It’s widely agreed upon that Mall of America is the best mall out there. With over 500 stores, 50 restaurants, and several incredible attractions, there’s no other mall that compares. However, when it comes to those 50 restaurants, choosing where to eat can be a hassle, especially if you’re a family or friend group with widely varying tastes. Never fear! This list will help you find the perfect dining experience for you and your family and friends. Read on to discover my picks for the 7 best Mall of America restaurants!
Best Mall of America Restaurants
1. Sugar Factory
It might seem a bit unorthodox to begin the list of best Mall of America restaurants with something sweet, but I’m a firm believer that there’s nothing better than starting with dessert! According to Mall of America, “Internationally renowned sweets brand Sugar Factory American Brasserie is the perfect place for all ages to indulge in sweets, treats and delectable eats.” If you’re looking for an unbeatable sugar rush or a place to truly embrace treating yourself, this is a can’t-miss experience!
Menu
Sugar Factory’s menu offers just about anything a sweet tooth could ache for: a near-endless variety of candies, coffee, milkshakes, pastries, ice cream, and even burgers (known as Rainbow Sliders) that come complete with an array of jewel-toned buns and a special sauce!
What to Try
While absolutely anything in this glittering paradise of crystalline sugar and vibrant shades of color is sure to please, if you’re above the age of 21, you simply can’t leave Mall of America without sampling one of Sugar Factory’s insane cocktail offerings, described on the Mall of America website as “alcohol-infused candy smoking goblets.” And goblets they are, indeed! At a whopping 64 ounces, any one of these drinks is sure to pack a punch—particularly my recommendation, the Tropical Fruit Punch. Many of these goblets are credited to various celebrities; for instance, this mix of powerful tropical flavors was designed by Snoop Dogg.
2. Twin City Grill
According to the Mall of America website, Twin City Grill “provides a casual, yet elegant dining atmosphere with its mahogany paneling, period fixtures and vintage Twin Cities photographs inspired by the great dining establishments of the 1940’s.” You can find this sit-down dining restaurant on the first floor of the mall, nestled in the North Garden area.
Menu
Twin City Grill is the perfect choice if you’re looking for something higher-quality than ordinary food court fare, but still want to be sure you can find dishes to please the whole family, even the pickiest of eaters! Offering everything from State Fair cheese curds to Minnesota wild rice & corn chowder for appetizers, fresh Minnesota walleye to baked spaghetti for entrees, and key lime pie to crème brûlée for dessert, there’s no shortage of options to pick from on Twin City’s menu!
What to Try
While everything Twin City Grill offers is delicious, most customers recommend the Minnesota walleye as the must-try of this establishment!
3. Bubba Gumpa Shrimp Company
If you’re a fan of Forrest Gump, then make sure you add #3 on the list of best restaurants in Mall of America to your itinerary! According to the mall, “No matter what you decide to eat, you’ll enjoy the fun atmosphere at this Forrest Gump themed restaurant. Forrest’s mama always had a chair open at her table for hungry folks, and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. makes sure to follow that same philosophy!”
Menu
This film-fan-friendly establishment offers mostly seafood, most notably numerous different kinds of shrimp dishes, but if you’re not in a shellfish mood, never fear—there are plenty of other seafood options, as well as other entrees for those who don’t care for fish.
What to Try
While there are plenty of options to choose from on their menu, Bubba Gump’s is of course most famous for its shrimp, and many customers laud the Dumb Luck Coconut Shrimp as one of the best dishes to order at one of the best Mall of America restaurants!
4. Burger Burger
While on the surface this might seem like your classic burger joint, there are many unique options offered by Burger Burger, which is described by Mall of America as “an upscale fast-casual experience featuring a variety of hormone and antibiotic-free burgers ground daily with freshly baked buns, hand-cut fries and a variety of specialty malts.”
Menu
As mentioned previously, you’ll find several classic burger options on this menu (such as the Classic Burger and the Basic Burger), but there are numerous dishes that have added a fun twist to the burger you know and love. The Blazin’ Bison burger, for instance, features a ground bison meat patty!
What to Try
While there are many fantastic burgers to tempt your taste buds at #4 on the list of best Mall of America restaurants, I have to recommend the Mac Daddy burger, which comes topped with mac and cheese bites—seriously, can you get any more delicious than that?
