
The Best Spots for Food in the Skyway
Explore the diversity of Downtown Minneapolis cuisine while protected from the elements at these beloved Skyway-level restaurants.
Get happily lost. The Minneapolis Skyway System is the largest contiguous system of enclosed, second-level bridges in the world—composed of 9.5 miles of pathways connecting 80 city blocks.
The Minneapolis skyway system connects corporate offices, bars, restaurants, bakeries, hotels, government services, retail, gyms, grocery stores, liquor stores, banks, doctors, dentists, masseurs, pharmacies, hair and nail salons, dry cleaners, live theaters, three pro sports facilities, a church, art exhibits, and... well, you get the idea.
Most Skyway connected buildings are open until 6pm, Monday - Friday and are closed on weekends.
Check this page for up-to-date skyway hours and adjustments.
NOTE: Watch for signs that indicate shorter, or longer, than the usual skyway hours.
The city's first skyway connecting the new Northstar Center building to the Northwestern Bank Building opened in 1962. It was immensely popular, so slowly but surely new skyways appeared, often, but not always in conjunction with new construction. Wandering the system, you’ll probably be able to identify the skyway routes that were plugged into existing buildings – sometimes awkwardly.
The construction of the IDS in 1974 (still the tallest building in downtown Minneapolis) was a key moment for the skyway network. The building featured skyways connecting to buildings in all four directions, which integrated what was up until then a scattered system. The IDS junction also features the Crystal Court atrium, still the largest open public space in the network. In 2016, the skyways connecting U.S. Bank Stadium to the rest of the system brought the total length of pathways to over 8 cumulative miles.
With skyways now included in nearly all new construction in central downtown, maps and way finding signage became necessary. This effort improved navigation, and has evolved dramatically in helpfulness, but alas, people can still be seen standing in skyway junctions, heading spinning around, trying to figure out where to go next. All part of the adventure!
A good rule of thumb for finding one’s way into the Skyway System from the street is if the building has a skyway connected to it, you can almost certainly find an access point. Just find your way to the second level of any skyway-connected building and you’ll find skyway access. Helpfully, many elevators in downtown Minneapolis have a ‘SK’ button in place of a ‘2’. NOTE: This applies to standard business hours, after hours you may find street-level doors on certain buildings locked, even if you can clearly see people still using the skyway.
Some of the most popular skyway entry points include:
There are dozens upon dozens of options for skyway-connected food, some located on the ground and third floors of buildings. Many familiar chains are well represented. A few less familiar and/or locals options include: Vellee Deli (Asian fusion), Brothers Deli (sandwiches and salads), Afro Deli (African), Sushi Takatsu (Japanese), Green + The Grain (healthy salads, wraps), Kadai Indian Kitchen (Indian), Roti (Mediterranean), and Naf Naf (Middle Eastern). If you’re not sure where to eat, a long line is usually a good sign.
The above list doesn’t take into account the many sit-down, ground floor restaurants that are accessible by the skyway, like Monello (Italian), The Oceanaire (seafood), Ruth’s Chris (steakhouse), Dakota Jazz Club (American), Come Pho Soup (pho), CRAVE (Japanese, American), Manny’s (steakhouse), D’Amico & Sons (Italian), and many more.
Check out this list of our favorite places to eat in the skyway.
Again, the number of shopping options that are skyway-connected can be overwhelming, so here’s just a sampling: Hubert White (clothing), Marty Mathis Direct (men’s suits), JB Hudson Jewelers, Haskell’s (wine, beer, alcohol), Walgreens, and retail shops for multiple cell phone providers.
The two-level, flagship Target Store at 9th Street has become the one-stop destination for downtown workers and residents to satisfy virtually any need. The grocery section in particular has grown to be a comprehensive shopping option for both residents doing their weekly shopping and visitors seeking quick hotel-room breakfasts and snacks. Nordstorm Rack’s arrival on Nicollet, inside the IDS building on 7th Street, has made an instant impact, drawing in people seeking a wide selection of big-brand-name apparel and accessories in their 40,000 square foot space. Head down the escalators of City Center and browse through the latest trends and styles at Marshalls.
Some of the city’s finest hotels are, of course, on the skyway system, including W Hotel (in the historic Foshay Tower), Marquette Hotel, AC Marriott, Hilton, Chambers Hotel, Loews Minneapolis Hotel, Royal Sonesta, Radisson Red, The Westin and Hotel Ivy.
See all hotel skyway connections on this map.
The Best Spots for Food in the Skyway
Explore the diversity of Downtown Minneapolis cuisine while protected from the elements at these beloved Skyway-level restaurants.
Where to Find Cheap Eats & Happy Hour Deals in Downtown Minneapolis
Get some delicious eats without breaking the bank! Dining out in downtown Minneapolis doesn’t have to be expensive. Check out our list of cheap restaurants options and amazing happy hour deals to get your fix.
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