Best Authentic Restaurants in University of Minnesota

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchMexican

Regions

Twin Cities / MinneapolisTwin Cities / Northern SuburbsTwin Cities / Southern SuburbsTwin Cities / St. PaulTwin Cities / Western Suburbs

Neighborhoods

BloomingtonCalhoun IslesDowntown / Mill DistrictDowntown / North LoopEaganEdina

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

29 restaurants available nearby

1. Billy Sushi

4.9

Exceptional(82)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Sushi • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 93 times today

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.

2. Tullibee

4.6

Exceptional(1442)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Farm-to-table • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 30 times today

Tullibee celebrates the lakes and woods cuisine that is so deeply woven into the fabric of Minnesota. Named for a fish native to our Minnesota waters, Tullibee is a tribute to our beautiful state and brings its fresh and authentic flavors to each dish we serve. Under Chef Marque Collins lead, Tullibee's new menu is curated with intention to allow guests to try multiple items on the menu. We will be serving more smaller portions of the menu items meant to be ordered many at a time on a rolling basis throughout the meal allowing guests to experience different options. Come and experience the flavors of the North! Tullibee is a taste of Minnesota. *Reservations are for Tullibee only. Our lounge and rooftop bar are seated on a first come, first served basis.

A photo of Chianti Grill - Roseville restaurant

3. Chianti Grill - Roseville

4.8

Exceptional(6778)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Roseville

Booked 52 times today

Chianti Grill - Roseville is an authentic Italian restaurant that serves contemporary Italian cuisine, aged Angus steaks, and seafood. Reviewers frequently praise its 'authentic Italian food' and 'exceptional service'. The restaurant's warm and inviting atmosphere, along with its extensive wine list, contribute to its overall dining experience.

4. Masa & Agave

4.5

Awesome(78)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Downtown / Mill District

Booked 14 times today

Welcome to Masa & Agave, a speakeasy-style cantina hidden below stairs at the historic Hotel Ivy in Downtown Minneapolis. On Thursday's, Friday's and Saturday's from 8pm to Close we are first-come, first-served and do not accept reservations during this time.Worshipped as the Aztec gods of fertility and long life, venerated for their powers of sustenance, corn masa and agave have been central to Mexican culture and cuisine since ancient times. Using authentic techniques, we prepare corn masa-based starters and Mexico City-style tacos that are bursting with regional flavors, along with dinner classics like Pork Carnitas and Negro Monelo-Braised Beef Short Ribs. Our collection of 200 agave spirits pays homage to the jimadores and mezcaleros who have labored over their craft for generations. Sip on a copita or two, or gather friends for one of our signature Margaritas - try the Tradicionale, Tamarindo or a Margarita al Gusto mixed with your choice of spirit. Salud!

A photo of The Melting Pot - Minneapolis restaurant

5. The Melting Pot - Minneapolis

4.4

Awesome(2878)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Fondue • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 38 times today

Bring your big appetite to the big city. In downtown Minneapolis, The Melting Pot is your quintessential fine-dining restaurant. Start with freshly made salads and handcrafted dressings before you skewer succulent strips of steak, and finish the smorgasbord with our famous chocolate fondue. Desserts rank high here, and just like the complex taste of our entrées, there’s something to be said of our artisan cheeses and luscious chocolates. But in our cozy corner of dessert paradise, we’re more than just a classy addition to Minnesota’s culinary scene. We are casual and approachable, which makes us an excellent choice for reconnecting with long-lost friends, updating loved ones about your life, or simply breaking the ice on a romantic date.

A photo of Sawatdee Thai Restaurant - Minneapolis restaurant

6. Sawatdee Thai Restaurant - Minneapolis

4.4

Awesome(102)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Thai • Downtown / Mill District

Booked 3 times today

Welcome to Sawatdee - Minneapolis! We are OPEN for dine in, take out and delivery. Serving award-winning Thai cuisine since 1983, Sawatdee is home to Thai food, party spaces, a great happy hour, live music, and impeccable service. When we first opened our doors at 1983, the Sawatdee mission was simple: to take our community on an adventure full of Thai flavors and good times. Many years later, that adventure is still as exciting as ever. Not only we expanded with more restaurants to share our flavors with more folks, we've added to to the flavors we offer, as well! Our Minneapolis location is a beautiful warehouse-turned-restaurant, complete with a gold leaf ceiling and glass etchings of a Thai goddess. Specialties include Rama Thai Delight, Pad Thai, and a Tail of Two Cities.Thai it. You'll Like it! (tm)

