Bar La Grassa
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Bar La Grassa

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An acclaimed Italian eatery in Minneapolis known for its extensive wine list, bustling atmosphere, and award-winning pasta.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Bar La Grassa

Bar La Grassa

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

An acclaimed Italian eatery in Minneapolis known for its extensive wine list, bustling atmosphere, and award-winning pasta.

"This place is a must!! You can get such an incredible Italian meal in Minneapolis."

TIP

Book in Advance

Secure your table by making reservations, especially for busy nights like Thursday-Saturday.

Shareable Starters

Order multiple antipasti or bruschetta to share and enjoy a variety of flavors.

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Quick Facts

Closed·Opens Monday 5PM

Cuisine

Italian

Price

$$$

Phone

(612) 333-3837

Address

800 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401, USA

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Must-Try Bruschetta

Must-Try Bruschetta

Indulge in their famous bruschetta selection, with the soft eggs and lobster being a crowd favorite.

Most Romantic Restaurants in the Twin Cities14 Best Date Night Restaurants in Minneapolis and St. Paul40 Must-Visit Restaurants in Minneapolis+2
Extensive Pasta Selection

Extensive Pasta Selection

Experience a wide array of delicious and expertly crafted pasta dishes, from classic to creative.

TikTok40 Must-Visit Restaurants in MinneapolisGoogle Review+1
Vibrant Atmosphere

Vibrant Atmosphere

Enjoy a bustling and energetic dining space, perfect for a lively night out or a special occasion.

14 Best Date Night Restaurants in Minneapolis and St. Paul40 Must-Visit Restaurants in MinneapolisGoogle Review
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Bar La Grassa is a Minneapolis staple. Two of my favorite pastas ever - the calamarata with raw tuna and the gemelli with chicken confit. You can’t miss here. #minneapolis #mnfoodie #barlagrassa #northloop #datenight
@mnfoodiegirl
31 likes • 971 views

Book in Advance

Secure your table by making reservations, especially for busy nights like Thursday-Saturday.

Shareable Starters

Order multiple antipasti or bruschetta to share and enjoy a variety of flavors.

📍Bar La Grassa | This restaurant needs no introduction. BLG never misses!! I recommend going in a group so you can try alllllll the things 🤤 #northloop #minneapolis #foodie #pasta #italianfood
@minne.eats
107 likes • 10.4K views
hard to pick a favorite 😋 #minneapolis #mpls #barlagrassa
@nicolemahzoun_
48 likes • 1.7K views

Consider Seating

Request a table for a potentially less crowded experience than the pasta bar.

Server Recommendations

Ask your server for recommendations; they are knowledgeable and can guide your choices.

@barlagrassa #pasta #italianfood #italianrestaurant #minneapolis #wine
@drsierrahanowski
29 likes • 6K views

Tips

from all over the internet

Book in Advance

Secure your table by making reservations, especially for busy nights like Thursday-Saturday.

Shareable Starters

Order multiple antipasti or bruschetta to share and enjoy a variety of flavors.

Consider Seating

Request a table for a potentially less crowded experience than the pasta bar.

Server Recommendations

Ask your server for recommendations; they are knowledgeable and can guide your choices.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Bar La Grassa is highly praised for its exceptional Italian food, particularly its creative pasta dishes and renowned bruschetta. Diners frequently highlight the vibrant atmosphere and attentive service. While most reviews are overwhelmingly positive, a few guests have found certain dishes to be overpriced or not meeting expectations, though this is a minority opinion.

"中国人不骗中国人!这家意大利餐馆确实挺好吃的!
The food totally exceeded my expectations! Especially the bruschetta — I highly recommend it. The St. Louis ribs were also much better than I expected.

I also want to say a big thank-you to the staff. While I was waiting for a table, I had low blood sugar, and one of the front desk staff kindly helped me. I really appreciate her kindness. I didn’t catch her name — my spoken English isn’t very good, and after dinner I hesitated to say something to her. I just remember she was a beautiful lady with light-colored hair.

Thank you so much again! I really enjoyed the food and the warm service."

Rimona Mao

"The food is amazing, probably one of the best italian restaurants in the cities. The soft eggs with lobster is SO nice. Would also recommend the lamb shank. When I go again, I’ll add a pasta on the side of the lamb shank otherwise it can be one note on the flavor. The desserts are amazing too! What a great spot."

Farhan Munshi

"Overall experience was a good one! The service was great, along with ambiance but the food was disappointing. I’ve had better Italian food. The lobster app was essentially egg on toast… very overpriced because of the “lobster,” and not worth it. We thought it’d be fancier? The tuna pasta was unique but overall, the food is not good enough for us to come back."

Pang Yang

What People Like

Creative and delicious pasta dishes
Must-try bruschetta
Vibrant atmosphere and energetic vibe

What People Dislike

Some dishes perceived as overpriced
Occasional disappointment with certain food items

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, reservations are highly recommended, especially for dinner on Thursday through Saturday nights.

