Location: Mankato
Top Restaurants in Mankato
Where to Eat in Mankato: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Mankato (/mænˈkeɪtoʊ/ man-KAY-toh) is a city in Blue Earth, Nicollet, and Le Sueur counties in the state of Minnesota. It is Minnesota's 22nd biggest city. The population was 41,044 according to 2015 US census estimates, making it the fifth largest city in Minnesota outside the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area. The county seat of Blue Earth County, it is located along a large bend of the Minnesota River at its confluence with the Blue Earth River. Mankato is across the Minnesota River from North Mankato. Mankato and North Mankato have a combined population of over 53,000, according to the 2010 census. It completely encompasses the town of Skyline. North of Mankato Regional Airport, a tiny non-contiguous part of the city lies within Le Sueur County. Most of the city is in Blue Earth County.
Things to do in Mankato
1. Pagliai's Pizza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 271 reviews
Reviewed By KAFMinnesota - Rochester, Minnesota
Our annual ritual is to hit Pagliai’s after celebrating a late family Xmas. Really crappy food this time.
Sandwiches are called poor boys now and consisted of bun and mayo. A dab of meat and cheese in the center. Nothing like they used to be. SAD
Our pizza was burned on the outer edges. Ick. We left most of the food after paying a $40 bill. For one thin crust pizza and a sandwich. Plus 2 beers.
Next year we won’t return. I heard it’s under new management. That might explain the sad sorry state of our orders.
2. Dino's Pizzeria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 128 reviews
Reviewed By Tim D - Omaha, Nebraska
My wife and I and another couple stopped at Dino's for lunch on a Tuesday in July. We had eaten at the Tav on the Ave, another restaurant owned by the same person as Dino's, the night before, and because we enjoyed that place, we were excited to try Dino's. We each ordered the lunch special, the $8, 8-inch cheese pizza with one extra topping that comes with a salad. We had a very friendly, young waitress, and we enjoyed conversation with her. In the background at Dino's was delightful music by Sinatra and Dean Martin. We also liked the decor with the red checked table cloths. Our lunch was very good, and we would return to Dino's on our next visit to Mankato.
3. Olives
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 233 reviews
Reviewed By peaceinjesus - Opelika
Food was cold on the buffet. Someone had forgotten to lite the burners. The problem was immediately corrected, however the offer to make fresh French toast was absolute. You would think for a Hilton property they would’ve been trained to meet their guest needs. Very disappointed
4. NaKato Bar & Grill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 50 reviews
Reviewed By Carly S - Hartland, Minnesota
Sooooo good I will be back! Heck I might go this weekend and try breakfast! I was very impressed, cheese curds. Were scrumptiousdipped in the raspberry chipotle sauce. I had a hot pastrami sandwich but I had them add the P con peppered banking because it sounded good and I wanted to try it made the sandwich all that much better. I really had a hard time choosing because there were so many delicious things on the menu that I would've liked it tried very unique different items that look very good. My daughter had the Turkey melt and said that it was very good she raved about the honey mustard sauce that also was homemade. They have a nice beer selection and many drinks available as well. I really liked the fact that all ages were in there there were servers from maybe 21 to a little old lady server that look like she had been there a long time with a great personality to a biker tattoo Bartender that was also very nice. There were people of all ages old and young this must be a regular spot for many! There is a nice patio on the side that I will definitely have to try out I will definitely make this a regular stop when I visit Mankato!
5. Boulder Tap House - Mankato
Overall Ratings
4 based on 175 reviews
Reviewed By TaMike87 - Sioux City, Iowa
Cheese curds were awesome. The wings didn’t disappoint. Steak tacos also very good. The cheese curd cheeseburger was a full meal. The beer snobs of the group also happy with the flight options. So overall opinion was would return. You won’t leave hungry. Stopped on our way home from the cities per TA reviews.
