Best of MN 2023: Readers’ Choice

Our readers voted online for their favorites in a number of categories earlier this year. Here are their top picks.
Illustration by Philipo Dyauli

Illustration by Philipo Dyauli

The Winners

Rustica Bakery

Ella Smith

Bakery

Rustica Bakery
https://www.rusticabakery.com

Estelle's bar
Estelle’s bar

Photo by Kevin Kramer

Bar of Craft Cocktails

Estelle
https://estellestp.com

Revival

Barbecue

Revival
https://www.revivalrestaurants.com

Bloody Mary

Red Cow
https://redcowmn.com/

Surly

T.J. Turner

Brewery

Surly Brewing Co.
https://surlybrewing.com/

German Chocolate Pancakes
German Chocolate Pancakes at Hope Breakfast Bar

Photo by Jason DeRusha

Brunch

Hope Breakfast Bar
https://www.hopebreakfast.com

At Red Cow, the Barcelona Burger (left) and the Manhattan

Photo by Danielle Gernes; styling by Lara Miklasevics

Burger

Red Cow
https://redcowmn.com/

Tattersall Distillery canned cocktails

Provided

Canned Cocktails/RTDs

Tattersall Distilling
https://www.tattersalldistilling.com/

Nothing But Hemp
Nothing But Hemp

Nothing But Hemp

CBD

Nothing But Hemp
https://www.nothingbuthemp.net

Celiac Friendly

Good Earth
https://goodearthmn.com/#

Chicken Wings

Monte Carlo
https://www.montecarlomn.com

Spyhouse Coffee

Coffee Shop

Spyhouse Coffee
https://spyhousecoffee.com

Bar La Grassa

Date Night

Bar La Grassa
https://www.barlagrassa.com

Deli

Kramarczuk’s Sausage Co. Inc.
https://www.kramarczuks.com

Dessert

Yum! Kitchen and Bakery
https://yumkitchen.com

Tattersall Distilling's Holiday Market
Holiday Market at Tattersall Distilling in 2019.

Courtesy of Tattersall Distilling

Distillery

Tattersall Distilling
https://www.tattersalldistilling.com/

Dive Bar

Grumpy’s Bar
https://grumpys-bar.com

Doughnuts

Bogart’s Doughnut Co.
https://www.bogartsdoughnutco.com

Cafe Latte Turtle Cake

Fast Casual

Cafe Latte
https://www.cafelatte.com

Food Truck

The Anchor Fish & Chips
https://www.theanchorfishandchips.com

French Fries

Barbette
https://www.barbette.com

Happy Hour

Lucky 13’s Pub
https://www.luckys13pub.com

Ice Cream

Sebastian Joe’s
https://sebastianjoesicecream.com

Kids Menu

Snuffy’s Malt Shop
https://www.snuffysmaltshops.com/

Meat Shop

Von Hanson’s Meats
https://vonhansons.com

Carlos Creek Winery's tasting bar
Carlos Creek Winery’s tasting bar

Provided

Minnesota Vineyard

Carlos Creek Winery
https://www.carloscreekwinery.com

W.A. Frost and Co.
W.A. Frost and Co.

Darin Kamnetz

Patio

W.A. Frost and Co.
https://www.wafrost.com

Pizza

Wrecktangle Pizza
https://wrecktanglepizza.com

Seafood

Coastal Seafoods
https://www.coastalseafoods.com

Special Occasion

Manny’s Steakhouse
https://mannyssteakhouse.com

Billy's sushi creations are just as much of a party as he is
Billy’s sushi creations are just as much of a party as he is

Provided

Sushi

Billy Sushi
https://billysushi.net

El Burrito Mercado

Taco

El Burrito Mercado
https://elburritomercado.com

Clr!ty

Clr!ty

THC Beverage

Clr!ty
https://seekclrty.com

Herbivorous Butcher’s new dish for the 2022 Minnesota State Fair.

