The charming village of Linden Hills is just a stone’s throw away from Lake Harriet and walking distance from Lake Calhoun; a quiet pocket tucked into a bustling city. Its name is derived from the Linden trees that line the curved, quiet streets.
The neighborhood is a mix of historic Minneapolis and modern sensibilities. When the weather is nice, the only remaining trolly in the Twin Cities still runs back and forth along its Como-Harriet line. Even when the weather turns chilly, there is plenty to discover in this delightful part of town. In between chasing the pet chicken at Wild Rumpus books, catching a quick workout at Kata or taking a self-guided house tour of the area, there are plenty of delicious things to eat. Whether you're looking for locally sourced meats to prepare on your own or take in a quiet meal at one of the buzziest restaurants in the metro area, Linden Hills an inviting destination.
Chef Steven Brown’s first restaurant still stands as the standard bearer for neighborhood bistros in the Twin Cities. Tilia is a welcoming haven for locals and visitors alike, serving accessible, perfectly executed versions of staples like rich, soul warming soups or a perennial favorite crisp, never greasy, fish torta. The in-between menu, served during off hours, may be the best chance to grab a bite in this sunny eatery when it’s less busy but the offerings are equally enticing.
Cafe Zumbro, a Linden Hills institution, has been a brunch go-to for over two decades. Over the years the place has grown from a tiny deli to a full service restaurant, serving beloved classics like organic egg frittatas, indulgent Belgian waffles and their iconic Zumbrola, house-made granola with nuts and dried fruit served with fresh fruit, yogurt or milk. Lunch brings creative takes on soups, salads and a full breakfast menu for late risers.
From pastry wizard John Kraus, who led the U.S. team to a bronze medal at last year’s Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie, the Olympics of sweets, came a new bakery sparkling with sunbeams and glass bakery cases filled with too-gorgeous-to-eat (almost) creations. The Chocolat cake, which helped the U.S. team to that bronze medal is a perfectly balanced rectangle of light-as-air mousse, glazed ganache and flourless cake. Perfection abounds at Rose Street Bakery.
From a counter tucked between Upton 43 and Rose Street Bakery, rotisserie chicken dinners are a fabulous to-go dinner that only Chef Harcey could provide. Whole or half birds can be purchased along with a variety of classic sides like Mac n’ Cheese, collard greens and mashed potatoes. On a busy Tuesday, nothing beats running in and grabbing this wholesome family dinner that is meant to impress.
Every village needs a good Thai place, and Naviya’s is it here. Spacious and bright, Naviya’s serves a nicely varied menu of classic Thai dishes like nutty Rama Thai, complex curries and unusual, sizzling hot plate entrees like the pineapple hot plate with caramelized pineapple chunks and seasonal, vibrant veggies.
The Harriet Brasserie kitchen puts out beautiful dishes that perfectly mingle French, Brazilian, classic American and a hint of Italian influences. The restaurant, in the historic Fire House 28 is cozy and lush and a great spot to linger over a ridiculously rich coconut milk Tres Leches cake or the abridged Tea Time menu, which offers a smaller selection of the most popular dishes from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. They also offer breakfast every day of the week.
Kata is an organic cafe and fitness boutique on Sheridan Avenue, serves a healthful menu in a cozy, sunny setting. From appetizers like vegan mushroom bread to a spicy beef brisket rice bowls to surprisingly delicious cookies, Kata has it all. The best part is the option of burning it all off in the downstairs yoga studio, then coming right back up for one of their luscious smoothies made with fresh, local and seasonal ingredients.
Sebastian Joe’s has been crafting small batch, all natural ice cream since 1984 and the Linden Hills location as still a hub for the community and vistors alike. The shop boasts one of the best patios around, with ample space for the kids to run while their grown ups savor each lick of the over-the-top chocolaty Nicollet Avenue Pothole in a “secret recipe” waffle cone.
This quintessential neighborhood butcher shop sells farm-fresh meats like house-made sausages, sustainable seafood, pickled specialties, cheese and other goodies, as well as giant, utterly satisfying sandwiches. The deli is open seven days a week and sandwiches are available until bread runs out.
