Amazing service at the bar from the moment I stopped in. The pesto crusted sea bass blew me away one of the best dishes I've had. The fish was fresh and buttery and the chili beurre blanc sauce was on another level. Upscale seafood restaurant with nice decor and an uplifting vibe inside. Food is great, service is great, and the drinks top it off nicely. Highly recommend. -Mr. read more

Zelo - Pesto Crusted Sea Bass - Italian Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

They were able to accommodate a last minute reservation as the restaurant across the street filed for bankruptcy over the weekend. However we had to split a group of 12 over 2 tables which was unfortunate. My table ordered the calamari and margarita pizza to start. Both were tasted however the pizza crust was thin but not crispy as it flopped over and dropped half of my cheese and tomato topping. As main I ordered the herb linguine with braised lamb. Overall very tasty and the pasta was cooked just a tad before al dente but still good. Service was impeccable and definitely a place to go to again. But remember make a reservation as the place was packed, even on a Monday night in downtown Minneapolis. read more

Service is great, expresso martinis are delicious, the food is great but the portions are very small. But overall is a very good Italian restaurant that. read more

Zelo - Italian Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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It has been many years since I have been to Zelo. I really wasn't expecting much. I was mistaken. What a meal....food was amazing. We ordered a few appetizers and each was outstanding. Pasta was prepared just right and no one went home hungry. By the way, if you have the chance to request DeDe as your waiter you will be well served. She was totally attentive, and she made our evening that much better.....surprise yourself.....indulge in the moment and have a great meal... read more

This place was fun. I was staying in downtown Minneapolis so I have no comments on parking, but i walked in and sat right at the bar. The bartender (forgot her name) was super cute and bubbly- very hospitable and gave good suggestions on the menu. I started with ginger spritzer mocktail and the scallops. They were butter knife tender and perfectly cooked. The crispy prosciutto on top added both salt and pepper to the seafood. The dressed arugula salad in the middle paired well with the scallops. Complimentary bread and whipped butter- the bread was fresh, soft, and warm. Then I grabbed the meatballs (3) and added more cheese and fresh ground pepper when they arrived. The meatballs could have beenba little more done for me, or at least more seared on the outside, but I definitely still enjoyed them. I was too full to even look at the dessert menu but happy I listened to this recommendation from the hotel! read more

Zelo - Meatballs - Italian Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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The food was really amazing and the service was okay (could've been more attentive) but overall a good experience. Honestly, the only reason I'm giving a 4 star. The ambiance is very elegant and a cool place for a nice dinner date. My girlfriend had the steak (juicy) and whatever else it came with lol sorry I don't remember.. I had a margherita flatbread, which was extremely delicious. And we had fries on the side. We also had mocktails. read more

Zelo - House-Cut Fries - Italian Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Just came in after work, sat at the bar and had a great pasta dish. The service was very attentive.

Perfect spot to bring clients from work. Close to the office and the food was delicious. The Rissottos they have are a must. The ambiance of the place felt very nice too. Service did not disappoint neither. Definitely recommend and would come back read more

Service was great from the moment we walked in, warm and welcoming. The seating at our table was comfortable, with a circular booth and a large comfortable chair for our party of 5. I ordered the seafood linguini and it was was packed with seafood - shrimp, fish, mussels and scallops! The scallops were my favorite part but the fish was also tender and not overcooked. Only the mussels seemed overcooked and were tiny. The pasta was al dente and portion size was hearty. The complimentary bread was very good, as was the crème brûlée that was filled with vanilla beans. This is a great restaurant for groups or a date with attentive service that was friendly and really knows the menu. read more

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It's good every time we go! The food is so consistent, the service is attentive and knowledgeable. It's the little things that make it great- bringing sharing plates without being asked, replacing dirty silverware between different dishes, and putting your food into a box for you (so you don't make a mess on the table). I love their Ciao Baby salad, and you can add protein to it (I usually opt for salmon, but have also done chicken). Their salads also come in two sizes, a lunch and an entree, depending on how you are feeling. their fish is always great, so it's worth listening to their specials. Appetizers can easily be shared, and warm brad is an option for the table. The main dining room is usually busy (and cold- bring a sweater) during the lunch rush, but then quiets down. I would recommend making a reservation. read more

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Was in Minneapolis for a work trip. Went to dinner here on a Wednesday night with some colleagues and it was packed. The environment is very lively and can be a bit loud from talking, but it has good energy. Not so much a laid-back family environment, but definitely with coworkers, friends, date night. The food was delicious. There was four of us. We had several appetizers, entrées, and dessert with a bottle of wine and the bill was only $300 which I think is very reasonable. Service was great. I would definitely recommend this place. read more

