13 Best Restaurants in Bloomington, Minnesota

1. Smack Shack – Bloomington

Name and Location: Smack Shack – Bloomington, located in Bloomington, Minnesota.

History and Significance: Smack Shack began as a food truck in 2010 and has since expanded to multiple brick-and-mortar locations throughout the Twin Cities. The restaurant is known for its fresh, high-quality seafood and casual, welcoming atmosphere.

What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy a variety of seafood dishes, including lobster rolls, crab legs, and oysters, as well as a selection of non-seafood options. The restaurant also offers a full bar with craft cocktails and an extensive beer and wine list.

Visitor Information: Smack Shack – Bloomington is open for lunch and dinner, with hours varying slightly depending on the day of the week. The restaurant offers ample parking and is accessible by public transportation.

 

The popular casual seafood restaurant Smack Shack is coming to Bloomington at the Nolan Mains building. It is based in the Twin Cities. Like their well-known Minneapolis site, you can expect classic plates like lobster rolls, crab cakes, and fried seafood baskets, along with alcoholic drinks.

Of course, the lobster is still the main attraction, and they serve a famous lobster roll with browned lemon garlic butter. Even though it’s small, the Bloomington location still has the nautical fun of Smack Shack thanks to the whitewashed brick walls and hanging buoys.

Their house mix of “seashore rock” by artists like the Beach Boys, Jimmy Buffet, and Crash Test Dummies makes the mood even better. The Bloomington Smack Shack is conveniently located near hotels off of I-494, making it easy for both tourists and people staying in Bloomington to satisfy their seafood needs.

2. Birch’s on the Lake

Name and Location: Birch’s on the Lake, located in Long Lake, Minnesota.

History and Significance: Birch’s on the Lake was founded in 2015 and has quickly become a local favorite for its stunning lakeside location and commitment to using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. The restaurant is known for its upscale atmosphere and innovative cuisine.

What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy a variety of seasonal dishes featuring locally-sourced meats, seafood, and produce, as well as a full bar with craft cocktails and an extensive beer and wine list. The restaurant also offers stunning views of Long Lake from its outdoor patio.

Visitor Information: Birch’s on the Lake is open for lunch and dinner, with hours varying slightly depending on the day of the week. Reservations are recommended, especially for dinner service and outdoor seating. The restaurant offers ample parking and is located just a short drive from the Twin Cities.

 

Birch’s on the Lake, which sits on the shore of Lake Owasso and serves creative American food, has been a favorite spot for guests since 2000. Diners can enjoy beautiful views of the lakefront from floor-to-ceiling windows.

The 1905 building has a stone fireplace, a copper-topped bar, and a stylish color scheme of cream, navy, and mahogany on the inside. Executive Chef Remy Pettus’s menu changes every month based on what’s in season and what’s ethically sourced from nearby farms.

Some new items are suprême Mary’s chicken roulade, Columbia River sturgeon, and lemon ricotta gnocchi Parisienne. Their fresh sheet cakes, which are made in-house every day, are not to be missed. People come back to Birch’s over and over to enjoy the classic supper club atmosphere, watch the sunset, hold parties, or just taste Chef Remy’s delicious New American food.

3. Pinstripes Bistro Bowling Bocce

Name and Location: Pinstripes Bistro Bowling Bocce, located in Edina, Minnesota.

History and Significance: Pinstripes opened in 2010 and has been a popular destination for food and entertainment ever since. The restaurant is known for its unique combination of Italian-American cuisine, bowling, and bocce ball.

What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy a variety of Italian-American dishes, including wood-fired pizza, handmade pasta, and fresh salads. The restaurant also features bowling lanes and bocce ball courts for entertainment before or after dining.

Visitor Information: Pinstripes is open for lunch and dinner, with hours varying slightly depending on the day of the week. Reservations are recommended for dining and entertainment. The restaurant offers ample parking and is accessible by public transportation.

This restaurant is more than just a place to eat. Pinstripes Bistro Bowling Bocce is the right mix of bistro food, bowling, and bocce. The huge, Italian-style 70,000-square-foot area opened at the Mall of America for the first time in 2015.

Visitors and locals alike have loved the venue’s lively atmosphere and scratch kitchen cooking since then. Modern Italian-American comfort food made with fresh ingredients is on the menu. Pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, and specialty dishes like herb-crusted salmon are all cooked in a wood-oven oven and served to guests. There is also a great collection of wines and cocktails that go well with the sleek, modern decor.

The big draw is, of course, not the kitchen, but the 30 bowling lanes and 7 bocce courts. While enjoying tasty food and drinks, friends and family can get to know each other better through strikes, spares, and getting points. Pinstripes Bistro Bowling Bocce is the best place to have fun in Bloomington and beyond, with its state-of-the-art facilities, interesting competitions, and delicious food.

