I have a confession. I’m a carboholic.
One of my absolute favorite things to do on a weekend night is for Lily and I to head to any of the fantastic Italian restaurants in Minneapolis and load up on delicious pasta.
Over the years, that’s been a LOT of pasta. (With some pizza and Italian appetizers thrown in for good measure!) But it also means that we’ve curated a list of our go-to favorites.
In this post, Lily and I are sharing that list with you. Read on for our 6 best Italian restaurants in Minneapolis.
(P.S. – Willing to make the 10 minute drive to the other Twin City? St. Paul has a rich Italian history, and we’d argue is the undisputed King of Italian food in the Twin Cities. So of course, we wrote a guide for the best Italian restaurants in St. Paul, too.)
Contents
Map of the Best Italian Restaurants in Minneapolis
Our overall favorite Italian: Bar La Grassa
In our opinion, Bar La Grassa is not just the best Italian restaurant in North Loop, Minneapolis, but it’s probably our favorite in all of Minneapolis.
The vibe of this super cool spot is everything you’d expect from its warehouse district location. Brick walls, massive wooden beams, exposed ductwork. But as fun as that is, we really don’t care, because it’s all about the amazing Italian food at “BLG.”
Their now-famous Bruschetta has taken the Twin Cities by storm. Their most popular version, by far, is the one with soft eggs and lobster. But don’t sleep on the ricotta with pickled tomato bruschetta either.
As far as pasta, it’s pretty much perfection. The pillow soft Gnocchi with Cauliflower and Orange is the fan favorite. That said, we can’t seem to avoid ordering the simple yet amazing Fettuccine Alfredo on each visit. And we’re always surprised by some unusual combinations, like Cavatelli with Rabbit, Pappardelle with Veal Ragu, or even some of their raw tuna pasta.
- Address: 800 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
- Website: Bar La Grassa
The trendiest Italian restaurant: Dario
Dario is the newest restaurant on this list, but they quickly proved they can make some unbelievable pasta.
This trendy spot in North Loop aims for “energetic sophistication.” Think sleek, pink-themed interior space with a bustling open concept kitchen, plus a lengthy wine list.
They have a surprisingly long portion of the menu dedicated to unique vegetable dishes, but of course, the star of the show is the absolutely incredible handmade pasta dishes. On our first visit, we were completely blown away by world-class pastas with fillings as unique as the sauces, and since then, Dario continues to innovate new and exciting dishes that keep them at the top of the Twin Cities pasta scene. (Despite all the innovation, the Doppio is a consistent menu staple that’s a must-try.)
- Address: 323 N Washington Ave Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55401
- Website: Dario
Best neighborhood Italian: Broders’ Pasta Bar (and Broders’ Cucina Italiana, plus Terzo!)
Broder’s is a Twin Cities legend that just keeps getting better. Broders’ Cucina Italiana opened in 1982. In 1994, the Broder family doubled down on delicious Italian food by opening up Broders’ Pasta Bar, right across the street. Then, in 2013, the family tripled down by opening up a third spot next to both those restaurants, with their newest concept, Terzo.
If you’re finding it hard to keep up with three separate Italian restaurants within a 100 foot radius, here’s the breakdown:
- Broders’ Cucina Italiana: A casual Italian deli. Order delicious pasta, salads, and pizza by the slice at the counter, take a number, then browse the fully stocked Italian grocery store while you wait for a table to open up and your food to be delivered.
- Broders’ Pasta Bar: A more formal sit-down Italian restaurant. Pricier pasta plates with full service, including a fancy machine with multiple choices of “tap wine.” Great service, delicious meals.
- Terzo: A wine bar concept famous for their Italian Porchetta Sandwiches. They also have a collection of appetizers, small plates, and large plates.
They’re all fantastic, so it really just depends on what you’re in the mood for.
Our personal favorite is the casual atmosphere of Broder’s Cucina Italiana. The fact this reasonably priced menu also serves some of the most legendary pasta around is just icing on the cake. For me, it’s all about their number one seller, the fresh and saucy Fettuccine Bolognese. Guy Fieri from Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives agrees.
- Broders Cucina Italiana Address: 2308 W 50th St, Minneapolis, MN 55410
- Broders Cucina Italiana Website: Broders’
- Broders Pasta Bar Address: 5000 Penn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419
- Broders Pasta Bar Website: Broders’ Pasta Bar
- Terzo Address: 2221 W 50th St, Minneapolis, MN 55419
- Terzo Website: Terzo
Best Italian in Downtown Minneapolis: Zelo
Zelo is a fantastic Italian restaurant in Minneapolis that’s also a critic’s favorite. Known for seasonal ingredients, top-notch service, and a beautiful space, it’s hard to beat Zelo for a perfect night out.
Try the ultra popular Butternut Squash Ravioli for a unique spin, or the Tortiglioni Rossa for a spicy kick.
- Website: Zelo
- Address: 831 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55402
Best casual Italian: Red Rabbit
This super popular Downtown/North Loop Minneapolis restaurant has some of the city’s best pizza and pasta. From Spaghetti and Meatballs to Spicy Salami Pizza, Red Rabbit serves simple Italian food done right.
Although they’ve recently expanded to St. Paul, this Minneapolis location is the original. With concrete floors, brick walls, and a zinc-countertop bar, Red Rabbit has a warm and approachable atmosphere with a hangout feel.
- Address: 201 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
- Website: Red Rabbit
