17 Best Restaurants Near the University of Minnesota & Dinkytown (2024)
Are you looking for some of the best restaurants near the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus and Dinkytown? I’ve got you covered!
Whether you’re living on the college campus or are just visiting, there are plenty of great, iconic places to eat.
If you’re craving a juicy burger, a mouthwatering pizza, or a sweet treat, you’ll find everything you can imagine around U of M and Dinkytown!
I’m a Minnesota native and spend a lot of my time exploring restaurants and everything else around my home state.
From local favorites to hidden gems, in this post, I’m going to share with you all of the best places to eat in the area.
Map of Restaurants Near University of Minnesota
Below is a map of the best restaurants near U of M. Many of them are within a short distance of the campus, so you can get there without a car.
Best U of M Restaurants
Here are some of the very best places to eat on the University of Minnesota Campus. There are so many different places to choose from for every taste.
Important Note: Annie’s Parlour was one of the most popular restaurants, but it has sadly closed.
1. Afro Deli & Grill
⭐ Rating: 4.6/5 | 📍 Directions: Google Maps
If you’re looking for a quick and delicious meal in Minneapolis, Afro Deli & Grill is the perfect spot.
Their quick counter service ensures that you can get your food fast, making it a great option for a lunch break or a quick dinner.
So if you’re running between classes, you can grab a delicious meal fast!
The menu features a fusion of African, Mediterranean, and American cuisine, offering a unique and diverse selection of dishes.
The food that you’ll order here is unique and you won’t find anything like it anywhere else on campus.
Whether you’re in the mood for a hearty sandwich, a fresh salad, or a full-packed bowl of veggies and meats, you’ll find it on the menu.
One dish that stands out among the rest is the Afro Steak Dinner, which lots of people love and consider it a favorite!
2. Stub and Herbs
⭐ Rating: 4.2/5 | 📍 Directions: Google Maps
Stub and Herbs is your classic college campus bar, serving up a wide selection of beers and a menu filled with burgers and appetizers.
It’s conveniently located right on campus and makes for the perfect place to grab a bite to eat with friends on a Friday night.
If a U of M game is going on, this is the place to be, as there are TVs lining the walls that students are watching the big game on.
Happy hour is a great time to visit, where you’ll find deals on everything from beers to appetizers.
3. The Beacon Public House
⭐ Rating: 3.5/5 | 📍 Directions: Google Maps
Located inside of the Graduate Minneapolis, which is one of the best boutique hotels around, is the Beacon Public House.
Inside you’ll find an inviting atmosphere with delicious food to enjoy as you spend time on the Twin Cities campus.
Whether you’re just visiting or you live on campus, you’ll enjoy your time at the Beacon Public House.
On the menu, choose from a huge selection of small plates, sandwiches and burgers, or gastropub foods like fish & chips or comfort foods.
They’re also open for breakfast, serving foods like eggs benedict, breakfast burritos, and more to start your day on the right foot.
And of course, you can grab a drink from their bar, which features specialty cocktails, wines, and a list of beers on tap.
One of my favorite parts is the gorgeous decor in the restaurant. Many of the walls have wooden accents and the floor is striped. It’s such a fun atmosphere.
4. Sally’s Saloon
⭐ Rating: 4.0/5 | 📍 Directions: Google Maps
Looking for a spot to watch the big Gopher game? Or need somewhere to grab a bite to eat and want to enjoy the weather outside?
Sally’s Saloon is a great place to eat near the University of Minnesota and features a variety of classic bar food.
Choose from wings, sandwiches, burgers, soups, salads, and more from their large menu.
Plus, they have a great happy hour where you can enjoy a beer and a burger or other foods at a discounted price.
And during the summer months, they open up their large patio area for guests to enjoy their food in the warm weather.
5. Black Coffee & Waffle Bar
⭐ Rating: 4.0/5 | 📍 Directions: Google Maps
At Black Coffee & Waffle Bar, you can find some of the most delicious breakfast waffles, whether you like savory or sweet.
Order up a giant waffle, which there are tons of toppings to choose from. My personal favorite is the apple strudel waffle.
And of course, you can’t forget to order yourself a coffee to go with your waffle, from their large menu of specialty drinks.