4.Tibet Kitchen

Name and Location: Tibet Kitchen, located in the Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

History and Significance: Tibet Kitchen opened in 2016 and has been serving authentic Tibetan cuisine to the Minneapolis community ever since. The restaurant is known for its commitment to using fresh, high-quality ingredients and traditional Tibetan cooking techniques.

What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy a variety of traditional Tibetan dishes, including momos (dumplings), thenthuk (hand-pulled noodle soup), and shabaleh (meat pies). The restaurant also offers vegetarian and vegan options.

Visitor Information: Tibet Kitchen is open for lunch and dinner, with hours varying slightly depending on the day of the week. The restaurant is located in the Midtown Global Market, which offers ample parking and is accessible by public transportation.

 

This charming East Bloomington restaurant is known for serving real Tibetan food with flavors you might not expect. The restaurant’s modest strip mall site belies the delicious food that comes out of Tibet Kitchen’s kitchen. The restaurant’s owners, Lobsang and Dechen Dolma, opened it to share their Tibetan culture and food.

After almost fifteen years, Tibet Kitchen has a loyal local following, and people come from all over the area just to try their delicious cultural food. Tibetan comfort foods like momos, noodle soups, curry potato stew, deep-fried pancakes, and stir-fried greens are some of the best things on the menu.

For people who have never heard Tibetan music before, samplers like the Fix for Two are a great way to get started. There are also great Indian meals, pizzas made in a brick oven, and gluten-free and vegan options. Tibet Kitchen takes guests to the Himalayas with its warm Tibetan welcome and delicious food, even though the decor is simple.

5.Pineda Tacos

Name and Location: Pineda Tacos, with multiple locations in the Twin Cities metro area.

History and Significance: Pineda Tacos was founded in 2015 by a family from Morelos, Mexico, who wanted to bring authentic Mexican street food to the Twin Cities. The restaurant has since expanded to multiple locations and has become a local favorite.

What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy a variety of traditional Mexican tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and other street food favorites. The restaurant is known for its fresh, high-quality ingredients and authentic flavors.

Visitor Information: Pineda Tacos has multiple locations throughout the Twin Cities metro area, with hours varying slightly depending on the location. The restaurants offer casual, counter-service dining and ample parking.

 

Luis Pineda’s long-held dream to bring traditional street tacos from Mexico City to Bloomington has come true with this lively taqueria. For years, Luis and his wife Diana worked to improve family recipes. When they opened Pineda Tacos in early 2020, they focused on improving a few popular taco recipes from Luis’s hometown.

People in the area reacted right away to their promise to use only the best ingredients and make authentic dishes. Two years later, Pineda Tacos is still getting new fans with their short list of great tacos that are served quickly and casually.

People can get corn or flour tortillas that are filled with chicken tinga, carne asada, or chicharrones and then topped with salsa, onions, cilantro, and more tortillas. Along with tacos, the small menu has great guacamole, chips, and Mexican drinks. Even though there aren’t many seats inside, Pineda Tacos serves some of the best tacos in the Twin Cities and is committed to realism.

6.Crave American Kitchen and Sushi Bar

Name and Location: Crave American Kitchen and Sushi Bar, with multiple locations in the Twin Cities metro area.

History and Significance: Crave was founded in 2009 and has since expanded to multiple locations throughout the Midwest. The restaurant is known for its unique combination of American cuisine and sushi, as well as its upscale atmosphere.

What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy a variety of American dishes, including steaks, burgers, and pasta, as well as a full sushi menu featuring classic rolls and signature creations. The restaurant also offers a full bar with craft cocktails and an extensive wine list.

Visitor Information: Crave has multiple locations throughout the Twin Cities metro area, with hours varying slightly depending on the location. Reservations are recommended, especially for dinner service. The restaurants offer ample parking and are accessible by public transportation.

 

Since 2012, people who come to the Mall of America have been amazed by this polished warehouse restaurant and nightlife spot. Changes in ownership in 2020 led to even more success for Crave under its new owners. Noam Abraham, Amnon Abraham, and Gib Egert, who is American and from Israel, have built on Crave’s original idea for a creative, chef-driven menu with American favorites.

The diner is great at both simple dishes like burgers and more complex ones like miso sea bass. In addition to American food, Crave is known for its great sushi, which is made by Japanese chef Ting. Crave is as good as any high-end sushi restaurant in town because it has more than 20 unique rolls, nigiri, and sashimi to choose from.