6. Pub 500
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 144 reviews
Located in Southern Minnesota, Pub 500 is a top restaurant featuring daily Happy Hour drink specials, great food and live entertainment. Pub 500 serves lunch, dinner, late night snacks, appetizers, weekend breakfast, as well as gluten free, vegan and vegetarian options. Pub 500 has a wide selection of draft beer and drinks at their full bar. Pub provides the perfect downtown atmosphere for you to relax with your family and friends any day of the week. Weekly entertainment: live music, trivia, poker, karaoke and more. In the spring and summer, enjoy Pub 500’s delicious food and beverages on their outdoor patio, featuring a fire pit. Pub 500 provides catering and full bar service at their semi-private party room or at an off-site location. Pub is a proud supporter of Schell’s Brewery, Mankato Brewery, Indian Island Winery, Morgan Creek Winery and Chankaska Creek Winery. Bar and grill with live music.
Reviewed By Mavrick54 - Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
Found this place on Trip Advisor. Very happy. Novel food items that were very good. Had the Stuffed Avacado as an app, delicious. Had the Salmon BLT, it was excellent. Bailie was our waitress, she advised us on their extensive beer menu. Seated quickly, friendly...MoreThanks for the kind words. We will surely pass them on to Bailee. We hope to see you often.
7. Number 4 American Bar & Kitchen
Overall Ratings
4 based on 230 reviews
Reviewed By Chris O - Stillwater, Minnesota, United States
We booked a family dinner here to celebrate a special occasion based on the recommendation of a friend. The restaurant itself is very cool, beautiful room and good atmosphere. The waitress was knowledgeable and friendly. Unfortunately it took a turn for the worse after this. The drinks took a good long while to arrive, and luckily we ordered appetizers immediately when we sat down because those took even longer. The cheese curds had a great texture, but were incredibly salty. The calamari was okay considering we were in the midwest, rather chewy though.
One member of our party ordered the salmon, and when it arrived her noticed there was an issue with the dish, they quickly fired another salmon and rectified the issue promptly. The other entrees were delicious with no faults. The dessert was good as well.
Overall it was a disappointing experience, luckily the entrees and dessert were good.
8. Mazatlan
Overall Ratings
4 based on 151 reviews
Reviewed By Europabound - United States
Nice friendly service. Tasty margarita. Good cheese dip. Fajita meat, both steak and chicken, were tough. Steak was half fat, maybe more. I should have asked for a new batch or a refund. Maybe just an off night for them based on all the good reviews.
9. La Terraza Mexican Bar and Grill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 75 reviews
Great atmosphere, best margaritas, with a great selection of them, make from scratch , outdoor seating, full bar, friendly staff
Reviewed By ViajeroJBW - Maple Grove, Minnesota
My wife and I stopped here Thursday night after dropping our daughter off at Minnesota State University – Mankato. I had seen on TripAdvisor that this restaurant was considered among the top in Mankato, especially for Mexican cuisine. We were promptly greeted and shortly there after seated. Roberto, our server, was very friendly and professional. For dinner, I ordered the Acapulco – two ground beef enchiladas on flour tortillas with rice and beans. The food was pretty good, especially the beans. We also enjoyed their complementary chips and salsa – the salsa was very tasty. We also ordered the margarita golden jumbo special @ $6.99 - it was huge and included Jose Cuervo and I thought Grand Marnier. It went down far too easy and before I knew it, it had hit me hard. Authentic decor. Appreciate booth seating. Very, very clean restrooms - among the cleanest I have ever seen. I thought the bill was very reasonable and quite typical for what we spend at other Mexican restaurants.
10. Pappageorge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 59 reviews
Reviewed By David M
Found that the rating online to be accurate. I ordered steak Oscar and it was done perfectly and the flavor was fabulous. It was suppose to come with rice pilaf but I substituted a loaded bake potato. There was eleven people in our group and the only complaint was the shrimp was a little tough. I took a taste and they seemed fine too me. Prices were not out of line and I would recommend to make one of your stops in Mankato.
