The economy is tough—we’re dining out less, spending more, and worrying more. So, imagine being a server or bartender hoping people show up on a Wednesday night, or taking the leap to open a new spot last year. Luckily, we have dedicated dishwashers, servers, cooks, and owners willing to roll the dice and emerge as the best of the best.
This year’s class of Minnesota Monthly’s Best New Restaurants is all over the state—continuing a growing trend of restaurant owners expanding their roster beyond the borders of our two largest cities. We’re seeing people open a third or fourth or tenth concept—a less risky risk, perhaps. Mostly, we’re seeing the ambition and creativity that sets Minnesota apart, showing up in the glass and on the plate. We can’t wait to see how these places continue to grow and evolve throughout the year.
Photo by Gabe Stejskal
BEST OVERALL
Liliana
I’m not sure I’ve ever named a suburban restaurant my best new restaurant of the year, but Liliana is special. Ambitious without being pretentious, it’s a restaurant led by women in both the kitchen and the front of house. Chef Kenzie Edinger’s delicate touch with pasta—shaped by years at Mucci’s and Saint Dinette—is everywhere on the menu, from the Italian beef–inspired paccheri to the rolled lasagna rotolo. People can’t get enough of the lobster bucatini, its hint of Calabrian chili balanced by nutty, salty bottarga. Most pasta dishes stay in the low $20s, a remarkable price for this level of quality. Edinger also brings whimsy to the table: her cannoli—a flaky pastry stuffed with chicken liver mousse—might be my favorite small plate of the year. Liliana will remind diners of Estelle, its sibling restaurant, and the cocktails follow suit under the same bar director. Since opening in July, I’ve been telling everyone on the east side to get to Liliana. Now I’m telling the whole state. 10060 City Walk Drive, Suite 102, Woodbury; 651-493-9089; lilianamn.com
BEST DESIGN
Minari
It’s not just the food that provokes emotion at Minari, it’s the room. Bold red is everywhere—passionate, sexy, glamorous. It’s not what I expected the former Erté supper club would be transformed into, but as Chef Daniel del Prado has become more of a creative and culinary director for his restaurants, he has found himself more interested in the design, empowering his chefs to create the food. This place is a winner. Christian Dean Architecture set the open kitchen at the front, like a true proscenium-style stage. Huge windows open the restaurant to the Northeast Minneapolis neighborhood. The minimalist adornments on the walls play with the East-meets-West style of Korean cooking. It’s loud, but not too loud; dramatic but not distracting from the food. The newly branded Pikok Lounge (a play on Erté’s Peacock Lounge) is a place where you could linger for hours. 323 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis; 612-259-8914; minarirestaurant.com
BEST COLLECTION OF HITS
St. Pierre Steak & Seafood
Isaac Becker and Nancy St. Pierre have built a restaurant empire one chart-topper at a time—112 Eatery, Bar La Grassa, Burch, Snack Bar. With St. Pierre, they’re not phoning in a “greatest hits” so much as remixing what people already love. The menu nods to past favorites (hello, Schupfnudeln with gorgonzola), while introducing new headliners like the Barramundi in Crazy Water. Whether you’re grazing on foie gras toast or going big with the $200 bone-in rib-eye, it’s a set list worth savoring—an album of crowd-pleasers elevated by the polish and confidence of a team that knows exactly what diners crave. St. Pierre feels both fresh and familiar, the mark of restaurateurs at the top of their game. 800 Washington Ave. N., Minneapolis; 612-383-2848; stpierrerestaurant.com
Photo by Earth Girl Creative
BEST COUNTER SERVICE
Cafe Yoto
Combine the Twin Cities’ hottest neighborhood, a creative young chef who trained with the best Japanese chef in the Midwest, and freshly made noodles, and it’s going to be hard to miss with that combo. And Chef Yo Hasegawa does not miss with Cafe Yoto. The Japanese udon noodles are the star of the show—thick, chewy, and perfect for soaking up deeply flavorful broths and sauces. Don’t overlook the temaki: crispy nori handrolls filled with ahi tuna, salmon, and other pristine proteins, all wrapped around silky Yumepirika rice from Hokkaido, Japan. The menu feels both transportive and approachable, pairing high-level technique with counter-service ease. Add in the warm hospitality, bright atmosphere, and steady stream of regulars, and it’s clear why Cafe Yoto became one of 2025’s most exciting openings. Casual, fun, and beautifully executed—exactly the kind of spot we hope to see more of. 548 N. Washington Ave., Suite 105, Minneapolis; 612-913-4226; cafeyoto.com
