Foodies

Watch a 360 Video Now on Foodies

Feeling hungry? Mankato serves up a savory food scene. From City Center’s local ingredient-driven restaurants to the Old Town’s Food Truck Hub and neighborhood eateries offering all your favorites – from New York-style pizza to pub-styled burgers served with local craft beers and more.

Experience 360º Tours

Front Street 360º Tour

Old Town 360º Tour

Explore More

Local Food Scene

We could rave about our local restaurants, but it’s even better when others do the honors. Check out a few of the Mankato-area eateries recognized as “best of” in our market and state.

Top 10 Locally Owned Restaurants

Reviews on Yelp and TripAdvisor offer a glimpse into the menu offerings you’ll find at Mankato restaurants. Based on reviews by visitors and locals and ranked in no particular order, we’ve assembled a list of their Top 10 choices.

Top Delicious Dishes & Drinks

Dine like the locals do! From polls, surveys and word of mouth (from those who call Minnesota home) — here is what they say are the must-try dishes and drinks in Mankato.

The Gathering Table

If dining beneath the stars is a bucket-list experience, consider an al fresco meal hosted by the Chef + Farm Collective, a group of Southern Minnesota chefs, farmers and food bloggers. Their Gathering Table pop-up dinners feature local growers and celebrated field-to-fork fare.

One of the Most Highly Rated Restaurants in Minnesota

Wondering where to find a pizzeria with proven staying power and a killer sauce? Look no further than Mankato’s Pagliai’s. Since 1969, Pagliai’s has prepared award-winning, hand-tossed pizza. In 2016, the restaurant earned top-ranking from Only in Your State on its list of “Ten Most Highly-Rated Restaurants” in Minnesota.

Best Minnesota Winery

The Star Tribune recognized Chankaska Creek Ranch and Winery – located in the rolling hills of our Southern Minnesota River Valley – as Best Minnesota Winery on its “2015 Best of Minnesota” list.

10 Best Bagel Shops in Minnesota

Mankato’s – from scratch – Tandem Bagels earned a “Top Ten Best Bagel Shops” ranking by Best Things Minnesota in March 2017.

Best Waffle Fry in Minnesota

Tav on the Ave, a favorite Mankato sports bar destination, was voted as having the Best Waffle Fries in Minnesota by WCCO-TV viewers in September 2017.

Best of the Best

Mankato’s own Pub 500 has earned the Minnesota Restaurant Association’s “Restaurant Neighborhood Award” as well as Thrillist’s accolade for one of “Minnesota’s 12 Best Bars Outside the Twin Cities”. MORE