Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Minneapolis - St. Paul

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in Minneapolis - St. Paul? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Billy Sushi

4.8

4.8 (13)

$30 and under

Sushi

Downtown / Mill District

About the restaurant

There are ninety-nine different ways to write “sushi” in the Japanese script of kanji. Each with its own unique interpretation and meaning. It was with great deliberation that our founder, Billy, chose 寿司 to best represent his personal interpretation of the word - Celebration of Fish!

That’s exactly how Billy feels about the art of making sushi and the atmosphere that surrounds it - it should be a celebration! Which is why Billy Sushi is more than just a restaurant, it is an experience for anyone who allows themselves to take part.

A three-ring performance of sorts - sushi bar, sake bar and dining room - brought to life by the performances of sushi chefs, bartenders and servers. And the Ring Master and your host, Billy.

Top review

Chris

Dined 4 days ago

Best sushi in MSP by a wide margin. Love the food and ambiance. Still hoping to get down to the private Japanese whiskey collection one of these days!

Nicollet Island Inn

4.8

4.8 (3391)

$31 to $50

American

Downtown / North Loop

About the restaurant

The Nicollet Island Inn has stood witness to over a century of change on the shores of the Mississippi River. The Inn is consistently named the most romantic restaurant in the area and its river views have been voted some of the best in the city. An immediately recognizable Minneapolis landmark, the Inn offers world-class cuisine created by Executive Chef Michael Rain , whose innovative and constantly updated menu includes a variety of seafood, steaks and gourmet specialty dishes. Our wine menu has been chosen specifically to compliment the food and highlight producers from the world's leading wine regions.

Nic's bar, just off the main dining room, is a casual, old-world tavern and the patio offers stunning views of the Minneapolis skyline. The Inn is a convenient, comfortable destination for breakfast or lunch meetings while the 3 or 5-course Sunday Brunch is the perfect weekend indulgence.

Top review

Brwynn

Dined 2 days ago

My fiance and I both stayed at the hotel and ate at the restaurant, both were fantastic. I had the salmon and my fiance had the filet mignon and we would recommend both. The staff were very friendly, efficient, and very kind about my food allergy. We loved it and plan to go back!

Stonegarden

4.9

4.9 (21)

$30 and under

Breakfast

South Minneapolis

About the restaurant

Minutes from Minneapolis-St.Paul Airport (MSP), Stonegarden blends global influences with French technique to create a chef-driven destination for breakfast and brunch. Join us when meeting friends, enjoying a date day, or business lunch; our modern, bright, and warm space is perfect for groups and individuals.

Start with our nourishing bone broths, the Scotch Egg or Maryland Crab Cake. Perhaps, indulge in the Poutine with smoked tomato gravy and sunny egg. Favorites include the French Onion Omelette, Norwegian Benedict with house-cured gravlax, Challah French Toast or delectable tartines.

Pair your meal with our handcrafted cocktails, like the Espresso Martini or Sage 75, mocktails, unique wines, or espresso beverages. Vegan, vegetarian, halal-friendly, and gluten-free choices make Stonegarden inclusive and welcoming.

Open early, Stonegarden is perfect for travelers, locals, and business persons seeking delicious breakfast and brunch.

Top review

Ian

Dined 7 days ago

Unexpected happy find, will go back, oysters very good!

joan's in the Park

5.0

5 (2087)

$50 and over

American

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

joan's in the Park restaurant and full service bar is an elegantly cozy dining destination, located on Snelling Avenue in Highland Park. We offer a 4 course menu designed by Chef /owner Susan Dunlop, which includes distinctive American cuisine . We offer only the finest ingredients, sourced locally when possible. Maître d'/owner Joan Schmitt (and Highland Park native) offers first-class hospitality. Our carefully selected wine, beer and signature cocktail list will also appeal to all tastes. joan's is a must try, if you enjoy great food and amazing hospitality in a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Top review

Aaron

Dined 2 days ago

Amazing service and food tasted great! Kind of an old school feel.

RH Rooftop Restaurant Minneapolis

4.7

4.7 (2820)

$31 to $50

American

Edina

About the restaurant

The RH Rooftop Restaurant resides on the third floor of RH Minneapolis, a nearly 60,000-square-foot design gallery that blurs the lines between residential and retail, indoors and outdoors, home and hospitality. We invite you to enjoy our menu of timeless classics for brunch and dinner, and a selection of wines from esteemed vintners in the United States and Europe.

For group dining inquiries, please email: minneapolishospitality@rh.com

Top review

Alice

Dined 1 day ago

We had a lovely evening with friends. Good food, good beverage, great service, and the atmosphere was wonderful a special visit by Mr. and Mrs. Claus added to the festivities a beautiful place in indeed we will return.

