Minneapolis–St. Paul, MN
For Japanese in Minneapolis–St. Paul, the local food press points to Kado no Mise, Cafe Yoto, and moto-i. Picks from Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, updated July 2026.
Editor’s picks
Press picks, until locals rank their own Top 5s. Sourced from the local food press. As seen in Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. Updated July 2026.
Kado no Mise · North Loop
Kado no Mise centers traditional Japanese technique in a second floor North Loop dining room. Its menus move through nigiri, sashimi, composed seafood dishes, and carefully handled rice. Mpls.St.Paul Magazine includes the restaurant in its current Twin Cities dining coverage, recognizing a place built around precise preparation and focused hospitality.
Cafe Yoto · North Loop
Cafe Yoto brings a casual Japanese cafe format to Washington Avenue with sandos, rice dishes, noodles, and sweets. The compact menu gives equal attention to savory cooking and pastry counter stops. Mpls.St.Paul Magazine selected it for its 2025 new restaurant coverage after the North Loop shop established regular daily service.
moto-i · Lyn-Lake
moto-i combines a working sake brewery with an izakaya menu in Lyn-Lake. Ramen, steamed buns, rice bowls, and shareable plates make the room useful for both a full meal and a slower sake tasting. Local editorial coverage has followed its house brewed sake and Japanese cooking through years of neighborhood service.
Shiki · Excelsior
Shiki is a small Excelsior noodle counter from the local Jester Concepts group. The kitchen concentrates on ramen, dumplings, and a concise collection of Japanese snacks rather than stretching into a broad pan Asian menu. Mpls.St.Paul Magazine named the Water Street restaurant in its 2025 new restaurant feature.
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