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A large copper pizza oven in the background, and a wooden bar in the foreground.
Young Joni in Northeast.
Katie Cannon/Eater Twin Cities

13 Restaurants for a Romantic Date Night in the Twin Cities

Candlelit tables, indulgent tasting menus, and the most romantic bowling alley you could ever dream of

by Justine Jones and Eater Staff Updated
3 comments / new
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Young Joni in Northeast.
| Katie Cannon/Eater Twin Cities
by Justine Jones and Eater Staff Updated
3 comments / new

Fragrant bites of carbonara and brandy pours in basement speakeasies: These are the ingredients of a romantic date night in the Twin Cities. From prix fixe tasting menus to a vintage bowling alley, Minneapolis and St. Paul have an array of romantic restaurants to choose from, all with different price points and tastes. Here are some essential date night spots in the Twin Cities.

Note that these restaurants are listed geographically.

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Young Joni

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Chef Ann Kim’s award-winning restaurant is a great choice for date night: The pizza is famously chewy, airy, and inventive, and the ambiance is intimate and warm, all walnut tones and candlelit tables. Slip through the alley into the basement speakeasy for a drink after dinner. The Korean BBQ pizza — made with short ribs, mozzarella, and soy-chile vinaigrette — is a favorite, as is La Parisienne, with prosciutto and brown butter.

165 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 345-5719
(612) 345-5719
Dark floral wallpaper covered with small wooden-frames, old tables, and even older loveseats.
The back bar at Young Joni.
Katie Cannon/Eater Twin Cities

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Bar La Grassa

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Bar La Grassa has a bit of bustle to it — it may not be the best spot if you’re looking for a quiet, intimate meal. But if a more electric atmosphere appeals, this is the place. All the essential date night elements are there: black leather booths, candlelit tables, and fresh pasta, from mafalda bolognese to ziti with shrimp and vin santo cream. Start with the dreamy soft eggs and lobster bruschetta, though.

800 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 333-3837
(612) 333-3837

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Demi

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Chef Gavin Kaysen’s restaurant Demi is a great option for a date night at a higher price point. The tasting menu’s details aren’t posted on the restaurant’s website to see in advance, but previous ones have included Rohan duck with braised endives, and honey soy ice cream with cashew butter and kiwi.

212 N 2nd St Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 404-1123
(612) 404-1123
Shelves behind a bar in dark lighting: there are many glass bottles of alcohol and mirrors behind the shelves.
Inside Demi in the North Loop.
Demi

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Sanjusan

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One of last year’s hottest restaurant openings has made for a great date-night spot in the North Loop. Chef Danny del Prado (Martina, Colita, and more) and chef Shigeyuki Furukawa (of Kado No Mise) fuse their talents with a unique Japanese-Italian menu. Share a memorable night with dishes like pork gyoza with wood ear mushroom and foie gras, or squid ink pappardelle. The pizzas feature flavor combinations like prosciutto, preserved lemon, and bonito cream.

33 N 1st Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 354-7763
(612) 354-7763
A plate of raw fish topped with dots of red sauce, kernels of corn, and cilantro leaves, on a white plate against a black background.
Sanjusan is a collaboration between Danny del Prado and Shigeyuki Furukawa.
Wing Ta

Also featured in:

Aster Cafe

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Through every season, Aster Cafe remains one of the most romantic spots in Minneapolis. Stationed on the cobblestone streets of St. Anthony Main, the restaurant overlooks the river — when the weather’s nice, the patio is an ideal perch for sunsets. The interior is low-lit and cozy. Come for a Sunday brunch with live jazz music and dancing, and try the French toast bake or bacon and ham quiche.

125 SE Main St, Minneapolis, MN 55414
(612) 379-3138
(612) 379-3138

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Alma

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Tucked into a cozy brick building on University Avenue, Alma is a lovely date night spot that’s especially accommodating to vegetarians. In addition to its regular prix-fixe menu (with options like marinated fig bruschetta, seared Maine scallops, and lemon soufflé cake) there’s an entirely separate version for vegetarians (think torchio pasta with wild mushrooms, chilled sweet corn soup, and roasted cauliflower). It’s also attached to a hotel of the same name — make date night a weekend stay, if you’re so moved.

