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    Gai Noi

    4.3 (659 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Gai Noi Photos

    Business Info

    GAI NOI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Gai Noi

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    Mango sticky rice!
    Lisa S.

    Great experience! We went for lunch and chose to sit under the covered outdoor patio, but the space is so large there are tons of seating options and all were available. Split a few dishes, I would say the mango sticky rice and lemongrass chicken skewers were the stars of the lunchtime show. Service was great and explained the menu and spice level well. Would definitely go back to try more of the menu!

    Drunken udon
    Michelle G.

    I start with my one regret lol which was paying for parking - if you are willing to walk like five minutes, there's free street parking to be found near the famous cathedral/basilica nearby. Either way, the food was good and we had a delightful lunch here. The drunken udon was flavorful (I do love udon) and the basil wings were flavorful and crispy. Lowkey the fried veggie garnishes that came with the basil wings were even better, which is not a dig at the wings but a testament to they seasoned and fried those garnishes so well. The dole whip was a pretty green color but a skip for us (and my boyfriend has a sweet tooth / loves a sweet drink aka a piña colada but found this whatever). It's also very cute in here and we chose to eat upstairs which was a lovely vibe.

    Debra G.

    Nice location near Loring Park. Trendy spot, reservations probably a must. Parking could be a challenge as it's limited to a small lot and street. Staff were sweet, food was delicious. We weren't aware that random dishes would just come out when they're done, which was fine, just new to us.

    Fried rice
    Mika C.

    Wow exceptional dining experience. This is my first time in Minneapolis and I have to point out how impressed I am by the quality and diversity of food here. Our friend from Minneapolis recommended this place and I am so happy he did. Everything we ordered was a hit - our favorites including the basil wings, fried rice, laab and khao poon gai. The spice here is real and we definitely leaned in. Everything was so flavorful and fresh and I am so happy we shared everything. It was a great time. We sat upstairs and had a great view of the park. Service was great. Everyone's moods seemed so high especially on Monday. Highly recommend to go with your food friend(s) and try a little of everything!

    Khao Soi--rich coconut curry broth, tender braised meat, silky noodles, and fresh cabbage with a squeeze of lime. Comfort in a bowl.
    Jeff L.

    If you're only ordering one bowl at Gai Noi, make it the Khao Soi. The Khao Soi is everything you want in Northern Thai comfort food--rich coconut curry broth with just the right amount of spice, incredibly tender chicken, silky rice noodles, and a fresh cabbage slaw that adds the perfect crunch. A squeeze of lime brightens the whole bowl and keeps every bite balanced. What I love most is how layered the flavors are. It's creamy, savory, a little spicy, and somehow still feels light enough that you keep going back for another bite. Gai Noi continues to prove why it's one of the Twin Cities' best restaurants, and this dish is a perfect example of why. This is the kind of bowl you'll be craving before you even leave the restaurant.

    Macy C.

    Went here when it first opened and I thought it was ok Gave it another chance since they've had a few years to improve. Dont get me wrong this was good but I was not as impressed as I feel like most people are. Nothing had a large amount of packed flavor and was all one noted flavor. Service was ok but it wasn't busy when we went and they didn't really check on us much.

    Jeannette L.

    I was in Minneapolis for a work conference three weeks ago. My colleagues and I enjoyed our last sit-down dinner at Gai Noi. This was my foodie destination dinner spot. I'd read about the restaurant and wanted to try a few of their Laotian dishes on the menu. We ordered a bunch of dishes and ate family style so we could try a little of everything. Below is what we ordered as a group: -- Crispy Pork Belly (this was a hit at the table) -- Laab Seen with Sticky Rice (like a meat salad - I liked this a lot) -- Mok Paa (steamed white fish in banana leaf - aromatics off the charts good) -- Peanut Noodles -- Lemongrass Chicken Skewers (thumbs up) -- Pad See Ew (thai fav of one colleague) -- Yellow Curry with Chicken & Jasmine Rice -- Mango Cremeux (always leave room for dessert - light and tasty) If you dine here, please be aware that there is an 18% Service Charge that is added to all orders. 100% of this charge is paid to the service team as additional wages.

