Minneapolis/Southwest

Southwest Minneapolis is a district in Minneapolis. It includes Uptown, Lyn-Lake, the Wedge, Eat Street, Linden Hills, the popular Chain of Lakes, and other areas. Part of the 50th and France commercial district bleeds into the Fulton neighborhood, but most of it lies in Edina.

Get in

Streets run east/west and generally have numbers that increase as you go further south. Nicollet Avenue divides the streets. Append the direction at the end of streets such as W 27th Street to indicate west of Nicollet. Avenues run alphabetically west from Lyndale (Aldrich, Bryant, Colfax) far into the suburban surrounding communities. When the alphabet reaches Z, it simply starts again at A. Avenues are named in no particular order in a small half-mile band between Lyndale and Nicollet, then numbered east from Nicollet Avenue heading towards South Minneapolis, where the numbered avenues continue until you reach Saint Paul. The first part of addresses on the avenues are based on the nearest cross street. For example, 4000 France Avenue South is at the corner of France Avenue and 40th Street.

By public transit

• Route 2 begins at Hennepin and Franklin and travels east along Franklin Avenue through the Wedge and Whittier neighborhoods before continuing on to Phillips, Seward, the West Bank, and the University of Minnesota.
• Route 4 travels along Lyndale Avenue from downtown to 31st Street (passing through Lyn-Lake), and then jogs over two blocks west to Bryant Avenue, which it travels on from 31st Street to 46th Street. At this point, the route splits into two branches, with one going back to Lyndale Avenue and the other continuing on Bryant until 50th Street, where it goes west to Penn Avenue, and then going south from there.
• Route 6 travels along Hennepin Avenue from downtown to its end at 36th Street (passing though Uptown), turns west, and skirts the southeastern edge of Lake Calhoun. The route splits in two at 39th Street and Sheridan Avenue; one continues west on 39th Street to France Avenue, then travels south from there (passing through the 50th & France commercial district), and the other travels south on Sheridan Avenue, which merges onto Upton Avenue (passing though the Linden Hills commercial district), turns west on 44th Street, and then continues south on Xerxes Avenue.
• Route 11 begins in Columbia Heights and runs through Northeast Minneapolis and Downtown. In the Whittier neighborhood it runs along 3rd Avenue, passing by the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, the Hennepin History Museum, and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. At 28th Street it jogs over to 4th Avenue in Phillips and continues through western Powderhorn and Nokomis before terminating in the Kingfield neighborhood at 46th Street and Nicollet Avenue.
• Route 12 enters Minneapolis along Excelsior Boulevard, which soon ends and merges onto Lake Street. The route continues until its end at the Uptown Transit Station; during rush hours it will continue travelling along Hennepin Avenue into downtown.
• Route 17 travels along Nicollet Avenue from downtown to 24th Street, turns west, then turns south on Hennepin Avenue. Past the Uptown Transit Station, it will turn west on Lagoon Avenue, which then merges onto Lake Street, and continue from there into the west suburbs.
• Route 18 travels along Nicollet Avenue through the entirety of Southwest Minneapolis, passing through Eat Street along the way.
• Route 21 travels along Lake Street from neighborhoods to the east until its end at Uptown Transit Station, passing through Lyn-Lake along the way.
• Route 23 travels along 38th Street to Bryant Avenue, jogs two blocks north to 36th Street, then travels west to Hennepin Avenue, continuing north from there until its end at the Uptown Transit Station
• Route 46 travels along 46th Street to 34th Avenue, jogs four blocks north to 42nd Street, then travels west to Cedar Avenue, jogs four blocks south to 46th Street, continuing west from there until either Nicollet Avenue or Bryant Avenue, jogs four blocks south to 50th Street and continues from there into the west suburbs.
• Route 53 is a limited stop route travelling on Lake Street alongside the 21 (see above); stops are located at Uptown Transit Center, Lake & Girard, Lake & Lyndale, Lake & Nicollet, and Lake & 1st. This service only operates during rush hours, eastbound in the morning and westbound in the afternoon and evening.

By bike

• Midtown Greenway is a bike path (grade-separated east of Hennepin) that runs east-west one block north of Lake Street. It continues east into South Minneapolis, and the west end the of the Greenway links to the Southwest LRT Trail that head to St. Louis Park, Hopkins, and beyond.
• Kenilworth Trail runs roughly north-south between Cedar Lake and Lake of the Isles. It acts as a connector between the Cedar Lake Trail to the north (a commuter trail running between Downtown and the west suburbs) and the Midtown Greenway/Southwest LRT Trail to the south.