BEST NEW RESTAURANT CORNER
Mirabelle, Shiki, Parlour & Vagabondo
Who would have guessed that the corner of Water and Second streets in Excelsior would become one of the hottest dining hubs in the state? Mirabelle and Shiki share the same building, with Mirabelle bringing Jester Concepts’ modern-supper-club, East Coast–resort vibe to the main floor and Shiki serving slurp-worthy ramen and noodles upstairs. Parlour occupies the basement level of that same building, delivering its famed burger and cocktails just a staircase away. Across the street, Chef David Fhima’s Vagabondo is a love letter to his Sicilian roots, featuring extraordinary sourdough pizzas and lush, handcrafted pastas. Together, these four destinations have turned one crossroads into a culinary magnet for locals and visitors alike. Mirabelle: 200 Water St., Excelsior; 952-232-1706; mirabellemn.com; Parlour: 200 Water St., Excelsior; 952-247;4790; parlourbar.com; Shiki: 200 Water St., Excelsior; 952-232-1705; shikinoods.com; Vagabondo: 205 Water St., Excelsior; 763-273-1760; vagabondomn.com
Courtesy of Jester Concepts
BEST IN ST. PAUL
Khue’s Kitchen
What happens when a kid who grew up in our highest-volume Vietnamese restaurant (Quang) trains at our highest-quality kitchen (Spoon and Stable), then opens a restaurant for Generation Z? It’s Khue’s Kitchen. Precise execution and fast service in a very chill environment define Chef Eric Pham’s approach, blending the comfort of his family’s cooking with the technique of a fine-dining pedigree. His Spicy Chicken Sandwich is a must-try, and don’t miss the Sticky Jicama Ribs (you’ll never know they’re vegan) and the Crispy Pork Lettuce Wraps. Add in bright, modern flavors, a playful menu, and a welcoming space that feels instantly familiar, and you have one of St. Paul’s most exciting new dining destinations. 693 Raymond Ave., St. Paul; 612-600-9139; khueskitchen.com
Photo by Kevin Kramer
BEST NEW BAKERY
Razava Bread Co.
The family responsible for the perfect fluffy bun on your quarter pounder with cheese is returning to their small batch, slow-fermentation baking roots. Razava is a collaboration between owner Steve Baldinger and head baker Omri Zin-Tamir. The base for all its bread is a sourdough starter, used in their loaves and bagels. We love the Jerusalem variety: It’s aromatic with infused olive oil and topped with sesame seeds. Great food and coffee on this Grand Avenue spot that feels like it’s been here forever. The pastries are beautifully simple, the kind that showcase technique rather than excess, and the café space hums with the warmth of a true neighborhood hangout. It’s the sort of place that instantly becomes part of your weekly routine—and you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. 685 Grand Ave., St. Paul; 763-338-0853; razavabread.co
BEST BAR PROGRAM
Xelas by El Sazon
Along Highway 36 just outside historic downtown Stillwater, bar director Zoilo Ruacho-Marquez and bar manager Daniel Torres are making some history of their own. This is a bar without typical brand names—loaded with small-batch producers from Latin countries, focused on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. Don’t miss the Cenote, a clarified coconut milk mezcal margarita that’s clean, smoky, and beautiful. The Old Fashioned uses Zacapa rum from Guatemala and has a smooth, rich, layered quality—the fermentation of the moment highlights a rotating spirit with seasonal spices and fruits. Some of the best cocktails in the state, priced at $14. What sets Xelas apart is its reverence for craft and culture—each drink feels like a conversation with the regions that inspired it. The bar team brings deep knowledge and real joy to the experience, making this a destination for anyone serious about cocktails. It’s a bold, transportive program that pushes Minnesota’s drinking scene forward. 1180 Frontage Road W., Stillwater; 651-571-3170; elsazonmn.com/xelas
BEST SPEAKEASY
