Bar Abilene
Far more than just a bar, this place offers what it calls ‘Cowboy Fusion' cuisine, mixing Southwestern basics with ingredients and flavours from Asian, Mediterranean or other culinary traditions. In addition to the extensive and varied food menu, there are more than 25 freshly-made margaritas, over 100 tequilas and guacamole made by the table. Located next to the Lagoon Cinemas in Uptown, Bar Abilene brings a definite Western feel to the area.

1300 Lagoon Avenue, Minneapolis
Tel: (612) 825 2525.
Website: www.barabilene.com
Price: $

Black Forest Inn
Strudel, schnitzel, sauerbraten, spaetzel - authentic, handmade food in the mode of Old Europe and particularly Germany is on offer at the Black Forest Inn. This is hearty, nourishing, robust and very tasty food that has proved popular with locals and visitors to Minneapolis since 1965. Germanic and Central European food is not very trendy these days, but it is cooked with flair here.

1 East 26th Street, Minneapolis
Tel: (612) 872 0812.
Website: www.blackforestinnmpls.com
Price: $$

Café Brenda
Café Brenda is a gourmet vegetarian and fresh seafood restaurant located centrally in the historic warehouse district of downtown Minneapolis. It has been around for more than two decades and has earned a deserved reputation for innovation in gourmet vegetarian cuisine. The food is superb, based on natural ingredients and offering an exciting and imaginative mix of flavours and textures.

300 First Avenue North, Minneapolis
Tel: (612) 342 9230.
Website: www.cafebrenda.com
Price: $$$

Cosmos
Opened in 2003, Cosmos has sometimes been cited as a restaurant that helped change the fine dining scene in Minneapolis. Serving ambitious, esoteric dishes with a strictly contemporary feel and unhindered by tradition, it has definitely made its mark with its innovative creations. The interior design and décor keep the same high standard, and the service is excellent too.

601 First Avenue North, Minneapolis
Tel: (612) 312 1168.
Website: www.cosmosrestaurant.com
Price: $$$$

Fire Lake, Grill House & Cocktail Bar
Found in the Downtown Radisson Plaza Hotel, Fire Lake, Grill House & Cocktail Bar is a sophisticated, sleek dining room with food to match its elegant interior. Exquisite Midwestern cuisine with a strong touch of the Mediterranean has made this restaurant a well-regarded eating place. The open kitchen and wood-burning oven help to create an intimate atmosphere. The well-priced wine list is very good.

31 South Seventh Street, Minneapolis
Tel: (612) 216 3473.
Website: www.firelakerestaurant.com
Price: $$

Heartland
Sourcing its ingredients from small family farmers and artisanal producers, Heartland serves excellent food with a strong emphasis on natural, organic flavours. North American Midwest regional dishes with ingeniously combined ingredients make for a different and interesting culinary experience. The organic approach is reflected also in the earthy yet vibrant Arts & Crafts décor.

1806 St Clair Avenue, St Paul
Tel: (651) 699 3536.
Website: www.heartlandrestaurant.com
Price: $$$

Kincaid's
An archetypical American eatery, Kincaid's is a traditional fish, chop and steakhouse offering generous helpings of traditional American fare with elegance and flair. Juicy beef from Omaha, salmon from Alaska, fish from Honolulu - the food here is unambiguously American. The wine and beer list is very good. Casually elegant, this is a place with atmosphere and a character of its own.

380 St Peter Street, St Paul
Tel: (651) 602 9000.
Website: www.kincaids.com
Price: $$$

Pazzaluna
Meaning ‘crazy moon' in Italian, this restaurant combines the casual and cool to great effect both ambience-wise and on the menu. The food is effortlessly sophisticated in typical Italian fashion - at once robust and hearty and innovative and elegant. An attractive and highly popular place, Pazzaluna has an artfully designed and stylish interior and a welcoming atmosphere.

360 St Peter Street, St Paul
Tel: (651) 223 7000.
Website: www.pazzaluna.com
Price: $$

Restaurant Levain
Sophisticated and graceful, yet warm and welcoming, Restaurant Levain also opened in 2003 and has made a definite impact on the haute cuisine scene in Minneapolis since then. On offer is creative and flavoursome New American cuisine open to impulses from other culinary traditions. The dining room is spacious and simple, allowing full attention to go to the food on offer.

4762 Chicago Avenue South, Minneapolis
Tel: (612) 823 7111.
Website: www.restaurantlevain.com
Price: $$$$