528 University Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
(612) 379-4909
(612) 379-4909

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Bryant-Lake Bowl & Theater

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Bryant Lake Bowl may not be the Twin Cities’s most buttoned-up date spot. But there’s an undeniable romance to its vintage set-up: the lustrous wooden bar, the wrap-around benches, the eight lanes crammed into the tiny bowling alley. There’s often a wait to bowl, even on weeknights — so show up ahead of time, get your name on the list, and grab a patty melt or Bryant Lake Bowl’s signature bloody mary wings while you wait.

810 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 825-3737
(612) 825-3737
A dark wooden bar with an array of glass bottles of alcohol on it, and bar stools and dine chairs with wooden backing in the foreground. The space is well-lit and the walls are deep yellow.
The historic bowling alley’s bar.
Bryant Lake Bowl & Theater

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Broders' Pasta Bar

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Broder’s is worthy of a Lady and the Tramp pasta moment. Try the classics — like the spaghetti carbonara, the bolognese, or the gnocchi pomodoro. (A simple eggless pasta with tomatoes and olive oil is available for vegans.) Broder’s is elegant but not overly formal — the wooden wrap-around bar is a great place to share a cozy dinner.

5000 Penn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419
(612) 925-9202
(612) 925-9202
A close-up photo of a wooden bar with wooden chairs, that’s set with white plates with white rolled napkins on them, plus small class containers of olive oil.
Pasta can enjoyed in the restaurant or to-go for a date night-in.
Broders’ Pasta Bar

Also featured in:

The Creekside Supper Club

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The Creekside debuted is a veritable love letter to Wisconsin’s wood-paneled, crimson-carpeted supper clubs — upscale restaurants in rural areas that had their heyday in the mid-twentieth century. Dripping with vintage northwoods charm, it’s a great spot for a cozy, casual date night. Slip into one of the plush red booths and order a relish tray to share. Biting into one of the Creekside’s dreamy, eggy popovers is a romantic experience in and of itself.

4820 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417
(612) 354-3675
(612) 354-3675
A Wisconsin-style Old Fashioned sitting on a table, garnished with maraschino cherries and an orange slice.
A Wisconsin-style Old Fashioned from the Old Fashioned.
Creekside Supper Club

The Bungalow Club

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The Bungalow Club, just a stone’s throw from the Mississippi River on Lake Street, has an effortless romantic vibe. The restaurant focuses on fresh, handmade pasta — round out the weekend with a Sunday night tortelli mantovani, stuffed with sweet potato, or a gnocchi sardi with tomato and chili flakes. Thursday through Saturday, try the three-course menu, which changes frequently but has the same approachable elegance.

4300 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55406
(612) 866-3334
(612) 866-3334

Also featured in:

Myriel

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Chef Karyn Tomlinson’s standout restaurant opened last year and quickly became essential Twin Cities date-night dining. Choose from the tasting menu or a la carte options: Both change often (sometimes daily) and are not available online, but expect rustic dishes like Muscovy duck eggs, sausage with white bean ragout, and apple pies made with local ingredients. At the end of your meal, enjoy a Scandinavian-style egg coffee.

470 Cleveland Ave S, St Paul, MN 55105
(651) 340-3568
(651) 340-3568
A dark marble bar with a lamp and greenery on it. Above is a wooden rack for wine glasses and wine glasses dangling from it; attached to the wall is a mirror.
Karyn Tomlinson’s restaurant dining room.
Jes Lahay/Myriel

Also featured in:

Hyacinth

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Hyacinth is perhaps Grand Avenue’s most romantic dining room. Here, the menu features heirloom tomato crostini, beets with stracciatella, fusilli with pork sausage, and risotto with chanterelle mushrooms and hazelnuts. The petite dining room has an intimate, New York City feel — appropriate, as chef Rikki Giambruno returned to the Twin Cities after a period in Brooklyn.

790 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105
(651) 478-1822
(651) 478-1822
A light-filled room with a bar and small table set nearby.
Get romantic on Grand Avenue.
Kevin Kramer/Eater Twin Cities

Also featured in:

Meritage

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Meritage is all you could ask of a French brasserie transported to downtown St. Paul. The crescent bar serves oysters and Parisian cocktails (think: an absinthe-soaked sugar cube dropped into a glass of Champagne). But if a full meal is in order, chef Russell Klein’s menu features a daily preparation of Au Bon Canard foie gras, and tray of escargot in an irresistible garlic butter parsley sauce. The Magret duck breast a l’orange is worth the price tag.