Immaculate service and decor. Food is to die for. I got the scallops to start, the lamb with GF pappardelle for my main and the budino for dessert. Everything had so much flavor. The scallops were cooked perfectly and the small arugula salad they came with added a lot of freshness while the prosciutto added some crunch. The pasta came out piping hot and the lamb was incredibly tender. I did need to add some salt but that was a negligible thing. The chocolate cake was rich and the ice cream was creamy and a nice counterbalance to the cake. Everyone else was raving about their food. read more

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Zelo doesn't have a James Beard award kitchen. That's not what Zelo is about. However, if you want a fun time, a healthy pour, and a damn good meal, Zelo is your spot downtown. We used to frequent Zelo for decades before the Minneapolis social divide that caused the city to implode. Our daughter graduated from U of M and stayed in Minneapolis. The Marquette was our hotel, and Zelo was down the street. In Minneapolis, the Nicollet Mall was the place to be. Vincent's, Brit's Bar, The Local, Masa, Saks, Neiman Marcus, and Zelo were hopping. Then the curtain came down on downtown Minneapolis. Zelo rose from the ashes, and it is better than ever. Now, we live in Minneapolis , and hope to be part of downtown's revival. At lunch on a Thursday, Zelo's bar was full of well-dressed people having a good time. Michelle was our gracious and helpful server. My walleye Milanese was delicious, and my fries were done perfectly, extra crispy/no salt. The Bucatini could have been done more al dente, but the sauce was done the right way, with just the right piquant flavor. Zelo's bread is amazing. Now that the North Loop and Northeast have usurped downtown as the place to be in Minneapolis, the Nicollet Mall is often overlooked. Let's hope Zelo's rebirth helps remind us that the Nicollet Mall is iconic to the city of Minneapolis. read more

Calamari is amazing... the sauce is great. I went for lunch .. nice service. I sat by the bar area. Quite place for nice conversations and hangouts place. I like crab but I personally prefer grilled shrimp or clams with pasta. Otherwise nice lunch. read more

Zelo - Calamari Fritti - half order - Italian Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Our server was gracious and anticipated every need. The food was sumptuous. The ambiance was lovely. I would highly recommend Zelo for a great dining experience. read more

Went for the second time and had a five-star experience yet again! Kea, the manager, is so hospitable and kind! We were greeted so warmly by her, and considering the fact that we've only been once prior, that was so special!! We requested Erika as our server (when you make a reservation through OpenTable, there is a notes section and that is where we made the request), and they were so fabulous in granting that request! Erika is the best!! We ordered the pesto crusted sea bass and the spicy crab spaghetti. The sea bass was cooked to absolute perfection, and the sauce that went along with it was stellar! As for the spaghetti, I loved the crab chunks in the dish, so flavorful! But in terms of pasta, I think I prefer the rigatoni special I got my first time dining here. The ambiance is perfect for an elegant dinner! read more

Zelo - Spicy crab spaghetti and Pesto Crusted Sea Bass - Italian Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Very elegant space. We had a reservation and were seated immediately. Our server was Benjamin, and we will be asking for him next time we visit! He made great recommendations and timed our dinner perfectly knowing we had a show to attend at 7. We started with the meatball appetizer which was perfect for 3 people, 1 per person! Very delicious! And the bread starter pairs well with the remaining sauce. . . .yum! I had the brick oven roasted chicken which was perfectly cooked, served with zoodles and roasted potatoes. My friend had the chicken parmesan and I have to say, while I only had a taste, it was definitely THE BEST chicken parmesan I've ever tasted. I think the entire table agreed. My husband had the ravioli with sausage sauce addition and it was VERY VERY good. Can't wait to come back! read more

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Great service! I was hoping for a flavorful meal but it came out ok. They make their own pasta so maybe thinking about it while you are eating will make you like it more. The place is pretty swanky like a first date vibes read more

Zelo - Lamb braised - Italian Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

I was recently in town on business for a trade show, everything was crowded but I was able to find a seat at the bar. I had a great Manhattan. I ordered a bowl of their tomato soup as a started, it was excellent. I also ordered on of their pizzas, it was great, the crust was amazing. read more

Nice, casual place where dressing up is optional. All the pasta is made in-house and you can tell. I tried the ravioli, spicy crab spaghetti and ciao baby salad. Also got the hibiscus margarita. Everything was delicious and flavorful. Our server was also so much fun! read more

Zelo - Spicy crab spaghetti - Italian Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

