Restaurant at the Nicollet Island Inn — Restaurant in Minneapolis

Dining at the Nicollet Island Inn is a delightfully peaceful experience. The decor is elegant and warm, the service is attentive and friendly without being cloying or overbearing, and the food is excellent. The cocktails were unique variations of classics and we enjoyed the must-try deviled eggs. The duck-scallops combo plate was incredible: the duck breast was smoky and flavorful and the scallops had a perfect crust. The Sea Bass was perfectly cooked and served atop a generous portion of risotto. There are also sandwiches (Ruben and others) and hamburgers on the menu; but don't think these options de-elevate the menu: when a burger was served to a nearby table, it looked magnificent. The desert offerings were varied so there is something for everyone-- chocolate, cheesecake, fruit, etc. Finally, the restaurant views of the river combined with the elegant interior make for a most peaceful and serine atmosphere for dates or anniversaries. Prices are commensurate to the quality of this fine establishment, and it is well worth...

Brunch on November 17, 2024--had an amazing meal with great service. Our server (Lilliana) gave us plenty of time to order drinks, gave us her favorite entree recommendations, kept our coffee filled, and was incredibly personable.

Food was delicious and portions were reasonable (my dining partner took home some leftovers but I ate my whole entree--the lobster and steak benedict that is served on a bed of hashbrowns).

We ended up ordering dessert and while we weren't in a hurry, Lilliana passed our table and commented that dessert was supposed to be out faster and waived the charge without us even asking. (We were having such a great time that we didn't notice and wouldn't have brought it up.)

Our table was a corner booth that faced outwards to the windows looking at the bridge onto Main Street. On a sunny day with lots of foot traffic, it made for a great backdrop to a...

I've always had great meals at Nicollet Island Inn (the Lobster Dinner special in January was most memorable), but my wife and I recently discovered an unlikely favorite at the Inn; their burgers. Admittedly, I haven't had burgers at every joint in town, but I've had quite a few, and the NII burger is right at the top. Big, juicy, cooked to our requested level, with big slabs of thick-cut bacon, and served on the freshest bun we've ever had. Plus, we upgraded to the sweet potato fries, and they were hot, crisp (but not overdone), and they were plentiful. The meal was so large that we split it, and each walked away full. The Inn's bar is such a cool space, and the service and friendliness reminds you of a neighborhood joint. Brad the bartender openly shares his bourbon expertise, as does Cory, the manager. Really a delightful experience, and a...