What’s this pink pasta place all about, anyway?
That’s what I was asking myself as I strolled up to the freshly minted “DARIO” sign in North Loop, Minneapolis.
I’d heard the hype – bold claims of the best new pasta place in town – and was ready to see for myself.
Maybe you are, too? Then read on for the official DTC review of the hottest new pasta bar in Minneapolis!
DiscoverTheCities.com Approved Menu Items
(In order of how much we love them..)
- Beef Short Rib and Polenta Agnolotti
- Doppio (for those craving a few RICH bites)
- Honestly, any of the pastas!
About Dario in Minneapolis
Dario is headed by a two-man team:
- Chef Joe Rolle: Previously worked at The Dakota Jazz Club, Martina, Il Foro, and Borough. (If you’ve ever had the legendary Parlour Burger – a local favorite among the best burgers in the Twin Cities – you partly have Joe Rolle to thank.)
- Stephen Rowe: Former bartender at Minneapolis’s iconic Marvel Bar.
The duo opened Dario in early 2024, and the restaurant immediately began receiving rave reviews. Spoiler Alert – we’re about to add another!
Location, Vibe, and Atmosphere
Dario is located in the heart of North Loop, Minneapolis, just two blocks from Target Field.
The restaurant is tucked between multi-story, downtown apartment buildings, and the entrance area gives back-alley vibes. In a classy way, if that’s a thing!
Inside, the interior design firm says they chose the hot pinks and electric blues to represent the undercurrent of energy within the restaurant. That’s a neat description that could come across as hocus-pocus, but given the packed crowds in this otherwise hidden and potentially sleepy spot, they’re absolutely correct that this place just oozes bustling energy.
If you’re looking for that spot to show your date you’ve totally got your finger on the pulse and know all the cool spots, Dario is the perfect choice.
Menu
It’s no surprise that pasta is the star of the show at this pasta place. Over half the menu is pasta dishes, with a tiny handful of raw-bar options and meat/seafood choices. There’s also a lengthy vegetables section where you can either find the coolest salads you’ve ever seen or elevated chef-takes on seasonal produce.
Beef Short Rib and Polenta Agnolotti
Despite being a new restaurant, this one is an instant classic.
Our waiter confirmed this is possibly the most popular dish on the menu, and we can see why. This is one of those dishes that highlights what happens when a talented chef takes on pasta. We’re talking pillow-soft pasta, flavor-bomb sauce, and a braised beef interior that will have you salivating.
One bite into this and I knew we were in for a fantastic dinner.
Doppio
The menu totally undersells this dish.
It simply describes it as “sunchoke, ricotta, honey, hazelnuts, rosemary.” What the menu doesn’t explain? All those ingredients will be wrapped in a decadent, double-barrel ravioli.
Seriously, look at the below picture. They’ve actually split the ravioli into two different tubes; one side filled with creamy ricotta and the other with the exotic sunchokes (aka Jerusalem artichokes aka flavorful sunflower puree).
It’s all topped with hazelnuts for a perfect crunch to go with the rich honey and butter toppings. And I do mean rich! This bite was absolutely fantastic, but we’re glad we split this plate among two people. That rich sauce and filling would have been a lot to finish for one person!
Seasonal Dish – Tomato Basil Fusili
This beauty of a dish might have been our favorite pasta of the night. But if I’m being honest, I’m a little hesitant to rave about it too much, since it was a seasonal special and last I checked, it’s no longer on the menu.
However, what you, dear reader, can learn from our Tomato Basil Fusili experience at Dario is that clearly, Dario knows what they’re doing. Even their little spontaneous, seasonal specials come out absolutely rocking. And boy, did this one rock!
How they can get something so simple to pack so much flavor is beyond me. The dish is nothing more than basil, tomatoes, and pasta, but somehow it was the freshest group of those familiar flavors that I’ve ever tasted. (Note to self: this is exactly why these folks are pro chefs running an uber-popular pasta restaurant, and I’m just a guy lucky enough to eat and write about all the food!)
Final Thoughts
Yep, Dario lives up to the hype.
In terms of Minneapolis pasta scene, it’s one of those rare restaurants that gives iconic pasta bars like Bar La Grassa a run for their money.
Every single pasta dish blew us away for different reasons, and it’s all served in a cool, lively atmosphere that’s perfect for any occasion.
Could the North Loop restaurant scene get any better?
Random DTC Protips and FAQs:
Cost?
$25+ pasta plates, $15-20 vegetable starters
Service
Educated wait service – these folks know all about the menu and will give plenty of great info, if asked!
Parking?
It’s North Loop, so street parking is very difficult. The restaurant does have Valet as well as a tiny pay lot.
Reservations?
Yes. And given the popularity of this place, we’d definitely recommend them.
Location
323 N Washington Ave Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55401
