Yelp’s Top 25 Places Most Photographed Businesses is a list unlike any other “best of” out there. Sure, you’ll see your obvious local favorites on the list, but it’s also chock full of hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path joints like Lat14 Asian Eatery tucked away in nearby ‘burbs. From fine dining to greasy spoons — find them all in Yelp’s Top 25 Most Photographed Businesses in the Twin Cities.
Did your favorite business make it into the top 25? Let us know on Twitter and Instagram. Remember, we only know how good a spot is if you take the time to review it. So share your thoughts on Yelp, and maybe your favorites will be on next year’s list!
Topping this year’s best 25 list is Owamni, a team revitalizing Native American cuisine on sacred native land in Minneapolis. This incredible team won the James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant in 2022!
Pro tip: You’re going to want to make a note of these spots, so we made it easy for you. For great businesses at your fingertips, get the Top 25 to-go. Follow this collection on Yelp.
- Owamni (Mill Ruins Park, Minneapolis)
What they’re known for: Native American cuisine and an impactful mission
Yelpers say: “The flavor of the dishes is what stood out to me, like the roasted sweet potatoes in a chili oil turned an ordinary dish into a robust flavor – easily one of my favorite dishes of the night. The elk sandwich was spectacular served open face on a perfectly crisp corn bread … Overall it was an amazing culinary display! I can’t wait to return as I’m craving the wide range of flavors.” – Scott
2. The Market at Malcolm Yards (Prospect Park, Minneapolis)
What they’re known for: Lively food hall with something delicious for everyone
Yelpers say: “I’m a huge fan of Malcolm Yards! This is typically my go-to place when someone doesn’t know where to go for dinner. It’s so easy, as they have so many options. Another huge plus is that they have free parking – which is not common in Minneapolis. It’s a huge lot as well, so I opt for this location with groups.” – Lana T.
3. Sanjusan (North Loop, Minneapolis)
What they’re known for: Upscale Japanese-Italian fusion that will rock your world
Yelpers say: “Sanjusan deserves a place in the list of best restaurants in the Twin Cities. The fusion of Japanese and Italian cuisines is something that’s unique in the Cities. Everything about our night out here was amazing.” – Brian S.
4. Sooki & Mimi (Uptown, Minneapolis)
What they’re known for: Korean, Midwestern, and Latin American flavors – and an incredible basement cocktail bar
Yelpers say: “I have been dying to go here for several months and I finally got lucky enough to snag a reservation for my partner and I to celebrate a special occasion … Sooki and Mimi was one of the greatest meals I’ve ever had.” – Robert W.
5. Martina (Linden Hills, Minneapolis)
What they’re known for: Argentinian-Italian fusion – and those potato churros
Yelpers say: “This gem is tucked in the cutest neighborhood. Perfect for a date night or birthday meal. The food was DIVINE! Service was five stars but the stunner was the drinks and atmosphere! Cannot wait to come back and try more things on the menu!” – Lindsey H.
6. O’Shaughnessy Distillery (Prospect Park, Minneapolis)
What they’re known for: World-class whiskey in a moody, cozy interior
Yelpers say: “The sheer beauty of all the details make it worth a visit, very vibey with a cool and sultry feel. The cocktails were delicious, lots of signatures to choose from. … This will definitely be a go to spot for drinks and to take out of town friends to show them something that is unique and awe inspiring.” – Robyn L.
7. Young Joni (Northeast, Minneapolis)
What they’re known for: Chef Ann Kim’s signature wood-fired pizzas – and back bar
Yelpers say: “Every single Yelp Elite I met when I first moved here said their favorite restaurant was Young Joni. And for good reason! This place has been on my Twin Cities bucket list for months and I finally, finally got to try it the other night! If you’re showing people around the city, take them here!” – Chassidie L.
