Gift Guides: Our Favorite Local Minneapolis/St. Paul Restaurants + Shops
We're continuing our gift guide series with the all our favorites local small, local shops and restaurants. If ever there was a year to shop small and local, this is it! We're so lucky to have a zillion great little spots that could use our support. So without further ado, here is our very abbreviated list of our favorite restaurants and shops in Minneapolis + St. Paul!
SHOPS
Forage Modern Workshop closed their brick and mortar (cue the tears!) but they are adding to their online shop all the time. I literally want one of everything they sell. They have a super curated selection of home items that you can't find anywhere else. I have my eye on these quilts and these pot holders are the perfect stocking stuffer.
The Foundry Home Goods, oh how it breaks my heart to not be in their beautiful shop for the last 8 months. They are my go-to for kids toys + books and it would be a dream to outfit my kitchen with all of their tableware.
Haus Theory! Amanda has an amazing eye for all the vintage things. She regularly features her wares on Instagram stories (which I stalk). She offers curbside, contactless pick up for all you vintage lovers out there!
Grethen House I adore their selection of women's clothing, I wish my whole closet could come from their shop! It's the perfect spot for a thoughtful gift, I've got my eye on these slides.
Black Garnet Books is a new book retailer on the scene in Minneapolis. Black Garnet Books is Black woman owned and stocking some of the most diverse selection in the cities - it's a slam dunk for all book purchases from here forward.
Mother Co Plants is warm and always sunny! We purchased our amazing cactus from their shop and I'm dreaming about where to store a few more of their tropical treasures.
Our office cactus compliments of Mother Co Plants; photo by Amanda Marie Studio
Mille is another wonderful shop for women's clothing. I think we can all agree I need this top and this dress!
Loft Antiques is one of my favorite antique shops in the cities. It's two levels (always go to the basement!). I always walk away with a few more items for our styling collection.
Our lovely photographer, Amanda, started slinging some vintage rugs, check out her new shop: Curio Rugs for some vintage rug goodies!
Golden Age Design carries a great stock of mid century and vintage furniture. They are constantly adding to their shop and I watch their Instagram stories diligently for their latest finds. In addition to furniture, they have a wonderful selection of vintage home goods and accessories.
One of Henslin Home's vintage rugs in our #jmidrewave project
We're so lucky to have Henslin Home in our midst! I adore her selection of vintage rugs and always seem to find the perfect one for our projects in her shop.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Wild Rumpus book shop in southwest Minneapolis. It's a whimsical space full of furry creators, epic children's books and the kindest staff. They are currently closed for browsing (but open for curbside pick up!), but I am counting down the days until I can take my boys to the shop again!
Shop Idun is my new fave for clothing and their home section can't be beat - I have my eye on this still life print!
Restaurants
photo credit: Lyn 65
Centro! This little spot is so close to our office and for the longer days in the office it's the perfect pick me up. They have the best tacos (carnitas forever!) and their lunch special cannot be beat.
My kids' favorite restaurant in the city (hands down!) is Himalayan Restaurant on Lake Street in south Minneapolis. Our kids ask for it every single day, the staff could not be nicer (they even know my kids' birthdays!), and the food is to die for.
Jess raves about Zen Box, she loves all things ramen and swears that this the best in the cities!
Did you know we used to live in Thailand? We did! Since then we have sought out Thai food like it's our job. Ons Thai Kitchen in St. Paul is so lovely and the most authentic in the city we've found!
Need an amazing pizza, cocktail kit and the best bibim grain salad in all the land? Young Joni is the answer!
Soul Bowl is a new fave in Minneapolis, they serve soul food re-mixed with endless toppings and plentiful vegetarian options. If you try any of the restaurants on this list, it's gotta be Soul Bowl.
This summer we ate at Lyn 65 weekly! You could reserve the patio, my kids devour their pizza and their burger is so good.
Need some Italian comfort food? Italian Eatery is one of our favorite neighborhood spots - it's the first place I go when the temps drop - their tomato soup paired with their homemade bread makes the onset of colder weather not seem so bad.