Best Fine Dining Restaurants in University of Minnesota

22 restaurants available nearby

1. Blondette

4.1

Excellent(103)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary French / American • Downtown / Mill District

Booked 5 times today

Blondette is a French-inspired restaurant, concepted by award-winning Chef Daniel del Prado, offering traditional French cuisine fused with Pacific Northwest ingredients. Housed in a glass-covered atrium complete with an outdoor terrace and one of Minneapolis’ only retractable roofs, Blondette invites guests to mix and mingle under the stars all year long. In addition to dinner daily, each Saturday and Sunday, Blondette serves up elevated brunch fare from 9am - 2pm. Reservations recommended but not required. We also offer curated holiday menus for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Eve, Easter and Mother's Day. LOCATION: Blondette is located on the 5th floor of the iconic Rand Tower Hotel, conveniently attached to the Downtown Minneapolis Skyway. Each of Rand Tower Hotel’s restaurants and bars is a destination all its own, offering locals and travelers a unique culinary journey they won’t find anywhere else.PARKING: $10 valet parking is available with dining validation.

A photo of Butcher & the Boar restaurant

2. Butcher & the Boar

4.6

Exceptional(75)

Price: Expensive

• American • Downtown / Mill District

Booked 50 times today

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.

A photo of 801 Chophouse - Minneapolis restaurant

3. 801 Chophouse - Minneapolis

4.8

Exceptional(1155)

Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Downtown / Loring Park

Booked 41 times today

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.

4. Zelo

4.9

Exceptional(4068)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 58 times today

At Zelo, we serve simple, fresh Italian cuisine made from local ingredients. Our handcrafted meals accompany a thoughtful, approachable wine selection. We believe dining is more than a menu: it is an experience, and ours is quality. When you’re our guest, our staff learn your name and remember your favorite glass of wine. We passionately commit to bring you the full dining experience – quality food and wine presented with welcoming service. Every meal. Every day. Please join us. An enduring Minneapolis destination, Zelo was opened in 1999 by Rick Webb, a Minnesota restaurateur whose pursuits have set the standard in Twin Cities dining for over 40 years. Looking for another unparalleled dining experience in the south metro? Visit Rick Webb’s acclaimed Ciao Bella, the restaurant that inspired Zelo’s handcrafted food and dedicated service.

A photo of Fogo de Chao - Minneapolis restaurant

5. Fogo de Chao - Minneapolis

4.3

Awesome(5073)

Price: Moderate

• Brazilian • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 105 times today

Fogo de Chão is an internationally-renowned steakhouse from Brazil that allows guests to discover what's next at every turn. Founded in Southern Brazil in 1979, Fogo elevates the centuries-old culinary art of churrasco - roasting high-quality cuts of meat over an open flame - into a cultural dining experience of discovery. Please join us in our dining room, in our more casual Bar Fogo, or bring the Fogo Experience to you with Fogo To-Go or Catering. Visit our website to make a reservation or place an order.

A photo of Cafe Lurcat - Minneapolis restaurant

6. Cafe Lurcat - Minneapolis

4.7

Exceptional(5255)

Price: Very Expensive

• American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 28 times today

Café and Bar Lurcat, located next to Loring Park, is a hip, urban venue that boasts serious food and voguish design. Café Lurcat is a perfect blend of classic old world style with a Noveau twist. The expansive bar and lounge is ideal for casual cocktails and a la carte bites, while the romantic dining room creates the perfect ambiance for an exceptional foodie experience featuring sophisticated comfort food. We offer the perfect event venue for family celebrations, trendy parties, marriages, Bar Mitzvahs, showers, charity events, galas, graduations and black tie events. This iconic Minneapolis restaurant continues to age like a fine wine as it approaches its 20th year.

A photo of 801 Fish - Minneapolis restaurant

7. 801 Fish - Minneapolis

4.7

Exceptional(256)

Price: Very Expensive

• Seafood • Downtown / Mill District

Booked 20 times today

When you walk through the doors of 801 Fish you’ll find an elite restaurant offering fresh, refined seafood, exemplary service, an award-winning wine list, and luxurious decor. The freshest concept to the 801 Restaurant Group Portfolio, 801 Fish offers pristine finned fish and crustaceans from the oceans of the world served in our restaurant in St. Louis, Missouri, and Denver, Colorado. Fresh fish, crustaceans, and oysters are delivered to the restaurants daily to guarantee delicious, refreshing and pure cookery. We can promise that our seafood is always served fresh, transported directly from the dock to your table; so fresh, if you closed your eyes you’d feel as though you were eating at a table right on the coast.

