The Best Bars for Foodies in Minneapolis

by The OpenTable Team

Updated February 26, 2020

The fast-growing Minneapolis has gained notoriety for its triumphant professional sports teams (the Twins, Timberwolves, and Vikings), a thriving arts district (featuring the Orpheum Theatre) and a strong academic culture. Minneapolis has also made a name for itself with its nightlife scene. Bartenders and mixologists serve libations all across the Midwestern town, wowing customers and critics alike. Minneapolis has watering holes for all budgets - from dive bars to craft cocktail joints. With so many choices, visitors will have a hard time choosing which spot to meet for a drink. But where are the smartest, savviest diners eating out? Welcome to our Tastemaker List. We've pulled data from thousands of restaurants to find the top spots among OpenTable's most expert, seasoned diners. This list contains the very best bars in Minneapolis, where you can get cold beers, cheap shots, and hand-crafted cocktails. Pick one from our list for an unforgettable evening in the Twin Cities.

Tullibee

4.7

4.7 (1394)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Downtown / North Loop

About the restaurant

Located at the Hewing Hotel is Tullibee—a bar that serves up local beers, strong cocktails, and housemade sodas. Tullibee is one of the best bars in Minneapolis located at a hotel, but the bar serves patrons who are visitors and locals alike. In addition to having a cocktail menu, beer list, and wine list, Tulibee also has a menu of food with fresh, seasonal ingredients, much of which is cooked in the restaurant's wood-burning grill. From the bar here, diners can see right into the kitchen, and the whole restaurant has a bustling brasserie atmosphere. Come get a drink at Tullibee for a high-energy experience with spirited staff and patrons. The bar also features its own menu of small bites and shareables, like a ham board, popcorn, cheese curds, and sandwiches.

Top review

Kayleigh

Dined 2 days ago

❤️ Tullibee! Great service and delicious food/drinks.

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Experience

Thanksgiving 2024

Baja Haus

4.6

4.6 (480)

$30 and under

Californian

Wayzata / Long Lake

About the restaurant

Located in Wayzata, Baja Haus is the closest thing diners can get to a beach bar in town. Its theme is California beach-side, and the food menu features fresh, light, healthy ingredients, like one would find at restaurants on the west coast. Baja Haus also feels like it belongs in a beach town because it has a party vibe. The bar area at the restaurant is large, with lots of room to sit or stand and socialize. The cocktails are mostly Mezcal-centric, so expect a smoky, tequila taste at the center of most cocktails. The bar's most popular drink is the Sexy Mongolian: ginger liquor, fresh lime, ginger beer, and mezcal.

Top review

Cortlen

Dined on Nov 7, 2024

Always amazing food and even better service! Thank you!

The Lexington

4.7

4.7 (2929)

$31 to $50

American

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

Another one of the best bars in Minneapolis is actually in St. Paul. That restaurant is the Lexington, which is an establishment known as one of the area's most historic restaurants and watering holes. The Lexington (or "The Lex," as locals call it) opened in 1935, and today it still has a historic "supper club" vibe and menu, with an upscale dress code and dressy-casual aesthetic. The Lex has a menu of cocktails that diners say are fantastic. Some of the drinks include the 'Sconnie Style (E&J Brandy, Maraschino Cherry, Orange, Cane Syrup Angostura Bitters Muddled), and 'Tuckey Style (Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon, House Aromatic Bitters, Cane Syrup and Orange Zest). For a bar that makes patrons feel like they're going back in time, The Lexington may be the area's best bet.

Top review

Steve

Dined 3 days ago

Can’t go wrong here, great service great food. Love this place

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4.6

4.6 (3135)

$30 and under

American

Excelsior

About the restaurant

Maynards in Excelsior may just be the best place to drink outdoors in the Minneapolis area. This bar and restaurant has a great location on Lake Minnetonka with tons of outdoor seating, and it is regularly packed with locals and tourists alike. There is a food menu at Maynard's with American and bar staples on it. There's also a huge menu of beers for drinkers, as well as a large wine list and selection of house-made cocktails. For a bar in an unforgettable setting, there's no better option than Maynard's.

Top review

Kayvip

Dined 3 days ago

Good Burger! Our server was great, prompt, and courteous.