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

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Bar La Grassa

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

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Italian
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

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

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

Vibrant Atmosphere
Enjoy a bustling and energetic dining space, perfect for a lively night out or a special occasion.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
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.
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
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
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, reservations are highly recommended, especially for dinner on Thursday through Saturday nights.
The soft eggs and lobster bruschetta is a signature starter, and many love the creative pasta dishes like gnocchi with cauliflower and orange.
Yes, it's often recommended for date nights due to its lively ambiance and upscale feel.
Bar La Grassa has a bustling, energetic, and lively atmosphere, with an open kitchen and vibrant dining room.
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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North LoopNothing says "amore" like a big bowl of homemade pasta and the foie gras tortellini, and this open-plan, high-energy (maybe too high-energy?) spot is proof. An order of the soft eggs and lobster bruschetta is certainly a good way to start things off on the right foot, and maybe a few bottles of wine to wash it all down too.
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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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The most walkable neighborhood in the city allows for the best kind of bar crawl: Start with an innovative sip at Cobble Social House, the tiny cocktail bar hidden by D.Nolo, then wander into the iconic bar at Monte Carlo for an ice-cold martini and the best wings. Move over to the lobby bar at Hewing Hotel, where the beautiful people drink Old Fashioneds, and stroll down to Parlour Bar for “The Burger” for sustenance. Finish your night shouting to new friends at the area’s favorite dive bar, Cuzzy’s.
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• Italian Feast: Bar La Grassa With wine flowing, an energetic ambiance and James Beard award-winning chef Isaac Becker’s ingenious twists on Italian cuisine, a dinner at Bar La Grassa will leave your guests feeling nothing short of wowed. The beautiful semi-private dining room can seat up to 30, or accommodate 48 for a cocktail reception. Delectable dishes such as gnocchi with cauliflower and orange, and white anchovy avocado bruschetta help create a night you won’t forget.
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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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And right outside the Field, check out some Twin Cities culinary heavyweights serving up food at the Pepsi Block Party. Andrew Zimmern’s ‘canteen dog’ will be available on Monday from 3-7pm. And the fare on game day looks extra enticing: porchetta sandwiches from Terzo Vino Bar, smoked pork from Brasa Rotisserie and fried chicken livers from Corner Table, all on Tuesday from 3-7pm.
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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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Bar La Grassa is a pasta lover's paradise, located in the busy North Loop. With a menu designed for sharing, you can indulge in dishes like gnocchi with cauliflower and orange or red wine spaghetti with pine nuts. The open kitchen and sparkling chandeliers create a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfect for a special night out.
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Washington Avenue Minneapolis, Minn. 55401 (612) 333-3837 Directory | Website. You might see some familiar faces at Bar La Grassa; that is, if you were on the scene 20 years ago. This cozy, classic bar seems to be where the see-and-be-seen crowd has resurfaced after dropping out to marry, breed and colonize the burbs.
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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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James Beard Award-winning chef Isaac Becker’s Bar La Grassa is an always-packed Italian restaurant with an impressive bruschetta and pasta list. Arguably the best burger in town can be found at the upscale Parlour Bar, best enjoyed with an old fashioned or any one of the basement bar’s other creative cocktails.
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Bar La Grassa is a super welcoming spot in downtown Minneapolis, where the fun and lively atmosphere is complemented by the friendly and knowledgeable staff. The antipasti and pasta dishes are standouts. Check out the tender braised octopus and peppery arugula for a proper treat.
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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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Situated within Minneapolis’s vibrant North Loop, Bar La Grassa offers an Italian dining experience like no other. The open kitchen and lively atmosphere provide diners with a glimpse into the art of food preparation. At Bar La Grassa, the emphasis is on fresh pasta.
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A legion of fans have been crying out for James Beard Award winning chef Isaac Becker’s beloved pasta restaurant in the North Loop. Finally, those tried and true dishes are back, and being served inside. Reservations are hard to come by and get snapped up fast.
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800 N Washington AvenueMinneapolis, MN 55401(612) 333-3837 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. Bar La Grassa is a well-known Italian restaurant co-owned by Chef Isaac Becker, serving traditional Italian specialties and an extensive wine selection.
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- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (761 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: Italian- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 800 Washington Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1330- Read more on Tripadvisor
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With Italian restaurants in Minneapolis like Bar La Grassa, fans of Old World specialties have a place to indulge their adoration. Families of up to 32 members can book a room and enjoy celebratory trattoria dining in private luxury.
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James Beard Award winning chef Isaac Becker’s Italian eatery is perpetually packed. Small and large plates are available and are best shared with friends. The crowded, boisterous dining room is always humming with activity.
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Bar Lagrassa - Not authentic per se, but easily the best italian I've had in MN. Decently affordable. A lot to choose from, but if you go here and don't try the beef carpaccio, you're cheating yourself.
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But the odds are we’ll go there for one of the boys’ birthdays once every few years because they really enjoyed their meal there in 2022 and they’re not yet jaded assholes like me.
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If we had to pick one spot to say “YOU HAVE TO GO HERE” it would be Bar La Grassa. Best pastas, best wine list, best cozy date-night atmosphere. Just, honestly, best everything.
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800 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401Phone: 612-333-3837 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Shawn R.| Minneapolis | Foodie (@shawnsrodgers)
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The finest dining can be found at nearby Spoon and Stable and Bar La Grassa. But for an authentic Minnesota experience, order the Swedish meatballs at The Bachelor Farmer.
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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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At the time, del Prado had been running the kitchens at Bar La Grassa and Burch Restaurant and decided to branch out on his own.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit