Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Twin Cities / Minneapolis

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in Twin Cities / Minneapolis? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Billy Sushi

4.8

4.8 (13)

$30 and under

Sushi

Downtown / Mill District

About the restaurant

There are ninety-nine different ways to write “sushi” in the Japanese script of kanji. Each with its own unique interpretation and meaning. It was with great deliberation that our founder, Billy, chose 寿司 to best represent his personal interpretation of the word - Celebration of Fish!

That’s exactly how Billy feels about the art of making sushi and the atmosphere that surrounds it - it should be a celebration! Which is why Billy Sushi is more than just a restaurant, it is an experience for anyone who allows themselves to take part.

A three-ring performance of sorts - sushi bar, sake bar and dining room - brought to life by the performances of sushi chefs, bartenders and servers. And the Ring Master and your host, Billy.

Top review

Chris

Dined 4 days ago

Best sushi in MSP by a wide margin. Love the food and ambiance. Still hoping to get down to the private Japanese whiskey collection one of these days!

Nicollet Island Inn

4.8

4.8 (3391)

$31 to $50

American

Downtown / North Loop

About the restaurant

The Nicollet Island Inn has stood witness to over a century of change on the shores of the Mississippi River. The Inn is consistently named the most romantic restaurant in the area and its river views have been voted some of the best in the city. An immediately recognizable Minneapolis landmark, the Inn offers world-class cuisine created by Executive Chef Michael Rain , whose innovative and constantly updated menu includes a variety of seafood, steaks and gourmet specialty dishes. Our wine menu has been chosen specifically to compliment the food and highlight producers from the world's leading wine regions.

Nic's bar, just off the main dining room, is a casual, old-world tavern and the patio offers stunning views of the Minneapolis skyline. The Inn is a convenient, comfortable destination for breakfast or lunch meetings while the 3 or 5-course Sunday Brunch is the perfect weekend indulgence.

Top review

Brwynn

Dined 2 days ago

My fiance and I both stayed at the hotel and ate at the restaurant, both were fantastic. I had the salmon and my fiance had the filet mignon and we would recommend both. The staff were very friendly, efficient, and very kind about my food allergy. We loved it and plan to go back!

Stonegarden

4.9

4.9 (22)

$30 and under

Breakfast

South Minneapolis

About the restaurant

Minutes from Minneapolis-St.Paul Airport (MSP), Stonegarden blends global influences with French technique to create a chef-driven destination for breakfast and brunch. Join us when meeting friends, enjoying a date day, or business lunch; our modern, bright, and warm space is perfect for groups and individuals.

Start with our nourishing bone broths, the Scotch Egg or Maryland Crab Cake. Perhaps, indulge in the Poutine with smoked tomato gravy and sunny egg. Favorites include the French Onion Omelette, Norwegian Benedict with house-cured gravlax, Challah French Toast or delectable tartines.

Pair your meal with our handcrafted cocktails, like the Espresso Martini or Sage 75, mocktails, unique wines, or espresso beverages. Vegan, vegetarian, halal-friendly, and gluten-free choices make Stonegarden inclusive and welcoming.

Open early, Stonegarden is perfect for travelers, locals, and business persons seeking delicious breakfast and brunch.

Top review

RyanVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Overall great food and service. We enjoyed everything and are hoping they think about adding dinner maybe with small plates to enjoy the great bar later than brunch. Highly recommend.

RH Rooftop Restaurant Minneapolis

4.7

4.7 (2820)

$31 to $50

American

Edina

About the restaurant

The RH Rooftop Restaurant resides on the third floor of RH Minneapolis, a nearly 60,000-square-foot design gallery that blurs the lines between residential and retail, indoors and outdoors, home and hospitality. We invite you to enjoy our menu of timeless classics for brunch and dinner, and a selection of wines from esteemed vintners in the United States and Europe.

For group dining inquiries, please email: minneapolishospitality@rh.com

Top review

Alice

Dined 1 day ago

We had a lovely evening with friends. Good food, good beverage, great service, and the atmosphere was wonderful a special visit by Mr. and Mrs. Claus added to the festivities a beautiful place in indeed we will return.

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4.9

4.9 (47)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Downtown / Mill District

About the restaurant

As the name suggests, P.S. Steak was established to continue the story of the historic space that was once famed La Belle Vie. As Chef Mike DeCamp spent 10 years at the former French restaurant, this will be his homecoming and opportunity to write his own chapter for the space. P.S. Steak disrupts the perceptions of a typical steakhouse while honoring the legacy of one of the great culinary foundations in the Twin Cities.
The restaurant features an elevated yet accessible seasonal menu, along with a variety of cuts of meat, dry aged in a display case.
The lounge has been given a modern makeover with chic furniture and marble table tops. A selection of living floor plants divides tables to create intimate seating. Bringing warmth to the room, the bar and adjacent fireplace keeps guests cozied up to a menu of progressive cocktails.

