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I visited Owamni as a solo diner on my trip to Minneapolis in December 2025. They were serving their winter menu. I love the concept of this restaurant. It is a full service Indigenous restaurant that aims to hire Indigenous employees, support Indigenous-made products, and showcase Indigenous foods and culture. Their menu is "de colonized" which means they do not use wheat flour, cane sugar, dairy, and more. The menu is intended to be shared, which makes it a little tricky for a solo diner. I ordered the following: -Yuca fries which comes with 2 sauces - hot out the fryer, great sauces (consider getting an additional 3 sauces for $9) -Three Sisters Salad, which is a seasonal squash stuffed with beans, and added the skirt steak for $5 - the squash/beans was served cold which I would have preferred warm and think it would work just fine -For dessert, the vanilla maple custard with sweet potato chips -Three Sisters tea - good but to elevate they could bring a whole teapot (instead of just a mug + teabag) so I could enjoy more and keep it warmer Overall, a tasty meal. Definitely on the high end in pricing (~$60 for one) so I think that bringing a group would be the way to go here. Service and ambiance matched the price - attentive, atmospheric. I can see how some could say the food is bland, but I think adjusting your palate and/or adding the sauces is the way to go here. Overall, I really respect what they're doing and think it's a unique dining experience that you cannot get elsewhere.
Owamni is located along the river, with a beautiful view and tasteful decor. It's a calming space that encourages intimacy and reflection. Our server, Adam, was excellent. They were polite, respectful, and made us feel welcomed. We started with the mushroom chowder, which was comforting and delicious! The duck with the blackberry sauce and papusa was incredible too. I think the only downside was because a lot of the food is corn-based, some of it--especially the desserts--were quite heavy/dense. Overall, though, the food and experience lived up to the hype we've heard about Owamni for such a long time now! It would be great to come back sometime for a new seasonal menu.
Owamni is one of the most talked about restaurants in Minneapolis, and possibly in the USA due to serving exclusively indigenous foods only found in North America. Founded by a Sioux chef, and sourced from indigenous producers, Owamni has a large assortment of dishes not found anywhere else with game, wild plants, berries with no Old World influences like agriculture, spices, or dairy. The food is catered to fine dining overlooking the river in a very high end setting, think of a date spot with a dinner that isn't typical of your usual meal. So expect the portions to be small and the food to be more expensive. We went for brunch since it was less crowded and definitely less expensive, but expect to still splurge on the occasion. Going even a hour later from opening time will result in waiting, so I do recommend a reservation. The place was packed on a Saturday afternoon. We order the Ziiwiskaagamin Mimosa, an Aromia berry/balsam fir mixed with sumac flavored souvignon blanc to start. That was a mouthful to cover, but it was surprisingly refreshing. Sweeter than I expected to be honest, and I had to lookup 3 of those ingredients haha. Since it was brunch we ordered small such as the Elk Patty, Salmon, Wild Rice, and Crickets and Popcorn. Honestly they were all good, although I preferred the Elk Patty the most. The crickets were very interesting with the sumac maple flavored popcorn, I think this works better as a dessert sp keep that in mind. Overall though, you are there for the experience. I've heard they are moving locations to the Walker Art Center so this review might be void by the time that happens but I'd like to try the dinner dishes next time.
Owamni was a truly unique dining experience. I really liked supporting the Native American indigenous foods initiative and the concept of rejecting colonial ingredients (wheat flour, chicken, cane sugar, beef, dairy). The dishes were tastier than I expected, including the bean dip + smoked whitefish which was actually delicious. Hand harvested wild rice and bison ribeye were also yummy. I think the ribeye sauce overwhelmed the flavor of the meat but it was still one of the best bisons I've ever had. Expensive meal but worth the stop when in Minneapolis. Shout out to Tyler for the warm hospitality and service! TL;DR Must stop in Minneapolis for the unique Native American dining experience!
I really love this concept and am deeply appreciative of the labor of love that goes into creating a rotating menu of locally sourced, authentic recipes. The food was overall great. My favorite was the sweet potato "fry" appetizers. The right amount of spice, and really loved it with just about the rest of the meal. The service was ok. We waited quite a while to place our order, and despite having reservations had to wait to be seated. It is what it is, but for the price I'd expect a little better service. The highlight is the stunning view and setting. It's totally worth a visit!
VERY fancy indeed. This is a nationally-acclaimed restaurant from celebrated Indigenous chef Sean Sherman. This is modern cuisine, and very inventive, and all ingredients are restricted only to what was present on this continent prior to European colonization. But don't think of it as lacking; think of it as an outstanding example of what extremely talented restauranteurs can come up with while sticking to a principle. The dishes are intended to be shared. I honestly don't usually like that; in this case my friend and I would very likely have stuck to our own thing. And yet I'm glad I tried some of everything. We got the Venison Tartare, the Quail Wings, the Green Beans, and, perhaps most shockingly, the Popcorn & Crickets. That last thing sounds like you'd only do it on a dare, but nope; it's a pleasant savory snack. Even though some of the little bits in there are actual crickets. (They have hardly any mass.) We loved the Quail Wings; the way they are cooked gives them nice, juicy chunks of meat on the bones, plus a uniquely-breaded skin. I also really loved the Green Beans; they had a meaty glaze as well as a surfeit of crispy onions. My hard-to-please friend found them dull, which surprised me. Venison Tartare was an experience for sure, although it didn't leave enough of a positive impression for me to consider getting again. It's expensive. Really one of the most expensive restaurants I've splurged on in a while. Too pricey for me to consider outside of special occasions, but I do recommend this for anyone that has an appropriate budget, and who wants an exceptional gastronomical experience.
