September – November with his family.

Though he’s been taking me to visit Minnesota since 2016, each trip back usually happened in December where we would spend just over a week with friends & family for Christmas. It was amazing to experience what a real winter was like – you know…negative 40 degrees and frozen nostrils, totally normal for this California girl 🙄 . But we never really got out to explore the city!

I didn’t truly get my bearings until we were locals for a few months; it also helped that we had our car with us so I could venture out on my own some days. This forced me to have a plan and know where I was going and what I was doing. There’s no better way to learn a city than to set out on your own to figure it out!

With the help of you guys on Instagram and a ton of local Minnesota friends this list continues to grow! If you have anything to add, comment below 🙂

HOTELS

Hewing Hotel – amazing bar downstairs and a cool rooftop. 

Hotel Emery – we’ve stayed here many times and it never gets old – the entrance is to-die for with huge ceilings and marble pillars throughout. There is a fireplace to sit by, a Spyhouse inside the hotel, and beautiful greenery sprinkled throughout the first floor.

Sonder – a great way to feel like a local! Rent a fully furnished apartment and stay in the heart of your favorite neighborhoods.

NEIGHBORHOODS

+ NORTH LOOP: After exploring a bit I found that I loved the North Loop the most; just outside of Downtown Minneapolis it’s right in the heart of so many amazing things to do! We rented an apartment through Sonder (highly recommend) and I could 100% see myself actually living in that area. There’s great coffee shops, communal work spots, Whole Foods, and incredible restaurants all within walking distance.

+ NORTHEAST: This is where Dogtown & Spyhouse are, as well as the warehouse I rented to do a really cool shoot in. It’s definitely a spot you could classify as “up & coming,” but already has a handful of awesome breweries, restaurants, and coffee shops.

+ WAYZATA: If I could live anywhere in Minnesota it would be here; when I told Brennan this he laughed and said “well yeah, it’s basically the Beverly Hills of Minnesota.” So that should sum it up for you 😉 But really – it’s the cutest small town vibe right on Lake Minnetonka. I make it a point to visit every time we’re in Minnesota because it makes me so happy.

+ LINDEN HILLS: I drove around this neighborhood once en route to grab coffee with my sister-in-law and I was “ooo-ing” and “ahh-ing” at every house we passed. A truly iconic area where a ton of old homes are being rebuilt in a big way.

+ STILLWATER: Cutest town to take a day trip or an overnight stay. Everything is on one road and there’s a ton to do. Cute bars, restaurants, coffee shops, wine shops; and it’s all right on the Mississippi River. Highly recommend!

+ UP NORTH: Going up to Brainerd + Nisswa is so much fun! Such cute little towns and tons of beautiful lakes. Stay in a cabin on the lake and rent a boat to experience lake life!

COFFEE

+ Dogtown Coffee – Northeast + Saint Paul

+ Fairgrounds – North Loop 

+ Penny’s – Downtown Minneapolis + Wayzata

+ Spyhouse – various locations

+ Misfit – Minneapolis 

+ Honey & Rye – Linden Hills 

+ Parallel – Minneapolis 

+ The Lynhall – Minneapolis 

+ FRGMNT – Downtown Minneapolis 

+ Vicinity

+ Botany Coffee

+ Quixotic Coffee

+ Nina’s Coffee Cafe

+ Stonehouse Coffee – Nisswa

BREAKFAST

+ Grocer’s Table – Wayzata

+ Nolo’s Kitchen + bar

+ The Copper Hen

+ Glam Doll Donuts

+ The Kenwood Restaurant

+ Rise Bagel Co

+ Martina

+ The Lynhall

+ Bellecour Bakery

LUNCH/DINNER

+ Spoon & Stable

+ Borough

+ Wakame (sushi & patio, uptown)

+ Billy Sushi (downtown)

+ COV – Lake Minnetonka / Wayzata

+ Green & The Grain – amazing salads with lots of locations & a food truck

+ Guilia – Italian restaurant in Hotel Emery; table-side Mozzarella)

+ Lemon Grass – best Thai food

+ Broders Pasta Bar  

+ Red Rabbit – closed Monday’s 

+ Edwards Dessert Kitchen 

+ Travail (in Robbinsdale – 18 course meal)

+ 6Smith – Lake Minnetonka

+ Cafe Lurcat – closed Monday’s 

+ Bar La Grassa

+ Revival

+ Butcher and The Boar

+ The Rabbit Hole

+ Burch Steakhouse and Pizza Bar (pizza in basement is cheap and good)

+ Victors 1959 Café

+ Pizzeria Lola

+ Bakers Ribs

+ Colossal Café

+ Nighthawks

+ Saint Dinette

+ Pig Ate My Pizza

+ Tilia – Linden Hills

+ Young Joni

+ Hi-Lo Diner

+ St. Genevieve – Lynnhurst

+ Tacocat

+ Martina – Linden Hills 

+ Nolos

+ Colita (chochoyotes and gnocci are great, churros)

+ Keg and Case (St Paul, vendors in warehouse)

+ Lat14 Asian Eatery

+ HAI HAI

+ North Loop Galley

+ Graze

+ Harriet Brasserie – Linden Hills

+ Cobble Social House

+ Muccis Italian

+ Sushi Train 

+ Sushi Fix – Wayzata

+ Yumi – Excelsior

+ Restoration Hardware Rooftop

BARS/HH

+ Grey Fox Coffee & Wine (Copper Hens owners)

+ Hammer & Sickle 

+ COV – Aperol spritz + truffle fries

+ Parlour (Parlour burger is amazing)

+ Borough 

+ Volstead’s (speakeasy)

+ Ice House

+ Country Bar

+ Tullibee (Hewing Hotel)

+ Steel Toe Brewery (Saint Louis Park)

+ Fulton Brewery (Downtown)

+ Constantine (mixology class)

+ Tattersall

+ Norseman Distillery

+ Bradstreet Neighborhood Crafthouse 

+ HAI HAI

+ First Draft

+ Sonder Shaker

Have anything to add? Comment below or DM me on Instagram!

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