Top review

Melanie

Dined 5 days ago

lounge is outstanding - relaxed, gorgeous room, accessible menu

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Popular dish

Boneless Ribeye

The Capital Grille - Minneapolis

4.9

4.9 (4705)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Downtown / North Loop

About the restaurant

Make it a day to remember. From birthdays and anniversaries to professional milestones, we aim to make every gathering special at The Capital Grille. Open seven days a week, The Capital Grille is best known for our expertly prepared steaks, which are dry aged in house for 18 to 24 days and then hand-cut by our restaurant's on-premise butcher. The Capital Grille's wine list features more than 350 selections, and its floor-to-ceiling wine kiosk regularly houses 3,500 - 5,000 bottles. Reservations are recommended but not required. For more information, please visit our website. We look forward to delighting you.

Top review

Gina

Dined 2 days ago

Five star service all the way! My family was attending a holiday concert at the nearby Basilica in Minneapolis and reserved a table for 8 and we had not been to the Capital Grill in years - We were delighted by the ambiance and we were seated at a splendid large table. Our server(s) were knowledgeable and professional and attentive. The wine selection was excellent and the food was incredibly delicious.

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Lobster Mac 'N' Cheese

Milly's Wine Bar & Bistro

4.9

4.9 (50)

$30 and under

Wine Bar

Northeast Minneapolis

About the restaurant

Just on the edge of downtown, we’re located in the stunning Mill District! Milly’s is a gathering place whether you are a wine enthusiast or novice, we hope to find the perfect pairing for you. Our goal is to make wine accessible, affordable, & fun, with food to delight your taste buds.

Pull up a chair, grab a book, try something new, meet a neighbor or make a new friend. Like we always say- ‘Come for a glass, stay for a bottle!’

Top review

Cate

Dined 6 days ago

Excellent food with excellent service! So quaint and inviting. Love every minute!

Young Joni

4.6

4.6 (808)

$31 to $50

Pizzeria

Northeast Minneapolis

About the restaurant

Young Joni is James Beard award-winning chef Ann Kim's restaurant located in the Arts District of Northeast Minneapolis. The menu is inspired by wood fire cooking and features an array of globally influenced dishes and signature pizzas. Dining Room reservations are offered for dinner and weekend brunch; walk-ins are available at our bar and community table.

Young Joni is the recipient of 2019's James Beard Award for "Best Chef Midwest"; it has been featured in the New York Times and Vogue, and on Netflix's "Chef's Table: Pizza."

Tucked discreetly behind Young Joni is the back bar, serving full and no-proof craft cocktails and pizzas in a warm, analog setting. Esquire named it one of 2019's Best Bars in America and Eater called it an "Essential Minneapolis Bar." Walk down the alley alongside Young Joni and look for the red light; when the light is on, the back bar is open. Back bar reservations are available, and walk-ins are always welcome.

Top review

Barb

Dined 1 day ago

Great server - fabulous food - attentive staff - we WILL be back!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Experience

NYE Celebration Dinner

Experience

Chef's Counter

801 Chophouse - Minneapolis

4.8

4.8 (1155)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Downtown / Loring Park

About the restaurant

Experience only the finest, aged, USDA prime steaks and attentive, personable service in an authentic New York style steakhouse right in the heart of Minneapolis. Combined with a daily fresh sheet that includes Maine lobster, innovative side dishes, small-batch bourbons and scotches, and an award-winning wine selection from vineyards around the world, you're sure to have an amazing culinary experience you won't find anywhere else in the Twin Cities.
Please contact the restaurant directly for parties 6 or more and for private dining options.

Top review

ShawnVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Really good . And more value for what you pay then you would expect . Prime rib was fantastic, service was great. Not one complaint

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Feller's Ranch New York Strip

Butcher & the Boar

4.6

4.6 (79)

$31 to $50

American

Downtown / Mill District

About the restaurant

We are fine-casual dining with a fire at the core of its heart. Through the smoke and whiskey ashes of the previous iteration which closed its doors in 2020 rises a new haze of smoke and whiskey as we bring back this iconic brand, smoked meats, bourbon, beer, deep hues, and various spaces to a new location in the North Loop. Butcher & The Boar will honor its beloved roots, while spreading new ones in the fresh foundation that will help our guests embark on a journey with notes of nostalgia that carry the torch forward with new tastes and experiences.

With immense gratitude, we invite you to Live Full Boar with us.

Top review

Kevin

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent experience! Accommodating staff that bumped our reservations back due to weather & slow travel. My clients loved the experience and my new favorite go to restaurant in downtown Minneapolis!

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