Highly recommend Owamni for a beautiful experience with higher-end Indigenous foods. They have a beautiful location on the river and will be moving to the Guthrie some time next year - so come soon to get an experience on the river! Food came out quickly after we ordered. I really enjoyed the mushroom chowder. Comes with some fried mushrooms on top for a really nice bump of flavor and texture. I also really enjoyed the quail. It was super crispy, tender, and flavorful. It was my first experience with quail! Highly recommend if you're wanting to explore foods that are from the Americas by an amazing Indigenous chef.
It hurts to write this, but it wasn't the 5-star experience I was hoping for. I don't know if I ordered the wrong things but I left feeling unfulfilled. Go with a group, that way you can share and try a bunch of dishes. I'd try again on my next visit. Regardless, I love the mission of Owamni and appreciate their elevation of Indigenous foods.
I am absolutely blown away yet humbled by my visit to Owamni. We had to come during a brief family trip to Minnesota, and this native American restaurant is an unforgettable experience. We made sure to reserve in advance, and good thing too because when we walked in for brunch, the tables were soon filled. I was feeling a little intimidated by the sobering reminder at the reception desk of the atrocities committed and still being committed upon the nation, but the server staff all immediately put me at ease. We had the Three Sisters Salad (seasonal squash with tepary bean and hominy poblanos), and shared the brunch menu's Corn Cakes topped by the most amazing maple syrup alongside stewed blackberries. But the most hearty was the Elk Patty, with wild rice (actually a unique lake-grown grain unrelated to rice), and heavenly gravy topped with greens and a duck egg. The spouse ordered for me a Mimosa containing--deep breath--aronia berry, blueberry, balsam fir, and sumac in bodkin sparkling Sauvignon blanc. Delightful! I desperately wanted to see the chef's interpretation of dessert using decolonized ingredients, and we ordered the Corn Cookies. 'Cookies' does not do it justice, because someone explained that these were one of the oldest versions of what would later evolve to be corncakes. These cookies were topped with delicious blueberry jam and texture-wise reminded me of gingerbread. Something a little denser and filling too. For those who want to support the nation or bring back a souvenir of your visit, there is a canny selection of wild rice, indigenous grown coffee, native American herb blends, cookbooks, t-shirts and other merchandise.
Probably nothing that hasn't been said before but this place is delicious!!! I highly recommend the Mushroom Soup, the Bison Chilaquiles and the Quail thighs! Their "Feel good" tea was also very calming and warm! Service was prompt and friendly! Especially at the bar - which we knew we might be sat at given we were able to walk-in and be seated within 15mins on a Saturday afternoon!
My mom saw Owamni featured on Cook's Country and made a reservation for us prior to her trip to visit me. We had a 1 pm reservation and were able to find metered parking a block away. Since we arrived early, we walked around the lake for ~10-15 mins. When we checked in, we were promptly shown our table. We got water quickly and our waitress came over shortly after. We shared the strawberry salad, corn cakes, and stuffed tomatoes. Of the 3, the corn cakes were my favorite. They came with blackberries and maple. While we liked the smokiness of the chard in the salad, as well as the other ingredients, the chard was difficult to chew. The wild rice and bean filling, as well as the tomatoes themselves, were tasty but the sauce was a bit too spicy for us. Though I just had water, my mom got the black fern and didn't love it. While we're glad we tried Owamni, we didn't love it enough to want to rush back. If someone I know really wants to go here, I would try something different and/or order the corn cakes again.
Incredible dining experience and incredible food. I had been waiting to come here for years and finally prepared enough to make a reservation for weeks out. Happy that they are so booked out, but make sure you make reservations a month or so in advance! We started out with a hot and an iced tea. These were really refreshing and not sweet. We could have added honey but opted not too. I'm still dreaming about the bison bone marrow. Incredibly flavorful and filling and the bread and herb salad it came with were to die for. I would order this again and again and again. We also had the roast duck. Very good! Would definitely order the yucca fries again. We got them with the garlic squash aioli and chimichurri. So good. This was plenty of food for the 2 of us and I came away full but not overly stuffed. The views of the river made this a fantastic date night and close to the Stone Arch Bridge to go for a night walk after. Excited for their transition to being at the Guthrie in 2026!