    Anh T.

    I had the most incredible Lao/Thai dishes today. Definitely might've been the best calamari I've ever had in my life. The squid was very fresh and it was not robbery or not chewy it was literally the perfect texture. I absolutely love the pad Thai here. It is so delicious. It does not come with protein and there's no protein option. It just comes as with the eggs, scallions and bean sprouts. I can't wait to come back here and try the fried tofu and some of the other skewers. There's only metered parking in this area. The parking lot next to the restaurant is not their parking lot. It is a pay lot only. The service was spectacular, very attentive and not too pushy. The interior is very dark small it does have an upstairs however I dined at the bar in the main room main entrance.

    Ellie K.

    One of my favorite spots for Lao and Thai food. The flavors here are incredibly unique, every dish feels thoughtful and packed with authenticity. The atmosphere is just as impressive as the food -- the upstairs dining room and patio are filled with lush greenery and offer amazing views that make the whole experience feel special. Everything comes out beautifully plated, and you can tell there's so much care put into each dish. It's usually busy (for good reason), so if there's a wait, grab a drink at the bar and enjoy the vibe while you wait for your table!

    Mango sticky rice
    Abbie F.

    Oh heck yes!! Please can I eat the lunch special everyday of the week?? And let me tell you how much I love places including tip!! I freaking love it!! Especially because our service from Megan was superb!! Like it was so so so good!! I loved the green curry even though my lip felt like it was going to burn off. The flavors were so fresh! And, I didn't get the yellow because I don't like potatoes in my curry and I like the vegetables better in the green one. The lunch platter had white rice, two gyozas, one cream cheese wonton and slaw. The star dish was the mango sticky rice for dessert!! I haven't eaten a dessert that good in a while! Mango perfectly ripened, rice with the perfect amount of sweetness, like so so so good! Getting hungry just thinking about it!!

    Athina L.

    A memorable mean in Minnesota. I saw this place recommended from TikTok before my trip and it did not disappoint. Everything was delicious! We had a late reservation and the place was still pretty crowded! It's got a chill vibe - great place for dinner and drinks with friends. We ordered so much food and everything was delicious, we ended up having leftovers that we took home and ate in the hotel a few days later. I would definitely come back here if im ever in this area again!

    Upstairs Bar
    Jon H.

    Gai Noi is the real deal. The restaurant does not disappoint in food, service or ambiance. Whenever I have folks visiting from out of town this is a staple. The 2 dishes that I always order are 1. Basil Wings 2. Tofu Snack. The basil wings are known for being a stand out star but the tofu snack gives it a run for its money as an underdog in a menu crowded with gems & variety. Go explore

    Basil Wings
    Mary V.

    I looove Gai Noi! The authentic Laotian cuisine paired with the elegant, lush vibes is always amazing here! You don't need a reservation, which is nice, but parking can get kinda packed--just something to keep in mind. It was such a beautiful day out, so my family and I stopped by for some mocktails and a few small bites. We ordered our go-to favorites: the green beans and basil wings, both tempura-fried and coated in their signature dry rub. Absolute chef's kiss--rich, tangy, and perfectly spiced! We also tried the crispy pork belly, which was deliciously crunchy and savory. My only note is that the portion was rather small. For drinks, I had the Pineapple Butterfly, which was sweet and refreshing, while my husband enjoyed the Guava Mule. I highly recommend Gai Noi--great food, drinks, and just an all-around good vibe.

    Drunken Noodles

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    3 months ago

    Excellent drunken Udon noodles! Service was super and drinks were great! Had the ginger mule and would have loved to stay for more.

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    Page 6 of 17

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    Ask the Community - Gai Noi

    Where do u go to make a reservation?

    It's a no reservation restaurant, walk-ins only!

    Are they peanut allergy friendly?

    I’d say no but not 100% sure because they do ask if there’s any allergies. Some of the dishes do include peanuts, also some of the seating is community style so you could be at a table with other parties.

