Warehouse District: 112 Eatery

112 North 3rd Street
612-343-7696

The city's toughest reservation can be a breeze for solo walk-ins content to take a seat at the snug brick-lined bar, where they can dive headlong into chef Isaac Becker's eclectic fare. The menu at this hotspot easily moves from modest bites—a refreshing crab salad, sizzling pounded lamb cooled by goat's-milk yogurt, a bacon and fried-egg sandwich slathered in scorching harissa—to more substantial dishes such as house-cut tagliatelle tossed with foie gras meatballs and a category-killing burger. The tres leches cake is not to be missed. Regulars know to book a booth in the long, narrow downstairs café and save the ho-hum second-floor dining room for tourists.

Dress: Casual
Prices: Moderate
Reservations: A must for a table; not accepted for the bar
Close to: Graves 601 Hotel


Midtown: Town Talk Diner
2702 ½ East Lake Street
612-722-1312

The chattiest bartenders in town preside over this retooled 1940s diner, dispensing retro cocktails and conversation with equal aplomb. Back in the cramped kitchen, chef Tor Westgard cranks out modern spins on short-order classics. The highlights include fried chicken over wild-rice waffles, duck mini-burgers, and anything that comes out of the deep fryer, especially the batter-dipped sweet-and-sour pickles and the strangely elegant cheese curds, a local fare favorite elevated to high art. If the desserts include pineapple upside-down cake, order it.

Dress: Casual
Prices: Moderate
Reservations: Suggested but not necessary
Close to: Not much, but an easy five-minute ride from downtown via the Hiawatha light-rail line


Downtown: Vincent
1100 Nicollet Mall

You'll leave this expense-account establishment knowing at least one Minneapolitan: chef Vincent Francoual, who makes it a habit to meet and greet his customers. A window seat facing Target's Nicollet Mall headquarters is just the spot to watch the city stroll by while digging into a burger stuffed with braised short ribs and Gouda and a small mountain of golden matchstick fries. Traditional bistro fare also includes escargot drenched in garlic butter, expertly prepared omelets, lavishly stuffed crepes, and a garden-fresh nicoise. Cheeses are chosen with affection and authority, and for something sweet, Francoual offers his favorite childhood dessert—petite madeleines served with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce.

Dress: Suits to khakis
Prices: Expensive
Reservations: Suggested for a table
Close to: Hyatt Regency, Hilton, and Millennium hotels


South Minneapolis: Corner Table
4257 Nicollet Avenue South
612-823-0011

Local ingredients are featured at chef Scott Pampuch's unassuming cafe, which clocks the seasons like a finely tuned Cartier Roadster. In August, the menu is swimming in sweet corn and tomatoes, and if the thermometer is below zero, then it's all root vegetables and Minnesota-raised beef, poultry, and fish. Place your faith in the five-course tasting menu, which changes daily to reflect availability from area farmers. The intelligent and affordable wine list is a pleasant bonus.

Dress: Casual
Prices: Moderate
Reservations: Suggested but not necessary
Close to: Not much, but an easy 10-minute cab ride from downtown


University of Minnesota: Al's Breakfast
413 14th Avenue Southeast
612-331-9991

Skip room service and greet the morning at this local legend, a funky 14-seat shoebox where generations of U of M nobodies and bigwigs alike have bonded, shoulder-to-shoulder, over "Wally Blues" (walnut-blueberry pancakes), haystack-like hash browns, tender waffles, and poached eggs drizzled with silky hollandaise. Just don't plan to linger over a third cup of coffee; the turnover-minded staff will reflexively pour it into a to-go cup.

Dress: Casual
Prices: Downright cheap
Reservations: Not accepted
Close to: University of Minnesota campus, a five-minute cab ride from downtown