On a last-minute work trip to Minneapolis, I asked all of my foodie friends where I absolutely had to make a reservation, and the answer was universal: Vinai. I was able to snag a solo spot at the bar/chef's counter about a week in advance for a 7 pm weekday slot, and I'm so glad I listened. I'd never had Hmong food before coming to Minneapolis. It's plentiful here, but it's quickly become clear to me why Vinai is the "it" spot for a nicer Hmong dinner. The menu is vast and broken down by size of dish, which makes it easy to mix and match. Since I was solo and wanted to try as many things as possible, I opted for several smaller things. Pro tip: sitting at the chef's counter unlocks an additional "secret menu" of daily specials you can only order if you're sitting there. These seem like the best part of the menu, and I'm so grateful my friends pushed me to book the chef's counter specifically. What I ordered: - Severine (gin, vodka, white vermouth, lime leaf): A martini riff with a Hmong twist. Really light but interesting. - Curry rice ball (garlic cream cheese and blue crab in a fried ball): Tasty but nothing that blew me away. I'd skip on a future visit. - Grilled shrimp (3 whole head-on grilled prawns topped with green mango and jicama salad, served with purple sticky rice): This was off the secret menu and was unreal. Light, herbal, fresh. Drool-worthy. - Shrimp-pork toast (prawn mixture on Texas toast with apricot chili): So tasty, punchy flavors. My waitress kindly let me get a half order because I was getting full but really wanted to try this AND the fried rice. - Crabby fried rice (generously topped fried rice with blue crab): Half of this became lunch for the next day. - White rabbit candy ice cream scoop topped with olive oil and sea salt: Perfect end to an indulgent, incredible meal. The food here is insanely flavorful, and it's such a fun vibe; even on a Tuesday night, it filled up pretty quickly! I cannot recommend sitting at the bar more: you get really great service, you get to watch the chefs cook, AND you unlock the secret menu. My waitress was a highlight of the night, super helpful with every ordering decision and even brought me a complimentary half order of the shrimp-pork toast when I was torn between two crowd favorites trying to pick my last item. Truly above and beyond. Genuinely hoping work sends me back to Minneapolis soon, if only to eat here again! read more

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We finally snagged a reservation at a decent time during a weekday after trying (not too hard) in the past year. We were a group of 4, waited about 5 min for our table to be ready. The hostess was very good - nice, friendly & efficient. The place was bustling on a Thursday evening. It's obviously a hotspot with guests dressed nicer than normal for MN. Not many Asians though, which is always iffy for an Asian restaurant. We had the ff: Grilled Shrimp +Green Mango Salad - this was OK. A regular order came with three shrimp and they added one more shrimp since there was four of us. I have had green mango salad in the small Asian deli, and this seemed very mild compared to those with none of the fishy taste & the green mango wasn't very sour. Hmong Cucumbers - I know the menu said it was spicy but compared to everything else. This was extremely spicy that we had to order some sticky purple rice to be able to eat it. We probably left half of it and didn't take it to go. Fried Catfish - we loved the fried catfish chunks that you put in lettuce to make a wrap. Charred Cabbage - this was a standout winner for our group. It had so many textures and the flavor was amazing. Grilled Fish - seabass stuffed with herbs & lime. This was very good & fresh, very mild tasting as expected. Crabby Fried Rice with pork belly - this rice was good and the pork belly was crispy. I couldn't really taste the crab even if I could see it you also don't really need the pork belly unless you want more protein. Purple Sticky Rice Mama vang sauce - the server told us it was extra spicy today when she brought the sauce out, and she wasn't lying we could barely eat it. I feel like the food didn't really need the extra sauces. Chocolate Lava Cake - I am willing to go back just to eat this cake again. It was that amazing. It had some toffee and a sauce and the ice cream and the lava coming out was just all a perfect combination. We still talk about it. I don't know if spice levels are a thing. We like some spice and everything except for the cucumber was very tasty but nothing really spicy. I wish they had a few more entree options on the menu like ribs and the Hmong sausage that is supposedly in the secret menu. Service was good as expected, but they were very busy and sometimes it was hard to get the attention of the waiter like when we had to ask for the sticky rice. It seems like he was attending to so many tables and really only had time to stop by once. He asked us how everything was barely 5 minutes after we received the food so we really haven't had a chance to eat it. We felt that the place is very loud and we could hardly hear ourselves that even if we were close, we still needed to shout and that just made the whole place even louder. Even a normal conversation bounces off the walls making everything louder. Overall, we were very happy to have finally tried it, and may go back someday, especially for the chocolate lava cake! read more