A photo of Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Minneapolis, MN | Lyndale & Lake (Lyn-Lake) restaurant

7. Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Minneapolis, MN | Lyndale & Lake (Lyn-Lake)

4.6

Exceptional(330)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Japanese • Uptown

Booked 28 times today

Founded in Tokyo in 1996, Gyu-Kaku has become the world’s #1 Japanese BBQ brand! Thanks to our devoted fans we have reached over 700 locations worldwide. Each day, hundreds of thousands of people gather around the table-top smokeless grill, a centerpiece of our dining concept, enjoying selections of premium meats, just off the grill, and other freshly prepared foods from our kitchens, inspiring laughter, conversation, and a magical dining experience.Our authentic yakiniku (grilled barbeque) dining experience crowns you the chef. Share a variety of delicious appetizers and premium cooked meats over a flaming grill, paired with Japanese sake, frosty cold beers, or other alcoholic and non-alcoholic options of your choice. We're the perfect spot to enjoy time with friends and family, organize an office party, or to spend quality time with your significant other!Before you go, don't forget to taste our best-seller Harami Skirt Steak or Prime Kalbi Short Rib among other must-try dishes!

8. P.S. Steak

4.7

Exceptional(93)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Downtown / Mill District

Booked 41 times today

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.

A photo of Dong Hae Korean Grill and Sushi restaurant

9. Dong Hae Korean Grill and Sushi

4.3

Awesome(162)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Korean • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 4 times today

Dong Hae Korean Grill and Sushi, in Minneapolis, serves up a huge menu of authentic Korean and Japanese dishes. Using classic recipes along with fresh ingredients and making everything to order, we can guarantee no matter what you order you'll enjoy it.The signature menu is Korean bbq, we have grill on the tables, so you guys can grill by yourself and all the servers are happy to help. It comes with lettuce wrap, salad, chef special dipping sauce, side dishes, and rice. We offer AYCE sushi and Korean all day long, including 31 Korean traditional dishes, 23 different specialty rolls, 13 nigiris and 6 sashimis. Don't forget to grab Korean popsicle for dessert.

10. The Smack Shack

4.7

Exceptional(1759)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 43 times today

Casual, coastal restaurant in the North Loop. Reservations taken for dining room only, patio seating is available on a first come, first serve basis. Please check in with hosts upon arrival for patio seating.Although named for the boats used to catch lobster, Smack Shack was launched as a food truck in 2010 serving lobster rolls from a land-locked downtown Minneapolis parking lot. Owner Josh Thoma had a great recipe and a belief that appetite for fresh lobster in the Twin Cities was as strong as any coastal city.Smack Shack is committed to serving sustainable seafood and is a current partner in the Minnesota Zoo’s Fish Smart program. Sustainable seafood is wild caught or farm raised seafood that has established practices to ensure the long term growth and thriving populations of seafood with limited harm to the environment.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

G
GaryVIP
Minneapolis - St. Paul •16 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Great menu selection, consistently wonderful food, attentive service.
More info
Chianti Grill - RosevillePrice: Moderate• Italian• Roseville
•
4.8
C
CandaceVIP
Minneapolis - St. Paul •28 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Ilsa our server was very good! Great food Had a fun chat with Billy. Love this place
More info
Billy SushiPrice: Moderate• Sushi• Downtown / North Loop
•
4.9
J
JoelVIP
Minneapolis - St. Paul •33 reviews
4.0
Dined 6 days ago
Service was always there when we needed them, and they truly cared about their customers. Most of the food was very good. The elote was too spicey. Margaritas were exceptional. Cool atmosphere, but need to scale back the bass on the music.
More info
Masa & AgavePrice: Moderate• Mexican• Downtown / Mill District
•
4.5
T
Todd
Minneapolis - St. Paul •6 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
Delicious food and cocktails. Had the Roasted Brussels Sprouts and the Bison Steak Frites.The Brussels were very roasted and still moist and delicious. The Bison Steak was perfectly done and the accompanying fries tasty all alone or with the optional dill aioli. Only not was the food took a bit to arrive, but was well worth the wait.
More info
TullibeePrice: Expensive• Farm-to-table• Downtown / North Loop
•
4.6
OT
OpenTable Diner
New Orleans / Louisiana •2 reviews
5.0
Dined on Mar 7, 2025
Truly enjoyed the experience and would definitely do it again!
More info
The Melting Pot - MinneapolisPrice: Expensive• Fondue• Downtown / North Loop
•
4.4

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