Reviews Lifestyle The New Sober Boom Getting Hooked on Quitting Education Liberal Arts Cuts Are Dangerous Is College Necessary? Finance Dying Parents Costing Millennials Dear Gen Z Investing In Le Creuset Crypto Investing SEC vs Celebrity Crypto Promoters ‘Dark’ Personalities Drawn to BTC

Lifestyle The New Sober Boom Getting Hooked on Quitting

Getting Hooked on Quitting

Education Liberal Arts Cuts Are Dangerous Is College Necessary?

Liberal Arts Cuts Are Dangerous

Is College Necessary?

Finance Dying Parents Costing Millennials Dear Gen Z Investing In Le Creuset

Dying Parents Costing Millennials Dear

Gen Z Investing In Le Creuset

Crypto Investing SEC vs Celebrity Crypto Promoters ‘Dark’ Personalities Drawn to BTC

Investing SEC vs Celebrity Crypto Promoters ‘Dark’ Personalities Drawn to BTC

SEC vs Celebrity Crypto Promoters

‘Dark’ Personalities Drawn to BTC

Reviews Lifestyle The New Sober Boom Getting Hooked on Quitting Education Liberal Arts Cuts Are Dangerous Is College Necessary? Finance Dying Parents Costing Millennials Dear Gen Z Investing In Le Creuset Crypto Investing SEC vs Celebrity Crypto Promoters ‘Dark’ Personalities Drawn to BTC

Lifestyle The New Sober Boom Getting Hooked on Quitting

Getting Hooked on Quitting

Education Liberal Arts Cuts Are Dangerous Is College Necessary?

Liberal Arts Cuts Are Dangerous

Is College Necessary?

Finance Dying Parents Costing Millennials Dear Gen Z Investing In Le Creuset

Dying Parents Costing Millennials Dear

Gen Z Investing In Le Creuset

Crypto Investing SEC vs Celebrity Crypto Promoters ‘Dark’ Personalities Drawn to BTC

Investing SEC vs Celebrity Crypto Promoters ‘Dark’ Personalities Drawn to BTC

SEC vs Celebrity Crypto Promoters

‘Dark’ Personalities Drawn to BTC

Why I keep returning to the Twin Cities

Where to eat, stay and explore in Minneapolis and St. Paul

Published June 11, 2026 11:51AM (EDT)

For months, many people have had their eyes glued to the Twin Cities through the lens of international headlines. The most recent atrocities in Minneapolis showed the world how the city and the people who call it home fight back, but if you’ve been paying attention, you’ll know they’re not new to resilience, community and showing up for one another however they can.

I’ve had a soft spot for Minneapolis and St. Paul for a long time. It was the only place where I hosted not one, but two stops on my book tour after the publication of “Mechanic Shop Femme’s Guide to Car Ownership,” and where I had the privilege of speaking at Subaru’s DEIB conference. I’ve returned, spending time with friends, exploring neighborhoods, enjoying the parks and marveling at the lakes that seem to appear around every corner.

The Twin Cities are home to a thriving food scene, welcoming people and no shortage of things to do. If you’re planning a visit, here are some of the restaurants, parks and local favorites that are sure to make you fall in love as I did.

Khâluna — I arrived at Khâluna straight from the train station, suitcase in hand, and was immediately blown away. Chef Ann Ahmed’s Lao restaurant is bright and airy, filled with greenery and anchored by a sprawling patio that feels like a natural extension of the dining room.

The menu is packed with fresh herbs, flowers and bold flavors. While nothing I tried packed much heat (I have a high spice tolerance), every dish felt vibrant and carefully balanced. Start with the jeow trio — especially the mushroom jeow. The traditional Lao dipping sauces elevate nearly everything on the menu and taste just as good when you scoop them up with sticky rice.

Among the mains, the pan-seared half chicken with smoked red curry and purple sticky rice was the standout. The rich, fragrant curry sauce tied the dish together and lingered in my memory long after dinner. Don’t skip dessert, either, and if you’re a coffee drinker, order the Lao coffee, served with condensed milk and a sugar cube on the side so you can customize the sweetness to your liking.

(Jodyann Morgan) Main course at Khâluna

Bûcheron — James Beard Award-winning Bûcheron may have softened my love-hate relationship with French cuisine. The intimate restaurant is dimly lit, romantic and undeniably cozy, with tables packed close together. And it’s worth being a little squished to experience the magic. Chef Adam Ritter and hospitality director Jeanie Janas Ritter combine Midwest ingredients with French technique, creating a menu that feels both refined and approachable.

One of the night’s standout dishes was the venison tartare, topped with poached egg yolk and spruce tips and served with rye crackers. The pommes dauphine — crispy, cheesy potato puffs paired with a rich Gruyère dipping sauce — were equally memorable. For mains, the grilled rainbow trout with Carolina Gold rice and espelette-citrus beurre blanc was beautifully balanced, while the butternut squash agnolotti with Madeira foam and ricotta offered a rich, comforting counterpoint.

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Borough — Located in Minneapolis’ North Loop, Borough occupies a warehouse building that embraces industrial charm with exposed brick, visible pipes and comfortable seating. During warmer months, the patio offers an excellent spot for al fresco dining. The menu is designed for sharing, though a few dishes may tempt you to keep them to yourself.

My favorite was the spicy lobster spaghetti,........

© Salon