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11 Best Italian Restaurants in Minneapolis

I fell in love with Italian food when I visited Rome several years ago.

italian restaurants in minneapolis serves spicy lasagna

Since then, I have constantly stopped at Italian restaurants trying to recapture those bites of spaghetti carbonara, lasagna, and ravioli I had in Italy.

I visited a friend in Minneapolis earlier this year, and we both share a love for Italian food.

We spent the rest of my time there visiting as many Italian restaurants as possible.

After trying what feels like every Italian restaurant in Minneapolis, I’ve compiled a list of my favorites for you.


Bar La Grassa

800 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Phone: 612-333-3837
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You will find Bar La Grassa near the corner of North 10th Ave and North Washington Ave in the Warehouse District of Minneapolis.

It is just west of the Mississippi River and the North Loop Playground. Bar La Grassa is the perfect place to grab a bit to eat and a drink after enjoying the park and walking along the Mississippi River.

This fantastic restaurant is run by award-winning chefs Isaac Becker and Nancy St. Pierre, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

I ordered the spaghetti carbonara, and it was incredible. The pasta was perfect. The sauce had just the right amount of creaminess.

Don’t forget to order off the wine list. It is extensive and of high quality.


Broder’s Pasta Bar

5000 Penn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419
Phone: 612-925-9202
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Broder’s Pasta Bar is near the corner of West 50th Street and Penn Ave South in the Fulton neighborhood.

It is south of Lake Harriet and north of the newton Sledding Hill. Broder’s is the perfect place to stop after working up an appetite sledding in the winter.

Broder’s serves up authentic house-made pasta and risotto that has kept customers coming back since 1994.

In addition to their regular menu items, the restaurant has pasta and risotto specials that rotate regularly. I highly recommend ordering the specials.

I had the linguine with hot sausage and chive & mint pesto.

It was my first time trying chive & mint pesto, and I fell in love with it. You can’t miss this excellent restaurant in south Minneapolis.


ie – Italian Eatery

4724 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Phone: 612-223-8504
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In the Northrop neighborhood, you can find Italian Eatery on the corner of East 47th Street and Cedar Ave South.

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It is just east of the Hiawatha Golf Couse and is a great place to stop after playing 18 holes. Italian Eatery prides itself on providing quality Italian food to the neighborhood.

Only the freshest ingredients are used to create traditional Italian dishes and will delight your tastebuds.

I ordered the lasagna, and it was fantastic.

The sauce was flavorful. I also highly recommend garlic bread. I thought all garlic bread was the same, but Italian Eatery proved me wrong.


Punch Pizza

Multiple locations
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Punch Pizza is one of the best pizza spots in all of Minneapolis. As a result of its popularity, several branches have opened up, so you never have to travel far to enjoy a delicious Neapolitan pizza.

When you come to Punch Pizza, you have to order a pizza. They have a variety of classic and white pizzas.

However, I recommend creating your pie. There is nothing better than making a pizza with your favorite toppings.

I ordered a pepperoni, mushroom, and black olive pizza. The pizza was thin and crispy, just the way I like it.

The sauce was also delicious and not too sweet. Make sure to try one of their desserts as well.


Monello

1115 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Phone: 612-353-6207
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Monello is in the IVY Hotel Residences on the corner of 2nd Ave South and South 11th Street in the Downtown West neighborhood.

This restaurant is conveniently located in downtown Minneapolis and is easily one of the best Italian restaurants in Minneapolis.

The southern regions of Italy inspire Monello’s, and the menu features fresh, handmade pasta.

The dishes are meant to be shared and are perfect for family-style dining.

I ordered the fusilli with ragu bolognese, and it was terrific.

I have eaten a lot of bolognese, and this was the best I have had outside of Italy.


Pizza Lucé

Multiple locations
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Pizza Lucé might be the best pizza in Minneapolis and deserves its spot among the best Italian Restaurants in Minneapolis.

This pizza join specializes in homemade specialty pizza that often has nonconventional ingredients.

There are Pizza Lucé all over Minneapolis, so you are never far from one of their unique creations.

The most popular menu items are the Wild Mushroom and the Baked Potato Pizza.

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I ordered the Baked Potato Pizza, and it did not disappoint. I enjoyed their selection of beer as well.


Red Rabbit Minneapolis

201 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Phone: 612-767-8855
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Red Rabbit Minneapolis is on 2nd Ave North and North Washington Ave in the Warehouse District.

This delicious eater is just south of Nicollet Island, and I highly recommend visiting for some delicious Italian food after walking up an appetite in the park.

Red Rabbit specializes in authentic Italian food in a homey and comfortable setting.

You feel comfortable when you enter this restaurant, and the food does not disappoint.

I ordered the chicken parmesan, and it was fantastic.

The sauce was flavorful, and the chicken was cooked perfectly. I would order this over and over. I also highly recommend their martinis.


Amore Uptown

1601 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Phone: 612-823-0250
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Amore Upton is on the corner of highway three and Irving Ave South in the Calhoun Isles neighborhood.

This fine restaurant is just east of Lake of the Isles and is worth visiting for the high-quality Italian food the chefs cook.

The menu at Amore Uptown is classic Italian, with a few unique dishes you will not find at other restaurants.

The pasta is all homemade, and the quality of the ingredients is top-notch.

I ordered the spaghetti carbonara, which tasted like I was in Italy. If you are free on the weekend, I also recommend their brunch.


Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant

1204 Harmon Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Phone: 612-288-0138
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You will find Buca di Beppo near the corner of South 12th Street and Harmon Place in Central Minneapolis.

It is just east of Minneapolis College and Loring Park.

This friendly Italian restaurant is popular with college students and tourists alike. Buca di Beppo is known throughout the US for excellent Italian comfort food.

I ordered the Chicken Marsala, and it was huge! I could not finish it by myself, but it tasted great.

The service was also amicable, and I felt like eating in someone’s home.


Prima

5325 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419
Phone: 612-827-7376
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You can find Prima just south of Minnehaha Creek near the corner of Lyndale Ave and West 54th Street.

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This neighborhood Italian restaurant has kept happy customers coming back since 1999.

The menu features classic Italian dishes with a modern twist. The pasta is all homemade, and the ingredients are locally sourced.

I ordered the butternut squash ravioli, and it was delicious.

The pasta was cooked perfectly, and the sauce was flavorful. I also highly recommend their recommended wine pairings.


Rinata Restaurant

2451 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55405
Phone: 612-374-8998
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Rinata is in the Calhoun Isles neighborhood on the corner of Hennepin Ave and West 25th Street.

This fabulous restaurant serves classic Italian food using seasonal ingredients and handmade pasta.

You can smell the difference as soon as you walk in. It smells of freshly baked bread and freshly cut herbs.

I ordered the lasagna, and it tasted like heaven. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a truly authentic Italian dining experience.


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Written by Brian Nagele

Brian attended West Virginia University, then started his career in the IT industry before following his passion for marketing and hospitality. He has over 20 years experience in the restaurant and bar industry.

As a former restaurant owner, he knows about running a food business and loves to eat and enjoy cocktails on a regular basis. He constantly travels to new cities tasting and reviewing the most popular spots.

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