Top Five Lunch Recommendations

Disclaimer: Because of where we work, our lunch outings are usually in and around the city of Minneapolis. Fans of St. Paul shouldn’t feel slighted!

Lunch Home 

 

A's Picks B's Picks
Bar Lurcat, 1624 Harmon Plaza , Minneapolis 55403 * 612-486-5500.  

Okay, so you can only do lunch Fridays here, last I checked, but if there ever was a place intended for whiling ... uh, I meant working ... away your entire Friday afternoon, with inventive food and a long, long wine, beer, and liquor list, this is it

Chet's Taverna 790 Raymond Ave., St. Paul 651-646-2655

A generally creative Italian/Continental menu (especially the inventive toppings on the Cities' best pizza crust), friendly and eco-friendly vibes, and deliberately shabby accoutrements ... if you're like me you'll love Chet's for all these reasons.

Origami, 30 N. 1st St., 612.333.8430

Minneapolis may be near the farthest point from any ocean in the country, and yet you can get excellent sushi. The sake list is impressive as well, but work may suffer afterwards.

The Sample Room.  2124 Marshall St. , 612-789-0333.  

A Midwestern version of a tapas bar.  Does it work?  You betcha.

Sapor Cafe Bar 428 Washington Ave. North, Minneapolis 612-375-1971. 

 It's not just Asian fusion, it's Earth fusion.  If most denizens of Planet Minneapolis seem unimpressed, it's their loss and your gain-there's never a wait for a table.

 

 

Cafe Barbette 600 W. Lake St., Minneapolis 612-827-5710

An unpretentious little bistro where the food never disappoints. Best wait staff in the Twin Cities and No Smoking until 10:00 PM. Need I say more?

Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant 1010 Nicollet Mall 612-332-1010

The reincarnated Dakota with a reinvigorated kitchen in its terrific new location. Sit and eat at the bar while enjoying the ambiance and then there is all that jazz to look forward to.

Origami, 30 N. 1st St., 612.333.8430

This is the best sushi in town – wash it down with sake and you’ll think spring is here!

Rice Paper 2726 W. 43 St., Minneapolis 612-926-8650

A divine little restaurant. We don't want it to get too popular or the table wait could become intolerable! Asian fusion food at its best.

Sushi Tango 3001 Hennepin Ave. S., 612-822-7787

Not open everyday but when it is boy is it good! The most fun staff and the best sushi this side of the Pacific (or Origami).