The food here was very good, although a bit on the pricey end. The highlight for me was the service, as each dish was described in detail and recommendations were provided with a very friendly tone
What an incredible meal! I was grateful to snag one of the last seats during their final week by the river. The setting that made the experience always so special, before they move to their residency inside the Guthrie Theater under a new name. I cannot wait to see what they do next. Every dish truly hit it out of the park. From the Three Sisters salad with bison and squash to the fried quail and rich, earthy mushroom soup, each plate showcased Indigenous ingredients and traditions in a way that felt both thoughtful and exciting. This is not your typical dining experience and that's exactly what makes it so satisfying. Even the margarita was a standout: beautifully presented and just as delicious as it looked. I will definitely miss this riverfront location, but I am so excited for their next chapter. read more
This place totally lived up to the hype, in my opinion! I got the maple pepita latte ($10), sweet potatoes ($18), bison skirt steak tacos ($55), and spoonbread ($15). The latte came garnished with rose petals and was not too sweet. It was a nice way to start my meal. Then came the sweet potatoes, and oh my God, I think they were the best sweet potatoes I've ever had. They were unbelievably, delectably sweet and cooked perfectly. They had an excellent char while being soft on the inside. And the sweetness was complemented nicely by the maple chili crisp, which had just a bit of a kick. The bison skirt steak tacos were also delicious. The bison was so tender and juicy. Full of flavor and cooked superbly. My server wasn't kidding when she said the tacos were big enough to share between a few people. I ate the tacos by myself, and I was beyond stuffed. Alas, I wasn't a big fan of the spoonbread. The flavor wasn't bad, but I didn't care for the texture, which was a little too coarse for me. The dessert was gluten-free, and I could REALLY tell. It was also too spicy for me. The spoonbread was drenched in hot honey. But the sweet potatoes, tacos, and attentive & friendly service more than made up for it. The restaurant isn't cheap (especially for a solo diner), but I've seen worse prices for worse food. And I'm eager to check out their new location the next time I'm in Minneapolis. Note - if you pay with a credit card, it does come with a 3% fee. read more
I was in town for the PLA (Public Library Association) and the owner of Owamni was going to be one of the keynote speakers. I'm fortunate that where I live we have an Indigenous restaurant. I got in a day early so I had made a reservation, because I figured it would be bombarded with other Librarians. Reservation systems was easy to use. The location is in an unassuming blding on the river and the restaurant itself is located upstairs giving an awesome view. The staff was great and the vibe was very calming. Something I needed as I'm still greiving my partner who I lost in January. The menu is very well organized and after the server told me the specials I ended up ordering the mushroom chowder, duck taco and greens with turkey meat. To drink I got their Carrot juice and after dinner had an elder wisdom tea. The food is made dairy free, wheat free and which made my lactose intolerant body happy. The food was not overly salty which leads to bloating. The mushroom chowder was perfect for the chilly weather. It is sad that we get excited for this food that was here way before the settlers came and took all of that way. These restaurants should be in every area of this country where other cuisines are. There mission is to support indigenous food producers and educate those on the native foods. The restaurant, or this location is closing May 3rd for bigger adventures. The owner gave a compelling talk at our PLA. read more
I visited Owamni as a solo diner on my trip to Minneapolis in December 2025. They were serving their winter menu. I love the concept of this restaurant. It is a full service Indigenous restaurant that aims to hire Indigenous employees, support Indigenous-made products, and showcase Indigenous foods and culture. Their menu is "de colonized" which means they do not use wheat flour, cane sugar, dairy, and more. The menu is intended to be shared, which makes it a little tricky for a solo diner. I ordered the following: -Yuca fries which comes with 2 sauces - hot out the fryer, great sauces (consider getting an additional 3 sauces for $9) -Three Sisters Salad, which is a seasonal squash stuffed with beans, and added the skirt steak for $5 - the squash/beans was served cold which I would have preferred warm and think it would work just fine -For dessert, the vanilla maple custard with sweet potato chips -Three Sisters tea - good but to elevate they could bring a whole teapot (instead of just a mug + teabag) so I could enjoy more and keep it warmer Overall, a tasty meal. Definitely on the high end in pricing (~$60 for one) so I think that bringing a group would be the way to go here. Service and ambiance matched the price - attentive, atmospheric. I can see how some could say the food is bland, but I think adjusting your palate and/or adding the sauces is the way to go here. Overall, I really respect what they're doing and think it's a unique dining experience that you cannot get elsewhere. read more
Owamni is located along the river, with a beautiful view and tasteful decor. It's a calming space that encourages intimacy and reflection. Our server, Adam, was excellent. They were polite, respectful, and made us feel welcomed. We started with the mushroom chowder, which was comforting and delicious! The duck with the blackberry sauce and papusa was incredible too. I think the only downside was because a lot of the food is corn-based, some of it--especially the desserts--were quite heavy/dense. Overall, though, the food and experience lived up to the hype we've heard about Owamni for such a long time now! It would be great to come back sometime for a new seasonal menu. read more
Owamni is one of the most talked about restaurants in Minneapolis, and possibly in the USA due to serving exclusively indigenous foods only found in North America. Founded by a Sioux chef, and sourced from indigenous producers, Owamni has a large assortment of dishes not found anywhere else with game, wild plants, berries with no Old World influences like agriculture, spices, or dairy. The food is catered to fine dining overlooking the river in a very high end setting, think of a date spot with a dinner that isn't typical of your usual meal. So expect the portions to be small and the food to be more expensive. We went for brunch since it was less crowded and definitely less expensive, but expect to still splurge on the occasion. Going even a hour later from opening time will result in waiting, so I do recommend a reservation. The place was packed on a Saturday afternoon. We order the Ziiwiskaagamin Mimosa, an Aromia berry/balsam fir mixed with sumac flavored souvignon blanc to start. That was a mouthful to cover, but it was surprisingly refreshing. Sweeter than I expected to be honest, and I had to lookup 3 of those ingredients haha. Since it was brunch we ordered small such as the Elk Patty, Salmon, Wild Rice, and Crickets and Popcorn. Honestly they were all good, although I preferred the Elk Patty the most. The crickets were very interesting with the sumac maple flavored popcorn, I think this works better as a dessert sp keep that in mind. Overall though, you are there for the experience. I've heard they are moving locations to the Walker Art Center so this review might be void by the time that happens but I'd like to try the dinner dishes next time. read more