410 St Peter St, St Paul, MN 55102
(651) 222-5670
(651) 222-5670

Also featured in:

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Young Joni

165 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Chef Ann Kim’s award-winning restaurant is a great choice for date night: The pizza is famously chewy, airy, and inventive, and the ambiance is intimate and warm, all walnut tones and candlelit tables. Slip through the alley into the basement speakeasy for a drink after dinner. The Korean BBQ pizza — made with short ribs, mozzarella, and soy-chile vinaigrette — is a favorite, as is La Parisienne, with prosciutto and brown butter.

165 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 345-5719
(612) 345-5719
Dark floral wallpaper covered with small wooden-frames, old tables, and even older loveseats.
The back bar at Young Joni.
Katie Cannon/Eater Twin Cities

Bar La Grassa

800 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401

Bar La Grassa has a bit of bustle to it — it may not be the best spot if you’re looking for a quiet, intimate meal. But if a more electric atmosphere appeals, this is the place. All the essential date night elements are there: black leather booths, candlelit tables, and fresh pasta, from mafalda bolognese to ziti with shrimp and vin santo cream. Start with the dreamy soft eggs and lobster bruschetta, though.

800 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 333-3837
(612) 333-3837

Demi

212 N 2nd St Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55401

Chef Gavin Kaysen’s restaurant Demi is a great option for a date night at a higher price point. The tasting menu’s details aren’t posted on the restaurant’s website to see in advance, but previous ones have included Rohan duck with braised endives, and honey soy ice cream with cashew butter and kiwi.

212 N 2nd St Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 404-1123
(612) 404-1123
Shelves behind a bar in dark lighting: there are many glass bottles of alcohol and mirrors behind the shelves.
Inside Demi in the North Loop.
Demi

Sanjusan

33 N 1st Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401

One of last year’s hottest restaurant openings has made for a great date-night spot in the North Loop. Chef Danny del Prado (Martina, Colita, and more) and chef Shigeyuki Furukawa (of Kado No Mise) fuse their talents with a unique Japanese-Italian menu. Share a memorable night with dishes like pork gyoza with wood ear mushroom and foie gras, or squid ink pappardelle. The pizzas feature flavor combinations like prosciutto, preserved lemon, and bonito cream.

33 N 1st Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 354-7763
(612) 354-7763
A plate of raw fish topped with dots of red sauce, kernels of corn, and cilantro leaves, on a white plate against a black background.
Sanjusan is a collaboration between Danny del Prado and Shigeyuki Furukawa.
Wing Ta

Aster Cafe

125 SE Main St, Minneapolis, MN 55414

Through every season, Aster Cafe remains one of the most romantic spots in Minneapolis. Stationed on the cobblestone streets of St. Anthony Main, the restaurant overlooks the river — when the weather’s nice, the patio is an ideal perch for sunsets. The interior is low-lit and cozy. Come for a Sunday brunch with live jazz music and dancing, and try the French toast bake or bacon and ham quiche.

125 SE Main St, Minneapolis, MN 55414
(612) 379-3138
(612) 379-3138

Alma

528 University Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414

Tucked into a cozy brick building on University Avenue, Alma is a lovely date night spot that’s especially accommodating to vegetarians. In addition to its regular prix-fixe menu (with options like marinated fig bruschetta, seared Maine scallops, and lemon soufflé cake) there’s an entirely separate version for vegetarians (think torchio pasta with wild mushrooms, chilled sweet corn soup, and roasted cauliflower). It’s also attached to a hotel of the same name — make date night a weekend stay, if you’re so moved.

528 University Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
(612) 379-4909
(612) 379-4909

Bryant-Lake Bowl & Theater

810 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408

Bryant Lake Bowl may not be the Twin Cities’s most buttoned-up date spot. But there’s an undeniable romance to its vintage set-up: the lustrous wooden bar, the wrap-around benches, the eight lanes crammed into the tiny bowling alley. There’s often a wait to bowl, even on weeknights — so show up ahead of time, get your name on the list, and grab a patty melt or Bryant Lake Bowl’s signature bloody mary wings while you wait.

