From ideal Saturdays to the best eats, here’s a handful of must-try recommendations for any newcomer to Minneapolis/St. Paul, sourced and vetted by Minnesotans who love this community. Find more recommendations at Make It. MSP., whose goal is to create a destination for people considering the Twin Cities their new home.

Best Kept Dining Secrets in MSP

Straight from Ecuadorian family tables: Chimborazo

Tomas Perez
Director of Sales

We have many great options within the Twin Cities, but here are some of my favorite ones: Spoonriver, Chino Latino, Safron, Broders’ Terzo, Chimborazo, Teque Arepa and Sanctuary. No matter if you live in town or are just lucky enough to be visiting the Twin Cities, go out and explore the cities.

If you’re on or near the West Bank, check out Afro Deli

Melissa Kjolsing
Director

If you’re on or near the West Bank of the U of M Campus or in downtown St. Paul, check out Afro Deli. I’m a big fan of their Veggie Fantastic. In addition to the great food at an awesome price, the people and vibe are the reasons why I’m a loyal customer. The line is usually out the door but the moment you step inside, there’s up-beat music playing and a smiling face to greet you. I would also recommend their Somali Tea – delicious!

My happy place is Golden Thyme, the coffee shop

Joi Lewis
Founder & CEO

I love that there are so many places in the Twin Cities to eat well and to expand your palate. I am thrilled to live in Frogtown where I am within walking distance of many places I love, and am no more than a 5-minute car ride from some of my other favorite spots in the Old Rondo neighborhood and the Midway. Frogtown has several great Asian grocery stores: I like going to Dragon Star Oriental Foods on W. Minnehaha and the Little Mekong Farmers market on Sundays. There is such good food really close by: Cheng Heng Cambodian Restaurant on University is awesome. My happy place is Golden Thyme, the coffee shop on Selby Avenue; they make a mean southern breakfast, grits and all. In the Midway, ON’s Thai on University is to die for and Fasika’s Ethiopian on Snelling Avenue is delicious.

Ideal Saturday for Newcomers to MSP

Midtown Global Market is one of my favorite places in the city

Matt Lewis
Strategy Manager

Midtown Global Market is one of my favorite places in the city. You could pull off an entire taco crawl in one fell swoop, but the building also has some of my favorite Indian, East African, Middle Eastern, Korean…the list goes on. There’s even a craft cocktail bar and brewery to settle into with your food. Entrepreneurs use the market as a jumping off point for new concepts, so it’s a great spot to see how tastes are changing and maybe get inspired yourself. (I’ve yet to stay for a Kitchen in the Market cooking class, but let me know if you want to give it a try.)

A walk along the riverfront

Ruth Hamberg
Engagement Specialist

I give amazing tours. We might go to the Mill City Museum, walk along the riverfront, and go into the Guthrie Theatre to look out over the river from the Endless Bridge. For a more active day, we can bike along the Mississippi River or the Midtown Greenway. From there we can eat somewhere like Birchwood Café in Seward or Peninsula on Nicollet Avenue, or stop at a farmers market and buy food to prepare later. One of my friends absolutely had to try a Jucy Lucy at Matt’s Bar. At night, we can go dancing or find a local band to check out. It just depends on what my friends are interested in—we can pretty much always find something to fit what they’ll like.

The bike trails, especially around the Chain of Lakes and along the river

Vivian Chow
Marketing professional

The bike trails, especially around the Chain of Lakes and along the river. Best way to spend a beautiful fall day, and a great way to get around the cities. The original Twin Cities Trader Joe’s (first one in the state). I go there at least once or twice a week since it’s a block away. It’s an extension of my kitchen pantry. Rustica Bakery for their Bittersweet Chocolate Cookie. The best chocolate cookie I’ve ever tasted. I was thrilled when the bakery moved to my neighborhood.

The Can’t Miss, Only in MN Gatherings

Nothing says Minnesota Summers more than the Summer Beer Dabbler

Bernice Otoo
Recruiter

Nothing says Minnesota Summers more than the Summer Beer Dabbler. It’s a great opportunity to make new friends, sample hundreds of craft beers, try out the newest food trucks, and listen to music.

The Northern Spark festival is a dusk-to-dawn, wonder-filled night

Sarah Peters
Director of Public Engagement

The Northern Spark festival is a dusk-to-dawn, wonder-filled night on the second Saturday of June in the Twin Cities. Art museums and performance halls are open all night and artists make temporary installations for interaction in the streets. Thousands of people ride their bikes around, marveling at building-high projections and pop-up performances while feeling a sense of belonging amongst friendly strangers.

Celebrate African arts, community, and culture at Little Africa Fest

By Lula Saleh
Artist Organizer

Little Africa Fest is an annual, family-friendly, summer festival celebrating African arts, community, business, and culture. The event takes place at Hamline Park on Snelling Avenue, in Hamline-Midway, St. Paul. Featuring live music performances, dance, poetry, storytelling, drumming, and interactive art activities for all ages, the festival also featured African food vendors and artist-entrepreneurs selling art, clothing, and jewelry on-site for the first time this year in its three-year history. Little Africa is a business and cultural district along Snelling Avenue in Hamline-Midway, and an initiative of African Economic Development Solutions (AEDS), in partnership with the Little Africa Development Group. The mission of Little Africa is to leverage the business, arts and cultural assets of Minnesota’s growing African immigrant communities to overcome wealth disparities on a sustainable basis. The festival has provided greater visibility and access to market for African businesses, arts, and cultures. Explore Little Africa and get ready to join us at the 4th annual Little Africa Fest in 2017!