D Brian's Deli
D Brian's Deli is a great place for lunch in downtown Minneapolis. This place has incredible sandwiches, all made to order. They have a huge selection of interesting sandwiches, hot and cold. They also offer salads, soups, and desserts. It is good food, served fast. They do have some seating available as well. I know they also offer catering, so it might be a great place to cater your next office gathering.
PROS: Quick service, great selection
CONS: In skyway. Business Hours
Nicollet Island Inn Restaurant
Nicollet Island Inn Restaurant is a wonderful restaurant located on Nicollet Island, on the Mississippi River, between Downtown Minneapolis and Northeast Minneapolis. This is a special occasion restaurant, as the prices are high. However, the food is excellent. Their menu features excellent steaks, chicken, fish, and the like. They have an outstanding wine collection as well. This restaurant offers great views of the river and Mpls. It is part of the Nicollet Island Inn, a very quaint and historic Inn.
PROS: Delicious food, historic Inn
CONS: Pricey
Rossi's Steakhouse And Blue Star Jazz Room
Rossi's Steakhouse And Blue Star Jazz Room is a wonderful place to get a drink and listen to some fine jazz. Jazz music is played nightly. I have yet to eat at the restaurant, but a coworker raved over their steaks. I have been to the lounge several times though. There has never been a cover charge. Purchase a drink (and maybe treat yourself to one of their TOWERING desserts) and sit back to listen to some of the finest jazz in town. This atmosphere is exactly what a jazz club should be...relaxing, "basement" feel. It has brick walls, velvet curtains, and check print table cloths. It reminds me of the Cheers set, only with jazz.
PROS: Great Jazz Music
CONS: None
Market Bar-B-Que
Market Bar-B-Que is a classic barbeque restaurant located in Minneapolis, MN, on "eat street". The restaurant boasts a fine barbeque. This is more your classic barbeque, rivaling bbq's in Memphis. The flavor is excellent. The decor is also traditional...red checker tablecloths, old fashioned decor; a casual feeling. They have photos of famous folks that have frequented the place, including Jay Leno. I am getting hungry just thinking of this restaurant! Definitely worth checking out. They also have a fine bar, including suprisingly good martini's for a bbq joint!
PROS: Excellent Ribs
CONS: Parking can be tricky; on the street is easiest
Lord Fletcher's On Lake Minnetonka
Lord Fletcher's On Lake Minnetonka is a great summertime restaurant. They offer seating both inside and out, and also have a large bar and decent size dance floor inside. The food is traditional American food. It's decent, but you really come here to be on the lake! The large outdoor patio is the perfect place to sip on a drink and stare at the lake. Or, you can people watch. Food is traditional American food; steaks, chicken, fish, salads, pasta, etc. My friend had her wedding rehearsal dinner here and had a fantastic time.
PROS: PATIO
CONS: None, You're on Lake Minnetonka..who can complain??
Murray's Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge
Murray's is known as the original Minneapolis Steak Restaurant, for a reason. Murray's sells the best steak I have ever had, the Silver Butter Knive Steak. Now this is not a cheap steak, but it is worth every penny. It melts in your mouth, literally. This restaurant has been around for decades, and the traditional decor of 1946 still exists. There is an amazing presence of history in this restaurant. A violin player plays off on and on during your meal. People often dress up to come here. Toasts are made. The servers are top knotch; this is the only job many of them have had, it is their career. Going to Murray's is an event. It will be one of the best meals of your life. I'll bet my knife on it.
PROS: Silver Butter Knive Steak
CONS: Expensive, but worth it.
Ichiban Japanese Steak House
Ichiban Japanese Steak House is a very fun restaurant, located on Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis, MN. You sit at large group tables with sometimes several other couples/groups. A server prepares your meal right in front of you, using the freshest of veggies and meats. You are also given an appetizer. It's really fun to watch the servers prepare the food. Sometimes the flames burst high on the woks. This restaurant also has a "sushi" bar which revolves, so you can grab whatever sushi you like. The food here is excellent and the night will be an adventure!
PROS: Really good food, fun outing, group atmosphere
CONS: none
Keegan's Irish Pub & Restaurant
Keegan's Irish Pub & Restaurant is one of my favorite places to catch a drink with a friend. The atmosphere is homey and laid back. The owners often work there at night, so you know they care about the place. The food is good; they offer Irish food (guinness pie) as well as American favorites. They have a full bar. On many nights, they have live local bands, often Irish bands. I usually always find a table or one of the small couches to sprawl out on. They have parking on the street (metered) or in a public lot behind the restaurant.
PROS: Delicious Irish fare, fantastic live entertainment, homey feel.
CONS: Usually have to pay to park in pay lot.
8th Street Grill
8th Street Grill is located in Minneapolis, MN, on Marquette Avenue. It is a good place for lunch in downtown Minneapolis. They do have outdoor seating, so it's a must in the summer months. My favorite on their traditional American menu is their meatloaf....yummy! Their sandwiches are huge and tasty. Service is usually pretty quick too. Although I have not tried it, they advertise a breakfast as well.
Check it out!
PROS: Patio seating
CONS: Lack of Parking
Tiburon Caribbean Bistro
Tiburon Caribbean Bistro is a fun seafood/caribbean fare restaurant in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. The food is excellent; they have a wide range to their menu. It ranges from high end seafood to low end inexpensive appetizers. The decor of this place is so much fun! They have a HUGE fish tank that separates part of the bar and the restaurant. It is very relaxing to watch the tropical fish as you are sipping on a fruity cocktail. They also have some small ponds with fish. Great decor and a fun place to meet friends for a nice dinner.
PROS: Wonderful food--fantastic decor!
CONS: none