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What a fantastic dining experience! My coworker and I were eager to try a good restaurant in the area while in town for work; even on a Tuesday night, they were fully booked for reservations - but we were immediately able to get a seat at the bar! The cocktails are fun and definitely use flavors inspired by the culture; I loved that our waiter (the bartender) really spent time with us to explain the menu and his recommendations. I particularly enjoyed the carpaccio - all the toppings were incredibly light, fresh, and flavor...and then pair that with the purple sticky rice...DIVINE. Then we also really enjoyed the catfish lettuce wraps; I'm not usually a catfish lover, but they were so lightly breaded and with the noodles, sauce, and pickled veggies, they were delicious. We tried one of their cold noodle salads, which wasn't my fav. I also tried one of their curry crab rice balls, which was delicious. Overall, I can see why this place is on so many "top restaurants of the twin cities" lists! read more

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Finally made it here & had a great meal. My friend from Hawaii was visiting & she texted me a couple weeks in advance asking me if I've been meaning to try any new restaurants. I immediately replied Vinai & she told me she booked us a reservation & I was excited for 2 weeks until we arrived. AMBIANCE: It feels like a more upscale trendy Asian spot but still felt warm, airy, and welcoming. Folks were both dressed up and casual. Our server was nice, but did think it was funny how she explained "family style" to a table of Asian folks but I guess it's safer not to assume. FOOD: It was all delicious but my fav was the Laab Carpaccio-that's a must get! We also enjoyed the Fun Fun Egg Noodles & Hmong Cucumbers for something healthier & then the pork chop. It was def worth paying extra for the green hot sauce & for some extra sticky rice. We also enjoyed our cocktails and mango sticky rice dessert. Yes it's a bit spendy but I would say it's worth it & can't find any of these dishes at Hmong Village :) Lastly, I saw the owner of the restaurant join the table next to us. I was so close to leaning over and giving him a high-five but resisted embarrassing my friend, but maybe next time! read more

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If you are looking for Hmong food, or even just Southeast Asian (SEA) food, this place is not it. There's nothing authentic or SEA inspired about the dishes served here. I would say it's more like experimental food for the western palate & calling is SEA for the exotic excitement. That said, it was an interesting & unique experience. I probably won't come back because it was just mediocre food plated to look pretty, & it lacked the SEA flavor we were expecting per dish name. It was also not worth the price per dish, especially the appetizers. 100% curated for the western palate, that's for sure. Diane's Place is better. read more

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Our 3rd time dining at Vinai after participating in the Kickstarter start-up funding. They say the 3rd time is the charm, but I believe every time we dine here is the charm. Love the new menu additions. The fun fun cold egg noodle salad was a crowd favorite along with the nutty green beans and the fried cauliflower (a must order). The only hiccup of the night were the curry rice balls that lacked any resemblance of curry, cream cheese, or crab. Cocktails were stellar, and the service provided by John and his assistants was strong. Looking forward to our 4th visit already. read more

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I had high expectations for Vinai and I am jazzed that it lived up to all of the hype. The server took the time to explain the menu, suggest an appropriate amount of dishes for 2 people (she said 4-5 depending on how hungry we were) and every single dish we picked was a banger. Sharing the dishes we got in order of my personal favorite: Hmong Cucumbers: sesame ginger vinaigrette, sesame seeds, fried shallot, garlic Fried Cauliflower: chili lime, hidden valley ranch dressing, herbs Curry Rice Ball: garlic cream cheese, blue crab New York Strip: grass fed beef, chili oil I opted for an N/A cocktail which was the Cucumber Cooler and I HIGHLY recommend it (or it's 21 yr old sister the "Cool as a Cucumber"). As a size 18 with hips, I was also very pleased that they actually give space between the tables so I wasn't sitting on the neighboring diner's lap trying to get in and out of my seat read more

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The stars aligned when we stumbled into Vinai after 8 on a Saturday night while waiting for our reservation at a neighboring place. There were no tables, but we scored seats at the bar. It was fun to feel like part of the action watching the bartenders make cocktails and seeing the food come fresh from the kitchen. We ordered a few things to split between us: Curry Rice Balls (3 orders of 1), Roasted Eggplant with purple sticky rice, and Fried Cauliflower. This was the BEST fried cauliflower I've ever had - you've got to try it. The purple sticky rice and eggplant was also yummy. Now that I've written this review, I'm craving the food. Definitely coming back again!! As I'm writing this review read more

