The hottest trend in dining right now is private spaces—restaurants are remodeling to create more dining rooms and secluded spaces for you to host an event. Mara just shrunk the main dining room to create a new, slightly larger place to rent. Red Cow in North Loop closed for a month to remodel and added a private space for up to 30. These spots are ideal for the holiday season, special moments, or just because.
Courtesy of Jester Concepts
Truly Private Spaces
THE APARTMENT BY BOROUGH
730 N. Washington Ave., Minneapolis
Up one floor from Borough is a literal apartment with a chef’s kitchen and dining for up to 22. Get food from Parlour or Borough, curate a menu with cocktails, and enjoy full service.
Courtesy of Jester Concepts
BLONDETTE AT THE RAND TOWER
527 S. Marquette Ave., Minneapolis
Now only open for weekend brunch, this sexy restaurant in the Rand Tower Hotel is totally rentable for private events.
THE LYNHALL
2640 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis
Now only for private events, this former restaurant on Lyndale in Minneapolis can do intimate events for 32 up to 150 in the full space.
STEADY POUR
2125 E. Hennepin Ave., Suite 205, Minneapolis
Rent the lounge for 40 people, dining room for 75, or the whole place. Great cocktails, and you can bring your own caterer or use their team.
Jason’s Pick:
MOTHER CO., PLANTS’ EVENT SPACE
2400 N. Second St., Minneapolis
Dramatic cacti, tropical plants, and giant ficus trees. The lush greenery of Mother Co., Plants can be transformed with cozy lounge scenes or a dramatic lit-up landscape. This space makes me swoon—it’s perfect for a small party or microwedding of up to 50 guests.
Courtesy of Stock & Bond
High-End Spaces
THE BUTCHER’S TALE
1121 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis
Here, you’ll find everything from a basement speakeasy for up to 32 and a private entrance to the Bourbon Room for 12.
FHIMA’S
40 S. Seventh St., Minneapolis
Try the private red wine room with seating for up to 12 or the large upstairs mezzanine for up to 150.
MANNY’S STEAKHOUSE
825 Marquette Ave., Minneapolis
I’ve been to dinners in the speakeasy that seats up to 22 and the more intimate Hideaway (up to 14). You can also rent a semiprivate dining room off the main one for up to 28.
STOCK & BOND
88 S. Sixth St., Minneapolis
This new steakhouse has five private dining rooms in a former downtown bank.
Jason’s Pick:
MARA
245 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis
They’ve just built a new private dining room—called Marisol—with room for up to 30 guests. Gorgeous fireplace and natural light with some of the best food in town. They also have a totally private spot through the bar and around the corner. Ideal for a girls’ night.
Courtesy of Mara
Hotel Restaurants
CEDAR + STONE, URBAN TABLE AT JW MARRIOTT MALL OF AMERICA
2141 Lindau Lane, Bloomington
The private dining room seats 18, or you can rent out the bar space for up to 50 guests.
THE CONFLUENCE HOTEL
200 Second St. W., Hastings
There’s a Riverview room inside Missi’s with a view of the Mississippi unlike anywhere else. You can rent the patio overlooking the river, too.
GIULIA AT HOTEL EMERY
215 S. Fourth St., Minneapolis
Plant-filled, light, and exciting dining spaces for group dinners of up to 24 guests.
TULLIBEE AT HEWING HOTEL
300 N. Washington Ave., Minneapolis
This North Loop hot spot has a brick-walled private dining space for up to 25.
Jason’s Pick:
FELLER AT LORA HOTEL
402 S. Main St., Stillwater
Tucked inside Stillwater’s historic Lora Hotel, Feller reimagines Minnesota’s hunter-and-gatherer heritage with a modern, elevated twist. It also has a private event space in the entrance to the caves. Cozy, unique, and seats up to 40.
Photo by Sara Noel Photography
Restaurant Hot Spots
BUTCHER & THE BOAR
901 N. Third St., Suite 195, Minneapolis
The Riebel Room seats eight and is fully glassed-in in the middle of the room.
EATO
305 S. Washington Ave., Minneapolis
The tile screams Italy, and the high ceilings and natural light in this curtained dining room are awesome.
Courtesy of EATO
MYRIEL
470 Cleveland Ave. S., St. Paul
This restaurant just expanded into a space two doors down for private dining events of seven or more.
NICOLLET ISLAND INN
95 Merriam St., Minneapolis
Romantic, historic, and unique. The Sun Room hosts 10, and the Fireside Lounge hosts 24.
SPOON AND STABLE
211 N. First St., Minneapolis
Two private rooms can be combined to accommodate up to 32 guests.
VAGABONDO
205 Water St., Excelsior
The lower level “Capuchin” can be reserved, plus the smaller private dining room is available for up to 18.
W.A. FROST & CO.
374 Selby Ave., St. Paul
There are multiple sizes of private options in the basement of this St. Paul institution, hosting up to 60.
Jason’s Pick:
PORZANA
200 N. First St., Minneapolis
Three private dining spaces upstairs from the restaurant seat smaller groups of 24 up to 70.
Photo by Roy Son
Out of the Metro
THAIPOP
4 Third St. SW, Rochester
A tropical vibe greets you in this outstanding restaurant, seating up to 35 in the Ocean Room.
VA BENE CAFFE
734 E. Superior St., Duluth
“Soffitta” on the second floor offers a great view of Superior Street, with seating for up to 30 people.
Jason’s Pick:
DOMAĆIN WINE BAR
102 S. Second St., Stillwater
Imagine a gathering of two to six close friends in Domaćin’s cellar, or a corporate dinner for six to 10 in the barrel room. There’s a larger space for up to 24 as well.
Private Chefs in Your Home
Chowgirls Catering—Sustainable, farm-to-table in-home meals from chefs who have been doing it for decades.
House of Gristle—The queen of flavor, Chef Jametta Raspberry, will help you craft a crazy experience in your own home.
Sameh Wadi—One of the Twin Cities’ finest chefs, I miss Wadi’s Saffron more than any other restaurant. But you can have this “Iron Chef” winner in your home.
Sushi by Baaska—An experienced private chef will come to your home and prepare an amazing eight-course curated menu, while you just sit back, enjoy your company, and have a wonderful night.
Union Hmong Kitchen—Have a Hmong feast in your home: purple sticky rice, Hilltribe chicken or pork, all inspired by the feasts Yia Vang used to have with his family.