A photo of The Melting Pot - Minneapolis restaurant

8. The Melting Pot - Minneapolis

4.7

Exceptional(2861)

Price: Expensive

• Fondue • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 50 times today

Bring your big appetite to the big city. In downtown Minneapolis, The Melting Pot is your quintessential fine-dining restaurant. Start with freshly made salads and handcrafted dressings before you skewer succulent strips of steak, and finish the smorgasbord with our famous chocolate fondue. Desserts rank high here, and just like the complex taste of our entrées, there’s something to be said of our artisan cheeses and luscious chocolates. But in our cozy corner of dessert paradise, we’re more than just a classy addition to Minnesota’s culinary scene. We are casual and approachable, which makes us an excellent choice for reconnecting with long-lost friends, updating loved ones about your life, or simply breaking the ice on a romantic date.

9. The Lexington

4.7

Exceptional(2956)

Price: Expensive

• American • Saint Paul

Booked 57 times today

The Lexington is more than a restaurant, it’s an institution. Located on the corner of Lexington Parkway and Grand Avenue, this St. Paul community was the most fashionable at the turn of the 19th century. The St. Paul elite lived just blocks away and the first electric trolley brought visitors up and down Grand Avenue. The Lexington opened in 1935, after the end of prohibition, and was a popular neighborhood bar to gather and socialize. Previously operating as a speakeasy, the expansive wood panels were perfect for hiding a little booze and one can only imagine the shenanigans going on beyond the hidden staircase behind the coat check. For decades following, The Lex, as it’s called by locals and enthusiasts alike, was the place to be seen; business dealings, cocktail hours, and milestone celebrations were a regular occurrence for St. Paul socialites.

A photo of The Butcher's Tale restaurant

10. The Butcher's Tale

4.8

Exceptional(983)

Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 35 times today

The Butchers Tale presents a fresh approach to the culinary world of artisanal meats, bringing back favorites and introducing new tangy, melt-in-your-mouth options including Wagyu beef, double-cut smoked pork chops, our smoked beef long rib, grilled oysters and other extensive seafood offerings. The Butchers Tale has every mood, taste, budget, and craving covered, from specialty meats and steaks like Wagyu and prime steaks in our main dining room; to juicy burgers, fried chicken and handmade brats on our award-winning patio and beer garden. The Butchers Tale has everything needed to spend memorable time with family, friends and neighbors. We also feature 3 great private dining and event spaces that accommodate groups from 8 people up to 120.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

S
SarahVIP
Minneapolis - St. Paul •12 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Such a magic place. Beautiful and so perfect to celebrate special days. Over the years, Zelo’s has become a part of our life’s journey and celebrations. For any reason; it’s time to go to Zelos. Another perfect evening. We’re so grateful.
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ZeloPrice: Moderate• Italian• Downtown / North Loop
•
4.9
S
ShawnVIP
New York City •28 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 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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801 Chophouse - MinneapolisPrice: Very Expensive• Steakhouse• Downtown / Loring Park
•
4.8
J
Justin
Minneapolis - St. Paul •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
First time here and had a great experience. Staff was attentive and very friendly. Salad bar had a ton of options and was delicious. Meats served table side were generous and served often. Would definitely recommend!
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Fogo de Chao - MinneapolisPrice: Moderate• Brazilian• Downtown / North Loop
•
4.3
S
Sara
Minneapolis - St. Paul •36 reviews
4.0
Dined 4 days ago
Lovely place. Tucked up on the 5th floor of the Rand Hotel. Great vibe and ambiance.
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BlondettePrice: Expensive• Contemporary French / American• Downtown / Mill District
•
4.1
S
scott
Denver / Colorado •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
If you’re a steak lover, this is the place to be. From the moment you step inside, the warm ambiance and attentive staff set the tone for an unforgettable dining experience. The menu boasts an impressive selection of perfectly aged steaks, each cooked to absolute perfection. I ordered the long rib, and it was hands-down one of the best steaks I’ve ever had—juicy, flavorful, and tender with just the right amount of smoke and molasses. The sides were equally fantastic; the brussels sprouts, butcher baked beans, and potato cakes paired beautifully with the meal. Don’t even get me started on the dessert—their long tart was the perfect sweet finale. What sets this steakhouse apart is the attention to detail. From the quality of the ingredients to the knowledgeable staff who guided us through wine pairings, every element felt thoughtfully curated. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just treating yourself to a great meal with friends, this steakhouse is worth every penny. Highly recommend!
More info
Butcher & the BoarPrice: Expensive• American• Downtown / Mill District
•
4.6

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Best Fine Dining Restaurants in University of Minnesota

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22 restaurants available nearby

1. Blondette

2. Butcher & the Boar

3. 801 Chophouse - Minneapolis

4. Zelo

5. Fogo de Chao - Minneapolis

6. Cafe Lurcat - Minneapolis

7. 801 Fish - Minneapolis

8. The Melting Pot - Minneapolis

9. The Lexington

10. The Butcher's Tale

See what locals rave about

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