Experimental, memorable night out

Dining at Travail is an experience unlike any other. Enjoy multiple courses of food that is both traditional and contemporary, seasonal, and the full of playful whimsy.

Fancy date night, nostalgia

Seasonal Midwest flavors are fused with technical expertise in French cuisine for which Chef Kaysen is known.

Bride & groom favorite, delicious sushi

Kado no Mise, translating to ‘Corner Restaurant,’ serves Edomae sushi and simple, delicate Japanese fare, true to the tastes and form that Chef Furukawa learned when he first started cooking professionally in his hometown of Tokyo.

Bride & groom favorite, delicious sushi

Khâluna has a resort atmosphere that will transport you to across the ocean with it's colorful array of food that will satisfy all of your vacation cravings.

Bride & groom favorite takout spot, dim sum and dumplings

Athentic and innovative Chinese dishes that really hit the spot and leave you wanting more. Our go-to's are the bao buns, sesame chicken and egg rolls!

Authentic Italian, uncomplicated

Is there anything else to say?

Relaxed date night, feel good food

Multiple course dining experience with delightful options and wine pairings, made with seasonal ingredients and creative inspiration. Very accomodating for those with dietary restrictions!

Delicious steaks, big flavors

Daring new Argentinian steakhouse with a flare for rich flavors and charred meats. Definitely get some of the side dishes like pasta or veggies to share! It's all good.

Delicious curry, delicious, delicious

Gorkha Palace features Nepali, Indian, and Tibetan cuisine that you can't miss out on. The groom has pledged to single-handedly keep the restaurant in business in the event of uncertain times. You cannot go wrong with the palak paneer, chicken tikka or beef momo's.

Top notch burrito, takeout favorite

Yeah, yeah. Just try the burrito or the quesadilla. Tell me it isn't delicious. This is in the neighborhood that Rebecca lived in when she first moved to Minneapolis and one of many reasons she continues to go back.

Wood-fired pizza, speakeasy

Not only do you get to explore the charming neighborhoods of NE Minneapolis, this pizza is noteworthy for the fun combinations of flavors and the perfect crust & flavor. They also have a speakeasy (we won't tell you where), that serves trendy and delicious drinks.

Good burgers, good ice cream

This place has delicious handmade and quirky ice cream, malts and burgers. Perfect for a summer lunch or a little somewhere to walk to. Cameron and Rebecca love to bike near the lakes and often wind up near this neighborhood!

Vietnamese, pho, bhan mi

Sometimes all you need is a crispy egg roll and a warm bowl of noodles. Quang's has a vast array of different Vietnamese offerings, whether you want something light or filling. You can't go wrong here, and they're quick with delivery too.

Ecuadorian, local staple

Here you'll find some big, hearty dishes with South American influence. If yuca fries, empanadas, fried rice and plantains sound good to you, this is it. In a can.

Authentic mexican, groom favorite

Yeah, yeah, another Mexican place. Thought, this one's my favorite. You can build your own tacos. The rice and beans rip. The toppings bar is off the hook. They always have Jarritos in stock. It's good every single time.

Fancy desserts, cocktails, ice cream

Craving something sweet? Head over to Edward's Dessert Kitchen and enjoy a beautiful range of sweet treats and cute vibes. Cameron and Rebecca love coming here for late evening treats!

Great food court, pour your own beer

Can't decide on what you want? Malcolm Yards has a huge gathering of a bunch of the best food vendors in the city, so you can have a bite of everything, a beer, and even top it off with some Bebe Zito ice cream.

Brunch, cinnamon rolls, egg sandwiches

This place has multiple locations and does the tastiest breakfasts. They also have an extensive array of pastries! Note that you will likely need a taxi or bicycle to get here from the hotels.

Frittatas, waffles, pastries

The Saint Anthony Park café became the bigger, trendier alternative to its original Minneapolis counterpart. It's a great place to hang out (seating is tight!), get breakfast or lunch, or just grab a coffee.

All day breakfast, cocktails, ice cream

Hen House Eatery specializes in local food and drink using locally-sourced ingredients for their all-day breakfast (and lunch). This spot is great for any time of day and any group with a kid-friendly atmosphere, a variety of craft beers on tap and a bakery!

Good, cheap, classic diner

The Ideal Diner is a favorite of ours for it's quaint nature and fun stool seating. This place has very tight quarters (much like Mickey's in St. Paul, it's about the size of a train car) and the bustling kitchen preparing meals before you makes for a classic Nordeast dining experience!

Beautiful patio, skyline view

Live music, great brunches, craft beers and cocktails and a thoughtful wine list make Aster Cafe a great stop throughout the day. Aster Cafe also sits on charming Main street featuring tons of walking and biking paths around the historic architecture - all of this right on the Mississippi River!

