1. Kramarczuk's

215 E. Hennepin Ave.

The second you step into Kramarczuk's, your nose lets you know you’re in one of Minneapolis’s best delis. Billing itself as “a taste of eastern Europe in the heart of northeast Minneapolis,” Kramarczuk’s is the real deal, and it has been for more than 60 years. Browse the selection of deli meats, which includes Polish sausage, German bologna, prosciutto de parma, and even headcheese, then pop into the bakery for specialties like kolachi and poppyseed bread. (Craving something sweeter? The tortes are to die for.) Don’t leave this Minneapolis European deli without grabbing some pierogi and probably a sandwich for the road — the grinder is especially good.

2. Clancey’s Meats & Fish

3804 Grand Ave. S.

Looking for a particular cut of meat? Trying to track down something a little special, like goat, lamb, or duck? Clancey’s in south Minneapolis has a wide selection of high-quality beef, pork, and poultry, plus smoked fish and all sorts of snacky sundries lining the shelves. It’s the sandwiches that most often get us in the door, though, especially the perfect roast beef. But don’t delay: Sandwiches are available daily until the bread runs out, which is usually not too long after 1 p.m.

3. Emily’s Lebanese Deli

641 University Ave. NE

Emily’s has been bringing homemade Lebanese flavors to the city since 1973. Here, you’ll find Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare like fresh hummus and baba ghannuj, plus marinated olives and feta and meshtah bread, an aromatic Lebanese flatbread. The sandwiches are excellent (try the Kafta burger) and the skewers are too — we’re partial to the lamb shish kabob, grilled with onions, zucchini, and a generous amount of garlic butter and served on a bed of fluffy rice.

4. The Brothers Deli

50 S. Sixth St., Skyway Level (#220)

The best Jewish-style deli in Minneapolis is located in the skyway. The Brothers Deli doesn’t just have one pastrami sandwich — they have five — and that’s only a fraction of the sprawling menu, which includes turkey, corned beef, chicken, beef brisket, pork, fish, burgers…and yes, even some veggie options. Sandwiches are served with chips and a pickle, and if you’re looking for something else to warm you up, you can always add a bowl of fluffy matzo ball soup.

5. Everett's Foods

1833 E 38th St.

Family-owned and operated since 1956, this south Minneapolis grocer and butcher shop boasts two on-location smokehouses, where ribs, chicken, sausages, and much more are smoked daily. The seafood options are exceptional, from lutefisk to lobsters to herring to oysters, and if you need dinner in a hurry? You can grab smoked ribs, pork chops, and riblets from the hot case. Plus, Everett’s is one of the few places you can pick up a pack of locally made La Loma tamales to have in the freezer for whenever hunger strikes.

6. Caffrey's Deli & Subs

3008 Lyndale Ave. S.

Nestled in the heart of Lyn-Lake, Caffrey’s has been serving up subs for 40-plus years. You can’t go wrong with the Middle Class Club or the Hot Shot Italian, which drizzles Italian dressing on a pile of salty, spicy meats — and if you like blue cheese, the Blue Cow showcases it with grilled roast beef, bacon, and veggies. Don’t forget to grab a pint of Sebastian Joe’s ice cream for later.

7. Afro Deli

1810 Riverside Ave.

Okay, okay, depending on your definition of “deli,” Afro Deli might not be the kind of thing you’re expecting to see on this list. Too bad! Because while you won’t find cold cuts and cheeses here, you will find some of the best sandwiches in Minneapolis, including the showstopping Somali Steak Sandwich. The Chapati Wrap is another tried-and-true winner, made with your choice of beef steak, lamb gyro, sautéed chicken, or falafel. Ask for an order of sambusas or spicy chicken wings and really make a meal out of it.

8. Lake Wine & Spirits

404 W. Lake St.

The accompanying cheese shop at this Lake Street liquor store gets our vote for one of Minneapolis’s best hidden gems, especially when you look at the menu and see that the sandwiches — all sizeable — are available for around $6.95 each. Pre-2000s pricing aside, these are excellent sandwiches, from the Cuban Mishap (pork loin, ham, parrano cheese, onion, dill pickle, and creme fraiche dijon sauce on ciabatta) to the Spicy Rachel (turkey, horseradish Havarti, thousand island dressing, and Red Ron’s Garden Relish on white bread).

9. France 44

4351 France Ave. S.

Elsewhere in excellent liquor store sandwich shops, there’s the France 44 Cheese Shop. These are the same folks behind the St. Paul Cheese Shop and St. Paul Meat Shop — St. Paul's only whole-animal butcher shop — so you know the ingredients you’re getting are top of the line, whether you’re ordering a club with turkey and comté cheese or the simple and decadent prosciutto di darma slathered in double-cream brie and olive oil. Before you go, grab a little treat from the cheese case for later.

10. Marty's Deli

400 Lowry Ave. NE

Many of the delis on this list have been around for decades; Marty’s just opened in 2023. But the Northeast newbie has made quite a name for itself in a short time, and that’s thanks to its selection of sandwiches served on delicious house-made focaccia. (It helps that they cook up one of the best breakfast sandwiches in town.) From a briny, caper-y chicken salad to curry-pickled beets, the ingredients here are ever-so-slightly elevated, and the provisions case hosts a rotating selection of potato salads, dips, desserts, and more.

And a few more excellent delis in nearby St. Paul:

Nelson Cheese and Deli

1562 Como Ave.

You won’t believe the selection of sandwiches that are available here for under 10 bucks. The hours are limited and there might be a line out the door during the lunch rush, but good sandwiches come to those who wait.

Cossetta’s Alimentari

211 Seventh St. W.

“St. Paul’s Little Italy” has something for everyone. Grab a sub, grab a slice, grab something special from the Italian market, and generally just have a delightful time. , St. Paul;

Buon Giorno Deli

981 Sibley Memorial Hwy.

Pizzas, subs, an extra-large sandwich that feeds up to six called “The Blimp” — Buon Giorno knows how to do comfort food right.

Cecil’s Deli

651 Cleveland Avenue S.

Ask almost anyone about their thoughts on the best Twin Cities delis, and this old-school classic is bound to come up. Just trust us. And order the Russian Reuben.