As a large city in the Midwest of the United States, Minneapolis is known for its diverse food culture. Despite being landlocked, it offers a world-class seafood experience. Nestled between beautiful lakes and rivers, Minneapolis’ seafood restaurants bring together fresh fish, shellfish and other seafood delicacies, attracting a large number of diners. Whether it is local residents or tourists from all over the world, you can find a restaurant in this city that can let your taste buds enjoy delicious seafood.
1. The Oceanaire Seafood Room
Restaurant History and Overview
The Oceanaire Seafood Room is one of the most iconic seafood restaurants in Minneapolis, established in 1998. The design of the restaurant is inspired by the classic seafood restaurants of the 1950s, and the interior decoration is luxurious and full of retro atmosphere. The Oceanaire is known for its exquisite dining environment and high-quality seafood, and is the first choice for many seafood lovers. The restaurant adheres to the principle of “freshness” and purchases seafood directly from ports around the world every day to ensure that every diner can taste the freshest seafood.
Food Features and Taste
The Oceanaire’s menu is very rich, offering a variety of fresh seafood for diners to choose from, including oysters, lobsters, crabs, shrimps and a variety of fresh fish. The restaurant’s most famous dishes include:
Grilled lobster tail: The lobster meat is tender and juicy, and after grilling, it is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, perfectly presenting the original flavor of seafood. Paired with a light lemon butter sauce, it is extremely delicious.
Oyster platter: The restaurant’s oysters come from multiple origins on the east coast of the United States. They are fresh and refreshing, with delicate meat. Paired with vinegar, hot sauce and lemon, it adds flavor.
Charcoal grilled salmon: The salmon meat is delicious and elastic, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and paired with a specially prepared spice sauce, it has a rich flavor.
Personal experience
When dining at The Oceanaire, I was first attracted by the atmosphere of the restaurant. The retro decoration and warm lighting create an elegant and comfortable dining environment. When each seafood dish is served, people are amazed by its color and exquisite presentation. The lobster tail is extremely tender, and the oysters are even more memorable. Moreover, the service of the restaurant is very professional. The waiters will provide recommendations based on the tastes and needs of customers to ensure that every meal becomes a feast for the taste buds.
Location and Transportation
The Oceanaire Seafood Room is located in Piazza in downtown Minneapolis, just a walking distance from Wollman Park. There are multiple parking lots around to provide convenient parking. The restaurant is conveniently located around the restaurant and can be easily reached by bus and subway.
Reservation Platform and Fees
It is recommended to make a reservation through OpenTable. The restaurant’s prices are moderate, and the main dishes are mostly between $30 and $50, especially seafood platters and lobster dishes, which may be slightly higher. The cost of drinks and alcohol is also relatively expensive.
2. Lalibela Seafood Restaurant
Restaurant History and Overview
Lalibela Seafood Restaurant is an Ethiopian-style seafood restaurant in Minneapolis, established in 2010. It not only provides fresh seafood, but also incorporates traditional Ethiopian flavors to bring a new seafood dining experience. The restaurant’s decoration is modern and warm, full of strong East African cultural atmosphere. Lalibela focuses on the procurement of local ingredients, and also cooperates with multiple local fisheries and suppliers to ensure the quality and freshness of seafood.
Food Features and Taste
Lalibela’s seafood dishes have a strong Ethiopian flavor, especially in the use of seasonings, which presents a rich aroma. The restaurant’s signature dishes include:
Ethiopian seafood stew: This is a classic dish of the restaurant, stewed with delicious fish, shrimp and squid with various spices, with a rich soup and rich taste.
Spicy grilled fish: The fish meat is marinated with unique spices and then carefully baked in the oven. It is delicious and spicy. It is delicious when eaten with rice or cakes.
Charcoal grilled prawns: The prawns are grilled on charcoal until golden, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a unique taste. The spicy taste and the fragrance of lemon complement each other.
Personal experience
The atmosphere of Lalibela’s restaurant is very relaxed and full of hospitality. Every dish is made with care, especially their seafood stew, which is very tasty, and the combination of spices and seafood is surprisingly harmonious. The waiters are kind and friendly, and always patiently answer questions about the dishes, which makes people feel warm.
