Now that’s a looker: The Twin Cities’ 10 most beautiful new restaurants of 2025

First impressions are important. In the restaurant world, that starts with eye-catching dining rooms that set the tone for the entire experience.

An opulent backdrop might tip to the lavish offerings ahead, while art and furnishings from around the world might tell the story of a culture or food philosophy. What’s certain is that well-appointed spaces promote socializing over a meal, and can be conversation starters themselves.

We can’t stop talking about these newcomers that made us appreciate drama, transported us to places around the globe and sparked joy with their mere architecture and design. These are the Star Tribune Taste team’s picks for the 10 prettiest new restaurant designs of 2025.

Earlier this year, Bar Harmony launched inside the daytime coffee shop Cafe Harmony, moonlighting as a wine bar Thursday through Saturday evenings. When the lights dim, the intimate, 24-seat space with wood benches and a few tabletops creates a cozy, minimalist backdrop for noshing on cheese and charcuterie while sipping glasses of natural wines from around the world. The design is a bit of Paris, London, Tokyo and Copenhagen, according to owner Erik Hamline. From rehabbing original narrow-plank wood floors to adding custom windows and lighting, it’s an impressive and respectful update to a 1909 northeast Minneapolis building with manufacturing origins.

Just as impressive is how Hamline (also the owner of A1A Inner Peace design studio and Equipment men’s boutique, which just made the New York Times 50 Best Clothing Stores list) incorporates his own design prowess. Take his version of lime-washed paint, in which he opts for thicker, slaked lime mortar before adding a natural stone-hued dye for texture and patina. The overall result is a spare yet elegant light-filled space emphasizing natural materials — and proof that sometimes less is more.

501 1st Av. NE (entrance in alley), Mpls., bar-harmony.com

The former Nankin and original Hong Kong Noodles owners have joined forces to roll out this gorgeous, contemporary Lyn-Lake space for diners to enjoy Cantonese and Chinese-American dishes as well as Nankin’s famous Wanderers Punch. Red and gold hues take center stage, backlit by glowing lanterns that bounce off majestic dark woods. Statement chandeliers and a centerpiece — the custom-built, hand-carved wood piece with Chinese-etched symbols that read “Jade Dynasty” — mark this new era. Co-owner Paul Wu said he developed the overall layout and design, working with St. Paul-based Lampert Architects to make his vision a reality. That includes outfitting the space with a second-story balcony, a nod to the former Nankin in downtown Minneapolis. The 250–seat restaurant is adorned with lazy Susans for family-style dining, which is a good thing since the owners want past generations of families and friends to come and reunite, as well as attract new crowds who might create memories and traditions of their own.

Curved lines and silhouettes may conjure thoughts of a fashion shoot, but those descriptions earn a place in the architecture and interior design world as well. And no new restaurant executed this better in 2025 than this contemporary Italian eatery in the east metro. Soft lighting, geometric pendants, a neutral palette and domed shelving that flanks the bar come together to create such effects in this space that feels organic, inviting and warm. Meanwhile, a glass wall lets you in on the live action of bucatini, pappardelle, ravioli and other pastas being made in the kitchen, adding an energetic pace — and balance — to the whole operation, courtesy of Collage Architects’ Mark Vaida, Rachel Brown and Joshua Jansen.

10060 City Walk Dr., Woodbury, lilianamn.com

Walking into this downtown Excelsior restaurant feels like you’re stepping into an episode of Apple TV’s “Palm Royale.” The vibe is coastal in the most eclectic, fun, pulls-out-all-the-stops kind of way. The detour from reality starts with a large, circular wraparound bar that serves not only as a central gathering space, but a stunning centerpiece. From there, everywhere you look there’s texture and vibrancy — poppy wallpaper, aqua wood blinds, sea green wood paneling, gold finishes, rain glass partitions, to name a few. Studio Grey’s Amanda Maday said Mirabelle takes cues from coastal living and global-influenced artisan details. Cozy seating zones encourage “guests to slow down and linger, while bold patterns and unexpected moments add energy and intrigue,” she said. Turns out, we’ve never loved drama more.