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We have two favorite restaurants for Hmong inspired cuisine (this place and Diane's Place). Both serve unique dishes and hence do not overlap in their offerings. Parking is street parking and it wasn't difficult to find a spot. We had made reservations and were promptly seated. Our server was excellent and offered good menu suggestions. I tried the Cool as a Cucumber cocktail. Our sharables were the Curry Rice Ball, Fun Fun Egg Noodles, and Fried Cauliflower. The Fun Fun Egg Noodles had great flavor. The Fried Cauliflower were well seasoned and crisp. Our two mains were the Chicken Coconut Curry and Crabby Fried Rice (with added Pork Belly). Both excellent dishes. The desert was a mango ice cream dish which the presentation was as great as the taste (picture). The ambience was modern. read more

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I was finally able to experience the amazing food here on my birthday. It's a beautiful place with delicious food and amazing service. Our server had so much knowledge about the menu and recommended a few items on the menu. We started off with Curry Rice ball and Green beans in a peanut sauce. They were both delicious. For entree we got the Crabby fried rice and the New York strip. I highly recommend the Crabby Fried rice if you are a seafood lover. I fell in love with that dish. We also got a side of purple sticky rice and tried couple of the sauces. For the sauces we got the Mama Vang and Kua Txob. Mama Vang won my heart and pallet. It was the perfect amount of spicy with great flavors. The Crabby fried rice combined with the Mama Vang sauce was to die for. I would go back just for this dish. We ended our night on a sweet note with the Chocolate lava cake. The ice cream that came with it was silky, smooth and delicious. We had a great experience and will be returning for sure. read more

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Phenomenal! What a culinary experience. The laab carpaccio was good, but we wouldn't order it again. A lot of vibrant flavors, and it was fun. The stars were the pork chop and the charred cabbage though! I can't say enough good things. The portions, presentation, and flavors were heavenly. Service was a little slow, but we were pleased as our experience continued. Would absolutely recommend. The only thing I wish would have been different, was the sauce. $4 for a small side of sauce seemed steep. I could tell the love went into crafting it. But I wanted to try all the sauces and couldn't bring myself to pay $4 for each - would love a sampler option. read more

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Food: 3/3 Overall, the food we chose was very good. I highly recommend the double cut pork chop. The flavors were familiar, yet elevated by the chef in a refreshing way. I'm sure lots of you are wondering what this means. Well, IMO there are lots of Asian restaurants in the Twin Cities that try to elevate the food for what is typically considered cheap Asian street/home-cooked food so they can charge a premium price. Most of them do it very poorly. This place actually hits the mark on most of their dishes. This is not just a trendy place for less familiar Caucasian patrons, but can be enjoyed by those familiar with the flavors. Service: 1/1 Staff was attentive and provided excellent service. I was seated in a busier spot, and the servers always made an effort to give me plenty of space. Ambiance: 1/1 The seating was clean and spacious, and the lighting was not too bright or too dim. It is street parking, but it is manageable with the nearby neighborhoods. read more

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One of my faves in the twin cities. Warm and welcoming waitstaff. A warm and cozy setting that does a great job balancing the line of casual and intimate. An amazing menu blasting with flavor. And a great cocktail menu to choose from. The highlights for us were definitely the pork chop and the crabby rice. The pork chop was perfectly cooked, substantial, and the tamarind glaze cut through the richness of the pork beautifully. The crabby fried rice was rich as well and truly addicting. Again, another flavor bomb. With my daughter no longer at the U, I won't be in the area as often I used to but its definitely on my short list when I return. read more

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I get a RESY credit as a card perk, so I've been using it to check out the many "nicer" restaurants in the Cities! This month we dined at Vinai, and y'all, it's worth ALL the buzz! Street parking available nearby! The space itself is obviously fine dining, but there is a "living room" warmth. Dimly lit, yet cozy and comfortable. They've done a great job designing the space to feel modern and intentional! Our server was lovely during our meal, always making sure we understood the menu, refilling our water, and making great recommendations. Let's be clear...I didn't have a single bite that I didn't love from this menu. So much flavor, surprise, and intention in the dishes we shared family-style. The highlights had to be the Curry Rice Ball, which was a single bite of brilliance, and the Double Cut Pork Chop, which I would never order without having received many recommendations from friends but was SCRUMPTIOUS, SAVORY, and SPLENDID! I absolutely can't wait to come back and will be sending all my friends here for their next special occasions!! Bravo! read more

