2025 Best of MN

The state’s best eats, sips, shops, and escapes—handpicked for 2025

Alesha Taylor, Macy Harder, Emma Enebak, Jason DeRusha and Jerrod Sumner

November 12, 2025

Minnesota in 2025 was anything but ordinary—and neither is our annual Best of Minnesota list. Think of this as your ultimate cheat sheet to eating, drinking, playing, shopping, and living well across the state. We’ve combed through the hidden happy hours, chased down the stage spectacles, binged the podcasts, and even spotted the weirdest trends—all so you don’t have to.

This year’s winners are equal parts practical and playful: places to impress your out-of-town cousin, corners of culture you didn’t know you needed, and restaurants that are reshaping the dining scene. Whether you’re craving a Hmong chicken noodle soup worth a national spotlight, a road trip destination to fuel your inner child, or simply the best new spot to sip wine for $5, Minnesota Monthly’s Best of Minnesota is your go-to field guide. In short, we’ve tested, tasted, watched, wandered, and scrolled—so you can dive straight into the good stuff.

Let the people be heard! Click here to view the 2025 Best of MN: Readers’ Choice winners.

FOOD + DRINK

Chef of the Year: Karyn Tomlinson, Myriel

Karyn Tomlinson won the 2025 James Beard Award for Best Chef Midwest, experienced the busiest her tiny St. Paul restaurant has ever been, and had a spinal fusion because of a life dealing with scoliosis. Her courage to take care of herself is impressive—but the way she empowers her team to step up and lead is even more so. We’ve always admired how Tomlinson reinvented herself from a pastry chef to a savory and culinary leader. Farm to table is more than a marketing slogan—it’s imbued in the heart and soul of Myriel, where a tasting menu experience features stories of Karyn being put in the will of some of her farming partners who want her to still be able to forage on their land when that time comes. We’re glad the nation has discovered this chef’s incredible ability to coax transcendent flavors out of simple and humble ingredients. Here at Minnesota Monthly, we’ve known all along what a talent she is. -JD

Best Dishes Worth Driving Across the State For: Lonesome Pine Restaurant & Bar
and Northern Waters Smokehaus

First, the escargot at Lonesome Pine in Deerwood. There’s something that cracks me up about having six perfectly broiled snails, swimming in garlic butter, in the adorable escargot serving pan, in a supper club on Bay Lake. It’s delicious, too! Then, there’s The Big Dipper Porketta at Northern Waters Smokehaus in Duluth. Everyone knows about the smoked fish at Northern Waters, but I drive to Duluth for the porketta with provolone, pepperoncini, and green olives, then I dip that bad boy in the zippy three-pepper sauce. -JD

Best Hidden-Gem Happy Hour: Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar

Shakopee’s Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar is redefining happy hour with taps as low as $3, $5 house wine and rails, and $5-$9 light bites like bruschetta, fried bologna sliders, and fresh-shucked oysters. Add in the 18,000-square-foot patio overlooking Canterbury Park, fire pits, lawn games, and live music, and you have one of the metro’s best-kept secrets. -AT

Best Chef Book: ‘Turtle Island: Foods and Traditions of the Indigenous Peoples of North America’ by Sean Sherman

In his new book, three-time James Beard Award-winning Ogala Lakota chef, author, and activist Sean Sherman shares over 100 ancestral and modern recipes from North America’s Indigenous communities—shining a light on the foodways and ingredients that link the natural environments, traditions, and histories of Native people. If you want to learn about the rich history of Indigenous food systems and practice decolonization in your own kitchen, this book is an incredible resource. “I think it’s really important for us to understand the diversity and complexity of Indigenous peoples, not only in North America but beyond,” says Sherman. “I’m hoping that people can walk away with a better understanding of how much we’ve underutilized the amazing food systems of the Americas, and where colonization has also affected Indigenous peoples globally.” -MH

Best Revival of a Minnesota Classic: Chi-Chi’s

Nostalgia for fried ice cream and suburban-style Mexican is intense—and we’re here for the revival of Chi-Chi’s. Founded in Richfield in 1975, the founder’s son Michael McDermott is transforming his Rojo in St. Louis Park into the restaurant named after his mom. Investors have chipped in more than $2.3 million to support a rollout around the country. Expect a modern twist on the classic, including fresher and bolder ingredients. -JD

Most Anticipated Restaurant Crossover: Billy Sushi and NOLO’s

Every restaurateur in town wants to recapture the coolness of Chino Latino: the kind of place that everyone celebrated their 21st birthday at, and the bar was hopping until early in the morning. NOLO’s Kitchen & Bar and Billy Sushi seem the most likely to collab to make that happen. Next year, the owners of two of the trendiest restaurants in town will combine to open a new spot between Bar La Grassa and Parlour. Think Asian, Latin, and American influences. Fusion food, nightlife… the 90s are back, baby. -JD

