Eating Out in the Twin Cities and Environs

Here is the list of Twin Cities metro restaurants and other food vendors that I have written up on the blog. Since being written up some of these restaurants have closed (for example, Piccolo—R.I.P); some have been overhauled completely (for example, Grand Cafe); and some have changed their names (for example, Lao Sze Chuan has become Legendary Spice). I am not good at going back and adding that information in so use these reviews with caution.

By recent request, at the bottom of the page you will find a custom Google Map with all my reviewed restaurants marked. Hopefully this will reduce the number of angry emails I get for almost never remembering to say where exactly the restaurants I review are located. (The map does not include closed restaurants or food trucks with no fixed address.)

If a restaurant you really like or find interesting is not listed here, by all means write in to the comments below to draw my attention to it.

Duluth and the North Shore

The Twin Cities Metro

American

Chinese

European

Fine/High End Dining

Indian/South Asian

Japanese

Malaysian, Hmong, Other Asian

Mexican and Other Latin American

Somali, Ethiopian, North African/Mediterranean, Middle Eastern

Thai

Vietnamese

Here be Lutefisk (and Other Minnesotan Delights)

Map (I hope you’re happy, Chad)

Clicking the icon at the left of the bar at the top of the map will open a “legend” with all the restaurants listed in alphabetical order. That big cluster on and along University Ave. in St. Paul is where I recommend you spend most of your time.

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15 thoughts on “Eating Out in the Twin Cities and Environs

    • I’ve been to Spice Thai recently. And no, I didn’t like it either—it made Thai Curry House seem like On’s Kitchen. I should have a review up soon. Will try to get to Joy’s Pattaya Thailand at some point. Indian restaurants in the US I’m a little more wary of.

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  1. Looking forward to your reviews.

    We live in Savage, like Asian food, and are not happy about the dearth of good choices in our area. When kids were little, we would often make a trek to Quang on Eat Streat; now it is either Joy’s or Grand Sichuan in Bloomington.

    Out of your way in NE metro, and a real “hole in the wall”, but Friends Cafe at Larpenteur/Rice in Roseville serves outstanding Burmese and Thai specialties, very cheaply.

    PS You have not blogged about TC food under a different blog name a few years ago by any chance?

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  2. If you make it to the cities, please consider Flavor at the depot in downtown Savage – their Vietnamese menu has really only 3 entries, but the pho was very credible.

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  3. Happy Holidays to you and The Wife and The Brats, :) and thank you very much for your blog. Truly.
    So refreshing and concise and NOT full of descriptors such as “Nom!” & “On Point!”
    Snicker…anyhoo, long time fan and lurker here wanting to make sure that you know of the (semi pop-up?) Sri Lankan dinners at Our Kitchen on 36th and Bryant in South Minneapolis.
    It is run by Heather, the woman who owned the amazing (to me) Sri Lanka Curry House that was on Hennepin for years.
    Oh, such wonderful years…with wonderfully massive lion-headed wooden front door and shockingly green chutney… sigh.
    I believe the dinners are on Wednesday and Saturday nights…mostly curries and salads? not sure, but the place is TINY and you need to make an appointment to dine. (and this is why I have never been. Boo)
    Well, I do not know how to do wacky things like “post links” snicker…but her website is The Curry Queen.
    So. There ya go. maybe you already knew and have been there before, but thought you might be interested.
    Peace to you and yours.
    Dawn.

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  4. Hi, I stumbled across your blog when looking for a review on Basil Cafe. I enjoyed your thorough review and pictures of the foods and menu! Looking forward to more reviews on restaurants in TC

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  5. Hoping to see that Colita write -up soon.

    FYI, in the meantime, we had dinner at Pajarito (the original outpost in STP) since I’ve been wanting to give it a try for a long time now. Wow, what a disappointment.

    Mainly the dishes just didn’t come with any flavor. I had pork tacos and they had zero personality. The dry fried shrimp dish was not bad, however (barely shareable with only four 21-25 size head-on shrimp). But a tuna tostada was another miss, just no real flavor to it, and a nondescript cardboardy corn shell holding up the fish was no help. The pricey $15 house margarita was way too sweet. Also the place was just way too loud thanks to huge, all brick walls.

    Wondering what the experience has been for your readers, if any. I know we won’t ever be back.

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