7 Unique Lunch Spots Near University of Minnesota

By Jessi Stickel on June 21, 2016

700 on Washington is proud to partner with the Salvation Army to collect clothing, furniture, household goods, and appliances for donation to benefit our community. All proceeds are used to fund the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers.

Whether you are a student at the University of Minnesota, a high school student taking a tour, or a visitor seeing a family member or friend, you may want to explore and grab some lunch in the area. However, when going to a new location, such as a college campus, you want to experience new things, like eateries. Don’t go to the typical chain restaurants you have in your hometown, though: go to more unique spots for lunch.

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Here are 7 great spots for lunch near UMN’s campus.

1. The Beacon Public House

Beacon Public House is only a two-minute walk from UMN’s campus, which makes it a perfect spot for lunch when on or visiting campus. This restaurant serves American cuisine and serves lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This is a great spot if you are craving a good sandwich, burger or salad.

The Beacon Public House website describes their restaurant as follows:

The Beacon Public House near the University of Minnesota is The Common’s new signature restaurant, giving diners an alternative to the local chain and fast-casual restaurants. Our Minneapolis University restaurant features regional-influenced gastropub cuisine, blending local product and character into a refined menu — all with a strong sense of local identity.

2. Annie’s Parlour

Annie’s Parlour is a great spot to grab a quick and yummy lunch. It is less than a mile (a 14-minute walk) away from campus and has outdoor seating to allow you and family and/or friends to enjoy the nice weather.

Annie’s serves American food, which is perfect for all your burger, grilled cheese, onion ring, and root beer float needs!

3. Bordertown Coffee

Only an 11-minute walk from UMN’s campus, Bordertown Coffee is probably one of the most unique coffee shops you will come across because it is located in a former frat house. They serve coffee from small farms all over the world, along with delicious baked goods, such as banana bread. So if you are a light lunch eater, this could be the perfect spot for you.

Bordertown also has what they call the library room, which is a small room that students can reserve for groups to meet. This can be great for those group projects or study groups for exams.

4. Punch Neapolitan Pizza

Punch is a great spot for lunch when you want pizza. It is only a one-minute walk from campus, allowing it to be a quick lunch run when you are crunched for time. They serve a variety of pizzas, such as Toscano and Bruni, along with other foods, like salads.

The Punch Neapolitan Pizza describes their restaurant as such:

There isn’t a place in the world where pizza is more ingrained in the culture than Naples. It is, after all, where pizza was born. That includes firing your pizza in a wood-burning oven to a blistering 900 degrees. Punch utilizes the same centuries-old techniques that Neapolitan masters use to create a truly authentic pizza. The world’s finest crushed tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and top-secret dough form the foundation of the pizza, but the true craft is in mastering the wood fired oven.

5. Burrito Loco

If you are in the mood for a Mexican style lunch, Burrito Loco is a great spot to hit with family members or friends. Burrito Loco is almost a mile away from UMN’s campus, which is about an 18-minute walk. Their menu includes buffalo/BBQ chicken tenders, queso smothered fries/tots, and a variety of burritos.

This is how the  Burrito Loco website describes the restaurant:

We’re one of Dinkytown’s top spots to get a killer burrito or check out the game. Come find out why our reviews say things like:
 
“5 years later and I still have dreams of this place. I lived off of their burritos when I was in college.”
 
“A burrito right?! Wrong. It’s a freakin way of life. And they do it very well here!”

6. Purple Onion Café

The Purple Onion Café serves ‘homestyle cuisine’ including salads, soups, burgers, and a wide variety of cold and hot sandwiches. This makes it a perfect spot to grab lunch; it is also only a 15-minute walk from campus.

The Purple Onion Café’s website describes their restaurant as follows:

Looking for a relaxing place to work or study? In the mood for a delicious fresh baked pastry or a hearty meal? Or just looking for a place to relax in the sun and enjoy a fresh cup of locally roasted gourmet coffee?
 
Here at the Purple Onion Café, along with our sister store, Espresso Expose, we have everything you need! 

7. Big 10

The Big 10 has just about any dish you can think of, making it a great spot for lunch when you and your friends cannot agree on one type of food to eat. It is right by campus, only a three-minute walk.

The Big Ten is known for having the best subs and wings in town, but we have so much more to offer. From burgers to nachos, from french dips to cajun fries, coney dogs to soups, salads to desserts — the Big Ten has everyone covered!

700 on Washington [phone: 218-282-2328] is proud to partner with the Salvation Army to collect clothing, furniture, household goods, and appliances for donation to benefit our community. All proceeds are used to fund the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers, where beneficiaries find help, hope, and a second chance at life through work therapy, education, counseling and spiritual development. 

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