We made reservations at Zelo for my daughter's HS graduation. We changed our restaurant reservations last minute and they found a way to accommodate us. Service was top notch. Everyone was very attentive. The best service we have had in a long time. The food was amazing. We learned they fly in their seafood every other day so it is fresh. They bring out baskets of crispy warm bread which was delicious! Don't be afraid to ask for seconds of the bread. The food was incredible. I had the Seabass and it was the best Seabass I have had in a long time. Blackened and crispy on the edges. The flavor was amazing. I asked to replace one of the sides of potatoes with asparagus. There was a slight charge for the switch but worth the $3. They have an amazing wine selection. I Love Austin Hope cab. Also ordered a French 75. Request with Champagne versus Prosecco. If you use their valet parking is free. We didn't know that and parked in the parking garage and it was about $5. For the special occasion we walked next door to Hells Kitchen and used the photo booth which is $4. We will definitely be back! Highly recommend. read more

We went here for dinner. Very relaxing atmosphere. Corey, our server was top notch. He put the place in the 4 star category with his knowledge of the menu, dishes and recommendations. The tomato soup was excellent but only if you like a hearty style. It may be too chunky for some people. The ciao baby house salad is a good option. The small portion is large enough for 2 and the large could easily feed 3-4. The two specials carbonara and salmon on goat cheese mashed were very flavorful. The tortiglioni rossa was very sausage forward which I like but may be too much for some. The vodka sauce it was tossed in had great flavor. The desserts were possibly the best part of the meal. Crème brûlée, budino and pumpkin butter cake all hit the spot. read more

Zelo - Pumpkin Butter Cake - Italian Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Elegant space, fine dining with good service and good food. We ordered the Bruschetta and loved the freshness of the ingredients, paired with the house bread and butter, delicious starter. I ordered the Tortiglioni Rossa and was pleased with my dish! Good serving for 1, definitely could have been shared! We also had ordered the Spaghetti and Meatballs and that too was delicious, meatballs are large so that plate too can be shared! I highly recommend this restaurant if you're looking for a nice dine-in! read more

Zelo - Tortiglioni Rossa - Italian Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Zelo was actually quite the pleasant experience! Very cool Italian ambiance at the location. I thought the decor and high ceilings really curated a cool vibe. Our server was very attentive and awesome. He walked us through the menu, answered our questions and always got us our drinks and food quickly. The food itself was very high quality and enjoyable. And hot! I think everything we were served maybe was waiting a minute after it had been prepared by chefs. I would definitely recommend this place if you are visiting the area and looking for an excellent Italian sit down restaurant. read more

Zelo - Buccatini Amatriciana - Italian Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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My friends and I met up here because we were staying at a hotel nearby. The ambience is great and feels very cozy. We didn't have a reservation, so we ended up sitting in the bar. We started with the Brussels sprouts which were full of flavor. I wanted to order another side of them with my dinner. For the table, we ordered a Caesar salad, the heirloom grain salad, and margarita pizza. Everything was really filling and we of course had room for dessert. The waitress recommended the budino to us and I'm glad we went with it. It was rich and the perfect fix to our sweet tooth. Overall we had a great experience. There were moments our waitress took a little bit to check on us and then towards the end, we felt a bit rushed. Other than that I highly recommend. read more

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Everything about this restaurant is top notch. Service is outstanding from start to finish. And everyone's dish was spectacular. We will definitely return. read more

Been here many times, and the food is consistently good. They've changed chefs in the past couple of years, and it's the same high quality as before. Service is solid. Ambience is cozy and warm. Great for groups as well as date nights. Highly recommend making reservations ahead of time. read more

Zelo - Ragu pasta - Italian Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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5 stars for their excellent and phenomenal service here. From the checkin to table staff, they pay huge attention to details. Came here for lunch with my colleagues and their special menu was delicious. Crab cakes were delicious. Great options also for vegetarian and excellent selection of wines. We were told everything they served here was farm to table. I highly recommend. Cheers! read more

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Zelo is fine, overall average. We've come here twice and seems that the server we had our first experience (wonderful, she was fantastic) had been promoted by our second visit. From the first visit we discerned that their appetizers were good (tuna, crab cakes), and the entrees (steak and a fish special not featured) were a pass. The second visit, the appetizers also weren't up to snuf. The crostini is too soft, as is the calamari. The mozzarella is fine but ends up just being sauce, cheese and bread. read more

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Went to Zello during our recent visit to Minneapolis. Walked in and were seated immediately. The restaurant is pretty big, but somehow it still felt cozy. We didn't want to order two large plates, so we told our server we wanted to share the spaghetti and meatballs, which she then offered to bring already split for us. Food was great! The meatballs were to die for! The flatbread fell a little short. There was no sauce or anything on it, literally just tomato and avocado, but the crust itself was tasty. read more

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Love Zelo and really happy that they've reopened after a long pandemic and civil unrest induced hiatus. The same zelo magic that was a landmark of the downtown Minneapolis Nicollet mall magic is still there even if the foot traffic is lighter. Definitely check them out for an inspired menu and vast wine and cocktail list. My favorite item on their menu is their stone crab pasta. Go support a local gem! read more

Zelo - Spicy crab spaghetti - Italian Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

The inside was gorgeous, right by the convention center with great service and full gluten free menu.