By car

• Interstate 35W is along the eastern edge of the district, with exits at Lake Street/31st Street (northbound exit/southbound entrance only), 35th Street/36th Street, 46th Street, Diamond Lake Road, and 60th Street. For northbound travellers, the 31st/Lake exit will be useful for getting to Lyn-Lake and Uptown areas, just travel westbound on either street. Southbound I-35W travellers wanting to get to those two areas should exit onto westbound I-94 (see below).
• Interstate 94 is to the northeast of the district. The Lyndale Avenue/Hennepin Avenue exit is useful for getting into the area. Follow Lyndale southbound to get to Lyn-Lake or Hennepin southbound to get to Uptown.
• Interstate 394 is along the northern edge of the district.

See

Minneapolis Institute of Arts

Museums

• 🌍 The Bakken Museum, 3537 Zenith Ave S (at 36th St, near W Calhoun Pkwy), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Tu-W,F-Sa 10AM-5PM, Th 10AM-8PM. The world's only museum devoted to medical electricity. $7 adults, $5 students and seniors, free admission for children under age 4. (updated Jun 2015)
• 🌍 Hennepin History Museum, 2303 3rd Ave S (between 22nd and 24th Sts; Bus: 2, 11, 17, 18), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Gallery: Tu 10AM-2PM, W,F-Su 1PM-5PM, Th 1PM-8PM; library and archives: Tu 10AM-2PM, W-Sa 1PM-5PM. $5 adults, $3 seniors/students, free for children 6 and under. (updated Jun 2015)
• 🌍 Minneapolis Institute of Art, 2400 3rd Ave S (at 24th St; Bus: 2, 11, 17, 18), ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone]. Tu-W,Sa 10AM-5PM, Th-F 10AM-9PM, Su 11AM-5PM. "The Minneapolis Institute of Arts houses more than 100,000 objects from diverse cultural traditions spanning 5,000 years of world history." Free. (updated May 2015)
• 🌍 The Museum of Russian Art, 5500 Stevens Ave (at Diamond Lake Rd, next to Interstate 35W; Bus: 18), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-4PM, Su 1PM-5PM. Museum showcases Russian art from the 20th century, including Soviet art. $9 adults, $7 seniors 65+, $5 children 14+ and students w/ ID, free for children under 14. (updated Jun 2015)

Parks

• 🌍 Lakewood Cemetery, entrance along 36th St at the foot of Hennepin Ave (Bus: 6, 23), ☎ [phone]. Daily: Summer 8AM-8PM, Labor Day to Fall Daylight Savings 8AM-7PM, Fall Daylight Savings to Spring Daylight Savings 8AM-5PM. (updated Jun 2015)
• 🌍 Lyndale Park, 1300 W 42nd St (north of Lake Harriet, south of Lakewood Cemetery, west of Dupont Ave; Bus: 4). 6AM-10PM daily. Home to an arboretum, rose gardens, perennial gardens, peace gardens, and a bird sanctuary. (updated May 2016)
• 🌍 Beard's Plaisance, 4525 Upton Ave S (between 45th and 46th Sts; Bus: 6). 6AM-10PM daily. Along the west side of Lake Harriet. Contains a picnic area with a large picnic structure, a playground, and tennis courts. (updated May 2016)

Do

Uptown Theatre at night

Film

Head to Uptown for some independent film:

• 🌍 Uptown Theatre, 2906 Hennepin Ave (at Lagoon; Bus: 6, 12, 17, 21, 23), ☎ [phone]. One screen. Films often run for a week or two. Afterwards they sometimes move down to the multi-screen Lagoon Cinema. In addition to the usual concessions, the Uptown Theatre also serves alcoholic beverages in the upstairs bar. (updated May 2016)
• 🌍 Lagoon Cinema, 1320 Lagoon Ave (at Girard; Bus: 6, 12, 17, 21, 23), ☎ [phone]. Five screens. (updated May 2016)

Lakes

• Cedar Lake. Cedar Lake has a shady public swimming beach. 
• Lake of the Isles. Lake of the Isles has bird sanctuaries on its (officially off-limits) islands, and a public skating rink (with warming house) are groomed in the winter months. Check the newspaper; you may get lucky and catch a world-class speed-skating competition here. Its shores also feature some of the best climbing trees in the city, particularly for those who carry a short rope ladder in their pack. 
• Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun). Bde Maka Ska has three public beaches and boat rentals (and lessons), and a snack bar that resembles a real restaurant more every summer. (updated Sep 2018)
• Lake Harriet. Lake Harriet also has boat rentals near its bandshell. 