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The location In comparison to building, atmosphere, and industrial yet modern decor makes this place welcoming for an intimate dinner. The wife and I got the following; appetizers sardine, laab carpaccio, and fried catfish. I was impressed with the fried catfish, very fresh, tender, and well seasoned. The portion was also very generous with a side of fresh salad, pickled carrots, cucumbers, and jalepeno. To top it off was NamPric, a type of Thai chili. We also got all of their 4 Kua Txob. The Momma Vang and Fermented Shrimp Chili were the best. For the entree, we ordered their grilled fish, and crabby fried rice. I'm Hmong so a lot of the food hit me, so I do recommend trying this place out and would come back. The sardine was, well disappointing, very oily, basic, and tasteless, so I would avoid this dish. The laab carpaccio was good, but be sure to get the different hot sauces to eat with as it needs a bit of fish sauce, I would not use the Fermented Shrimp Chili with it, however the rest of the hot sauce pairs well with it. The cocktail Cool as. Cucumber was really good, Chef Yia's mom garden grown Hmong cucumber really made it. Cucumber freshness with a slight bitterness brought it all together very well. The service was good and friendly. It's a bit pricey for sure, but if you're new to Hmong cuisine I would highly recommend. The twist, plating, and flavors are addicting for sure. Overall experience was great. read more

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Vinai was an incredible experience! The service was lovely and our server was friendly and helpful explaining the menu to us. We tried the items pictured and I loved the cauliflower and pork chops the best! The curry chicken was mellow and a soup that had quail eggs in it-yum! We also tried the crabby fried rice that was delightful. The highlight of our night was the pork chops. They were easily the best pork chops we had ever had. Very soft and delightful. I would order them every time I came here! 10/10 read more

Vinai - Deviled eggs, fried cauliflower - New American Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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I've heard the chef was one of the James Beard award finalists so I had to tried when I came to visit. The menu was excited and it was hard to narrow down what to try. Here's what we ordered: Deviled Eggs - it wasn't spicy and the Thai sambal flavors were nice Sardine - This was ok. It was in a tomato confit so wasn't too excited. Shrimp and Pork Toast - This was the highlight and the apricot jam really complimented well! Catfish - This was decent. The sauce was good and the fish was crispy. But eating the fish by itself, the batter was a little bland. Crab Fried Rice - the crab fat was an nice touch and it was flavorful Grilled Chicken - It was juicy and tender, and the coconut vinaigrette was a great complement to it! read more

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Amazing service and cuisine all around! You cant go wrong with a bar seat or table seat. Given the option to have the food brought out all at once, or once at a time, either was enjoyable to experience the food. Definitely get the laab carpaccio and funfun egg noodles, I absolutely loved them! The ambiance was well decorated with a calm, stylish aesthetic thay was honestly picture perfect. Can't wait to come back on my next Minneapolis visit! read more

Vinai - Laan carpaccio, fun fun egg noodles, short rib (seasonal special) - New American Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Finally had the chance to try out Vinai as part of the Tasting Collective series and it was a great experience. Having been a frequent visitor of Dangerous Man they did a great job with the space and we got a rundown of the symbolism behind all the decor. Lots of windows mean natural light (during the day) keeps it moody and the actual lights are really soft. The staff were all fantastic and it ran like a Swiss watch. The food was all great. The cocktail was one of the most interesting ones I've had in a while. Really creamy but not heavy with floral and nutty notes. We got smaller portions for all dishes since this was a tasting menu. - Shrimp toast: basically siu mai with texas toast instead of a wrapper. It was good, but the toast soaked up a ton of grease that turned the light dish into a sponge laden with oil that squished out with each bite. They crispy crust and the heat level were great! - Laab Carpaccio: This was my favorite dish of the night. Really bright and acidic from lime juice, vinegar, and pickled veggies.The herbs added freshness while the toasted rice was a great textural contrast. - Sticky Ribs: This is normally only served family style on their "secret menu". They were fall-off-the-bone tender and tasted amazing. The fish sauce caramelized beautifully, the black garlic added a great earthy sweetness, and those toasted peanuts I could eat all day. That said, they are incredibly rich and heavy so 1-2 are definitely enough. They were probably 50% fat cap (read; flavor) - NY Strip: Perfectly cooked to med rare and seasoned really well with salt, pepper, and garlic. The mustard greens were good, but not as peppery as I normally like. The star was the Mama Vang hot sauce. Earthy, smokey, and slightly acidic with a surprisingly un-midwestern heat that lingers but doesn't punish you. That was probably my favorite element of the night. - Passion Fruit Cheesecake: Just a really well done cheesecake. The curd was wonderfully tart, the shell wasn't too hard, and the texture was creamy. Overall I was a fan but don't know if, for the money, I'll be back too often. I can definitely see this being a great family style spot, though. It's my favorite way to eat! read more

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Had this on my list for a while and it didnt disappoint. Had to make reservations cause this place gets crazy busy. Beautiful restaurant and staff was very friendly. Waiter helped a lot on the menu cause it was a lot to take in and figure out what we wanted. Ordered a few items on the menu and some cocktails. Everything was delicious and definitely a little different than what I'm used to flavor wise. I would probably go with the fried chicken over the grilled, but still good. Will be going back to try more stuff. read more