Owamni was a truly unique dining experience. I really liked supporting the Native American indigenous foods initiative and the concept of rejecting colonial ingredients (wheat flour, chicken, cane sugar, beef, dairy). The dishes were tastier than I expected, including the bean dip + smoked whitefish which was actually delicious. Hand harvested wild rice and bison ribeye were also yummy. I think the ribeye sauce overwhelmed the flavor of the meat but it was still one of the best bisons I've ever had. Expensive meal but worth the stop when in Minneapolis. Shout out to Tyler for the warm hospitality and service! TL;DR Must stop in Minneapolis for the unique Native American dining experience! read more
10 months ago
I really love this concept and am deeply appreciative of the labor of love that goes into creating a rotating menu of locally sourced, authentic recipes. The food was overall great. My favorite was the sweet potato "fry" appetizers. The right amount of spice, and really loved it with just about the rest of the meal. The service was ok. We waited quite a while to place our order, and despite having reservations had to wait to be seated. It is what it is, but for the price I'd expect a little better service. The highlight is the stunning view and setting. It's totally worth a visit! read more
VERY fancy indeed. This is a nationally-acclaimed restaurant from celebrated Indigenous chef Sean Sherman. This is modern cuisine, and very inventive, and all ingredients are restricted only to what was present on this continent prior to European colonization. But don't think of it as lacking; think of it as an outstanding example of what extremely talented restauranteurs can come up with while sticking to a principle. The dishes are intended to be shared. I honestly don't usually like that; in this case my friend and I would very likely have stuck to our own thing. And yet I'm glad I tried some of everything. We got the Venison Tartare, the Quail Wings, the Green Beans, and, perhaps most shockingly, the Popcorn & Crickets. That last thing sounds like you'd only do it on a dare, but nope; it's a pleasant savory snack. Even though some of the little bits in there are actual crickets. (They have hardly any mass.) We loved the Quail Wings; the way they are cooked gives them nice, juicy chunks of meat on the bones, plus a uniquely-breaded skin. I also really loved the Green Beans; they had a meaty glaze as well as a surfeit of crispy onions. My hard-to-please friend found them dull, which surprised me. Venison Tartare was an experience for sure, although it didn't leave enough of a positive impression for me to consider getting again. It's expensive. Really one of the most expensive restaurants I've splurged on in a while. Too pricey for me to consider outside of special occasions, but I do recommend this for anyone that has an appropriate budget, and who wants an exceptional gastronomical experience. read more
Highly recommend Owamni for a beautiful experience with higher-end Indigenous foods. They have a beautiful location on the river and will be moving to the Guthrie some time next year - so come soon to get an experience on the river! Food came out quickly after we ordered. I really enjoyed the mushroom chowder. Comes with some fried mushrooms on top for a really nice bump of flavor and texture. I also really enjoyed the quail. It was super crispy, tender, and flavorful. It was my first experience with quail! Highly recommend if you're wanting to explore foods that are from the Americas by an amazing Indigenous chef. read more
It hurts to write this, but it wasn't the 5-star experience I was hoping for. I don't know if I ordered the wrong things but I left feeling unfulfilled. Go with a group, that way you can share and try a bunch of dishes. I'd try again on my next visit. Regardless, I love the mission of Owamni and appreciate their elevation of Indigenous foods. read more
11 months ago
I am absolutely blown away yet humbled by my visit to Owamni. We had to come during a brief family trip to Minnesota, and this native American restaurant is an unforgettable experience. We made sure to reserve in advance, and good thing too because when we walked in for brunch, the tables were soon filled. I was feeling a little intimidated by the sobering reminder at the reception desk of the atrocities committed and still being committed upon the nation, but the server staff all immediately put me at ease. We had the Three Sisters Salad (seasonal squash with tepary bean and hominy poblanos), and shared the brunch menu's Corn Cakes topped by the most amazing maple syrup alongside stewed blackberries. But the most hearty was the Elk Patty, with wild rice (actually a unique lake-grown grain unrelated to rice), and heavenly gravy topped with greens and a duck egg. The spouse ordered for me a Mimosa containing--deep breath--aronia berry, blueberry, balsam fir, and sumac in bodkin sparkling Sauvignon blanc. Delightful! I desperately wanted to see the chef's interpretation of dessert using decolonized ingredients, and we ordered the Corn Cookies. 'Cookies' does not do it justice, because someone explained that these were one of the oldest versions of what would later evolve to be corncakes. These cookies were topped with delicious blueberry jam and texture-wise reminded me of gingerbread. Something a little denser and filling too. For those who want to support the nation or bring back a souvenir of your visit, there is a canny selection of wild rice, indigenous grown coffee, native American herb blends, cookbooks, t-shirts and other merchandise. read more
Probably nothing that hasn't been said before but this place is delicious!!! I highly recommend the Mushroom Soup, the Bison Chilaquiles and the Quail thighs! Their "Feel good" tea was also very calming and warm! Service was prompt and friendly! Especially at the bar - which we knew we might be sat at given we were able to walk-in and be seated within 15mins on a Saturday afternoon! read more