Theater

• 🌍 Jungle Theater, 2951 Lyndale Ave S (at Lake; Bus: 4, 21), ☎ [phone]. 
• 🌍 Bryant-Lake Bowl, 810 W Lake St (at Bryant; Bus: 4, 21), ☎ [phone]. Vintage bowling alley with a small theater attached, hosting various small-scale theater, improv, and music events. The BLB is also a decent dining and drinking option. 

Other

Streetcar at Linden Hills Station

• 🌍 Como-Harriet Streetcar Line, W 42nd St and Queen Ave S (Bus: 6). Sa-Su early May through late November, and M-F mid May though early September. Heritage streetcar line running along a one-mile track between Lake Harriet and Bde Maka Ska (Lake Calhoun), which used to be part of a much longer streetcar line that ran all the way to Lake Como in Saint Paul, hence the name. Currently operated by the Minnesota Streetcar Museum, which also operates a heritage streetcar line in Excelsior, near Lake Minnetonka. Its fleet includes two streetcars from the 1900s built by the Twin City Rapid Transit Company and one PCC streetcar from the 1940s built by the St. Louis Car Company. Streetcars begin and end their journey at Linden Hills Station located at 42nd and Queen on the west side of Lake Harriet. There is also a second much less used stop on near the east side of Bde Maka Ska (Lake Calhoun) at 36th Street and Richfield Road. $2 single ride or $5 day pass (also includes rides on the Excelsior streetcar). (updated Sep 2018)

Buy

Calhoun Square, Uptown

Asian markets

• 🌍 New Orient Market, 2800 1st Ave S (at 28th St; Bus: 18), ☎ [phone]. 
• 🌍 Shuang Hur Supermarket, 2710 Nicollet Ave (at 27th St; Bus: 18), ☎ [phone]. 
• 🌍 Truong Thanh Market, 2520 Nicollet Ave (between 25th and 26th Sts; Bus: 18), ☎ [phone]. 

Bookstores

• 🌍 College of Comic Book Knowledge, 4632 Nicollet Ave (between 46th and 47th Sts; Bus: 11, 18, 46), ☎ [phone]. M-Tu noon-6PM, W 10AM-7PM, Th-F noon-7PM, Sa 11AM-6PM, Su noon-5PM. Great for newer and more mainstream comics. (updated Aug 2017)
• 🌍 Magers and Quinn, 3038 Hennepin Ave (between Lake and 31st Sts; Bus: 6, 12, 17, 21, 23), ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Su-Th 10AM-10PM, F-Sa 10AM-11PM. New and used books. (updated Jun 2015)
• 🌍 Once Upon A Crime, 604 W 26th St (between Garfield and Lyndale; Bus: 4), ☎ [phone]. M-Sa 11AM-5:30PM. Mystery bookstore. Ask about The Annex: two giant rooms full of rare first editions, out of print books, magazines, journals, and thousands of hard-to-get gently used volumes. Great for finding new titles and plenty of back-list books for hordes of mystery and thriller writers. (updated Dec 2015)
• 🌍 Wild Rumpus, 2720 W 43rd St (between Upton and Lake Harriet; Bus: 6), ☎ [phone]. M,Sa 10AM-5PM, Tu-F 10AM-8PM, Su noon-5PM. A renowned children's bookstore with a plethora of live animals roaming around; the cats somehow manage to coexist peacefully with the birds, mice, chicken, and other animals. (updated Dec 2015)

Clothes

• 🌍 Ragstock, 1433 W Lake St (between Hennepin and Holmes; Bus: 6, 12, 17, 21, 23), ☎ [phone]. M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su noon-7PM. A local chain of used clothing stores. Clothing is shipped in from thrift stores across the country and sorted through and either torn to rags for commercial use, or pulled aside to be sold in one of the stores. There are stores around the Twin Cities area in addition to the Uptown location listed above. (updated Jun 2015)