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We were not at the restaurant itself, but at a wedding reception (at the Modus Locus Expansion) that was catered by Vinai. If their catered food is this good, then I can only imagine what the restaurant must be like. It was wonderful. They served Hilltribe Grilled Chicken, Hmong Pork Sausage, Marinated Tofu, Seasonal Roasted Vegetables, and Purple Sticky Rice. Everything was excellent, although the rice was just okay. My favorites were the Hmong Pork Sausage and the Roasted Vegetables. The sausage had just the right amount of heat, and the vegetables were fresh, flavorful, and still crispy. I will definitely check out the restaurant next time we are in town. read more

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I had just gone on a work trip to the Minneapolis area when the Best Ever Food Review Show episode with Chef Yia Vang popped on my FB feed. It was a great episode and I booked mark Vinai in case I needed to return to Minneapolis for work again. Slightly unexpectedly and last min, I ended up back in Minneapolis for work again. So I took the opportunity to make a reservation for a seat at the kitchen counter and made the 40 min drive to the restaurant. From the menu, I ordered the Cool as a Cucumber which was very refreshing. For food, I ordered the Grilled Lamb Heart and the Wild Boar Hmong Sausage. The lamb heart was amazing. I am a fan of chicken hearts, so much that I just as for the entire skewer at Brazilian BBQ. As such, I figured there should be no reason for me not to try the grilled lamb heart. It was served lettuce wrap style with rice vermicelli sheets, pickled veggies and nam prik. For me, I was able to make a perfect bite with the addition of the Mama Vang hot sauce (more of a chili paste). The wild boar sausage was great as well. Being wild boar, the sausage was a little "dry" but the flavors were great. It was served with purple sticky rice and pickled mustard greens. I also added the Mama Vang sauce when I created my mini towers of food. I had plenty to take some home and will be making lettuce wraps using the wild boar sausage as well! Will definitely come back if I'm in the area again. read more

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Scored a kitchen table seat about a month in advance, as reservations run out like crazy here!! Named one of the best new restaurants in the world by Condé Nast Traveler, a luxury lifestyle and travel magazine. This is a Hmong restaurant, a cuisine I've never ever tried before!! Prices are actually quite reasonable!! I sat at the kitchen table, so I could see a tiny glimpse into what they're doing in the open kitchen. I tried their nonalcoholic nananananandada, which is essentially coconut, lychee, pineapple, lime, and soda. Oh my I LOVED this!! The coconut and pineapple come together like a piña colada, and the lychee and lime help make it more southeast asian inspired! They have three other N/A cocktails that all have interesting flavors. I got the deviled eggs ($11), which is mixed with Thai basil samba, and topped with a crispy shrimp. The Thai basil helps infuse the deviled egg yolk with so much freshness and flavor - I loved this! Lowkey the shrimp wasn't needed, but I'm happy to have it lol!! Also tried the fried catfish ($21), which was literally so good. The catfish was superrr delicately fried to retain that juiciness (catfish usually is unforgiving and overcooks super easily), and the veggie blend with the vermicelli noodles and lettuce wraps every bite so fun! You're supposed to eat it like a lettuce wrap, with some sambal sauce. It was NOT giving midwestern spice, so beware!! I was shocked by the pungent spice! read more

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Had a couple snacks here and they were absolutely incredible! The bar was comfortable to sit at, and there were a couple cocktail tables to the side of the bar that you could sit at for bar service as well. The snacks came out within minutes of ordering. The curry rice ball was healing and the veg on top balanced it out well. The deviled eggs were fantastic -- the basil didn't overpower the bite and the crispy shrimp on top was a nice texture contrast. The "sardines" were juicy and the purple sticky rice had a good chew to it. The n/a cucumber cooler was flavorful and refreshing. Will definitely have to come back and try some mains next time. Service was very friendly and there was street parking available. read more

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Finally had dinner at Vinai! We had our belated 10th anniversary dinner here and the food was amazing! The staff were great and the ambiance at the restaurant was nice. We tried a variety of dishes and they were all very flavorful and unique. Bonus that we got to catch up with Chef Timmy and learn more about the history of the restaurant! Highly recommend checking out this restaurant if you can! read more

