Northeast Minneapolis is a blend of history, creativity and culture. It's Minneapolis' most artsy neighborhood with its thriving theaters and art galleries, but it also has an incredible food scene where you can get every kind of cuisine imaginable. You'll find lively breweries, charming cafes, international flavors and so much more. Here, local food writer Mecca Bos shares some of her favorite Northeast foodie spots, and we recommend a few of our own.

Learn more about Mecca Bos

Everybody loves to show off their hometown to new people, but I think Minneapolis really, really likes to do it. We like to do it because there are so many untold stories here, and there are so many preconceived notions about who we really are. As a born and raised Minnesotan who has been writing about our local food scene for 15 years, it’s one of my life’s great pleasures to continually expose the authentic, nuanced soul of Minneapolis, and specifically, of Northeast. Find the neighborhood with the highest concentration of bars and churches, and you’ll know you’re on the right path. In our town, that’s Northeast Minneapolis, “Nordeast” to the fully initiated, an affectionate nod to the Polish-accented way of pronouncing the neighborhood. Always a community of immigrants, Lebanese and Eastern European working classes arrived in the early 1900’s to work in grain mills, sawmills, factories and railroads. The neighborhood has more recently attracted a large influx of African American, Latin American and Somali populations. The end result is a captivating mix of food, culture, and excellent neighborhood bars. If I had a friend coming to town for the weekend, these are the places I would take her in Northeast. They’re packed (packed!) with wondrous eats and drinks.

Stray Dog

Get started on your Northeast food journey at Stray Dog. This is the sort of bar you need in any city to get your bearings. It's a locals hang with all the beers, all the burgers, but also a scratch food pedigree that gives, say, chicken and waffles the attention it deserves. Have a basket of hand-cut fries (regular, truffle, fennel, or togarashi ) and a brew.

Aster Café

Head to the St. Anthony Main Riverfront and grab late breakfast or early lunch at Aster Café. If you happen to be here on a Sunday, take in the Swing Brunch with live music from 11 am to 2 pm. This is the place to go if you’re in the mood for sharing and nibbling. Order a big charcuterie or cheese plate and linger over coffee and mimosas.

Pracna

Pracna is the oldest tavern in Minneapolis, dating back to 1890. Take in the sights of the rolling Mississippi and contemplate the milling history responsible for why all this industry is here in the first place. Known for their enormous Bloody Mary garnished with a whole pickle, be sure to order one of these — considering the history, this room was made for drinking.

Holy Land Grocery and Deli

Holy Land Grocery and Deli is one of our true local treasures, where a hummus factory churns out thousands of tubs daily for local and international distribution. The dine-in deli, bakery, and grocery is an ideal spot for loading up on unexpected edible souvenirs and and gifts. Holy Land has been meeting our Mediterranean dining needs since 1986.

Recommended items: Persian beef kebabs on tandoori bread; Holy Land hummus and pita bread (travels great!)

Sociable Cider Werks

While Northeast is one of our best brewery districts, go slightly off the beaten path over to Sociable Cider Werks, where the tasting room offers locally produced hard cider, food trucks, and live music.

Hai Hai

A short distance away from Sociable is Hai Hai, where young wunderchef Christina Nguyen opened a Vietnamese restaurant inspired by a mashup of street food, dishes from her childhood, and classic recipes. Our large Vietnamese population is one of our famed local calling cards, but Nguyen’s “next generation” take on things will offer the “deep cuts” true Vietnamese food enthusiasts have been craving. Plus, the outdoor bar is charming as hell.

Recommended dishes: Banana blossom salad; fried wontons with chicken liver and passion fruit chili sauce.

Young Joni

Young Joni is one of the country’s top restaurants of the moment, specializing in Korean-influenced pizza. But, they also serve up some stellar cocktails. Head into the alley, where a red speakeasy lights will indicate that you’ve come to the right place to indulge in a pitch-perfect craft cocktail nightcap. I describe this place as your cool dad’s basement rumpus room, complete with wood paneling and way better sound system. Choose from well-curated cocktail lists affixed into old-fashioned photo albums.

Bunker's Music Bar & Grill

For a brag-worthy night out, head to Bunker’s Music Bar & Grill for Dr. Mambo's Combo. This Sunday night house band has played the venue for thirty years, and the stage has famously boasted surprise visits by Prince and many of his proteges over the years. The music is a hard-hitting mix of soul and funk classics, and a diverse cross-section of every kind of person crams the dance floor—it’s irresistible to do anything but.

There are so many tasty hidden gems in Northeast! After you've crossed Mecca's recommendations off your list, try some of our favorites.

STEPCHLD

At STEPCHLD you’ll be transported to a moody jungle, which makes for a cozy atmosphere perfect for date night. The menu is filled with international flavors and fusions, an extensive wine list, and a short cocktail menu. Try the Ethiopian birria tacos, lavender nori shrimp, the Cooper Burger, or sweet potato fritters for dessert.

Marty’s Deli

Here, you’ll find superb sandwiches on fluffy focaccia. The simple menu has five sandwiches to choose from – customers love the Uncle Pete (a gourmet take on the classic BLT) and vegetarians will enjoy The Seward for its cauliflower, whipped feta, beets, pesto, and arugula. If you can get there before 11 am, build your own breakfast sandwich – they’re to die for.

Hazel’s Northeast

Looking for a good breakfast spot? Hazel’s has a homey atmosphere and serves classic, American breakfast. Share one of their caramel pecan rolls, and don’t skip out on their waffles or hash browns, which come served like cheesy potato pancakes. Hazel’s is also open for lunch and dinner, and on Wednesdays, all kids eat 50% off.

Earl Giles

Step into this distillery and you’ll feel like you’re in a tropical oasis. The taproom is lined with shelves filled with luscious plants, which makes for the ultimate happy hour. They’ve got rotating cocktails but check out their “oh-gees” – the Rabbit Kick and Quincy Cosmo are some of our favorites. Don’t skip on their pizzas either! Try the Pizza Indeed, which comes topped with chorizo, jalapenos, and drizzled with hot honey, or some of their pies with unusual toppings (like noodles and panko).

Indeed Brewing

There’s a reason why this brewery is packed most nights and not just on the weekends. Their taproom is cozy, and the summer patio is spacious and bright. Most importantly, Indeed’s beer, like the Pistachio Cream Ale, is the talk of the town. Grab a pour and settle in for live music, comedy nights, trivia, or just good conversation.

Francis Burger Joint

This is for the vegans...Francis Burger Joint on Central Avenue is a completely plant-based and gluten-free burger haven. They've perfected their plant-based meat substitutes and black bean patties, so much so that non-vegans will love eating here, too. We recommend the Garlic Girl and their Spicy Chicken Sandwich.

La Colonia Restaurant

Further down the road from Francis is the family-owned La Colonia Restaurant. Here, you'll find hearty portions of authentic Ecuadorian and Columbian cuisine. While La Colonia's dishes are unique, they're made with ingredients we all know and love - savory beans and rice, juicy steak, fresh avocado, and more. Try the Bandeja Paisa: a huge plate of plantains, beans, rice, avocado, fried pork belly, sausage, and grilled steak.