I've had consistently good lunches at the Dakota (in fact I prefer the lunch menu to the dinner) and I've had pretty good dinners there as well. But my gripe in this review is really more about the audience during a music show. This is a place where you eat, drink and listen to good music. I like the concept. But, I always feel uncomfortable with how when a musician starts playing here everyone feels obligated to become silent. I'm sure this is just me. Maybe I'm too anxious, maybe I enjoy having a low conversation with my table mate. Maybe sometime it's ok for the music to rule the background, keyword being background. I'm not at the State. Maybe I'd be better on the other side of the dividing curtain...they do serve over there, right? read more

Dakota - Music Venues Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

My coworker and I stopped at the Dakota patio for a late lunch today. They were very accommodating for it being outside their usual lunch hour. I give their food 4.5 to 5 stars consistently and today was no different! Their prices are a little high compared to competitors in the area (about $20/person said and done for lunch) so overall I give them 4 stars. They do have a good lunch deal for cup of soup and half salad or sandwich. I had a half BLT and cup of gazpacho soup and added a half Caesar for a little extra. The gazpacho was plum flavored and a little bland but the BLT was perfect on flatbread. The stand out was the Caesar salad with soft boiled egg and sun dried tomatoes. read more

See all

Do you like jazz? Don't go here then. The band played nothing but Rod Stewart and 80s classics. Don't get me wrong, I love me Rod; but I didn't have anything to say to Maggie when I went here, I just wanted to eat steak and listen to some jazz. The venue is awesome. Very cool. However, the staff seems like they don't want to be there and could care less about your experience. Like, hello. You live in a city and most of your money comes from tips. I have money. You have a smile, use it. I'll even pay you for it (especially if you have a nice smile and keep my drink full). The food was terrible. Now, I've been known to drop a pretty penny on a slab of meat every now and again, but I also know cooking red meat isn't the most difficult thing a chef has to do. I ordered their rib-eye medium-rare (as it should be, order it anyway else and you can leave, FRIEND), but it came out completely done. This thing was drier than my grandmas pot-roast (she boils it...) And they didn't even refill my drink to quench my thirst after trying to eat their "steak". This is Minneapolis, do better. read more

I'm going to admit... I had one of the best nights of my life here. As if my deliciously messy seared tuna sandwich wasn't enough to win me over, Davina and the Vagabonds was playing the night I went. I can't describe how amazing this musical group is. Davina is just a force with her phenomenal voice--and I don't use the word phenomenal lightly. Find a night they're playing and go see them. They were fun and energetic and engaging. Best concert I've ever been to. I've been to the Dakota a few times, twice for lunch and once for dinner. The chef switches the menu around quite often, so sometimes the food is good and sometimes it's bad. My mom works downtown and is involved in the "foodie" community, so to speak, and she has complained about their lunches before. But I've never personally had a bad experience there. Once my meatball sandwich wasn't piping hot, so my mom made them heat it more... But that's about it. Their meyer lemon tart is to-die-for. Best dessert I've ever had. So if they ever put it back on the menu then you HAVE to get it. The chef clearly puts a lot of thought into the food. It's definitely hard to find a classier place in Minneapolis. You'll have a good experience if you go here. read more

Every time I go somewhere work related, I try to find a nice local place to visit and this place was just incredible! Decor: tables surrounding the stage, with bottles of water, candle light, wood everywhere. Very inviting. Food: amazing! very different, good portions, totally worth the higher price. Please try the S'mores...YUM! Entertainment: We got to see Trace Bundy, and he was breath taking. Funny, down to earth, very approachable. His accoustic guitar, was really all that was necessary. I was able to buy some of his music and got his autograph. Service: being that we were from out of town, we asked a lot of questions..and to my surprise, the staff was beyond nice and welcoming. Overall- if I ever go back to Minneapolis, I will for sure stop by and take time to enjoy a show...or two! read more

Dakota - S'mores - Music Venues Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

