14 Minnesota Italian Restaurants Almost Impossible To Get A Friday Reservation
Minnesota might be famous for its lakes, but its Italian restaurants are a treasure that locals guard fiercely.
On any given Friday, snagging a table at these spots can feel like winning a culinary lottery.
From rich, creamy pastas to wood-fired pizzas with perfectly blistered crusts, these restaurants serve flavors that keep people coming back week after week.
The warm, bustling atmosphere, the scent of garlic and fresh herbs in the air, and the laughter echoing over lively conversation make dining here more than a meal; it’s an experience that keeps the state’s Italian food scene thriving.
1. Bar La Grassa
Reservations disappear within minutes of becoming available at this downtown hotspot.
Located at 800 North Washington Avenue in Minneapolis, Bar La Grassa transformed the North Loop dining scene when it opened.
Chef Isaac Becker created a menu that makes choosing just one dish feel impossible.
The gnocchi with brown butter and sage practically floats off the fork, while the spaghetti and meatballs redefines comfort food.
Regulars rave about the ricotta cavatelli, which sells out most nights.
The industrial-chic space features exposed brick walls, an open kitchen, and communal seating that buzzes with energy.
High ceilings and warm lighting create an atmosphere that feels both sophisticated and welcoming.
The restaurant’s design perfectly captures Minneapolis’s warehouse district vibe while maintaining an intimate dining experience that keeps people coming back week after week.
2. Giulia
Snagging a Friday spot here requires setting phone alarms for when bookings open.
Situated at 215 S 4th St in downtown Minneapolis inside Hotel Emery, Giulia brings authentic Italian flavors to the heart of the city.
The handmade pasta changes seasonally, showcasing whatever ingredients shine brightest.
Their cacio e pepe achieves that perfect creamy consistency without using cream, just pasta water magic.
Wood-fired pizzas emerge from the oven with leopard-spotted crusts that crackle when you bite them.
The building’s design embraces a modern rustic aesthetic with natural wood accents and floor-to-ceiling windows.
String lights on the patio create a romantic European courtyard feeling during warmer months.
Inside, the open layout allows diners to watch pasta being rolled and shaped by hand, turning dinner into dinner theater without the ticket price.
3. Mucci’s Italian
Calling ahead barely helps at this Saint Paul institution that channels 1950s Italian-American charm.
You’ll find it at 786 Randolph Avenue, where the Macalester-Groveland neighborhood meets serious carb cravings.
Mucci’s serves pizza with a cracker-thin crust that somehow supports mountains of toppings without getting soggy.
The meatball sub achieves legendary status among locals who plan their weeks around it.
Fun fact: the restaurant uses a family recipe for red sauce that’s been tweaked over three generations.
Red leather booths and black-and-white checkered floors transport diners straight into a vintage Italian-American fantasy.
Neon signs and retro typography cover the walls, creating an Instagram-worthy backdrop.
The compact space means tables sit close together, but that cozy arrangement just adds to the neighborhood trattoria atmosphere that makes Mucci’s feel like a secret everyone somehow knows about.
4. Hyacinth
Waitlists stretch for weeks at this upscale gem that’s redefining Saint Paul’s dining scene.
Located at 790 Grand Avenue in Saint Paul, Hyacinth sits on Grand Avenue in a cozy, carefully designed space that keeps the focus on the food.
Dishes balance innovation with Italian tradition.
The agnolotti bursts with seasonal fillings that change monthly, keeping regulars guessing.
His squid ink pasta with seafood looks dramatic on the plate and tastes even better than it photographs.
Sophisticated design elements include modern chandeliers that cast soft light across white tablecloths and exposed beams.
The neutral color palette with pops of deep jewel tones creates an atmosphere that feels special without being stuffy.
Large windows flood the dining room with natural light during early dinners, while evening service transforms the space into something more intimate and romantic.
5. DeGidio’s Restaurant & Bar
Since 1933, this family-owned spot has been feeding Saint Paul residents who know good red sauce when they taste it.
Find it at 425 West 7th Street, where generations of the DeGidio family have kept the stoves burning.
The ravioli comes stuffed with ricotta that’s impossibly light and fluffy.