American comfort, urban atmosphere

This place may pride itself on some staples like hand made pasta and top-notch burgers, but don't be fooled, their brunch is amazing! NOLO's also does lunch and dinner with a very well-rounded menu that many can enjoy.

Great atmosphere, vibrant and historic area

The coffee shop to end all coffee shops. Great coffee, good pastries and snacks, plenty of comfortable seating, sprawling greenery and large windows adorn the historic building this shop is a part of. Nina's is a bit farther away in St. Paul, but worth the journey since it is a few blocks from the Minnesota state capitol and the St. Paul cathedral!

Great roasts, cozy atmosphere

Spyhouse has been a Minneapolis icon for a long time - and for good reason. They are a great local roastery with responsible sourcing ethics and we think they serve the best caramel latte in town!

Quality brews, punky vibes

Like to break the rules? Misfit may be a great place for you. Founded in the rebellious spirit, Misfit is a great place to break the mold and try something new. Bring the dog, hang out with friends and enjoy a carefree cup of joe.

Herbal teas, vegan and gluten free

Backstory is a local roaster in the North Loop area with many great options for anyone who may have dietary restrictions, as well as some very unique latte's and tea drinks. Their cold-brew growlers might be exactly what your refrigerator needs!

Wonderful tea selection, fresh matcha

Maybe tea is more your speed? Fear not, Northeast Teahouse has you covered with their expansive list of teas. You can also find kombucha and fresh matcha here, as well as some teaware to take home!

Wonderful tea selection, fresh matcha

Located just off one of his favorite walks, the Mississipi River trail, In The Loop is a regular spot for Reuben to get treats and pup cups in the morning or mid afternoon. He loves to go in and see who's been added to the puppy photo wall, which just so happens to cover the entire store, and counter surf until he's made sure the barista isn't hiding anything from him. He says it's a good place for humans, too.

Good, classic coffee

If you just want a good cup of coffee that's close to the hotel, look no further than Dunn Brothers. Many people in Minnesota will tell you Caribou is the best but don't let them fool you. It's obviously a ruse to keep you away from this place - the real favorite.

Hip shop, local art

Rebecca has been enjoying this coffee shop more lately since it is very close to her office, although Cameron rarely goes here and cannot attest to its legitimacy. Take that for what it's worth. There is a great massage therapy studio upstairs that he can, however, vouch for.

Experimental, memorable brew

Modist has been pioneering the experimental beer culture for several years to great effect. A favorite of the bride and groom, you're sure to find something to enjoy, or at least something new to try here! Live music paired with the open air space can make this place feel very vibrant and exciting!

Northeast staple, bold brews

This quality brewery has been in operation for over a decade now and I'd bet they could pay rent just from sales of their peanut butter porter. Excellent taproom with big, bold, beautiful beers you won't forget anytime soon.

Natural wines, scratch kitchen

Bar Brava is easily our favorite wine bar in town. Their unmatched selection of natural and biodynamic wines as well as their care for each person who walks in the door makes this place work so well. You can even grab a bottle or three to go!

Best cidery in town

This place makes arguably the best hard cider in town. For those that like it sweet, those that like it dry, and those that like it funky, Minneapolis Cider Co. has something for any cider lover. Oh, and they have indoor pickleball!

Great beer, patio, food truck

Indeed is one of Minneapolis' most recognized craft beer brands, thanks in no small part to their excellent sweet potato and piastachio cream ales. You'll find lighter, more casual brews here that often pair wonderfully with the Revival food truck parked just outside. Yes, please!

Quality cocktails, modern upscale setting

This beautiful craft cocktail lounge is draped in foliage and makes for a great place to enjoy the finer spirits. Unique mixes as well as a mastery of the classics put Flora Room high on our list for cocktail hour!

Historic spot, scenic rooftop lounge

Don't snicker - hotels are allowed to have a great bar. This all-season bar makes great cocktails, and if you can score a seat on the rooftop you will be treated with a great skyline view of Minneapolis. Duck fat fries, anyone?

Local favorite, great outdoor space

If you're a fan of European style brews, Utepils makes a few that you might want to check out. This place is in our neighborhood and has become a regular stop for us on walks, or somewhere to relax after a long day of work. We recommend an Ewald the Golden!

Sculpture garden, museum, mini-golf

Known for the iconic Cherry in a Spoon, the area has a gorgeous (and free) outdoor sculpture garden to stroll through, and inside you can view many artworks, both traditional and digital. The rooftop also has art themed mini golf with a great view of the city skyline.