My mom saw Owamni featured on Cook's Country and made a reservation for us prior to her trip to visit me. We had a 1 pm reservation and were able to find metered parking a block away. Since we arrived early, we walked around the lake for ~10-15 mins. When we checked in, we were promptly shown our table. We got water quickly and our waitress came over shortly after. We shared the strawberry salad, corn cakes, and stuffed tomatoes. Of the 3, the corn cakes were my favorite. They came with blackberries and maple. While we liked the smokiness of the chard in the salad, as well as the other ingredients, the chard was difficult to chew. The wild rice and bean filling, as well as the tomatoes themselves, were tasty but the sauce was a bit too spicy for us. Though I just had water, my mom got the black fern and didn't love it. While we're glad we tried Owamni, we didn't love it enough to want to rush back. If someone I know really wants to go here, I would try something different and/or order the corn cakes again. read more
Incredible dining experience and incredible food. I had been waiting to come here for years and finally prepared enough to make a reservation for weeks out. Happy that they are so booked out, but make sure you make reservations a month or so in advance! We started out with a hot and an iced tea. These were really refreshing and not sweet. We could have added honey but opted not too. I'm still dreaming about the bison bone marrow. Incredibly flavorful and filling and the bread and herb salad it came with were to die for. I would order this again and again and again. We also had the roast duck. Very good! Would definitely order the yucca fries again. We got them with the garlic squash aioli and chimichurri. So good. This was plenty of food for the 2 of us and I came away full but not overly stuffed. The views of the river made this a fantastic date night and close to the Stone Arch Bridge to go for a night walk after. Excited for their transition to being at the Guthrie in 2026! read more
This was a super hard review to write. I liked a lot of things about this restaurant, and then was disappointed in some other aspects. The good: the service was great! Everyone was super friendly and helpful. The tea options (I tried 3 total between my friends) were all really delicious with a nice depth of flavor. Of the food items we got, I highly enjoyed the crickets and the poblanos. The not as good: I thought some things were way too expensive for what you get. I thought the corn was tasty but not worth the price. The duck was $45 and I thought it was good but not amazing compared to other duck dishes I have tried. The carving knife for the duck was incredibly dull. Our server actually warned us that their knives are way too dull, but I still went ahead and got the dish. For a restaurant that expensive, I feel like if the workers recognize an issue like that, the restaurant owner should be fixing it. Overall, I might go again if other friends want to try it, but probably wouldn't go out of my way to come again. read more
1 year ago
What a blessing to come here and share an experience that was memorable and encouraging that our foods and souls can be nourished without the destruction that colonization has brought us. From the moment we entered, it was a different experience. Not necessarily aesthetically wise (even though the simplistic look was gorgeous) but because the space speaks to you. You enter and the hosts are there to check you in. They escort you to your seat as you pass by some happy looking people with their bellies full. Everything on the menu is intentionally designed and crafted to include precolonial food and ingredients. We ordered the following: Api Roja which has Corn Dumpling, Corn Jam and topped with Popcorn. If you had Champurrado, then it tasted quite similar to this. This was probably my favorite dish of the night. It's sweet and it tasted like home. Salmon Tartare which has Picked Onion, Huckleberry, Pickled Game Egg, Maple Vinaigrette. It came with corn tortilla chips. The huckleberry really stood out here. It balanced out the onions. This was my least favorite dish of the night. I think with everything else being so flavorful, this one felt a little bland to me. Indigenous Surf and Turf. This has Elk or Venison Strip, we went with venison because the elk was all done for the night, Lobster, Garlic Bone Marrow Butter, Slaw and Charred Jalapeño Aioli. Refried beans which has Duck Fat, Vanilla Epazote. This might have been my second favorite. It being slightly sweet was such a refreshing twist. During our meals we sipped on a sumac old fashioned which had duck fat Duck-Fat Washed Bourbon and Sumac Bitters. Which was bomb. And we had the martini which had Gin, House-Made Vermouth and Epazote We ended our night with the Three Sisters tea which has Anasazi Cave Bean, Butternut Squash, Corn Silk, Goldenrod, Cranberry, Marshmallow Root, Hydrangea Root, Cinnamon, Uva Ursi, Strawberry Leaf and Meadowsweet. It was so good that I had to ask if I could buy some and take home which they do. There's a small shop right by the front desk. Unfortunately they didn't have any in stock but they wrote down where I could get it from which is another indigenous place up north in Minnesota. read more
Ended up here twice in two days. Once for dinner. Second time, the very next day for lunch. Guess this tells you how much I enjoyed Owamni. No reservations. Walked in both time. Seated at the bar both times. Same spot too. There's both indoor and outdoor seating. I enjoyed sitting at the counter - you can watch the crew doing their thing right in front of your eyes. Sitting at the bar also usually equates to excellent service. The staff is right in front of you so there really was no waiting for anything. Not that efficiency means great service - the crew was attentive, friendly, funny and knowledgeable - not just about the history of the restaurant, but the area, the dishes, ingredients and even the drinks. As for the food - the usual "see pics" won't do the dishes justice. The ingredients and how the dishes were prepared - words can't capture it all. I'll just say - I thoroughly enjoyed every dish and every drink. So much so that I ended up coming in for lunch the very next day. Though the novelty had worn off - it was still a great culinary and learning experience. One that I'll repeat when I'm back in the area again. I'll close by saying - I chose this restaurant because of the history and accolades over the years. I figured it would be good but I didn't think my expectations would be blown away like it was. I'm looking forward to the next experience. read more
7 months ago
After booking my annual flight to Minneapolis , making a reservation at Owamni was the next step. I have a lot of respect for the concept of Owamni and will always choose to support Indigenous people. I also loved the fact no pork is served. I came on a Friday night with my bf and nephew. The restaurant space is simple but stunning in its own way. I love the floor to ceiling windows. What we ordered : Quail Bison steak Turkey greens Yucca Bean and whitefish dip. I also ordered a cocktail which for me, was the highlight of the meal. I say that because the only thing I truly enjoyed was the whitefish dip. Yucca is yucca wherever you go, so it was pretty good. My nephew reallyed enjoyed the quail. The corn jam was amazing, I'd eat that stuff on everything. My bf enjoyed the bison steak, the sauce that came with it was delicious. The greens were not good. I kept trying to eat it but the taste was just so bad. I let the server know , I told her maybe I'm just accustomed to something diff since I'm from the south. She then proceeds to tell me they don't use ham so that's why they taste different. I had to tell her ma'am, I don't eat pork , so it's not that. Needless to say , the service was underwhelming and I didn't appreciate her assuming I was missing pork taste. She didn't offer to get me anything else. I did enjoy the experience but I don't know if I would return. All in all, definitely go, skip the greens and get the wild rice like I should have done! read more