Their chicken parmigiana arrives on a platter big enough to share, though you probably won’t want to. Regulars swear by the lasagna, which layers pasta, meat, and cheese in perfect proportions.
The interior maintains its old-school charm with wood paneling, vintage photographs, and a bar that’s seen decades of conversations.
Warm lighting and close-set tables create an intimate atmosphere where you might accidentally eavesdrop on your neighbor’s life story.
The building itself stands as a testament to Saint Paul’s history, with architectural details that survived multiple renovations over ninety years.
6. Luci Ancora
Getting through on the phone line feels like winning a small lottery at this Saint Paul favorite.
Located at 2060 Randolph Avenue, Luci Ancora transformed a former retail space into a stunning dining destination.
The menu focuses on regional Italian specialties that rarely appear elsewhere in Minnesota.
Their bucatini all’amatriciana delivers the perfect punch of tomato, guanciale, and pecorino.
Wood-grilled octopus arrives tender with a smoky char that adds depth to every bite.
Contemporary design choices include dramatic pendant lighting, marble accents, and a gorgeous bar that stretches along one wall.
The open kitchen allows diners to catch glimpses of the culinary team in action.
Floor-to-ceiling windows connect the space to the neighborhood outside, while the neutral palette with brass fixtures creates sophistication.
The restaurant’s layout maximizes seating without feeling cramped, though Friday nights still pack every available spot.
7. Zelo
Downtown Minneapolis workers flood this spot every Friday, making reservations vanish by Wednesday.
You’ll spot it at 831 Nicollet Mall, right in the heart of the city’s busiest corridor.
Zelo’s thin-crust pizzas achieve crispy perfection with creative topping combinations.
The lobster ravioli swims in a sauce so good you’ll want to lick the plate when nobody’s looking.
Their tiramisu gets assembled tableside for special occasions, creating a theatrical moment.
The sleek interior features polished concrete floors, exposed ductwork, and industrial-chic lighting fixtures.
Large windows overlook Nicollet Mall, providing excellent people-watching opportunities between courses.
The bar area buzzes with after-work energy, while the dining room maintains a slightly more subdued atmosphere.
Contemporary artwork adorns brick walls, and the overall design captures Minneapolis’s modern urban aesthetic while keeping the focus squarely on the food and conversation.
8. Prima
Booking a table here on Friday requires planning skills usually reserved for destination weddings.
Located at 5325 Lyndale Avenue South in Minneapolis, Prima brings neighborhood charm to elevated Italian cooking.
Fresh pasta gets made daily, and you can taste the difference in every silky strand.
The bolognese simmers for hours, developing layers of flavor that coat pappardelle perfectly.
Wood-fired pizzas feature house-made mozzarella that melts into stretchy, delicious pools.
Warm earth tones and soft lighting make the space feel like a hug after a long week.
Exposed brick walls display rotating local artwork, while wooden tables and leather banquettes provide comfortable seating.
The restaurant occupies a converted storefront, and designers preserved original architectural details while adding modern touches.
The compact layout means every seat feels like a good one, though the corner booths remain the most coveted spots in the house.
9. Tosca
Anniversaries and proposals happen weekly at this romantic Minneapolis destination.
Find it at 3415 West 44th St in Minneapolis, where white tablecloths and candlelight set the mood.
The osso buco falls off the bone after hours of braising, served over creamy risotto Milanese.
Fresh seafood gets flown in regularly, appearing in dishes like branzino roasted whole with herbs.
Their beverage list reads like a tour through Italy’s best regions.
Elegant design elements include crystal chandeliers, rich wood accents, and artwork depicting Italian landscapes.
The dining room layout creates intimate pockets where conversations stay private despite the Friday night crowd.
Soft classical music plays at just the right volume.
The building’s historic bones show through in crown molding and original hardwood floors, while modern updates keep everything feeling fresh.
Special occasion diners fill most tables, making the energy celebratory without being loud.
10. Va Bene
Duluth residents guard their Friday reservations here like state secrets.
Located at 734 East Superior Street in downtown Duluth, Va Bene proves excellent Italian food thrives even in northern Minnesota.
The menu changes seasonally but always includes knockout pasta dishes.
Their gnocchi practically melts on your tongue, dressed in sauces that showcase local ingredients.
