This Dinkytown restaurant/cafe/boutique hotel hybrid far exceeds what anyone might expect out of a college-adjacent establishment. Offering dinner-only, seasonally inspired three-course meals, wine pairings and dessert are options for those who want to go all out. Or visit the coffee shop and cafe during the day for Scandinavian vibes and approachable seasonal food.

It would be a crime to dine on the West Bank and pass up the beloved Ethiopian food that The Red Sea serves. A local favorite since the 1990’s, there’s also often live music and Ethiopian beer and a full bar to boot.

Serving up an array of East African dishes with a focus on Somali cuisine, this no-frills spot puts all of its energy into the flavor of its food and it shows. Step past the threshold into Baarakallah’s welcoming atmosphere.

This longtime holdout is infamous for its long hours (it’s open from 6 a.m. to 4 a.m.), punk rock attitude, and vegetarian and vegan fare. A worker-owned operation, visitors will find students posted up working on homework and sipping coffee until the wee hours of the morning here.

This is the place to go to get one of the best burgers in the Twin Cities. Don’t eat meat? The veggie burger is one of the few that’s packed with flavor and doesn’t fall apart the second it’s picked up. Pair it with one of their many classic malts or milkshakes and order a basket of fries to share.

Famously featured on national food-focused TV shows and considered a Minnesota icon, this 14-stool diner came into existence in the 1950’s and has been whipping up eggs, pancakes, and other breakfast classics for hordes of hungry students alongside visitors from across the metro area ever since.