Eating out is great, but nothing beats the taste of home. But sometimes, you just don’t have the time or energy to make a home-cooked meal. That’s when Minnesota’s many amazing restaurants come into play. From breakfast to dinner to dessert, these 11 cozy restaurants in Minnesota serve up your all-time favorite comfort foods.
- Gator’s Grilled Cheese Emporium - Ely
Gator’s Grilled Cheese Emporium/Facebook
Gator’s Grilled Cheese Emporium/Facebook What’s better than frying up a classic grilled cheese on a cold winter day? Dipping it in tomato soup and eating it in a cozy dining area, of course. Every time you travel up to Ely, Gator’s Grilled Cheese Emporium lets you do just that. Address: 955 East Sheridan Street, Ely.
- Twin City Grill - Bloomington
Twin City Grill/Facebook
Twin City Grill/Facebook You might not expect a restaurant at Mall of America to have some of the best mac and cheese around. But don’t let its location fool you. This comfort food classic loaded with bacon, tomatoes, breadcrumbs, and so much cheese… Well, you have to try it for yourself. Address: Mall of America, 130 North Garden, Bloomington.
- Jax Cafe - Minneapolis
Jax Cafe/Facebook
Jax Cafe/Facebook The mashed potatoes at Jax Cafe have been named as some of the most unique mashed potatoes in Minnesota by WCCO. And when you pair them with mouthwatering beef tenderloin, you’ll have a hearty meal that will remind you of home. Address: 1928 Northeast University Avenue, Minneapolis.
- Toasty’s Grilled Cheese Shop - Duluth
Toasty’s Duluth MN/Facebook
Toasty’s Grilled Cheese Shop Here’s another grilled cheese restaurant for when you don’t want to drive quite as far north as Ely. And it does not disappoint. This restaurant has a focus on locally made breads, local produce, and farm-raised meats. Next time you’re in Duluth, pop in to see what’s cooking. Address: 1032 East 9th Street, Duluth.
- Haute Dish - Minneapolis
HauteDish/Facebook
HauteDish/Facebook Haute Dish is a Minneapolis restaurant known for its elevated Midwestern cuisine. So it shouldn’t be too surprising that they have their own version of a Minnesota classic. Their tater tot hotdish consists of porcini, short rib, green beans, and tots. It was named best hotdish in town by City Pages. Address: 119 Washington Avenue North, Minneapolis.
- Kaffe Stuga - Harris
Harris Kaffe Stuga/Facebook
Harris Kaffe Stuga/Facebook mom and pop shop known for pies. Kaffee Stuga is the kind of mom-and-pop shop you wish you lived near. But even if you don’t, it’s worth the drive to this long-standing family establishment. While they’re known for their delicious pies, Kaffee Stuga also serves up great pork chops, walleye, and more. Address: 6810 Sunrise Road, Harris.
- The Loon Cafe - Minneapolis
Zara Gonzalez Hoang/Flickr
The Loon Cafe/Facebook What’s better than a hearty bowl of chili, especially in a cold state like Minnesota? The Loon Cafe serves up an absolutely mouthwatering chili topped with shredded cheese, chopped green onions, and a dollop of sour cream. The ultimate cold weather comfort food. Address: 500 North 1st Avenue, Minneapolis.
- Grand Ole Creamery - St. Paul
Grand Ole Creamery & Grand Pizza/Facebook
Grand Ole Creamery & Grand Pizza/Facebook There’s nothing like a double scoop of ice cream to take you back to your childhood. On a warm day or a cool one, it can be just the pick-me-up you need to remind you that it always gets better. Address: 750 Grand Avenue, St. Paul.
- Duluth Grill - Duluth
Google Maps
Duluth Grill/Facebook A delicious twist on an old classic, this biscuits and gravy dish at the famous Duluth Grill features fried chicken, tomato, and lettuce served on flaky, buttery biscuits with a blanket of gravy. There’s only word appropriate to describe this dish - yum. Address: 118 South 27th Avenue West, Duluth.
- Cornerstone Cafe - Monticello
Cornerstone Cafe Monticello/Facebook
NickeyNickey/Flickr There’s no food in Minnesota more comforting than the classic wild rice soup. The amazingly creamy rendition at Cornerstone Cafe in Monticello was voted best wild rice soup in Minnesota by WCCO viewers. Address: 154 West Broadway Street, Monticello.
