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Reconnect with your love of lunch.
Reconnect with your love of lunch.
ESG Architechts

Where to Go For Lunch in Downtown Minneapolis

Make the most of your midday break.

by Joy Summers
View as Map
Reconnect with your love of lunch.
| ESG Architechts
by Joy Summers

All too often, midday meals are taken at the desk in front of a computer screen, rather than at a table with other humans. We're here to make a solid argument for actually stepping away from the desk and engaging in the world. Not only will you find you're more refreshed and productive in the afternoon after a truly wonderful meal, but you'll have the chance to make those all important human connections.

All this and we haven't even mentioned the food yet! Downtown Minneapolis has an ever-widening array of cuisines, even if we mostly still just love a good ol' steak and burger. These are our picks for a great place to grab a seat and enjoy a delicious lunch. Please note our list isn't ranked, but in order of location,

Did we miss your favorite? Get it wrong - or right? Hit the comments and let us know where your best bet is downtown.

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Marin Restaurant & Bar

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This gorgeous room has a million places to steal away for a beautiful midday break: from the copper topped bar to the expansive dining room and the stowed away basement library bar. The healthful menu means you won't be heading back to your desk in need of a nap, just satisfied and pleasantly full.
901 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 252-7000
(612) 252-7000
Facebook

Zelo

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When was the last time you had that risotto? Zelo has been tried at true since 1999 and while some of the food might have passed from cutting edge to retro, it's still remarkably delicious. Order the ahi tuna crisps and remember why we loved these things in the first place. Plus, the room is a stunner.
831 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 333-7000
(612) 333-7000
Facebook

The Oak Grill

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This dining room is a throwback to the days of department store glory. Before this was a Macy's, it was Dayton's and a visit here was an occasion. While much of the store has withered through the ages, the Oak Grill still maintains the charm of the bygone era and popovers that served up like little gifts from the kitchen. There are some standby dishes, like the pot pie and other rotating menu items. This is the ideal location for ladies who lunch.
700 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 375-2938
(612) 375-2938
Macy's

Murray's

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This restaurant is a throwback to the era of three-martini lunches, with just enough modern upgrades to keep the average downtown worker happy. Slide into a booth and indulge in the signature butter knife steak or grab a seat and a quick sandwich. This place is a Minneapolis treasure.
26 S 6th St, Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 339-0909
(612) 339-0909
Katie Cannon

Manny's Steakhouse

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The dining room as swank, plus it has the wine and steak list to prove it. Sit back and enjoy some of the finest service in downtown Minneapolis. This is the spot for impressive expense accounts and big, beefy portions.
826 S Marquette Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 339-9900
(612) 339-9900
Facebook

The Brothers Deli

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There aren't a ton of seats inside this skyway level deli, nor are they easy to come by, but it's worth planning accordingly (maybe go early or late.) These are some of the best corned beef sandwiches around and the potato salad is just ridiculously good.
50 S 6th St #220, Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 341-8007
(612) 341-8007
The Brother's Deli

The Oceanaire Seafood Room

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Who says a landlocked steak can't be known for its seafood selection? Our downtown Minneapolis outpost of Oceanaire is a dazzling room where huge plates of fresh caught ocean goodies are served with top shelf hospitality. Lunch is also a lovely excuse to explore this opulent menu while taking advantage of the slightly lower midday prices.
50 S 6th St Ste 100, Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 333-2277
(612) 333-2277
Facebook

Vellee Deli

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What was once a food truck is now a quick service spot in the skyway with a fantastic banh mi (veggies will delight in the meat-free version, too) and insane burritos. Bring friends that like to share and do your best to order that whole menu.
109 S 7th St #263, Minneapolis, MN 55402
(763) 350-2994
(763) 350-2994
Facebook

Hen House Eatery

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Charming and hearty, this ground level spot is surrounded by windows. That means a sunny mid-day break all year around. It's a crowd-pleasing spot with a full bar, giant pastry case and liberal use of bacon.
114 S 8th St, Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 345-4664
(612) 345-4664
Facebook

Bep

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It's a simple Vietnamese menu served quickly in a bright room with a few seats. Grab a perch overlooking the street and stick your face in a steaming bowl of their pho. A little Vietnamese coffee pick me up will have you cruising through the rest of your workday.
100 S 5th St #210, Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 910-2317
(612) 910-2317
Lindsay Abraham

Dong Hae Korean Grill & Sushi

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How about a little kimchi pick me up? This pretty restaurant serves both tasty bulgogi and a delicious caterpillar roll. Enjoy the room and the Japanese/Korean menu.
251 1st Ave N Ste 100, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Facebook

Eastside Restaurant

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If the elegantly relaxed setting and killer cocktails (it’s five o’clock somewhere, people) don’t keep you coming back, the indulgent menu will. When was the last time you had oysters on the half shell at noon? Pair them with a wagyu steak sandwich with roasted shiitakes, jalapeños and aged cheddar fondue for a true one percenter experience. Except, everything on the menu is under $20 bucks, so go on, live a little.
305 Washington Ave S, Minneapolis, MN
(612) 208-1638
(612) 208-1638
Photo courtesy Eastside

