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The Best Minnesota Food Destinations That Locals Love

We have a great food landscape here in Minnesota. From the healthiest, farm-raised animals providing meat, milk and eggs, to the freshest produce grown by hand, Minnesota is a locavore's paradise. We have also embraced flavors from all around the world with dozens of international selections in markets and restaurants around town. It's clear that we Minnesotans love our food, and you can find just about anything to please your palate. Find what you're craving at these local foodie institutions.

Midtown Global Market
(credit: Midtown Global Market)

Midtown Global Market
920 E. Lake Street, Suite G10
Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612) 872-4041
www.midtownglobalmarket.org

Midtown Global Market is an eclectic mix of international food offerings, and the sights, smells and tastes are incredible. Take some fresh bread, produce, handmade salsa, fresh noodles and so much more to go, or sit down and enjoy a meal from one of dozens of dining options. You can enjoy flavors from every corner of the planet at this enormous market. It's the kind of place you just keep coming back to, as you could never hope to experience everything in one or two visits. Plus, it feels like a hundred vacations wrapped into one building every time you go.

Cossetta's
211 7th St. W.
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 222-3476
www.cossettas.com

You can really get your Italian fix at Cossetta's. While the cafeteria-style restaurant and Italian market were always popular, the recent expansion has doubled the size of both and added Louis, a rooftop fine-dining establishment, and a pasticceria. Now, you can get all of your meats, cheeses, breads, olive oils and so much more in the marketplace. In the pasticceria (pastry shop), you can get house-made sweets and treats unlike anything else you'll find in the city. You can dine on pasta and veal upstairs, or small plates for happy hour. Or just grab one of the award-winning slices of pizza to go. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to peruse every piece of Cossetta's, but beware, it does get very busy.

St Paul Farmers Market
(credit: St. Paul Farmers Market)

St. Paul Farmers' Market
290 E. 5th St.
Saint Paul, MN 55101
(651) 227-8101
www.stpaulfarmersmarket.com

For over 100 years, the Saint Paul Farmers' Market has provided locals with the freshest eggs, meats, cheeses, produce and more, all from Minnesota farmers (sometimes a couple Wisconsin farmers slip in). The main market is located in the Lowertown district of Saint Paul, and it's one of the most popular destinations in the city. During warm months, it seems that everyone in the city makes their way down on Saturday and Sunday mornings. There are plenty of smaller markets around the city and into the suburbs, so there is always one close by. Find the closest one to you on the website.

Related:  Why Don't We Eat As Much When It's Hot Out?

Hmongtown Marketplace
217 Como Ave.
St Paul, MN 55103
(651) 487-3700
www.hmongtownmarketplace.com

St. Paul is home to the largest Hmong population in the country, and the city is all the better for it. The flavors of east Asia are some of the most vibrant and inspired known to man and you can find it all at Hmongtown Marketplace. Founded in 2004, the market is home to over 200 stalls featuring everything from farmers' produce, to international sauces, candies and drinks, to food choices like papaya salad (don't let the sweet name fool you, it packs a hell of a spice) and bamboo soup. It's the kind of place to try something new and immerse yourself in the Hmong culture. It's an awesome experience.

The Bachelor Farmer
(credit: The Bachelor Farmer)

The Bachelor Farmer
50 N. 2nd Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 206-3920
www.thebachelorfarmer.com

With the massive markets and international offerings listed so far, it might seem strange to include what, at first, seems like just another fine-dining restaurant. But the Bachelor Farmer is not your average eatery. You won't find a place more committed to everything local. Need proof? It has a one-of-a-kind garden on the rooftop where it grow its own herbs and vegetables. It give whole new meaning to the word fresh. Everything that can't be grow upstairs is sourced from local farmers and purveyors. It is a great restaurant dedicated to Minnesota.

Related: Best Places To Eat Before The Game

Adrian Schramm is a resident St. Paul writer with a passion for all things local. Through his work with Saint Paul Almanac and Minneapolis Examiner at Examiner.com, as well as in the kitchens of bars and restaurants around town, he has discovered what truly makes the Twin Cities tick.

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