Indian
Moti Mahal
Very authentic and simplistic North India food. They seem to have fewer customers and the owner is very friendly.
Namaste Cafe
Located in swanky Uptown, this is a duplex converted to a restaurant and gift shop the restaurant next door is actually called Duplex. It is somewhat difficult to locate even though it is right on Hennepin Ave which runs through the middle of Uptown. The owners are Nepali and the food is very similar to Indian cuisine. The cooking is very homey and the prices are quite reasonable for such a prime location. Lunch will cost around $8. Try one of their amazing chai teas. They grind their own spices and there are 7 or 8 varieties. Voted best Chai Tea by City Pages.
Unique to minneapolis
Gluek's Restaurant and Bar
Is a 4th generation brewery and restaurant. the food and the beer are good, but it is the history of this restaurant that sets it apart. gluek's has been brewing beer since 1857 and there has been a bar on this site since 1902, except during prohibition. the original building burned in 1989, but was rebuilt and reopened in 1990. gluek's is located at 16 n 6th street, just a block nw of hennepin ave. (http://www.glueks.com/)
Murray's Restaurant and Cocktail
Opened in 1946 and could be considered to be the best white tablecloth restaurant in minneapolis, with prices to match. if on a budget, consider eating during lunch when you can enjoy the atmosphere without worrying about breaking the bank. or go all out and get the 4 pound golden butter knife steak at $100+ and share it with the entire family. murray's is a third generation restaurant unique to minneapolis and is located at 24 s 6th street, a half block se of hennepin ave.
Traditional foods associated with Minnesota, including "hotdish" casserole and lutefisk a Norwegian fish delicacy are rarely found in restaurants. However, one uniquely Minneapolitan item that can be easily located is the Juicy Lucy, a cheeseburger variation in which the cheese is cooked inside the meat patty rather than on top. While the origin, and spelling, of the Juicy Lucy is disputed, popular places to order a Juicy Lucy include Matt's Bar 3500 Cedar Ave S and the 5-8 Club 5800 Cedar Ave S, and a short distance across the river in St. Paul at the Nook 492 Hamline Ave S and the Groveland Tap 1834 St. Clair Ave, among others.
Minneapolis has many restaurants that have been around for several generations:
Pizza
Davanni's
(http://www.davannis.com) multiple locations throughout the twin cities metro area. in minneapolis:west bank/seward: 25th ave and riverside avenues +1 612 332-5551uptown: 1414 w. lake st. near the corner of lake and hennepin +1 612 822-3111downtown: 1242 hennepin ave. 12th st. and hennepin ave. +1 612 338-0000
Crescent Moon Bakery
See also Crescent Moon Bakery in the Middle Eastern section above.
Galactic Pizza
2917 lyndale ave s a few steps north of lake, +1 612 824-9100 (http://www.galacticpizza.com) - uptown's newest pizza joint. the decor is kitschy. their stand out feature is not only a little car run 100% by electric power but the delivery driver dons a funky costume while driving said vehicle. if you order the second harvest pizza which is excellent the business donates a dollar to the second harvest food bank for every one ordered.
Pizza Lucé
(http://www.pizzaluce.com/) has three locations in minneapolis: downtown: 119 n 4th st, +1 612 333-7359. open su-th 11am-2:30am, f-sa 11am-3:30am.uptown: 3200 lyndale ave s, +1 612 827-5978. open daily 11am-2:30am.seward: 2200 e franklin ave, 612 332-2535. open daily 11am-2:30am.st. paul: 1183 selby ave, "+1 651" 288-0186. open daily 11am-2:30am.
Fat Lorenzo's
5600 cedar ave, +1 612 822-2040 - good service, good pizza, plus a good selection of gelati. "fat" is in the name of the place--plan accordingly. a good first stop or last stop on your way to or from the airport. beer and wine.
Punch Pizza
Has a few locations around the twin cities and one of them know a true northern italian pizza when they see it, will be more than happy to discover this little gem. punch is one of the few restaurants that actually has certification from the official napoli pizza organization. pizza luce is the crowd favorite but punch is the critic's. evidently it is meryl streep's as well. in minneapolis:west of lake calhoun: 3226 w lake st, 612 929-0006.old saint anthony: 210 e hennepin ave, 612 623-8114.