Been here several times. But the last time I was there. Feels like something missing The ambiance is good. The view amazing. Service is gold stars. But the foods are missing the soul! Feels like very run of the mill quality now. I don't know what it is. Maybe the chef just having a not so good day. Hope you found your old soul soon chef read more
Honest opinion alert. The selling point is indigenous food and you rarely see it in US, the only thing I had before was Indian taco from the state fair. I had really high expectations. Red corn soup with corn dumplings: not bad, which has popcorn and corn dumplings(corn flour dough), more like a porridge Strawberry salad: dandelion green with vinaigrette dressing. The dandelion greens were cooked and bitter, the vinaigrette didn't remove all the bitterness. Double-boiled dandelion has no bitterness even without vinaigrette, I am not sure if the dish is intended to be somewhat bitter. Strawberries are alright, not fresh. Sweet potatoes with chili aioli: this is the best dish. The sweet white potatoes were baked and then grilled, dipping in the chili aioli, which is a creative dish. Very common sweet potato in South America. Venison surf and turf: venison and lobster were overcooked, not expecting that from a dish that is $100, lol. Bone marrow butter and sauce is good. Wild rice: not good, not seasoned well and really dry. You want a good wild rice? Machine Shed in Iowa, the best I have ever tried, like Michelin stars restaurant level. I am not sure if I suppose to compare pre-colonial and post colonial food here. Sweet potatoes chocolate pudding: this one is thick like porridge, which tastes really weird, not chocolate nor sweet potatoes, this combo doesn't taste right for me. Price: about $230 for two people, the restaurant advertises for eliminating ingredients introduced through colonization, I see butter, cocktail, utensils and modern cooking all over. Not sure it will live up this concept. It is an experience to try the indigenous food, but I will not return as a foodie standpoint, the food is ok and overpriced. At least I don't expect overcooked meat/lobster. Any culture has good food, I tried it once and know what it is. Good enough, concepts can get you so far. Please focus on improving the basic minimum: not overcooked. Service was great. We saw one Asian waitress took care of 4 -5 tables, I was not sure if she was the only waitress, but she took care of 1/4 of the tables in the restaurant and super busy. Ambience: 5/5 Food: 1/5 Price: 2/5 Service: 5/5 read more
Unique Culinary Experience. This restaurant is so much more than just the food. We were in Minnesota visiting friends and they made reservations to bring us here. We were greeted warmly by Ramon, who sat us promptly. We soon met our knowledgeable server, Teddy, who walked us thru the summer menu ( Seasonal menus) . We decided on quite a few dishes. The red corn soup,sweet potatoes, lobster bean dip, marichou, bison bone marrow,braised greens, and bison ribeye. We enjoyed all the dishes. There was plenty of flavor without complexity or being overpowering to the star ingredient. The atmosphere itself is very inviting and compliments the beautiful scenery. The service was excellent and the whole experience was one of a kind. We will definetly be back ! read more
1 year ago
Finally got around to trying this award winning restaurant through a tasting dinner event I will say I was surprised how great most of the dishes were considering they are not using any dairy, sugar or gluten products A very unique dining experience and the first of its kind showcasing native cuisine and culture (I believe?) Great service too and the new cocktails were a hit Lovely view of the riverfront too read more
What a great place to eat! All menu choices are served as they are completed cooking. We started with apps, wild rice, grilled veggies, and fries. We ordered meat next choosing bison and duck. Having gone through the experience, I would have ordered my meat first waited a few minutes then placed the order for the sides as the sides were gone or getting cold by the time our entree came. The bison was amazing! Tender, so rich and tasty, and the burnt ends created an outstanding taste. The duck was also delicious, roasted and nice and tender. The corn side served with it was so good as well (can't remember the name). The grilled veggies were my fav side. Our table also loved the fries and the two sauces we chose to accompany. I wasn't as big a fan of the wild rice. Tasted a bit dry and would have been better as a meat side. Staff worked well as a team so we had various people seating, taking orders, delivering food and checking us out. The restaurant is modern inside with lots of exposed brick and stunning views of the river. We ate inside but many were enjoying the views on the patio. Great experience. Want to come back for more bison. So good!! read more
I'd never been before but was lucky enough to attend a prix fixe dinner at Owamni where they were testing out some menu changes and piloting a cocktail program. The space itself is fantastically open and well lit for how close the tables are. The staff was all incredibly kind and the service was quick for the event. I loved hearing about the restaurant's exclusive use of indigenous and locally sourced ingredients. Not normally a cocktail fan, but the Chocolate Mole Mint Julip was amazing. Really deep, round mole without being heavy and just enough heat to keep you interested. The mint was a perfectly aromatic start and finish to each sip. The courses were all good, but I had a few standouts. - White Fish Dip was great and I'll dream about the chips. There was a disproportionate amount of, truly delicious, bean dip so we had a lot left after finishing the chips and fish. - 3 Sisters Chili was a great chili. Light but had a great earthy flavor. - Shrimp Taco was one of my favorite dishes. The tortilla was amazing. Both the slaw and shrimp were bright and refreshing. Only thing was the whole shrimp made it hard to eat as they pulled out on each bite. - Bison Steak & Corn Puree. The steak and pipian were amazing. Perfectly cooked and the pipian was bright while adding fat needed in the leaner bison meat. The corn puree was good, but incredibly sweet. I couldn't eat more than a tiny bit per bite. - Maple pecan "flan" was one of the best desserts I've had at a restaurant. Since they use only indigenous ingredients it uses pecan (and coconut) milk plus local maple syrup and pecans for the candying and syrup. The lack of dairy kept it really light but full-bodied and was a perfect end. read more