Record stores

• 🌍 Cheapo, 2600 Nicollet Ave (at 26th St; Bus: 18), ☎ [phone]. 10AM-10PM daily. Cheapo specializes in all areas of music as well as DVDs and vinyl records. If you are looking for something that's hard to find, it's a good bet that they will have it. If not, they can order it for you. They also have a large collection of used CDs with huge inventories coming in everyday. (updated Sep 2015)
• 🌍 Electric Fetus, 2000 4th Ave S (at Franklin Ave; Bus: 2, 11), ☎ [phone]. M-F 9AM-9PM, Sa 9AM-8PM, Su 11AM-6PM. Possibly the most complete selection of CDs in town across all genres. Hold on tight to your wallet when you walk in here. If there's an obscure CD you've been looking for, this place is likely to have it. Listening stations are posted throughout the store enticing all who enter to try out some new music. It's the place you would go if you had unlimited resources for buying new music. Be prepared to pay full price, although new releases are frequently on sale. Buy four CDs and get a discount. Tickets for local venues are on sale here too. (updated Mar 2015)
• 🌍 Extreme Noise Records, 407 W Lake St (at Grand Ave; Bus: 21), ☎ [phone]. Noon-8PM daily. Specializes in all punk and subgenres therein. A cooperative run for almost 20 years by local punks. Amazing selection of punk 'zines, CD's, LP's and 7-inches. The place in town for finding hard-to-find punk records, trading punk records, finding other punks, seeking out that basement show, etc. Don't let the punk rock moniker scare the less-than punk away. If you want to see what a truly independent local scene can produce and meet some of the most earnest members of said scene, you must check out Extreme Noise. (updated Mar 2015)
• 🌍 Fifth Element, 2411 Hennepin Ave (at 24th St; Bus: 6, 12, 17), ☎ [phone]. M-Sa 11AM-7PM, Su noon-6PM. Record store specializing in hip-hop. Established in 1999 by local record label Rhymesayers Entertainment. (updated Mar 2015)
• 🌍 Roadrunner Records, 4304 Nicollet Ave (at 43rd St; Bus: 18), ☎ [phone]. M-Sa 11AM-6PM, Su noon-5PM. Has a great selection of independent LP's, CD's and DVD's. Known for their international music section. Punk and alt-country genres don't suffer. A great independent record store with lots of local and independently produced product. (updated Jun 2015)

Eat

Eat Street

• 🌍 The Bad Waitress, 2 E 26th St (at Nicollet; Bus: 18), ☎ [phone]. M-F 7AM-11PM, Sa 7:30AM-11PM, Su 8AM-10PM. Hipster diner. You have to write your order on a ticket and give it to the cashier, hence the restaurant name. (updated Jun 2015)
• 🌍 Black Forest Inn, 1 E 26th St (at Nicollet; Bus: 18), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]:30AM-midnight daily, kitchen closes at 10PM weekdays and 11PM weekends. The most renowned German restaurant in the Twin Cities. (updated Jun 2015)
• 🌍 Christos, 2632 Nicollet Ave (between 26th and 27th Sts; Bus: 18), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. Su-Th 11AM-9PM, F-Sa 11AM-10PM. Greek. (updated Jun 2015)
• 🌍 El Mariachi, 2750 Nicollet Ave (at 28th St; Bus: 18), ☎ [phone]. Su-Th 10AM-8PM, F-Sa 10AM-midnight. Mexican. 
• 🌍 Evergreen Chinese Restaurant, 2424 Nicollet Ave (between 24th and 25th Sts; Bus: 17, 18), ☎ [phone]. W-M 11AM-9PM. Taiwanese cuisine, very vegetarian and vegan friendly. (updated May 2016)
• 🌍 Harry Singh’s Original Caribbean Restaurant, 2653 Nicollet Ave (at 27th St; Bus: 18), ☎ [phone]. Tu-Sa 11:30AM-8PM, Su noon-5PM. The menu at Harry Singh's is dominated by roti wraps and creole rice dishes. (updated Jun 2015)
• 🌍 Jasmine 26, 8 E 26th St (at Nicollet; Bus: 18), ☎ [phone]. Su,Tu-Th 11AM-11PM, F-Sa 11AM-midnight. A fancier Vietnamese restaurant operated by the owners of Jasmine Deli. The salt and pepper tofu appetizer is to die for. Vegetarian and vegan friendly. (updated Mar 2015)
• 🌍 Jasmine Deli, 2532 Nicollet Ave (between 25th and 26th Sts; Bus: 18), ☎ [phone]. Tu-Sa 10AM-8PM, Su 10AM-6PM. Ridiculously cheap but well-regarded Vietnamese food. Vegetarian and vegan friendly. No credit cards. (updated Mar 2015)
• 🌍 Little Tijuana Cafe, 17 E 26th St (at Nicollet; Bus: 18), ☎ [phone]. Noon-2AM daily. Totally inauthentic Mexican, but mindblowing food isn't what people really come here for. A quirky little hole-in-the-wall joint open very late and popular with the punks, drunks and other weirdos. Crayons and paper tablecloths are offered to keep its patrons from defacing the tables or walls; if they like your artwork they might even hang it up! (updated Jun 2015)
• 🌍 Pancho Villa, 2539 Nicollet Ave (between 25th and 26th Sts; Bus: 18), ☎ [phone]. 11AM-2AM daily. Mexican. Two-for-one margaritas and selected beers on weekdays. Spanish language karaoke! (updated Jun 2015)
• 🌍 Peninsula, 2608 Nicollet Ave (at 26th St; Bus: 18), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. Su-Th 11AM-10PM, F-Sa 11AM-11PM. Malaysian cuisine. They make their own tofu, but vegans beware that it contains egg. (updated Jun 2015)
• 🌍 Pho 79, 2529 Nicollet Ave (between 25th and 26th Sts; Bus: 18), ☎ [phone]. 10AM-9PM daily. Vietnamese. (updated Jun 2015)
• 🌍 Pho Tau Bay, 2837 Nicollet Ave (at 29th St/Cecil Newman Ln; Bus: 18), ☎ [phone]. M-Tu 9:30AM-8:30PM, Th-Sa 9:30AM-8:30PM, Su 9:30AM-8PM. Vietnamese. 
• 🌍 Quang, 2719 Nicollet Ave (between 27th and 28th Sts; Bus: 18), ☎ [phone]. M,W-F 11AM-9PM, Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 10AM-8:30PM, Tu closed. Vietnamese. (updated Jun 2015)
• 🌍 Rainbow Chinese Restaurant, 2739 Nicollet Ave (between 27th and 28th Sts; Bus: 18), ☎ [phone]. Tu-Th 11AM-2PM and 4:30PM-9:30PM, F 11AM-2PM and 4:30PM-11PM, Sa 11AM-11PM, Su 11AM-9:30PM. (updated Jun 2015)

