Minnesota has a food scene that goes way beyond hot dish and walleye. From century-old diners to award-winning Indigenous kitchens, the state is packed with restaurants that have earned their place in people’s hearts — and kept it.
Some have been around for decades, others are newer but already feel like classics. These are the spots locals swear by, visitors seek out, and no one ever gets tired of.
Matt’s Bar (Minneapolis) — The Birthplace of a Legend
Bite into a Jucy Lucy and you will immediately understand why Matt’s Bar has a permanent place in Minnesota history. This no-frills Minneapolis spot is widely credited with inventing the cheese-stuffed burger — a simple but genius idea that changed what a burger could be.
The interior looks like it has barely changed in decades, and that is exactly the point…