ENTERTAINMENT + LEISURE

Best Minnesota Podcast: ‘Truer Crime’

Forget sensationalized storytelling—Celisia Stanton’s “Truer Crime” digs deeper. With nuance, empathy, and sharp analysis, the Minneapolis-based host reframes true crime to spotlight race, gender, justice, and the root causes of crime. A viral hit with nearly 150,000 TikTok followers (and 1.7M likes!), plus rave reviews, the podcast’s powerful third season debuted in August and is available on most streaming outlets. -AT

Best Breakout Performance: Kris Kollins as Prince in ‘Purple Rain’

While no one can truly encapsulate the artistry of Prince, Kris Kollins comes pretty close. This year, Kollins made his professional stage debut as The Kid in the pre-Broadway world premiere of “Purple Rain” at the State Theatre—which is an incredible feat in itself, but it’s even more special that he made his debut in Prince’s hometown. -MH

Best Live Music: Room3

Room3, a Minneapolis-based five-piece jazz fusion ensemble, creates a live sonic experience unlike any artist in recent history. Last spring, the group’s sold-out album release show at Dakota was a hypnotic glimpse into their colorful, imaginative universe, where preconceived ideas of music and genre were broken down and reconfigured into something completely new. While their latest album, “Bill’s Garden,” is available to stream, seeing it live is a sight to behold. Get to one of their gigs as soon as possible. -MH

Best Place to Pretend You’re on Vacation Without Leaving the State: Tioga Mine Pit

Near Cohasset and Grand Rapids, Tioga is a gateway to over 6,600 acres of pristine waterways that feel like a taste of the Caribbean—right here in Minnesota. Glide across turquoise-blue waters, relax on sandy shores, or dive deep into Iron Range history. With 20-plus feet of visibility and a depth of 225 feet, you can explore sunken mining relics for an adventure as vivid as it is unexpected. -AT

Best Free Thing to Do in Minnesota: Franconia Sculpture Park

Franconia Sculpture Park, in Shafer, Minnesota, is like a playground for the imagination—100 large-scale sculptures scattered across 50 acres of fields and woods. Welcoming 180,000 visitors annually, this open-air museum blends contemporary art, land installations, and plenty of quirky photo ops. Admission is free (donations encouraged), but the inspiration feels priceless. -AT

Most Jaw-Dropping Stage Design: ‘Beauty and the Beast’ at the Orpheum

Hennepin Arts’ production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” set a new bar for spectacle. Projections that summoned wolves and painted spellbinding scenery, illusions that transformed the Beast into a man, and bursts of pyrotechnic fire combined to make this production a masterclass in theatrical wizardry. The stage became as much a star as the cast—turning a beloved fairytale into a jaw-dropping, world-class experience. -AT

SHOPPING + SERVICES

Weirdest Trend: Labubus

Those big-eyed, mischievous creatures you’ve seen popping up all over your feed? Meet the Labubus. Born from the world of collectible designer toys, they’ve gone from niche obsession to mall mainstay, with vending machines at Rosedale Center and recently opened Pop Mart at Mall of America doubling down on the craze. Cute, creepy, and totally addictive. -AT

Best New Store or Boutique: Shop My Closet

Located in the heart of Uptown, Shop My Closet brings a fresh energy and reformed model of consumerism to the neighborhood—one that is circular, collaborative, and altogether unique. Capitalizing on younger generations’ thirst for vintage and secondhand shopping opportunities, the store invites secondhand vendors to rent its closet spaces for up to a month, offering a revolving queue of one-of-a-kind collections for shoppers. The business model not only feeds shoppers’ burgeoning taste for uniqueness, but it also presents smaller brands with a prime opportunity for growth. -EE

Best Heritage Boutique: Scandinavian North

With about 1.6 million people of Nordic descent living in Minnesota (according to the 2025 World Population Review), it seems only fitting that our state has no shortage of Scandinavian heritage boutiques. With locations in Stillwater and Duluth, Scandinavian North is a prime example of the sleek minimalism of Nordic design, assembling a diverse range of clothing and jewelry, bags and backpacks, kitchenware, and home goods reflecting Danish, Icelandic, Swedish, Finnish, and Norwegian heritages. -EE

Best Self-Care Splurge: Face Foundrié

From inventive Minnesota startup to a 40-plus-location franchise, Face Foundrié’s revolutionary concept of fast-casual facials has exploded for a reason. Breaking down the barriers often associated with professional skin treatments—efficiency, affordability, and accessibility, to name a few—walking into Face Foundrié feels easier than walking into a nail appointment. And with a facial menu focusing on everything from anti-aging and wrinkle firming to hydration and acne treatment, it appeals to even the most hesitant of beauty consumers—whether you want to look good, feel good, or just relax for 40 minutes. -EE

