Northeast Minneapolis

Grain Belt beer sign, at the gateway to Northeast Minneapolis

Northeast Minneapolis is a district in Minneapolis.

Understand

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.

Get in

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.

Get around

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.

See

The main brewhouse of the Grain Belt Brewery.

• 1 Boom Island Park, 700 Sibley St NE (south of 8th Ave NE; 11). 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). 
• 2 Grain Belt Brewery Complex, Marshall St NE and 13th Ave NE ( 11, 30). 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. 
• 3 Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 1 Lourdes Pl (between Hennepin and Bank; 4, 6, 11, 61), ☏ +1 612 379-2259, fax: +1 612 379-0165, info@ourladyoflourdesmn.com. Built in 1854, this is the oldest continuously operating church in Minneapolis. 
• 4 Ard Godfrey House, 28 University Ave SE (between Bank and Central; 4, 6, 10, 17, 25, 61), ☏ +1 612 813-5300. Jun-Aug: Sa Su 1PM-4PM. 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. Free. 
• 5 Firefighters Hall and Museum, 664 22nd Ave NE (at Madison; 17), ☏ +1 612 623-3817. Sa 9AM-4PM. 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. $6 adults, $5 seniors 65+, $3 children 3-12. 

Do

Saint Anthony Main

• Art-A-Whirl. Third weekend in May. The 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. 
• 1 Stone Arch Cinema (St. Anthony Main Theatre), 115 Main St SE (between Central and 2nd Ave SE; 6, 10, 17, 25), ☏ +1 612 331-4723. Five-screen cinema. They also host the Film Society of Minneapolis-St. Paul. $8.50 evening shows, $6 matinees, $5 all-day Tuesday. 

Buy

• 1 The Herbivorous Butcher, 507 1st Ave NE (between 5th and 6th Sts; 4, 6, 10, 11, 17, 25, 61), ☏ +1 612 208-0992. Tu-F 10AM-7PM, Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 11AM-4PM. The world's first vegan "butcher" shop, actually a purveyor of made-from-scratch plant-based meat and cheese alternatives. (updated Mar 2016)
• 2 Magus Books and Herbs, 1848 Central Ave NE (at 19th Ave; 10), ☏ +1 612 379-7669, toll-free: +1-800-996-2487. M-F 10AM-9PM, Sa 10AM-6PM, Su noon-6PM. New Age, astrology, herbs, alternative religion, etc. (updated Dec 2017)
• 3 Rewind Vintage, 2829 Johnson St NE (between 28th and 29th Aves; 4), ☏ +1 612 788-9870. M-Sa 11AM-7PM, Su 11AM-5PM. Best selection of mostly vintage and some contemporary clothing and accessories. This little store is packed full of treasures for women and men. (updated Jul 2015)
• 4 Surdyks, 303 E Hennepin Ave (at University; 4, 6, 10, 11, 17, 25, 61), ☏ +1 612 379-3232, fax: +1 612 379-7511. M-Th 9AM-9PM, F-Sa 9AM-10PM. 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. (updated Jul 2015)

13th Avenue galleries include Bob Sorg Gallery 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 Icebox Gallery in the Northup King Building at 1500 Jackson St 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).

Eat

Old St. Anthony

• 1 Gorkha Palace, 23 4th St NE (at 1st Ave NE; 4, 6, 10, 11, 17, 25, 61), ☏ +1 612 886-3451. M-Sa 11AM-2PM and 4:30PM-9PM Su 4:30PM-9PM. Indian, Nepalese, and Tibetan cuisine. Lunch buffet on weekdays. Labeled vegan options. Entrees $15-22. (updated Dec 2022)
• 2 Kramarczuk's, 215 E Hennepin Ave (between 2nd St and University; 4, 6, 10, 11, 17, 25, 61), ☏ +1 612 379-3018. M 8AM-6PM, Tu-Sa 8AM-8PM, Su 10AM-4PM. 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. 
• 3 Punch Neapolitan Pizza, 210 E Hennepin Ave (between 2nd St and University; 4, 6, 10, 11, 17, 25, 61), ☏ +1 612 623-8114. 11AM-10PM daily. Traditional Neapolitan pizza baked for 90 seconds in an 800 degree oven. Can be busy, but worth braving the crowd. (updated Jul 2015)
• 4 Pivo Riverplace, 65 Main St SE (between Hennepin and Central; 4, 6, 10, 17, 25, 61), ☏ +1 612 331-4544. We-Fr 9AM-8PM, Sa 8AM-8PM, Su 8AM-3PM. This queer-friendly cafe and restaurant has possibly the best atmosphere of any cafe in town. Its decor 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. (updated Apr 2023)

Further up Central Avenue

• 5 Adelita's Mexican Restaurant, 2405 Central Ave NE (at 24th Ave; 10, 32), ☏ +1 612 789-2526. 9AM-midnight daily. 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. 
• 6 Football Pizza (formerly Crescent Moon Bakery), 2339 Central Ave NE (at 24th Ave; 10, 32), ☏ +1 612-425-1670. Daily 11AM-9PM. 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. Prices run as low as $5 for a gyro and $12 for the huge Afghani pizza (could easily feed 3 normal appetites), and as high as $25-30 for one of the massive platters. 
• 7 El Taco Riendo, 2416 Central Ave NE (between 24th Ave and Lowry; 10, 32), ☏ +1 612 781-3000. M-Th 10AM-10PM, F Sa 10AM-11PM, Su 11AM-10PM. A family-owned Mexican restaurant. The food is cheap and delicious. 
• 8 Holy Land, 2513 Central Ave NE (at Lowry; 10, 32), ☏ +1 612 781-2627. M-Th 9AM-9PM (until 10PM May-Sep), F Sa 9AM-10PM (until 11PM May-Sep), Su 9AM-9PM. 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. $6-$10 per person. 

