Cosmos has been credited with helping to develop Minneapolis' fine dining scene. A sleek, modern interior and fine service add to the ambiance. Serving ambitious, eclectic dishes with a strictly contemporary feel and unhindered by tradition, it has definitely made its mark with such innovative creations as crab cakes with caviar or the sausage stuffed chicken breast with bok choy, kimchee cream cheese, peanuts, and pear ginger sauce.

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 unique and interesting culinary experience. The organic approach is reflected also in the earthy yet vibrant arts and crafts décor.

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 menu also boasts classic cocktails, a good variety of wines by the bottle and the glass and several beer choices. Casually elegant, this is a place with atmosphere and a character of its own.

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 and 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.

Strudel, schnitzel, sauerbraten, spaetzel - authentic, handmade food in the mode of Old Europe and particularly Germany- is a specialty at the Black Forest Inn. Since 1965, this hearty, nourishing, robust and very tasty food has proved popular with both locals and visitors.

Café Brenda, located in the Minneapolis' historic warehouse district, has been around for more than two decades. The cuisine, based on natural ingredients and offering an exciting and imaginative mix of flavours and textures is lip-smacking. Its reputation as an innovative gourmet vegetarian and seafood restaurant springs from offerings like southwestern mock duck tacos and savory wild mushroom pistachio pie.

Both a jazz club and restaurant, this is the place for good music, tasty food and a very respectable wine list. Autographed photos of artists like Ahmad Jamal, who have performed here, decorate its brick walls while barrel-shaped benches line the walls. The food is as lively as music with hors d'oeuvres like beef and basil carpaccio for starters and star prairie trout 'saltimbocca' with prosciutto and brown butter.

Located in the Radisson Plaza Hotel, this sleek, earthy-toned dining room with open kitchen and barrel-style benches features regional ingredients. Such favourites as walleye pike and honey-cured pork chops are cooked over a wood-burning fire and are often accented with a strong touch of the Mediterranean. All is complemented by a fine wine list. Save room for dessert, like the black bottom cream pie.

Hell's Kitchen may look like an eerie basement-black walls, 'blood-splattered' pictures and a ceiling-hung red cage with stuffed, black crows—but it serves mouthwatering fare. Though lunch and dinner are pretty awesome, this is a favourite place for breakfast which is served all day. Expect unusual fare like toasted sausage bread, porridge with hazelnuts, wild rice, dried blueberries and peanut butter with cinnamon and honey. Everything is made from scratch.

With so many Hmong people here, it would be a shame to come to the area and not try the local food. Basically this no-frills, family restaurant serves Vietnamese fare and it is delicious. Pho, a beef broth noodle soup comes with beef or chicken and lots of vegetables on the side. The spring rolls are heavenly as is the grilled shrimp and beef with vegetables and noodles.

A vintage dining car, Mickey's opened in 1939. It has yet to be remodelled which is part of its charm. Each red booth has its own juke box. This St Paul institution attracts everyone from tourists to locals who aren't particularly interested in counting calories. Order breakfast or burgers at any time and include a Mickey's specialty, Potatoes O'Brien - potatoes with peppers, onion, cheese, bacon bits and tomatoes. Open 24/7.

Meaning 'crazy moon' in Italian, this restaurant combines casual and cool. The menu is effortlessly sophisticated in typical Italian fashion - at once robust and hearty and innovative and elegant. With choices like saffron risotto and chicken, gnocci or steelhead trout with horseradish salt, it is easy to please the palate. An attractive and highly popular place, Pazzaluna has an artfully designed and stylish interior and a welcoming atmosphere.