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WOW!!! Vinai was an incredible experience. I went for a work dinner, and we were all blown away by the thoughtful service, vibrant food, and warm, inviting atmosphere. I got lucky with convenient street parking, which set the tone for a wonderful night. The host staff was patient and kind as they welcomed me in (I was the first of my party to arrive), and we were seated quickly. Our server came right away with water, introduced herself, and answered questions about the drink menu with confidence and care. For such a popular spot, the dining room still feels intimate. The way it's designed allows you to focus on your table without distraction, making it easy to really enjoy your meal. Our server gave excellent recommendations for both food and drinks, and her suggestions truly delivered. The dishes at Vinai are not only stunning in presentation but bursting with bold, layered flavors--think fragrant herbs, perfectly balanced spice, and deeply comforting textures that reflect Chef Yia Vang's Hmong heritage. Vinai is absolutely worth the hype. Make a reservation if you can. The food is designed for sharing, and ordering family style is the best way to enjoy the variety of dishes. Here's what we ordered: Fried Catfish Grilled Lamb Heart Hilltribe Grilled Chicken Braised Beef Rib Jasmine Rice + more... read more

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Those who know me knows I'm a Foodie and a home Chef. I love food, Especially fine dining. I like to taste each dish and replicate it at home. I like to ask myself, "can I cook this at home?". Here's a new spot I had the pleasure of tasting. VINAI - NE Mpls Finally got reservations to award winning Vinai restaurant, where Chef Yia fired up his spin on Hmong cuisine. Reserve ahead. I was able to get an 8pm reservation. Otherwise, no earlier reservations. The restaurant is impressive with its wooden interior and earthy colors. If you're expecting something that screams "I'm HMONG!" in your face, you're better off going to the two Hmong flea markets. Hmong is subtle. Hmong is soft here. You'll see the servers and staff in Hmong aprons, but expect no more. I loved it actually. It's calm. It's gentle. The food- is great. I ordered the pork cutlet which is moist, oily, and fat. I also requested all the pepper dip to try each with a piece of the pork. I ordered the Crabby fried rice and Charred Cabbage for some greens. I also asked for white rice to balance all the seasoned greatness from each dish. All good and delicious! I loved all the dishes I ordered, but what disappointed me the most was the white rice. It was hard. They probably didn't measure the water with their finger... Deviled eggs-it was okay, but still good. The fried shrimp on top elevated the taste. The presentation was pretty though. Pork Cutlet- nice and moist. Very fatty. I felt like I was the Groom at a Hmong wedding eating pieces of pure fat. But with the pepper dip and cutting the chunks of fat off, it wasn't so bad. Order a side of rice. Crabby Fried Rice-seasoned and tangy with an umami flavor. You can def taste the chunks of crab. Nice and colorful. Charred Cabbage- cabbage is cabbage. The purée sauce heighten up the taste of the cabbage though. Kua Txob- I ordered all 4 of the dips. My favorite was the fruity one. Tasted sweet and salty. Perfect for dipping. To answer my own question, yes I can cook this at home! But Chef Yia did a wonderful job developing recipes by going back to his roots! Go try it out! I'm so proud Hmong food is now considered fine dining. Absolutely love the twist to each dish! Vinai 1300 NE 2nd St. Minneapolis, MN 55413 read more

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Went here for an early Valentine's dinner (my reviews coming a bit late, whoops!) and had an incredible experience. The ambiance, service, and of course food were incredible. Our waitress (whose name I'm forgetting but was very cute and wore cool glasses!) was super knowledgeable about the menu, the drinks, and the overall mission and ethos of the chef, and incorporated that into really thoughtful suggestions for dinner. We could only get an 8:30 PM reservation on a Saturday, and we booked a few weeks in advance. So if you are interested make sure you plan ahead! Cocktails: I liked the hmoob dawb so much I ordered it twice (which I rarely do, I like trying different drinks) and even not being an aquavit girl this was truly incredible! Sweet, light, frothy. I tried the 1988 old fashioned and a rice lager and one other drink I can't remember, but they were all so so good. We ordered a ton and had plenty of leftovers, but to get into the food: Khoom Noj/ Snacks: roasted eggplant - delicious, incredible texture and flavor, ate with our hands. The puréed eggplant texture felt a bit like eating baby foo but not in an unpleasant way, just a unique texture. Yog Peb Xwb/ Its just Us: Fried Catfish - deconstructed catfish lettuce wraps you dress yourself and eat with your hands. This was one of the standout dishes, it was incredible. So fresh and crispy, with flavorful and delicate catfish. I would not have normally picked it, but I'm so glad I did! Cannot recommend this dish enough. Can't wait to go back just to have it again. Zaub/Vegetables: Nutty green beans - the peanut curry sauce and spicy peanuts made these, as well as how perfectly the green beans were cooked. Crispy, fresh, and delicious. Nqaij Ci/ Grilled Meat: I learned they are known for their grilled meats, so we had to try! We were recommend the double cut pork chop, which would not normally be my first choice but SO glad I tried this! Perfectly cooked, perfectly glazed, so flavorful. Need to go back just for this. Kua Txob/Hot sauce: we tried the Happy Tiger (smoky + fruity) and the fermented shrimp chili (funky + umami). Both were delicious, neither too spicy but both so good, and paired well with all of the food we ordered. The Fermented Shrimp Chili was a super different and unique flavor, definitely worth a try just to taste something you've never tasted before! Mov/Rice: crabby fried rice with a duck egg. So rich, so flavorful, so amazing. Yum! Overall, such an incredible dining experience and I cannot wait to go back! read more