14 Best Date Night Restaurants in Minneapolis and St. Paul

The soft eggs and lobster bruschetta is a signature starter, and many love the creative pasta dishes like gnocchi with cauliflower and orange.

Most Romantic Restaurants in the Twin Cities14 Best Date Night Restaurants in Minneapolis and St. PaulGoogle Review+1

Yes, it's often recommended for date nights due to its lively ambiance and upscale feel.

TikTok14 Best Date Night Restaurants in Minneapolis and St. Paul40 Must-Visit Restaurants in Minneapolis

Bar La Grassa has a bustling, energetic, and lively atmosphere, with an open kitchen and vibrant dining room.

40 Must-Visit Restaurants in MinneapolisGoogle Review

The menu features several pasta dishes and antipasti that can be adapted or are naturally vegetarian. It's best to inform your server of any dietary needs.

Consider going with a group so you can order multiple small plates and pastas to share and try a variety of dishes.

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No appetizer list would be complete without the very best antipasti, and Bar La Grassa just might be the very best in a metro teeming with Italian food. Other items on the menu can compete with the likes of Broder’s, Al Vento, or Monello with a dedication to pastas and Italian classics, but the chicken and foie gras polpettone, arancini with duck confit, and crudo make it the number one spot for those (sometimes) shareable starters called antipasti. There’s also an extensive menu of bruschetta, with soft eggs and lobster, marinated pork shoulder, pecorino fresco, and more that make for fantastic beginners as well.

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A James Beard award winner, Isaac Becker, is responsible for Bar La Grassa, serving a wide variety of pastas and other crowd-pleasing Italian staples. Smack Shack is known for their lobster-spiked dishes as well as oysters, crab, scallops, calamari, walleye (a local white fish) and other varieties of seafood. Other popular restaurants in this area include Sanjusan (Japanese-Italian fusion), Billy Sushi (sushi, made from the freshest of ingredients), Spoon and Stable (Food focused on the seasonality of the Midwest with a French-inspiration), and Maison Margaux (French brasserie).

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You can’t search for “best restaurants in Minneapolis” without Bar la Grassa returning as a result. Isaac Becker’s Italian eatery has been around for years but still remains one of the best Italian restaurants in Minneapolis for its now-famous bruschettas (the soft eggs and lobster bruschetta has made the feeds of many a Minnesotan foodie), and pasta such as the cauliflower and orange gnocchi. While you may be able to come by a last-minute dinner reservation on a Monday, you’ll definitely need to book a few weeks in advance to get a table for dinner Thursday-Saturday.

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Located in Minneapolis' North Loop, the ever-popular Bar La Grassa — an Italian restaurant with a James Beard Award-winning chef — is a pasta lover’s paradise. Menu items, designed to be shareable, include gnocchi with cauliflower and orange, soft eggs and lobster bruschetta, red wine spaghetti with pine nuts, and more. The open kitchen, sparkling chandeliers, tall ceilings and cozy seating make it an ideal spot for a special night out.

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North in North Loop, the wine bar and Italian spot, which offers desserts and more, is the most popular high-end dessert spot in Minneapolis, boasting 4.5 stars out of 1,246 reviews on Yelp. Bar La Grassa specializes in Italian cuisine. Following an entree, choose from a variety of sweet treats including a pineapple ginger ricotta tarte or the gjetost cheesecake.

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Any local knows that award-winning Chef Isaac Becker’s Bar la Grassa boasts the best pasta in town. The illuminated ‘BLG’ sign will lure you in from Washington Ave. in the North Loop neighborhood — if you can get a reservation that is. The consistently busy upscale spot features Italian classic pastas (and newer renditions), small plates, and a host of wines.

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If you’re looking for somewhere to serve you some amazing Italian food in Minneapolis, then check out Bar la Grassa. The head chef is a James Beard award winner and knows how to make his guests some of the best pasta on the block. One of their top dishes is the red wine spaghetti, but no matter what you order on the menu, you’ll leave feel full and satisfied.

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Bar La Grassa: Bar La Grassa is an upscale Italian restaurant that serves traditional Italian dishes with a modern twist. The menu features a variety of classic Italian dishes, from risotto to ravioli, as well as a selection of gourmet pizzas and homemade pastas. The atmosphere is intimate and romantic, making it the perfect spot for a special occasion.

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One of the best Italian restaurants in Minnesota can be found in Minneapolis at Bar La Grasa, which is located in the warehouse district. The massive wooden beams, brick walls, and exposed ductwork make this place super fun, but it’s the delicious Italian fare that keeps customers coming back over and over again.

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I eat a lot of noodles, and I can honestly say I’ve never tasted anything like the dishes served up at Bar La Grassa. Heads up – I would definitely classify this restaurant as “bustling”, so this isn’t the best spot for an intimate dinner. Reservations are recommended.

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They also had gluten free options for my mom who has celiac, which was amazing!. She said it's the best GF fettucine she's ever had, which says A LOT

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Bar La Grassa (2026) – Best of TikTok, Instagram & Reddit Food Guide