6. Potter’s Pasties & Pies
⭐ Rating: 4.6/5 | 📍 Directions: Google Maps
Pasties (pronounces past-ees) are a Minnesota classic if you’re looking for a nice, warm homecooked meal.
And at Potter’s Pasties and Pies, you can enjoy those delicious comfort foods within just a short distance of the campus.
These delicious personal pies are stuffed with a filling traditionally made of beef, potatoes, and veggies, and then topped with a creamy gravy.
But Potter’s has taken it up a notch and has created unique pasties for guests to try, including a Thai Veg Pasty, and seasonal ones, such as a chicken wild rice pasty! How Minnesotan of them!
And you can’t leave the store without trying a slice of their delicious pie.
7. Aster Cafe
⭐ Rating: 4.5/5 | 📍 Directions: Google Maps
Just a short drive from campus will bring you to Aster Cafe, which sits on the shores of the beautiful Mississippi River and has great skyline views.
This small, romantic spot is the perfect restaurant near the University of Minnesota to grab a bite to eat with your partner or on a date.
On the menu, you’ll find flatbreads, comfort food-style entrees, and a brunch menu for those early morning days.
Plus, there’s a huge selection of drinks to enjoy as you sit on the outdoor patio and admire the Twin Cities skyline. It makes for one of the best Twin Cities coffee houses.
8. Pizza Luce Seward
⭐ Rating: 4.4/5 | 📍 Directions: Google Maps
Located on the east bank of the Mississippi River, dining at Pizza Luce will help you escape some of the crowds that you’ll find on the west bank.
Known for having some of the most delicious pizza in the city, you’ll surely find a great slice to enjoy, whether on your own or with a group of friends.
There are unique pizza flavors to choose from, including seasonal options, and yummy year-round choices like their Baked Potato pizza or a classic Margherita.
The Baked Potato might sound funny, but we tried it and it was surprisingly really good!
You also might love their happy hour prices, where you can save money on beers and pizzas.
9. Sidewalk Kitchen
⭐ Rating: 4.1/5 | 📍 Directions: Google Maps
If you love Chinese cuisine, then you’re going to love grabbing a bite to eat at Sidewalk Kitchen, one of the best U of M restaurants.
Here you’ll find an extensive menu of every type of Chinese food that you can imagine from Lo Mein to Noodles Soup and a variety of dinner combinations.
Sometimes the menu can get overwhelming with so many choices, but that just means that you’ll surely find something that you love.
10. Butcher & the Boar
⭐ Rating: 4.6/5 | 📍 Directions: Google Maps
Butcher and the Boar has long been a favorite for locals and visitors to Minneapolis, serving up some of the most delicious food.
You can enjoy eating here during a variety of times, whether you want brunch to start the day or dinner to end it.
On their dinner menu, choose from a huge list of smoked meats, including things like sausages, charred chicken, and ribeye.
And during brunch, you can indulge in more smoked meats, but served in a unique way, paired with breakfast foods like eggs.
Their bar also features specialty cocktails, beers on tap, and spirits. You’ll also find a great dog-friendly patio to enjoy during the summer.
11. Punch Pizza Northeast
⭐ Rating: 4.7/5 | 📍 Directions: Google Maps
Pizza never fails to make someone smile, and at Punch Pizza, you can indulge in their delicious wood-fired pies.
Crispy crust, stringy cheese, and loads of toppings are a few things that you’ll find at Punch Pizza.
They’re known for making Neapolitan wood-fired pizza, and let me tell you, they do it well!
I personally love their Margherita Extra, which is just a spin on a classic Margherita pizza, and it is so delicious. I’ll go back again and again for it!
12. Surly Brewing Co.
⭐ Rating: 4.6/5 | 📍 Directions: Google Maps
This brewery also houses a great place to grab a pizza while you sit back and catch up with friends.
Their beer hall and beer garden features a great place to gather and grab a drink and a bite to eat.
Surly Pizza is found upstairs, and you can grab something simple like a basic cheese and top is with your favorites, or try one of their specialty pizzas.
Turns out, beer and pizza go really well together, and at Surly, it’s made easy to enjoy the two!
Best Restaurants in Dinkytown
If you’re looking to spend some time in Dinkytown, there are a few great places to grab a bite to eat! Here are the Dinkytown restaurants.