Other highlights on the menu have Mexican, Mediterranean, and Asian influences, which show how varied Minnesota’s food scene is. Crave’s lively atmosphere and wide range of tastes make it an exciting place to eat, whether you’re there for lunch while shopping or for a night out with friends.

7.Pineda Tacos

 

Luis Pineda’s long-held dream to bring traditional street tacos from Mexico City to Bloomington has come true with this lively taqueria. For years, Luis and his wife Diana worked to improve family recipes. When they opened Pineda Tacos in early 2020, they focused on improving a few popular taco recipes from Luis’s hometown.

People in the area reacted right away to their promise to use only the best ingredients and make authentic dishes. Two years later, Pineda Tacos is still getting new fans with their short list of great tacos that are served quickly and casually.

People can get corn or flour tortillas that are filled with chicken tinga, carne asada, or chicharrones and then topped with salsa, onions, cilantro, and more tortillas. Along with tacos, the small menu has great guacamole, chips, and Mexican drinks. Even though there aren’t many seats inside, Pineda Tacos serves some of the best tacos in the Twin Cities and is committed to realism.

8.Masu Sushi and Robata

Name and Location: Masu Sushi and Robata, with multiple locations in the Twin Cities metro area.

History and Significance: Masu Sushi and Robata was founded in 2011 and has since become a local favorite for sushi and Japanese cuisine. The restaurant is known for its commitment to using fresh, high-quality ingredients and traditional Japanese cooking techniques.

What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy a variety of classic and signature sushi rolls, as well as robata-grilled meats and vegetables. The restaurant also offers a full bar with sake, beer, and cocktails.

Visitor Information: Masu Sushi and Robata has multiple locations throughout the Twin Cities metro area, with hours varying slightly depending on the location. Reservations are recommended, especially for dinner service. The restaurants offer ample parking and are accessible by public transportation.

 

Based in Minneapolis Masu first made Japanese food fans happy in Northeast Minneapolis, and in 2018 they opened a location in the Mall of America. With Robata grills and seats all around the busy open kitchen, the Bloomington Masu restaurant has a sleek, modern Japanese look.

Masu is known for its high-quality sushi and grilled foods cooked on a Robata, such as yakitori chicken skewers. One of their most famous rolls is the “Hello Kitty,” which has spicy tuna, cucumber, yellowtail, and jalapeño on top. Poke bowls, bincho-grilled whole branzino fish, and jidori chicken thigh are some of the best things on the Robata menu besides sushi. The cocktails at Masu are also very good, and they use Sochu, Japanese whiskey, and other drinks.

Masu offers a modern Japanese eating experience in the Mall of America’s great food scene, whether you’re there for a date night or to finish off your shopping trip.

9.Good Earth Restaurant

Name and Location: Good Earth Restaurant, located in Roseville, Minnesota.

History and Significance: Good Earth Restaurant was founded in 1978 and has been serving healthy, organic cuisine to the Twin Cities community ever since. The restaurant is known for its commitment to using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and sustainable practices.

What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy a variety of healthy, organic dishes, including salads, sandwiches, and entrees featuring locally-sourced meats and produce. The restaurant also offers a selection of fresh-squeezed juices and smoothies.

Visitor Information: Good Earth Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with hours varying slightly depending on the day of the week. The restaurant offers ample parking and is accessible by public transportation.

 

This neighborhood chain has been serving fresh, new vegetarian food made with ingredients that are good for the environment for more than 25 years. Good Earth was started in 1990 in St. Paul and has since grown to include stores all over the metro area, including this one at the Mall of America.

Their talented chefs use seasonal veggies and whole grains to make comfort food from around the world, like lentil shepherd’s pie, coconut curry bowls, and wild rice meatloaf. People like how flexible the menu is, with choices that are clearly marked as vegan and gluten-free, as well as suggestions for extras that can be added to any meal to make it heartier.

Their coffee shop also serves specialty organic fair-trade coffee from Groundswell Coffee in Chicago. Good Earth serves tasty meatless meals in a calm but lively space filled with plants. The restaurant is great for vegans, vegetarians, and curious eaters alike.

10. Ike’s Food & Cocktails

Name and Location: Ike’s Food & Cocktails, with multiple locations in the Twin Cities metro area.

History and Significance: Ike’s Food & Cocktails was founded in 2001 and has since become a local favorite for American comfort food and craft cocktails. The restaurant is known for its casual, welcoming atmosphere and commitment to using fresh, high-quality ingredients.

What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy a variety of classic American dishes, including burgers, sandwiches, and entrees, as well as a full bar featuring craft cocktails and an extensive beer and wine list.

Visitor Information: Ike’s Food & Cocktails has multiple locations throughout the Twin Cities metro area, with hours varying slightly depending on the location. The restaurants offer casual, counter-service dining and ample parking.

