The 10 Best Restaurants In West End Minneapolis

Minutes from downtown Minneapolis, West End is an exciting shopping area, offering new tastes in everything from clothes to food. The following restaurants are definitely making a lot of waves amidst this eclectic Minnesotan neighborhood, bringing flavors from around the world to one convenient locale. Check them out.

Mill Valley Kitchen

Offering a taste of Northern California in every bite, Mill Valley Kitchen is one of the most tasty restaurants around. Within the sleek interior or sitting on the wide open patio in the summer, guests can indulge in fresh and organic ingredients used to make pork chops, roasted chicken and grilled swordfish, to mention just a few. The menu also serves a variety of vegetarian options along with a selection of freshly made flat breads. Pair all this with one of the many Californian wines, and Mill Valley leaves no one disappointed. Homemade chips and salsa | © jeffreyw/Flickr

Rojo Mexican Grill

In a warm, modern setting with open seating, discover the flavors of a Americanized-Mexican cuisine. Rojo Mexican Grilldoes not claim any authenticity except perhaps its own good flavors that recall the smells and tastes of Mexico while still being completely unique and true to the US kitchen. The interior is styled after a hacienda, with wrought-iron chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Rojo Mexican Grill still manages to evoke a lively atmosphere among all its customers, who come for spicy salsa and packed tacos. Spanish Paella | © Kristina D.C. Hoeppner/Flickr

Blackstone Bistro

Bistro, Restaurant, American

Fusing Mediterranean with classic American, this trendy restaurant is the result of the founder’s travels all over the world, where he experienced a range of diverse cultures and delicious foods. These were brought home and modified to create the fantastic cuisine encountered at Blackstone Bistro, in dishes such as pastas, fresh seafood, lamb and Spanish Paella. All of these are made with the best quality ingredients and can be enjoyed in the comfortable, classy atmosphere of the restaurant.

Wok In The Park

Restaurant, Asian

Simple, handcrafted recipes makes the Asian fusion sensation, Wok in the Park, an incredibly delectable destination. This friendly restaurant brings together cultural dishes from Japan, Vietnam, China, Thailand and France, in a mix of savory flavors. If the smell of fresh and quality food doesn’t draw visitors in, the promise of a welcoming dining setting and outdoor patio will. Guests can have an augmented experience for dinner by sitting in the lamp-lit patio garden, which offers a special atmosphere for enjoying all the best flavors of sweet Zen basil, spring zhing, or hot and spicy seafood, just a few selections from the excellent range of possible entrées here.

Taste Of India

Restaurant, Indian

For those craving the mixed spices of the Indian subcontinent, Taste of India is the perfect solution. This warm and friendly restaurant brings together delicious blends of exotic ingredients in original sauces and curry dishes that are absolutely mouthwatering. The menu also features a wide selection of tasty naan bread, a flat bread that is made in a traditional Indian tandoor. Make sure to get a glass of delicious lassi too, an Indian drink that comes in refreshing strawberry or mango.

Yard House

Lovers of good beer, great food and fantastic cocktails can unite in the vibrant atmosphere of Yard House. This energetic establishment combines a knowledge of craft beers with quality food made from scratch everyday, providing customers with a selection of 100 beers on tap from local providers as well as international brew houses. Yard House uniquely incorporates beer into other menu items, such as the Peachy Belgium, Sunburn and Cocoa Hazelnut Stout. Friendly staff at Yard House will make guests from all backgrounds feel right at home.

McCoy's Public House

Restaurant, American

Get a taste of some favorite American comfort foods with a creative twist at McCoy’s Public House, an attractive and intimate space to enjoy tasty foods like brick-oven pizza and gourmet hamburgers. All the food is made with fresh ingredients and the restaurant participates in Eat Local, a collection of local restaurants that has special offers for customers. At McCoy’s, guests can explore a wide range of tasty seasonal beers that rotate as well as an extensive wine list. This restaurant is even a gluten-free friendly zone, featuring a variety of foods to suit every customer’s needs.

CRAVE

Bar, Restaurant, Contemporary

Featuring ingredients that are locally sourced as well as seasonal, CRAVE offers an experience uniquely its own. Here, guests can relax in the sophisticated yet friendly dining room, or enjoy stellar cocktails on the sunny patio. Visitors can even observe the creation of a meal by taking a seat at the sushi bar. CRAVE is a welcoming atmosphere to all different individuals, and on Sundays, children eat free all day. The restaurant also serves up a selection of intriguing events that make for a good date night, such as ‘Theater Night Out’, which includes dinner and a show.

Yangtze

Bar, Restaurant, Chinese

Proudly presenting all four types of cooking found in China, this restaurant is an exciting and delicious encounter for guests. For this authentic experience, visitors can relax in a warm and comfortable dining room with friends or family. The restaurant has many options, including all the favorite dishes, such as sweet and sour Chicken. At the same time, Yangtze has a full bar and makes a diverse selection of tasty island drinks such as the Yangtze special and Gi Gi. There will be no trouble for guests to find food that fills the stomach at this one.

Cooper Pub And Restaurant

Pub, Restaurant

Elegant and with a splash of the old world in the dining room layout, Cooper Pub and Restaurant is a fantastic choice to explore an Irishpub in an American setting. The pub takes its name from the word ‘cooper’, which refers to a whiskey-barrel maker, and also from the name of the Cooper Theater, a landmark of the area. With dark-wood furnishings and multiple rooms in which guests can enjoy tasty drinks and innovative food, Cooper has much to offer, including a game room and multiple rooms for private events.

About the author

Michelle Schmid

A native of Colorado, Michelle Schmid is an avid writer, reader, and traveler. True to her mountain roots, she enjoys a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, kayaking, and rock climbing wherever she travels. A visitor of many different cities and curious about all cultures, foods, and lifestyles, Michelle is a vibrant scholar of creative writing and classical languages, which she studied during her time at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She loves discovering restaurants, bookstores, gardens, and other hidden-away places that most people might overlook, while collecting sights, sounds, tastes, and sensations to fuel her collection of stories and poetry.