Best Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in Dinkytown

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodMexicanComfort Food

Regions

Twin Cities / MinneapolisTwin Cities / Northern SuburbsTwin Cities / St. PaulTwin Cities / Western Suburbs

Areas

BloomingtonCalhoun IslesDowntown / North LoopEdinaMinnetonkaRichfield

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeaway only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

17 restaurants available nearby

1. Milwaukee Road

3.9

Excellent(227)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Downtown / North Loop

Milwaukee Road at the Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot is a favorite among guests as well as Twin Cities residents, featuring distinct menus with specialized and local flare. You can always count on Milwaukee Road for a hearty breakfast buffet to start the day, followed by unique regional lunch and dinner entrées.Our chef combines the best of regional culinary specialties with memorable dishes and tempting desserts – any of which pairs beautifully with a selection from our wine list or one of our many regional craft ales. Enjoy your meal in the gorgeous restaurant dining room or our outdoor seasonal patio; you'll find either setting to be warm, welcoming and distinctly Minnesota.

A photo of Cafe Lurcat - Minneapolis restaurant

2. Cafe Lurcat - Minneapolis

4.7

Exceptional(5278)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 22 times today

Café and Bar Lurcat, located next to Loring Park, is a hip, urban venue that boasts serious food and voguish design. Café Lurcat is a perfect blend of classic old world style with a Noveau twist. The expansive bar and lounge is ideal for casual cocktails and a la carte bites, while the romantic dining room creates the perfect ambiance for an exceptional foodie experience featuring sophisticated comfort food. We offer the perfect event venue for family celebrations, trendy parties, marriages, Bar Mitzvahs, showers, charity events, galas, graduations and black tie events. This iconic Minneapolis restaurant continues to age like a fine wine as it approaches its 20th year.

3. UNION Rooftop

4.4

Awesome(3319)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 39 times today

A word from UNION RooftopExperience the Union of talent, creativity, art, food, and design.Kaskaid Hospitality has been credited with bringing dining in the Twin Cities to new heights, and UNION Rooftop is the crown jewel in its latest unveiling of unique hospitality concepts. Painstaking attention was paid to every detail, from restoring the building’s original architectural treasures to installing the one-of-a-kind retractable rooftop. UNION has engaged a talented culinary team that holds themselves to the highest standards, ensuring every dish is special, surprising, and cohesive. We have created a menu that can be experienced in just the right proportions, from an elegant snack before the theater, to a celebratory private dining tasting menu featuring ingredients that change daily.Valet Parking Available Nightly

A photo of CRAVE - LaSalle Plaza restaurant

4. CRAVE - LaSalle Plaza

4.6

Exceptional(4308)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 22 times today

CRAVE American Kitchen & Sushi Bar was built out of a passion to create a dining experience unlike any other. We combine quality-sourced ingredients, chic ambiance, outstanding service, and diverse menu choices to create an unforgettable dining experience. The energy of the restaurant is all encompassing – the buzz of guests and staff, the warm and open design, the modern sushi bar, the fresh spin on American cuisine, and the sense of discovery around every corner. A CRAVE guest will leave knowing they experienced just the right mix of great food, entertainment, and service in what can only be defined as The CRAVE Experience.

A photo of Chianti Grill - Roseville restaurant

5. Chianti Grill - Roseville

4.8

Exceptional(6778)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Roseville

Booked 42 times today

Nestled near Rosedale Center and Snelling Avenue, Chianti Grill is a celebrated culinary gem, proudly recognized as an OpenTable All-Around Best Restaurant winner. We delight your palate with a vibrant fusion of authentic and contemporary Italian cuisine, alongside aged Angus steaks and seafood. Our dishes are expertly paired with an impressive wine list featuring exquisite selections from California, Italy, and beyond. Experience our welcoming atmosphere and exceptional service ensuring every visit to Chianti Grill is simply the best!

6. The Smack Shack

4.7

Exceptional(1759)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 33 times today

Casual, coastal restaurant in the North Loop. Reservations taken for dining room only, patio seating is available on a first come, first serve basis. Please check in with hosts upon arrival for patio seating.Although named for the boats used to catch lobster, Smack Shack was launched as a food truck in 2010 serving lobster rolls from a land-locked downtown Minneapolis parking lot. Owner Josh Thoma had a great recipe and a belief that appetite for fresh lobster in the Twin Cities was as strong as any coastal city.Smack Shack is committed to serving sustainable seafood and is a current partner in the Minnesota Zoo’s Fish Smart program. Sustainable seafood is wild caught or farm raised seafood that has established practices to ensure the long term growth and thriving populations of seafood with limited harm to the environment.