Provided

Vegan/Vegetarian

The Herbivorous Butcher
https://www.theherbivorousbutcher.com

Strey Designs (check out that backpack) is one of the many makers and small businesses in the Northrup King Building.
Northrup King Building

Courtesy Strey Designs

Art Gallery

The Northrup King Building
https://www.northrupkingbuilding.com

Athletic Wear

Mill City Running
https://www.millcityrunning.com

Auto Dealership

Walser Automotive Group
https://www.walser.com

Fine Antiques

H&B Gallery
https://www.handbgallery.com

Furniture Store

Room & Board
https://www.roomandboard.com

Patina
Patina

Patina Stores

Gift Shop

Patina Stores
https://www.patinastores.com

Grocery Store

Lunds & Byerlys
https://lundsandbyerlys.com

Home Furnishings

The Foundry Home Goods
https://www.thefoundryhomegoods.com

Home Improvement Store

Frattallone’s Ace Hardware
https://frattallones.com

Intimate Apparel

Flirt Boutique
https://www.flirt-boutique.com

Jeweler

R.F. Moeller Jeweler
https://rfmoeller.com

Kids Store

Pacifier Kids Boutique
https://pacifierkids.com

The bar inside Sidebar at Surdyk’s

Provided

Liquor Store

Surdyk’s
https://surdyks.com

Minnesota artist Adam Turman

Photo by Easton Green

Maker/Artisan

Adam Turman
https://www.adamturman.com

Men’s Clothing

Hammer Made
https://www.hammermade.com

Nursery/Greenhouse

Gertens Garden Center
https://www.gertens.com

Outdoor Outfitters

REI
https://www.rei.com

Shopping Center

Galleria
https://www.galleriaedina.com

Midtown Global Market in the Twin Cities
Midtown Global Market

Photo Provided

Specialty Market

Midtown Global Market
https://midtownglobalmarket.org

Women’s Clothing

Primp Boutique
https://primp-boutique.com

Addiction Counseling

Hazelden Betty Ford
https://www.hazeldenbettyford.org

Childcare

Primrose Schools
https://www.primroseschools.com

Doggie Daycare

Wagging Tails Pet Resort
https://waggingtailspetresort.com/

Gym/Athletic Club

Life Time
https://www.lifetime.life/home-new.html

Hair Salon

Lili Salon Spa
https://lilisalonspa.com

Healthcare System

HealthPartners
https://www.healthpartners.com

High School (Private)

Saint Thomas Academy
https://www.cadets.com

High School (Public)

Minnetonka
https://www.minnetonkaschools.org/schools/high-school/mhs

Manicure and Pedicure

Envy Nails Uptown
https://www.facebook.com/ENVYNAILSSPAUPTOWNMINNEAPOLIS/

Masseuse

Massage Envy
https://www.massageenvy.com

Andy Doan, owner and head stylist at the Dapper Wolf
Andy Doan, owner and head stylist at the Dapper Wolf

Joe Wiegle, No.Style Productions

Men’s Stylist

The Dapper Wolf
https://thedapperwolf.com

Nonprofit

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities
https://boysandgirls.org

Pet Grooming

Bubbly Paws
https://www.bubblypaws.com

Spa

Watershed Spa
https://www.watershedspa.com

Specialty Gym

Orangetheory
https://www.orangetheory.com

Veterinarian

Como Park Animal Hospital
https://www.comoparkanimalhospital.com

Yoga Studio

St. Paul Yoga Center
https://stpaulyogacenter.com


Custom Home Builder

John Kraemer & Sons
https://www.jkandsons.com 

Home Architect

James McNeal Architecture and Design
https://www.jamesmcnealarchitectureanddesign.com