Local event, day time activities

As luck would have it, this event is happening the same weekend as our wedding. Sometimes they have chalk drawing, fair rides, and this event can attract some great music artists that visit to perform. Make sure you snag tickets if you want to attend!

Quality theater, family friendly

On our wedding weekend, they'll be performing the Little Shop of Horrors: On Skid Row. We have not attended this exhibition but this theater often creates wonderful performances in a neat venue.

Bride favorite, great exhibits, free

Rebecca used to live right across the street! Rebecca's favorite place in the MIA is the impressionist exhibit, with paintings from Monet, John Singer Sargent, and Vincent Van Gogh. This was often a place for inspiration for her own work.

Nightly comedy, nice area

If you want to laugh and start the weekend with a smile, take a stroll to the charming North Loop area and check out a comedy show! This wedding weekend Pete Lee will be performing (18+).

Iconic venue, star wall

First Avenue is perhaps the most well known in the area for attracting upcoming and established names in music. They also manage other nearby theaters so be sure to explore their website for options on upcoming shows.

Iconic venue, star wall

The bride and groom are both proud supporters of the MN Orchestra, and enjoy scheduling time to listen to the talented musicians play various sets throughout the seasons. The tickets are surprisingly affordable and the shows are always a fun date night.

Scenic downtown, historic area

Just 2 minutes from your hotel, there's a gorgeous walking path right alongside the Mississippi River. Enjoy the views, the cool breeze off the river, and the various things to explore and look at. If you're feeling up for it, we highly recommend making your way to St. Anthony Main area or Boom Island Park for a fun and beautiful walk with views of the city. You can also walk along this pedestrian path to get to Pryes, a brewery that also has pizza.

Gorgeous park, relaxed disc golf

Just a hop, a skip, and about a 15 minute train ride away on the Blue line, you can visit one of the most popular parks in the Minneapolis area! Enjoy views of a waterfall, maybe stop for seafood and beverages at Seasalt Eatery, or even grab "ice cream" at Dairy Queen! This is a cute area for families and picnics.

Paddle boarding, sailboats, rose gardens

The bride and groom are very fond of this park, and they often visit either on bikes or rollerblades. You can rent various watercraft and explore the chain of lakes, which can be a very fun and cool way to see the area. Otherwise, take a walk underneath the shaded trails and stop to smell the roses that have been cared for and cultivated for over 100 years!

Bicycle corridor, city sights

Did you know Minneapolis is ranked the #1 big city for biking in the US (for 2 years in a row)? A gorgeous way to spend a day actively is by renting bikes (or e-scooters) using Lyft, Erik's Bike Shop, or renting at Lake Calhoun / Bde Maka Ska, and then taking the greenways through the city. The greenways are uninterrupted corridors of biking and pedestrian paths surrounded by trees and plants, converted from old rail lines.

Acres of gardens, beautiful paths

The arboretum is right near our wedding venue! If you like exploring gardens, you'll love the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. They have fountains, sprawling acres of trees and flowers, a Japanese Garden, a rose garden, and so much more. Apparently the rain storms this summer have really helped our firefly populations, so come in the day and stay through the evening to possibly see a spectacular show!

Rugged coastline, dense forest

For those of you who have a prolonged stay in the Minneapolis area, we love the camping grounds and areas up north around Lake Superior and Duluth. Snag a campground and go see the gorgeous hiking trails and wildlife, and see why we love to go backpacking there every year. Be warned, though, it's only for the travel inclined since it is a multiple hour drive to get up there. Don't forget your bug spray.

Biggest mall around town

Love to shop? Maybe you just need to take the blue line train down to the Mall of America. With tons of different brands (including lego), full on amusement park rides (log rides and rollercoasters), and a huge food court, you can easily walk several miles while enjoying air conditioning and lots of shopping options.

DIY good times, cocktails

This place is the bomb diggity! If you like to make things, you're in the right place. This place gives you a ton of selections on DIY projects, from making your own wallet to creating cutting boards, to designing bracelets and woven wall hangings.

Mini-golf, arcade and bar

A little off the beaten path, this underground mini golf course is spectacular. Each hole features a distinct creative twist - all designed by local artists. This place also offers a ton of wacky drinks, including cocktails and milkshakes, and has arcade games as well!

Beautiful day for a ball game

Heyyyy batter, batter, batter, batter, batter, batter, batter, swiiiiiiing batter! He can't hit....he can't hit...he can't hit...swiing...batter...

Indoor pickleball courts, rentals

This pickleball gym is in a very cool old building that has been restored with a beautiful set of indoor courts. They also rent paddles and equipment and are very welcoming of anyone new to the sport!