Best Lunch Restaurants in University of Minnesota

100 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Hell's Kitchen Minneapolis restaurant

1. Hell's Kitchen Minneapolis

4.6

Exceptional(5708)

Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 119 times today

Comfort food with an upscale twist...In the heart of downtown Minneapolis, appropriately located in a beautiful underground space, you'll discover Hell's Kitchen, an employee-owned restaurant known for its damn good food. Join us for breakfast, lunch, dinner or drinks 7 days a week, and enjoy REAL comfort food made by chefs who care, described by food writers as "unique but not fancy; interesting but not fussy". Almost everything is made from scratch, from our award-winning peanut butter to our unique dips and dressings, winning us over 67 "best" awards as well as accolades in Gourmet Magazine, Conde Nast Traveler, Midwest Living, and other national magazines. And bring the kids along... you should see the cheeky notes they write to us!"Rather than rave on, let us just say if you're in Minnesota and want to wow your tastebuds, go to Hell's Kitchen. It is inspired and inspiring." (Jane & Michael Stern, NPR)

2. noa

4.4

Awesome(159)

Price: Expensive

• American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 11 times today

Noa, situated in the IDS Center in the heart of Minneapolis, provides guests with chef-crafted dishes in a welcoming and expansive setting. The restaurant exudes a cozy ambiance and vibrant energy, offering a selection of upscale yet accessible menu options. Featuring earthy hues and abundant natural light and greenery, Noa creates a relaxed environment for visitors throughout the year. Additionally, the establishment includes a private dining space for hosting events and is capable of handling large orders and accommodating special requests.

3. Baldamar

4.9

Exceptional(6828)

Price: Expensive

• Steak • Roseville

Booked 161 times today

If you're going to take your name from a badass like the patron saint of blacksmiths, you better be able to back it up. Baldamar marks the turning point where we usher in the new standard for style, service and steak. It means the menu’s made with old-world craft at its core and modern day meat eaters in mind — with flavors forged in fire and folded into pure primal perfection. It’s where every steak is aged 40 days and 40 nights for a taste of biblical proportion, and where crazy-fresh seafood means it was caught during your morning commute. At the bar sits every spirit imaginable, and someone who isn’t afraid to use them. This is more than a new steakhouse. It’s a line in the sand. It’s not just where you celebrate special occasions. It’s where you create them.*A 20% Service Fee is added to all groups of 8 or more.

4. Milwaukee Road

4.1

Excellent(216)

Price: Expensive

• American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 19 times today

Milwaukee Road at the Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot is a favorite among guests as well as Twin Cities residents, featuring distinct menus with specialized and local flare. You can always count on Milwaukee Road for a hearty breakfast buffet to start the day, followed by unique regional lunch and dinner entrées.Our chef combines the best of regional culinary specialties with memorable dishes and tempting desserts – any of which pairs beautifully with a selection from our wine list or one of our many regional craft ales. Enjoy your meal in the gorgeous restaurant dining room or our outdoor seasonal patio; you'll find either setting to be warm, welcoming and distinctly Minnesota.

5. Young Joni

4.7

Exceptional(812)

Price: Expensive

• Pizzeria • Northeast Minneapolis

Booked 75 times today

Young Joni is James Beard award-winning chef Ann Kim's restaurant located in the Arts District of Northeast Minneapolis. The menu is inspired by wood fire cooking and features an array of globally influenced dishes and signature pizzas. Dining Room reservations are offered for dinner and weekend brunch; walk-ins are available at our bar and community table.Young Joni is the recipient of 2019's James Beard Award for "Best Chef Midwest"; it has been featured in the New York Times and Vogue, and on Netflix's "Chef's Table: Pizza." Tucked discreetly behind Young Joni is the back bar, serving full and no-proof craft cocktails and pizzas in a warm, analog setting. Esquire named it one of 2019's Best Bars in America and Eater called it an "Essential Minneapolis Bar." Walk down the alley alongside Young Joni and look for the red light; when the light is on, the back bar is open. Back bar reservations are available, and walk-ins are always welcome.

6. Blondette

3.9

Excellent(107)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary French / American • Downtown / Mill District

Booked 9 times today

Blondette is a French-inspired restaurant, concepted by award-winning Chef Daniel del Prado, offering traditional French cuisine fused with Pacific Northwest ingredients. Housed in a glass-covered atrium complete with an outdoor terrace and one of Minneapolis’ only retractable roofs, Blondette invites guests to mix and mingle under the stars all year long. In addition to dinner daily, each Saturday and Sunday, Blondette serves up elevated brunch fare from 9am - 2pm. Reservations recommended but not required. We also offer curated holiday menus for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Eve, Easter and Mother's Day. LOCATION: Blondette is located on the 5th floor of the iconic Rand Tower Hotel, conveniently attached to the Downtown Minneapolis Skyway. Each of Rand Tower Hotel’s restaurants and bars is a destination all its own, offering locals and travelers a unique culinary journey they won’t find anywhere else.PARKING: $10 valet parking is available with dining validation.

A photo of Manny's Steakhouse restaurant

7. Manny's Steakhouse

4.7

Exceptional(8426)

Price: Very Expensive

• Steak • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 88 times today

Masculine, bright, accented with wood & leather, Manny's evokes the great steakhouses of New York & Chicago - & eclipses them in critical & popular acclaim. Rated Top Five in the U.S. by the Zagat Guide, named one of America's top Steakhouses by the Knife & Fork Club, Men's Journal & the Independent Cattleman's Association, & a perennial winner of newspaper & magazine reader polls, Manny's commands a fanatical local following & a national reputation. Wrote the New York Times: "There's good news in Minneapolis for those who still share the secret pleasures of red meat, well-cut & seriously served." In addition to USDA-certified, dry- aged, center-cut beef, Manny's offers chops, chicken, fresh seafood & a Wine Spectator Award-winning wine list.

