You’ve Never Tasted Anything Like These 10 Unique Desserts In Minnesota
Minnesota desserts can’t be beat! The state has no shortage of amazing places to get a good meal. From upscale eateries to hometown restaurants, there’s an incredible meal out there for just about everyone – and that goes double for Twin Cities desserts. Many Minnesota restaurants serve up perfectly sweet desserts that are perfect for rounding out a meal. Some are variations of things you may have tried before, and some are totally new – but each one is absolutely delicious.
Let's start our list off with something just a bit unusual from Duluth's New Scenic Cafe. This restaurant is known for both its location right on the shores of Lake Superior, as well as its inventive menu. This sundae certainly lives up to the expectation. It's ice cream topped with roasted peanuts, caramel, hot fudge, and sea salt. It's a perfect way to cool down as you road trip up the North Shore. Address: 5461 North Shore Drive, Duluth.
112 Eatery is a Minneapolis restaurant that's well known for having an incredible menu, so it should come as no surprise that the dessert menu follows suit. Once you've finished your sumptuous main course, try one of several decadent desserts. The Chocolate Torte in particular is absolutely heavenly. Served with a scoop of malted chocolate ice cream, this sweet treat will top off your meal perfectly. Address: 112 North 3rd Street, Minneapolis.
112 Eatery, 112 N 3rd St, Minneapolis, MN 55401, USA
Here's another restaurant with a great reputation. The Copper Hen has a menu full of interesting, tasty options. Dessert lovers have gone wild for their cakes, which are served in a mason jar that you get to keep. The Boozy Cake is a crowd favorite, served with a pipette of liqueur. The cakes themselves come in a variety of flavors, from chocolate to carrot to red velvet. Address: 2515 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis.
The Duluth Grill is a charming restaurant with a family feel. But that doesn't mean it doesn't serve up absolutely amazing food. The restaurant's claim to fame is its appearance on Food Networks' Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, when the banana cream pie was given a day in the sun. And according to hordes of happy diners, this pie does not disappoint. It's made up of a flaky crust, vanilla bean custard, and smooth caramel sauce. Yum! Address: 118 South 27th Avenue West, Duluth.
grill, 118 S 27th Ave W, Duluth, MN 55806, USA
5. Chocolate Chocolate Cake - Cafe Latte, St. Paul
A cafeteria-style restaurant, Cafe Latte has made a name for itself in the Twin Cities for its gourmet cuisine, including many amazing desserts. The Turtle Cake is award winning, but you can't go wrong with a simple - yet phenomenal - slice of chocolate cake. A smooth, creamy fudge binds together three layers of dark chocolate in a positively mouthwatering eating experience. You don't want to miss this one. Address: 850 Grand Avenue, St. Paul.
You don't have to be a Michelin-star-winning restaurant to serve up great food, nor do you have to be located in a major metropolitan area. Tobies Restaurant has been a travelers' staple for over 60 years, and it shows no sign of slowing down. The restaurant's most famous offerings are its gooey, delicious caramel rolls. They're huge, sticky, and absolutely mouthwatering. Order one for the table and another one to go - you won't regret it. Address: 404 Fire Monument Road, Hinckley.
404 Fire Monument Rd, Hinckley, MN 55037, USA
7. Strawberry Rhubarb Pie - Rustic Inn Cafe, Two Harbors
Here's another northern Minnesota restaurant worth mentioning. Located on Highway 61 with a lakefront view, Rustic Inn Cafe is a popular spot for travelers. They serve up many classic comfort foods, but the real draw is the huge menu of made-from-scratch pies. One of the very best is the strawberry rhubarb, a sweet pie with a flaky crust and just the right amount of tart. You can't go wrong with this one. Address: 2773 Highway 61, Two Harbors.
Izzy's Ice Cream is near iconic in the Twin Cities, so we couldn't leave it off the list. They have so many unique flavors to choose from, it's impossible to pick just one. And luckily, you don't have to. Every Izzy's cone is topped with a tiny scoop - free of charge - so ice cream lovers can get a taste of more than one flavor. Among the most unique flavors is the Norwegian Chai, pictured here. But there are many other interesting choices, such as basil, elderberry, and more. Address: 2034 Marshall Avenue, St. Paul, and 1100 South 2nd Street, Minneapolis.
