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Three chicken tinga tacos in tortillas garnished with onions, cilantro, and radish slices.
Chicken tinga tacos from El Taco Riendo.
Justine Jones

15 Essential Restaurants in Northeast Minneapolis

Savory pork laab, fish and chips, and orange blossom custard in the arts-industrial neighborhood

by Julie Zhou and Eater Staff Updated
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Chicken tinga tacos from El Taco Riendo.
| Justine Jones
by Julie Zhou and Eater Staff Updated

A stone’s throw from downtown on the Mississippi River’s east bank, Northeast Minneapolis often feels like a city unto itself. Historically an industrial hub, the abandoned warehouses and old grain mills that shaped the neighborhood in the early 20th century later played host to a thriving arts culture. In recent years, an economic boom has created concerns about the neighborhood’s identity changing — but at the heart of Northeast is still an eclectic mix of long-held family establishments, immigrant-owned restaurants, and newcomers. From baba ghanoush and fresh mistah bread at Emily’s Lebanese Deli, to massive chimichangas at El Taco Riendo, to crispy pork belly and shrimp Vietnamese crepes at Hai Hai, Northeast itself is one of Minneapolis’s most essential dining destinations. Here’s a list of fantastic restaurants to try in the neighborhood.

Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission.

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Chimborazo

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Located in cozy, bright storefront on Central Avenue, Chimborazo is a neighborhood institution. Serving Ecuadorean and Andean fare all day, seven days a week, it’s an ideal spot for anything from breakfast to late-night snacks. Don’t miss the patacones con queso — fried green plantains stuffed with cheese and served with an intensely herbed aji crillo — or the exceptionally tender seco de pollo.

2851 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 788-1328
(612) 788-1328

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El Taco Riendo

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If you can’t catch El Taco Riendo’s lime-green food truck out and about during the summer, stop by the Central Avenue location. In 2020, the restaurant suffered massive fire damage, but it’s since been revived. From the menu, try the colossal chimichangas, crispy flautas, tacos dorados, and caldo de res, a red Mexican beef soup. Grab a glass of horchata, tamarind water, or nonalcoholic sangria.

2412 NE Central Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 781-3000
(612) 781-3000

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Khao Hom Thai Restaurant Minneapolis

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Stop by Khao Hom Thai for spicy pork laab served in a crispy head of lettuce, rich red and green curries, and savory Thai lobster rolls. (Note that the pad thai here is made with a unique tomato-based sauce.) The restaurant’s interior is cozy and warm, making it an excellent spot for a casual dinner away from the bustle of Central Avenue.

2411 NE Central Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 788-4000
(612) 788-4000

Hai Hai

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From a verdant, intensely savory banana blossom salad to herbaceous beef laab lettuce wraps, James Beard-nominated chef Christina Nguyen has crafted a compelling menu at Hai Hai. Take a look at the cocktail menu: The rotating selection of slushies (think passionfruit and lychee) and jackfruit sangria are a must. Grab a seat on the patio or in the restaurant’s breezy interior, dressed in tropical hues of emerald and turquoise.

2121 University Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 223-8640
(612) 223-8640
A brightly colored open-air patio with low turquoise stools and oilcloth covered tables
Hai Hai’s patio.
Kevin Kramer

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Que Viet Village House

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Que Viet is known for its crispy, humongous egg rolls, which are a reliable hit at the state fair every year. (Just one or two can make for a solid meal — this is a great budget-friendly spot.) Or grab a hearty lunch of egg fu young and oyster wings.

2211 Johnson St NE #3905, Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 781-4744
(612) 781-4744

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MOMO Sushi

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The Japanese and Tibetan dishes at Momo Sushi are on equal par. Start with an order of beef and scallion momos — from the sushi menu, try the Angry Dragon roll, made spicy tuna and mango, or the Crazy Monkey roll, which features a whole fried banana, cream cheese, and crab meat. The restaurant’s intimate patio makes for ideal summer dining.

