Minnesota’s Hot New Restaurant Now One of the World’s Best

Minnesota has an incredible culinary scene, and it's always super exciting when one of our own gets national recognition.

From award-winning chefs to one-of-a-kind dining experiences, the Land of 10,000 Lakes has no shortage of must-try restaurants.

But before we dive into this must-visit new spot for your food bucket list, let’s take a look at the most in-demand restaurants across Minnesota, because let’s be honest, this new place will likely be joining them soon.

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Minnesota's Hot New Restaurant Now One of the World's Best:

Time Magazine put out their list of the "World's Greatest Places 2025." Their picks are all about what’s trending and pulling in travelers, and right now, this hot new Minnesota spot is stealing the spotlight.

Since opening less than a year ago, it’s racked up some serious bragging rights landing on the New York Times Restaurant List, Esquire's Best New Restaurants, Eater's Best New Restaurants, and the owner was named Esquire's Chef of the Year.

According to Time, this place started as a Kickstarter campaign at the beginning of the pandemic, and after years in the making, it’s now a key player in the Twin Cities' growing Hmong food scene.

I'm talking about Vinai, the highly anticipated restaurant from Chef Yia Vang!

Vinai is named after the Ban Vinai Refugee Camp in Thailand, where Chef Yia Vang was born and his parents met, according to their website. The restaurant is Yia’s tribute to his parents and Hmong culture. A place to honor history, share stories, and connect through food.

So in the tradition of the Ban Vinai Refugee Camp of Thailand, Vinai of Minneapolis raises not the standard of Hmong food, but the banner of human restoration. - Chef Vang

Vinai is located at 1300 NE 2nd St. in Minneapolis. They are open Tuesday-Saturday. Click here to go their website to learn more.

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