One of the best parts of getting married in Northeast Minneapolis is that the weekend does not have to begin and end with your event. Your guests get a whole neighborhood to explore, and the good news is that almost everything is within a few blocks. Here is what we send people to when they ask where to eat, drink, walk, and caffeinate.
Coffee first
Northeast knows how to make coffee. Five Watt Coffee is our default answer for anyone who wants a proper espresso drink and a quiet table to sit at before the day starts. It is a much better morning-after move than the hotel lobby.
Breweries, bars and relaxed dinners
This part of the city is full of patios and approachable food. Stanley’s Northeast Bar Room is the easy call for a Friday night group, big patio, burgers and beer, nobody needs a reservation. Earl Giles is the move for a cocktail crowd, a distillery and bar with a room that feels like a small event of its own. Boludo is our pick for Argentinian pizza and empanadas when the wedding party wants something fast, casual and genuinely good. For a slower dinner with a bit of Minneapolis history, Jax Cafe has been serving Northeast since 1933 and is the kind of supper club your parents will love. Diane’s Place, from pastry chef Diane Moua, is best known for its dinner menu and is a great choice when you want something a little more refined without being formal.
By the river
Aster Cafe sits on St. Anthony Main with a patio looking back at the skyline and live music most nights. It is the single best recommendation for guests who want one view that explains why you chose this part of the city. Walk the Stone Arch Bridge first, then sit down.
Sweet stops and neighborhood favorites
Sebastian Joe’s is the ice cream answer, and it works for every age group in your guest list. Bina’s is the kind of small, warm neighborhood spot that people are delighted to stumble into, exactly what you want on a slow Saturday morning. Between the two you have a whole afternoon covered.
The walkable blocks
Northeast is the kind of place you can wander without a plan. There are vintage shops, small galleries, murals, and a river view that feels like a secret. Suggest guests bring walking shoes and leave a little open time on their itineraries. Some of the best recommendations come from asking a local behind a counter.
Welcome bag ideas
A short neighborhood list printed on a card is one of the most appreciated additions to a welcome bag. Pick one coffee shop, one bar, one dinner and one walk, Five Watt, Stanley’s, Jax and the Stone Arch Bridge is a perfectly good version of that card. Keep it to one card so people actually read it. Add a snack from a local maker if you want to be extra thoughtful.
Your wedding is the reason everyone is in town, but Minneapolis is what they will talk about on the way home. We love watching your guests discover Minneapolis for the first time, and we are happy to add recommendations to your list.