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Very fun unique Asian fusion....if reserve one of 8 bar seats there is a secret revolving menu. Personally I had the Blue crab fried rice Wonderful vibe! read more

Vinai - Blue crab fried rice - New American Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Visited 6/27/25. It's worth the hype. Reservations are obviously still tough to get (we booked a 9:00pm reservation like a month in advance), but it's for a reason. This place is worth it. There's a good amount of street parking available and pro tip would be to make reservations/get drinks at Stargazer next door in advance. Once we got to Vinai for our reservation, we were seated and seen to right away. For a drink at Vinai, I got the n/a Cool as a Cucumber drink, which was refreshing and would be good by itself or with alcohol. We got two curry rice balls and split them in half. These are DELICIOUS but very small so prepare accordingly. From there we split the shrimp cucumber ceviche, the fried cauliflower, the double cut pork chop, the crabby fried rice, the 802 noodles, the purple sticky rice, and the happy tiger sauce. We finished with the chocolate lava cake. Can't really go wrong with any of these but here are the standouts. Standouts: -Crabby fried rice (my favorite thing of the night. So savory and full of flavor) -The double cut pork chop (this is A LOT of food so would recommend sharing this but this is the most I've ever enjoyed a pork chop) -Lava Cake (this was a favorite from all of us. We devoured it) Solid: -Curry rice ball (so good, just so small) -Fried Cauliflower (really nice shareable) -Shrimp cucumber ceviche (fresh and well prepared) -Purple sticky rice Depends: -802 noodles (depends if you like fish sauce or not because this definitely has some fishy taste to it from it) -Jasmine rice (a good choice if you don't like sticky rice; otherwise definitely recommend the sticky rice) Service was great, all the food was amazing, and overall this meal made for a wonderful evening. We all agreed we would be back. read more

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Vinai is good but not great. We tried the crabby fired rice, pork chop, laab carpaccio, and taro chops chips with smoked trout caviar. As someone who doesn't love pork, the pork chop was pretty good and enjoyable. The only dish that was disappointing was the taro chips. The cream cheese dip that was paired with the chips was very ordinary read more

Vinai - New American Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Went here with a group of friends from book club. Food was out of this world. The group was large enough to get the secret menu (also available with chef counter seating). Menu will adequate can be a bit confusing. Our server Emma walked us through it and was great for our large group. We got sticky ribs and a chicken dish along with a couple appetizers and sides. Everyone razed about all the food and we cannot wait go back. A small venue thus when full can get a little loud, but definitely a spot to go back to!! read more

Vinai has built a reputation for refined, flavorful cuisine in an elegant setting, and it more than lived up to our high expectations. We loved all three dishes we tried. Each one reimagines a traditional recipe with a thoughtful fusion twist--lamb carpaccio instead of the classic beef, boubagnous in place of roasted eggplant with purple rice, and a creative take on sticky rice with mango and ice cream enhanced by pastry and ice cream. Every dish felt carefully considered and inventive. From the very first bite, the chef earns your trust and leaves you eager to return soon. read more

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Vinai is the spot you want to plan ahead for--definitely make a reservation, because this place is buzzing with locals and tourists. It has a lively feel, the space has a cool vibe, and oh yeah--the chef? A James Beard Award winner. While we were there, I even spotted the chef casually dining with what looked like friends, which just added to the down-to-earth, community feel of the place. There's something really special about a restaurant that's both wildly popular and feels personal. The hype is real, and honestly, it's well-earned. Now for regarding the food: we kicked things off with the shrimp cucumber dish, which was super refreshing and packed with flavor. Then came the double-cut pork chop--juicy, tender, and seriously satisfying. For dessert, the chocolate lava cake was rich and gooey in the best way possible, and the mango madness? Was very sweet. And let's talk about the servic very impeccable. The staff was incredibly friendly, attentive, and knew the menu inside and out. It made the whole experience even more memorable. This spot is the real deal. read more