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Marin Restaurant & Bar

901 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
This gorgeous room has a million places to steal away for a beautiful midday break: from the copper topped bar to the expansive dining room and the stowed away basement library bar. The healthful menu means you won't be heading back to your desk in need of a nap, just satisfied and pleasantly full.
901 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 252-7000
(612) 252-7000
Facebook

Zelo

831 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55402
When was the last time you had that risotto? Zelo has been tried at true since 1999 and while some of the food might have passed from cutting edge to retro, it's still remarkably delicious. Order the ahi tuna crisps and remember why we loved these things in the first place. Plus, the room is a stunner.
831 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 333-7000
(612) 333-7000
Facebook

The Oak Grill

700 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55402
This dining room is a throwback to the days of department store glory. Before this was a Macy's, it was Dayton's and a visit here was an occasion. While much of the store has withered through the ages, the Oak Grill still maintains the charm of the bygone era and popovers that served up like little gifts from the kitchen. There are some standby dishes, like the pot pie and other rotating menu items. This is the ideal location for ladies who lunch.
700 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 375-2938
(612) 375-2938
Macy's

Murray's

26 S 6th St, Minneapolis, MN 55402
This restaurant is a throwback to the era of three-martini lunches, with just enough modern upgrades to keep the average downtown worker happy. Slide into a booth and indulge in the signature butter knife steak or grab a seat and a quick sandwich. This place is a Minneapolis treasure.
26 S 6th St, Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 339-0909
(612) 339-0909
Katie Cannon

Manny's Steakhouse

826 S Marquette Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55402
The dining room as swank, plus it has the wine and steak list to prove it. Sit back and enjoy some of the finest service in downtown Minneapolis. This is the spot for impressive expense accounts and big, beefy portions.
826 S Marquette Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 339-9900
(612) 339-9900
Facebook

The Brothers Deli

50 S 6th St #220, Minneapolis, MN 55402
There aren't a ton of seats inside this skyway level deli, nor are they easy to come by, but it's worth planning accordingly (maybe go early or late.) These are some of the best corned beef sandwiches around and the potato salad is just ridiculously good.
50 S 6th St #220, Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 341-8007
(612) 341-8007
The Brother's Deli

The Oceanaire Seafood Room

50 S 6th St Ste 100, Minneapolis, MN 55402
Who says a landlocked steak can't be known for its seafood selection? Our downtown Minneapolis outpost of Oceanaire is a dazzling room where huge plates of fresh caught ocean goodies are served with top shelf hospitality. Lunch is also a lovely excuse to explore this opulent menu while taking advantage of the slightly lower midday prices.
50 S 6th St Ste 100, Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 333-2277
(612) 333-2277
Facebook

Vellee Deli

109 S 7th St #263, Minneapolis, MN 55402
What was once a food truck is now a quick service spot in the skyway with a fantastic banh mi (veggies will delight in the meat-free version, too) and insane burritos. Bring friends that like to share and do your best to order that whole menu.
109 S 7th St #263, Minneapolis, MN 55402
(763) 350-2994
(763) 350-2994
Facebook

Hen House Eatery

114 S 8th St, Minneapolis, MN 55402
Charming and hearty, this ground level spot is surrounded by windows. That means a sunny mid-day break all year around. It's a crowd-pleasing spot with a full bar, giant pastry case and liberal use of bacon.
114 S 8th St, Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 345-4664
(612) 345-4664
Facebook

Bep

100 S 5th St #210, Minneapolis, MN 55402
It's a simple Vietnamese menu served quickly in a bright room with a few seats. Grab a perch overlooking the street and stick your face in a steaming bowl of their pho. A little Vietnamese coffee pick me up will have you cruising through the rest of your workday.
100 S 5th St #210, Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 910-2317
(612) 910-2317
Lindsay Abraham

Dong Hae Korean Grill & Sushi

251 1st Ave N Ste 100, Minneapolis, MN 55401
How about a little kimchi pick me up? This pretty restaurant serves both tasty bulgogi and a delicious caterpillar roll. Enjoy the room and the Japanese/Korean menu.
251 1st Ave N Ste 100, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Facebook

Eastside Restaurant

305 Washington Ave S, Minneapolis, MN
If the elegantly relaxed setting and killer cocktails (it’s five o’clock somewhere, people) don’t keep you coming back, the indulgent menu will. When was the last time you had oysters on the half shell at noon? Pair them with a wagyu steak sandwich with roasted shiitakes, jalapeños and aged cheddar fondue for a true one percenter experience. Except, everything on the menu is under $20 bucks, so go on, live a little.
305 Washington Ave S, Minneapolis, MN
(612) 208-1638
(612) 208-1638
Photo courtesy Eastside

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