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The Eater Mpls Heatmap: Where to Eat Right Now

by Claire Stanford
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by Claire Stanford

Restaurant obsessives want to know what's new, what's hot, which favorite chef just launched a sophomore effort, etc., and more often than not, tipsters, readers, friends and family of Eater have one question: Where should I eat right now? What is the "it" (ie, newest) place of the moment?

Thus, we offer the Eater Heatmap, which will change often to continually highlight where the food-focused crowds are flocking to at this very second. This time around, please welcome two spots to the list: Town Hall Lanes and the newly resurrected Ideal Diner.

Did we miss your personal favorite hot, new restaurant? By all means, let us know in the comments or email the tipline.


7/11/13: Added: Verdant Tea Tasting Room, The Buttered Tin, Terzo Vino Bar, Sandcastle

6/16/13: Added: Pig Ate My Pizza, Smoke in the Pit

5/2/13: Added: Potter's Pasties, Daily Diner Frogtown

4/4/13: Added: Spill the Wine, Origami Uptown, The Sample Room

3/7/13: Added: Rincón 38, Smack Shack, Burch Steak & Pizza Bar, One Two Three Sushi

2/7/13: Added: Parka, Blue Door Longfellow

1/3/13: Added: Borough, Parlour

12/6/12: Added: World Street Kitchen, Union

11/15/12: Debuted: The Lynn on Bryant, The Left Handed Cook, Fika, Icehouse, The Gray House, Nightingale, The Kenwood, Café Maude at Loring, New Bohemia

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Broders' T3RZO Vino Bar

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The ever-expanding Broders' empire takes over another corner of 50th and Penn with Terzo Vino Bar. It's got a 1,000-bottle, all-Italian wine cellar, 40-50 wines by the glass, 10 taps, and a menu of small plates, including a fried artichoke that looks to die for.
2221 W. 50th St, Minneapolis, MN 55410
(612) 925-0330
(612) 925-0330

Sandcastle

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At long last, this long-awaited concession from Piccolo's Doug Flicker is open at Lake Nokomis. Serving gourmet beachside treats like a bison Indian fry bread taco and shrimp and octopus ceviche, Sandcastle will be open until October 15th this year.
4955 Nokomis Pkwy W, Mpls, MN 55417

Town Hall Lanes

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This third addition to the Town Hall family of bars features bowling and, what else, beer, including its own signature beer, Super Strike, a light lager. There will be up to 9 beers on tap at any time, plus Town Hall's usual eats.
5019 34th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55417
(612) 767-3354
(612) 767-3354

Smoke In The Pit

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This takeout BBQ spot has already been widely written up for its addictive smoked wings (they also have fried wings, but you're going to want to get the smoked). Also on the menu: ribs, brisket, fried catfish, cobbler, and lots of other BBQ goodness.
3733 Chicago Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55407

Origami Uptown

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Origami's downtown location has long been known as some of the best sushi in the Twin Cities. Now, you can get the same fresh, creative rolls in Uptown, along with a wide selection of noodles (ramen and udon) and other Japanese entrees.
1352 Lagoon Ave, Minneapolis, MN

Verdant Tea Tasting Room & Tea Bar

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There's a plethora of riches at this new tea shop and tasting room: tea, of course, but also a Birchwood-designed menu, Sweet Science ice cream, and chocolates from local chocolatiers The Real Deal Chocolate.
2111 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404
(612) 223-8907
(612) 223-8907

Ideal Diner

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We thought this Northeast institution had met a sad demise, but lo, it has risen from the ashes! Reopened by longtime employee Kim Robinson, the diner will be open seven days a week from breakfast until late afternoon, and may eventually add dinner.
1314 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 789-7630
(612) 789-7630

Pig Ate My Pizza

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This new pizza spot from the team behind the much-acclaimed Travail (and located in the former Travail space) isn't serving up your standard pie. Look for cracker crust and brioche crust pizza, as well as housemade charcuterie for the toppings (plus a separate charcuterie menu).
4154 W Broadway Ave, Robbinsdale, MN

The Buttered Tin

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This breakfast/lunch spot boasts a menu designed by Muffuletta alum Jason Schellin and Salty Tart alum Anna Berzelius, plus pastry treats from Alicia Hinze, a winner of Food Network's Cupcake Wars. It also serves coffee, beer, and wine.
237 7th Street East, Saint Paul, MN 55101
(651) 224-2300
(651) 224-2300

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Broders' T3RZO Vino Bar

2221 W. 50th St, Minneapolis, MN 55410
The ever-expanding Broders' empire takes over another corner of 50th and Penn with Terzo Vino Bar. It's got a 1,000-bottle, all-Italian wine cellar, 40-50 wines by the glass, 10 taps, and a menu of small plates, including a fried artichoke that looks to die for.
2221 W. 50th St, Minneapolis, MN 55410
(612) 925-0330
(612) 925-0330

Sandcastle

4955 Nokomis Pkwy W, Mpls, MN 55417
At long last, this long-awaited concession from Piccolo's Doug Flicker is open at Lake Nokomis. Serving gourmet beachside treats like a bison Indian fry bread taco and shrimp and octopus ceviche, Sandcastle will be open until October 15th this year.
4955 Nokomis Pkwy W, Mpls, MN 55417

Town Hall Lanes

5019 34th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55417
This third addition to the Town Hall family of bars features bowling and, what else, beer, including its own signature beer, Super Strike, a light lager. There will be up to 9 beers on tap at any time, plus Town Hall's usual eats.
5019 34th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55417
(612) 767-3354
(612) 767-3354

Smoke In The Pit

3733 Chicago Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55407
This takeout BBQ spot has already been widely written up for its addictive smoked wings (they also have fried wings, but you're going to want to get the smoked). Also on the menu: ribs, brisket, fried catfish, cobbler, and lots of other BBQ goodness.
3733 Chicago Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55407

Origami Uptown

1352 Lagoon Ave, Minneapolis, MN
Origami's downtown location has long been known as some of the best sushi in the Twin Cities. Now, you can get the same fresh, creative rolls in Uptown, along with a wide selection of noodles (ramen and udon) and other Japanese entrees.
1352 Lagoon Ave, Minneapolis, MN

Verdant Tea Tasting Room & Tea Bar

2111 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404
There's a plethora of riches at this new tea shop and tasting room: tea, of course, but also a Birchwood-designed menu, Sweet Science ice cream, and chocolates from local chocolatiers The Real Deal Chocolate.
2111 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404
(612) 223-8907
(612) 223-8907

Ideal Diner

1314 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
We thought this Northeast institution had met a sad demise, but lo, it has risen from the ashes! Reopened by longtime employee Kim Robinson, the diner will be open seven days a week from breakfast until late afternoon, and may eventually add dinner.
1314 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 789-7630
(612) 789-7630

Pig Ate My Pizza

4154 W Broadway Ave, Robbinsdale, MN
This new pizza spot from the team behind the much-acclaimed Travail (and located in the former Travail space) isn't serving up your standard pie. Look for cracker crust and brioche crust pizza, as well as housemade charcuterie for the toppings (plus a separate charcuterie menu).
4154 W Broadway Ave, Robbinsdale, MN

The Buttered Tin

237 7th Street East, Saint Paul, MN 55101
This breakfast/lunch spot boasts a menu designed by Muffuletta alum Jason Schellin and Salty Tart alum Anna Berzelius, plus pastry treats from Alicia Hinze, a winner of Food Network's Cupcake Wars. It also serves coffee, beer, and wine.
237 7th Street East, Saint Paul, MN 55101
(651) 224-2300
(651) 224-2300

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