Twin Cities' Best Hotel Dining

Rivertown romance and culinary history make this charming restaurant and inn on St. Croix River a dining destination.

Reviews:

• “Great Evening!”
• “Best Dining Ever!”
• “Fav Spot”
• “Best Dining Destination "
• “Best in the Twin Cities”

Tips: Take a St. Croix cruise from one of the hotel’s three riverboats. Ask the front desk for details.

Wheel Room at Afton House Inn

Graves 601 Hotel’s glamorous restaurant avoids pretense with an innovative, yet down-to-earth, New American menu.

Reviews:

• “There is hope my friends”
• “Terrible service, snotty waiter, small portions”
• “Horrible Service”
• “Great food and drink, very snooty service”
• “Unbeatable sophistication”

Tips: Valet is available, but be prepared to shell out $15 for the convenience.

Cosmos

The Radisson’s downtown eatery dresses up Midwestern fare, but keeps prices reasonable.

Reviews:

• “A Great Restaurant for Lunch”
• “Not worth it”
• “Great service and great food”
• “Wood Smoke Aromatherapy”
• “Awkward setting, mediocre service, OK food”

Tips: Try the flaming coconut flirt, a tropical punch-like concoction made with passion fruit liqueur and served in a coconut shell with a flaming sugar cube stirrer.

FireLake Grill House
email FireLake Grill House

Romantic and serene, this historic restaurant captivates with its cozy atmosphere, Mississippi River view and creative heartland cuisine.

Reviews:

• “Great for Escaping the Buffet Brunches in Town”
• “Wonderful Brunch experience!!”
• “Everything of the best”
• “Good food, horrible waitstaff service”
• “Great Date!”

Tips: Dress to the nines, or maybe just to the fives, and you’ll be fine—leave the jeans and sneakers at home.

Nicollet Island Inn Restaurant

Beloved and award-winning, this popular gathering spot features excellent steaks and seafood in clubby hotel elegance.

Reviews:

• “A class act.”
• “Only average”
• “Parking nightmare”
• “Best meal in a long time”
• “EXCELLENT! "

Tips: Single-malt scotches, classic martinis and private-label wines bring a crowd all their own.

St. Paul Grill

Located in the historic Foshay tower, Manny’s puts a modern spin on the old-school steakhouse.

Reviews:

• “A very enjoyable evening”
• “Overrated”
• “Best Steak in the Twin Cities, No Contest!”
• “Good food, excessive portions”
• “Exceptional Food”

Tips: Besides a notable wine list offering bottles in the thousands of dollars, the martinis mixed here could be the best in the Cities. Don’t miss Manny’s brilliant lemon drop martini.

Manny’s Steakhouse

Subtle white walls, ivory leather seating and shadowy light are a primed canvas for the masterpieces on display in this haute dining spot.

Reviews:

• “Terrible Service spoils our date night!”
• “Great food and ok customer service”
• “Food and service very good, ambiance disappointing”
• “nice outdoor patio”
• “Nice ambience, reasonable prices”

Tips: Ask for a table near the panoramic kitchen window. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a glimpse of Jean-Georges himself wielding whisks and spatulas.

Chambers Kitchen

With sushi and martinis, this trendy nightspot in the Grand Hotel elevates the Minneapolis scene to a new level.

Reviews:

• “Hotdogs at home would be better!!!!”
• “What a shame..”
• “I walked out grumpy!”
• “Horrible and Slooooowww Service for Sushi Sunday”
• “Over-rated”

Tips: Martini Blu isn’t just a nightclub. Meet here for a power breakfast or lunch during daylight hours.

Martini Blu

French Provincial decor and fabulous, unfussy French fare at this underrated gem at the Hotel Sofitel.

Reviews:

• “Minneapolis Gem, One of the top 10 to 15 restaurants here”
• “Nice atmosphere- small menu”
• “Nice Atmosphere”
• “Just ok food!”
• “Best paella ever”

Tips: In warm weather, ask for a table on the pretty, flower-filled terrace.

La Fougasse
email La Fougasse

This swanky supper club in the Hyatt Regency is the Cities’ premier place for seafood.

Reviews:

• “What’s all the fuss about???”
• “The best service!”
• “Pretty good, but not awesome”
• “Overall good place”
• “Outstanding service”

Tips: Mention a birthday or anniversary when making reservations and get a complimentary baked Alaska, flamed tableside.

Oceanaire Seafood Room

Casual hotel eatery with large glass windows offers tourists and office workers a view and above-average American cuisine.

Reviews:

• “Left so much to be desired…”
• “Not so great”
• “Impressed”
• “Lunch at Basil”
• “Kudos to a hotel restaurant”

Tips: The terrace tables were used in “Mary Tyler Moore.” See where else Mary Richards lived and played and tossed her hat in the air.

Basil’s Restaurant