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    Master Noodle - Edina

    Master Noodle - Edina

    4.4
    (262 reviews)
    7.6 mi
    $$

    Another fantastic Master Noodle experience! I've been to multiple locations now and feel that each…read moreplace has fairly consistent tastes and quality. In true family-style fashion we got plenty of dishes to share: some appetizers and some "main dishes" as well. The Xiao long bao and beef burrito are great starters. I enjoyed the wontons in chili oil, but wish they would've been spicy - we added our own chili oil/sauce. The pork belly fried rice and Shanxi shaved noodles were both fantastic. Both great portion sizes for main dishes with plenty to take home if needed. The restaurant is large and spacious nestled in a strip mall, and the service was fantastic. Boba is such a great deal too!!

    I had been wanting to come here for a long time and finally decided to give it a try !…read more Hard to decide what to choose for a meal because it all looked so good ! Such a cool spot, and awesome to see the chefs hand pull the noodles from scratch! When I finally decided, I got the master noodle original dish and added bok choy to it, as well as the sichuan wontons in chili oil, and they were delicious!!! I also tried the Thai tea, and it was a bit sweet but quite delicious as well (they have an extensive drink menu, with many yummy sounding options). Good ambiance, and quick service !!! Dishes were tasty, and a bit salty for my liking but overall quite good! I will be back !

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Garlic Chicken Fried Noodles and the chicken Fried Rice
    Garlic Chicken Fried Noodles and the chicken Fried Rice
    Restaurant interior

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    Restaurant interior
    Diane’s Place

    Diane’s Place

    4.7
    (368 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$

    Food and service is top tier! Ambience is well setting especially for date night. Desserts and…read morepastry is phenomenal

    It's hard to know where to begin. Simply put, the food is perfection, but my opinions about it go…read morebeyond flavor profiles and cooking techniques. My opinions are just as much rooted in the emotion attached to each bite. We live in Texas but spend lots of time in the Twin Cities. I'm a vegetarian, so I put off going to Diane's Place because it felt like the options for me were relatively limited. Boy, am I kicking myself for waiting! I told my wife after our first meal at Diane's Place this weekend that I compared the first bite (which happened to be the green scallion croissant) to my responses to certain music. As a musician and audiophile, hearing something moving or stirring can illicit a very visceral emotional response. I experienced a very similar response with that very first bite. My appreciation for the art of cuisine brought to perfection by Diane Moua literally caused my eyes to well up. This may sound like hyperbole, but it is not. The egg rolls were light and crispy and oddly nostalgic. The bamboo & cabbage swimming in coconut curry was my entree. On its own, it is perfectly balanced with the right amount of salt, acid, and umami. I tacked on some sticky rice and Hmong hot sauce...use with caution! It's potent but so delicious. Given Diane's background in pastry, don't skip dessert! We loved our experience so much on Sunday for dinner that we very quickly made a brunch reservation for Tuesday. Connor and Simon were extraordinarily helpful and knowledgeable about the menu.

    Photos
    Flowers
    Flowers
    Thai tea French toast
    Thai tea French toast
    Breakfast sandwich

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    Breakfast sandwich
    Kinzo Udon

    Kinzo Udon

    4.3
    (38 reviews)
    2.9 mi

    SERVICE: Personally, I like it. It's casual. It has dining…read morehall seating with booths and bench tables available. You enter the establishment and you order your food from one of the kiosk. The kiosk prints out a ticket, which you will hand to a staff member in the queue. He/she will assemble your food and puts it on a tray. Then you'll go through selecting fried appetizers and stuff for an additional fee. When you get to the cash register, they have drinks available. You could order their lattes too via the kiosk. I just had a Coke. There is water available too by the plastic silverwares. When you are done, you bring your dirty dishes to the tray return area. Simple. FOOD: The food was good. I had a tonkotsu udon with added charshu pork. The broth was delicious. I saw other dining patrons who drank from their bowl! The calamari was cooked right. I didn't need any sauce. I also bought the spam musubi, which was egg, SPAM, and rice--I saved it for later and it was delicious. PARKING: I parked at the Oak Street Parking Ramp that is affiliated to the University of Minnesota/M Health. It is $3.00 for 1 hour. The restaurant is just right around the corner. There are street parking available, but I'm not gonna drive around near rush hour/near when students are finishing up their last class and just wanting to get home. There were plenty of parking space in that ramp.

