Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Minneapolis - St. Paul

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems 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!

The Hilltop

4.8

4.8 (1059)

$30 and under

American

Edina

About the restaurant

Thank you for your reservation.
We look forward to seeing you soon.

Top review

William

Dined on Dec 17, 2024

Great food and service. Our server, Loren was wonderful and attentive.

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Popular dish

French Onion

Dan’s Bar and Grill

4.8

4.8 (624)

$30 and under

Burgers

Red Wing

About the restaurant

CLASSIC FOOD with a TWIST is the fare at Dan’s Bar and Grill! The menu features country favoites with a little taste of the city! You’ll always find good food, well prepared and something for everyone! Our menu changes quarterly, so make sure you stop back often!

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

Great place to eat. Service and food all very good. Positive experience

Bravi's Craft Mexican Kitchen

4.8

4.8 (107)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Shakopee

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Top review

Lisa

Dined 3 days ago

Great food & excellent cocktails in fun atmosphere

Boca Chica Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (1394)

$30 and under

Mexican

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

Boca Chica Mexican Restaurant has served the flavorful, authentic cuisine of Mexico since 1964. It was then that Guillermo and Gloria Frias opened the doors to their new restaurant that seated only 28 patrons. Today, Boca Chica has grown substantially and is rated "one of the best Mexican restaurants in the Twin Cities," according to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine’s March 2018 issue.

The authenticity of the food is maintained by making everything from scratch, the old-fashioned way, with fresh ingredients. Even the fiery salsa is still made with fresh tomatoes, chiles, and that special Frias family touch. Our menu includes some of the more traditional foods such as guisados, sopes, carne asada, chile rellenos, and tamales. Taste is never compromised. We also have a full bar featuring the city’s best selection of Mexican beers and premium tequilas. Voted "Best Margarita" by City Pages.

Top review

SondraL

Dined 5 days ago

This was a great experience for our 8 person turned 9 person table with no notice for the restaurant. Loved that it was a large circle table for conversation in our group. Would definitely do my holiday lunch for customers at Boca Chica again!!!!

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Popular dish

Enchiladas de Pueblo

Scoreboard Bar & Grill

4.7

4.7 (459)

$30 and under

American

Minnetonka

About the restaurant

The Scoreboard Bar & Grill, which is located in Minnetonka, Minnesota, offers great food in a casual setting for dining. There is a kids� menu available for the little ones, as well as happy hour specials for the adults in your group. At the Scoreboard Bar & Grill, the flatbreads are a signature item, with many varieties like the BLT or the Buffalo chicken to tempt you.

Top review

MikeVIP

Dined on Dec 17, 2024

Taco Tuesday off the Happy Hour menu. I love the spicy beef tacos and enchiladas. My wife enjoyed her pepperoni flatbread as well. Jennifer S. took great care of us. We keep coming back to Scoreboard after over 27 years.

The ' Wick Pub and Grill

4.5

4.5 (327)

$30 and under

Pub

Woodbury

About the restaurant

At The 'Wick Pub & Grill we honor the past with playful wit and delicious food and cocktails that our guests love. A place to gathered with friends and family to share a meal or partake in a pint or two. The menu features an array of pub favorites like the giant pub pretzel and a delicious selection of burgers such as the The 'Wick Burger and the Mushroom Swiss. The house specialties include Bacon Wrapped Shrimp Mac & Cheese and the Fish and Chips along with classics like the Grilled 20oz Ribeye or Broiled Walleye for a perfect evening out. Food-Pub fare-Burgers, sandwiches, wraps and salads. There is a little something for everyone. We are known for our burgers but we also have healthy options your "summer body" would love. We have many vegetarian options and proudly serve the Beyond Burger which is clean vegan. We carry gluten-free buns and many of our items can be ordered to accommodate a gluten-free or gluten sensitive diet. The 'Wick Pub & Grill also features a wonderful Saturday-Sunday brunch, available from 10a-2pm. The menu features a Family Style, all you can eat brunch. Don't worry, if you're not that hungry we feature some lighter dishes like our Maryland Crab Cake Benedict or Breakfast Sandwich.

Top review

Ricardo

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

Always good to dine at the Wick! Had a wonderful time!