2034 Marshall Ave, St Paul, MN 55104, USA
1100 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55415, USA
9. Mango French Toast - Mango Factory, Minneapolis
Please note, the Mango Factory has permanently closed.
Mango Factory is an upscale Japanese restaurant that offers delicious, fresh sushi on the daily. But a lot of people don't know that they have a great dessert menu as well. Among the interesting pudding and ice cream choices is the Mango French toast. As you can see, it's a huge treat easily shared by two or more people. A piece of fresh toast is topped with a heap of fresh mango, plus ice cream. It's an interesting, creative offering that you'll want to try. Address: 233 Cedar Avenue South, Minneapolis.
Perhaps the strangest dessert on this list, we couldn't let the Hot Cheetos Brittle pass without a mention. Served at the ever-delicious Hola Arepa, the dish is described as "a salty, sweet & savory addictive snack." Not enough to convince you to try a candied Cheeto? Rest assured that an order of this brittle will only set you back $3. At that price, why not? Address: 3501 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis.
Have you ever tried any of these unique Minnesota desserts? If so, which ones and how were they? Are there any you’d like to try? Let us know which you’d order.
Minnesota desserts aren’t the only iconic dishes in the state. The Land of 10,000 Lake is synonymous with great food and to prove it, here are some of the most iconic foods in Minnesota.
Address: 2515 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, USA
Address: 2773 MN-61, Two Harbors, MN 55616, USA
Address: 404 Fire Monument Rd, Hinckley, MN 55037, USA
Address: 850 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105, USA
Address: 2034 Marshall Ave, St Paul, MN 55104, USA
Address: 1100 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55415, USA
Address: 5461 N Shore Dr, Duluth, MN 55804, USA
Address: 112 Eatery, 112 N 3rd St, Minneapolis, MN 55401, USA
Address: grill, 118 S 27th Ave W, Duluth, MN 55806, USA
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Minnesota Desserts
October 04, 2022
Daniella DiRienzo
What is the most popular restaurant in Minnesota?
The dessert spots mentioned above are just the beginning of the must-visit restaurants in Minnesota. The state is brimming with incredible dining spots, and Spoon and Stable is one of them. Located in Minneapolis, Spoon and Stable is housed in a former horse stable that dates back to 1906 – hence the restaurant’s name. These days, the restaurant doesn’t “horse” around when it comes to great grub. With a James Beard award-winning chef in the kitchen, the eatery has become known as a top-notch dining spot, revered for serving a unique fare inspired by French cuisine. Manny’s Steakhouse, also located in Minneapolis, is another of the state’s most popular restaurants. It’s not just a state favorite, though – it’s been named one of the top 10 steakhouses in the U.S.
What is the smallest restaurant in Minnesota?
There are quite a few tiny dining establishments in the state, but none quite compare to Al’s Breakfast in Minneapolis. At a mere 10 feet wide, it may very well be the smallest restaurant in the entire state. The diner’s tiny size isn’t its only claim to fame, though. There’s also the grub. Serving up a classic diner fare, Al’s Breakfast is often touted as the best breakfast spot in Minneapolis. The Tiny Diner is another small dining spot with a big reputation. A Minneapolis favorite, the quaint eatery serves up locally sourced dishes and creatively crafted breakfasts. And don’t worry about feeling cramped during your visit. In addition to an indoor dining area, The Tiny Diner has a garden patio with additional seating.
Address: 2515 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, USA
Address: 2773 MN-61, Two Harbors, MN 55616, USA
Address: 404 Fire Monument Rd, Hinckley, MN 55037, USA
Address: 850 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN 55105, USA
Address: 2034 Marshall Ave, St Paul, MN 55104, USA
Address: 1100 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55415, USA
Address: 5461 N Shore Dr, Duluth, MN 55804, USA
Address: 112 Eatery, 112 N 3rd St, Minneapolis, MN 55401, USA
Address: grill, 118 S 27th Ave W, Duluth, MN 55806, USA
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
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Betsy is a Minneapolis-based writer who's lived in Minnesota for 20 years. If you know of any amazing Minnesota restaurants, nature areas, or other attractions, feel free to let her know about them at brathburn@onlyinyourstate.com or on Twitter @betsyrathburn.