1839 NE Central Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 789-9190
(612) 789-9190

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Maya Cuisine & Bar - Minneapolis

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Maya Cuisine first opened its Central Avenue doors in 2012 — in the decades since, it’s become a go-to for Mexican cuisine in Northeast. Grab a seat in the restaurant’s colorful courtyard-style space and order carne asada, tamales, or alambres from the sit-down menu, or grab a burrito to-go from the cafeteria-style counter. The salsa bar here is excellent, and Maya Cuisine also serves a popular brunch every Sunday.

1840 NE Central Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 789-0775
(612) 789-0775

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Centro

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Centro is a fast-casual restaurant with a succinct menu of tacos, quesadillas, nachos, and enchiladas. Try the carnitas en adobo tacos or the nopales, made with cured cactus and mushrooms. Save room for a chocolate mole cupcake. Chef Jose Alarcon and co-owner Jami Olson’s other ventures include next-door Vivir and a new Eat Street location.

1414 Quincy St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 345-5527
(612) 345-5527
A plate of fried fish tacos garnished with cilantro and pink radishes on a wooden table.
Fish tacos from Centro.
Kevin Kramer / Eater Twin Cities

Animales Barbeque Co.

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Animales serves some of the Twin Cities’ best barbecue out of a food truck parked at Bauhaus Brewlabs in Northeast. Stop by for pork shoulder fried rice, Nashville hot smoked chicken drummies, or tender jerk pork belly burnt ends — and keep an eye on the truck’s Instagram page for the latest menu updates. Note that Animales is a seasonal operation, and closes up around the end of November.

Bauhaus Brewlabs, 1315 Tyler St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 400-2153
(612) 400-2153

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Uncle Franky's

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This tiny roadside restaurant is one of the Twin Cities’ best spots for a classic Chicago dog (hold the ketchup). Try one loaded with tangy relish, peppers, and tomatoes. Uncle Franky’s also serves a great Reuben and a noteworthy Juicy Lucy, if it’s a burger kind of day.

728 Broadway St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 455-2181
(612) 455-2181
A hot dog in a bun dressed with tomatoes, peppers, onions, and relish on white paper.
A Chicago dog from Uncle Franky’s.
Eli Radtke

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Young Joni

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An acclaimed restaurant by James Beard award-winning chef Ann Kim, Young Joni is known for its exceptionally crackly thin-crust pizzas. Order the spicy lamb sausage pizza with fresno chili, feta, and mint, or La Parisienne, a prosciutto-and-gruyere homage to the City of Light. Also notable are small plates like Korean sweet potatoes and charred savoy cabbage. After dinner, slip into the back-alley speakeasy for cocktails.

165 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 345-5719
(612) 345-5719

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The Anchor Fish & Chips

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A Northeast institution, the Anchor serves Irish classics in a warmly lit, wood-paneled space. The eponymous fish and chips — flaky Alaskan cod and thick-cut wedges of potato, fried until golden — are a must, and are available both inside the brick and mortar location, and on the Anchor’s food truck. Elsewhere on the menu, try the rich shepherd’s pie or poutine, and pair your meal with a Guinness or Smithwick’s Irish red ale.

302 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 676-1300
(612) 676-1300

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Emily's Lebanese Deli

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A longtime Northeast favorite, Emily’s Lebanese Deli is a family-run operation serving Lebanese dishes in a small building on University Avenue since 1973. Order a few salads to go, or sit in and enjoy fresh grape leaves stuffed with lamb and rice, a fried kibbi sandwich, or flaky spinach pies warm from the oven. Save room for baklava and crema, a Lebanese orange blossom custard.

641 University Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 379-4069
(612) 379-4069

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Gorkha Palace

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An organic Indian, Nepali, and Tibetan restaurant, Gorkha Palace serves some of the Twin Cities’ finest South Asian cuisine out of a saffron-colored building on 4th Street. Start with crispy veggie pakora and gentle daal, and pair them with lamb vindaloo, savory Goan shrimp curry, or paalak paneer. Gorkha Palace also serves mango lassi and a selection of teas.

