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    Gai Noi

    4.3 (615 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Gai Noi Photos

    Business Info

    GAI NOI ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Gai Noi

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    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.

    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.

    basil wings, peanut noodles, gai basil and red curry
    Elizabeth K.

    If you're looking for a flavorful, unique dining experience in Minneapolis, Gai Noi absolutely delivers. Every dish we tried felt intentional, fresh, and packed with personality. The restaurant had a pleasant atmosphere with lots of wicker and woody designs. We started with the gai basil, which made the perfect appetizer, flavorful, slightly spicy, and surprisingly fresh. It set the tone for the rest of the meal in the best way. The peanut noodles were a standout for me. They had this creamy, almost carbonara like texture, but with a subtle sweetness and crunch that made them really memorable and different from your typical noodle dish. The basil wings were easily a highlight, super crispy with tons of flavor in the breading. They had this lemony, spicy kick that made them hard to stop eating. For our main, we had the red curry with jasmine rice, which leaned on the milder side. It had a gentle sweetness with gingery notes and bamboo that made it feel comforting without being too heavy. To drink, the guava mule (mocktail) was fresh and tropical, light, refreshing, and a great balance to the richness of some of the dishes. Overall, Gai Noi feels like a place where every dish is thoughtfully crafted, with bold flavors and a menu that's fun to explore. It's perfect for sharing plates and trying a little bit of everything.

    Outside of restaurant
    Catherine Y.

    Been to Gai Noi a few times, including for a private tasting event through the Minneapolis Community Education. Food has been pretty great every visit. The latest visit was this past Friday for an early dinner (before 6pm) with friends before going to a performance at Orchestra Hall. One of our friends arrived early so she hung out in the bar area and put our name of the list for a table. We were lucky that our table was ready when we all arrived because it was the busiest I have seen Gai Noi (probably because it was a very warm Friday eventing) in mid-March. Keep in mind that Gai Noi is walk-in only, no reservations unless for a private party/event. Our group got a variety of dishes to share and it was delicious! We also liked sitting in the top floor of the building because it has a lot of nice decor and natural light. Our server was super friendly and helpful. However, it felt like everything took some time because he was pretty busy managing many tables. Highly recommend Gai Noi for the delicious food and great atmosphere.

    Crunchy wings
    Erika C.

    I loved my experience at Gai Noi! There was a long line for a table around 530pm on a Friday, but luckily there were several spots available at the bar top which was first come first serve for food & drinks. We started off with cocktails - the passionfruit punch was delicious. The menu is designed for shared plates so its fun to try several items to share. We ordered the crispy wings which were as described - perfectly crispy - and topped with fried jalapeños. Also not pictured (because it was so good) was the crispy pork belly - yum! We ordered the peanut noodles as a main dish which had incredible flavor.

    Jitt B.

    This is one of the most upscale Thai/Lao restaurant with delicious and authentic cuisine from our culture. We love every dish on the menu! Service was incredible - our server was friendly, attentive and took such great care of us. The vibe is comfortable, family friendly, accommodating for a big group and the decor is just lovely. They have the best cocktail drinks! We had the Mok Paa, Pad Thai, Jalapeno Wontons, Khao Poun Gai, Fried Walleye, Laab Gai, and lots of sticky rice. Everything was perfect and so delicious! Highly recommend this spot!! **Something to note: this is a no-tipping restaurant and an 18% gratuity charge is added to the price of each entree.

    Mallory J.

    I was nervous about this restaurant not taking reservations, but I shouldn't have been. Plenty of seating and got in right away. Really fast service and attentive. Absolutely incredible food, will be back! Fun place to come during a Minnesota winter as it feels tropical and warm inside.

    Pork fried rice
    Becca E.

    I absolutely love Gai Noi- if I lived closer I would be getting this at least once a week. They don't take reservations which I honestly really like! The tables open up pretty quickly! The service is always top tier and there's constantly servers, managers, and staff asking if everything tastes good and if they can get you anything else. For drinks we got the Star Fruit Margarita and Over the Horizon. Food- basil wings. Literally a 100/10- best wings ever!! Pork fried rice- perfect flavor and so yummy! Seasoned fried beef- so flavorful and really good with or without the sauce! I love how open and big the tables are on every floor. It never feels crowded and everything feels so welcoming. I love coming here because they serve the food as family style!