200 Water St., Excelsior, mirabellemn.com

Many people may know Sonam Nyorie as a chef, but what they might not know is that the owner behind Momo Sushi and Ama Sushi is design savvy, too. When launching Momo Cafe in northeast Minneapolis and Apa Sushi in Maple Grove this year, Nyorie took the design lead working alongside architects. For him, it was about modern, clean lines warmed by well-curated pieces. At Apa Sushi, where Tibetan and Japanese fare come together, Nyorie teamed up with Rolf Lokensgard to create vibrant dining rooms adorned with paintings and rich textiles from around the world to complement the restaurant’s global hospitality philosophy. At the more intimate and retrospective Momo Cafe, the chef, along with architect Hung Ly, took a different approach, opting for earth tones and a decor heavy on antiques that tell the story of Nyorie’s Tibetan culture. That ethos has manifested into a space that’s warm, comforting and calm. Just the surroundings you want for a pause and quiet reflection.

This newly minted, intimate Japanese restaurant is just getting its sea legs, but it’s already setting a confident tone right out of the gate. Veteran chef Hide Tozawa is all about playful, modern takes with a space to match. Details draw inspiration from the chef’s travels to Japan, emphasizing natural materials found in traditional Japanese interiors. But then designer Drew Wolf added modern twists with details such as cedar-framed concrete walls to complement the open and airy dining room. Meanwhile, at the cocktail bar, a floating ceiling made of shoji paper adds color, texture and warmth, creating an entirely different vibe to this small, yet well-appointed, eatery.

4747 Nicollet Av. S., Mpls., nokko.house

When it came time to refresh their 10-year-old North Loop restaurant, Luke Shimp and Tracy Bachul turned to their neighbors: Martin Patrick 3 interior design. The team of Greg Walsh, Amber O’Brien and Arielle Slobotski swapped Red Cow’s signature red hues for softer tones, along with warm woods and other natural, organic materials. Varying textures, patterns and lighting — throughout the bar, dining room and a new, 30-seat convertible space that can be used for private parties — each have a distinct personality. Other enhancements, such as a new wine cellar that acts as a room divider, tip to an updated food and drink menu with fancier options. All while not touching the burgers that keep the place grounded and true to its roots.

208 1st Av. N., Mpls., redcowmn.com

The iconic grand lobby of the former Farmers and Mechanics Savings Bank in downtown Minneapolis underwent a multimillion-dollar update, and the opulence of this new steakhouse looms as large as its 8,300-square-foot footprint. The former Bank restaurant’s monochrome stylings have been recast with more color, texture and drama in this Art Deco nod. Original carved wood panels and gilded lotus-blossom chandeliers from the 1942 building mingle with fresh features that also emphasize American craftsmanship via custom walnut millwork, jewel-toned furniture and antique brass accents. The design, led by Wilson Ishihara, serves double duty as furniture and fixtures separate the 90-seat restaurant into semiprivate lounges. Make sure to look up: a gold-etched mural depicting a banker and mechanic running the length of the 33-foot ceiling is something to behold, courtesy of artist Aaron Petz.

Minnetonka Orchards is up and running again under new owners Esther and Frank Weigel, and the 43-acre estate renamed Everly Farms now includes a farm-to-table restaurant and tasting room. The Weigels wanted their favorite spaces and places from traveling around the globe woven into the design while sourcing far and wide to accomplish this look. General contractor T.Cody Turnquist said designing the restaurant was a team effort (with Kevin Rolfs of KRdesign as the initial architect and Duane Kleczewski of Obrys Architecture putting on the finishing touches). Clean lines, natural woodwork along with white and gray hues set the framework. From there, Esther partnered with Danielle Antipov of Marabella Home to add vibrant colors and patterns to create this luxe, yet warm and inviting, eatery.

6480 County Rd. 26, Minnetrista, everlyfarmsmn.com/thetable

State-of-the-art, custom design details start before you even walk into this Sicilian eatery in red-hot downtown Excelsior with an oversized door pull worthy of grand hotel lobbies. It’s a preview to what’s inside, where Studio Grey took a page from Palermo’s vibrant street markets as well as Old World textures. Such details, including velvety finishes, play well to the storied space with original features such as exposed brick. Mix in present-day details, and the result is a contemporary space with a sense of timelessness at this morning-to-night operation. Meanwhile, retro stylings in the lower level pay tribute to its fabled past when the space was Bacon Drug which, as the story goes, might have inspired a Rolling Stones song after Mick Jagger stopped by while in town touring. A little bit refined, a little bit rock ‘n’ roll.