Best Comfort Food Restaurants in University of Minnesota

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanSeafoodFrenchBarbecueComfort FoodIrish

Regions

Twin Cities / MinneapolisTwin Cities / St. Paul

Neighborhoods

BloomingtonDowntown / North LoopLongfellowSaint PaulSt. Louis ParkWhittier

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

19 restaurants available nearby

1. Milwaukee Road

3.9

Excellent(227)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 1 time today

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 Hell's Kitchen Minneapolis restaurant

2. Hell's Kitchen Minneapolis

4.6

Exceptional(5773)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 43 times today

Comfort food with an upscale twist...In the heart of downtown Minneapolis, appropriately located in a beautiful underground space, you'll discover Hell's Kitchen, an employee-owned restaurant known for its damn good food. Join us for breakfast, lunch, dinner or drinks 7 days a week, and enjoy REAL comfort food made by chefs who care, described by food writers as "unique but not fancy; interesting but not fussy". Almost everything is made from scratch, from our award-winning peanut butter to our unique dips and dressings, winning us over 67 "best" awards as well as accolades in Gourmet Magazine, Conde Nast Traveler, Midwest Living, and other national magazines. And bring the kids along... you should see the cheeky notes they write to us!"Rather than rave on, let us just say if you're in Minnesota and want to wow your tastebuds, go to Hell's Kitchen. It is inspired and inspiring." (Jane & Michael Stern, NPR)

3. The Copper Hen

4.7

Exceptional(2206)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Whittier

Booked 17 times today

Welcome to the award winning premier farm-to-table restaurant and bakery in Minneapolis! Serving incredible comfort food from scratch - including chicken pot pie, steak, an incredible brunch, Easter brunch, Mother's Day brunch, and more! Enjoy an amazing cocktail list, beer on tap and wines by the bottle and glass. Also, great for large groups.

A photo of Nolo's Kitchen & Bar restaurant

4. Nolo's Kitchen & Bar

4.7

Exceptional(1127)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 52 times today

**Please note all reservations are for Nolo's Kitchen, the rooftop is first come, first serve. For cabana rentals please visit https://www.rooftopbarmpls.com/cabanas**Located at the historic Gardner Hardware Building at 515 Washington Ave N in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis. The NOLO's team consists of Marty Collins, Brett Johnson and Peter Hoff, each native Minnesotans with extensive industry experience. Marty has owned over 10 restaurant concepts in Minneapolis, MN, Kansas City and Columbia, MO, and Iowa City, IA. Brett and his family have owned and operated The Hilltop Restaurant for the past 40 years. Pete, the head chef, brings his most recent culinary experience and creativity from California to NOLO’s, The Rooftop Bar and The Basement Bar. His culinary vision and passion for local ingredients create new modern comfort food dishes. The team shares a passion for the restaurant and bar industry and sees an opportunity to fill gaps in the market in the North Loop.

A photo of Cafe Lurcat - Minneapolis restaurant

5. Cafe Lurcat - Minneapolis

4.7

Exceptional(5278)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 16 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.

6. Stray Dog

4.3

Awesome(491)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 6 times today

Stray Dog is a comfortable yet fun take on your traditional bar and grill in Nordeast Minneapolis. Fantastic burger styles with hand-cut fries or tater tots. From sandwiches to salads, to soups and Kramarczuk's hot dogs. We have a full vegetarian and vegan menu with gluten-free options. We have local craft beer and Belgians on tap. Stray Dog is open Monday-Thursday from 11am to 11pm for indoor dining and bar. Thursday has all day Happy Hour along with Trivia at 8pm. Late night eats until Midnight on Friday and Saturday. Saturday and Sunday morning we offer brunch from 11am-3pm. We have a Main Menu, Vegetarian Menu, and Kids Menu. The more you Stray, the better you feel!

A photo of The Howe Daily Kitchen restaurant

7. The Howe Daily Kitchen

4.8

Exceptional(134)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Longfellow

Booked 9 times today

The Howe Daily Kitchen & Bar located on Minneapolis' south side. Dog-friendly patio, local spirits, local beer. Sports bar.

A photo of The Loop Bar + Restaurant - North Loop restaurant

8. The Loop Bar + Restaurant - North Loop

4.2

Awesome(162)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown / North Loop

Booked 4 times today

FUN. FRESH. LOCAL.Opened in 2006, The Loop is a high-energy full-service restaurant, which features one of the largest 360-degree bars in the City. We are a high energy, upbeat restaurant right in the popular North Loop Neighborhood! Looking for a spot to watch your favorite sports?! We offer many TV's to watch them on! Looking to dance the night away?? We have a DJ on Friday and Saturday nights starting at 10pm! We serve our lunch and dinner (4pm)menus daily. We offer a Saturday and Sunday brunch menu from 9am-1pm!

A photo of Hazelwood Food & Drink - St. Louis Park restaurant

9. Hazelwood Food & Drink - St. Louis Park

4.7

Exceptional(2276)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • St. Louis Park

Booked 79 times today

Welcome to Hazelwood Food and Drink in St. Louis Park. A modern New American restaurant serving modern comfort food with a family feel in a bright and contemporary interior with a scratch kitchen that offers wonderful dishes from our rotisserie and wood burning pizza oven, everyone is sure to find a new favorite! We are open 7 days a week with our signature brunch offered on Saturday and Sunday. Hazelwood is the perfect spot for your work meeting, date night, or family outing!We'd love to take care of you.On the go, call us at 952.977.800 for take out.Online reservations available at hazelwoodfoodanddrink.com

A photo of Citizen – Saint Paul restaurant

10. Citizen – Saint Paul

3.2

Good(433)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Comfort Food • Saint Paul

Booked 3 times today

Citizen, located within the iconic InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel, offers an alluring dining and social atmosphere. It's a perfect setting to connect, celebrate, or simply unwind in the heart of Minnesota's charming capital city.Taste exquisitely prepared New American dishes that evolve with the seasons. Highlights include the Black Angus Tacos, Grilled Chicken Sandwich, and Brown Butter Walleye. Citizen's menu is deliberately diverse and approachable, also offering small plates for sharing and go-to comfort foods - all perfectly paired with thoughtfully curated cocktails and locally crafted beers. So, whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, we aim to provide a unique, elevated experience in a warm and welcoming space.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

K
Kristina
Minneapolis - St. Paul •16 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
We absolutely love having Brunch at The Copper Hen. We were just there yesterday and although my friend dined on one of their luscious Cinnamon Rolls and made a meal out of it, I had the Farmer's Brunch, and it was to die for. PERFECTION!
More info
The Copper HenPrice: Moderate• American• Whittier
•
4.7
K
Kelly
Tampa / Central Florida West •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Exceptional! Great food, service and value!! Thank you!
More info
Hell's Kitchen MinneapolisPrice: Moderate• American• Downtown / North Loop
•
4.6
G
GretchenVIP
Minneapolis - St. Paul •6 reviews
4.0
Dined 4 days ago
The ambience is great, fun atmosphere. Food was delicious. Unfortunately our server was not attentive and quite rude to our group. Aside from that, our experience was great.
More info
Nolo's Kitchen & BarPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• Downtown / North Loop
•
4.7
D
Drew
Minneapolis - St. Paul •1 review
5.0
Dined 5 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
C
Callie
Minneapolis - St. Paul •1 review
5.0
Dined on Feb 14, 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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