A photo of Axel's - Roseville restaurant

7. Axel's - Roseville

3.9

Excellent(900)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Roseville

Booked 5 times today

Axels Charhouse is located in the northern suburb of Roseville and is attached to the DoubleTree By Hilton Roseville Hotel. The restaurant features classic American cuisine. Having the availability of various private meeting rooms makes Axels Charhouse the perfect spot for special events. Fine dining enthusiasts have found that the Charhouse is the perfect dining location to return to. Axels, “where traditions and memories are made.”

8. Ciao Bella

4.8

Exceptional(6769)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Bloomington

Booked 79 times today

CURRENTLY, ALL RESERVATIONS MADE WILL BE FOR INSIDE SEATING. PATIO SEATING IS ALL FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE. THANK YOU.At Ciao Bella, we serve simple, fresh Italian cuisine made from local ingredients. Our handcrafted meals are accompanied by a thoughtful, approachable wine selection. We believe dining is more than food: it is an experience, and ours is quality. Enjoy your handcrafted meal on our lively outdoor patio, or take in the local art collection in our dining room. Our philosophy is simple: quality food and wine presented with welcoming service. Every meal. Every day. Please join us. A Minneapolis metro favorite, Ciao Bella was opened in 1997 by Minneapolis restaurateur Rick Webb, whose pursuits have set the standard in Twin Cities dining for over 40 years. Heading downtown? Visit Ciao Bella’s sister restaurant, Zelo, for another dining experience from Rick Webb featuring handcrafted food and dedicated service.

A photo of Pinstripes - Edina restaurant

9. Pinstripes - Edina

4.8

Exceptional(656)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Edina

Booked 8 times today

Pinstripes: Where Sophisticated Fun Meets Exquisite Dining. With over 30,000 square feet of entertainment space, indulge in scratch-made Italian-American cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, and a robust wine list. Enjoy our weekday happy hour from 3-6pm, or don't miss our famous bottomless brunch buffet on weekends. Experience modern bowling and bocce with full-service dining and entertainment options. Perfect for corporate gatherings, celebrations, or family events, our versatile spaces accommodate parties of 20 to 1000 guests. Book your unforgettable experience today!

A photo of Kona Grill - Minnetonka restaurant

10. Kona Grill - Minnetonka

4.1

Excellent(1258)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Minnetonka

Booked 3 times today

Welcome to Kona Grill Minnetonka, located at Ridgedale Center. Kona Grill is a classic American Grill with great steak and seafood - complemented by the best choice of sushi and margaritas at any grill in America. Kona Grill features a global menu of contemporary American favorites, award-winning sushi, and specialty craft cocktails in a polished, casual atmosphere. From brunch & lunch to dinner & happy hour, the restaurant offers a range of freshly prepared dishes from the grill, seasonal menu items and fan-favorite dishes across all dayparts. Kona Grill offers both indoor and outdoor patio dining at all its locations, $3, $6, $9 happy hour offered weekdays & NEW weekend brunch, guided by a passion for quality food and exceptional service.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

G
GaryVIP
Minneapolis - St. Paul •16 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Great menu selection, consistently wonderful food, attentive service.
More info
Chianti Grill - RosevillePrice: Moderate• Italian• Roseville
•
4.8
J
Julie
Minneapolis - St. Paul •8 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
The wait staff was very attentive.Everything from the appetizer, salad and main corse was delicious.
More info
UNION RooftopPrice: Moderate• American• Downtown / North Loop
•
4.4
D
Drew
Minneapolis - St. Paul •1 review
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Nicholas was a wonderful server. So sweet and very attentive!
More info
Cafe Lurcat - MinneapolisPrice: Very Expensive• American• Downtown / North Loop
•
4.7
K
Kathie
Minneapolis - St. Paul •9 reviews
5.0
Dined on 6 Mar 2025
I sat at the bar and had good service delicious cucumber martini fabulous gin and tonic and the traditional poke bowl with ahi tuna was absolutely perfect. Very good experience
More info
CRAVE - LaSalle PlazaPrice: Moderate• American• Downtown / North Loop
•
4.6
C
Callie
Minneapolis - St. Paul •1 review
5.0
Dined on 14 Feb 2025
Loved my meal! And the chai old fashioned was great.
More info
Milwaukee RoadPrice: Expensive• American• Downtown / North Loop
•
3.9

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