Whether you’re looking for a place to take your date or just wanting to try something new, Meet Minneapolis, Convention and Visitors Bureau, recommends 10 of the best restaurants in and around the City by Nature for you to explore. Consider these top options, then plan your next visit to Minneapolis with help from www.minneapolis.org. See the list below in a slideshow with downloadable photos at http://www.minneapolis.org/top-spots.

Best Seafood - Sea Change Restaurant & Bar wins the title. The eatery was recognized by Travel & Leisure in its ratings for Best Seafood Restaurants in the Nation in 2012. Sea Change operates under a “green” philosophy and recognizes fisheries that use environmentally conscientious methods of gathering and farming seafood. Their location at the Guthrie Theater is the perfect place to enjoy an artistically delectable plate of the best seafood in town! ( www.seachangempls.com)

Best Pizza - When it comes to pizza, Pizza Luce knows best. This popular pizza and hoagie spot offers 16 specialty pizzas as well as the option to build your own scrumptious masterpiece. Are you vegan or in need gluten-free options? No problem. Pizza Luce offers 14 gluten-free and four vegan pizzas to choose from. Famished pizza fans can dine in and take advantage of the full bar and laid back atmosphere or have food delivered up until the wee hours of the morning. ( www.pizzaluce.com)

Best Neighborhood Eatery - Need a place to just have fun with your friends? Give Northeast Social Club, our winner for best neighborhood eatery, a try. With a delicious menu, wide variety of original drinks and a fun and relaxed atmosphere, the “Northeast” hot spot will not disappoint. Ritz Theatre, home of Ballet of the Dolls and the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District’s many artists lofts, galleries and studios are located just down the street which contributes to making this neighborhood so great. Northeast Social Club also has an awesome sister spot called the East Street Social located at 18 West 26th Street in Minneapolis. ( www.northeastsocial.com)

Most Environmentally Friendly - If you’re looking for a green-minded bistro worthy of the green in your wallet look no further than our pick for the most environmentally friendly restaurant, The Red Stag Supper Club. Red Stag serves local and organic foods whenever possible while also conserving resources and composting waste. The restaurant was also the first LEED-CI-registered restaurant project in Minnesota. Red Stag offers a variety of live Jazz music multiple nights of the week to satisfy your ears along with your appetite. ( www.redstagsupperclub.com)

Best Family Atmosphere - Need a place to squeeze in the whole family? The Old Spaghetti Factory takes the number one spot for best family atmosphere. The fun and easy-going environment provides a playful dining area for children so parents can enjoy their dinner at ease. As if that isn’t enough reason to dine at the Old Spaghetti Factory, there is also an awesome arcade and free ice cream on top of great low prices! The atmosphere may make your family dining experience enjoyable, but the value is unbeatable! ( www.osf.com/osf-locations/?pagen=4)

Best Bar Menu - If you’re looking for a quick bite try D’Amico and Sons Café & Bar Lurcat, the frontrunner for the restaurant with the best bar menu. Lurcat has an extensive bar menu with food options ranging from burgers to doughnuts. Situated in Loring Park, the views of the lake and park surrounding this quaint restaurant are stunning. Not to mention, the Italian-inspired interior gives this café a romantic and enchanting feel which is great for any occasion. ( www.cafelurcat.com)

Best Landmark Restaurant - Take a trip through history and head to the Minneapolis’ favorite landmark restaurant, Monte Carlo. Established in 1906 and located in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis’ Warehouse District, Monte Carlo gives off an old-time, traditional feel as one of the city’s oldest establishments that never went out of style. With a patio that creates the perfect dining spot on a warm, sunny evening and a retro, copper-top bar with unique private dining rooms, Monte Carlo is sure to provide a memorable dining experience. ( www.montecarlomn.com)

Best Suburban Happy Hour - When you’re in need of an early evening hors d'oeuvre, try D’Amico and Sons’ very own classic Italian tavern, PARMA 8200, located at 5600 W 83rd St #100 in Bloomington, for the best suburban happy hour. From 3–6 p.m. order an appetizing plate priced $5 and under to go with a $3 drink including, wine, beer and cocktails. This delicious, Italian menu will leave you feeling tastefully satisfied with deals you won’t find anywhere else. For those warmer Minnesota months enjoy your cocktail while sitting out on PARMA’s beautiful Italian-inspired patio featuring fire pits, couches, a pool table and additional dining tables. ( www.parma8200.com)