I love Dakota. Located on 10th and Nicollet, it's connected via skyway to Target parking, however their skyway unfortunately closes early. Service: The ladies with whom I checked in with my last name to get seated were pleasant and I asked about how to make sure my friend could get her ticket (without my having to get up, since she was running late) and they advised me on what I needed to do. I showed my table number to the hostess (who wasn't as friendly, nor did she provide full details) all she told me was to go that way.. and pointed. LOL So I waited for further details, which she provided none. So I had to ask, so will someone show me how to actually get to my table? She simply repeated what she originally stated. Which wasn't helpful. I walked the way I was instructed and guess what? No one was there. LOL So I had to stop a waitress to ask her how to get to my table. My server was pleasant, once she was able recognize that I needed assistance and could see that my coaster was on green for help. (If you've ever been to Fogo, it's the same concept). Food: I ordered dry rub bbq chicken wings, Creole Chicken and Shrimp and a few Sidecars. The food was good. The Show: I was there for the Etta James Experience, from the Gone Too Soon Volume and it was amaaaaazing! Everyone on the stage was awesome! I enjoyed myself tremendously. read more

See all

This is a great location for shows. It's intimate. If you're lucky enough to have a spot on the floor, it feels like whoever is performing is performing directly for you. If you're sitting in the balcony, you can see pretty well if you are along the railing. Not so much if you are in some of the other tables. I would definitely recommend seeing your favorite artists or somebody that local he's been wanting to check out. However, I would recommend you eat before coming to the show. The food is overpriced and mediocre. They even charge $3 soda water from the tap. If you do have to order food or drinks, be sure to ask for your tabs prior to the show ending. It gets really chaotic and crazy with the service running around trying to close out checks after the show has ended and people are trying to leave. read more

Live jazz band with a Hispanic twist. The atmosphere was very nice, service was good. No complaints. The food was pretty good too. We ordered: Pork tenderloin-pork belly, Buffalo wings, Skate, Carpaccio, Sheet pasta. I really liked the pork belly, skate, carpaccio, and sheet pasta. I usually love buffalo wings of any quality but they really messed up the sauces. They have their own sauce that they make and also the traditional buffalo wing sauce. We ordered the buffalo wing sauce but it did NOT taste like it. I think they accidentally spilled some of their own sauce, or mixed our order up with someone else, but I did not like it. If you're a buffalo wing lover like me, you won't like these. Everything else, was perfect. :) read more

Went for a lady midnight show the bartender on first floor was extremely rude and unwelcoming and I will never return again, I book national acts to similar venues have never been treated as such at other venues I DO NOT recommend this venue. read more

Great place to hear great music. But, the food is very average and the service is terrible. Eat before or after, someplace else. The server was nice but ignored us. Never asked if we wanted coffee or dessert even though we asked for a dessert menu. It took an hour to get our soup and salad. An hour! read more

I really love coming to the Dakota, it never gets old. Intimate venue, wonderful sound quality, great staff, good food and drinks, everything you need in a fun night out. I am a concert snob, I only like to see live music if I can be in the first few rows. The Dakota provides the opportunity for an intimate experience and every seat is a front row seat. I love buying the premium seats because they are the best seats in the house, right next to the stage with no one blocking your view. An additional $39 gets you choice of the best seats and isn't wasted money because its a food/beverage credit. Lets be honest, you are going to spend that much on food and drinks any way...so why not upgrade?! The food here is pretty tasty, I haven't had a bad meal. One of my favorites (that seems to always be on the menu) are the mussels, they are always perfectly cooked and a large portion. Ticket prices obviously vary depending on the act, but you can easily have a great night of music and food and drinks for less than $100. Most recently I saw Jeff Daniels (yes, that Jeff Daniels, he is a musician, too) and the ticket and food credit total came to about $90. Sign up for their email list for notifications on new shows. Get your tickets early if you really want to go, big acts sell out quickly. read more

I had a great shrimp and sausage gumbo. The music venue added to a great atmosphere. The service was very good! read more

Dakota - Music Venues Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Outstanding ambiance and atmosphere. Excellent dining experience and quality wait-staff. I thoroughly enjoyed the live entertainment (The legendary Earl Klugh). Truly an experience to remember for this out of towner. Please treat yourself and drop in to The Dakota Jazz Club for a wonderful experience. read more