Owamni was a wonderful experience. The staff here is absolutely incredible. They answered all our questions and were so kind & attentive. They have an A+ staff here. The restaurant is beautiful with the design inside and the views of the Mississippi River. The food is out of this world. We had the Bison Ribeye and it was one of the most fantastic dishes we have ever had. The seasoning is immaculate, the cook was perfect, and it was extremely fresh. The other dishes we had were all fresh, tasty, and would also bring us back. Owamni serves ingredients that are native to the land. It truly was a breathtaking experience having their food. It is a must eat restaurant in Minneapolis. read more
1 year ago
Here's the thing. It is very important to go in, knowing what to expect. It is a very different type of genre of food. If you are looking for super spicy, bold, sour, and sweet, or BAM! BAM! in your face flavors, you will be super disappointed, coming in here because that's just not the type of food that Native American cuisine provides. Don't get me wrong, there is a scarcity of Native American restaurants throughout the nation that actually adhere to using only ingredients that were come grow to the land and not using imported ingredients that is a great concept. However, if you order a taco, and are hoping for that spiciness, that sour and salty thing! You will be disappointed. Having said that, I am appreciative that I was able to have access to a restaurant like this. It is just not at all my cup of tea, so to speak, and I will not come back. The food is bland, really really bland. Even the most highly rated and was ordered dish, the white fish and bean dip, just tasted like underseasoned mush. Yes, they had pickled red onions on top, but it did not help to elevate the otherwise mushy, bland, brains and crackers. The rabbit dish that we got was disgusting. It taste like really unrefined and poorly made grits with some bits of rabbit meat that you could barely see. Neither of my friend nor I liked it at all. We wish we could've sent it back. It tasted like nothing but bland moisterous grits. The brisket taco was... OK. Again, bland. The meat was quick, delicious and cooked perfectly, but there was no acid, no pickling, no refreshing herb or anything like that to help accompany this super super savory meat. After two bites, I was done with the dishes and did not want anymore. The sweet potatoes or taste just like that: sweet potatoes. The chili oil on the bottom was quite bland and did not lean any extra flavor to the sweet potatoes. I could've made this dish easily in my own home and not spent 20+ dollars on this one dish! The highlight of the evening, I will say, are the creative cocktails. They are nothing like you have had ever had before. The cocktail I got was in Mezcal Smoky mix, and I first got the sweetness, and then the smoky tightness of the Mezcal and it finished with the smoky after effect. Delicious. Also, on special were Elk short ribs. That sold the night. Unfortunately, it is not a regular on the menu. But it was succulent, tender, well seasoned in a barbecue sauce, an absolutely delicious! Overall, I'm glad that it came at least for the experience to say that I tried out a Native American restaurant, but I will never be back . read more
This was a very unique dining experience, and glad I got to try it! This weekend there were only brunch spots available, which I know has a more limited menu compared to dinner. I appreciate how educational this experience felt, and the menu was explained to us quite thoroughly. Here's what we ordered: Bean and smoked trout dip: This was a surprisingly large portion, and while I was hesitant about the flavor at first, it was springy delicious and filling. Corn taco: This was a bit of a letdown, however very unique item. It was essentially a corn tortilla with a small amount of corn jam, 2 corn "dumplings" - which are small savory corn cakes, and a bunch of popcorn. My friend and I both agreed that the taco could have tasted better if there was more salsa or sauce (which we didn't realize was extra on the menu). Duck pupusas: Small pupusa but layered with shredded duck meat. Was quite delicious but again, a bit dry (I assume this was on purpose?) Blue cornbread: By far my favorite dish, it was this giant French toast like bread, that was crunchy on the outside but dense and soft on the inside. The maple syrup tasted just like a sweet potato, and although the alfalfa sprouts seemed like an odd touch, the flavors of the cornbread and syrup were absolutely delicious without feeling too heavy. The food came out at a nice pace, and all about within 20 minutes (granted we didn't get any of the larger shared items). I've heard their non alcoholic drinks are delicious, so although I didn't get to try it I would recommend it! read more
Thoroughly enjoyed everything about this highly acclaimed restaurant in the heart of Minneapolis. All the staff were highly professional and friendly and attentive. The view of the Mississippi River and St Anthony waterfall was beautiful. The presentation and taste of the food was subtle, sophisticated and scrumptious. We ordered the carrot tartare, the mushroom chowder, the roast squash with chimichurri and maple aioli sauces, as well as the bison chilaquiles. I enjoyed the wild raspberry mock tail and a mimosa as well. My favorites were the carrot tartare and the roast squash appetizers. The combination of flavors and textures was so refreshing and delightful. Highly recommend reservations. read more
Underwhelming- it's a great idea to promote indigenous food and ingredients. However, I found the food flavor and execution pretty underwhelming. The patio is an elevated space overlooking the water and was very pleasant on a sunny day. Service was very friendly. Overall , the environment + concept were better than food/execution read more
This is difficult to write, because I so wanted to love it, but just cannot. A friend of mine had heard of this place and as I am a foodie, I was intrigued by the pre-colonization indigenous concept. Yes, let's go, it's only a 10 hour drive each way. This is how excited we were. We had made reservations for 4 , but ended up that only 2 of us were going. I couldn't get the reservation changed on line and I couldn't get anyone to answer the phone, so I left a message. Of course when we arrived, they still had the reservation for 4 guests and a slight attitude about it only being 2 of us. Now the restaurant itself is beautiful and the view is amazing. The small patio looks quite inviting, but the weather wasn't nice enough to sit outside. We also noticed that the restaurant was declared as indigenous grounds, which is wonderful. I tried the Elder Wisdom since I love Elderflower and it was an ok drink. I would drink that again. We ordered a variety of dishes: Tartare, roasted veggies, braised greens and the special of the day: Chanterelles. The first dish brought out was the tartare and it was an absolutely stunning dish. Beautifully plated and the highlight of our dining experience. The taste was good, not stellar, just good. The roasted veggies, were ok, the best part being the carrots. It did lack flavor to be honest. The Chanterelles were also just ok and came with the same microgreens as the roasted veggies. It was sad, I generally love Chanterelles, but these weren't very tasty at all. The braised greens had flavor but the best part were the little pieces of garlic on top of the dish. I have to say we were a bit underwhelmed. It pains me to say that while the food was good, it certainly wasn't worth the long trip. Still love the concept though. read more
