We fell in love in this city over wonderful meals, breweries and activities, and we're excited to share some of our favorites with you in hopes they make your trip here even more special. We love a list, and know that for many of our friends this will be your first time visiting MN. So we have curated a list of some of our must-visits!

Favorite Restaurants

Khaluna

Gai Noi (exceptional Laotian food and atmosphere and sister restaurant of Khaluna. Don't miss either!)

Sea Salt

Kyatchi

WA Frost & Company (one of the loveliest patios in the Twin Cities, great food and wine)

Revival

Martina

Dario

Cardamom

Smack Shack

Italian Eatery

La Grolla

Tilia

Owamni (James Beard awarded Indigenous cuisine)

World Street Kitchen

Union Hmong Kitchen

Moscow on the Hill

Que Viet

Bole Ethiopian

Pizza Luce

Sanjusan

Broder's Pasta

The Bungalow Club

Myriel



Our Favorites Breweries, Coffeeshops and Spots to Get a Drink

Emerald Lounge

Surly Brewing (our top fav brewery)

O' Shaughnessy Distillery

Bad Weather

Berlin

Sociable Cider Works

Nightingale

Marc Hue Pâtisserie (cannot recommend more highly for the best in French pastries in Minnesota!)

City House ( former grain elevator converted into a patio-style restaurant on the Mississippi. )

Waldman Brewing (wonderful German brewery with great patio)

Indeed

Fulton

Spy House

Black Walnut Bakery



Best Brunch

Petite Leon

Hope Breakfast

French Meadow

A Side Public House

The Lynhall (Edina location)

Astor Cafe

Cafe Astoria



Things to do in Minneapolis and St. Paul

Walk around Lake of The Isles and Bde Maka Ska

Lyndale Park Rose Garden

Can Can Wonderland for mini golf and arcade

Minneapolis Institute of Art

The Sculpture Garden at The Walker Arts Museum for the Cherry on the spoon and more.

Mall of America + Nickelodeon Universe, the largest indoor amusement part in the United States

St. Croix Vineyard, a 30 minute drive outside the Twin Cities

Minnehaha Falls next to Sea Salt

SENTi (lovely French inspired boutique for all your fragrances, and unique housewares. A must-visit if you are in town! Tell shopkeeper Jen that Nicole sent you)

Black Garnet Books (the first and only Black and woman-owned bookstore in the state).

Magers & Quinn bookstore

Vintage + novelty shopping (Olio Vintage, Moth Oddities, BResale...Nicole has tons of recs!)

Cossetta’s (the oldest Italian market and eatery in Minnesota and steps from our apartment, too!)

Electric Fetus and Agharta for record shopping



And during the weekend of our wedding there are tons of incredible festivals and concerts and events also happening: *Yacht club Music Festival, featuring Alanis Morissette, Gwen Stefani, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and dozens more bands. (Which you’ll be able to see and hear from across the other side of the Mississippi River from our apartment, that’s how close it will be!)

* Minnehaha Falls Art fair

*Minneapolis Vintage Market