23 4th St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
(612) 886-3451
(612) 886-3451

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Aster Cafe

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Aster Cafe’s patio, stationed along the cobblestone streets of St. Anthony Main, offers gorgeous views of the downtown Minneapolis skyline and the Mississippi River. Split a cheese plate and a few flatbreads, a strawberry cashew salad, or a tuna poke bowl. From the drinks menu, try the orange wine. Every Sunday afternoon, Aster hosts swing dancing to a live band on the patio — it’s an excellent spot for a date.

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

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Chimborazo

2851 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418

Located in cozy, bright storefront on Central Avenue, Chimborazo is a neighborhood institution. Serving Ecuadorean and Andean fare all day, seven days a week, it’s an ideal spot for anything from breakfast to late-night snacks. Don’t miss the patacones con queso — fried green plantains stuffed with cheese and served with an intensely herbed aji crillo — or the exceptionally tender seco de pollo.

2851 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 788-1328
(612) 788-1328

El Taco Riendo

2412 NE Central Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55418

If you can’t catch El Taco Riendo’s lime-green food truck out and about during the summer, stop by the Central Avenue location. In 2020, the restaurant suffered massive fire damage, but it’s since been revived. From the menu, try the colossal chimichangas, crispy flautas, tacos dorados, and caldo de res, a red Mexican beef soup. Grab a glass of horchata, tamarind water, or nonalcoholic sangria.

2412 NE Central Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 781-3000
(612) 781-3000

Khao Hom Thai Restaurant Minneapolis

2411 NE Central Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55418

Stop by Khao Hom Thai for spicy pork laab served in a crispy head of lettuce, rich red and green curries, and savory Thai lobster rolls. (Note that the pad thai here is made with a unique tomato-based sauce.) The restaurant’s interior is cozy and warm, making it an excellent spot for a casual dinner away from the bustle of Central Avenue.

2411 NE Central Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 788-4000
(612) 788-4000

Hai Hai

2121 University Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418

From a verdant, intensely savory banana blossom salad to herbaceous beef laab lettuce wraps, James Beard-nominated chef Christina Nguyen has crafted a compelling menu at Hai Hai. Take a look at the cocktail menu: The rotating selection of slushies (think passionfruit and lychee) and jackfruit sangria are a must. Grab a seat on the patio or in the restaurant’s breezy interior, dressed in tropical hues of emerald and turquoise.

2121 University Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 223-8640
(612) 223-8640
A brightly colored open-air patio with low turquoise stools and oilcloth covered tables
Hai Hai’s patio.
Kevin Kramer

Que Viet Village House

2211 Johnson St NE #3905, Minneapolis, MN 55418

Que Viet is known for its crispy, humongous egg rolls, which are a reliable hit at the state fair every year. (Just one or two can make for a solid meal — this is a great budget-friendly spot.) Or grab a hearty lunch of egg fu young and oyster wings.

2211 Johnson St NE #3905, Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 781-4744
(612) 781-4744

MOMO Sushi

1839 NE Central Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55418

The Japanese and Tibetan dishes at Momo Sushi are on equal par. Start with an order of beef and scallion momos — from the sushi menu, try the Angry Dragon roll, made spicy tuna and mango, or the Crazy Monkey roll, which features a whole fried banana, cream cheese, and crab meat. The restaurant’s intimate patio makes for ideal summer dining.

1839 NE Central Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 789-9190
(612) 789-9190

Maya Cuisine & Bar - Minneapolis

1840 NE Central Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55418

Maya Cuisine first opened its Central Avenue doors in 2012 — in the decades since, it’s become a go-to for Mexican cuisine in Northeast. Grab a seat in the restaurant’s colorful courtyard-style space and order carne asada, tamales, or alambres from the sit-down menu, or grab a burrito to-go from the cafeteria-style counter. The salsa bar here is excellent, and Maya Cuisine also serves a popular brunch every Sunday.