A photo of Nicollet Island Inn restaurant

8. Nicollet Island Inn

4.8

Exceptional(3398)

Price: Expensive

• American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 12 times today

The Nicollet Island Inn has stood witness to over a century of change on the shores of the Mississippi River. The Inn is consistently named the most romantic restaurant in the area and its river views have been voted some of the best in the city. An immediately recognizable Minneapolis landmark, the Inn offers world-class cuisine created by Executive Chef Michael Rain , whose innovative and constantly updated menu includes a variety of seafood, steaks and gourmet specialty dishes. Our wine menu has been chosen specifically to compliment the food and highlight producers from the world's leading wine regions.Nic's bar, just off the main dining room, is a casual, old-world tavern and the patio offers stunning views of the Minneapolis skyline. The Inn is a convenient, comfortable destination for breakfast or lunch meetings while the 3 or 5-course Sunday Brunch is the perfect weekend indulgence.

9. Beacon Public House - Graduate Minneapolis

4.5

Awesome(328)

Price: Moderate

• Gastro Pub • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 7 times today

The Beacon is a warm and inviting neighborhood gastropub. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, we serve up a menu of American classics and feature an extensive selection of craft cocktails and beers. Get your game on over a local brew at our pool table, cozy up with friends at a booth or high top, or gather 'round the communal table in our private dining room for more intimate conversation.

A photo of Nolo's Kitchen & Bar restaurant

10. Nolo's Kitchen & Bar

4.6

Exceptional(1108)

Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 82 times today

**Please note all reservations are for Nolo's Kitchen, the rooftop is first come, first serve. For cabana rentals please visit https://www.rooftopbarmpls.com/cabanas**Located at the historic Gardner Hardware Building at 515 Washington Ave N in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis. The NOLO's team consists of Marty Collins, Brett Johnson and Peter Hoff, each native Minnesotans with extensive industry experience. Marty has owned over 10 restaurant concepts in Minneapolis, MN, Kansas City and Columbia, MO, and Iowa City, IA. Brett and his family have owned and operated The Hilltop Restaurant for the past 40 years. Pete, the head chef, brings his most recent culinary experience and creativity from California to NOLO’s, The Rooftop Bar and The Basement Bar. His culinary vision and passion for local ingredients create new modern comfort food dishes. The team shares a passion for the restaurant and bar industry and sees an opportunity to fill gaps in the market in the North Loop.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

J
Josh
Greater Boston •1 review
4.0
Dined 1 day ago
The pizza, which is what they are known for, was excellent. We had the umami mama which had lots of mushrooms and was really rich. We also had the wings, the prawns, and the savoy cabbage. The cabbage was also really tasty. The wings and the prawns were each fine not as good as I would expect for this caliber of restaurant. Go for the pizza but skip anything else.
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Young JoniPrice: Expensive• Pizzeria• Northeast Minneapolis
•
4.7
T
Theresa
Minneapolis - St. Paul •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
A great place for a special occasion always -- but esp. at the Holidays. Great decor, lovely free music, cool drinks, great service and the photo booth all make for a fun time. And being employee owned is a cherry on the top of the sundae. I wish they had more vegan dishes. There is very little there for me to eat.
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Hell's Kitchen MinneapolisPrice: Moderate• American• Downtown / North Loop
•
4.6
B
Big Mike
Minneapolis - St. Paul •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Right away from entering the establishment the level of service was outstanding! I had dropped my girlfriend off at the the door and the staff knew right where she was. Pointed me in the right direction. While waiting for our table we had a drink at the bar & the staff there made great recommendations. Another hostess came to get us for our table. Once we were seated our server fully explained the menu for our first time being there. She was absolutely amazing! We took her recommendations for an appetizer and our steaks were cooked to perfection! The flavor profile was stunning! The level of service was absolutely outstanding! To end our evening experience we got to chat with Santa & Mrs Claus! When leaving the restaurant every staff member thanked us for coming in tonight. We look forward to dining again there!
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BaldamarPrice: Expensive• Steak• Roseville
•
4.9
P
Pat
Minneapolis - St. Paul •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Most lobby restaurants are not the greatest experience. The Milwaukee, however, was a pleasant surprise. From a gracious hostess to a joyful waitress, to a very, very good meal for the four of us. The only food negative was a relatively bland dressing on the Caesar salad. T”My pappardelle was outstanding and the others felt the risotto, burger and salmon were very fine.
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Milwaukee RoadPrice: Expensive• American• Downtown / North Loop
•
4.1
A
Avery
New Orleans / Louisiana •2 reviews
4.0
Dined 4 days ago
Our server Katie was amazing and funny however we didn’t feel the food was worth the price. Salmon with no real sides just squash underneath it. Only 2 tacos per order.
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noaPrice: Expensive• American• Downtown / North Loop
•
4.4

Best Lunch Restaurants in University of Minnesota

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100 restaurants available nearby

1. Hell's Kitchen Minneapolis

2. noa

3. Baldamar

4. Milwaukee Road

5. Young Joni

6. Blondette

7. Manny's Steakhouse

8. Nicollet Island Inn

9. Beacon Public House - Graduate Minneapolis

10. Nolo's Kitchen & Bar

See what locals rave about

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