Dakota - Music Venues Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

After living in Minneapolis for over a decade - finally did this thing. I'm not sure if I just wasn't sure what I was signing up for vs a normal club - but it was pretty cool. Buy your ticket - they have assigned seating so tell them what you want (bar, table, drink rail, etc). Go in - order a drink, some tasty food (I had the beef shank ravioli - pretty good). The food is good - a little on the adventurous side - you'll probably see something you will like or want to try. Listen and eat. Pay up before the band finishes to avoid the rush. About 2 hours from seating to paying, with music in between, about the amount of time you'd need for a restaurant anyway plus music. Check out their calendar and try it! read more

Wow, this place has really great food, superb service and some pretty incredible music! If you're wondering what to have for dinner, check out the parsnip raviolis with shitaki mushrooms or ahi tuna for starters, and, either salmon (organically raised in Northern Scotland), or the juicy rib eye for your main. We can vouch for these items since we didn't leave a morsel on our plates. As for entertainment, we consider ourselves very fortunate to find ourselves treated to the beautiful music of Marilyn Maye - a true legend among singers. If you're in Minneapolis for any reason (or are fortunate enough to live here), you will find yourself very pleased to spend an evening at the Dakota...we certainly were - and highly recommend this venue to all. read more

Dakota - Dining Room at Dakota Jazz Club - Music Venues Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Like any fine establishment, it starts with staff. Folks here are a "10". Fantastic hospitality comes with the deal here. Awesome! read more

Visited while in town to tour Paisley Park. I'm a native Louisianan and the New Orleans Suspects were performing so that was an added bonus. The band was amazing but I gotta admit, I was anxious to find out about where Prince sat when he visited and whether or not his fav cookie was available on or off the menu. No go on the menu but after being initially turned away I was told to hang around until it thinned out to be taken to the table where he sat... It was a nice venue. Very intimate setting, nice acoustics. I had flown in that day and hadn't eaten anything so I didn't balk at the menu prices. I had an interesting beverage "Flight of The Bumblebees". It was very refreshing and potent so I only had one since I was driving. Gotta drink responsibly ya know. Anyway the band has everyone on their feet. Met some pretty cool people on the dance floor. They did a nice rendition of Tom Petty's Breakdown. I really enjoyed myself and I'm looking forward to visiting again. Oh and Minneapolis in the fall is one of the most pictorial settings this Gulf coast chic has ever seen. I can see why PRN continued to live there. read more

Went here with my boss while traveling to MN for a convention. The band was great (Steep Canyon) the waiter was good but we had a bit of a wait with him (was super crowded too) the women who we purchased the tickets from our front were very nice! Would go back. Wish I was here for Manhattan Transfer! Ps their French fries are very good! read more

Dakota - Music Venues Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

See all

If I could give no stars I would. Service sucked. Show was great. I attended tonight to see Judith Hill. seat 113. Seated about 8:20pm for an 8pm show. First drink came at 9pm. WORST service ever. Didn't get the drink I ordered. Waitress was clueless. My partner ordered food, never got it. I ordered after he did and got my food right away. Aren't you supposed to get your food at the same time?? She never put his order in. I had to remind her of his order. He ordered a long island tea, not sure what that drink was but it was not a long island tea. I guess they think guests are crazy and don't know what we ordered. She never checked on us. After a certain point, I decided not to give them another dime. They could have made a lot more money had the service been better. Ruined the whole show. Both of us were so disappointed we couldn't fully enjoy the evening, left early. People work hard for their money and an evening here is not cheap. I wish they appreciated the patronage, but unfortunately, it was not a good experience. I realize staff has to work hard in hospitality but if an establishment expects to charge top dollar, they should have top notch service. The food was mediocre and overpriced but that's to be expected, if we had great service that would have made all the difference. read more

We saw a great act called Paris Combo. The sound and seating was wonderful! We were happy to find out that the kitchen will make accommodations for vegans. These sides can be made vegan: carrots, Brussels sprouts and mushrooms. I recommend you order it to be plated on one plate to make it feel like an entree if you are not sharing. The fries round things off and they are a generous portion to be shared. I was told they can also make the arugula salad and poblano peppers vegan too. We were very satisfied and the server was very helpful! read more

