Pete's Local Guide
In my opinion, the most eclectic and vibrant neighborhood in Minneapolis. World-class food, legendary taprooms, galleries, and the Mississippi riverfront — all walkable from the Corner Store.
A half-dozen spots within walking distance helmed by James Beard Award winners and nominees.
NE Minneapolis has quietly become one of the hottest food neighborhoods in the country. Recently it's become the national epicenter for Hmong and Vietnamese cuisine, with some of the country's best chefs doing their finest work here. Don't miss these.
Vinai
Chef Yia Vang's celebrated Hmong restaurant. One of the most important restaurants in Minneapolis right now.
Diane's Place
Chef Diane Moua's intimate, beautiful dessert-forward restaurant. Reserve well in advance.
Hai Hai
Chef Christina Nguyen's Southeast Asian street food in a vibrant space with excellent cocktails. Always a great time.
Oro by Nixta
Chef Gustavo Romero's elevated ode to masa-based Mexican cooking. One of the most exciting restaurants in the neighborhood.
Pete's top picks for a great dinner, lunch, or late-night bite in NE.
Minari
Sexy elevated dim sum and cocktails. One of the cooler spots in the neighborhood.
Small Hours
Hip, intimate wine bar with great food and a hi-fi vinyl selection. A short walk from the Corner Store — the kind of place you stay for three more glasses.
All Saints
Great burger, great bar, great vibe. Reliable hit for dinner or a late-night bite.
The Northeast Social
Weekend brunch spot and neighborhood hangout. Worth the wait.
Centro
Fantastic tacos, oysters, and cocktails. Lively, fun, and always good.
The Sample Room
A NE classic. Eclectic menu, great patio, and a reliably good meal.
Bina's
Modern dive bar with great burgers. The vibe is right, the food is better than expected.
Anchor Fish & Chips
Legit British-style fish and chips in Minneapolis. Cult following for good reason.
Brasa
Rotisserie chicken, Southern sides, and Caribbean flavors. Perfect for a casual dinner.
Mestizo
Mexican-Japanese fusion with some of the best cocktails in NE. Creative, fun, and genuinely delicious.
Worth the Uber across town — some of the best restaurants in the country.
Demi
Chef Gavin Kaysen's intimate 10-seat tasting menu counter. One of the most special dining experiences in the Midwest. Reserve well in advance.
Spoon & Stable
Chef Gavin Kaysen's flagship. A top-tier dining experience in the North Loop.
Dario
Intimate, wood-fired, Italian-inspired. Exceptional.
Bar la Grassa
Upscale Italian in the North Loop. The pasta is extraordinary.
Myriel
Chef Karyn Tomlinson's stunning St. Paul restaurant. One of the best in the country — vegetables, grains, and the seasons treated with extraordinary care.
Mara (Four Seasons)
Hotel dining done right. Great for a special occasion brunch or dinner.
Minneapolis takes its burgers seriously. These are the best.
Minneapolis has a serious coffee culture. These are the standouts near Corner Store.
The Briar
Just a few blocks away. A fantastic all-day cafe with great food, excellent coffee, and cocktails in the evening. Pete's neighborhood staple.
Matchbox
Great espresso in a small, warm space. A neighborhood fixture.
Walden
Excellent coffee in a thoughtfully designed space. One of the better pour-over destinations in the city.
Dogwood Coffee
Minneapolis institution. Multiple NE locations, consistently exceptional.
Spyhouse Coffee
The NE original. Great for a long morning with a laptop or a book.
Great food without the reservation or the wait.
NE has more breweries per square mile than almost anywhere in the country.
Bauhaus Brew Labs
Munich-inspired lager hall with a massive beer garden. Get the Wonderstuff. Grab Animales BBQ from the truck out front.
Bar Oscar
One of the best cocktail bars in NE. Great drinks, great vibe.
Indeed Brewing
Great taproom with a large outdoor patio and an excellent rotating tap list.
Earl Giles
Distillery and cocktail bar. Beautiful space, excellent cocktails, thoughtful food menu.
Norseman Distillery
Craft spirits distillery with a stylish tasting room in the NE Arts District.
Pikok Lounge
The bar at Minari. Excellent cocktails and bar bites in a sexy, dimly lit space. One of the cooler spots in NE right now.
Fair State Cooperative
Worker-owned brewery making some of the most interesting beers in the state.
Sociable Cider Werks
Cider taproom in a big, fun warehouse space. Great for groups.
Surly Brewing
Massive, iconic Minneapolis brewery. Worth the trip for the beer garden alone.
If you love a good dive, NE has the best ones in town.
Start the morning right near Corner Store.
Art, nature, sports, and a neighborhood built for exploring on foot.
Art-A-Whirl
The country's largest open studio art crawl happens right in this neighborhood every May. Artists open their studios across Northrup King, Casket Arts, Solar Arts, and more.
NE Art Building Tours
First Thursday of every month — tour the neighborhood art buildings: Northrup King, Casket Arts Center, Thorpe Building, Solar Arts Building.
Mississippi River Trails
Bike or walk to the river on dedicated trails. Boom Island Park and the Stone Arch Bridge are nearby. Beautiful on a summer morning.
Minneapolis Bouldering Project
Excellent rock climbing facility with yoga, gym, and — yes — a sauna. Great for an active morning.
Guthrie Theater
World-class regional theater with a beautiful cantilevered deck overlooking the Mississippi. Worth checking what's playing.
Twins at Target Field
One of the best ballparks in baseball. A summer game is a quintessential Minneapolis experience.
Walker Art Center
One of the best contemporary art museums in the country. The sculpture garden and the Spoon & Cherry are iconic.
Webber Natural Swimming Pool
Free outdoor swimming in Minneapolis. A hidden gem that locals love in summer.
American Swedish Institute
A beautiful historic mansion with rotating art exhibits and an excellent cafe. Unique to Minneapolis.
Everything you need within a short drive.
NE has a great independent retail scene — worth an afternoon wander.
Both units are walkable to everything in this guide. Book direct and skip the Airbnb fee.
Book The Storefront → Book The Loft →