Pizza Luce

Home to some of the most lauded and imaginative pizzas in the Twin Cities (you heard us, Mesa), and hosting such events as Dine Out for Life (donating a percent of their sales to AIDS research) and an annual Uptown block party featuring local music artists, Luce is a hip, tattooed heaven for young urban pizza-lovers. They also do deli- and parmigiana-style hoagies and pasta dishes, as well as offer a range of veggie and gluten-free options (including GF pizza crust!). With multiple locations throughout the Twin Cities metro area, mashed potato pizza should never be more than a short ride or phone call away.

Website: Pizza Luce

Top 5 tips:

1. Pizza, hoagies & pasta

2. Best for: date night, dinner with friends

3. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free friendly
4. Four locations in the Twin Cities
5. Free delivery

Birchwood Cafe

Nestled in the middle of quiet, leafy Seward neighborhood, the Birchwood Café has been bringing seasonal, local-whenever-possible, organic fare to residents of Seward for decades. An eatery with a cause, the community-minded Birchwood truly lives up to their motto “good real food.” A cozy spot for brunch, dinner, or coffee if you’re feeling the need to stray off the beaten path a bit. Their menu is always fresh and rotating, and they have 
something for every diet from the omnivorous to meat/dairy/gluten-free. 

Website: Birchwood Cafe

Top 5 tips:

1. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options

2. Best for: date night, weekend brunch, dinner with the family

3. Supplied by a number of local growers and food producers

4. Outdoor seating

5. Bike friendly! They have regular bike racks as well as a Nice Ride station right outside the café.