13. Shuang Cheng
⭐ Rating: 4.4/5 | 📍 Directions: Google Maps
Found right in Dinkytown, Shuang Cheng serves up a variety of Cantonese foods, from lunch specials like General Tso’s chicken to delicious seafood plates.
You can pair your favorite dish with appetizers like egg rolls, fried wontons, or fried rice.
The menu is extensive, so you’ll never run out of options for something new to try, but it can get a bit overwhelming.
A few favorites include their sesame chicken and cream cheese wontons. The flavor and spice in the foods are perfect!
14. Wally’s Falafel and Hummus
⭐ Rating: 4.4/5 | 📍 Directions: Google Maps
Just around the corner from popular Dinkytown spots like the Varsity Theater and U of M gymnasiums is Wally’s Falafel and Hummus.
If you’re looking for a change-up from the classic American foods that you’ll mostly find in the restaurants near the University of Minnesota, then Wally’s Falafel and Hummus is a great choice.
Here you’ll find delicious and authentic Greek and Mediterranean-inspired foods. Start your table off with some hummus before diving into the menu.
A few of the most popular dishes are their Chicken Shwarma Sandwich and a classic Gyro.
15. Tasty Pot
⭐ Rating: 4.3/5 | 📍 Directions: Google Maps
Another great restaurant in Dinkytown is Tasty Pot, where you’ll find some of the most delicious hot pot in the city.
Hot pot is a type of Chinese food that is often served in a big metal bowl with broth and a variety of meats and veggies mixed in.
Choose your starter, whether it be beef, Thai, chicken, lamb, or otherwise, and then add on any sorts of meats or veggies that you like.
There are also sauces to add on, and you can pair your dish with some Boba tea.
16. Pho Mai Dinkytown
⭐ Rating: 4.5/5 | 📍 Directions: Google Maps
Pho Mai Dinkytown is owned by a couple that moved to Minnesota from Vietnam and opened up one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in the Twin Cities.
They then opened up Pho Mai Dinkytown as one of the best University of Minnesota restaurants for students and visitors.
Their menu features a huge variety of pho and other Vietnamese foods, like rice platters, sesame chicken, and Banh Mi sandwiches.
If you want a special deal, head to Pho Mai on Fridays and grab a bowl of pho for just $5!
17. Al’s Breakfast
⭐ Rating: 4.6/5 | 📍 Directions: Google Maps
Start your day off with some of the very best breakfast in the city of Minneapolis at Al’s Breakfast, another great U of M restaurant.
At Al’s, you’ll get to enjoy that homecooked flavor at a small diner in Dinkytown.
Order from their big menu, which is packed with breakfast classics like scrambles, omelets, pancakes, waffles, and more.
Everything is served a la carte, so you can make your own breakfast platter, so you’ll have exactly what you like!
(This is my favorite part of Al’s, because I always want a combo of foods that isn’t offered! Like hash browns, ham, and pancakes!)
FAQs
Jucy Lucy’s are one of the most popular foods in Minneapolis. These can be found at many different restaurants, but Matt’s Bar is the most iconic place for them!
Near the Williams Arena, you’ll find a Buffalo Wild Wings right next door. This is the easiest place to grab a bite. Otherwise, nearby are places like Tasty Pot, Raising Canes, Kbop Korean Bistro, Stub & Herbs, and My Burger.
Minnesota is known for a few foods, such as tator tot hotdish and wild rice. Other foods that you can get at restaurants include Jucy Lucy’s and Caribou Coffee.
The Twin Cities are mostly well known for Jucy Lucy’s, which are cheese-stuffed burgers. The original Lucy can be found at Matt’s Bar in Minneapolis, but the 5-8 Club also features the delicious burgers.
Wrap-Up: Restaurants Near the University of Minnesota
Whether you’re a student at the U of M or are just passing through, there are a whole lot of great places to eat on campus, from restaurants in Dinkytown to other places nearby.
From classic places where you can get a delicious burger to unique, local destinations that you can only find in the Twin Cities, you’ll find so many great options.
These many great restaurants near the University of Minnesota will surely leave you feeling satisfied and full at the end of the day.