Further out

• 9 The Anchor Fish and Chips, 302 13th Ave NE (at 3rd St; 11, 30), ☏ +1 612 676-1300. Tu 4PM-11PM, W-Th 4PM-midnight, F 4PM-1AM, Sa 10AM-1AM, Su 10AM-11PM. 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. 
• 10 Erte, 323 13th Ave NE (at University; 11, 17, 30), ☏ +1 612 623-4211. M-Th 4:30PM-9PM, F Sa 4PM-11PM. Steakhouse with a modern twist and reasonable prices. 
• 11 Jax Cafe, 1928 University Ave NE (at 20th Ave; 11), ☏ +1 612 789-7297, fax: +1 612 789-0138. M-Th 11AM-9:30PM, F Sa 11AM-10PM, Su 10AM-3PM and 3:30PM-9PM. A neighborhood institution serving traditional American fare, specializing in steak. 
• 12 Market Bar-B-Que, 220 Lowry Ave NE (between 2nd and 3rd Sts; 11, 32), ☏ +1 612 872-1111. 11AM-2AM daily. $12-25. 
• 13 Que Viet, 2211 Johnson St NE (between 22nd and 23rd Aves; 4), ☏ +1 612 781-4744. M-Th 11AM-2PM and 4PM-8PM, F Sa 11AM-2PM and 4PM-9PM, Su 4PM-8PM. Established in 1980. In spite of the name the menu seems to be mostly Americanized Chinese food. Cheap. 
• 14 The Sample Room, 2124 Marshall St NE (at 22nd Ave; 11), ☏ +1 612 789-0333. M-Th 11AM-10PM, Sa 10AM-midnight, Su 10AM-10PM; bar open until 1AM daily. Specializes in sampler menus (multiple cheeses, multiple wines, etc. Interesting eclectic menu. 

Drink

Coffee

• 1 The Coffee Shop NE, 2852 Johnson St NE (at 29th Ave; 4), ☏ +1 612 781-0427. 6:30AM-9PM daily. A small neighborhood cafe, usually full of locals. Free WiFi. 
• 2 Diamonds Coffee Shoppe, 1618 Central Ave NE (at 18th Ave; 10), ☏ +1 612 789-5282. M-Th 6AM-10PM, F 6AM-8PM, Sa 7AM-8PM, Su 8AM-7PM. 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. 
• 3 Matchbox Coffee Shop, 1306 2nd St NE (at 13th Ave; 11, 30), ☏ +1 612 259-0069. M-F 7AM-7PM, Sa Su 8AM-7PM. 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

• 4 331 Club, 331 13th Ave NE (at University; 11, 17, 30), ☏ +1 612 331-1746. M-Sa 1PM-2AM, Su noon-2AM. Live music almost every night, and they never charge a cover. Le Cirque Rouge burlesque show happens here on Saturdays. (updated May 2016)
• 5 Mayslack's, 1428 4th St NE (at 15th Ave; 11, 17), ☏ +1 612 789-9862. M-F 11AM-2AM, Sa Su 10AM-2AM. This neighborhood joint has live music and killer roast beef sandwiches. 
• 6 Psycho Suzi's Motor Lounge, 1900 Marshall St NE (between 18th and 22nd Aves; 11), ☏ +1 612 788-9069. 11AM-2AM daily. A hip tiki bar with strong drinks and great 3/4-circle booths near the jukebox. Features a huge riverfront patio. 
• 7 Spring Street Tavern, 355 Monroe St NE (at Spring; 17), ☏ +1 612 627-9123. M-F 8AM-2AM, Sa Su 9AM-2AM. Home to Club Underground, a live music venue in the basement of the Spring Street Tavern. 
• 8 Terminal Bar, 409 E Hennepin Ave (at 4th St; 4, 6, 10, 11, 17, 25, 61), ☏ +1 612 623-4545. Live music. 
• 9 Whitey's, 400 E Hennepin Ave (at 4th St; 4, 6, 10, 11, 17, 25, 61), ☏ +1 612 623-9478. M-F 11AM-2AM, Sa Su 10AM-2AM. 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. 

Sleep

• 1 Nicollet Island Inn, 95 Merriam St ( 4, 6, 11, 61), ☏ +1 612 331-1800, fax: +1 612 331-6528. 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. $139+. 

Connect

For coffee shops with internet access, see coffee listings.

• 1 Northeast Library, 2200 Central Ave NE (at 22nd Ave; 10), ☏ +1 612 543-6775. Tu Th noon-8PM, W F Sa 10AM-6PM.  
• 2 Pierre Bottineau Library, 55 Broadway St NE (at Marshall; 11, 30), ☏ +1 612 543-6850. Tu Th noon-8PM, W F Sa 10AM-6PM.