Wood-fired pizzas arrive bubbling hot with perfectly charred crusts. Fun fact: the owner trained in Italy before bringing authentic techniques to Lake Superior’s shores.
The intimate space features exposed brick walls and warm lighting that creates a cozy escape from Duluth’s often harsh weather.
Local artwork decorates the walls, and the design incorporates subtle nods to the nearby lake.
The compact dining room means reservations are essential, especially during tourist season.
Windows along one wall provide glimpses of Superior Street, while the overall atmosphere feels decidedly European despite the Minnesota location.
11. Bellisio’s Italian Restaurant and Wine Bar
Italian food fans and pasta enthusiasts battle for Friday tables at this Duluth establishment.
You’ll find it at 405 Lake Avenue South, overlooking the harbor in Canal Park.
The extensive beverage menu features Italian selections you won’t find elsewhere in the region.
Their fettuccine alfredo achieves that perfect creamy consistency without feeling heavy.
Veal dishes showcase the chef’s classical training, while seafood options highlight the restaurant’s commitment to quality ingredients.
Sophisticated design includes dark wood paneling, leather seating, and an impressive display that doubles as art.
The bar area attracts pre-dinner crowds who linger before heading to their tables.
Large windows offer views of Lake Superior and the Aerial Lift Bridge, creating a dramatic backdrop for special meals.
The building’s location in historic Canal Park means the exterior maintains period details, while the interior balances elegance with the casual warmth Minnesota diners prefer on Friday nights.
12. Terza Ristorante
Rochester’s medical professionals and locals compete fiercely for weekend tables here.
Located at 30 3rd St SE (H3 Plaza) in downtown Rochester, Terza brings big-city Italian dining to southeastern Minnesota.
House-made pasta stars in dishes that change with the seasons.
The carbonara achieves creamy perfection using just eggs, cheese, and pasta water.
Wood-fired pizzas feature creative toppings that somehow always work.
Their tiramisu gets made fresh daily and disappears quickly.
The modern interior showcases clean lines, contemporary lighting, and an open kitchen where chefs work their magic.
Polished concrete floors and minimalist decor create an upscale-casual vibe.
Large windows flood the space with natural light during day service, while evening transforms the atmosphere into something more intimate.
The restaurant occupies a renovated downtown building, and designers preserved industrial elements while adding warmth through wood accents and carefully chosen artwork that keeps the focus on food.
13. Rosalia Pizza Northeast
Pizza purists line up early and often at this Northeast Minneapolis hotspot.
Find it at 333 E Hennepin Ave in Minneapolis, where the neighborhood meets serious pizza obsession.
New Haven-style pizza emerges from the oven with charred, crispy edges and a chewy center.
The clam pizza might sound weird but tastes incredible, converting skeptics with every bite. Rotating seasonal pies keep the menu fresh and give regulars reasons to return weekly.
Bright murals and colorful design elements create an energetic atmosphere that matches the neighborhood’s artistic vibe.
The casual space features communal tables, counter seating facing the kitchen, and garage doors that open during summer.
Industrial touches like exposed pipes and concrete floors balance the playful color scheme.
The building fits perfectly into Northeast’s creative corridor, where warehouses became galleries and restaurants.
The layout encourages a lively, social dining experience where strangers become friends over exceptional pizza.
14. Gia
Minneapolis’s newer Italian sensation already has a waitlist that stretches into next month.
Located at 5555 Xerxes Ave S in southwest Minneapolis, Gia arrived with high expectations and somehow exceeded them.
The tasting menu format lets the kitchen showcase its full range.
Handmade tortellini stuffed with seasonal ingredients changes weekly, keeping even frequent visitors surprised.
The crudo preparations highlight pristine seafood with minimal but perfect accompaniments. Each course builds on the last, creating a cohesive dining experience.
Luxurious design choices include velvet seating, dramatic lighting fixtures, and a color palette of deep blues and golds.
The open kitchen allows glimpses of the meticulous plating process.
The space feels both modern and timeless, with architectural details that reference classical Italian design without feeling dated.
Marble accents, brass fixtures, and carefully curated artwork complete the sophisticated atmosphere that makes every Friday feel like a celebration.