I'd love to tell you about the fabulous time I had at the Dakota with four friends the other night. Alas, I cannot, as we left due to the lack of service. Five friends. One reservation. Everyone on time and excited to try something new. We were seated and given thimbles of water, and menus. We waited. And waited. And perused the sort of weird, minimal menu offerings. And waited. And told our water boy, when he came to refill said thimbles, that we hadn't yet been approached by anyone resembling a waiter. Water Boy said he'd get someone to us. So we waited some more. After about 20 minutes of seeing everyone around us being approached and served and catered to (seriously, not a table went without except us), we left. I managed to grab a waiter on my way out and tell him why we were leaving, to which he apologized. It wasn't HIS fault, but, you know, thanks. The host/s at their stand offered a feeble "Thanks for coming!" at my back while they confusedly talked among themselves as to why my group was leaving. I told them we might have stayed, had we been waited on, to which they offered to get us someone ASAP, but it was too little, too late. I doubt any of my group will be returning any time soon. read more

We went to the Dakota Jazz Club back in the fall to see a friend's band. The night was not a disaster, but there were many annoyances encountered along the way. I don't know if this is how things typically go, but I sure hope not. The show was supposed to begin at 11:30pm. We arrived at 10:50 and the earlier show was still finishing up. The hostess told us the doors would open at 11:00. However, we -- along with a growing crowd, were kept outside in the cold until 11:30. They finally opened the doors when the show was supposed to begin, so needless to say, the show did not start on time. Between the opening act and many, many, many technical difficulties during sound check, my friend's band didn't get onstage until 1:00am!!! My boyfriend was super tired and we left around 1:30, missing the end of the show. The other logistical mess was the floor setup. I imagine that the floor is usually filled with tables and everyone is sitting, so everyone can see the stage. However, I think someone decided that there should be a dance floor (since the acts we saw that night weren't the usual kind hosted by Dakota Jazz Club) and most of the tables were cleared out from over half of the floor. When the performers got onstage they encouraged people to stand near the stage. Which is, of course, totally normal. But what isn't normal is that the remaining tables and booths (that can't be moved) were behind the people standing. So many people in the audience had to choose between sitting comfortably at a table OR being able to see the stage. IMO it should be all tables or no tables, instead of an awkward setup that prevents many people from being able to see the show. Grievances aside, we did have a good time. Also, even though we were some of the first to arrive, we weren't the first in the door and by the time we got inside, all the tables were full. The staff pleasantly surprised me by setting up a table (a high top and off to the side so we could actually see the stage!) just for us. I think my friend played the Pregnant Card to make it happen, but that was really nice of them to accommodate us and her needs. She was also pleased to see a non-alcoholic cocktail list in the menu. The four of us split some fries and they were tasty. And the bathrooms were clean. Service was a little slow at the bar though. Dakota Jazz Club isn't new and should have all their kinks worked out. For the price we paid we shouldn't have waited outside for over half an hour or endured the many technical difficulties and delays. Plus, I feel that the average patron of a jazz club is not the sort of person that wants to see a 1:00am show. I don't know where all the problems were coming from, but it didn't make me want to rush back and see another show. Fortunately the bands I usually see are not the kind that usually play at jazz clubs, so I doubt it will be a problem again anytime soon. read more

You'll have a good time if you have connections with the guys who work here apparently... I was here tonight with my mom for a show and we were seated on the mezzanine level. A man and woman were seated at the small table next to us, and the man immediately began cussing out his girlfriend, and loudly complaining about having to be at the show, "F this F that F these ****s" etc... And I mean loud. Everyone was staring. After he finished complaining about "these **** waiters with their **** man-buns" he began FLIPPING OFF the performer over the balcony and swearing, saying he was going to find the performers car after the show and key it. not sure what beef he had with the guy but come on, bluntly giving the finger to the performer for the whole audience to see? So disrespectful. Since no one would kick the guy out of there, my mom and I asked our waiter if we could move to the unclaimed booth on the lower level because we were uncomfortable, but he said no... Yet minutes later the rude couple asked if THEY could move down to the better seats and yes. They got the booth. They must have known the waiter or something because I saw them chatting and shaking hands later but honestly how ridiculous... Wish I could get my money back, this guy totally ruined the show for me; I wish staff would kick-out disruptive people! read more

Epic fail. Not only do you *specifically* mention the Summit Hefe Weizen that I got was on the Happy Hour menu, but, you somehow decided to charge it as Summit Maibock, which was not on the menu and was a disturbing $10.50 at regular price. Of course, this was also rolled onto a collective tab and my friend was convinced that Hefe Weizen = Maibock. You may keep the $7 or so I paid to you to write this Yelp review. Lesson of the day? Double check the bill. Shame on you. read more

