The Twin Cities is ringing in the New Year with plenty of new restaurants to try, and a handful of memorable goodbyes.
Here's a round-up of the latest restaurant openings & closings:
Openings
Bar Revival (525 Selby Avenue, St. Paul): Revival transformed its St. Paul restaurant this month into a new concept, Bar Revival. The restaurant's famous fried chicken and burger are still on the menu, alongside new Chicago-style, thin crust pizzas and Italian beef sandwhiches. Read more here.
Chipotle (County Roads 10 and 101, Maple Grove, and 779 Chelsea Rd. East, Monticello): The popular burrito chain has opened two new locations in Minnesota in December, opening its third in Maple Grove and first in Monticello. Read more here.
Culver's (5471 Credit River Road Southeast, Prior Lake): The Midwest fast-food favorite opened a brand new Twin Cities restaurant this month. Read more here.
Five Iron Golf (729 North Washington Avenue, Minneapolis): A new golf simulator cocktail bar has settled into the North Loop. Read more here.
OG Zaza (550 Vandalia Street, St. Paul): The New Haven-style pizzeria, which operates a flagship restaurant in Shakopee, has taken over the kitchen at King Coil Spirits. The OG Zaza menu is now available for distillery customers and brewery-goers at the neighboring Lake Monster Brewing. Read more here.
Razava Bread Co. (685 Grand Avenue, St. Paul): Nutritious, old world-style bread takes center stage at Grand Avenue's brand new craft bakery and café. Read more here.
Sota (13630 Grove Drive, Maple Grove): Utah's TikTok-famous dirty soda, seen on Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, has arrived in the Twin Cities. Read more about the beverage craze and what's on the menu at Sota here.
QDOBA Mexican Eats (68 Snelling Avenue, St. Paul): The fast-casual Mexican restaurant chain has opened its first St. Paul location in the heart of the Macalester-Groveland neighborhood. Read more here.
ZAO Bakery + Café (575 West University Avenue, St. Paul): A cozy new spot for scratch-made buns, congee and other Chinese breakfast favorites opened in St. Paul this month. Read more here.
Closings
Chaotic Good Brewing Company (202 2nd Street Southwest, Kasson): A southern Minnesota brewery closed its doors this month after two years in business. Read more here.
Daily Dose Cafe and Espresso (9578 Noble Parkway, Brooklyn Park): The coffee shop and eatery's Brooklyn Park location is closing Dec. 31, however, the two Maple Grove outposts are remaining in business. Read more here.
Food Ecstasy Inc. (619 W. Germain St., St. Cloud): The dine-in, deli-style eatery, which operated a significant catering business, has ended its 39-year run as owners Ken and Betty Maritsch retire. Read more here.
Red Dragon Restaurant & Lounge (2116 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis): After nearly 50 years in business, the iconic spot served its final customers – and poured its last Wondrous Punch – on Dec. 29. Read more here.
Red Fox Tavern (22815 Pillsbury Avenue, New Market Township): The restaurant near Lakeville shut down Dec. 22, just weeks after the business was targeted in an armed robbery. Owner Lee Petersen is promising a reopening and "new experience" in 2025. Read more here.
Union Hmong Kitchen (901 West Lake Street, Minneapolis): At his groundbreaking Uptown restaurant, Chef Yia Vang has stepped away from counter service and in-person dining to focus more on UHK's catering and stadium operations. Read more here.