Minneapolis, MN is known for its comfort food. One of those types of comfort foods it has plenty of is Italian cuisine. If you’re visiting the Minneapolis area and you have a serious taste for some Italian, you’ll have plenty to choose from. Here are the 15 Best Italian Restaurants in Minneapolis.
Red Rabbit Minneapolis
$$ | (612) 767-8855 | WEBSITE
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Known for its authentic, uncomplicated Italian food, Red Rabbit Minneapolis has received plenty of strong reviews from its customers. Many Minneapolis residents and tourists have been drawn to its warm and inviting environment.
Besides the fresh variety of inexpensive Italian cuisines such as pasta, pizzas, meatball appetizers, and more, you’ll also get a kick out of Red Rabbit’s creative cocktails. Come for a fresh Italian meal and delicious wine at Red Rabbit Minneapolis. Bon Appetit!
Bar La Grassa
$$$ | (612) 333-3837 | WEBSITE
Another authentic Italian eatery in a busy North Loop location, Bar La Grassa’s diverse menu is heavily favored by its customers. Their menu offers 8 different types of bruschetta, including the Soft Eggs & Lobster with Truffle Oil.
You’ll also see a wide variety of pasta dishes made with fresh ingredients, such as the Smoked Spaghetti All Chitarra with Brown Butter and Lobster.
Enjoy this cuisine with one of their long list of fine wines. If you plan on visiting Bar La Grassa, it’s highly recommended that you make reservations because this place fills up fast in the evenings.
Rinata Restaurant
$$ | (612) 374-8998 | WEBSITE
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One customer calls this place “the best spaghetti and meatballs in town.” Rinata Restaurant offers seasonal specials, as well as classic handmade pasta, pizzas, and freshly baked focaccia. Its intimate environment makes it a great place to take your date.
Their menu also offers antipastas, roasted cauliflower, and broccolini, if you prefer something light. Visit Rinata on Sunday evenings where you can get a 4-course meal for just $20 a person.
ie – Italian Eatery
$$$ | (612) 223-8504 | WEBSITE
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This next stylish eatery offers a wide variety of options for brunch and dinner. Besides the delicious food, ie- Italian Eatery’s customers have also shared kind remarks about its friendly, knowledgeable staff. Try their brunch selections such as the Panzanella with Salmon and Biscuit Sandwiches.
They also offer vegan options for their dishes. When you visit ie, you will enter a modern, stylish restaurant complete with a seasonal outdoor patio and pergola bar.
Broder’s Pasta Bar
$$ | (612) 925-9202 | WEBSITE
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Enter a cozy neighborhood restaurant complete with a beautiful patio and you will be entering Broder’s Pasta Bar. The south Minneapolis restaurant has been cooking made-to-order pasta and risottos since 1994.
Broder’s Pasta Bar offers a variety of traditional and nontraditional Italian cuisine including the Linguini with Truffle Pesto. The restaurant also offers a seasonal/local menu that a lot of its customers like. After 8 pm, a date menu is offered, including cicchetti, 2 salads, and 2 classic pastas, all for only $40.
Prima
$$ | (612) 827-7376 | WEBSITE
This next intimate Italian eatery owns and operates its farm of freshly-grown produce. Prima offers traditional, made-from-scratch Italian dishes that will make you and your guests’ mouths water.
Their rustic menu offers delicious, fresh pastas, chicken, fish, salads, and beef entrees. Prima also offers a nice variety of simple panini sandwiches for lunchtime. Their menu is constantly changing because of the freshly-made options.
Arezzo Ristorante
$$ | (612) 285-7444 | WEBSITE
If you’re into brick-oven pizza in a comfy, quaint environment, Arezzo Ristorante is the place for you. This Tuscan-style Italian restaurant has an old-school feel to it complete with historical murals.
The menu has plenty of authentic Italian dishes to offer including pizza, calzone, dried pasta, and “melt-in-your-mouth gnocchi.” Voted as one of the Top Six Italian Restaurants by Minnesota Monthly readers, Arezzo Ristorante is a cozy, small restaurant where you will receive fresh, homemade dishes and knowledgeable waitstaff.
TERZO
$$$ | (612) 925-0330 | WEBSITE
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Many customers of this stylish, rustic eatery have raved about its extensive list of Italian wines. When you come to TERZO, you will receive a nice variety of contemporary Italian cuisine on the menu made with seasonal and local ingredients.
You can start with one of their appetizers such as their dairy-free and vegetarian Bruschetta and select one of their main courses such as pasta dish Cavatelli Molisana or entree Branzino. However, the best part about TERZO is their over 300 different wines, brought in through independent and traditional Italian wineries.