Best Mediterranean-Inspired Cuisine – Unusual, affordable and scrumptious are three ways to describe Mona Restaurant and Bar located on the ground level of the Accenture Tower in Minneapolis. If you’re looking for a place that contributes passion and commitment to both business and food, then we recommend you venture to this hot spot. Sole Proprietor and Executive Chef-Lisa Hanson, attended the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, where she learned the tricks of the trade. She matched the skills she learned here with her business expertise acquired from the University of Southern California and started her own Mediterranean-inspired restaurant right here in Minneapolis. Mona’s classy, artistic interior design will give you a high-class dining experience that won’t break the bank. ( www.monarestaurant.com)

Best Feel-Good-Food – When you’re looking for a more urban vibe to accompany your meal head down to Spoonriver located across the plaza from Guthrie Theatre. Owners and founders of the Mill City Farmers Market, Timothy Kane and Brenda Langton, take great pride in their contemporary, gourmet restaurant, which serves some of the freshest, most delicious delicacies in Minneapolis. Not only is the food to die for, but the happy hour is absolutely fabulous. Tuesday through Friday from 3-5 p.m. enjoy beer, wine or a specialty cocktail alongside a scrumptious appetizer for a fabulous price. Spoonriver’s extensive drink menu will not disappoint and it also has its very own mini-deli full of soups, sandwiches and salads, perfect for when you’re looking for a healthy grab-and-go option. ( http://spoonriver.com/)

Best Fine Dining – Receive the ultimate, luxurious treatment when you dine with the finest at Murray’s, an upscale restaurant located in Downtown Minneapolis. As a restaurant that is popularly known for its mouthwatering steaks and extravagant entrees, Murray’s always serves to impress. With its esteemed service and succulent cuisine on its carefully crafted menu, there is something here for everyone. If you want to give Murray’s a try while on a budget try the just-as-delicious, separate bar menu. ( http://www.murraysrestaurant.com)

Best German Food – Find your inner-German at Black Forest Inn Restaurant in Minneapolis with its extensive German-inspired breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. For 48 years Erich Christ and his co-owner and wife, Joanne Christ, have kept their restaurant updated with the changing times while never straying away from the traditional German taste. Black Forest offers fresh ingredients including the restaurants very own bratwurst, spaetzel, breads and pastries in addition to a great price! Don’t forget to stop by to celebrate the German heritage for Oktoberfest, National Bratwurst Day, Weinfest and more! ( www.blackforestinnmpls.com)

Best Burger – All of us meat-lovers can agree that there is nothing better than a big, juicy, perfectly grilled and dressed burger. Where can you find one you ask? Look no further than Vincent, A Restaurant. The French-cuisine restaurant will surprise you with its delectable Gouda-stuffed, Vincent Burger and braised short ribs. Score a deal on this delicious patty and stop by for happy hour Mon.-Thurs. 8:30-9:30 p.m. or Mon.-Fri. 4:30-6 p.m. Rated one of the best restaurants in the Twin Cities by Mpls-St. Paul Magazine, Vincent houses a multitude other delicious lunches, entrees and happy hour menu items.
(http://www.vincentarestaurant.com/)

Best Sushi - Last but not least, when you’re looking for a deliciously satisfying sushi fix, look no further than the trendy Seven Sushi Ultralounge and Skybar. With more than 30 different sushi rolls to choose from, Seven provides endless, delicious and unique options for every sushi lover. Not into sushi? No worries! Seven also has an array of scrumptious steaks, fish, soups, salads and appetizers. On a warm, clear night head up to the roof and enjoy food an drinks in Seven’s Skybar. Winter months also provide a cozy atmosphere for romantic nights out with the skybar’s heated tent. ( www.7mpls.com)

For a list of other delectable restaurants worth trying visit http://www.minneapolis.org/visitor/food-wine.

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