DINKYTOWN. Al's greasy-spoon decor has been preserved for many years, along with a classic breakfast menu. Located near the university, the place attracts students and alums who are thrilled to return and find Al's just as they remember it. Deemed by some folks as the best breakfast place in the Twin Cities, Al's is known for blueberry and blackberry buttermilk pancakes as well as for omelets and eggs Benedict. They only take cash, and if you're in the door before 1pm, they'll happily serve you. A small place, so don't be surprised by waits.

DOWNTOWN. One of Minneapolis's most evocative dining rooms, BANK occupies the former space of the Farmers and Mechanics Bank. Its thoughtful design is a true feast for the senses ­ a sleek bar in the center, soaring ceilings and windows, a vault-turned-wine cellar, and beautiful early 20th century millwork. Representative mains include seared walleye with butter-poached lobster, 8-oz. beef fillet with mashed red potatoes and garlic-scented spinach, and short-rib lollipop with sweet potato hash.

WAREHOUSE DISTRICT. Just because you need a quick bite for lunch doesn't mean you can't treat yourself. Be'wiched touts itself as one of the few chef-driven delis in the Midwest, and it certainly lives up to the billing. Classics like pastrami on rye or roast beef on ciabatta are crafted with artisan-like dedication and filled with exquisite flavors. A bevy of salads and soups round out the menu.

SEWARD. Smartly decorated Birchwood is a coffee shop and cafe that also moonlights as an art gallery. Food offerings have a strong vegetarian slant and are prepared using fresh, locally grown, organic ingredients. Menu items range from pizzas and sandwiches to tofu curry and a quiche of the day. Birchwood also serves non-vegetarian items, including salmon cakes and turkey burgers. Breakfast and weekend brunch are popular with locals, too.

BLOOMINGTON. Perfectly charred and beautifully presented, the Bloomington ChopHouse's succulent steaks and chops more than make up for its location outside of Minneapolis proper. The muted green walls and and red-orange booths combine with lively clientele to produce an invigorating dining experience.

GRAND AVENUE. The long tradition of scrumptious food creation on Grand Avenue continues with the Butter Bakery Café. Whether taking a leisurely stroll down Grand Avenue or heading to work, you'll find Butter Bakery Café to be a quick and convenient stop where you can satisfy your cravings. If you're stopping in for breakfast, try the huevos burrito with scrambled eggs, cheese, potatoes and salsa or the omelet with potatoes. For an early lunch, try the fresh Patsy's BLT or Roast Beef sandwich. This popular Minneapolis breakfast restaurant and bakery also offers free high-speed, wireless Internet access for added convenience.

BLOOMINGTON. This charming restaurant has the distinction of delivering authentic, mouthwatering French cuisine. Elegant Collette recaptures the ambience of a quaint, 19th-century Parisian café or brasserie ­ dark wood accents, banquette seating, and tulip lamps. Favorite dishes include garlic-tinged bouillabaisse, coq au vin, crepes, and braised lamb shank with garlic potatoes.

DOWNTOWN. Keeping pace with the sleek, sexy aesthetics of the Graves 601 Hotel requires a restaurant designer's A-game, and that's just what happened when the plans were drawn up for Cosmos. Modern and cool, the space features furniture with low-profiles and clean, distinct lines, giving it a dramatic vibe that suits the downtown Theater District just right. The dinner menu lists inventive numbers like celery root tart and vanilla-butter poached lobster with sweet onion curry. Sunday "blunch," meanwhile, includes tasty benedicts, corned beef hash, and after 11am, even grilled pork loin and grass-fed Minnesota rib-eye.

UPTOWN. Looking to drop the meat-n-potatoes gig and start eating much healthier? If so, look to this vegan paradise, where all the fare's organically grown, plant-based, and uncooked. Enjoy tasty zucchini and cashew-tahini cream lasagna, raw zucchini pasta topped with strawberry marinara, or spicy Thai noodles and rest assured that it's probably the healthiest you'll eat all day. Other perks of dining at Ecopolitan: purified water, fresh-squeezed juices, awesome air quality, an oxygen bar and, of course, Minnesota's largest selection of organic, sulfite-free wine!

UPTOWN. At French Meadow, one of the most popular Minneapolis bakeries, patrons savor exceptional scratch-made pastries, yeast-free organic breads and satisfying meals made from fresh, local and organic ingredients. In addition to their signature crab cakes and organic eggs Benedict with Black Forest ham, the bakery's bountiful menu includes an alluring array of vegan and gluten-free delights, including a grilled tempeh Reuben, Peruvian quinoa salad and black bean chili. Stop by for breakfast, lunch or dinner!