Top Chefs

Minneapolis is home to some of the most flavor-forward thinkers in the nation. Their restaurants are a reflection of their innovative takes on food, which makes Minneapolis a breeding ground for new cuisine. From Chef Wadi of Saffron to Andrew Zimmerman of Bizarre Foods, these chefs have transformed the way Minneapolis thinks about food and how your taste buds feel about it.

Check out what these renowned chefs have to say about the Minneapolis cuisine scene with our own “Insider Guide.”

Insider Guide: Andrew Zimmern
Minneapolis boasts an emerging and exciting food and wine scene. Discover what Andrew says you can't miss while you're here.

Insider Guide: Chef Lenny Russo
Lenny Russo, Executive Chef and Owner of Heartland, was a 2009 James Beard Foundation Award Semifinalist for Best Chef Midwest. He shares his love of food, plus some of his favorite spots to eat in Minneapolis.

Insider Guide: Chef Paul Lynch
Paul J. Lynch, Executive Chef of FireLake, is known for his heartland classics, wood grilling techniques and dedication to using local, sustainable food sources. He has lived in the Minneapolis area for the past ten years. Find out more about his trade and take a few tips from the man.

Insider Guide: Chef Sameh Wadi
Sameh Wadi, Chef and owner of Saffron Restaurant & Lounge is getting major (zagat-rated) props in the cooking world. The restaurant is the brain child Sameh and his brother, Saed. Opened in 2007, it specializes in contemporary Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. Here's Sameh's take on the Minneapolis food scene.