JAZZMATAZZZZZZZZZ "Jazz Hot Baby" -Ask Julie Andrews how the rest of that song goes.All I know is Jazz & Great food makes for happy dates.I Love me some Jazz.If I lived a Past Life, it had to be the Roaring Jazz of the 20's, because I feel such a natural Draw & a High to this Music.It is my Happy Sound. I love the Upscale, Fashion Forward With a Nod to Backward, the Fashion is here.I'm sorry but I'm sick of how "Casual Friday" has become Casual Everyday & it is nice to see people dressed up & showing respect for themselves, & their dates.Then there is the Food, also as Wonderous as the Music & the Crowd. Great Music, Food, People Watching---doesn't get much better than this good time 5, count em, 5 well deserved Tiara's read more

A bit crowded and had a decent view from the back tables on the second floor. That being said, this was a really great place to spend a Valentine's Day weekend date. The price was not crazy high and the entertainment was fantastic. We made our reservations a couple days before and were happy to see that it sold out after we paid for our entrance tickets. The arrival was a bit confusing because there is so much construction around and the parking lot that was suggested was difficult to find. (We ended up paying $14 for 3 hr parking....eeek). Make sure to know where to park before venturing out into downtown! Once we were inside, I really appreciated the old school jazz club and intimate atmosphere. Servers came quickly to take our orders but were not very personable. We only ordered a bottle of Riesling which was very good, as we had just had dinner. The band playing was a french jazz band that entertained us for almost 1hr and a half with really unique European tunes and even budged in when we asked for an on core. It made me feel like I could be in Paris on a date! Perfection! Overall, I would come back for another visit but I would try to get a seat downstairs in order to appreciate the band a little bit better. Otherwise, this is a really wonderful place and the concept is also very unique. read more

Okay, it took me a week to write this mostly because it pissed me off to have to write yet another bad review about another "downtown" Minneapolis restaurant that charges way too much and has very odd ideas about service. But here we go... I was invited by a friend to hear music and have some food at the Dakota, so we get to the place, and my friend could not make it, so my partner and I went there anyway. We are seated at a table that completely obstructs the view of the singers on the stage. The sound was so unmixed as to not be believed for a place that charges to hear live music. As a musician, it was offensive. Service was another issue. When the very frazzled waiter finally made it to our table, I asked about the "Vegetarian Inspiration". Now, as a chef, when I see a restaurant that has that on the menu, I expect that the "inspiration" is inspired by something. The waiter would not even commit as to whether the dish that was made with a dumpling was in fact a "dumpling" or "gnocchi". There was no sells that went into his description of the dish, nor, it seemed, was he trying to "push" this dish. Since it was the only composed vegetarian dish on the menu, we ordered it anyway. When it came (to the tune of $18), what was set before me after waiting 20 minuets was some heavy "dumplings" with some soggy apples and crispy sage and very little sauce. The dish never came together on the plate. The "dumplings" were pan fried and heavy, and there was not enough sauce. The whole point of a dumpling is the sauce or broth that comes with it. The apples seemed to serve no purpose on the plate. No actual vegetables were used in this appetizer sized dish. We ate because we were hungry, not because it was good or filling and later, that dumpling was like a lead ball in my stomach! We ended up ordering 2 orders of fries and even those were expensive for frozen fries that basically I could have gotten better at Wendy's with sea salt! Then there was the floor manager that closed the curtain while paying customers were still seated in the area of the restaurant and walked around like a storm cloud instead of checking on the experience his customer were having. All in all, so far these "downtown" restaurants in Minneapolis want a pretty penny for bad service and worse food! Very sad! read more

Dakota - What the Dakota thinks is worth $18 as a "vegetarian option. It's an insult! - Music Venues Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