Lyn-Lake

• 🌍 French Meadow Bakery and Cafe, 2610 Lyndale Ave S (at 26th St; Bus: 4), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. Su-Th 6:30AM-10PM, F-Sa 6:30AM-11PM. Owner and founder of this excellent bakery and cafe, Lynn Gordon, has a passion for fabulous yeast free breads, and has been an artisan baker since before that term began to be applied to high-quality individual bakers. Virtually everything on the menu is delicious and original, and save room for the desserts and fair trade coffee. On weekends arrive early to avoid the brunch rush. Vegetarian and vegan options available. $4-20, depending on the time of day. Cheapest in the morning. (updated May 2016)
• 🌍 Fuji-Ya, 600 W Lake St (at Garfield; Bus: 4, 21), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. Tu-Su 5PM-11PM. Popular sushi restaurant, a Lyn-Lake favorite. (updated May 2016)
• 🌍 Galactic Pizza, 2917 Lyndale Ave S (at Lake; Bus: 4, 21), ☎ [phone]. Su-Th 11AM-midnight, F-Sa 11AM-1AM. The decor is kitschy. Their stand out feature is not only a little car run 100% by electric power but the delivery driver dons a funky costume while driving said vehicle. If you order the Second Harvest pizza (which is excellent) the business donates a dollar to the Second Harvest Food Bank (for every one ordered). Vegetarian friendly, vegan soy cheese and mockmeats available. (updated May 2016)
• 🌍 It's Greek to Me, 626 W Lake St (at Lyndale; Bus: 4, 21), ☎ [phone]. Tu-F 4:30PM-11PM, Sa 11AM-11PM, Su 11AM-10PM. One of the best Greek restaurants in the Twin Cities. (updated May 2016)
• 🌍 Milkjam Creamery, 2743 Lyndale Ave S (at 28th St; Bus: 4), ☎ [phone]. Summer: Su-Th noon-10PM, F-Sa noon-11PM; Winter: noon-9PM daily. Ice cream shop with flavors ranging from normal like the Black (very dark cocoa) to odd ones like the Elvis (curry peanut butter banana). Most of the flavors are gluten-free, and some are vegan. (updated May 2016)
• 🌍 moto-i, 2940 Lyndale Ave S (at Lake; Bus: 4, 21), ☎ [phone]. M-F noon-2AM, Sa-Su 11AM-2AM. Japanese restaurant with house-brewed sake and a rooftop patio. 
• 🌍 Muddy Waters Bar and Eatery, 2933 Lyndale Ave S (at Lake; Bus: 4, 21), ☎ [phone]. 8AM-2AM daily. Formerly a coffeehouse at 24th and Lyndale, Muddy Waters has moved down to Lyn-Lake and expanded into a full-service restaurant and bar. (updated May 2016)
• 🌍 Pizza Lucé, 3200 Lyndale Ave S (at 32nd St; Bus: 4), ☎ [phone]. 11AM-2:30AM daily. You can get pizza by the slice or sit down and order a whole pie. Vegetarian friendly; vegan soy cheese, nut cheese, and mockmeats available. Also offers gluten-free pizzas. (updated May 2016)