8. Hazelwood Food and Drinks (Bloomington)
What they’re known for: Brunch – sweet and savory, something for everyone
Yelpers say: “Took another first-time Hazelwood dinner date here and she loved it. … Hazelwood continues to be one of my favorite excuses to leave St Paul. I haven’t taken 1 person here who did not rave about the meal.” – Stephanie G.
9. Colita (Southwest, Minneapolis)
What they’re known for: Sister restaurant to Martina; that rubber duckie cocktail
Yelpers say: “Colita is a fabulous special occasion spot, and totally gluten free! Overall, amazing ambiance, service and food! Can’t wait to come back to sit on the patio this summer.” – Katie P.
10. Spoon and Stable (North Loop, Minneapolis)
What they’re known for: Making special occasions even more special
Yelpers say: “One of the best dining experiences in the TC. … At the beginning of our meal, the server had asked if we were celebrating anything. I casually mentioned it was my first day in a new role at work. She surprised me with some celebratory ice cream topped with a candle and cotton candy. Such a nice touch.” – Camille C.
11. Smack Shack (North Loop, Minneapolis)
What they’re known for: Coastal seafood flavors in the heart of the city
Yelpers say: “This has been one of my favorite restaurants ever in the Twin Cities. I get the Connecticut style lobster sandwich everytimeeee it’s the best!! The menu description doesn’t do it justice, the sauce it’s tossed in has so much flavor. Fries and ceviche also delish.” – Linnea L.
12. Khâluna (Southwest, Minneapolis)
What they’re known for: Laotian cuisine surrounded by incredible decor
Yelpers say: “Last but not least, I can’t write this review without commenting on how BEAUTIFULLY STUNNING this restaurant is!! It has a whispy coastal vibe that puts you at ease as soon as you enter. I love all of the throw pillows at the booths and the lime washed walls really are the perfect touch.” – Lynne C.
13. The Butcher’s Tale (Downtown, Minneapolis)
What they’re known for: Perfectly cooked meats – and an epic beer garden
Yelpers say: “Dinner at The Butcher’s Tale couple weeks ago with my good friend! They have a variety of delicious dishes and cocktail options on the menu. Everything we had was tasty and flavorful. Everyone was friendly and the service was excellent!” – Mo S.
14. Billy Sushi (North Loop, Minneapolis)
What they’re known for: Inventive, aesthetically pleasing soosh
Yelpers say: “If you love sushi you HAVE to come here! Our table ordered number 9, big blue wave and George Clooney rolls. They were ALL delicious. My favorite was the number 9. What I liked about this place is that the sushi tastes really FRESH. The ingredients each roll has were well thought of, you bite into a beautiful sort-of-electrifying world of flavors. You have to stop by.” – Adriana G.
15. Hope Breakfast Bar (West Seventh, St. Paul)
What they’re known for: Creative takes on brunch classics
Yelpers say: “It’s a cool setup with street seating, indoor open air seating or upstairs seating as well as the bar. … The cakes and rolls are delicious and the serving staff is cool. Added bonus they have a philanthropic bent towards being a place that is for the city not just in it and has a desire to bring people together…. Win win.” – Scott F.
16. Minneapolis Sculpture Garden (Minneapolis)
What they’re known for: The cherry spoon, of course!
Yelpers say: “The sculpture garden is a “must visit” when in the Twin Cities. It has beautiful works of art that are iconic! I love being able to walk through all the different walkways and separate gardens to see the sculptures. This is a great free activity to do on a nice afternoon – the Walker Art Museum is right next door, too!” – Dorothy H.
17. Bar La Grassa (North Loop, Minneapolis)
What they’re known for: High-end Italian dining, and local celeb sightings
Yelpers say: “I finally found a delicious pasta place in Minneapolis, Bar La Grassa! This place is perfect for date night or to go to for a celebratory dinner. Below is what we’ve ordered: Gnocchi with cauliflower and orange- 10/10 was the star of the show! Pasta Nera- 9/10 the mussels were perfectly cooked and the sauce that came with it was delicious! Spaghetti carbonara- 8/10 this dish was simple and delicious” – Mary L.