Came here on a Tuesday around 6 and was surprised to see a crowd inside since downtown Minneapolis seemed so sparse with people. We were surprised to be seated so quickly as a group without reservations. A contemporary Italian restaurant, the inside decor gives a very fancy steakhouse feel with the wood along with the attire of the staff. The service at our table was excellent. Our waiter, Herman, was patient with the group and answered our inane questions with a smile. The menu was not too extensive and offered a variety of unique dishes that I don't normally see at a traditional Italian restaurant. My group was not too imaginative in mostly ordering steaks while I had the halibut special. My halibut was cooked perfectly, and the group really liked their steaks. Given the prices on the menu, I was surprised to see how large their steaks were although they seemed tough to the cut. The potatoes that accompanied the steaks looked like fancy hash browns. read more

Zelo - Halibut - Italian Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Came here for my birthday dinner before the MJ show. The proximity to the Orpheum makes this place perfect for a "Dinner and a Show" date night. Ordered the Lasagna and the Chicken and Herb Risotto. Both were pretty standard. Nothing spectacular but averagely good Italian. The service was good and the tiramisu was delicious! read more

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Literally nowhere better in the Minneapolis area to get great pasta and amazing service, the desserts are to die for! Especially the lemon one. My favorite dishes are crab cakes, tomato ball soup, ravioli, and spicy lobster spahgetti. read more

Food = good. Table ordered roasted cauliflower to share, their home made ravioli (small portion = 4 pcs/ large = 6; small was sufficient for lunch) is yummy. Filling is good, simple tomato sauce. Service = good with right amount of touch. Patio = good but be aware of emergency vehicles going by may be loud. read more

Zelo - Restaurant front from the patio - Italian Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Great spot for a business lunch. It was a happening place for a Thursday afternoon but the service was still amazing. The server even asked if I wanted my salad rescooped when I was picking out the cheese! Before we get too far into this review, yes, there was complimentary bread. Would love to come back on a non business occasion so I can truly enjoy my time, get a nice cocktail, and avoid some business talk. read more

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We joined some friends for dinner last evening at Zelo. We hadn't been before so we're excited to check it out. The place was busy filled with great energy. We were provide ample time to order drinks, review the menu while also taking with our friends prior to ordering. As other customers food was being delivered, I would take a peek as it passed our table - everything looked amazing! Our meals were amazing. We had entrees from across the menu - pastas, fish, beef - I was fortunate to get taste a bite of every entree -- all were delicious! We are looking forward to returning for another meal. I'm also hoping to check out the bar area of the restaurant- it's a beautiful space with great vibes. read more

This is our first time back here since it reopened. We haven't dined here since before COVID. The restaurant has done some painting to lighten and modernize the dining area. Very nice. We had a reservation and were seated immediately, even though only 4 of our party of six was there at checkin. So appreciate them accommodating us. Service was excellent. We had drinks quickly and never felt rushed in ordering. We had the calamari, crab cakes, and Parmesan shrimp and they all were hits with our table. Lots of dipping sauces. Excellent choices. We also split some Caesar salads. I am grateful they Let us do that because the portions were perfect to accompany our apps, entree, and desserts. I chose the butternut squash ravioli and I loved it. Little bit of nuts and a lovely sauce complimented the texture of the homemade noodles. I got the larger plate but wished I would have ordered the smaller. It was more than enough food. We were there to celebrate my daughter's birthday, so we finished the meal with three desserts, two we ordered and one complimentary with a candle. It was a wonderful place for a special dinner. Food, ambiance, and service was excellent. Make sure to use the complimentary valet parking to avoid event parking fees in the nearby ramps. read more

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We stopped for a quick dinner before a concert at Orchestra Hall. We definitely want to go back and linger over a longer meal. This is upscale Italian in a very nice, if not a bit noisy, space. Service couldn't have been better. Cocktails were very well made. My wife had a very good Sangria cocktail, and I had an excellent Old Fashioned (my go to ). We split the wonderful Basic Blue salad with a tangy bleu cheese dressing and crispy bacon shreds. The croutons were interesting as they were somewhat chewy rather than dry and crumbly; I liked them a lot as I could actually pierce them with a fork. The complimentary bread basket was a really good peasant-style loaf (although three pieces for two people was odd). I had the Spicy Crab Spaghetti, which had a buttery wine sauce instead of a tomato sauce. It was light and had a nice kick. My wife had the Scallop appetizer as an entree. It came with four nice sized Scallops cooked perfectly and topped with crispy Prosciutto shreds in a brown butter sauce. She loved it. Many dishes come in two sizes. My small spaghetti was the perfect size to couple with a small salad since I didn't want to be too full for the concert. We will definitely be back! read more

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