Broder’s Cucina Italiana
$$ | (612) 925-3113 | WEBSITE
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Not to be confused with Broder’s Pasta Bar, Broder’s Cucina Italiana is a family-owned Italian market and deli that is located in southwest Minneapolis. On their menu, you will receive a host of homemade pasta, deli sandwiches, and freshly-baked cannolis.
All of their food is made with quality, fresh ingredients. Many customers like to come to Broder’s Cucina Italiana for the take-out. They also offer catering options for any special occasion.
Jakeeno’s Pizza & Pasta
$$ | (612) 825-6827 | WEBSITE
This south Minneapolis restaurant is known for its pizza, but it also fares well in other Italian cuisines. Jakeeno’s Pizza & Pasta is another family- owned and operated spot that has been around since 1975.
Hundreds of five-star reviews raving about their pizza make it the place to be for take-out or delivery. Jakeeno’s offers thin-crust pizza as well as vegetarian options such as the Vegetarian Special. They also offer plenty of appetizers, pasta dishes, soups, salads, and more.
Fat Lorenzo’s
$$ | (612) 822-2040 | WEBSITE
Here’s another south Minneapolis Italian eatery you’ll enjoy that offers pizza, pasta dishes, sausage sandwiches, and gelato, just to name a few. The internationally-known Fat Lorenzo’s restaurant has been around for years serving delicious Italian to thousands of people.
This laid-backed pizzeria has raked up over 1,000 5-star reviews for its diverse menu. In 2013, Fat Lorenzo’s was named on Daily Meal’s 101 Best Pizzas in America. Customers also rave about its delectable gelato, with CBS Minnesota naming it the “Best in Minnesota.” Check out Fat Lorenzo’s mouth-watering extensive menu today.
Giulia
$$ | (612) 215-5450 | WEBSITE
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Located in the heart of downtown Minneapolis, Giulia focuses on Northern Italian cuisine and is in partnership with James Beard Finalist Chef Steven Brown. Every dish on the menu is prepared with locally-minded ingredients.
Some of the highlights on the menu are the fresh pasta dishes, oven-fired pizzas, and entrees such as Bone in Pork Chop Milanese. Some customers not only like the food there but also the decor and overall vibe of the restaurant. If you’re into Northern Italian cuisine, make a reservation at Giulia restaurant today.
Amore Uptown
$$ | (612) 823-0250 | WEBSITE
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This next Italian restaurant offers traditional Italian cuisine with an old-world feel. Amore Uptown is another eatery that comes with hundreds of 5-star reviews from restaurant critics. This is because of their freshly made-in-house pasta, pizzas, sandwiches, desserts, and more.
Some like their appetizers including the Bruschetta Al Pomodoro. Enjoy your meal with family and friends indoors or on Amore’s rooftop patio in the summer. Complete your meal by having a glass of one of their fine cocktails at their full bar.
Monello
$$$ | (612) 353-6207 | WEBSITE
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This sophisticated, airy eatery is located on the ground level of a historical landmark in Minneapolis called Hotel Ivy. Critics describe Monello restaurant’s food as being “fresh and full-flavored.” At Monello, you can expect genuine hospitality as if you were a guest in someone’s home.
Their menu is influenced by the rich culinary traditions of the Campania region. You will be greeted with an array of Italian cuisines such as pasta, salads, and fish and beef entrees.
Monello has an impressive tasting menu and a delicious array of fine wines, cocktails, and beers. Some customers even say that their desserts are to die for as well. The next time you’re in Minneapolis, come to Monello for some fresh Italian dishes.
Tavola Italian Kitchen & Bar
$$ | (612) 389-2299 | WEBSITE
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Located inside Elliot Park Hotel in downtown Minneapolis, Tavola Italian Kitchen & Bar is an upscale neighborhood eatery where you will be treated to mouth-watering cuisine.
Customers and critics who have visited this restaurant have described it as “warm and inviting.” Tavola Italian Kitchen & Bar has a breakfast, lunch, dinner, and happy hour menu. So you can visit it any time of the day and find something. Check out Tavola’s wood-fired pizzas and handcrafted cocktails today.
Summary
As you can see, there are plenty of high-quality, delicious Italian restaurants for you to choose from in Minneapolis. Whether you’ve lived here for years or just visiting, don’t miss your chance in visiting one of the Best Italian Restaurants in Minneapolis on this list.
Kyler Johnston is a certified food lover but a vegan also. He works on his physical fitness, but he never forgets to enjoy food from time to time. At Birch Restaurant, he dramatically contributes to food restaurant ideas, especially places with gluten-free options.