18. Matt’s Bar (Powderhorn, Minneapolis)
What they’re known for: The (hotly contested) home of the Jucy Lucy
Yelpers say: “Worth the hype. Jucy Lucy was delish. We split a 1/2 order of fries which was plenty for 2 people. Cash only but they have an ATM. A must try if you like good burgers in a non-pretentious place!” – Tammy W.
19. Hell’s Kitchen (Downtown, Minneapolis)
What they’re known for: Bloody Marys & brunch in a theatrical setting
Yelpers say: “Have you tried the S’mores Waffles? Most people rave about the lemon ricotta pancakes, but ho boy the S’mores waffle is dense and like a dense brownie like texture – a chocolate fix indeed! The Bison Benedict did not disappoint either! Creamy and perfect hollandaise, poached egg perfection. A great place for breakfast/brunch!” – Christine M.
20. Gyu-Kaku Japanese (Uptown, Minneapolis)
What they’re known for: Japanese BBQ & fun for groups
Yelpers say: “First things first, I’ve only been two places that does yakiniku (grilled barbecue). … Hands down I enjoyed Gyu-Kaku a lot more. Reason being the whole restaurant wasn’t smoky and with the open flame cooking it tasted more clean. Everything was delicious! Highly recommended and will continue to have Japanese bbq nights!” – Malinda V.
21. Mr. Paul’s Supper Club (50th & France, Edina)
What they’re known for: Cajun, Creole favorites in a luxurious setting
Yelpers say: “We truly couldn’t have found a more perfect spot to spend the day, especially for a Lafayette native. We hate brunch but somehow Mr. Paul’s Supper Club offered the best of it with an étouffée & biscuits and gravy to die for. From a personal tour of the po’ boy shop to some complimentary boudin balls from the head chefs, mama felt like royalty and so did I. For the first time in a long time, we felt like we were floating on cloud 9 in terms of MN dining – and wow, what a time.” – Emilee J.
22. HAI HAI (Northeast, Minneapolis)
What they’re known for: Bold Asian flavors in food and drink; date night must
Yelpers say: “One of the best spots in NE Mpls. Casual dining with upscale taste .. never disappointed! For a first time visit, make sure to get the Hanoi sticky rice bowl and the cauliflower.” – Julia N.
23. Hola Arepa (South Minneapolis)
What they’re known for: Venezuelan arepas and tropical cocktails
Yelpers say: “I’ve been here many times over the years and I keep coming back because it’s just consistently delicious. When I come with my husband we usually end up sharing because we like to get a few small plates and then share an arepa. That way we can try multiple things. The only hard part is narrowing down what to get because it’s all so good.” – Alaina S.
24. Red Rabbit (North Loop, Minneapolis)
What they’re known for: Pizza and pasta with excellent service
Yelpers say: “There’s a reason why I’m a regular here! Great for everything from date night, family dinners, special occasions, to a casual meal at the bar. Food is superb- great Neapolitan style, wood-fired pizzas. Good wine selection, and delicious cocktails. Servers always go above and beyond. I’ll be back!” – Katie H.
25. Lat14 Asian Eatery (Golden Valley)
What they’re known for: Exquisitely-plated Asian fusion
Yelpers say: “All my friends have been talking about this spot, so we had a late Valentine’s day date night in the Valley! Impressed is an understatement. … The entrees were really well portioned and loaded with flavor. The duck ramen had a lovely umami broth and the duck was a sizable portion, cooked perfectly. We also had the drunken noodles, which was delicious. We will absolutely be coming back!” – Ben K.
Methodology: This is a list of the Most Photographed Businesses in the Twin Cities area in the past year according to Yelp. To come up with this list, we identified businesses on Yelp, then ranked them based on how frequently users submit photos between May 16th, 2021 – May 16th, 2022. This list looked at businesses in and around the Twin Cities area. All businesses were marked open on Yelp as of June 28, 2022. When available, all businesses on this list have a passing health score as of June 28, 2022.