As I have said before, there was a time when I was a somebody. When I could stroll the streets, avenues, plazas (and malls) like some kind of demi-god, and the owners of all kinds of classy joints would throw open their doors to me, and call out "Yes, Ben P, please come in and bring your expense account with you!" At in that far off time and place, I had many a meal at Dakota. The beauty of Dakota is that you can virtually always get a last-minute table for lunch. That sounds like a back-handed compliment, but this is an important quality for a downtown eatery. Many was the time when, having been exceptionally efficient during my client meeting, I decided against basic sandwiches and instead treated the client (and myself) to something a bit more special. Like, for example, an artisan burger crusted in blue cheese, BBQ sauce, and applewood-smoked bacon. Which you can get at Dakota, not coincidentally.\ The service is always good, if a touch slow. The space is great, the food is wonderful, and the prices are, frankly, about what you ought to expect when you sit down at a table with a white linen tablecloth on it. read more

This is my third or fourth time here, and I wouldn't mind returning again. The first time came was just for music and "late night bites". We got wine and a cheese/chaceuterie plate, which was fine. The next times were for dinner. This time our reservations were at 7:15, and music started at 8:00. When we arrived the host noted that we did not reserve "music seats" (which charge a cover dependent on who is playing, that night was $12). I agreed we had no intention of paying the cover, just wanted dinner. She remarked we were lucky to get the table we got, because for no cover we got to see and hear everything - we thought that was pretty neat. We ordered a bottle of wine which was delivered quickly - however the server did not present the bottle or let us try it first. For the price of a bottle of wine here, I expect to be taken care of, and not once was my glass refilled. We got a wedge salad to start with, which was entirely underwhelming. A very scarce amount of dressing and toppings, once three or four bites were taken, it was literally just a hunk of iceberg lettuce. We did not finish much of it, and were never asked how we liked it. We got the "upscale version" of the poutine here, steak, fries, curds and gravy. The steak was cooked well, and the fries were nice. Not many cheese curds, but it was still good. The desert we landed on was the rhubarb tart, which was very small, but overall good, I wish they'd have warmed it up though. Once the bill was presented I was upset to see two cover charges on it, (this has happened every single time I come here and don't sit in a music section. I think they throw it on everyone's and hope they don't notice. I notice.) i mentioned it to my server who said it was "out of his hands". Once bringing it up to a manager it was removed, just an annoying hassle to go through every time I come here. read more

What in the hell was I doing in Minneapolis???? Good question and maybe someday I'll know for sure. What in the hell is anyone doing in Minneapolis???? Well, hopefully, they're checking out some jazz at the Dakota when they are done doing whatever it is they do. The acts here have been hit or miss over the years, but every now and again, I've had the chance to catch old friends when passing through town. I've seen Marcus Roberts, Suzanne Vega, Jane Monheit, Karrin Allyson, Holly Cole, Dave Brubeck, Turtle Island Quartet, Tuck and Patti and many others play here throughout the years. Now, every time I find myself in MN, I make a point to check out a set at Dakota. The venue is great, it's in an excellent location, the staff is cool, the management is nice and the food is really good. They are running on all cylinders in this joint. Who knew that Minneapolis, MN would have a jazz club which boasts the most incredible jazz musicians in the country. Well done! I've been stopping in for years and it's still just like I remembered it. I can think of a couple of big name NYC jazz clubs that should head over to see how it's really done. S~ read more

This review is for lunch only. We sat outside, didn't see any music, and only had a small lunch. Overall, not super impressed. My lunch partner's salad was good, and the accommodated her special requests nicely. They brought us a carafe of water with our glasses, which was also very nice. HOWEVER (there's always a ....but, right??) ... I ordered the seafood gumbo and side salad lunch combo with the wedge salad. Salad: A-Ok. Nothing special, but it's hard to screw up a wedge of lettuce with some dressing. Seafood gumbo seemed to be missing the seafood. Except for that shell that lanced my gums while I was eating the gumbo. Otherwise, as much as I dug, I couldn't find the "sea" part of my soup. I found lots of okra, tomato chunks, and other fresh-looking things, but it was pretty tomato-y, and not all that yummy. What bugged me most? After eating a teeny-tiny wedge salad (think, fist-sized), and basically none of my cup of soup (except that shell), the server didn't even ask whether anything was wrong with the soup, or whether I enjoyed it. Having spent years as a server at some nice restaurants, the power of observation is one of the most important skills (and most appreciated). Also, she didn't even offer the Target employee 10% discount (and admittedly, I forgot to ask). I'd check out the daily menu offerings before deciding to go back, and if there was something tasty-looking, I'd likely stop back. I would LOVE to check it out for dinner and a show sometime - the inside space looks very cool. read more

