Last updated: 2025-05-06
Best Upscale Restaurants in Minneapolis
Minneapolis boasts a dining scene that transforms local ingredients into culinary masterpieces. From North Loop to Warehouse District, chefs craft experiences that elevate Minnesota’s seasonal bounty into extraordinary gastronomic journeys.
Restaurants like Spoon and Stable and Alma redefine fine dining, blending Midwestern sensibilities with innovative techniques. These destinations showcase why the Twin Cities are becoming a serious epicurean destination.
Discover Minneapolis’ most exquisite dining destinations now!
Featured Fine Dining Spots in Minneapolis
Alma
What to Expect
Nationally recognized seasonal tasting menu
Description
An acclaimed Minneapolis restaurant featuring seasonally-driven tasting menus in an intimate dining room. Chef-driven cuisine showcases locally sourced ingredients through meticulously crafted multi-course experiences. The restaurant offers sophisticated, inventive dishes with refined techniques and artistic presentation.
Restaurant Details
More Info: Alma ↗
Bar La Grassa
What to Expect
James Beard Award-winning chef's handmade pasta specialties
Description
Bar La Grassa offers an intimate Italian dining experience in a sophisticated Minneapolis setting. James Beard Award-winning chef Isaac Becker crafts handmade pastas and innovative Italian-inspired dishes in a sleek, candlelit dining room. The restaurant features an open kitchen where guests can watch expert chefs preparing intricate pasta dishes and carefully curated small plates.
Restaurant Details
More Info: Bar La Grassa ↗
Demi
What to Expect
Intimate 14-seat Nordic-inspired tasting menu experience
Description
Chef Jorge Guzman's intimate tasting menu restaurant offers meticulously crafted seasonal Nordic-influenced cuisine in a minimalist, 14-seat dining room. Each multi-course experience showcases precise technique and locally sourced ingredients, transformed through innovative culinary approaches that blur traditional boundaries between ingredients and presentation.
Restaurant Details
More Info: Demi ↗
Kado no Mise
What to Expect
Authentic Tokyo-style omakase sushi counter
Description
An intimate Japanese omakase restaurant featuring precise, Tokyo-trained chef Shigeyuki Furukawa's meticulously crafted sushi experiences. The minimalist dining room offers an immersive chef's counter where guests observe intricate nigiri preparation and seasonal Edomae-style sushi techniques in an elegant, understated setting.
Restaurant Details
More Info: Kado no Mise ↗
Oro
What to Expect
Heirloom corn-focused Mexican cuisine with seasonal ingredient storytelling
Description
Oro by Nixta offers an innovative masa kitchen celebrating heirloom Mexican corn through carefully crafted tacos, botanas, and seasonal dishes. The intimate dining space showcases a culinary mission focused on elevating corn from a side dish to the star, featuring diverse preparations that honor traditional Mexican culinary techniques with contemporary creativity.
Restaurant Details
More Info: Oro ↗
Spoon and Stable
What to Expect
Chef's counter with direct view of kitchen preparation
Description
James Beard Award-winning chef Gavin Kaysen's elegant restaurant showcases seasonally-driven Midwestern cuisine in a refined, intimate dining room. Featuring an open kitchen with chef's counter seating, the space offers sophisticated Nordic-influenced plates crafted from local ingredients, complemented by artful plating and expert wine pairings.
Restaurant Details
More Info: Spoon and Stable ↗
Tenant
What to Expect
Six-seat counter with direct chef interaction
Description
An intimate South Minneapolis restaurant featuring a six-seat counter with an open kitchen concept. Chefs craft a meticulously curated six-course seasonal tasting menu, preparing and serving dishes directly to guests. The immersive dining experience allows patrons to watch culinary techniques up close while enjoying precisely composed seasonal plates.
Restaurant Details
More Info: Tenant ↗
Tullibee
What to Expect
Nordic-inspired cuisine with hyperlocal Minnesota ingredients
Description
Nestled in the Hewning Hotel, Tullibee offers an intimate Nordic-inspired dining experience with an open kitchen showcasing seasonal Minnesota ingredients. The restaurant features a minimalist, wood-accented dining room with craft cocktails and locally sourced seafood and game dishes prepared with precise, contemporary techniques.
Restaurant Details
More Info: Tullibee ↗
Zelo
What to Expect
Zagat-recognized contemporary Italian cuisine with local ingredient focus
Description
Zelo offers a contemporary Italian dining experience in downtown Minneapolis, featuring locally sourced ingredients and handcrafted dishes. The restaurant's minimalist modern space showcases seasonal menus with high-quality proteins and fresh seafood, complemented by an extensive Italian and American wine selection. Zagat-reviewed and known for respectful service, Zelo provides an elegant downtown dining atmosphere with a sophisticated bar perfect for people-watching.
Restaurant Details
More Info: Zelo ↗
Your Ultimate Guide
Dive deeper with our comprehensive guide, packed with tips, insights, and everything you need to know.
Minneapolis Fine Dining News
Stay updated with the latest fine dining trends and exceptional restaurants in your area
View Latest NewsMinneapolis Fine Dining Discussion
Welcome to the discussion We invite you to discuss and share your thoughts about fine dining spots and culinary experiences in Minneapolis
Join the Minneapolis Discussion!Find Fine Dining in Other Cities
Looking for fine dining in another city?
Fine Dining Mailing List
Our Quality Assurance Process
Every restaurant listing goes through our comprehensive review process combining industry expertise with customer feedback. We maintain unbiased listings (except for clearly marked featured restaurants) to ensure you get accurate, reliable fine dining information.
Have questions about our process or want to learn more? We'd love to hear from you! Contact us