    Sam Q.

    Food was excellent; I was blown away by how light and crispy all the fried food was (not oily at all!). Flavors were all very strong and almost every dish had a bit of a kick to it. Highlight for me was definitely the basil wings. Don't skip dessert!

    Basil Wings
    Stacey N.

    I have been meaning to try this restaurant for MONTHS! I was a little apprehensive because they didn't take reservations and I live 45 minutes outside of town, but good news is they have plenty of seating and my friend and I were able to get seated within 10 minutes of getting there! The menu is robust! I had a hard time deciding what I wanted but went with the infamous basil wings, green curry noodles and wontons. The wings were well worth the wait and are so good! They were fried but not too heavy which I always struggle with when eating fried food. The wontons were not great. Could have done without those. The green curry noodle was the perfect entre and I was so happy with it! Perfect for a cold Friday evening meal and it hit the spot! There is so much more I want to try so will be back! Tucked into the Loring Park neighborhood, the restaurant itself was buzzing and so cozy. I felt very at home and loved it! Will be back!!!

    Chocolate Cremeux and Mango Cremeux
    Jenny L.

    Food was delicious! I just wish they had more of a selection of filling dishes. Most dishes were more like appetizers, even the main entrees.

    jalapeño wontons
    Isha A.

    This restaurant doesn't take reservations and is huge but still gets packed, so go at a time when you're able to wait for a table! It's so cute inside here, I love the second level that had the beautiful windows. For a drink I got the Thai tea, which I don't think I would get again. Food: - Basil Wings (9.4/10): One of my favorite things to get at their restaurants. The dry rub is spicy and delicious. Love that it comes with fried peppers too - Jalapeño wontons (8.7/10): the star of this is the pineapple sauce imo! So good - Drunken Noodle (6.6/10): The noodles were cooked well however, I didn't like the tamarind sauce on it - Gai Basil (7.1/10): Not my favorite Thai basil chicken type of dish - Mango Custard (9.3/10): Light and refreshing! Perfect end to the meal

    Starfruit Margarita - so so good!
    Bethany A.

    Gai Noi has become my go-to restaurant when I'm in Minneapolis. The place is always bustling and has a great vibe. I've tried most of their sides and everything is incredible. The basil wings are a must have. The egg rolls and dip have become my new favorites. For entrees, I've gotten to enjoy the curry rice. It's hearty, filling, and packed full of flavor.

    Cheesy Jalapeño Wontons

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    23 days 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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    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.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Edwards Dessert Kitchen

    Edwards Dessert Kitchen

    4.2(256 reviews)
    1.1 miNorth Loop
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    Edward Dessert Kitchen is an absolute must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth. I tried a variety…read moreof chocolate-based desserts, and every single one was incredibly creative, beautifully presented, and genuinely delicious. You can tell a lot of thought and craftsmanship go into each dessert--these weren't just sweets, they felt like edible works of art. The chocolate flavors were rich without being overwhelming, and each item had its own unique twist that made the experience fun and memorable. Everything tasted fresh and thoughtfully balanced, which made it hard to pick a favorite. If you enjoy inventive desserts done well, Edward Dessert Kitchen is definitely worth the stop. I'd absolutely go back to try more of their creations.

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    Bellecour Bakery at Cooks - Making the croissants!

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    4.3(92 reviews)
    1.3 miNorth Loop
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    Photos
    Bellecour Bakery at Cooks - Crepe cake is a must!

    Crepe cake is a must!

    Bellecour Bakery at Cooks - Kouign Amann on top and delicious Monkey Bread on the bottom

    Kouign Amann on top and delicious Monkey Bread on the bottom

    Bellecour Bakery at Cooks - The pastries are unreal

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    The pastries are unreal

    Gai Noi - desserts - Updated May 2026

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