Uptown

• 🌍 Barbette, 1600 W Lake St (at Irving; Bus: 12, 17), ☎ [phone]. Su-Th 8AM-midnight, F-Sa 8AM-1AM. French-inspired cafe. Also hosts the annual Bastille Day block party celebration in the summer. $15-30. (updated Dec 2015)
• 🌍 Davanni's, 1414 W Lake St (between Girard and Hennepin; Bus: 6, 12, 17, 21, 23), ☎ [phone]. M-Th 10:30AM-11PM, F 10:30AM-midnight, Sa 11AM-midnight, Su 11AM-11PM. Chicago-style pizza, beer on tap, good hoagies too. 
• 🌍 Isles Bun and Coffee, 1424 W 28th St (between Hennepin and Humboldt; Bus: 6, 12, 17, 21, 23), ☎ [phone]. M-Sa 6:30AM-4:30PM, Su 7AM-4PM. A classic city bakery and coffee shop. Very limited seating inside, but with sidewalk tables and two blocks to Lake of the Isles it hardly matters. Bakers work in full view in a sunken work area behind the counter, putting out some of the best rolls, buns, and other delectables in the city. Check out the cinnamon roll and their savory breakfast items. (updated Dec 2015)
• 🌍 Origami, 1354 Lagoon Ave (at Girard, below the Mozaic parking garage facing the plaza; Bus: 6, 12, 17, 21, 23), ☎ [phone]. Lunch: Tu-Su noon-3PM; dinner: M-Th 4:30PM-10PM, F-Sa 3PM-midnight, Su 3PM-10:30PM. Best known for their sushi. Generally a posh, overly-sedate crowd and indifferent service. $10 per person plus tip at lunchtime, and $20 per person in the evening. (updated Dec 2015)
• 🌍 Tin Fish, 3000 E Calhoun Pkwy (at Lake St, along the NW corner of Bde Maka Ska; Bus: 12, 17), ☎ [phone]. Late Apr-Memorial Day: noon-8PM daily; Memorial Day-Labor Day: 11AM-9PM daily; Labor Day-mid Oct: noon-7:30PM daily; closed rest of year. Right on the shore of Bde Maka Ska (Lake Calhoun). Serves mainly seafood, and is of high quality. Prices are reasonable. Service is quite good. (updated May 2016)

The Wedge

• 🌍 Namaste Cafe, 2512 Hennepin Ave (at 25th St; Bus: 6, 12, 17), ☎ [phone]. 11AM-10PM daily. Namaste is located in a duplex converted to a restaurant and gift shop, so try to keep your eye out when heading down Hennepin. The owners are Nepali and the food is very similar to Indian cuisine. The cooking is very homey and the prices are quite reasonable for such a prime location. Lunch will cost around $8. Try one of their amazing chai teas; 8 varieties to choose from. They grind their own spices and mix up one heck of a good cup. Vegetarian and vegan friendly. (updated May 2016)

