Minnesota offers unique and familiar cuisine all over the state. From American favorites like donuts and pizza to Minnesota specialties like wild rice and walleye, you can find something for every diet restriction and preference.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a vegetarian or a carnivore, your mouth is sure to be watering by the end of this post. Join me as I uncover the best Minnesota food and where to find it at any time of the year!
Breakfast
Breakfast sets the foundation for the rest of the day. Start your morning right with these Minnesota delicacies.
Cake Donuts at World’s Best Donuts in Grand Marais
If you’re in Grand Marais, treat yourself to a sugary cake donut at World’s Best Donuts. The restaurant is also known for its kabobs (a donut on a stick). Don’t wait for the State Fair to enjoy a delicious pastry on a stick.
Stuffed French Toast at Jensen’s Cafe in Burnsville
Jensen’s Cafe in Burnsville serves one of the best made-from-scratch breakfasts in Minnesota. Its Stuffed French Toast is filled with delectable triple-berry jam and cream cheese. You can’t go wrong with comfort Minnesota food like this.
German Cuisine
It’s no secret that Minnesotans have strong German roots. If you want to sample the taste of Germany, hit up one of these Oktoberfests in Minnesota next fall. Here are some places to enjoy German Minnesota food in the meantime.
Schnitzel at Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter in Stillwater
If you’ve ever wanted to try different schnitzels, you can order a “Schnitzel Sampler” at Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter in Stillwater. Order a German beer and enjoy one of the few spots in Minnesota with an authentic German atmosphere all year round.
German Potato Salad at Black Forest Inn in Minneapolis
Minneapolis’s Black Forest Inn is known for its authentic German potato salad, served as a side to many of its delicious German dishes. One dish it comes with is the sausage sampler, which features a bratwurst, a chicken curry sausage, and a Polish sausage.
Wild Rice and Walleye
When you ask Minnesotans what they think about when they’re asked to talk about Minnesota food, two of the most common responses you’ll hear are “Wild Rice and Walleye.” Try out these spots if you’re looking to enjoy these two Minnesota foods.
Mahnomin Porridge at Hell’s Kitchen in Minneapolis
Mahnomin Porridge is a warm Native American dish made from wild rice, simmered with heavy cream, roasted hazelnuts, dried blueberries, sweet cranberries, and pure maple syrup. This is a staple menu item at Hell’s Kitchen in Minneapolis.
Wild Rice Pancakes at Modern Times Cafe in Minneapolis
Known for its flavorful vegan food and large portion sizes, Modern Times Cafe serves yummy wild rice pancakes. The cafe is open daily for breakfast and lunch, so you can enjoy a tasty meal in a modern atmosphere.
Wild Rice Burger at Fitger’s Brewhouse Brewery & Grille in Duluth
Enjoy the pub or classic wild rice burger at Fitger’s Brewhouse Brewery & Grille in Duluth. These vegetarian burgers are made with Minnesota-harvested rice, so you’ll get to taste authentic Minnesota food in every bite.
Walleye at Beantown in Fairmont
Everyone wants to know where to find walleye in Minnesota, and you have plenty of options, but nothing quite compares to the walleye at Beantown in Fairmont. Order a tasty 8-ounce walleye off their dinner menu.
Scandinavian Cuisine
Minnesota is home to the largest Scandinavian population in the United States, and the culture has played a large role in the state’s identity (like inspiring the Minnesota Vikings’ name and team logo). Here are some places to taste Scandinavian food in Minnesota!
Swedish Meatballs at Taste of Scandinavia Bakery & Cafe in North Oaks
Taste of Scandinavia Bakery & Cafe in North Oaks has almost every Scandinavian dish you could ever dream of trying and more. Their Swedish meatballs are a real hit. Dine in or order them to go.
Lefse at Norsland Lefse in Rushford
Norsland Lefse in Rushford is home to the best Scandinavian lefse, and best of all, it’s made from real potatoes. They also deliver lefse to your door!
Pizza
Minnesotans love comfort food, especially during the cold winter months, and pizza is the ultimate comfort food. Check out some of these pizza joints for a slice of heaven.
Pizza and Gelato at Fat Lorenzo’s Pizza in Minneapolis
Fat Lorenzo’s is a hidden gem in the middle of a Minneapolis neighborhood on the southwest corner of Lake Nokomis. Famous for its mouth-watering pizza, tasty gelato, and pretty artwork within the restaurant, this is one place you want to check out for unique food in Minnesota.
Pizza and Wings at Bulldog Pizza & Grill in Duluth
Famous for its clay pizza oven, Bulldog Pizza & Grill in Duluth is a tasty treat. Savory pizza and wings await at this fan-favorite Minnesota restaurant. This is a must-stop for pizza lovers.
Deep Dish Pizza at Pizzeria Pezzo at White Bear Lake
You don’t have to go to Chicago to eat great deep-dish pizza. Pizzeria Pezzo at White Bear Lake serves mouthwatering deep-dish pizza in Minnesota. Choose from their housemade specialties or build your own!
Desserts
Sometimes, you need a sweet treat, and these are some great places in Minnesota to grab one.
Homemade Ice Cream at Sebastian Joe’s in Minneapolis
With two Minneapolis locations, Sebastian Joe’s is a big deal to the locals. This ice cream parlor has won several Best Ice Cream awards. If you haven’t checked them out yet, you must add them to your Minnesota food tour list. Their ice cream is made from all-natural ingredients!
Honey and Cream Cake at Spoon and Staple in Minneapolis
A sweet poached quince, honey meringue, topped with beeswax ice cream, the honey and cream cake is a delectable treat only found at Spoon and Staple in Minneapolis. This hip French-inspired restaurant is located in a cozy, rustic-chic vintage carriage house, waiting for your arrival.
The Best Minnesota Food!
Is your mouth watering yet? If not, it will be when you step inside any of the restaurants above.
If you’re still looking for places to eat in Minnesota, check out these 14 delicious Minnesota food options.
- About the Author
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Nicole Kinkade loves taking regular road trips with her family around Minnesota. She especially enjoys visiting the Twin Cities area, where she can often be found hanging out at Mall of America and Como Park. Her favorite Minnesota restaurant is Fat Lorenzo’s!
With a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and an associate’s degree in Media Communication, Nicole is passionate about sharing her experiences with others through writing. She is currently writing full-time and loves every minute of it.
Nicole can be reached at [email protected]