Not far from Loring Park is Cafe & Bar Lurçat, a swanky dining and drinking spot with valet parking steps from downtown Minneapolis. Visitors will find an expertly lit space that serves thoughtfully plated dishes composed of sophisticated comfort foods. Drinking on their quaint patio is a must-do in the summertime.

For anyone who has spent time on the east coast and or has developed a love affair with Old Bay seasoning, 4 Bells is perhaps where to go to get a dose of the special seasoning which is used on their homemade saltines and is sprinkled on a few other dishes. Dine outside and gaze upon Loring Park in the summer or stay inside and cozy up to some wine and oysters when winter sets in.

Nestled next to a yoga studio and down the block from a local brewery, Egg’s Diner boasts classic breakfast staples in a brownstone-filled neighborhood that feels a little bit like Brooklyn in Minneapolis. Of course there are a variety of egg-centric dishes, but there are other offerings, too, like crepes and panini in this carefully styled diner with an art-pop vibe.

Flanked by a barbershop on one side and an Irish Pub on the other, Salsa a la Salsa crafts authentic Mexican food right on Nicollet Avenue which, thanks to their very own meatless chorizo, is super veggie friendly. The bites are central Mexican style and the recipes have been in the owner’s family for generations.

Attached to the Nicollet Diner, the Muffin Top Cafe is an uber-inclusive community cafe with a welcoming attitude that extends to pups as well. They’ve got all the pastry fixings of a coffee shop, but guests can order from the full menu from the attached diner while watching the shenanigans unfold on Nicollet Avenue through the cafe’s glass storefront facade.

Open 24 hours and replete with a full bar, diners can order everything from poutine to breakfast burritos anytime at The Nicollet Dinr. The glittery blue booths and traditional malt glasses create a 1950’s-esque experience that stands out as unique.

Ryan’s is the neighborhood’s go-to spot for sports and beer. Food ranges from traditional Irish specialties like shepherd’s pie to American fare like chicken fingers and cheeseburgers. It’s also a soccer fan’s paradise—a place where futbol reigns supreme over football.

A hole-in-the-wall Chinese spot that delivers Szechuan, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Hunan dishes all in one place. There’s full-service bar that pours cocktails with names like “Ping’s Pleasure” and “Booty’s Best Martini” and a buffet for lunch. Of course they deliver, too, which comes in super hand when the temperature plummets and a craving for hot egg drop soup arises.