Bennett's Chop & Railhouse

4.3

4.3 (1339)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

In every city, there is a natural gathering spot for city folk and neighborhood people in the know. This place in Saint Paul is know as Bennett's Chop & Railhouse. Located on West Seventh & Victoria, it is the perfect meeting place of uptown and downtown, of quiet neighborhood and big city lights.

It's called a chophouse because it specializes in a casual steakhouse atmosphere with top-of-the-line cuts of the finest meats. It is a Rail-house because it is on the old railroad line serving the city and rail drinks (as well as top brands) are served in the convivial atmosphere of the horseshoe bar.

And of course Bennett's is Bennett's because owners Joe and Meghan Bennett ensure that welcoming hospitality is always served. They have taken their decades of experiences with leading hospitality brands and translated it into an intimate venue where you're not only a customer, but more importantly, a welcome guest.

Top review

Cynthia

Dined 2 days ago

Great! Staff was attentive! Thank you! Food is always excellent!

Ruscello - Nordstrom Ridgedale

4.3

4.3 (695)

$30 and under

Italian

Minnetonka

About the restaurant

Enjoy a delightful dining experience at Nordstrom restaurants, where you can savor chef inspired dishes, using locally sourced and sustainable ingredients. Come and try our signature handcrafted soups, entrees and desserts and pair it with a Nordstrom crafted cocktail, wine or beer. Call (651) 900-6810 to place your order or get delivery via DoorDash or Uber Eats. Offering Brunch until 3pm on Saturdays & Sundays.

Top review

Connie

Dined 7 days ago

The Beef Short-rib Grilled Cheese was amazing!! It was a special for the day but is worthy to be on the full time menu. Soooo good! The cup of Tomato soup that came with it was the perfect pairing.

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Experience

Wine Wednesdays

Experience

Happy Hour at the Ruscello!

The Handsome Hog

4.3

4.3 (184)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Southern

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

Handsome Hog is a St Paul favorite nestled in the Cathedral Hill neighborhood. We serve contemporary Southern cuisine and boast an award-winning dinner and cocktail menu. Handsome Hog has a pig-centric menu our Chef Matt Green created an inviting variety of salads, appetizers, entrées, and desserts. The bar offers a curated bourbon menu and inventive craft cocktails and mocktails. The Handsome Hog has an elevated ambiance with a casual and friendly neighborhood vibe.
Come in and try our dry-rubbed wings, woodfire-roasted mussels, or crawfish hushpuppies to kick off your evening. Move on to the pork spare ribs, Carolina BBQ sandwich, or our mouth-watering smoked beef brisket. Our smoked creme brulee, banana pudding, or specialty cocktails are the perfect way to wrap up your evening at Handsome Hog. We are looking forward to seeing you at Handsome Hog!

Top review

Mary EllenVIP

Dined 2 days ago

seven of us, including 5 blind or visually Impaired friends, had a wonderful meal and an incredibly patient, professionnal server!

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Popular dish

Chicken 'n' Waffles

Popular dish

Tennessee Hot Chicken Sandwich

Mallards - Shakopee

4.3

4.3 (263)

$30 and under

Cajun

Shakopee

About the restaurant

Award winning seafood, American and Cajun fare! Come enjoy our famous lobster roll, jambalaya, eclectic tacos, steaks & much more at Mallards! Check out our great Happy Hour!

#mallardsrestaurant #awardwinningseafood #southernhospitality

www.mallardsmn.com

Top review

Julie

Dined 2 days ago

All of our dishes were a very pleasant surprise! We had the Christmas seafood special. The calamari was tender. The shrimp on the second course was spectacular! As was the accompaniment. The main course entree of sea bass was generous and served on top of a potato patty with sauce. The sea bass was perfectly cooked. We had dirty martinis which were very good . Then I had a cucumber cooler which was over priced and just marginally satisfying. We also had an old fashioned which was just good, overpriced as well. How to make the meal better? We both thought that the sea bass would have been better served on a risotto cake or at least crispy potatoes. The patty ended up soggy and rather unappealing. Nor did it complement the sea bass. I would go for a lighter batter on the calamari. The tiramisu was a hit out of the ballpark, save the presentation…. It was served like it was just cut out of a sheet pan and plopped on a plate. It was delicious though. Our server was sweet and attentive. We did request to slow down each delivery of courses as we were drinking and enjoying the experience of the delicious courses and conversation.

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