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4.9

4.9 (47)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Downtown / Mill District

About the restaurant

As the name suggests, P.S. Steak was established to continue the story of the historic space that was once famed La Belle Vie. As Chef Mike DeCamp spent 10 years at the former French restaurant, this will be his homecoming and opportunity to write his own chapter for the space. P.S. Steak disrupts the perceptions of a typical steakhouse while honoring the legacy of one of the great culinary foundations in the Twin Cities.
The restaurant features an elevated yet accessible seasonal menu, along with a variety of cuts of meat, dry aged in a display case.
The lounge has been given a modern makeover with chic furniture and marble table tops. A selection of living floor plants divides tables to create intimate seating. Bringing warmth to the room, the bar and adjacent fireplace keeps guests cozied up to a menu of progressive cocktails.

Top review

Melanie

Dined 5 days ago

lounge is outstanding - relaxed, gorgeous room, accessible menu

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Popular dish

Boneless Ribeye

The Capital Grille - Minneapolis

4.9

4.9 (4705)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Downtown / North Loop

About the restaurant

Make it a day to remember. From birthdays and anniversaries to professional milestones, we aim to make every gathering special at The Capital Grille. Open seven days a week, The Capital Grille is best known for our expertly prepared steaks, which are dry aged in house for 18 to 24 days and then hand-cut by our restaurant's on-premise butcher. The Capital Grille's wine list features more than 350 selections, and its floor-to-ceiling wine kiosk regularly houses 3,500 - 5,000 bottles. Reservations are recommended but not required. For more information, please visit our website. We look forward to delighting you.

Top review

Gina

Dined 2 days ago

Five star service all the way! My family was attending a holiday concert at the nearby Basilica in Minneapolis and reserved a table for 8 and we had not been to the Capital Grill in years - We were delighted by the ambiance and we were seated at a splendid large table. Our server(s) were knowledgeable and professional and attentive. The wine selection was excellent and the food was incredibly delicious.

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Lobster Mac 'N' Cheese

Lake Elmo Inn

4.9

4.9 (5896)

$31 to $50

Continental

Lake Elmo

About the restaurant

**Any Special requests, please contact restaurant. Not all online reservation notes are seen until the day of the reservation.
**Bar or Veranda seating please call.
The Lake Elmo Inn offers award-winning American cuisine, and has been voted Best Restaurant, Best Service, Best Dessert, Best Brunch, and Twin Cities Institution locally by Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine 'Reader's Choice Awards'. Zagat scores the Lake Elmo Inn at a 28 out of 30 for food, calling us a "hidden secret". We also received Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence for our extensive wine list for twelve years in a row.
The Lake Elmo Inn has been chosen as one of the top 100 Brunches in the nation by Open Table.

Top review

TomVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Curt & Bob in the bar - terrific. Steak was marvelous

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Popular dish

Chocolate Mousse

McCormick's Pub & Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (900)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Wayzata / Long Lake

About the restaurant

Welcome! Our PATIO and PUB are first come, first served basis, reservations are only for our dining room. Walk-ins are welcomed. Waitlist upon arrival. Reservations are for our dining room only.
We are a family owned and operated restaurant locate in beautiful downtown Wayzata, MN. McCormick's Pub and Restaurant features a cozy pub and dining areas, steeped in the Irish tradition of warm hospitality. We offer a unique guest experience that blends the best of traditional Irish pub fare, as well as Continental and Nouveau International cuisine that is made entirely from scratch by Chef Evan Lane and Sous Chef Quin Meyer and team.
We have a beautiful covered and heated patio that overlooks lake Minnetonka. Please know that we have limited space for large parties. For large parties, please visit our website at www.mccormicks.pub and send us a note.

Top review

Janice

Dined 3 days ago

Whether for a special occasion or an everyday meal, McCormick's Pub always gets the high mark. Their menu is varied to all tastes and always serve with a smile. Love the Sticky Ribs appetizer and their special of the day - Shepherds Pie was just right.

Milly's Wine Bar & Bistro

4.9

4.9 (50)

$30 and under

Wine Bar

Northeast Minneapolis

About the restaurant

Just on the edge of downtown, we’re located in the stunning Mill District! Milly’s is a gathering place whether you are a wine enthusiast or novice, we hope to find the perfect pairing for you. Our goal is to make wine accessible, affordable, & fun, with food to delight your taste buds.

Pull up a chair, grab a book, try something new, meet a neighbor or make a new friend. Like we always say- ‘Come for a glass, stay for a bottle!’

Top review

Krista

Dined 6 days ago

My friends and I did a meet up here. It was great! The serve was amazing and so helpful. The food was delicious. The wine was great. The ambiance was perfect. We left with the agreement that we would try and meet here every couple months! Fantastic.

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