    This is along the East Bank of the University of Minnesota. There's plenty of metered parking and…read moreat the time it was about $2/hour. There's two self service kiosk to the right as you enter and you can make your selection. There's some Udon options, ramen options, rice bowl etc. Very straightforward and I decided to get their special creamy shrimp udon. If you don't order the special Creamy Hokkaido udon, they are able to build your bowl immediately while mine was about 10 mins which wasn't unreasonable at all. I enjoyed my udon and happy they didn't skimp on my shrimps! There's a row of tempura options and other snacks to add to your meal averaging about $2-$5 a piece. There was a lack of variety when it came to beverage options but there's a self service station for water that works too. It was quiet in the space and a small greeting is always nice to have but we navigated through the process.

    Photos
    Kinzo Udon
    Takoyaki+ waiting for my creamy udon
    Takoyaki+ waiting for my creamy udon
    Kinzo Udon

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    Momo Sushi

    Momo Sushi

    4.5
    (371 reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$

    Momo Sushi is my favorite sushi in Minneapolis. Everytime I get asked for a sushi spot…read morerecommendation, I always say Momo. The rolls are huge and packed with incredible combinations. There is a great variety of rolls so everyone is going to be pleased with the meal. The restaurant itself is tight on space but the dining experience makes up for it. I recommend you beat the dinner rush and go early when they reopen for the evening. Warning, it does get really busy almost everyday because it is just that good! Location-wise it is great because if you struggle to find parking in the small lot next to the spot, you can park on a residential street behind the restaurant and take a short stroll. I'm curious as to what the takeout experience is, I haven't had the chance to order, I would rather dine in the restaurant.

    Stopped by for dinner on Thursday night. We had a party of 6, so it took 30 minutes to be seated…read more The amazing staff kept updating us. It was fine, we walked through the Indian grocery next door. (also fun!) We had a great little table inside. We ordered the Giaoza pork and tumpra veggies to start. (everything was gone the second it hit the table, so no pics) The arrived the sushi, and the hibachi. Every bit was amazing. No left overs and my son (8) orders more Goaoza to go! It was less that $60 for our family of 4. I can't wait to come back and try more.

    Photos
    Traditional decoration.
    Traditional decoration.
    Sushi bar.
    Sushi bar.
    Tibetan mountain roll

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    Tibetan mountain roll
    Potsticker

    Potsticker

    4.6
    (160 reviews)
    7.3 mi
    $$
    Women-owned & operated
    Established in 2023

    amazing food, service, people, and ambiance. if I could go every day I would! the foods beyond…read moredelicious, honestly magical imo and the workers there are incredible and kind

    We stopped in to Potsticker early Sunday evening and just barely beat the rush as every table was…read morefull by 5pm. The space is small and undeniably cozy. We grabbed seats at their tiny 4-seat bar, which turned out to be the perfect spot for the evening. The service was fantastic from start to finish with everyone on the staff attentive, warm, and friendly. We went all-in and ordered the Potsticker Feast ($95): two of every kind of potsticker they make, plus all four dipping sauces, Ribeye Noodles, Korean Wings, General Tso's Chicken, and House Cucumbers. The potstickers were awesome but given the name of the place I was surprised that the real standouts were the other dishes. The ribeye was perfectly marinated and tender, tossed with a variety of vegetables and stir-fried noodles. The wings were terrific and the General Tso's was perfect. Don't sleep on the cucumbers either...smoky, spicy, and sweet, with peanuts and sauce. My favorite potstickers were the Beef & Carrots and the Kimchi Pork. If you're looking for scratch-made Asian fusion with great hospitality, Potsticker is hard to beat.

    Photos
    Ribeye with egg noodles 5/5
    Ribeye with egg noodles 5/5
    Orange Chicken
    Orange Chicken
    Mooshu pork or chicken with pancake and jasmine rick

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    Mooshu pork or chicken with pancake and jasmine rick

    Gai Noi - desserts - Updated August 2026

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