Culinary Scene
Our food scene is grounded in authenticity – locally grown and uniquely prepared. Farm fresh ingredients inspire many local chefs. Last year alone 4 local chefs were nominated for the James Beard Award - the Oscar of culinary - including Tim McKee of La Belle Vie and Solera, and Alex Roberts of Restaurant Alma and Brasa Rotisserie.
There's no doubt that Minneapolis Saint Paul serves serious culinary creations - minus the pretension. Celebrity chef eateries (Wolfgang Puck’s 20.21 and Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Chambers Kitchen) and our cultural diversity gives diners the menu option to travel the globe bite-by-bite.
Neighborhood restaurants abound and bustle with diners all week long. And the urban core offers everything from the best burger joints to the finest French bistros.
For more information about our local food scene, check our the following sites:
- Meet Minneapolis: Food + Wine
- Mpls St. Paul Magazine: Food + Dining
- The Rake: Eaters' Digest and Restaurants
- Metro: Food + Drink
Commitment to Sustainability
Restaurateurs' commitment to homegrown ingredients, organic cooking and environmental consciousness goes beyond the table. One of the newest restaurants on the block is Minnesota’s first green restaurant (LEED®-certified), Red Stag Supperclub.
Global Inspiration
Ethnic dining is a must. Authentic restaurants stretch along Minneapolis’ “Eat Street” and Saint Paul’s University Avenue. A culinary mosaic, taste buds can explore the world by dining. Our prominent Southeast Asian population offers many great restaurants while there are a growing number of Mexican cantinas. Our restaurant landscape also offers Italian cafes and Greek, Tibetan and Chinese restaurants and more.
Farm-to-Table
Don't expect just meat and potatoes around here. We offer haute cuisine that's grounded. A growing number of urban restaurateurs contract with local farmers to provide organically grown produce, meat and dairy. Resulting in more mmmmms.
City folks also tap the farm folk. Community-supported agriculture programs are growing in popularity and offer an easy way to receive weekly deliveries of organically grown food. To buy food from a sustainable farmer, visit the Land Stewardship Project.
Leading the Co-Op Movement
Minneapolis had the first and more co-ops than any other city in the 1970s. And, today has the 6th highest number of natural and organic food stores, including The Wedge - the highest grossing food co-op in the country. Other local co-ops include:
- Eastside Co-Op
- Just Food Co-Op
- Lakewinds Natural Foods
- Linden Hills Co-Op
- North Country Co-Op
- River Market
- Seward Co-Op
- Valley Natural Foods
Farmer's Markets
Living in the heartland means that a bushel barrel of fresh produce, dairy and meat is readily available and varies by season. The Minneapolis Farmers Market and St. Paul's Farmers Market are one-stop destinations to check off weekly grocery shopping lists. Both markets date back to the late 1800s, needless to say, an appreciation for fresh food defines us.
Vine-to-Bushel (or Bottle)
An outing with kids or a tradition of canning strawberry jam, berry patches and apple orchards are popular destinations during the growing season. An hour or less drive outside Minneapolis and Saint Paul lands you at the fruit picking destination of your choice. Check out "additional resources" for where-to-pick ideas.
Minnesota's wine production is growing in popularity. A summer or fall picnic at a vineyard or wine tasting outings are a must for your to-do-list.
Farmer's Market - Don't Miss this Minneapolis Favorite (Judy Larson) - 02/19/2008
Mill City Farmer's Market
Fresh Local Flavor! Check out this S. Mpls Gathering Spot (Gerry Tyrrell) - 03/21/2008
Shopping at the Midtown Farmers' Market turns a chore into a celebration--a celebration of our land, the seasons, our communities. It connects us to the people who grow our food, and to our neighbors, just as it connects Minnesota's honored farming heritage with its vibrant, modern city life.
The Midtown Farmers' Market is not unique in offering locally grown or produced foods, but we are uniquely devoted to a healthy, prosperous, sustainable future for our families, our land, our neighborhoods both urban and rural. That's why all of the fruits and vegetables you'll find at Midtown are grown in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The freshest seasonal produce graces the growers' tables at Midtown, and all of the other food products for sale at the market--from artisan breads to tamales, from pickles to cookies, maple syrup and honey, eggs and cheese--are produced locally. The same goes for the naturally raised chickens, beef, lamb, pork and other meats you'll find at Midtown.
April 2007
