The full ranking
From the North Loop's fine-dining row to Northeast's live-fire kitchens and Saint Paul's grand old dining rooms, the Twin Cities turn out some of the Midwest's most exciting food. French-American craft at Bûcheron, Diane Moua's world-class pastries at Diane's Place, Gavin Kaysen's chef's-counter tasting menu at Demi, Yia Vang's Hmong cooking at Vinai, and the only kaiseki in the Midwest at Kado no Mise — these are the tables worth crossing the river for, drawn from Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, the Star Tribune, and the city's sharpest critics.
Bûcheron (Kingfield)
Chef Adam Ritter's French-American bistro in Kingfield turns lumberjack inspiration (bûcheron means lumberjack) into some of the country's most exciting cooking — juniper, pickled elderberry, and a sticky toffee pudding diners rave about. Named to the New York Times' 50 best U.S. restaurants and a Star Tribune Restaurant of the Year; the highest-rated room on this list at Yelp 5.0.
Diane's Place (Northeast)
Acclaimed pastry chef Diane Moua went solo with this Hmong-American restaurant in Northeast's Food Building, and the world took notice: Food & Wine's 2025 Restaurant of the Year and a Star Tribune Restaurant of the Year. Don't skip the pastries or the Thai-tea French toast — critics call her pastry work the best they've had outside France.
Demi (North Loop)
James Beard Award winner Gavin Kaysen's intimate chef's-counter tasting menu, set in a former 19th-century coffee warehouse in the North Loop and recognized by Relais & Châteaux. DeRusha's lone four-star 'Top Recommendation,' with intricate multi-course menus, exquisite service, and a Google 4.9 — the highest on this list. Around 20 seats; book well ahead.
112 Eatery (North Loop)
Isaac Becker's beloved Warehouse District institution, open since 2005 and still drawing crowds late into the night. The famously eclectic menu — tagliatelle with foie gras meatballs, the 112 burger, a nan-fried egg sandwich — made it a James Beard winner and a permanent Twin Cities favorite.
Spoon and Stable (North Loop)
Gavin Kaysen's flagship, the restaurant that helped ignite the North Loop dining scene, set in a former horse stable. A James Beard Best New Restaurant winner with a gorgeous bar, glorious desserts, and polished-yet-warm service — the metro's most complete fine-dining experience, with a Google 4.7 across more than 3,000 reviews.
Vinai (Northeast)
Chef Yia Vang's love letter to Hmong cooking in Northeast Minneapolis, named for the refugee camp where he was born. A Star Tribune Restaurant of the Year and one of Bon Appétit's best new restaurants in the country; Esquire named Vang its Chef of the Year. Come for the live-fire pork chops, bold sauces, and bright vegetable sides.
All Saints (Northeast)
Wood-fired, vegetable-forward New American cooking in the heart of Northeast, with standout pastas and clever cocktails in a room that's both classy and cozy. A perennial critics' pick — DeRusha ranks it among his 'Highly Recommend' tier — and a Google 4.8, one of the highest on the list.
Kado no Mise (North Loop)
Chef Shigeyuki Furukawa — the only kaiseki chef in the Midwest — serves Edomae sushi on the main floor and a serene, formal multi-course kaiseki upstairs. The Twin Cities' first true Edomae room (established 2017) and a James Beard Best Chef nominee; meticulous, beautiful, and special-occasion worthy.
P.S. Steak (Loring Park)
A modern steakhouse in the grand former La Belle Vie space near Loring Park, dry-aging premium cuts in a display case while gently upending steakhouse convention. A glamorous lounge, sharp service, and a seasonal menu make it one of the metro's best rooms for a celebration.
Gai Noi (Loring Park)
Chef Ann Ahmed's modern Lao restaurant near Loring Park brings the bold flavors of her heritage — the famous basil wings, larb, and fragrant curries — to a lush, tropical room. Wildly popular and James Beard-recognized, with waits that regulars happily endure.
Ranked across 5 sources: Mpls.St.Paul Magazine · The 50 Best Restaurants in the Twin Cities (2026, unordered roundup); DeRusha Eats · Best Restaurants in Minneapolis & Saint Paul (2026, tiered by star rating); Minnesota Star Tribune · Restaurants of the Year (unordered); Yelp · Ranked by Rating (June 2026); Google Reviews · Ranked by Rating (June 2026). Full scoring is on the Methodology tab above.
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