PHOTO BY GEMMA WESTON, COURTESY OF MEET MINNEAPOLIS
Renowned Hmong American restaurant Diane’s Place just announced a significant expansion of its Northeast Minneapolis space—and its poised to turn up the heat on everything diners know and love from James Beard Award-winning chef Diane Moua.
Marking two years since Diane’s Place first opened its doors, the expansion will include a newly remodeled dining room extension, two new private dining spaces, a grab-and-go cafe, and a fully renovated patio. In all, the refresh will add 6,000 additional square feet to the 6,000-square-foot restaurant, greatly increasing its overall capacity while allowing for expanded kitchen operations, more prep space, and a walk-in cooler and freezer.
“Our restaurant is all about community, and this expansion allows us to welcome more guests and create new memories together,” said Diane Moua, owner and executive chef, in a prepared statement. “We want to ensure everyone can enjoy the flavors they love in a setting that feels both comfortable and fresh—whether for a quiet dinner, a special celebration, or a quick bite at our outdoor cafe.”
Already nationally acclaimed for its gourmet pastries and takeout coffees, Diane’s Place is now allowing coffee drinkers to sit and stay awhile—with an inviting, 100-seat outdoor patio attached to a grab-and-go cafe. In addition to familiar favorites like Moua’s acclaimed Crab Rangoon Danishes and Mango, Passion Fruit, and Lychee Croissants (available only at the grab-and-go cafe), the cafe’s full menu will offer select meats from Lowry Hill Provisions, artisanal breads from Baker’s Field Flour & Bread, and botanical beverages from 3LECHE.
Leading the design refresh is Studio Grey, a Minneapolis-based, women-owned architecture firm, while local construction company Building Assets will oversee the build—expanding on its work on Diane’s Place’s original space. The full remodel and expansion is expected to be completed by early summer.
After a year marked by major national recognition—including being named one of Food & Wine’s 2025 Restaurants of the Year and landing on The New York Times’ Top 50 Restaurants list—the expansion arrives at just the right moment, riding a wave of momentum that is sure to put the additional seating to good use. Visit dianesplacemn.com to stay up to date on additional details, and to continue booking brunch and dinner reservations in the existing dining room and private dining space.
