Nordic loggers and miners were some of the first people to inhabit the land where the Twin Cities stand today. While both places have grown significantly more diverse over time, you can still find traces of these early influences in both cities' culinary scenes.

Our real estate agents have challenged themselves to visit more Nordic restaurants and food shops in the areas around our St. Paul homes for sale and Minneapolis homes for sale. Here are some of the best ones we've discovered so far.

Savor Scandinavian Flavors Around St. Paul and Minneapolis 

Tullibee - Minneapolis, MN

Address: 300 N. Washington Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55401 

Tullibee offers a high-end Scandinavian-inspired dining experience inside the four-star Hewing Hotel. Their elegant dining room fills up fast on most days, so reservations are recommended—especially for larger groups.  

Visit them for brunch to sample light yet satisfying dishes like their Smoked Salmon on Rye or their Kale Salad topped with pecans, salmon, and roasted grapes. At dinnertime, you can start your meal with a plate of bitterballen, bite-sized beef croquettes with horseradish and greens. 

The Finnish Bistro - St. Paul, MN

Address: 2264 Como Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108 

The Finnish Bistro serves hearty portions of Scandinavian food in a cozy yet classy storefront in the heart of St. Paul. Some of their most popular menu items include: 

• Traditional Finnish Breakfast, a loaded breakfast plate featuring salmon lox, salami, pickled herring, boiled eggs, and Finnish rye bread 
• Lihapiirakka, a meat pie made with browned ground beef, kielbasa sausage, rice, onions, and seasonings in fried dough 
• Finnish Meatballs, a spin on Swedish meatballs made with elk meat instead of pork or beef 

If you're not hungry enough for a full meal, try one of their almond kringlers with a cup of coffee. They're just as sweet and rich as they look, but also surprisingly filling.  

FIKA Café - Minneapolis, MN

Address: 2600 Park Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55407 

Authenticity is guaranteed at FIKA Café, a casual Nordic eatery run by the American Swedish Institute in downtown Minneapolis. Their smörgasar (open-faced sandwiches) make excellent quick lunches for busy professionals, while their grönsaker (pickled or spiced vegetable dishes) are perfect for vegetarians and vegans who want to try some Scandinavian cuisine.  

If you ask us, though? Their Cardamom Bread Pudding is the real gem here. The treat is served warm and comes with a generous helping of homemade whipped cream and caramel sauce. 

Krown Bakery & Eatery - Anoka, MN

Address: 530 W. Main St., Anoka, MN 55303 

If you prefer breads and sweets to pickles and meats, Krown Bakery & Eatery near our Anoka County homes for sale has you covered. They sell hearty Scandinavian breads like Swedish limpa and kavring rye bread as well as small-batch goodies like Budapest rolls, lingonberry bars, and Finnish butter eye buns. Everything is made fresh in-house, making the shop smell incredible every time you walk in.  

While baked goods are their specialty, they also serve a small lunch menu. Their Finnish-style take-and-bake pasties offer a delicious way to enjoy meat and vegetables on the go.  

Ingebretsen's Nordic Marketplace - Minneapolis, MN

Address: 1601 E. Lake St., Minneapolis, MN 55407 

Good Scandinavian food doesn't have to come from a restaurant. Ingebretsen's Nordic Marketplace sells a wide selection of meats, cheeses, and pre-packaged foods imported from Nordic suppliers. Shop here for authentic Scandinavian: 

• Baking mixes 
• Canned goods 
• Jams, condiments, and spice blends 

You can even order many of their products online via their website. There's no free shipping option, though, so be prepared to pay a little extra if you can't make it to their Lake Street store.  

Make the Twin Cities Your Home Today 

Exploring the Twin Cities' Scandinavian roots is both educational and fun, but isn't it time you put down roots of your own? Minneapolis and St. Paul are still growing and changing, and you could be part of their future. Call today and let our team help you find the perfect local home for the next chapter in your family saga.