810 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 825-3737
(612) 825-3737
A dark wooden bar with an array of glass bottles of alcohol on it, and bar stools and dine chairs with wooden backing in the foreground. The space is well-lit and the walls are deep yellow.
The historic bowling alley’s bar.
Bryant Lake Bowl & Theater

Broders' Pasta Bar

5000 Penn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419

Broder’s is worthy of a Lady and the Tramp pasta moment. Try the classics — like the spaghetti carbonara, the bolognese, or the gnocchi pomodoro. (A simple eggless pasta with tomatoes and olive oil is available for vegans.) Broder’s is elegant but not overly formal — the wooden wrap-around bar is a great place to share a cozy dinner.

5000 Penn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419
(612) 925-9202
(612) 925-9202
A close-up photo of a wooden bar with wooden chairs, that’s set with white plates with white rolled napkins on them, plus small class containers of olive oil.
Pasta can enjoyed in the restaurant or to-go for a date night-in.
Broders’ Pasta Bar

The Creekside Supper Club

4820 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417

The Creekside debuted is a veritable love letter to Wisconsin’s wood-paneled, crimson-carpeted supper clubs — upscale restaurants in rural areas that had their heyday in the mid-twentieth century. Dripping with vintage northwoods charm, it’s a great spot for a cozy, casual date night. Slip into one of the plush red booths and order a relish tray to share. Biting into one of the Creekside’s dreamy, eggy popovers is a romantic experience in and of itself.

4820 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417
(612) 354-3675
(612) 354-3675
A Wisconsin-style Old Fashioned sitting on a table, garnished with maraschino cherries and an orange slice.
A Wisconsin-style Old Fashioned from the Old Fashioned.
Creekside Supper Club

The Bungalow Club

4300 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55406

The Bungalow Club, just a stone’s throw from the Mississippi River on Lake Street, has an effortless romantic vibe. The restaurant focuses on fresh, handmade pasta — round out the weekend with a Sunday night tortelli mantovani, stuffed with sweet potato, or a gnocchi sardi with tomato and chili flakes. Thursday through Saturday, try the three-course menu, which changes frequently but has the same approachable elegance.

4300 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55406
(612) 866-3334
(612) 866-3334

Myriel

470 Cleveland Ave S, St Paul, MN 55105

Chef Karyn Tomlinson’s standout restaurant opened last year and quickly became essential Twin Cities date-night dining. Choose from the tasting menu or a la carte options: Both change often (sometimes daily) and are not available online, but expect rustic dishes like Muscovy duck eggs, sausage with white bean ragout, and apple pies made with local ingredients. At the end of your meal, enjoy a Scandinavian-style egg coffee.

470 Cleveland Ave S, St Paul, MN 55105
(651) 340-3568
(651) 340-3568
A dark marble bar with a lamp and greenery on it. Above is a wooden rack for wine glasses and wine glasses dangling from it; attached to the wall is a mirror.
Karyn Tomlinson’s restaurant dining room.
Jes Lahay/Myriel

Hyacinth

790 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105

Hyacinth is perhaps Grand Avenue’s most romantic dining room. Here, the menu features heirloom tomato crostini, beets with stracciatella, fusilli with pork sausage, and risotto with chanterelle mushrooms and hazelnuts. The petite dining room has an intimate, New York City feel — appropriate, as chef Rikki Giambruno returned to the Twin Cities after a period in Brooklyn.

790 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105
(651) 478-1822
(651) 478-1822
A light-filled room with a bar and small table set nearby.
Get romantic on Grand Avenue.
Kevin Kramer/Eater Twin Cities

Meritage

410 St Peter St, St Paul, MN 55102

Meritage is all you could ask of a French brasserie transported to downtown St. Paul. The crescent bar serves oysters and Parisian cocktails (think: an absinthe-soaked sugar cube dropped into a glass of Champagne). But if a full meal is in order, chef Russell Klein’s menu features a daily preparation of Au Bon Canard foie gras, and tray of escargot in an irresistible garlic butter parsley sauce. The Magret duck breast a l’orange is worth the price tag.

410 St Peter St, St Paul, MN 55102
(651) 222-5670
(651) 222-5670

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