1840 NE Central Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 789-0775
(612) 789-0775

Centro

1414 Quincy St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Centro is a fast-casual restaurant with a succinct menu of tacos, quesadillas, nachos, and enchiladas. Try the carnitas en adobo tacos or the nopales, made with cured cactus and mushrooms. Save room for a chocolate mole cupcake. Chef Jose Alarcon and co-owner Jami Olson’s other ventures include next-door Vivir and a new Eat Street location.

1414 Quincy St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 345-5527
(612) 345-5527
A plate of fried fish tacos garnished with cilantro and pink radishes on a wooden table.
Fish tacos from Centro.
Kevin Kramer / Eater Twin Cities

Animales Barbeque Co.

Bauhaus Brewlabs, 1315 Tyler St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Animales serves some of the Twin Cities’ best barbecue out of a food truck parked at Bauhaus Brewlabs in Northeast. Stop by for pork shoulder fried rice, Nashville hot smoked chicken drummies, or tender jerk pork belly burnt ends — and keep an eye on the truck’s Instagram page for the latest menu updates. Note that Animales is a seasonal operation, and closes up around the end of November.

Bauhaus Brewlabs, 1315 Tyler St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 400-2153
(612) 400-2153

Uncle Franky's

728 Broadway St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

This tiny roadside restaurant is one of the Twin Cities’ best spots for a classic Chicago dog (hold the ketchup). Try one loaded with tangy relish, peppers, and tomatoes. Uncle Franky’s also serves a great Reuben and a noteworthy Juicy Lucy, if it’s a burger kind of day.

728 Broadway St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 455-2181
(612) 455-2181
A hot dog in a bun dressed with tomatoes, peppers, onions, and relish on white paper.
A Chicago dog from Uncle Franky’s.
Eli Radtke

Young Joni

165 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

An acclaimed restaurant by James Beard award-winning chef Ann Kim, Young Joni is known for its exceptionally crackly thin-crust pizzas. Order the spicy lamb sausage pizza with fresno chili, feta, and mint, or La Parisienne, a prosciutto-and-gruyere homage to the City of Light. Also notable are small plates like Korean sweet potatoes and charred savoy cabbage. After dinner, slip into the back-alley speakeasy for cocktails.

165 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 345-5719
(612) 345-5719

The Anchor Fish & Chips

302 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

A Northeast institution, the Anchor serves Irish classics in a warmly lit, wood-paneled space. The eponymous fish and chips — flaky Alaskan cod and thick-cut wedges of potato, fried until golden — are a must, and are available both inside the brick and mortar location, and on the Anchor’s food truck. Elsewhere on the menu, try the rich shepherd’s pie or poutine, and pair your meal with a Guinness or Smithwick’s Irish red ale.

302 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 676-1300
(612) 676-1300

Emily's Lebanese Deli

641 University Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

A longtime Northeast favorite, Emily’s Lebanese Deli is a family-run operation serving Lebanese dishes in a small building on University Avenue since 1973. Order a few salads to go, or sit in and enjoy fresh grape leaves stuffed with lamb and rice, a fried kibbi sandwich, or flaky spinach pies warm from the oven. Save room for baklava and crema, a Lebanese orange blossom custard.

641 University Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 379-4069
(612) 379-4069

Gorkha Palace

23 4th St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55414

An organic Indian, Nepali, and Tibetan restaurant, Gorkha Palace serves some of the Twin Cities’ finest South Asian cuisine out of a saffron-colored building on 4th Street. Start with crispy veggie pakora and gentle daal, and pair them with lamb vindaloo, savory Goan shrimp curry, or paalak paneer. Gorkha Palace also serves mango lassi and a selection of teas.

23 4th St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
(612) 886-3451
(612) 886-3451

Aster Cafe

125 SE Main St, Minneapolis, MN 55414

Aster Cafe’s patio, stationed along the cobblestone streets of St. Anthony Main, offers gorgeous views of the downtown Minneapolis skyline and the Mississippi River. Split a cheese plate and a few flatbreads, a strawberry cashew salad, or a tuna poke bowl. From the drinks menu, try the orange wine. Every Sunday afternoon, Aster hosts swing dancing to a live band on the patio — it’s an excellent spot for a date.

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

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