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Food was good, but not sure it was worth the national hype and the 2 month wait for a Friday night reservation. I enjoyed the modern and minimalist ambiance (5/5). Our server was friendly and attentive (5/5). Crabby Fried Rice (5/5): I highly recommend the Crabby Fried Rice $25 and opt for the crispy Pork Belly for an added $8. Grilled Fish (2/5): The grilled fish was good, but not great for $35 per pound. I felt that we could prepare something like this at home. Our server warned us about the bones in the fish. However, the tiny bones in the white fish were undetectable until they were in our mouths and thus took away from the elevated restaurant experience. I would not order this dish again. Deviled Eggs (4/5): We tried the deviled eggs appetizer and loved basil infused into the egg yolk and mayo and then topped with a small crispy shrimp. Overall, I felt this place gave us authentic flavor of Hmong family dishes, with the elevated elements of Ambiance and Service. read more

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New York Times Best 50 Restaurants is not an understatement. No overly sweetened South East Asian food here. Expect spicy but not crazy spicy to the point of unpleasant. And amazing service worthy of a Michelin Star. Our waitress China was a gem of hospitality. Sweet and welcoming, she carefully broke down the menu and made great recommendations for drinks and food. As recommended, the cool as a cucumber cocktail was refreshing but strong and had a uniquely creamy quality lended by the hmong cucumber. The laab carpaccio was a delight of umami, sweet and savory spice with varying textures from the sticky purple rice and crunch from the pickled red onions. An honorable mention to the shrimp & pork toast which was nothing like I've ever tasted before. And don't forget to order the house made sauces that go well with almost everything you can order. The best part of our experience was when China wrote down a list of spots to check out during our stay in Minneapolis. China went above and beyond to ensure that our experience at Vinai was memorable. More pluses include the huge portions and the fancy yet casual ambiance of the restaurant. But the food and service can't be overlooked and Vinai solidifies itself as a win in my book. read more

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My husband and I booked our Vinai reservation months in advance because the New York Times told us it was one of the best restaurants in the country. We each ordered cocktails, which were both great. No complaints there. Then we went big and ordered the Laab Carpaccio, Shrimp & Pork Toast, Chicken Coconut Curry, Crabby Fried Rice, and a handful of side sauces. When the dishes arrived, everything looked gorgeous. Honestly, 10/10 presentation. If looks could season food, we'd have been in incredible shape. Now... the Laab Carpaccio. I love laab. I love carpaccio. So naturally, this should have been my moment. Instead, the dish was underwhelming. My husband disliked it even more than I did. Then came the Chicken Coconut Curry. We are curry people. We eat curry at least twice a week from Bangkok Thai Deli and Li-Su Thai--places that have set the bar high. We knew Vinai's version would be different because it's Hmong, not Thai... but we were not prepared for how different. The curry was thin, watery, and basically flavor shy. We brought the leftovers home out of optimism, but they quickly became a very fancy, very disappointing trash offering. The Crabby Fried Rice --I thought it was pretty good. My husband disagreed. I've had better fried rice, but I still finished the plate because I am a woman of commitment and rice-based follow-through. The real winner of the night was the Shrimp & Pork Toast. It was genuinely delicious. Unfortunately, it was also toast... so realizing the best part of your entire meal is toast feels pretty disappointing. Still, if you go, get the toast. Trust me. The service was wonderful and the ambiance was really nice. I also loved that each menu item had a story behind it--it added a personal touch that I genuinely appreciated. We wanted so badly to love Vinai. Truly. We arrived ready to be amazed. But after trying everything, we both agreed we won't be returning. We've since tried other similar restaurants in the Twin Cities that, in our opinion, were far more deserving of a New York Times shoutout. Vinai had potential--but unfortunately, for us, it just didn't deliver. read more

One of my favorite meals in the Twin Cities! Well deserving of the awards they've gotten so far. Service, ambiance, food was all amazing. Really appreciated that our server helped us choose the right number of dishes so we had a bit of leftovers but didn't way over order. Can't wait to return!! read more

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This place really impressed me. The food quality was excellent. Probably the best Hmong restaurant in the city and they really elevate the dishes. The highlights for me were the Laab as well as the beef rib. Best to make a reservation as this place is very busy. Also note that it is street parking but we had no problems finding a spot. read more

Vinai - Beef ribs - New American Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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A simple yet elegant ambiance. Good host and servers that provide you with a lot of information about the menu when asked. As good as ambiance and service is, the food is the star here. Menu items are described as sharing size portions. We ordered sardines as app. I have never thought of sardines anything else than what I ask to keep off my Cesar salad). But this was a fully composed amazing starter served in a nice presentation along with purple sticky rice. For our vegetable we ordered fried cauliflower and main a grilled chicken entree. As recommended we also got one of the four spicy sauces which was pretty good with mild per my pallet but flavorful. Every thing was amazing and flavorful. Their wine list is meager but allow one to bring their own for $25 corkage fee. Well worth it if you want some good wine to go with your meal. Will go back as there are tons of other things we want to try. read more

Vinai - Sardines snack with purple sticky rice - New American Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota