Best Upscale Italian Restaurants in Downtown Minneapolis | Upscale Italian Food

13 restaurants in Best Upscale Italian Restaurants in Downtown Minneapolis | Upscale Italian Food

• Gold Room — American · rated 5/5: The Gold Room pulses with a vibrant energy, drawing guests into a stylishly bold setting where the air is thick with the savory aroma of Southern-inspired indulgence. Tables overflow with shareable treasures like zesty buffalo shrimp and crisp fried green tomatoes, while decadent bowls of spice-kissed Cajun pasta offer a soulful heart to a menu built for social dining. It is a place where every bite—from the crunch of golden-fried okra to the rich, melted pull of loaded Philly fries—celebrates the joy of comfort food elevated by a touch of modern flair.
• Ginelli's Pizza — Italian · rated 5/5: The air at Ginelli’s Pizza is thick with the irresistible scent of bubbling mozzarella and toasted dough, drawing guests into a lively space where flour-dusted counters and the rhythmic toss of hand-stretched crusts set a soulful stage. Each pie emerges from the oven with a perfectly charred, golden rim, topped with vibrant sauces and savory ingredients that transform a simple slice into a masterclass of balanced textures and bold, nostalgic flavors. It is a quintessential neighborhood anchor where the warmth of the ovens is matched only by the convivial energy of a room filled with the steam of fresh pies and the hum of happy diners.
• Mother Dough — Italian · rated 4/5: Sunlight dances across flour-dusted surfaces in this warm, artisanal haven where the intoxicating aroma of fermenting yeast signals a devotion to the ancient craft of sourdough. Each blistered, wood-fired crust offers a perfect harmony of tangy crunch and airy chew, serving as a soulful foundation for vibrant toppings that transform simple ingredients into a communal celebration of flavor.
• Paper Boy — American · rated 4/5: Paper Boy reimagines the classic deli experience as a vibrant urban retreat where the crunch of San Carlo pesto chips and the earthy aroma of white truffle sea salt set the stage for a gourmet midday escape. Masterfully crafted sandwiches like the indulgent Pistachio Paradise and the herb-brightened Villa Verde showcase a devotion to bold Italian flavors, layering premium ingredients to create a meal that feels both nostalgic and entirely modern.
• Broadway Fast & Fresh — American · rated 4/5: Broadway Fast & Fresh pulses with a vibrant energy where the savory aroma of crispy, sauce-tossed wings and bubbling Italian cheese bread creates an immediate sense of comfort. The kitchen masterfully balances indulgent soul food like golden Wisconsin curds and smoky BBQ pork nachos with the bright, crisp crunch of orchard-fresh salads. It is a welcoming neighborhood destination where bold, zesty flavors and high-quality ingredients come together for a satisfying meal that feels both familiar and expertly crafted.
• Ava — Italian · rated 3/5: Bathed in a soft, amber glow, Ava unfolds as a chic sanctuary where the air is thick with the enticing scent of charred herbs and citrus-infused spirits. Vibrant, artfully composed plates celebrate the brightness of coastal flavors, inviting guests to linger over shared treasures in a space that feels both effortlessly glamorous and intimately welcoming.
• Zelo — Italian · rated 3/5: Sunlight streams through expansive windows into a grand, high-ceilinged space where the clinking of wine glasses and the hum of a vibrant crowd create an unmistakable urban energy. The kitchen breathes life into Italian-inspired classics, pairing the rustic charm of wood-fired flavors with the delicate elegance of handmade pastas and vibrant, seasonal ingredients. This polished sanctuary of downtown sophistication offers a warm, amber-hued atmosphere where every meal feels like a spirited celebration of the senses.
• Pizza Lucé — Italian: This high-energy urban haunt pulses with an alternative spirit, where the aroma of hand-tossed dough and bubbling specialty cheeses draws in a diverse crowd of late-night revelers and local foodies. The kitchen reimagines the classic pizzeria experience through bold, unconventional toppings and inclusive, house-made creations that cater to every palate, all served within a vibrant space that feels like the beating heart of the neighborhood.
• Boludo — Spanish: This vibrant Argentine jewel pulses with urban energy, where the scent of charred dough and savory spices fills a space that feels both modern and deeply soulful. Guests delight in uniquely diamond-shaped empanadas and thin-crust pizzas finished with a signature touch of sea salt, creating a sensory journey that captures the bold, rhythmic heart of Buenos Aires.
• Monello — Italian: This chic Milanese-inspired retreat pulses with a sophisticated energy, where the botanical notes of artisanal vermouth mingle with the lively hum of a fashionable crowd. The experience centers on the artistry of handmade pasta swirled within a massive, golden wheel of cheese, creating a decadent spectacle that captures the soulful, sun-drenched essence of Northern Italian street food.
• Red Rabbit — Italian: Red Rabbit pulses with a vibrant, eclectic energy, where industrial-chic accents and warm, dim lighting create an inviting urban escape for the modern diner. The kitchen celebrates bold, seasonal flavors through artfully plated dishes that balance rustic comfort with contemporary flair, filling the air with the enticing aroma of wood-fired specialties and garden-fresh ingredients. Whether perched at the lively bar with a hand-shaken cocktail or tucked into a cozy corner, guests are swept up in a spirited atmosphere that feels both effortlessly cool and deeply welcoming.
• Andrea Pizza — Italian: This bustling neighborhood cornerstone welcomes guests with the comforting aroma of hand-stretched dough and slow-simmered sauce wafting from a glowing stone oven. Diners find solace in oversized, golden-brown slices where the perfect balance of tangy tomato and gooey cheese creates a nostalgic, soul-warming experience that captures the heart of authentic street-side dining.
• Mother Dough — Italian: Sunlight streams into this flour-dusted sanctuary where the tangy aroma of fermenting sourdough and the smoky kiss of a wood-fired oven fill the air. Artisanal crusts emerge from the heat with a signature blistered char, providing a chewy, flavorful canvas for vibrant seasonal toppings and molten cheeses. This soulful retreat honors the slow art of fermentation, inviting guests to linger over rustic plates in a warm, communal atmosphere.