This Minnesota Dining Experience Has Been Called One of the Best Restaurants in the U.S.

The Land of 10,000 Lakes has no shortage of incredible restaurants; in fact, several James Beard Award winners and nominees, as well as celebrity chefs, have set up shop in the state. These range from high-end, fine dining establishments like Spoon and Stable, Demi, and Bûcheron (a 2025 James Beard Award winner), to restaurants doing cuisine unlike anywhere else in the country, such as Owamni, Vinai, and Diane's Place (Food and Wine's pick for Restaurant of the Year in 2025), the first emphasizing pre-colonial (or "decolonized") Native cuisine, while the latter two focus on Hmong-influenced dishes.

One of the most recent Minnesota eateries to be recognized on a national level is Hai Hai in Minneapolis. This funky northeast Minneapolis restaurant combines its whimsical takes on Southeast Asian street food with an incredible cocktail program, making it not only one of the best restaurants in Minnesota but also one of the best in the entire United States.

You'll find Hai Hai on University Avenue in northeast Minneapolis, and it is the brainchild of Christina Nguyen, who started her current culinary journey with an Asian-Latin fusion food truck, Hola Arepa. Hola Arepa eventually moved into a brick-and-mortar restaurant in south Minneapolis, and in 2017 Nguyen branched expanded her repertoire with the opening of Hai Hai. Since then, Nguyen has garnered several James Beard Award nominations, and in 2024, she took home the Best Chef Midwest award for Hai Hai. What the James Beard Foundation finally figured out is something that Minnesotans have known for years: Nguyen is an uber-talented culinary visionary, and Hai Hai is absolutely wonderful.

Located in a space that was formerly a seedy dive bar (think "topless dancers"), Hai Hai's outward appearance doesn't scream "James Beard Award." But its funky decor and the melange of aromas that tease your nose when you enter may go a long way toward convincing you. I think Hai Hai's casual vibe is a significant part of its charm, and that's reflected in its vibrant, street food-inspired cuisine.

The menu evolves over time, but the Southeast Asian influence is its touchstone. From small plates, like chive cakes and shrimp toast, to mains like Hanoi sticky rice and Balinese chicken thigh, it's almost impossible to decide where to start. That's where a drink comes in. As inspired as the cuisine is at Hai Hai, the bar program knocks it out of the park. A rotating array of whimsical craft cocktails perfectly complement the food, while regular drink specials raise the bar even higher. On beautiful warm days in Minnesota, there may not be a better place to enjoy a cocktail than Hai Hai's patio... especially if you order one of the incredible slushies on a hot, sunny afternoon. Hai of the Storm, anyone?

As one of the best restaurants in Minnesota, Hai Hai should definitely be on your Bold North bucket list. But given its recent boost in popularity thanks to Nguyen's 2024 James Beard Award, you'll definitely need a reservation. You can make them online at Hai Hai's website, and if you'd like some additional visual stimulation, check out the restaurant's Facebook page for more food photos. If you find yourself in Northeast but are unable to score a reservation at Hai Hai, fret not—there are plenty of awesome breweries to check out in this part of the city.

Have you tried the award-winning Hai Hai in Minneapolis? What are some other award-winning eateries in Minnesota? We'd love to hear about your favorites. If you're ready to plan a foodie adventure in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, pay a visit to Only In Your State’s AI-powered itinerary planner and see where it takes you.