Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Twin Cities / Minneapolis

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots in Twin Cities / Minneapolis? 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

4.9

4.9 (33)

$30 and under

Sushi

Downtown / North Loop

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

DavidVIP

Dined on Jan 7, 2025

Excellent sushi and great service. Always a fun night out.

Hazelwood Bloomington

4.8

4.8 (6294)

$30 and under

American

Bloomington

About the restaurant

Welcome to Hazelwood Food and Drink in Bloomington.
A modern New American restaurant serving modern comfort food with a family feel in a bright and contemporary interior with a scratch kitchen that offers wonderful dishes from our rotisserie and wood burning pizza oven, everyone is sure to find a new favorite!
We are open 7 days a week with our signature brunch offered on Saturday and Sunday. Hazelwood is the perfect spot for your work meeting, date night, or family outing!

We would love to take care of you.

On the go, call us at 952.222.4000 for take-out or curbside.

Online reservations and take-out orders available at hazelwoodfoodanddrink.com

Top review

Carolyn

Dined 1 day ago

Celebrated my sister’s birthday with lunch. Server RJ’s timing, serving skills and overall helpfulness were spot on. I ventured from my usual food selection and found a new favorite menu item: walleye taco bowl!

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4.8

4.8 (157)

$30 and under

Speakeasy

Downtown / North Loop

About the restaurant

“Our Cocktail Philosophy”

Billy After Dark cocktails are inspired by the twenty-four micro-seasons that define the flow of life in Japan. Enter a world where you are brought back to your best memories. Reminding you of that the feel & flow from each one.
Perfected classics like the Manhattan and Negroni, riffs on some of Japan’s most beloved cocktails such as the Whisky Highball, and even alcohol-free drinks influenced by ingredients such as yuzu, and umé round out the collection. Through all of this, we want everyone to indulge in enjoyable recollections of the past with our entire cocktail menu being named after great albums from the 90’s & 2000’s.

Top review

Tony

Dined on Dec 27, 2024

We have had several occasions over the last year and each time BAD has be exceptional.

Yard House - St. Louis Park

4.7

4.7 (226)

$30 and under

American

St. Louis Park

About the restaurant

Yard House is the modern American gathering place where beer and food lovers unite. Known for great food, classic rock, an energetic vibe and endless fleet of tap handles featuring the best craft and local beers, each Yard House location offers 100+ beers on tap along with an array of craft cocktails. Our menu features favorites such as our signature Poke Nachos, street tacos, USDA prime burgers, seafood and steaks. Founded in Long Beach, Calif; in 1996, Yard House now spans across the U.S. with over 80 locations and is open daily for lunch, dinner, happy hour and late-night dining.

Top review

ErinVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Awesome vegan options, great food, great service & fun atmosphere.

Hell's Kitchen Minneapolis

4.6

4.6 (5746)

$30 and under

American

Downtown / North Loop

About the restaurant

Comfort food with an upscale twist...

In the heart of downtown Minneapolis, appropriately located in a beautiful underground space, you'll discover Hell's Kitchen, an employee-owned restaurant known for its damn good food. Join us for breakfast, lunch, dinner or drinks 7 days a week, and enjoy REAL comfort food made by chefs who care, described by food writers as "unique but not fancy; interesting but not fussy". Almost everything is made from scratch, from our award-winning peanut butter to our unique dips and dressings, winning us over 67 "best" awards as well as accolades in Gourmet Magazine, Conde Nast Traveler, Midwest Living, and other national magazines. And bring the kids along... you should see the cheeky notes they write to us!

"Rather than rave on, let us just say if you're in Minnesota and want to wow your tastebuds, go to Hell's Kitchen. It is inspired and inspiring." (Jane & Michael Stern, NPR)

Top review

Kay

Dined 4 days ago

It's a great place for dinner before downtown events.

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Popular dish

Lemon Ricotta Hotcake Batter (1 Quart)

Nolo's Kitchen & Bar

4.6

4.6 (1109)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Downtown / North Loop

About the restaurant

**Please note all reservations are for Nolo's Kitchen, the rooftop is first come, first serve. For cabana rentals please visit https://www.rooftopbarmpls.com/cabanas**

Located at the historic Gardner Hardware Building at 515 Washington Ave N in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis. The NOLO's team consists of Marty Collins, Brett Johnson and Peter Hoff, each native Minnesotans with extensive industry experience. Marty has owned over 10 restaurant concepts in Minneapolis, MN, Kansas City and Columbia, MO, and Iowa City, IA. Brett and his family have owned and operated The Hilltop Restaurant for the past 40 years. Pete, the head chef, brings his most recent culinary experience and creativity from California to NOLO’s, The Rooftop Bar and The Basement Bar. His culinary vision and passion for local ingredients create new modern comfort food dishes. The team shares a passion for the restaurant and bar industry and sees an opportunity to fill gaps in the market in the North Loop.

Top review

ChristopherVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Great food and service, lively ambiance but not loud.

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Popular dish

Ricotta Gnocchi

Boketto Steakhouse

4.6

4.6 (134)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

St. Louis Park

About the restaurant

Boketto merges the rich traditions of a steakhouse with a whisper of Asian elegance & a burst of Mediterranean zest.
Whether you’re here for a romantic dinner, a celebration with friends, or a memorable night out, Boketto offers an experience beyond the ordinary. Here, upscale & intimate combine with trendy, vibrant, and most importantly — welcoming.

From marbled A-5 Japanese and Australian wagyu to our signature Japanese milk bread, lovingly crafted by Authentic Gourmet, every dish tells a story of tradition meeting creativity. Savor the delicate flavors of our fresh seared scallops, paired with the aromatic trio of Thai basil, cilantro & mint, or indulge in the vibrant contrast of our tomato & burrata, elevated with a hint of Calabrian chili, sweet agrodolce, peppery arugula, & toasted bread.

With a cocktail program and wine list designed for the discerning palate, each visit to Boketto is an exploration of flavor & texture, a journey that lingers long after the last bite.

Top review

Hieu

Dined 2 days ago

The server was fantastic and always made sure we were well-looked after. The food and ambiance were great. I highly recommend this place to my friend. The prices are reasonable and offer good value for money.

Rojo Mexican Grill - St. Louis Park

4.5

4.5 (794)

$30 and under

Mexican

St. Louis Park

About the restaurant

Rojo Mexican Grill serves new culinary creations and many traditional dishes, such as quesadillas, tacos and enchiladas, but with bold new flavors or in unique presentations. Ingredients, such as the tortillas, guacamole, and salsas, are made fresh from scratch each day. And Rojo uses special proprietary blends of Mexican spices to create the unique recipes.
The stylish restaurant seats more than 280 guests and was designed to evoke traditional Mexican décor, but with a modern influence. Warm woods and soft red upholstery are offset by accents of leather, stone and steel. The dining room offers traditional table service and a generous view of the kitchen where diners can watch food prepared throughout the process. Three centrally located tables are dedicated to preparing hand-rolled tortillas, fresh guacamole and salsa in full view each day.

Top review

KathieVIP

Dined on Jan 4, 2025

We love Rojo. Tonight, however, service was slow, even though it was quiet for a Saturday evening. Wait staff were making errors on our drink and food orders. Unlimited chips and salsa can't be beat. You can't go wrong with the chicken tacos and enchiladas. Round things out with a margarita or a Negra Modelo.

Butcher & the Boar

4.5

4.5 (94)

$31 to $50

American

Downtown / Mill District

About the restaurant

We are fine-casual dining with a fire at the core of its heart. Through the smoke and whiskey ashes of the previous iteration which closed its doors in 2020 rises a new haze of smoke and whiskey as we bring back this iconic brand, smoked meats, bourbon, beer, deep hues, and various spaces to a new location in the North Loop. Butcher & The Boar will honor its beloved roots, while spreading new ones in the fresh foundation that will help our guests embark on a journey with notes of nostalgia that carry the torch forward with new tastes and experiences.

With immense gratitude, we invite you to Live Full Boar with us.

Top review

Markeita

Dined 3 days ago

Everything was excellent! This was my first time here and won’t be the last!

Trax Burgers and Bar

4.4

4.4 (225)

$30 and under

American

Downtown / North Loop

About the restaurant

We are now open!

Top review

Paula

Dined on Oct 20, 2024

Our visit on Sunday, 10/20/24, was our first. We were really impressed with the menu selections and our appetizer - cauliflower - and the burger we shared - Lucy - were both very good. The best part of the night was the bartender/server we were assigned: Skylar. Skylar was prompt, provided fantastic drinks, and was at least as entertaining as the band we saw that night, Llorna Shore. If we purchase tickets to another show at The Fillmore, we will definitely return to Trax.

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