Home Remodeler

Lenox House Design
https://www.lenoxhousedesign.com

Interior Designer

Lucy Interior Design
https://www.lucyinteriordesign.com

Landscape Architect

Mom’s Design Build
https://momsdesignbuild.com

Airline

Sun Country
https://www.suncountry.com

Annual Event

Minnesota State Fair
https://www.mnstatefair.org

Casino

Mystic Lake Casino
https://mysticlake.com

Comedy Club

Acme Comedy Club
https://acmecomedycompany.com

Concert Venue

First Avenue
https://first-avenue.com

Dance Club

The Saloon
https://www.saloonmn.com

Homegrown Celebrity

Prince
https://store.prince.com/store

Hewing Hotel
Hewing Hotel

Provided

Hotel

Hewing Hotel
https://hewinghotel.com

Trampled by Turtles

Zoe Prinds

Local Band

Trampled by Turtles
https://trampledbyturtles.com

Art in Bloom is a museum-wide exhibit of spring flowers at Mia

Courtesy Minneapolis Institute of Art

Museum

Minneapolis Institute of Art
https://new.artsmia.org

Racing

Canterbury Park
https://www.canterburypark.com

Radio Station – Music

89.3 The Current
https://www.thecurrent.org

Radio Station – Talk

KFAN FM 100.3
https://kfan.iheart.com

Bluefin Bay on Lake Superior
Bluefin Bay has been voted Minnesota’s Favorite Resort and is unmatched in proximity to Lake Superior.

Resort

Bluefin Bay
https://www.bluefinbay.com

U.S. Bank Stadium

Courtesy of Adobe Stock

Sporting Venue

U.S. Bank Stadium
https://www.usbankstadium.com

U.S. Bank Stadium

Sports Team

Minnesota Vikings
https://www.vikings.com

Theater

Guthrie Theater
https://www.guthrietheater.org

TV Station

KARE 11
https://www.kare11.com

Convention Center

Minneapolis Convention Center
https://www.minneapolis.org/minneapolis-convention-center/

Event Center/Space

Machine Shop
https://machineshopmpls.com

Meredith Gruenes of Watkins shot this photo of Canal Park in Duluth on New Year’s Day 2022 and says, “Sunrises mean a new beginning each morning.”
Meredith Gruenes of Watkins shot this photo of Canal Park in Duluth on New Year’s Day 2022 and says, “Sunrises mean a new beginning each morning.”

Romantic Getaway Weekend

Duluth
https://visitduluth.com

Artists Point in Grand Marais
Artists Point in Grand Marais

Visit Cook County

Vacation Spot

Grand Marais
https://www.ci.grand-marais.mn.us

Beach

Itasca State Park
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00181#homepage

Boating

Lake Minnetonka
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/fisheries/westmetro/minnetonka.html

Campsite

Split Rock State Park
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00266#homepage

Disc Golf Course

Hyland Hills Disc Golf
https://www.threeriversparks.org/location/hyland-hills-disc-golf

Fishing Lake/River

Lake of the Woods
https://lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Golfing

Hazeltine National Golf Club
https://www.hazeltinenational.com

Hiking

Eagle Mountain Trailhead
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/superior/recreation/recarea/?recid=41628&actid=50

Ice Skating

Bayfront Festival Park
https://bayfrontfestivalpark.com

Mini-golf fun at artistic Can Can Wonderland

Photo: Can Can Wonderland/Krivit

Mini-Golf

Can Can Wonderland
https://www.cancanwonderland.com

Mountain Bike Trail

Theodore Wirth Regional Park
https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks-destinations/parks-lakes/theodore_wirth_regional_park/

Outdoor Pool

Edina Aquatic Center
https://www.edinamn.gov/1824/Aquatic-Center

Paved Bike Trail

Grand Rounds Scenic Byway
https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks-destinations/trails-parkways/grand_rounds_scenic_byway_system/

Running Route

Lake of the Isles
https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks-destinations/parks-lakes/lake_of_the_isles_park/

Silver Creek Tunnel - Scenic Byway 61
Travel the North Shore coast of Lake Superior

Scenic Drive

North Shore
https://northshorevisitor.com

Fall colors in Lutsen

Photo by Visit Cook County

Skiing

Lutsen Mountains
https://www.lutsen.com

Snowshoeing

Minnehaha Creek
https://minnehahacreek.org

Upper Falls at Gooseberry Falls State Park
Upper Falls at Gooseberry Falls State Park, located in the Lake Superior North Shore area

All photos courtesy of Lovin Lake County

State Park

Gooseberry Falls State Park
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00172#homepage