My review is based on Dakota's foodie night on St. Patrick's Day, so this probably isn't the fairest review, but here is my opinion. I came here because another group I am associated with coordinated an event with the Dakota. In the advertising by Dakota, they offered $10 select bottles of wine, a prix fixe menu, and other drink specials. Our group let the Dakota management know a week ahead of time that there would be approxiamately 50 people having dinner + drinks. An area was reserved for us and people sat at various tables. A waiter came by to take our drink orders and we found out that the $10 bottles of wine were not being offered and that the drink specials would end at 6:00. Since the event started at 5:30, the half hour drink special was a joke. Next, the waiter dropped of 3 menus at our table for a group of 10 along with one prix fixe menu for us to share. We asked if we could get more menus, and eventually we did. The prix fixe menu was completely different than what was advertised to us. I was okay with that, but others were disappointed in the offering. All of us at our table placed our orders and the appetizers came out about 20 minutes after ordering them. The Ahi tuna poke was tender and tasty and the roast beet and carrots was refreshing. The waiter cleared our plates and we all sat and sat and sat. There was almost 25 minutes between our plates being cleared and our entrees being served. When the food came some people's food was cold. The waiter brought them remade dishes in a reasonable time frame, but it still left people disappointed. Like I say the food (when served at the correct temperature) was good, but the service was poor (2 waiters covering 50 people), and I think that management was not correct in their decision to not honor their original advertised specials. I might give this place another chance, but not for their prix fixe foodie night. read more

As a jazz club, the Dakota is world-class, and the Twin Cities is lucky that it exists and provides an ideal environment to hear some superb talent. It's just too bad that despite bringing in so many outstanding music professionals, when it comes to the club's management and serving staff, every night is amateur night. While any restaurant or server can have an off night, the Dakota is consistently and dependably sub-par -- except for the music, and the drink menu has several drinks I could easily recommend. But forget about the food, and don't expect anything more than marginal service. In one recent visit, I had reservations and was seated at a dirty table with a puddle of water in the middle -- not a few drops of water, a big puddle. Unbelievably, the server didn't notice, but dropped my menu in the middle of this small lake, and walked away. I used the menu to mop up the mess (which turned the menu into a soggy paper towel, which she also didn't seem to notice). That night the food was equally disappointing. I ordered, as an appetizer, the Prime BBQ Beef Rib. It was actually quite tasty, enough so that I found myself wondering what it would have been like if it had been served hot instead of barely lukewarm. There are several other items on the menu I could recommended, but the chances that they'll be competently prepared (not overcooked, undercooked, or allowed to sit around too long) on any given night are iffy at best. On another visit, I ordered ice cream that had the gritty, ice-crystal taste that happens when it's stored improperly and allowed to partially thaw and refreeze. Then, the last time I was there, the men's and women's restrooms had no hot water. To sum it up: great music, mediocre food, poor service, and a variety of anomalies that could occasionally happen anywhere, but consistently happen at the Dakota. read more

I went to Dakota last night with some friends to see Christine Rosholt play, and we had a great time. The service was perfect, the atmosphere is cozy and Christine was awesome as usual. For those of you who aren't familiar with Christine's work, she does a lot of the jazz standards and more obscure songs as well. Her voice is amazing and her syle is impeccible. Go check her out at the Dakota sometime. You won't be disappointed. One other not about the Dakota...While their menu doesn't have a lot of vegan options, the chef has made me a special off-menu vegan meal on a couple of occassions and it was wonderful. They are more creative than most places - you won't just get a plate of pasta with red sauce. This is another testament to their stellar service. read more

I went to the Dakota with a friend for a girls night out. It was perfect! We got dressed up rented a room at the nearby Hilton so we could have drinks downtown and not worry about driving. We made reservations at the Dakota for the non-music room (which was $15 a person cheaper since we didn't have to pay the cover charge). They ended up taking down the partition between the rooms and we got to hear the music, which was fabulous. It was hard to chat and catch up once the music started, but it was well worth it. The food was presented beautifully and it tasted soooo good. My friend and I had fancy cocktails. Normally we are on a budget and agree not to go anywhere with cloth napkins, but once in a while it is nice to indulge. read more