- The Sample Room - Minneapolis
the sample room/Facebook
the sample room/Facebook The Sample Room may be a bit elevated from grandma’s kitchen, but the meatloaf isn’t too high brow for those who love the throwback classic. This tasty variety is made with grass-fed beef, pork, and bison. Address: 2124 Marshall Street Northeast, Minneapolis.
Minnesota has so many great places to eat. Where’s your go-to place for comfort food? Also check out this list of 10 Minnesota towns with top-rated restaurants.
Gator’s Grilled Cheese Emporium/Facebook
What’s better than frying up a classic grilled cheese on a cold winter day? Dipping it in tomato soup and eating it in a cozy dining area, of course. Every time you travel up to Ely, Gator’s Grilled Cheese Emporium lets you do just that. Address: 955 East Sheridan Street, Ely.
Twin City Grill/Facebook
You might not expect a restaurant at Mall of America to have some of the best mac and cheese around. But don’t let its location fool you. This comfort food classic loaded with bacon, tomatoes, breadcrumbs, and so much cheese… Well, you have to try it for yourself. Address: Mall of America, 130 North Garden, Bloomington.
Jax Cafe/Facebook
The mashed potatoes at Jax Cafe have been named as some of the most unique mashed potatoes in Minnesota by WCCO. And when you pair them with mouthwatering beef tenderloin, you’ll have a hearty meal that will remind you of home. Address: 1928 Northeast University Avenue, Minneapolis.
Toasty’s Duluth MN/Facebook
Toasty’s Grilled Cheese Shop
Here’s another grilled cheese restaurant for when you don’t want to drive quite as far north as Ely. And it does not disappoint. This restaurant has a focus on locally made breads, local produce, and farm-raised meats. Next time you’re in Duluth, pop in to see what’s cooking. Address: 1032 East 9th Street, Duluth.
HauteDish/Facebook
Haute Dish is a Minneapolis restaurant known for its elevated Midwestern cuisine. So it shouldn’t be too surprising that they have their own version of a Minnesota classic. Their tater tot hotdish consists of porcini, short rib, green beans, and tots. It was named best hotdish in town by City Pages. Address: 119 Washington Avenue North, Minneapolis.
Harris Kaffe Stuga/Facebook
mom and pop shop known for pies. Kaffee Stuga is the kind of mom-and-pop shop you wish you lived near. But even if you don’t, it’s worth the drive to this long-standing family establishment. While they’re known for their delicious pies, Kaffee Stuga also serves up great pork chops, walleye, and more. Address: 6810 Sunrise Road, Harris.
Zara Gonzalez Hoang/Flickr
The Loon Cafe/Facebook
What’s better than a hearty bowl of chili, especially in a cold state like Minnesota? The Loon Cafe serves up an absolutely mouthwatering chili topped with shredded cheese, chopped green onions, and a dollop of sour cream. The ultimate cold weather comfort food. Address: 500 North 1st Avenue, Minneapolis.
Grand Ole Creamery & Grand Pizza/Facebook
There’s nothing like a double scoop of ice cream to take you back to your childhood. On a warm day or a cool one, it can be just the pick-me-up you need to remind you that it always gets better. Address: 750 Grand Avenue, St. Paul.
Google Maps
Duluth Grill/Facebook
A delicious twist on an old classic, this biscuits and gravy dish at the famous Duluth Grill features fried chicken, tomato, and lettuce served on flaky, buttery biscuits with a blanket of gravy. There’s only word appropriate to describe this dish - yum. Address: 118 South 27th Avenue West, Duluth.
Cornerstone Cafe Monticello/Facebook
NickeyNickey/Flickr
There’s no food in Minnesota more comforting than the classic wild rice soup. The amazingly creamy rendition at Cornerstone Cafe in Monticello was voted best wild rice soup in Minnesota by WCCO viewers. Address: 154 West Broadway Street, Monticello.
the sample room/Facebook
The Sample Room may be a bit elevated from grandma’s kitchen, but the meatloaf isn’t too high brow for those who love the throwback classic. This tasty variety is made with grass-fed beef, pork, and bison. Address: 2124 Marshall Street Northeast, Minneapolis.
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