When I walked in, the lobby was full of excitement. I was with many others who had heard of Owamni for years and were overjoyed to finally be there. It set the right atmosphere for the rest of my experience. I enjoyed the sweet potatoes and greens. As a Black american, these are staple dishes for me, so to have them prepared in the indigenous way felt deeply meaningful. The chili oil on the sweet potatoes didn't hold back but was offset by the sweetness -enhanced by the char on the potatoes. The greens were full of meat and had layers of flavor. I didn't need even a pinch of salt, which is rare for me. I've heard from some others that the larger plates may be less successful, but no matter, I'd return for these plates and the experience of being in this special place. read more
I went in a group of five hungry guys and we got crickets & popcorn (3/5), rabbit ashela (5/5), green gumbo (4.5/5), sweet potatoes (4/5), and bison ribeye (5/5). We were very full after the meal and would get everything again other than the popcorn and are excited to come back and try more items! Additionally, it was a lot better value than we all thought; it was about $30/person for everything pre tax and tip. We all thought the popcorn was very overpriced for the quantity and was not anything special; the crickets did not add much other than a crunch and a uniqueness factor. We were hesitant to order the rabbit and did not think we would like it but ended up loving it; it had a favor unlike anything I have had before! The green gumbo was good and very filling; we all liked the sauce and seasoning on the shrimp! The sweet potatoes were great; although they were less unique than the other items, they were still well prepared and a reasonable value. The bison was the biggest hit at our table; I normally do not like red meat that much including steak, but I really liked it! The other four in my party love steak and said they should come here instead of some steakhouses and get more of the bison. The service was pretty good (4/5)! Our waitress correctly told us that the five dishes we ordered were enough food for us and was knowledgeable about the menu and had good suggestions. The ambiance of the restaurant is also good (4/5)! The interior is well decorated, and you get a pretty good view out the windows! Overall, I am excited to come back when the menu has changed in the fall! read more
There's food that's satisfying and good, but you forget about it after the meal. Owamni is the complete opposite, it is a dining experience rather than just simply a means to be fed. The complex layering of flavors is phenomenal, and I encourage everyone who goes to have an open mind and try what they might not usually go for. The best way to enjoy this restaurant is with a crew of people willing to eat family style. read more
9 months ago
Ate at Owamni and the food lived up to the hype. This meal was all about letting the ingredients shine, and it really worked. The salmon was incredibly fresh and cooked perfectly, rich, flaky, and balanced by the sauce without being drowned in it. Every bite tasted clean and intentional. We also shared a few other dishes, and everything felt thoughtfully done. Nothing was overly salty or heavy, just well-seasoned and comforting in a way that still felt elevated. Even the sides and starters stood out, especially the textures and subtle flavors you don't usually get elsewhere. The atmosphere was calm and welcoming, and the pacing of the meal made it easy to actually enjoy the experience instead of feeling rushed. Owamni isn't just good food, it feels meaningful and different in the best way. Definitely a place I'd recommend and come back to. read more
Amazing! Great service, bright clean place with awesome food! Our waiter was so good at explaining the unique menu & giving us advice. He was attentive. We started with unique teas & a mole stout. Nice! We shared lots of dishes! The wild rice was good, the tomato salad delicious, the sweet potato amazing! The green gumbo was amazing! The rabbit surprised me & was good! We also had turkey with amazing sauces & epic tortillas! The catfish was delicious, too! And dessert: pecan flan amazing & sweet tortillas yummy as well. An Americano & an expresso were enjoyed after our meal. The flavors are unique & the dish presentations are beautiful! Go there! You'll love it! read more
A lovely restaurant right along the river makes for a very pretty view. Definitely gives off slightly fancy date night vibes. The service was phenomenal. We were walked through the menu and given ample time to mull over what to order. We ordered family style for a table of 6, and everything came at a perfect pace. Orders: Tomato salad: a fresh way to start off the meal. Deliciously seasoned. Loved the vinaigrette. Bean dip and smoked trout: such a delicious appetizer-like dish. The tostadas were wonderful. Trout and bean dip paired nicely. Wasn't fishy at all for those curious. Roast squash: a whole acorn squash roasted so it was super tender. We were able to pick 2 sauces, and it came with garlic and tortillas. Lovely. Hand harvested wild rice: a very interesting texture. I enjoyed it with the bison! Bison ribeye: okay, so this was well worth the 80 dollars. I feel like I'll be dreaming of this for a while. Perfectly seasoned crispy outside, tender and juicy inside. Topped with fried onions. Laid over a bed of pepián mole. Holy shit - it was SO good. Would definitely order it again. Corn taco: it was like a sweet treat! Very light. Reminded me of dessert. I would love to come back sometime soon. Fantastic experience. read more
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More info about Owamni
420 1st St S
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Downtown Minneapolis
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(612) 444-1846
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http://www.owamni.com
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Ask the Community - Owamni
What's the dress code? Would jean's be out of place? The photos look casual, but don't want to be underdressed.
Pretty causal in my opinion. Jeans were fine. I wore jeans
How realistic would it be as a walk-in later in the evening on a Sunday - as a solo diner?
How much later? There are openings 5-5:30. After that nothing much until 7-7:30pm. The patio might not look full but they only have one server out there so its deceiving.
Can you order food for pickup/takeout?
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