 

For more than fifteen years, this polished north Bloomington gastropub has been serving up high-end food and drinks in a cozy pub atmosphere. After learning how to cook under Wolfgang Puck, Isaac Becker opened Ike’s in 2008 with a focus on fresh, high-quality New American food.

The menu changes with the seasons in Minnesota, using food from the area to make classics like French onion soup, steak frites, and chicken pot pie. Fresh fish and pasta specials like housemade squid ink linguine or campanelle with Bolognese are often served every day.

They have 200 different kinds of wine from around the world, and you can buy 40 of them by the glass. There are 13 signature cocktails to choose from, including the famous Frontenac wine-based Minnesota Mule. Ike’s is still a favorite neighborhood spot for Bloomington residents thanks to its delicious food, unique drinks, and lively atmosphere.

11. Pazzaluna Italian Restaurant

Name and Location: Pazzaluna Urban Italian Restaurant, located in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota.

History and Significance: Pazzaluna has been serving authentic Italian cuisine to the St. Paul community since 1998. The restaurant is known for its elegant atmosphere and commitment to using fresh, high-quality ingredients.

What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy a variety of classic Italian dishes, including handmade pasta, wood-fired pizza, and fresh seafood. The restaurant also features an extensive wine list and a full bar serving craft cocktails.

Visitor Information: Pazzaluna is open for lunch and dinner, with hours varying slightly depending on the day of the week. Reservations are recommended, especially for dinner service. The restaurant offers valet parking and is accessible by public transportation.

 

This restaurant is known as one of the best places to go for high-class eating in Bloomington because of its classically elegant decor and modern Italian food. Tony and Annie Savoy opened the restaurant more than 20 years ago with family, food, and care as their main goals. Today, their daughter Anne, who is the Executive Chef, continues to do a great job running Pazzaluna.

The house is French-style, and there are private dining rooms on two floors that are both beautiful. A touch of beauty is added by the crystal chandeliers, and fresh flowers are on every table. The atmosphere at Pazzaluna is like a fancy restaurant, with white cloths and fancy place settings.

The restaurant’s Northern Italian food is based on what’s in season and is influenced by the Savoy family’s home countries of Italy and France. Seared scallops, short rib agnolotti, and Chilean sea bass have been some of the restaurant’s signature dishes. The Pazzaluna also has an award-winning foreign wine list with more than 225 options. If you’re planning a business dinner or a celebration for a special event, Pazzaluna is the perfect place for a classic fine dining experience.

12. Bennett’s Chop & Railhouse

Name and Location: Bennett’s Chop & Railhouse, located in the Southbridge Mall in St. Paul, Minnesota.

History and Significance: Bennett’s Chop & Railhouse opened in 2005 and has been a popular destination for steak lovers ever since. The restaurant is known for its upscale atmosphere and commitment to using high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients.

What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy a variety of steakhouse classics, including prime cuts of beef, fresh seafood, and signature side dishes. The restaurant also features an extensive wine list and a full bar serving craft cocktails.

Visitor Information: Bennett’s Chop & Railhouse is open for dinner service only, with hours varying slightly depending on the day of the week. Reservations are recommended, especially for weekend dining. The restaurant offers ample parking in the Southbridge Mall parking lot.

 

Classic restaurant food is what Bennett’s Chop & Railhouse, which is close to the Mall of America, is all about. Their dry-aged USDA Prime beef cooked to perfection over a hickory wood fire is something that customers have come to depend on. Bennett’s has the best selection of prime steaks in Minnesota, so meat lovers will not be disappointed. There are chops and kettle dishes, as well as filet mignon, which is very tender, and 28-ounce bone-in ribeyes, which are very filling.

With its dark wood accents and white linens, the dining room feels like a high-end steakhouse while still being cozy. Along with classic art deco lights, walls that show off wine bottles add bright pops of color.

The mahogany chairs and red leather booths make for a cozy place for guests to sip drinks before enjoying their expertly prepared steaks. Along with prime cuts, the menu offers seafood that is caught in a way that doesn’t harm the environment, cheese boards, and veggie sides.

Notably, their Caesar salad served at the table and chili are still house specialties. Bennett’s has become known as Bloomington’s best steakhouse thanks to its menu that focuses on quality and friendly service.

Conclusion

This list of 12 of Bloomington’s best places should help both tourists and locals who are looking for a great meal. Our list shows the variety of restaurants in the suburb, from casual to fine eating, international to traditional Midwest fare, wine bars to classic steakhouses.

No matter what your likes are, all of these places have one thing in common: great food, friendly service, and a warm atmosphere. Good food, Bloomington!