Throughout the past year, restaurants new and old have delighted diners with amazing food in every corner of Minnesota. It’s impossible to visit every restaurant – especially with new ones popping up all the time – but there are some must-stop restaurants in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. There are many more to choose from, but we’ve gathered a few of our favorite Minnesota restaurants here. Next time you’re looking for a new place to dine in 2020, check out this list for inspiration:
- Baker’s Ribs - Eden Prairie
Banle Gaar/Google
Paxia Her/Google In Eden Prairie, Minnesota, this delightful restaurant serves up some of the tastiest BBQ this side of the Mississippi. The pig-themed restaurant has charming vibes, and the food is as flavorful as it gets. Stop in for amazing food in a comfortable atmosphere. We especially recommend the ribs! Learn more about this delicious spot here.
- Burrito Union - Duluth
Terry Sayers/Google
Burrito Union/Facebook You don’t have to go south of the border for tasty Mexican food, and this Duluth restaurant proves it! They specialize in burritos, though there are many other favorites on the menu. Each comes in a variety of flavors, so there’s sure to be something for everyone. Round out your meal with an ice-cold margarita! For more information about Burrito Union, check out our past article here.
- Q. Cumbers - Edina
Funtraveler2014/TripAdvisor
Q. Cumbers/Facebook Q. Cumbers proves that buffets don’t have to be unhealthy! This delicious buffet specializes in fresh, flavorful options that are much healthier than traditional buffet offerings. Anyone who loves veggies will love their 50-foot-long salad bar! Learn more about Q. Cumber’s here.
- Cecil’s Deli - St. Paul
Mike Grant/Google
TryppAdams/TripAdvisor Cecil’s Deli is a longstanding spot, but a surprising number of Minnesotans have not yet been there. Why not make 2020 the year you finally try it out? Fresh sandwiches, salads, and soups make up the menu at this 70-year-old deli. For more information, click here.
- School House Cafe - McGregor
School House Cafe in McGregor, MN/Facebook
Nauman Khan/Google It’s always fun to visit a themed restaurant! The School House Cafe in McGregor, Minnesota, has schoolhouse vibes. But you’ll find much better than school lunches there. They focus on hearty favorites that’ll fill you up for the whole day. Grab a tasty breakfast, and take one of their famous sweet rolls to go. For more about this tasty spot, click here.
- Carl’s Corner - Essig
Carl’s Corner/Facebook
Carl’s Corner/Facebook If you like chicken, you’ll love Carl’s Corner. This roadside spot has made a name for itself thanks to its famous broasted chicken. The flavorful chicken comes in generous portions accompanied by tasty sides. It’s no wonder it’s been named the best in Minnesota! Check it out in 2020 to see for yourself. For more information, click here.
- K-Bob Cafe - Princeton
Tim Drake/Google
Raina Kujawa/Google Princeton, Minnesota, is home to the longstanding K-Bob Cafe. This little spot is well known among locals for its comfortable atmosphere, great service, and delicious food. Go in early for breakfast, or stop in for a tasty sandwich or burger lunch. Read more about this scrumptious spot here.
- Ideal Diner - Minneapolis
James Keeling/Google
Daniel Howell/Google Good things come in small packages. That’s certainly the case for Ideal Diner, a tiny little spot in Minneapolis that has only 14 seats. But trust us, it’s worth the wait. Ideal Diner serves up delicious American fare in hearty portions. Make a point to stop here in the coming year for a truly tasty breakfast, lunch, or - on Fridays - dinner. Click here for more information.
- Cheap Charlie’s - Rochester
Jim Babcock/Google
Christopher Williams/Google Rochester, Minnesota, is home to many tasty restaurants that are well worth visiting this year. One of our favorites is a hole-in-the-wall spot that only locals know about. Cheap Charlie’s is known for its great service, big portions, and delicious flavor. This unassuming restaurant will make you feel right at home. For more information, click here.
- Norman Quack’s - Forest Lake
Barry D/TripAdvisor
TryppAdams/TripAdvisor Next time you’re craving a great bite as you head down I-35, stop in at Norman Quack’s! This easy-access restaurant in Forest Lake is known for its amazing burgers, ribs, walleye, and more. Add a side of onion rings to go along with your meal. They’re the best in Minnesota! For more information about Norman Quack’s, check out our past article here.
- King’s Place - Miesville
King’s Place/Facebook
King’s Place/Facebook Many know and love King’s Place in Miesville, Minnesota, a tiny town 45 miles southeast of Minneapolis. It’s all thanks to the restaurant’s amazing, award-winning burgers. The busy restaurant often buzzes with visitors, but they easily keep up with demand by cooking up patties by the dozen. There are many different burgers to choose from. Visit in 2020 to find your new favorite! Click here for more information.
- Vinnie’s Dang Fine Dine - Luverne
Amanda Jo Pavlicek/Google
Christopher Drew/Google If you’re like most Minnesotans, you’ve never heard of Vinnie’s Dang Fine Dine. That’s because it’s nestled in the southwestern corner of the state, in a tiny town called Luverne. But if you make it to this region in the coming year, we highly recommend stopping in at this funky little restaurant. You’ll find a lively spot with a unique vibe, great service, and delicious breakfast and lunch. For more information, click here.
