Wine Lover's Guide
By Molly Priesmeyer, Twin Cities Editor
Wine bars have been popping up around these parts like dandelions in April. After all, with all eyes on Minneapolis as an emerging design epicenter--thanks to the new Guthrie and Walker Art Center--shouldn't its restaurants be as cutting-edge? From reds to whites to sherries and aperitifs, we've taste-tested the best vintages. Go ahead, do a little wining.
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JP American Bistro
2937 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN
Chef J.P. Samuelson serves up unique dishes and a complimentary wine list that travels the globe from Hungary to Sonoma. -
Cafe Lurcat
1624 Harmon Pl, Minneapolis, MN
The trendy bar and cafe offers many worldly wines served by the bottle, glass, taste or 10-ounce pour. -
Solera
900 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapolis, MN
Downtown hot spot boasts an all-Spanish wine list and a large selection of sherry, to complement the tasty tapas. -
The Sample Room
2124 Marshall St NE, Minneapolis, MN
Casual wine flights make for a fun night out at this quaint, historic bar and restaurant. -
Fhima's
6 W Sixth St, St Paul, MN
Dozens of bottles make a stunning centerpiece in this swanky bistro, with a wine list that goes on and on. -
Napa Valley Grille
220 W Market St 2nd Fl, Bloomington, MN
California cork aficionados will swoon over this cellar stocked with more than 500 West Coast wines. -
Biella
227 Water St, Excelsior, MN
Fresh fish daily and an extensive wine list keep locals coming back for more.
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Riverview Wine Bar
3747 42nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN
This little unpretentious spot in the Longfellow neighborhood serves unique flights of fancy. -
Toast Wine Bar & Cafe
415 N First St, Minneapolis, MN
The service, a decent list of vino and thin-crust pizzas make Toast a downtown favorite. -
Bev's Wine Bar
250 Third Ave N, Minneapolis, MN
At this comfortable, elegant Warehouse District spot, the focus is on the fruit of the vine. -
Beaujo's Wine Bar & Bistro
4950 France Ave S, Minneapolis, MN
Enjoy this European-style neighborhood bistro with a worldly wine list of 34 bottles that span the globe. -
Cesare's Wine Bar
102 Second St S, Stillwater, MN
This stylish Stillwater spot serves an impressive list of wines and bistro fare that's worth the drive. -
Lucia's Restaurant and Wine Bar
1432 W 31st St, Minneapolis, MN
Both hip and homespun, Lucia Watson's Uptown bistro serves some of the best food and wine in the Cities. -
Ursula's Wine Bar
2125 4th Street, White Bear Lake, MN
With more than 40 vintages to choose from, this cozy bistro-style eatery is a wine-lover's heaven. -
Marx Wine Bar and Grill
241 Main St S, Stillwater, MN
An inexpensive wine list and elegant Italian fare draws a hip crowd in Stillwater. -
Fermentations Wine Bar & Bistro
236 Railway St N, Dundas, MN
Make it a destination: Visit this small town's hot spot serving big-city fare and several wine flights.
