Best Casual Restaurants in Downtown / North Loop

63 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Fogo de Chao - Minneapolis restaurant

1. Fogo de Chao - Minneapolis

4.2

Price: Moderate

• Brazilian • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 136 times today

Fogo de Chão is an internationally-renowned steakhouse from Brazil that allows guests to discover what's next at every turn. Founded in Southern Brazil in 1979, Fogo elevates the centuries-old culinary art of churrasco - roasting high-quality cuts of meat over an open flame - into a cultural dining experience of discovery. Please join us in our dining room, in our more casual Bar Fogo, or bring the Fogo Experience to you with Fogo To-Go or Catering. Visit our website to make a reservation or place an order.

A photo of Hell's Kitchen Minneapolis restaurant

2. Hell's Kitchen Minneapolis

4.7

Exceptional(5643)

Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 70 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)

3. noa

4.5

Awesome(152)

Price: Expensive

• American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 9 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.

4. UNION Rooftop

3.9

Excellent(3303)

Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 31 times today

A word from UNION RooftopExperience the Union of talent, creativity, art, food, and design.Kaskaid Hospitality has been credited with bringing dining in the Twin Cities to new heights, and UNION Rooftop is the crown jewel in its latest unveiling of unique hospitality concepts. Painstaking attention was paid to every detail, from restoring the building’s original architectural treasures to installing the one-of-a-kind retractable rooftop. UNION has engaged a talented culinary team that holds themselves to the highest standards, ensuring every dish is special, surprising, and cohesive. We have created a menu that can be experienced in just the right proportions, from an elegant snack before the theater, to a celebratory private dining tasting menu featuring ingredients that change daily.Valet Parking Available Nightly

A photo of The Melting Pot - Minneapolis restaurant

5. The Melting Pot - Minneapolis

4.7

Exceptional(2858)

Price: Expensive

• Fondue • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 30 times today

Bring your big appetite to the big city. In downtown Minneapolis, The Melting Pot is your quintessential fine-dining restaurant. Start with freshly made salads and handcrafted dressings before you skewer succulent strips of steak, and finish the smorgasbord with our famous chocolate fondue. Desserts rank high here, and just like the complex taste of our entrées, there’s something to be said of our artisan cheeses and luscious chocolates. But in our cozy corner of dessert paradise, we’re more than just a classy addition to Minnesota’s culinary scene. We are casual and approachable, which makes us an excellent choice for reconnecting with long-lost friends, updating loved ones about your life, or simply breaking the ice on a romantic date.

6. The Smack Shack

4.6

Exceptional(1733)

Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 13 times today

Casual, coastal restaurant in the North Loop. Reservations taken for dining room only, patio seating is available on a first come, first serve basis. Please check in with hosts upon arrival for patio seating.Although named for the boats used to catch lobster, Smack Shack was launched as a food truck in 2010 serving lobster rolls from a land-locked downtown Minneapolis parking lot. Owner Josh Thoma had a great recipe and a belief that appetite for fresh lobster in the Twin Cities was as strong as any coastal city.Smack Shack is committed to serving sustainable seafood and is a current partner in the Minnesota Zoo’s Fish Smart program. Sustainable seafood is wild caught or farm raised seafood that has established practices to ensure the long term growth and thriving populations of seafood with limited harm to the environment.

A photo of Cafe Lurcat - Minneapolis restaurant

7. Cafe Lurcat - Minneapolis

4.8

Exceptional(5246)

Price: Very Expensive

• American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 23 times today

Café and Bar Lurcat, located next to Loring Park, is a hip, urban venue that boasts serious food and voguish design. Café Lurcat is a perfect blend of classic old world style with a Noveau twist. The expansive bar and lounge is ideal for casual cocktails and a la carte bites, while the romantic dining room creates the perfect ambiance for an exceptional foodie experience featuring sophisticated comfort food. We offer the perfect event venue for family celebrations, trendy parties, marriages, Bar Mitzvahs, showers, charity events, galas, graduations and black tie events. This iconic Minneapolis restaurant continues to age like a fine wine as it approaches its 20th year.

8. The News Room

4.3

Awesome(1323)

Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 16 times today

The News Room offers an American eclectic menu in a warm comfortable environment.Whether planning a casual gathering or a private dinner, The News Room offers a multiplicity of space to adapt easily to any event. Conveniently located on the Nicollet Mall strip in the heart of downtown Minneapolis, we are only steps away from many hotels, Orchestra Hall, and just a few blocks from The Target Center, The Orpheum, Pantages, and State Theaters.

9. Young Joni

4.5

Awesome(792)

Price: Expensive

• Pizzeria • Northeast Minneapolis

Booked 57 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.

A photo of Nolo's Kitchen & Bar restaurant

10. Nolo's Kitchen & Bar

4.6

Exceptional(1100)

Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 38 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

N
Nancy
Minneapolis - St. Paul •1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Had the pear sandwich for dinner, the queso for the chips was homeade and next level good. My date had the bison tacos, they were delicious. We had the lemon ricotta hot cakes and bison Benedict for breakfast the next morning. The service was excellent, I am going to recommend it to everyone going to Minneapolis and I will definitely go again.
More info
Hell's Kitchen MinneapolisPrice: Moderate• American• Downtown / North Loop
•
4.7
A
Alexvip
Denver / Colorado •17 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Went there with the family, and had a wonderful time. The service was wonderful and the food tasted fantastic.
More info
The Melting Pot - MinneapolisPrice: Expensive• Fondue• Downtown / North Loop
•
4.7
K
Kristina
Minneapolis - St. Paul •9 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Molly was great! Brought my kids here for pre-theater dinner and it was perfect. Good menu for my more adventurous and picky eaters. Service was well timed and everyone was super attentive. We will be back!
More info
UNION RooftopPrice: Moderate• American• Downtown / North Loop
•
3.9
L
Lvip
Minneapolis - St. Paul •140 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
The food was flavorful and delicious! What a nice change from other local restaurants that persist in over-salting their dishes. It was also nice that the background music was just that—background, not deafening, no thumping bass. We look forward to our next date night at Noa!
More info
noaPrice: Expensive• American• Downtown / North Loop
•
4.5
J
Jennifervip
Minneapolis - St. Paul •16 reviews
5.0
Dined on Nov 17, 2024
Izzy, Leo and Max are superb! The gauchos did an excellent job bringing food to our table.
More info
Fogo de Chao - MinneapolisPrice: Moderate• Brazilian• Downtown / North Loop
•
4.2

Best Casual Restaurants in Downtown / North Loop

Price

Cuisine

Regions

Neighbourhoods

Top Rated

Dining Options

Seating Options

Accessibility

63 restaurants available nearby

1. Fogo de Chao - Minneapolis

2. Hell's Kitchen Minneapolis

3. noa

4. UNION Rooftop

5. The Melting Pot - Minneapolis

6. The Smack Shack

7. Cafe Lurcat - Minneapolis

8. The News Room

9. Young Joni

10. Nolo's Kitchen & Bar

See what locals rave about

Explore OpenTable