Location and transportation
Lalibela Seafood Restaurant is located near the city center and is conveniently located. There are public transportation stops nearby, which is suitable for walking and driving.
Booking platform and cost
Booking through Resy is a more convenient option. The restaurant’s prices are relatively affordable, with main dishes ranging from about $15 to $25. The prices of seafood platters and grilled fish are higher, but still medium-priced.
3. The Crab House
Restaurant history and overview
The Crab House is a well-known seafood restaurant in Minneapolis that focuses on providing fresh crab seafood. Since its opening, it has attracted a large number of seafood lovers with its high-quality crab dishes. The restaurant pays attention to the selection of ingredients and maintains long-term cooperation with multiple seafood suppliers to ensure that every crab can reach the table in time.
Food Features and Taste
The Crab House is known for its diverse crab dishes. Its signature dishes include:
Salt and Pepper Crab: Fresh crabs are grilled over charcoal, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, sprinkled with spices and chilies, and have a spicy taste.
Garlic Crab: The crabs are marinated with garlic and herb seasonings and steamed to perfection, with a strong garlic flavor and tender meat.
Crab Platter: The platter includes a variety of different types of crabs, each of which is carefully cooked and has a rich taste.
Personal Experience
The dining experience in the restaurant is very special, and every crab dish is mouth-watering. I especially recommend their Garlic Crab, which has tender meat and a strong garlic aroma. The restaurant’s environment is warm and cozy, suitable for enjoying food with friends.
Location and Transportation
The Crab House is located in the waterfront area of the city, not far from the city center, with convenient transportation around, suitable for walking and driving.
Booking Platform and Fees
Booking through OpenTable can guarantee your spot. The prices in the restaurant are on the high side, with main courses usually costing between $30 and $50. Crab platters and large crabs are more expensive, but worth every penny.
4. Some things to note when visiting Minneapolis restaurants
4.1 Reservations are key
Although there are many types of restaurants in Minneapolis, many popular seafood restaurants, especially during the peak tourist season, tend to have long waiting times. Therefore, it is very necessary to make reservations in advance through the restaurant’s reservation platform (such as OpenTable, Resy, etc.). This will not only ensure that you get a seat, but also avoid unnecessary waiting.
Some restaurants offer discounts and special packages for specific periods of time, which can be released through reservation platforms in advance. Knowing in advance can enjoy more discounts.
4.2 Pay attention to the restaurant’s business hours
Different restaurants may have different business hours, especially during holidays or special dates, when business hours may be adjusted. It is recommended to check the restaurant’s opening hours in advance before going, especially seafood restaurants, which may be affected by seasonal supply and some varieties of seafood may not be available during specific time periods.
4.3 Choose a reasonable dining time
During peak hours (such as dinner time or weekends), restaurants can be very busy, so if you want to enjoy a more quiet and relaxing dining experience, it is recommended to avoid peak hours. For example, dining in the morning and evening is more suitable to avoid the influx of large crowds.
4.4 Pay attention to the freshness of seafood
When choosing seafood dishes, especially some ingredients from far away, it is very important to understand the source and freshness of the restaurant’s seafood. Most high-quality restaurants pay attention to supply chain management and ensure that seafood is delivered to the table in the shortest time.
Whether you are a seafood lover or a first-time visitor, Minneapolis’ seafood restaurants can satisfy your delicious needs. From high-end seafood restaurants to local dining spots, each restaurant has its own unique charm and flavor. In these restaurants, you can not only taste the freshest seafood, but also enjoy a warm dining atmosphere and excellent service.
To ensure a smooth dining experience, it is recommended that you make reservations in advance through reservation platforms such as OpenTable and Resy. Through these platforms, you can not only view the restaurant’s menu, environment and reviews, but also enjoy flexible reservation options and discounts to ensure that every meal becomes an unforgettable food journey.
If you are planning a trip to Minneapolis, don’t miss these seafood restaurants, they will definitely bring you an unforgettable and delicious journey.