When Chef Erick Harcey opened Upton 43 in former hardware store on the corner of Upton and 43rd, he drew on his Swedish heritage for inspiration. Harcey elevates childhood favorites like Swedish meatballs and pancakes while giving classics like Caesar salad Nordic twists with fermented lettuce and gouda. Brunch, with a unique spread of smørrebrød- Scandinavian open face sandwiches- is not to be missed.
Chef Steven Brown’s first restaurant still stands as the standard bearer for neighborhood bistros in the Twin Cities. Tilia is a welcoming haven for locals and visitors alike, serving accessible, perfectly executed versions of staples like rich, soul warming soups or a perennial favorite crisp, never greasy, fish torta. The in-between menu, served during off hours, may be the best chance to grab a bite in this sunny eatery when it’s less busy but the offerings are equally enticing.
Cafe Zumbro, a Linden Hills institution, has been a brunch go-to for over two decades. Over the years the place has grown from a tiny deli to a full service restaurant, serving beloved classics like organic egg frittatas, indulgent Belgian waffles and their iconic Zumbrola, house-made granola with nuts and dried fruit served with fresh fruit, yogurt or milk. Lunch brings creative takes on soups, salads and a full breakfast menu for late risers.
From pastry wizard John Kraus, who led the U.S. team to a bronze medal at last year’s Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie, the Olympics of sweets, came a new bakery sparkling with sunbeams and glass bakery cases filled with too-gorgeous-to-eat (almost) creations. The Chocolat cake, which helped the U.S. team to that bronze medal is a perfectly balanced rectangle of light-as-air mousse, glazed ganache and flourless cake. Perfection abounds at Rose Street Bakery.
From a counter tucked between Upton 43 and Rose Street Bakery, rotisserie chicken dinners are a fabulous to-go dinner that only Chef Harcey could provide. Whole or half birds can be purchased along with a variety of classic sides like Mac n’ Cheese, collard greens and mashed potatoes. On a busy Tuesday, nothing beats running in and grabbing this wholesome family dinner that is meant to impress.
Every village needs a good Thai place, and Naviya’s is it here. Spacious and bright, Naviya’s serves a nicely varied menu of classic Thai dishes like nutty Rama Thai, complex curries and unusual, sizzling hot plate entrees like the pineapple hot plate with caramelized pineapple chunks and seasonal, vibrant veggies.
The Harriet Brasserie kitchen puts out beautiful dishes that perfectly mingle French, Brazilian, classic American and a hint of Italian influences. The restaurant, in the historic Fire House 28 is cozy and lush and a great spot to linger over a ridiculously rich coconut milk Tres Leches cake or the abridged Tea Time menu, which offers a smaller selection of the most popular dishes from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. They also offer breakfast every day of the week.
Kata is an organic cafe and fitness boutique on Sheridan Avenue, serves a healthful menu in a cozy, sunny setting. From appetizers like vegan mushroom bread to a spicy beef brisket rice bowls to surprisingly delicious cookies, Kata has it all. The best part is the option of burning it all off in the downstairs yoga studio, then coming right back up for one of their luscious smoothies made with fresh, local and seasonal ingredients.
Sebastian Joe’s has been crafting small batch, all natural ice cream since 1984 and the Linden Hills location as still a hub for the community and vistors alike. The shop boasts one of the best patios around, with ample space for the kids to run while their grown ups savor each lick of the over-the-top chocolaty Nicollet Avenue Pothole in a “secret recipe” waffle cone.
This quintessential neighborhood butcher shop sells farm-fresh meats like house-made sausages, sustainable seafood, pickled specialties, cheese and other goodies, as well as giant, utterly satisfying sandwiches. The deli is open seven days a week and sandwiches are available until bread runs out.
When Chef Erick Harcey opened Upton 43 in former hardware store on the corner of Upton and 43rd, he drew on his Swedish heritage for inspiration. Harcey elevates childhood favorites like Swedish meatballs and pancakes while giving classics like Caesar salad Nordic twists with fermented lettuce and gouda. Brunch, with a unique spread of smørrebrød- Scandinavian open face sandwiches- is not to be missed.
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