5. Carlo’s Bakery
If you’re a fan of Buddy Valastro and his TLC series, Cake Boss, then you’re in for a treat when you visit Carlo’s Bakery! This famous New Jersey-born bakery has made its way all the way from the Garden State to the Land of 10,000 Lakes, and you simply can’t miss the chance to sample these renowned treasures for your taste buds.
Menu
This Mall of America restaurant offers all sorts of delectable sweets and treats such as pastries, cookies, cheesecakes, mousses, cupcakes, and of course, some truly incredible custom-made cakes! You can pick one of the cakes offered on this menu and customize the flavors, the inscription, and the color of the inscription.
What to Try
While the cakes are truly impressive to look at, in most customers’ opinion, the pastries are the real star of Carlo’s Bakery. Though there are many popular options, I have to recommend the cannoli. This cream-filled parcel of crispy pastry is sure to convince you that it’s the real “boss” of this bakery!
6. Cedar + Stone
If you’re looking for a true taste of Minnesota, this is the place to be. Cedar + Stone boasts a true “farm to table” dining experience, sourcing many of the ingredients for their dishes from local farmers. If you’re looking to experience some through-and-through Minnesota fare as an out-of-state visitor or a resident looking to sample the tastes of home, Cedar + Stone surely won’t disappoint!
Menu
As mentioned above, Cedar + Stone features many Minnesota-native ingredients, which you can see noted on their menu. They serve a great variety of dishes: some more common, such as pizza and pasta or short ribs and chicken wings; others less so, such as crispy brussels sprouts or quinoa and wild rice. Though it’s certainly all on the richer side of dining, you can find something at Cedar + Stone to satisfy even the pickiest of palates, whether you possess a taste for the finer things in life or if you’re simply craving a good bowl of mac and cheese.
What to Try
Speaking of mac and cheese, if you’re looking for a truly mind-blowing bite, that’s exactly what you should order from Cedar + Stone. #6 on the list of the best Mall of America restaurants offers mac and cheese made with Minnesota white cheddar and smoked gouda, and while it sounds simple, sometimes simple is best. If you’re looking for something a little more unique, however, try the Capocollo Di Dorman Pizza! This pizza is topped with smoking goose capocollo, taleggio cheese, spiced honey, and other fresh, delicious ingredients.
7. Dough Dough
This list started out with dessert—it only seems right that it should end in dessert, too! #7 on the list of best Mall of America restaurants is Dough Dough, an establishment whose name tells you everything you need to know. Capitalizing on the inner desire that lives within all of us—the urge to devour raw cookie dough despite dire warnings from our parents—Dough Dough offers the opportunity to partake in that long-forbidden treat!
Menu
That’s right—Dough Dough offers a menu packed with edible cookie dough served in scoops! With a variety of flavors and several ways to mix them up, as well as the opportunity to purchase milk, chocolate milk, or coffee to go with your scoops, Dough Dough can’t be beat when you’re looking for a cookie dough fix.
What to Try
There are so many delectable flavors available on Dough Dough’s menu that you’ll likely find yourself struggling to choose—so why not avoid that dilemma altogether? I recommend purchasing the Flight of Dough, which offers the chance to sample five mini scoops of cookie dough for six dollars or six mini scoops for seven dollars! No need to limit yourself here at Dough-Dough!
Wrapping Up Best Mall of America Restaurants
There you have it: the 7 best Mall of America restaurants! Did I miss any of your favorites? Which restaurant do you plan on visiting during your next trip to Mall of America? Let me know in the comments below!
For a variety of great shopping options within the state, check out The 13 Best Malls in Minnesota for Shopping Your Heart Out.
Also, if you’re looking for awesome things to do in Bloomington, near the Mall of America, check out 20 of the Best Things To Do In Bloomington Minnesota.
Still hungry? Then continue exploring Minnesota food and drinks for a complete culinary adventure!
Still looking for more fun adventures? Then checkout all the great things to do in the Twin Cities!
- About the Author
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Born in Madelia, MN, to a now 5-generation Minnesota family, Ryan’s MN roots go deep.
A painter by day, Ryan founded Life in Minnesota in 2013 with his wife Kelly to chronicle their musings on everything Minnesota. Ryan and Kelly are raising their 7 kiddos in Maple Grove, MN.
When he’s not shuttling his kids around to hockey practice, you might find him in the shop working on his leatherwork. Undoubtedly, there will be a family trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area every summer, and of course weekends at Grandpa’s cabin up north in the summer.