Super Bowl mania is building to fever pitch as the big game and all the hoopla that surrounds it descends upon the Twin Cities. With promise of buy outs, big parties and celebrities, restaurants and bars are gearing up to host all of the 140,000+ fans that are expected to descend upon the city to see the New England Patriots battle the Philadelphia Eagles for the title.
Now is time to eat, drink and enjoy what is often described as one of the most exciting up and coming food cities in the country.
Whether you’re in town for the game or a lifelong local, let this be your guide to drinking, dining, partying, and watching during the festivities surrounding Super Bowl LII at Minneapolis’ U.S. Bank Stadium.
Where To Eat & Drink In the Twin Cities
- Essential Twin Cities Restaurants — A snapshot of the dining in the Twin Cities, these are all the eateries that make up the diverse dining in the Twin Cities. Stop by Gavin Kaysen’s Spoon and Stable for an elegant taste of what the renowned chef is creating. Head to Matt’s Bar for the Jucy Lucy, our cheese-stuffed burger that could be the cities most beloved dish.
- The Hottest Restaurants in the Twin Cities — These are the new restaurants that have opened in the last six months and are drawing the crowds. That includes the Southeast Asian paradise Hai Hai in Northeast and the majestic seafood towers at St. Paul’s OCTO Fishbar.
- Twin Cities Essential Burgers — We are a bit burger obsessed here. There is the cult of the ultra-rich, thin and cheesy diner-style burger at Parlour, a gourmet cheese-stuffed burgers like The Blue Door Pub’s blucy and thick patties at Lowry Hill Meats butcher shop. These are the burgers that define the cities.
- Start the Day Right— Get a game party base set with these breakfasts like the classic diner style like Mickey’s historic car, fancy and refined like at The Kenwood or even with a little kimchee spice at Cook St. Paul.
- Best Bars— Whether looking for a sports bar, top shelf craft cocktails in downtown Minneapolis, hot new bar seats or rock n’ roll dive bars, or drink like a real viking outside at these spots. There are tons of great bars to toast the teams.
- All the Breweries—We have more craft beer being brewed around here than anyone knows what to do with. From the mega brewery from Surly to the smaller cult-beloved spots like Dangerous Man.
- Neighborhoods to know— Eat Street: very close to downtown and full of cheap eats, North Loop: one of the hottest culinary destinations; St. Paul: that other city has Lowertown and West 7th to explore with tons of hot new spots and quintessential, classic Minnesota eateries.
- Stay Up Late—There are still fantastic eats to be found after 8 p.m. whether the craving is a high end burger, diner classics or all the little noshie things, there is a place for that.
Know of any other cool events? Want suggestions on what to eat? Spot Pink or the halftime guy and his Ely-born wife out and about? Hit the tipline and let your friendly neighborhood Eater know!