Best New Restaurants of 2023 in MN. It’s no secret that we LOVE going out to eat. I love supporting amazing chefs and love to be inspired by delicious & unique dishes. We try hard to hit all of the new(er) hot spots around town and we’d probably hit more if not for the jobs, 6 kids and you know…life. Enjoy our roundup for the top local restaurants we visited this year. Most are new and all are amazing!! (We left out the ones we didn’t care for! 👏🏻). Which ones have you visited? What did we miss?
Drumroll please…
Gai Noi
El Sazon Cocina and Tragos
Porzana Steakhouse
Flora Room
Kim’s
Layline
Chloe by Vincent
Crasqui
Young Joni (I know, it’s not new)
Baba’s Hummus House
Earl Giles Distillery
Gai Noi • It’s probably my number #1 favorite new restaurant. Chef Ann Ahmed outdoes herself here. Walking through the restaurant feels like a scrapbook of her travels. The most divine menu with food that is thoughtful, purposeful, delicious and spicy! Find something better than the Basil Wings and Panang Noodles. I’ll wait…
El Sazon Cocina and Tragos • Where does one begin? What started as a taco stand inside a gas station is now a sit down (but still casual) restaurant in Minneapolis. The most insane quessabirria, birria ramen, chicharron taco, drinks and more. It’s only been open a few months and they are KILLING it. Excellent and attentive service and out of this world Mexican / Latin food.
Porzana Steakhouse • Another Daniel del Prado hit (his most recent opening in MN) and it’s truly spectacular. Dubbed as an Argentinean steakhouse by many but don’t let that limit your perspective. The meats are amazing including the hangar steak and all cuts of beef. The seabags shouldn’t be missed. The empanadas, scallop tartare, roasted vegetables (all of them) and gnocchi are terrific. Located in the North Loop.
Flora Room • Meet Porzana’s speakeasy just around the corner and out back from the restaurant. The most amazing cocktails, small bites to eat and cool greenhouse ambiance to enjoy your libations in. A great pre or post dinner stop. Located in North Loop.
Kim’s • Ann Kim’s reboot of Sooki and Mimi is the hottest new spot in uptown. I know, we all miss the mushroom birria tacos but Kim’s will make up for them. The entire menu is amazing and great to enjoy at communal tables in a familiar yet fresh atmosphere. Located in Uptown.
Layline • One of Daniel del Prado’s newer additions this year is a gem! The feel is industrial meets Nantuncket meets whimsy with a spectacular atmosphere and design. Casual and chic yet elevated food. Located in downtown Excelsior.
Chloe by Vincent • “Attainable French cuisine” by the famous, Vincent Francoual is delightful. Unassuming and welcome atmosphere, delicious at every turn with a fantastic cocktail menu and great service. Located in North Loop.
Crasqui • High end food yet laid back atmosphere in this Venezuelan hotspot. The cheese sticks, chicharron, empanaditas, risotto and sea bass were our favorites. Located over bridge from downtown St. Paul.
Young Joni • It’s not new or even newer but it’s always amazing. An expansive menu that happens to include amazing pizza but don’t call this a pizza joint as you’d be underselling the menu. Pork Spare Ribs Lettuce Wraps and Amalfi Coast pizza keep us coming back.
Babas Hummus House • Not your mom’s homemade hummus. It’s the creamiest, most delightful that I’ve ever had. An expansive, modern Mediterranean menu that showcases their Palestinian-American identity. Located in Uptown.
Earl Giles Distillery • Come for the drinks and stay for the food. Really unique and delightful drinks (which you’d expect at a distillery) but the delicious bites of food and pizza kept us around. Really cool atmosphere that is great for a date or a group. Located in NE Minneapolis.
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