Other areas

• 🌍 Broders Cucina Italiana, 2308 W 50th St (at Penn Ave; Bus: 4, 46), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. Su-M 11AM-8PM, Tu-F 11AM-9PM, Sa 10AM-9PM. Small Italian deli, limited seating available. 
• 🌍 Broders Pasta Bar, 5000 Penn Ave S (at 50th St; Bus: 4, 46), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. Su-Th 4:30PM-9:30PM, F-Sa 4:30PM-10PM. The sit-down restaurant operated by the same people that run the deli across the street. The menu features around 20 different past dishes, a mix of new and old favorites. Although reasonably small and often crowded (they don't take reservations), it is worth the wait! 
• 🌍 Cavé Vin, 5555 Xerxes Ave S (at 56th St; Bus: 6), ☎ [phone]. Tu-Th 5:30PM-9PM, F-Sa 5PM-10PM. Cave Vin features a Mediterranean/French menu. Tons of charm, great food and wine. (updated May 2016)
• 🌍 Gigi's Cafe, 824 W 36th St (at Bryant; Bus: 4, 23), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 7AM-9PM daily. Gigi's is a great little cafe: "coffee house by day, dinner joint by night." Free parking and WiFi. Gigi's has new management, Kim Bartmann, founder of the much celebrated Barbette, Bryant Lake Bowl, and Red Stag Supper Club. (updated May 2016)
• 🌍 Hola Arepa, 3501 Nicollet Ave (at 35th St; Bus: 18), ☎ [phone]. Tu-F 3PM-midnight, Sa-Su 10AM-midnight. Restaurant specializing in Venezuelan arepas, which are cornmeal griddle cakes with various fillings. (updated May 2016)
• 🌍 Pepito's Mexi-Go Deli, 4624 Nicollet Ave (between 46th and 47th Sts; Bus: 18, 46), ☎ [phone]. 11AM-9PM daily. A deli-style fast food version of their sit-down restaurant on 48th and Chicago. Try the fish tacos, they're fantastic. No alcohol, but fast service and fantastic food for those on the go. 
• 🌍 Piccolo, 4300 Bryant Ave S (at 43rd St; Bus: 4), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Su-M,W-Th 5:30PM-8:30PM, F-Sa 5:30PM-9:30PM, Tu closed. Small plates artfully crafted. (updated May 2016)
• 🌍 Punch Neapolitan Pizza, 3226 W Lake St (inside Calhoun Village Shopping Center, west of the Lake St/Excelsior Blvd interchange; Bus: 12, 17), ☎ [phone]. 11AM-10PM daily. Neapolitan pizzeria in a strip mall on the opposite side of the lakes from Uptown. Pizzas are baked in an 800F wood-burning oven for 90 seconds. Punch is one of the few restaurants that actually has certification from the official Napoli pizza organization. (updated May 2016)
• 🌍 Victor's 1959 Cafe, 3756 Grand Ave (at 38th St; Bus: 23), ☎ [phone]. Breakfast/lunch: 8AM-2:30PM daily; dinner: Tu-Sa 4:30PM-9PM. Cuban restaurant with good portions and a somewhat fashionably divey atmosphere; the interior is covered in graffiti from previous patrons. The cafe looks like a shack on the outside and seating is pretty limited; be prepared for long waits on the weekends. (updated Dec 2015)

Drink

Alcohol

• 🌍 CC Club, 2600 Lyndale Ave S (at 26th St; Bus: 4), ☎ [phone]. M-F 11AM-2AM, Sa-Su 10AM-2Am. A cheap and popular punk/alternative hangout, a favorite of the Replacements and the setting for their song "Here Comes a Regular." (updated Oct 2018)
• 🌍 Red Dragon, 2116 Lyndale Ave S (between Franklin and 22nd St; Bus: 2, 4, 17), ☎ [phone]. M 5PM-2AM, Tu-F 11AM-2AM, Sa noon-2AM, Su 2PM-2AM. Nominally a restaurant serving unremarkable grease-bomb Chinese food, the Red Dragon is more noted for its alcohol menu. That menu includes the infamous Wondrous Punch, a mixture of four different kinds of rum with a bit of grenadine and fruit juice; one order of punch is plenty for most people. Specialty drinks $10-13, shots $6.50. 
• 🌍 Famous Dave's BBQ and Blues Club, 3001 Hennepin Ave (at Lake, inside Calhoun Square; Bus: 6, 12, 17, 21, 23), ☎ [phone]. M-Th 11AM-1AM, F-Sa 11AM-2AM, Su 10AM-midnight. Local and national blues acts. 