Have you visited any of these restaurants – or will you make plans to visit them in 2020? What other restaurants would you visit in the coming year? Let us know in the comments below!
Banle Gaar/Google
Paxia Her/Google
In Eden Prairie, Minnesota, this delightful restaurant serves up some of the tastiest BBQ this side of the Mississippi. The pig-themed restaurant has charming vibes, and the food is as flavorful as it gets. Stop in for amazing food in a comfortable atmosphere. We especially recommend the ribs! Learn more about this delicious spot here.
Terry Sayers/Google
Burrito Union/Facebook
You don’t have to go south of the border for tasty Mexican food, and this Duluth restaurant proves it! They specialize in burritos, though there are many other favorites on the menu. Each comes in a variety of flavors, so there’s sure to be something for everyone. Round out your meal with an ice-cold margarita! For more information about Burrito Union, check out our past article here.
Funtraveler2014/TripAdvisor
Q. Cumbers/Facebook
Q. Cumbers proves that buffets don’t have to be unhealthy! This delicious buffet specializes in fresh, flavorful options that are much healthier than traditional buffet offerings. Anyone who loves veggies will love their 50-foot-long salad bar! Learn more about Q. Cumber’s here.
Mike Grant/Google
TryppAdams/TripAdvisor
Cecil’s Deli is a longstanding spot, but a surprising number of Minnesotans have not yet been there. Why not make 2020 the year you finally try it out? Fresh sandwiches, salads, and soups make up the menu at this 70-year-old deli. For more information, click here.
School House Cafe in McGregor, MN/Facebook
Nauman Khan/Google
It’s always fun to visit a themed restaurant! The School House Cafe in McGregor, Minnesota, has schoolhouse vibes. But you’ll find much better than school lunches there. They focus on hearty favorites that’ll fill you up for the whole day. Grab a tasty breakfast, and take one of their famous sweet rolls to go. For more about this tasty spot, click here.
Carl’s Corner/Facebook
If you like chicken, you’ll love Carl’s Corner. This roadside spot has made a name for itself thanks to its famous broasted chicken. The flavorful chicken comes in generous portions accompanied by tasty sides. It’s no wonder it’s been named the best in Minnesota! Check it out in 2020 to see for yourself. For more information, click here.
Tim Drake/Google
Raina Kujawa/Google
Princeton, Minnesota, is home to the longstanding K-Bob Cafe. This little spot is well known among locals for its comfortable atmosphere, great service, and delicious food. Go in early for breakfast, or stop in for a tasty sandwich or burger lunch. Read more about this scrumptious spot here.
James Keeling/Google
Daniel Howell/Google
Good things come in small packages. That’s certainly the case for Ideal Diner, a tiny little spot in Minneapolis that has only 14 seats. But trust us, it’s worth the wait. Ideal Diner serves up delicious American fare in hearty portions. Make a point to stop here in the coming year for a truly tasty breakfast, lunch, or - on Fridays - dinner. Click here for more information.
Jim Babcock/Google
Christopher Williams/Google
Rochester, Minnesota, is home to many tasty restaurants that are well worth visiting this year. One of our favorites is a hole-in-the-wall spot that only locals know about. Cheap Charlie’s is known for its great service, big portions, and delicious flavor. This unassuming restaurant will make you feel right at home. For more information, click here.
Barry D/TripAdvisor
Next time you’re craving a great bite as you head down I-35, stop in at Norman Quack’s! This easy-access restaurant in Forest Lake is known for its amazing burgers, ribs, walleye, and more. Add a side of onion rings to go along with your meal. They’re the best in Minnesota! For more information about Norman Quack’s, check out our past article here.
King’s Place/Facebook
Many know and love King’s Place in Miesville, Minnesota, a tiny town 45 miles southeast of Minneapolis. It’s all thanks to the restaurant’s amazing, award-winning burgers. The busy restaurant often buzzes with visitors, but they easily keep up with demand by cooking up patties by the dozen. There are many different burgers to choose from. Visit in 2020 to find your new favorite! Click here for more information.
Amanda Jo Pavlicek/Google
Christopher Drew/Google
If you’re like most Minnesotans, you’ve never heard of Vinnie’s Dang Fine Dine. That’s because it’s nestled in the southwestern corner of the state, in a tiny town called Luverne. But if you make it to this region in the coming year, we highly recommend stopping in at this funky little restaurant. You’ll find a lively spot with a unique vibe, great service, and delicious breakfast and lunch. For more information, click here.
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Address: 8019 Glen Ln, Eden Prairie, MN 55344, USAAddress: 1332 E 4th St, Duluth, MN 55805, USAAddress: Q. Cumbers, 7465 France Ave S, Edina, MN 55435, USAAddress: 651 Cleveland Ave S, St Paul, MN 55116, USAAddress: 14 Country House Ln, McGregor, MN 55760, USAAddress: 21378 1st St, Essig, MN 56073, USAAddress: 109 S Rum River Dr, Princeton, MN 55371, USAAddress: 1314 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413, USAAddress: Cheap Charlie’s, 11 5th St NW, Rochester, MN 55901, USAAddress: 843 W Broadway Ave, Forest Lake, MN 55025, USAAddress: King’s Place Bar and Grill, 14460 240th St E, Hastings, MN 55033, USAAddress: 306 W Hatting St, Luverne, MN 56156, USA
