112 Eatery

Should You Book 112 Eatery?

If you've been to 112 Eatery once, you already know the answer. Come back. Chef Isaac Becker's North Loop restaurant has held its position as one of Minneapolis's most consistent dinner destinations long enough that the real question on a return visit isn't whether it delivers; it's how to use the room better. The short answer: sit at the bar or counter if you can. The longer answer follows.

112 Eatery earned a spot on Opinionated About Dining's North America Gourmet Casual list at #177 (2023) and a separate OAD Casual recommendation the same year; two distinct recognitions that tell you something useful. This isn't a tasting-menu temple or a special-occasion room requiring weeks of planning. It's a serious kitchen operating in a format built for regulars: mid-week dinners, solo meals, the kind of second-visit confidence that comes from knowing what you're ordering before you sit down., a sample size that rules out outlier luck.

The Counter Is the Point

The bar and counter seating at 112 Eatery changes the experience in a way worth planning around. Chef Paul Stearman, who serves as both wine director and culinary lead, oversees a room where proximity to the kitchen translates into a more direct version of the meal. Counter seats are better for solo diners and pairs who want to eat with intention rather than perform occasion dining. If you came last time with a group and sat at a table, consider coming back as a two-leading and requesting counter or bar placement. The rhythm of the meal changes; so does your relationship with the food.

The wine program, directed by Paul Stearman, is worth using seriously. The list skews French with a pricing structure that keeps most bottles under $50, with corkage at $25 if you bring your own. Around 200 selections across 450 bottles of inventory gives you genuine range without requiring sommelier-level navigation. For a restaurant operating at the $$ price tier (roughly $40–$65 for a typical two-course meal before drinks and tip), that wine depth is notably good value.

When to Go

112 Eatery is closed Sundays and Mondays. Tuesday through Thursday service runs until 9 pm; Friday and Saturday extend to 10 pm. Booking is generally easy, this is not a room requiring three weeks of lead time. That said, Friday and Saturday counter seats fill faster than tables, so if bar seating is your target, book those evenings a week ahead. Weeknights are more flexible. The kitchen serves lunch as well as dinner, which opens up a lower-commitment entry point for first-timers hesitant about the dinner price tier.

Who This Is For

112 Eatery works well for a specific set of diner profiles: solo diners who want a proper meal without the awkwardness of a formal room; pairs looking for a genuinely good mid-price dinner on a Tuesday or Wednesday; and regulars who've already done the table experience and want the counter version. It's less suited to large groups expecting a splashy celebratory format, though small parties of three or four will find the food-to-price ratio hard to argue.

For broader context on where 112 Eatery sits in Minneapolis's dining picture, compare it against Owamni for a more destination-driven experience, or Spoon & Stable if you want New American at a higher spend. For Italian cooking in a global context, the gap between what 112 offers and what you'd encounter at something like 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana in Hong Kong or cenci in Kyoto is large, but so is the price difference. Within the Minneapolis market and the $$ tier, 112 Eatery performs well above its price point. See our full Minneapolis restaurants guide for more options across the city.

Ratings at a Glance

• OAD Gourmet Casual North America: #177 (2023)
• OAD Casual North America: Recommended (2023)
• Price Tier (food): $$ (~$40–$65, two courses)
• Wine: $ (many bottles under $50; 200 selections, 450 inventory)
• Corkage: $25

Booking & Practical

Reservations are easy to secure, particularly on weeknights. For counter or bar seats on a Friday or Saturday, book five to seven days ahead. Service runs Tuesday through Saturday; the kitchen is dark Sunday and Monday. Address: 112 N 3rd St, Minneapolis, MN 55401. For hotels nearby, see our Minneapolis hotels guide. For bars to continue the evening, our Minneapolis bars guide covers the North Loop and beyond.

How It Compares

Pearl Picks Nearby

• Owamni, Indigenous American, destination-level
• Spoon & Stable, New American, step up in formality
• Hai Hai, James Beard-nominated, creative Southeast Asian
• 5-8 Club, Minneapolis casual classic
• 4801 S Minnehaha Dr, south Minneapolis option
• Minneapolis experiences guide, what else to do while you're in the city