Minneapolis/Northeast

Once a working-class, largely Eastern European neighborhood, the "Nordeast" has had an influx of young professionals and artists. This demographic swing, combined with neighborhood revitalization efforts, have resulted in a resurgence of commercial space and a thriving artistic community. Northeast Minneapolis, with its plethora of neighborhood bars and eating establishments, is becoming a nightlife hotspot for those wishing to avoid the cost and clientele of Downtown and Uptown drinking.
While Northeast is larger than you might think, a kind of 'downtown' Northeast has formed in the Old St. Anthony area (which occupies about equal areas of Northeast and of Southeast) and continues to develop around the triangle of Hennepin Ave, University Ave, and Central Ave. This area houses a thriving commercial district with new and developing urban residential buildings.
Along the river on the Northeast side is St. Anthony Main, signed in neon as such and visible from the Hennepin Ave bridge. St. Anthony Main houses several good restaurants, bars, a movie theater, and businesses. It can be quite lively on warm summer nights, and often deserted during winter.
The city has designated the area bounded by Lowry Avenue, Central Avenue and Broadway as the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District. It includes most of the major studio buildings which are open during Art-a-Whirl every May: The Northrup-King Building near Central Avenue and 14th Avenue NE, the California Building south of Lowry at 23rd and California, the Thorp Building just north of the railroad tracks 1t 1620 Central Avenue, and the Grain Belt complex on the Mississippi River at Marshall Street and Broadway. There is also a small, arts-heavy commercial district on 13th Avenue NE between 2nd Street NE and 4th Street NE, including several prominent galleries, the Ritz Theater (the home of Ballet of the Dolls), and bars and restaurants including the Modern Cafe and Erté.
From Old St Anthony, keep heading up Central Avenue. At first you will pass through a bleak industrial area, but afterwards you will find a thriving commercial strip along Central stretching from 18th Avenue onwards. A hub of Indian groceries and stores is around 19th Avenue, and another hub of Middle Eastern and Latin American restaurants and stores has emerged around Lowry Avenue and Central Avenue. Once you pass 27th Avenue, the activity drops off and the street turns mostly residential on the east side and with the Shoreham rail yards and Columbia Park (largely occupied by a golf course) on the west side. Commerce picks up again just north of the city limits of Columbia Heights at 37th Avenue.

From downtown Minneapolis, head north east across the Hennepin Ave bridge or the 3rd Ave bridge. The triangle formed by Hennepin Ave, Central Ave, and University Ave places you squarely in 'downtown' Northeast.
Northeast can be accessed from the freeway system via I-35W.

By car

Similarly to North Minneapolis, numbered avenues run east-west. Due to the geometry of the river, these numbers are lower than the numbers of the North Minneapolis avenues opposite them. This only comes into play when you are crossing one of the bridges. Plymouth Ave is equivalent to N 13th Ave, but becomes NE 8th Ave. Lowry Ave is equivalent to N 32nd Ave, but becomes the equivalent of NE 25th Ave east of the river. N 42nd Ave crosses the Camden Bridge to become NE 37th Ave. Except for a few numbered streets near the river and a few "half-blocks", the north-south running roads are called streets and are named after U.S. presidents in chronological order heading east.
The above rules break down in the area closest to downtown. The street grid turns from the strict compass-points grid to line up with the river, and a grid with both numbered streets (parallel to University Ave) and avenues (parallel to Hennepin Ave) holds sway. In the transition zone between the two grids, a brief mini-grid uses the names of the seasons.
Finally, streets in the industrial area on the eastern side of the area are more randomly named

By bus

• Route 4 goes up Johnson Street (every 30 all week except 10-15 minutes weekday rush)
• Route 10 provides frequent (M-F every 10 minutes, 15 on Saturday, and 20 on Sunday. Service also operates only every 30 minutes after 7PM) north-south service along Central Avenue.
• Route 11 goes through the heart of the Arts District on 2nd Street (service every 15 minutes M-F 6AM-7PM and Sa 9AM-6PM, every 30 minutes at all other times).
• Route 17 zig-zags along Monroe Street and Washington Street, ending up at Washington and 27th Ave (service every 30 minutes from 5AM-1AM everyday).
• Route 30 runs east-west along Broadway Street, M-F only.
• Route 32 runs east-west along Lowry Avenue; frequencies are only every 30-60 on middays and every 30 during rush hour. 32 service operates M-Sa from 7AM-7PM.

• Boom Island Park

  address: 700 Sibley St NE
  A beautiful riverside park with walking/biking paths, a picnic area and plenty of parking. In spite of the name, Boom Island is no longer actually an island; the stream separating it from the mainland was filled in during the early 20th century. A pedestrian bridge connects Boom Island to Nicollet Island (which is still a true island).

• Grain Belt Brewery Complex

  address: Marshall St NE and 13th Ave NE
  A collection of buildings near 13th and Marshall. The brewhouse was built in 1891, some smaller buildings nearby were built in the early 1900s; the brewery ceased operation in 1976.

• Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church

  phone: +1 612 379-2259
  address: 1 Lourdes Pl
  Built in 1854, this is the oldest continuously operating church in Minneapolis.

