Twin Cities LGBTQ-Owned Restaurants To Try This Pride Month and All Year
June 1 marks the beginning of Pride Month, a nationwide celebration of LGBTQ identity, culture, and community. This year, the 50th-annual Twin Cities Pride Festival will take place at Loring Park in Minneapolis — expect the usual excellent showing of local vendors, food stands, and musical acts, plus perhaps a little extra jubilance for the half-century milestone. (Keep an eye out for a map of whe
Note that these restaurants are listed geographically. Did we miss something?
Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission.
Joan's in the Park
Joan’s in the Park is a lauded fine dining restaurant in St. Paul’s charming Highland Park neighborhood. Make a reservation for a tasting menu dinner and choose four courses from options like charred sunchoke with brown butter, farro carbonara, and filet mignon. Save room for the buttermilk panna cotta.
Workhorse Coffee Bar
Workhorse is a local coffee shop favorite in St. Paul’s St. Anthony Park neighborhood, just off the Green Line. For a light lunch, try the maple yogurt and granola, a pumpkin muffin, or a spinach and feta croissant — on a hot summer’s day, there are few better ways to cool off than with a glass of the house-made switchel (an iced, vinegar-based drink).
The Coffee Shop NE
The Coffee Shop NE has been around in Northeast Minneapolis for nearly 12 years — its menu features fair-trade organic coffee, tea, and classic breakfast and lunch fare. Try the signature chocolate and almond “Killer Chai,” or a seasonal brew like the bumblebee latte, made with honey, lavender, or vanilla. The sandwich selection here makes it a solid spot for a quick lunch.
Dancing Bear Chocolate Northern Chocolate Studio
Dancing Bear Chocolate opened in North Minneapolis in 2020 and has quickly become a popular spot for indulgent chocolates, tarts, and gelato. Stop by for an iced hot chocolate or a tiramisu — or fill up an entire truffle box and take it home.
Hot Indian Foods
A local favorite for Indian street food, Hot Indian Foods operates a stand at Target Field. A paneer tikka kati roll (garnished with curry-spiced yogurt and mint cilantro chutney, wrapped in flaky roti) makes for an excellent pairing with a baseball game.
The Nicollet Diner
The Nicollet Diner serves classic American fare just blocks away from lush Loring Park, near downtown Minneapolis. Come for the all-day breakfast (think chicken and waffles, biscuits and gravy, and crispy loaded hashbrowns), or pair a burger with a cocktail for dinner. The Nicollet Diner also has a wide selection of hand-spun malts, from flavors like graham cracker to black cherry.
Muffin Top Cafe
Just next door to the Nicollet Diner is the Muffin Top Cafe, a community coffee shop in the Loring Park neighborhood. Grab a London fog, a nitro cold press, or a mango smoothie to go, or enjoy some fresh baked goods (like muffin tops) on the back patio.
Cuppa Java
A cornerstone coffeeshop of the Bryn Mawr neighborhood, Cuppa Java serves espresso drinks, coffee, malts, and food out of a cozy storefront on Penn Avenue. The lunch menu features sandwich staples like Reubens, BLTs, and tuna melts — beer and wine are also served for the evening crowd.
Wise Acre Eatery
A farm-to-table restaurant, Wise Acre Eatery serves fresh ingredients straight from its Plato, Minnesota farm. Come for weekend brunch and try a buttermilk cheddar biscuit sandwich with kimchi and gruyere — or for lunch, pair a citrus wild rice bowl with an herbal iced tea.
Bussin’ Birria Tacos
Bussin’ Birria Tacos at the Mall of America has been in the works for a while — its owners closed their Hot Indian restaurants (among the Twin Cities’ most popular spots for Indian street food) at MOA and Midtown Global Market this spring. Though the taco spot isn’t launched quite yet, expect an early June opening, and come for messy, juicy birria bites.