Having a favorite dinner spot is something that I find incredibly classy. And Minneapolis is a city that is not short on places to curate your favorites list. I’m wildly protective of the diversifying dining culture in Minnesota, and I’m here to tell you that the foodie community in this State is here to welcome anyone in with joy.

Summer + Minnesota is already a dream so it makes for the perfect time to try out new places in the city, particularly if there’s a patio. You tell me why eating outside makes everything look prettier, taste fresher, and make for just a better overall experience?

My love language is a reservation some place in North Loop at 6:00 and then a golden hour walk across the Stone Arch Bridge. And, lucky for me, my love language was entertained many a time this past summer.

Here are my winning summer dining places. Ranked for quality of food and community.

Porzana

The crispest glass of Prosecco I’ve ever been served on a warm and humid weeknight evening. Paired perfectly with their beef tartare (a must get) and the Bigoli alla Vodka. I love a dining experience in a venue where I can hear the chatter and life of the city around me. We stayed too long, ate too much, and had deep conversations in this sweet little ally patio.

Spoon & Stable

If I’ve hosted you, we’ve made this a feature of our time together. If you’ve ever asked me about my favorite restaurant, you’ve heard this name. At this point (and as a matter of my pride), it’s rare for me to be asked by staff if it’s my first time dining with them. To be a familiar face in a local place is top tier human-ing, to me.

I’m a loyal, loyal fan of S&S and the Chef’s counter is my favorite seat in the house. I love to enjoy a meal here with friends or by myself. I’m someone who very much does not mind dining alone. Solo meals are just considered a feature of my personal time, and if you’re looking to break into this habit then this is a great place to start.

Colita

This is my “for the girls” recommendation. Colita is an armatage tex-oaxacan restauarant with vibrant and diverse flavors of Mexico. They have a gorgeous cocktail/mocktail menu and the aesthetic in their Edina location is a favorite of mine. Highly recommended for tapas, a cute drink, a fun outfit and conversations full of laughter… with dessert, of course. Did you know the word “dessert” comes from a French word which means “clear the table?” That fact alone has convinced me to say yes everytime the option is available.

And that’s that! Send me your favorites. The summer dining list of 2026 is already much too long, but you’ll hear no complaints from me.

With love,

Kaia