• Ard Godfrey House

  phone: +1 612 813-5300
  address: 28 University Ave SE
  The Ard Godfrey House, built in 1849, is the oldest surviving frame house in the Twin Cities. Built by Ard Godfrey, who constructed the first dam and sawmills at St. Anthony Falls. The house was moved around several times but has been at its current location in Chute Square since 1907. Free tours on summer weekends.

• Firefighters Hall and Museum

  phone: +1 612 623-3817
  address: 664 22nd Ave NE
  A plethora of fire trucks, equipment, photos, and other items from Minnesota fire departments dating from the 1860s to the present. Fire truck rides available during the summer months.

• Art-A-WhirlThe largest open-studio and gallery tour in the United States. Locations scattered around Northeast, but mostly in the Northeast Arts District (Broadway St to 26th Ave, Central Ave to the Mississippi River), Old St. Anthony, and near 29th Ave and Johnson St.

• Stone Arch Cinema

  phone: +1 612 331-4723
  address: 115 Main St SE
  Five-screen cinema. They also host the Film Society of Minneapolis-St. Paul.

• Bibelot

  phone: +1 612 379-9300
  address: 23 University Ave SE
  Gifts, cards, and jewelry.

• The Herbivorous Butcher

  phone: +1 612 208-0992
  address: 507 1st Ave NE
  The world's first vegan "butcher" shop, actually a purveyor of made-from-scratch plant-based meat and cheese alternatives.

• Magus Books and Herbs

  phone: +1 612 379-7669
  address: 1848 Central Ave NE
  New Age, astrology, herbs, alternative religion, etc.

• Rewind Vintage

  phone: +1 612 788-9870
  address: 2829 Johnson St NE
  Best selection of mostly vintage and some contemporary clothing and accessories. This little store is packed full of treasures for women and men.

• Surdyks

  phone: +1 612 379-3232
  address: 303 E Hennepin Ave
  Surdyks is a Northeast landmark. They are known to suburbanites for their wine and cheese, but locals know that there are a dozen liquor stores within two miles that are better for the former; and a Lunds grocery two blocks away with six times as much of the latter.

13th Avenue galleries, including Frank Stone Gallery at 2nd St and 13th Ave, 212 Pottery half a block east of 2nd St, and Rogue Buddha Gallery, half a block east of University Ave on 13th Ave.
Other notable Arts District shopping includes the PPL Shop, Dunlaoghaire, Icebox Gallery, and Mobius Antiques in the Northup King Building at 1500 Jackson St; Creative Electric Gallery at 2nd St and 22nd Ave, and Clay Squared to Infinity in the Keg House Building of the Grain Belt complex, on 13th Ave at the Mississippi River (just north of Broadway).

Old St. Anthony

• Gorkha Palace

  phone: +1 612 886-3451
  address: 23 4th St NE
  Indian, Nepalese, and Tibetan cuisine. Lunch buffet on weekdays. Labeled vegan options.

• Kramarczuk's

  phone: +1 612 379-3018
  address: 215 E Hennepin Ave
  A large, authentic Eastern European deli with attached sausage counter/cheese shop. The deli offers delicious and traditional Polish and Ukrainian foods, not to mention the best sausage in town.

• Pizza Nea

  phone: +1 612 331-9298
  address: 306 E Hennepin Ave
  A charming a cozy pizzeria specializing in Neapolitan-style thin crust, wood-fired pizza. They also have a good wine list and a small selection of choice beers.

• Punch Neapolitan Pizza

  phone: +1 612 623-8114
  address: 210 E Hennepin Ave
  Traditional Neapolitan pizza baked for 90 seconds in an 800 degree oven. Can be busy, but worth braving the crowd.

• Red Stag Supper Club

  phone: +1 612 767-7766
  address: 509 1st Ave NE
  The first LEED Certified restaurant in Minneapolis is also delicious, if a bit spendy.

• Wilde Roast Cafe

  phone: +1 612 331-4544
  address: 65 Main St SE
  This Oscar Wilde-themed and queer-friendly cafe and restaurant has possibly the best atmosphere of any cafe in town. Its nouveau-Victorian decor - complete with a giant portrait of Oscar Wilde - make for a great relaxation or date destination. Plush surroundings with leather couches as well as tables and chairs. The drinks and expertly crafted desserts are of high-quality, but a tad pricey.

Further up Central Avenue

• Adelita's Mexican Restaurant

  phone: +1 612 789-2526
  address: 2405 Central Ave NE
  Family owned and operated restaurant with some of the best food anywhere in the Twin Cities area. Wide selection of beer and numerous televisions that make soccer watching easy.

• Crescent Moon Bakery

  phone: +1 612 782-0169
  address: 2339 Central Ave NE
  One tasty Afghani restaurant with reasonable prices. The Afghan pizza with its special sauce is a legend in Nordeast for good reason. What most miss due to the pull of the pizza is their equally incredible gyro meat, expertly seasoned and lightly charred for a nice texture. They also serve kebab platters.

• El Taco Riendo

  phone: +1 612 781-3000
  address: 2416 Central Ave NE
  A family-owned Mexican restaurant. The food is cheap and delicious.

• Holy Land

  phone: +1 612 781-2627
  address: 2513 Central Ave NE
  Renowned Middle Eastern and Mediterranean restaurant, bakery, deli, and grocery. The gyros are some of the best in the United States, and the chicken curry gyros are very original and tasty. It's hard to go wrong with their menu, which is especially friendly towards vegetarians. A buffet is offered during lunch-time 7 days a week, plus dinner-time on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Some of their breads and hummus appear in grocery stores across the Twin Cities, but you can get them cheaper right from the source.

• Sen Yai Sen Lek

  phone: +1 612 781-3046
  address: 2422 Central Ave NE
  This Thai restaurant has become a Northeast favorite. Plenty of meat options but also very accommodating to vegetarians and vegans, and the spice tray brought to your table allows you to adjust the spiciness of your dish to your liking. The restaurant aims to be as environmentally sustainable as possible by recycling or composting much of their waste.

Further out

• The Anchor Fish and Chips

  phone: +1 612 676-1300
  address: 302 13th Ave NE
  Chip-shop run by Irish immigrants. Very well-received by both the public and critics; the setting and the food are outstanding. They don't take reservations, so be prepared to wait for a table, especially on weekends and evenings.

• Erte

  phone: +1 612 623-4211
  address: 323 13th Ave NE
  Steakhouse with a modern twist and reasonable prices.

• Gasthof zur Gemutlichkeit

  phone: +1 612 781-3860
  address: 2300 University Ave NE
  German restaurant and dance hall, popular with the drinking crowd for the 'boots' of beer served in the basement.

• Jax Cafe

  phone: +1 612 789-7297
  address: 1928 University Ave NE
  A neighborhood institution serving traditional American fare, specializing in steak.

• Market Bar-B-Que

  phone: +1 612 872-1111
  address: 220 Lowry Ave NE

• Que Viet

  phone: +1 612 781-4744
  address: 2211 Johnson St NE
  Established in 1980. In spite of the name the menu seems to be mostly Americanized Chinese food.

• The Sample Room

  phone: +1 612 789-0333
  address: 2124 Marshall St NE
  Specializes in sampler menus (multiple cheeses, multiple wines, etc. Interesting eclectic menu.

Coffee

• The Coffee Shop NE

  phone: +1 612 781-0427
  address: 2852 Johnson St NE
  A small neighborhood cafe, usually full of locals. Free WiFi.

• Diamonds Coffee Shoppe

  phone: +1 612 789-5282
  address: 1618 Central Ave NE
  Located in a former warehouse, Diamonds has numerous small rooms to foster easier discussion, live music every Saturday in the back, great pancake breakfast on 2nd Sunday of every month. Credit cards are accepted, but only for purchases over $5. There is Wi-Fi, but does not seem to connect well.

• Matchbox Coffee Shop

  phone: +1 612 259-0069
  address: 1306 2nd St NE
  Probably the smallest coffee shop you will ever be in, Matchbox is a unique, communally run brew-house serving fair trade coffee exclusively. Their motto is, "Great coffee, no bosses."

Alcohol

• 331 Club

  phone: +1 612 331-1746
  address: 331 13th Ave NE
  Live music almost every night, and they never charge a cover. Le Cirque Rouge burlesque show happens here on Saturdays.

• Keegan's Irish Pub

  phone: +1 612 252-0880
  address: 16 University Ave NE
  A traditional Irish pub with good food and Guinness on tap. Live music often.

• Mayslack's

  phone: +1 612 789-9862
  address: 1428 4th St NE
  This neighborhood joint has live music and killer roast beef sandwiches.

• Psycho Suzi's Motor Lounge

  phone: +1 612 788-9069
  address: 1900 Marshall St NE
  A hip tiki bar with strong drinks and great 3/4-circle booths near the jukebox. Features a huge riverfront patio.

• Spring Street Tavern

  phone: +1 612 627-9123
  address: 355 Monroe St NE
  Home to Club Underground, a live music venue in the basement of the Spring Street Tavern.

• Terminal Bar

  phone: +1 612 623-4545
  address: 409 E Hennepin Ave
  Live music.

• Whitey's

  phone: +1 612 623-9478
  address: 400 E Hennepin Ave
  Good beer and strong drinks. If you order without ice they make it a double rather than just watering it down more like most bars do. The basement is the seediest in town and the perfect place to take over if you have a few friends who want to shoot pool and not be bothered by anyone but the occasional staffperson coming through to change a keg.

• Nicollet Island Inn

  phone: +1 612 331-1800
  address: 95 Merriam St
  While the downtown hotels are hardly far away from Northeast, the Nicollet Island Inn splits the difference. Located on Nicollet Island, in the middle of the Mississippi River between downtown and Northeast, the Inn provides luxury small hotel accommodations, as well as an excellent restaurant.

For coffee shops with internet access, see coffee listings.

• Northeast Community Library

  phone: +1 612 543-6775
  address: 2200 Central Ave NE

• Pierre Bottineau Community Library

  phone: +1 612 543-6850
  address: 55 Broadway St NE