Best Shop-and-Stroll Scene: 50th & France

The 50th & France neighborhood experienced a mini renaissance of sorts in 2025, welcoming a flurry of new fashion, dining, beauty, and fitness tenants to the fold. And from runway activations and collaborative retail events to vintage markets and open-air concerts, it appears these fresh additions have ignited a newfound energy in the venerable shopping district. Openings like local designer boutique The Fitting Room and sneaker and lifestyle haven Studiiyo bring diversity and edge to the fashion scene, while beauty spa Labb Collective and up-and-coming fitness boutique The Grind upgrade the neighborhood’s wellness offerings. To top things off, Daniel del Prado’s new “Mad Men”-inspired dining concept, Americana, will hit the block next year. -EE

Artisan of the Year: Kerry Brooks

Kerry Brooks of Dock 6 Pottery is rightly named our Artisan of the Year. Her commitment goes beyond crafting her signature wheel-thrown pottery with fused crackle glass; she is a passionate advocate for all handmade arts. Kerry proudly acknowledges that in 30 years, Dock 6 has employed nearly 1,000 potters and helped launch many notable careers, truly “making not just pots but other potters.” For Kerry, every piece created is functional art: “Seeing someone use something I made is the best feeling in the world.” She ensures that her pottery is meant to be enjoyed, from the hands that make it to the table it sits upon. -JS

Emma’s Trend Pick: Western Chic

Boots and fringe. Oversized belt buckles. Denim on denim. Bolo ties. The basic essentials of the Western wardrobe have seamlessly bled into the mainstream over the past few years. And when styled right, they’re surprisingly chic (yes, even bolo ties). Thanks to its decades-long romanticization across popular media—from Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” to Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter”—the look feels at once retro and timely, embodying an Americana spirit of adventure and freedom, while simultaneously allowing for modernization and reinvention. And despite being acceptable rodeo attire, the trend perfectly melds with everyday basics, encompassing both your faded vintage Levi’s and your favorite suede Frye boots. -EE

UNIQUELY MINNESOTA

Best Unexpected Celeb Collab: Ben Percy with Stephen King

This year, Minnesota author Benjamin Percy teamed up with horror legend Stephen King on “The End Times,” a serialized post-apocalyptic newspaper novel. Printed at the Ortonville Independent, the project is both a throwback and an experiment in form. In August, Percy told us, “King has always taken big experimental swings, and that inspired me. So, I sent him a note saying, ‘No pressure, but here’s what I’m doing—it would be amazing if you wanted to contribute. To my surprise and delight, he wrote back within five minutes: ‘Hell yeah, I’m in.’” Check out badhandbooks.com for physical and digital subscriptions. -AT

Best Moment in Minnesota Sports: Minnesota Frost’s Second Walter Cup Win

Last spring, the Minnesota Frost clinched its second consecutive Walter Cup title with a game-winning overtime goal against the Ottawa Charge in Game 4 of the championship series. The electrifying finish secured the Frost’s position as the PWHL’s only repeat champs, a rising dynasty in the league—one that will certainly be going for a three-peat next year. -MH

Best Minnesota Mention in Pop Culture: ‘Love Is Blind’ Season 8

Netflix’s “Love Is Blind” planted its pods in Minneapolis for Season 8, giving viewers a front-row seat to the city’s skyline, hot spots, and drama. From awkward first dates to romantic proposals, the season cast Minnesota as a pop culture backdrop, cementing the Twin Cities as more than a setting—it’s must-watch television. -AT

Best Game Changer: Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn, Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders

Earlier this year, Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn made history as the first male cheerleaders to join the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders squad, redefining what game-day spirit looks like in Minnesota. Their debut sparked heated debate, but also marked a bold step toward inclusivity in professional sports—proving that passion, athleticism, and pride on the sidelines know no gender, and inspiring fans and athletes alike. -AT

Best Symbol of Civic Leadership: Crop Art Portraits of Speaker Melissa Hortman

To honor the late Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were tragically killed in their home earlier this year, some Minnesotans turned to artwork to process their grief. There were at least five tributes to the Hortmans at the Minnesota State Fair’s Crop Art Exhibit, including a detailed portrait of Melissa made by Representative Athena Hollins. A true testament to the indelible mark left by Speaker Hortman on the state of Minnesota, these works capture the couple’s legacy and the community’s profound sense of loss after their passing. -MH

Best New Unique Hideaway: Mirror Cabin at Cuyuna

Tucked deep in Cuyuna’s woods, this isn’t just a cabin—it’s an experience. Set on a secluded mine lake with 5 acres of privacy, this one-of-a-kind escape almost disappears into the forest—thanks to triple-pane glass with UV coating that birds can see but people can’t. Depending on the sun and weather, the cabin blends so seamlessly with its surroundings, that it feels like magic. Inside and out, every detail is designed for both tranquility and adventure, from a hot tub, sauna, and stargazing net to a firepit and private beach. Book online at cuyunacabins.com. -AT