What it's actually like
Bar La Grassa is highly regarded as Minneapolis's premier Italian restaurant with exceptional pasta, innovative dishes, and a vibrant atmosphere. The vast majority of reviewers praise the food quality, attentive service, and lively-yet-cozy ambiance. A small minority reported inconsistent food quality, rare service lapses, and isolated food safety concerns, but these are outliers against overwhelmingly positive consensus that the restaurant lives up to its reputation and James Beard nomination.
fun and livelywarm and invitingcozy yet vibrantenergetic Italianintimate-bustlingdate-night friendly
Diners keep mentioning
gnocchi (signature dish—unique and phenomenal)lobster egg bruschetta (soft scrambled eggs with large chunks of lobster)chicken (spatchcocked, juicy with crispy skin)calamarata with raw tuna (masterpiece pasta)focaccia and beans (pillowy bread, crunchy crust)spicy passionfruit margaritacrab raviolimushroom agnolotticrème brûlée (miso and traditional versions)
Ambiance
upscale-casual
Noise level
lively
Dress code
smart casual
Outdoor seating
No
Good for
date night, birthday celebration, special occasions
Reservations
Resy
Wait reality — Reservations are essential, especially weekends and holidays—book 2+ weeks in advance. Expect 15-30 minute waits even with reservations during peak times. Walk-ins may be accommodated at the bar if fully booked for tables. Street parking is limited and challenging; valet ($15) or nearby parking ramp recommended.
Derived from 69 recent Google reviews — not marketing copy.
What's cooking
Appetizer
Arancini with Duck Confit and Taleggio$11
Arancini (rice balls) with duck confit and taleggio cheese
Carta Di Musica with Cured Salmon$12
Carta di musica (crispy flatbread) with cured salmon
Charred Red Onion with Goat Cheesevegetarian$10
Bruschetta with charred red onion and goat cheese
Cheesevegetarian$10
Cheese selection
Chicken Liver Mousse$10
Chicken liver mousse on bruschetta
Foie Gras Torchon$18
Foie gras torchon (liver terrine)
Gorgonzola Picante with Peperonatavegetarian$10
Spicy gorgonzola cheese with roasted peppers
Langoustine Crudogluten free$21
Raw langoustine
La Quercia Rosso Berkshire Prosciutto$17
Cured prosciutto from La Quercia Berkshire pork
Mangalitsa Lardo$10
Mangalitsa lardo cured pork fat
Marinated Pork Shoulder$10
Marinated pork shoulder bruschetta
Ricotta and Roasted Tomatovegetarian$9
Bruschetta topped with ricotta and roasted tomato
Ricotta Pizzettevegetarian$9
Small pizzas topped with ricotta
Smoked Alaskan Black Cod with Fennel and Endive Saladgluten free$14
Smoked black cod served with fennel and endive salad
★ Soft Eggs and Lobster$18
Bruschetta with soft eggs and lobster
Spiced Carpacciogluten free$15
Thinly sliced raw beef with spices
White Anchovy and Avocadovegetarian$12
Bruschetta with white anchovy and avocado
Wild Greens with Brioche and Honey Vinegarvegetarian$9
Wild greens with brioche and honey vinegar
Salad
★ B.L.G. Caesar with Boquerones$12
Caesar salad with boquerones (white anchovies)
Crispy Insalata with Sapori Di Modenavegetarian$10
Crispy salad with Sapori Di Modena dressing
Roasted Beets with Burrata and Pistachiovegetarian$15
Roasted beets topped with burrata cheese and pistachios
Pasta
Bucatini with Bolognese$20
Bucatini pasta with traditional Bolognese sauce
★ Calamarata with Raw Tuna$40
Large circular pasta with raw tuna
Cavatelli with Braised Rabbit$20
Cavatelli pasta with braised rabbit
★ Crab Ravioli$32
Ravioli filled with crab
Fettuccine Alfredovegetarian$16
Fettuccine with creamy Alfredo sauce
★ Foie Gras Tortellini$36
Tortellini filled with foie gras
Garganelli with Duck Sugo and Mint$24
Garganelli pasta with duck sugo and fresh mint
★ Gnocchi with Cauliflower and Orangevegetarian$24
Gnocchi with cauliflower and orange sauce
Linguine with Lamb Meatballs$24
Linguine topped with lamb meatballs
★ Mushroom and Taleggio Agnolottivegetarian$24
Agnolotti filled with mushroom and taleggio cheese
Nduja Egg Raviolovegetarian$14
Ravioli filled with egg and topped with nduja (spicy spread)
Paccheri with Saffron Milk Braised Chicken$20
Large tube pasta with saffron milk braised chicken
Pappardelle with Veal Ragu$22
Wide ribbon pasta with veal ragu
★ Pasta Negra with Sea Urchin Chili, Mussels and Tomato$28
Black squid ink pasta with sea urchin chili, mussels and tomato
Penne Rigate with Shrimp and Vin Santo$26
Penne with shrimp and vin santo (Tuscan wine) sauce
Red Wine Spaghetti with Pine Nutsvegetarian$14
Spaghetti prepared with red wine and topped with pine nuts
★ Smoked Spaghetti Alla Chitarra with Brown Butter and Lobster$36
Smoked spaghetti alla chitarra with brown butter and lobster
Spaghetti Carbonara$20
Spaghetti with carbonara sauce made with eggs and pork
Trofie Di'spinaci with Clams$18
Spinach trofie pasta with clams
Entree
Berkshire Pork Tenderloin with Salsa Di Peperonigluten free$28
Berkshire pork tenderloin with pepperoni sauce
Blood Sausage and Kale$16
Blood sausage served with kale
★ Chickengluten free$26
Roasted chicken
Grilled Sausagegluten free$18
Grilled Italian sausage
St. Louis Pork Ribsgluten free$20
St. Louis style pork ribs
Steak
Bisteccagluten free$95
Large bistecca for 4 people
Bone-In Ribeyegluten free$60
Bone-in ribeye steak
New York Stripgluten free$35
New York strip steak
Side
Broccolini in Prosciutto Brodo$12
Broccolini in prosciutto broth
Grilled Green Beans with Salsa Di Pepevegetariangluten free$12
Grilled green beans with black pepper sauce
Roasted Beech Mushroomsvegetariangluten free$16
Roasted beech mushrooms
Roasted Carrots with Mint Yogurt and Sesamevegetarian$10
Roasted carrots topped with mint yogurt and sesame seeds
Seafood
Grilled Prawnsgluten free$19
Grilled prawns
Market Fishgluten free
Fresh market fish daily selection
Scallops with Morels, Peas, Artichoke, and Rampsgluten free$18
Scallops paired with morels, peas, artichoke, and ramps
Shellfish Plattergluten free$50
Assorted shellfish platter
Find it
Address
800 Washington Ave N, Minneapolis, MN
Phone
612-333-3837
Restaurant group
Becker & St. Pierre Group