Love this place. The music is unbelievable. Food is pretty salt but attractive. Do not order the $10 a bottle wine special. We couldn't even drink it. Great place for a night out. read more

08.19.10 first visit ambience: A- my only gripe: booths are a bit cramped, especially you're 'only friends' with your dining companion. service: A- our server had good menu knowledge, and took ownership of her recommendations. timely. pleasant. professional. (note: we went at off hours - don't know how service is during a lunch/dinner rush) food: A- fresh. seasonal. tasty. i'm not sure why i'm surprised that a jazz music themed restaurant has really good food, but i am. out of the 3 dishes we sampled 2 were wonderful and 1 was average. dakota fries & bearnaise (clarified butter, egg yolks, and herbs) what a refreshing alternative to the old fries and ketchup (and/or fry sauce, gravy, etc) scenario! crispy fries complemented by buttery goodness with a subtle twang. marinated beet salad w/goats cheese, pistachio and curry vinaigrette melted goats cheese and beets are a nice sour and sweet combination. add the cress (?) and curry vinaigrette - almost tastes like a mustard based dressing. well-rounded is the only adjective that comes to mind with this dish! heirloom tomato sandwich i love heirloom tomatoes because they have a meatier taste than roma or regular garden varieties. that said, the bread was toasted to perfection, the tomatoes, goat cheese, and, i think, corn, were very well balanced. delicious. chicken & waffles w/bacon and huckleberries surprise. the average dish of the meal. let me preface the review with, i forgot to drench the waffles in maple syrup. ok, everything was fresh, and delightfully prepared - fried chicken cutlet atop bacon, huckleberries, and buttermilk waffles. however, the flavor wasn't anything to write home about. supposedly the huckleberries would provide enough sweetness for the dish, but it really needed a shot of maple syrup. oh well, you live and learn. overall: A- a solid effort. great jazz. dang good food. what could be more attractive? read more

See all

Dakota is a fantastic hot spot, depending on what you're looking for. If it is live jazz music, check out their calendar and get tickets in advance. Good food? Drinks? Make sure they don't have a "ticket-only" event. Happy Hour with a date? Perfect. read more

I had the great luck to be able to go to the Dakota Jazz Club while in Minneapolis one evening--I say luck because it turned out to have a cool vibe, and because it was on somebody else's dime. The President of the Museum that my sister works in invited me to tag along with their colleagues for an evening dinner. Needless to say, he knows how to pick nice places with matching dollar signs on the menu. The ambiance of the club would be great for a date or girl's night out. At the center of the restaurant is a stage where changing acts perform, and candle-lit booths face the stage against the wall, while tables are situated closer to the stage. The band that played on the evening we went was really good, and I really enjoyed listening to the sounds of the singing and piano. As for the restaurant itself, the staff were very friendly and helpful. Some of the items on the menu were foreign to us, and they took the time to explain what each ingredient was and make recommendations. I was lucky enough not to have to pay the high prices, but they did have some cheaper options too, like burgers, on the menu. In general though, this is the kind of place where the portions are small and the prices are high! Usually that also translates into having some truly delectable bites. I enjoyed the pork tenderloin, which was very sweet and tender. However, as a person with a chronic sweet tooth, I can attest that the deserts were delicious! A sampling of sweets were brought to our table ranging from tiny bites of ice cream to cakes to pudding, etc., and they were scrumptious.Now if only I could get the president to foot the bill on my return visit! read more

This is my first review. The rude experience I received on the phone today while confirming an upcoming reservation has prompted me to move from Yelp consumer to an official Yelper! I've been a fan of Dakota over the past couple years. It's a great place to take visitors and business associates. This time, I was intended to host a business meeting. The food at Dakota is better than the average music venue, and seeing a show is a nice complement. So, my scenario is pretty straightforward, but nonetheless worthy of a poor review. I called regarding a reservation I had made via OpenTable. Although our phone conversation was pretty brief, the associate was rushing me off the phone from the get-go. I even asked her if she was in a hurry... And she said yes! The last straw for me was when she moved from impatient to rude after I asked for clarification about how I could get a booth for the show on Oct-20. So, I just cancelled my reservation. read more