Coffee

• 🌍 Bob's Java Hut, 2651 Lyndale Ave S (at 27th St; Bus: 4), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. M-Th 6AM-11PM, F 6AM-midnight, Sa 7AM-midnight, Su 7AM-11PM. Free wifi. Frequently a day-time biker hang out. Nice staff. 
• 🌍 Caffetto, 708 W 22nd St (between Lyndale and Aldrich; Bus: 2, 4, 17), ☎ [phone]. 6:30AM-1AM daily. Free wifi. 
• 🌍 Canteen Local 3255, 3255 Bryant Ave S (at 33rd St; Bus: 4), ☎ [phone]. M-F 6:30AM-11PM, Sa 7AM-11PM, Su 7:30AM-11PM. Free wifi. (updated Dec 2015)
• 🌍 Dogwood Coffee, 3001 Hennepin Ave (at Lake St, inside Calhoun Square; Bus: 6, 12, 17, 21, 23), ☎ [phone]. M-Sa 7AM-9PM, Su 9AM-6PM. One of the few coffee shops in town that roasts their own beans. Try the single-origin espresso. 
• 🌍 Misfit Coffee, 2401 Lyndale Ave S (at 24th St; Bus: 4, 17), ☎ [phone]. M-F 7AM-10PM, Sa-Su 8AM-10PM. Misfit started out as a coffee truck but now have a brick-and-mortar location. They offer standard espresso drinks and brewed coffee, plus nitro cold brew and a menu of cold brew-based flavored drinks. (updated Oct 2018)
• 🌍 Spyhouse Coffee, 2451 Nicollet Ave (at 25th St; Bus: 17, 18), ☎ [phone]. M-F 6AM-11PM, Sa 7AM-11PM, Su 8AM-11PM. Free wifi. (updated Aug 2017)
• 🌍 Spyhouse Coffee, 2404 Hennepin Ave (at 24th St; Bus: 6, 12, 17), ☎ [phone]. M-F 6AM-11PM, Sa 7AM-11PM, Su 8AM-11PM. Free wifi. (updated Aug 2017)
• 🌍 Uncommon Grounds, 2809 Hennepin Ave (at 28th St; Bus: 6, 12, 17, 21, 23), ☎ [phone]. Su-Th 11AM-midnight, F 11AM-1AM, Sa 9AM-1AM. Located in a renovated Victorian house. Free wifi. 
• 🌍 Urban Bean, 822 W Lake St (at Bryant; Bus: 4, 21), ☎ [phone]. M-F 6:30AM-10PM, Sa-Su 7AM-10PM. Free wifi. (updated Oct 2018)
• 🌍 Vicinity Coffee, 3350 Lyndale Ave S (at 34th St; Bus: 4), ☎ [phone]. M-F 6AM-8PM, Sa-Su 7AM-8PM. Features locally roasted small batch coffees. Free wifi. (updated May 2018)

Sleep

There aren't many lodging options in Southwest Minneapolis, but the Downtown hotels aren't too far from the Uptown, Lyn-Lake, and Eat Street areas.

• 🌍 Minneapolis International Hostel, 2400 Stevens Ave (at 24th St; Bus: 2, 11, 17, 18), ☎ [phone]. Check-in: 9AM-1PM and 5PM-9PM, check-out: 9AM. This is the only backpackers' hostel in the Twin Cities. Quick walking distance to the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, and Eat Street. A 15 minute walk or short bus ride to Downtown, and a short bus ride to Uptown. A credit card number is required to be on file for every party staying with them. $40 dorms, $80 privates. (updated Aug 2017)
• 🌍 Moxy Hotel, 1121 W Lake St (at Emerson; Bus: 6, 12, 17, 21, 23), ☎ [phone]. A boutique hotel from the Marriott chain that's mostly oriented to a younger crowd. The guest rooms are modern but on the smaller side. There is a bar and lots of common space on the ground floor. The hotel attracts a party crowd and might not be the best option for those seeking peace and quiet. $100-250. (updated Oct 2018)

Connect

• 🌍 Linden Hills Library, 2900 W 43rd St (at Vincent; Bus: 6), ☎ [phone]. M,W,F-Sa 9AM-5PM, Tu,Th noon-8PM. (updated Aug 2017)
• 🌍 Walker Library, 2880 Hennepin Ave (at Lagoon; Bus: 6, 12, 17, 21, 23), ☎ [phone]. M,W noon-8PM, Tu,Th-Sa 9AM-5PM. (updated Aug 2017)
• 🌍 Washburn Library, 5244 Lyndale Ave S (between Minnehaha Pkwy and 53rd St; Bus: 4), ☎ [phone]. M,W,F-Sa 9AM-5PM, Tu,Th noon-8PN. (updated Aug 2017)

Go next

• Much of the artist community that has been priced out of Uptown moved to Northeast.
• If you're still hungry for more Southeast Asian food after eating your way through Eat Street, there's another large concentration in the Frogtown neighborhood of Saint Paul.
• If you keep heading north along the trails near Cedar Lake you'll eventually find yourself in Theodore Wirth Park.