Jakeeno's
3601 chicago ave, +1 612 825-6827 - jakeeno's offers good pizza and other pasta dishes. try the potato and rosemary pizza. located on the corner of 36th and chicago. not a horrible neighborhood, but not the best either. jakeeno's is clean, friendly and family-run however. worth the trip. wine and beer served.
West Bank/Seward: 25th Ave and Riverside Avenues +1 612 332-5551
Uptown: 1414 W. Lake St. near the corner of Lake and Hennepin +1 612 822-3111
Downtown: 1242 Hennepin Ave. 12th St. and Hennepin Ave. +1 612 338-0000
Downtown: 119 N 4th St, +1 612 333-7359. Open Su-Th 11AM-2:30AM, F-Sa 11AM-3:30AM.
Uptown: 3200 Lyndale Ave S, +1 612 827-5978. Open daily 11AM-2:30AM.
Seward: 2200 E Franklin Ave, 612 332-2535. Open daily 11AM-2:30AM.
St. Paul: 1183 Selby Ave, "+1 651" 288-0186. Open daily 11AM-2:30AM.
West of Lake Calhoun: 3226 W Lake St, 612 929-0006.
Old Saint Anthony: 210 E Hennepin Ave, 612 623-8114.
Sometimes you roll into town and you just want a good slice of pizza. Minneapolis has a few offerings.
Thai
True Thai
2627 e franklin ave, 612 375-9942. true thai and chiang mai thai consistently rank as the best in the twin cities, with their own strong points. the salmon dishes, choo chee curry, and pad thai are amazing at true thai. a new dining room and party room were added on in 2008. $9-$17 dollars per person for an entree and drink.
Chiang Mai Thai
3001 hennepin ave s, 612 827-1606. in uptown, chiang mai thai has a romantic and authentic ambiance and large servings. try the thai basil or ginger stir fry. entrees are $9-$18. like true thai, chiang mai uses coconut milk instead of broth in its curries, and concentrating on the peanut and spice in the pad thai whereas true thai is known for more delicate and subtle flavors. both are excellent, the only question is what a person is in the mood for!
Thanh Do
3005 utah avenue s, 952 935-5005. although a trek from the city itself in st. louis park the basil pod thai is the best in the area. get it take-out, though, as the service and atmosphere is lacking.
Vegetarian
Hard Times Cafe
1821 riverside ave, 612 341-9261. located on riverside a few steps east of cedar on the west bank. open 22 hours a day every day, 6:00am-4:00am. the best people watching, cheapest vegan food, and most endearingly diy decor in the city, but don't expect a friendly staff.
Seward Cafe
2129 e franklin ave, 612 332-1011. located a few blocks east of the franklin ave light-rail station in the seward neighborhood. open for breakfast and lunch only.
Ecopolitan
2409 lyndale ave s, 612 874-7336, (http://www.ecopolitan.com...). raw vegan food. very tasty, innovative and energizing.
African
Blue Nile Restaurant
Rather popular, Blue Nile is self-identified as "Pan-African Cuisine", though easily 90% of the fare on the menu is of Ethiopian origin, with sambusas, curries, and bread dishes.
Qoraxlow
Somalian fare.
T's Place
A self-proclaimed "Ethiopian-Asian" restaurant, this eatery and bar features traditional Ethiopian and Malaysian dishes as well as plates fusing the two cuisines.
Unique among most American cities is it's highly established African population, primarily from Ethiopia, Somalia, and West Africa. The respective communities each have left their mark on Minneapolis cuisine, with cuisines uncommon in most major Metro areas.
Tam Tam's African Restaurant
Owned by a Uganadan, this restaurant offers a wide variety of dishes from both his native land as well as West Africa and Ethiopia.
The Wienery
Small, family owned diner that serves basic fare. It's where the punks, aging hippies and various harmless riff-raff go for breakfast or a lunch of fries, burgers, brats or hot dogs slathered with your choice of toppings. They also carry veggie dogs for the vegetarian in you. The fries are shredded right in front of you and come out oh so crisp!