The Farmer’s Cellar
I’m telling you to go to a gas station in Lakeville for some of the best cocktails I had all year. The Farmer’s Cellar is behind a wall that appears to be a cooler with sodas, but swing the door open and you’ll reveal a hidden room with excellent food and even better drinks. The Farmer’s Cellar has you smiling from the second you exit the bright LED lights of the C-store and enter the dark world of bar manager Grant Mohwinkel. He has helped create cocktails at south metro independent hot spots like Volstead House, Bourbon Butcher, and Whiskey Inferno. Don’t miss the Basil Gimlet and the Avant Gardener, a vegetal martini riff with tequila. What makes this spot unforgettable is the sense of discovery—it truly feels like stepping into another world, one that rewards curiosity with warmth, personality, and an impeccably crafted drink. The team brings a level of care and creativity that sets the bar high. 8333 210th St. W., Lakeville; 952-255-8413; thefarmerscellar.com
Photo by Terry Brennan
BEST EXPENSE ACCOUNT
Stock & Bond
Am I crazy to tell you to get the pork chop at Minnesota’s newest steakhouse? Stock & Bond feels like big money from the second you walk in the door—the renovation of a former bank is stunning. The lighting is dim, and it feels more like a club than a restaurant. The bone-in rib-eye steak is a couple bucks more expensive than Manny’s, but when you’re close to $100, who really cares? The shrimp cocktail is truly colossal, and at $8 a shrimp, it should be! The pork chop comes in a cast iron pan on top of a grainy mustard sauce—it’s juicy, smoky, rich, just perfection. It’s the sort of dish that reminds you why certain restaurants earn their splurge-worthy status. And paired with Stock & Bond’s polished service and luxe atmosphere, it turns an ordinary dinner into a full-on experience. Whether you’re impressing clients or simply treating yourself, this is a place built for memorable nights. 88 S. Sixth St., Minneapolis; 952-260-8878; stockandbondmn.com
Road-Trip Rewards
When the craving calls, these out-state restaurants deliver. –Alesha Taylor
BEST HOSPITALITY
KAVO Italian Eatery
Opened in September 2025, KAVO Italian Eatery has quickly become St. Peter’s go-to spot for great food and even better hospitality. Housed in the historic First National Bank building, the space blends old-world charm with a warm, welcoming vibe. Behind it all is ATOM Hospitality Group—the Mankato-based team known for local favorites like Tav on the Ave, Dino’s, Sky One Eleven, and Flask Bar. True to ATOM’s name (“A Touch of Magic”), KAVO delivers memorable meals and friendly service that make every visit feel special—whether you’re stopping in for handcrafted pasta, a glass of wine, or a cozy night out. 225 S. Minnesota Ave., St. Peter; 507-308-5286; kavoitalianeatery.com
Photo by Allison Derry/Maria Johnson
BEST OUT-OF-TOWN TABLE
North Stone Kitchen
Downtown Rochester’s dining scene got a major upgrade with North Stone Kitchen, the new restaurant inside the Marriott. Led by chefs Frank and Ryan DuBois, this modern American eatery blends comfort and sophistication with standout dishes like house-made gruyere cheese curds, pear flatbread, walleye, and a bone-in Duroc pork chop. With its chic design, craft cocktails, and cozy patio just steps from the Mayo Clinic, North Stone Kitchen is a stylish yet relaxed destination that’s absolutely worth the drive. It’s the kind of place that turns a simple meal into a memorable getaway. 101 First Ave. SW, Rochester; 507-285-2766; northstonekitchen.com
Courtesy of North Stone Kitchen
HONORABLE MENTION
Chicken N’ Whaaat?!
The newest addition to the Duluth Grill family, Chicken N’ Whaaat?! serves up golden fried chicken sandwiches, tenders, and fried apple hand pies in a playful space covered with quirky chicken murals by Kevin Ballecer and Mela Nguyen. The menu is tight but thoughtful, built around high-quality ingredients and inventive sauces that make every order feel a little indulgent. It’s the kind of place where locals quickly become regulars, drawn back by both the food and the friendly staff. Whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch or a casual dinner, Chicken N’ Whaaat?! delivers fun, flavor, and a dose of Duluth personality. 231 N. Central Ave., Duluth; 218-206-6684; chickenandwhat.com
Courtesy of Chicken N' Whaaat?!
