The Midwest is not one of the most popular vacation destinations, but it should not go overlooked. No, there are not relaxing beaches or five-star resorts, but there is truly something for everyone. Growing up in Minnesota has been a pleasant experience. Despite going to school in two feet of snow, my memories of camping, spending time at a cabin on a lake, or going to the Minnesota State Fair trump the bad.

One of my favorite parts of growing up in the Twin Cities was the food. The best part was that it was only a short drive away. If you are like me, an avid foodie, then these recommendations are for you. If you haven’t visited Minnesota, I hope this post changes your mind.

Cafe Latte

I first started going to Cafe Latte when I was about seven years old. I have fond memories of driving with my mom and dad to pick up my great aunt for lunch. This restaurant is cafeteria-style, meaning you grab a tray, go down the line and choose between fruit, salads, creating your sandwich, soup, and spreads. Picky and adventurous eaters alike can find something for them. The best part is all the ingredients are real and fresh. A couple of things to highlight are the afternoon tea and the dessert. With the afternoon tea, you receive tea for one which is paired with a sandwich, scones with spreads, chocolate, cookies, and a piece of cake of your choice. By far, the shining star is the cake. Cafe Latte is known for its huge, flavorful, beautiful slices of cake. My personal favorite is their chocolate buttercream cake and lemon blueberry cheesecake. After trying MANY of their cakes, I can safely say there are no bad choices. I tend to go for their chocolate cakes since you can never go wrong.

Sebastian Joe’s

Homemade ice cream, freshly made waffle cones and coffee are three things you can find at Sebastian Joe’s. The ice cream is made fresh daily which enhances all of the flavors. For vegan people, there are delicious options such as cookie dough, oreo, and strawberry for you. Being someone who is dairy-free, this coconut milk-based ice cream is one of the best. For those who don’t have dietary restrictions, the chocolate chip raspberry is one of the best.

Punch Pizza

If I am in the mood for pizza, this is my go-to place. The pizza is cooked in a brick oven, so the pizza gets a nice crispy crust. You can order a pizza from the preset menu, or create your own. Also, you can order a salad to accompany your pizza. My go-to order is the margarita pizza and the punch salad which is a bed of mixed greens, prosciutto, pine nuts, parmesan, topped off with a balsamic dressing.

Hoban

If you love Korean food or want a unique experience, this is the place for you! I am a Korean adoptee, so cooking Korean food is not my parent’s strong suit. Finding restaurants that served Korean food was important for my parents so they could connect me with my culture. That is one reason why this restaurant is a favorite, but the experience is unmatched. This is one of the few places in Minneapolis I know of that has a grill in the center of the table. This allows you to order vegetables and cuts of meat to grill yourself. My favorites to order are bulgogi, which is a marinated beef dish or the japchae, which is a noodle dish with vegetables. This makes it a fun place to entertain friends. If grilling doesn’t appeal to you, made to order dishes are available. 

Glam Doll Donuts

Fluffy, sweet, and larger than life is just three words that describe the donuts from Glam Doll Donuts. The donuts are delicious and there is a cute, picture-worthy storefront to match. You are first greeted with a hot pink entrance, along with the sign that includes a donut. Names like “Mocha Lisa” to refer to an espresso donut and “Bam Bam” to describe the fruity pebbles donut are a few small touches that make this place memorable. My favorite donut is the “Misfit,” which is a raised donut with orange, ginger and cinnamon infused glaze.