Rinata Restaurant

Italian restaurant · Lowry Hill East

Rinata Restaurant

Italian restaurant · Lowry Hill East

1

2451 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55405

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Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null
Rinata Restaurant by null

Highlights

Housemade pastas & pizzas, wine & cocktails, intimate setting  

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2451 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55405 Get directions

rinatarestaurant.com
@rinata_mpls

$20–30 · Menu

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2451 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55405 Get directions

+1 612 374 8998
rinatarestaurant.com
@rinata_mpls
𝕏
@RinataMpls

$20–30 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 7, 2025

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Randy Nibbe

Google
What a treasure. Delicious, authentic food with a menu that everyone in our group found a favorite. Desserts were top notch and so pleasing. Fantastic bar options including a spectacular Black Manhattan. Staff was engaging in a way you'd hang out with friends. So welcoming Can't wait to head back

Nina Arleth

Google
Amazing food! Very intimate, dimly lit and quiet setting. One of my favorite pasta spots around. I’ve had many dishes here and they are all incredible. Get the mussels and save your bread for the sauce, it’s divine.

Jennifer Fernandez

Google
Very nice little joint in Uptown. The gnocchi was the best I've ever had! We also had the ravioli and the fennel sausage pizza. Sausage was made in-house! It was exceptional!

Anna Nguyen

Google
Hands down the most delicious and authentic tasting Italian food I’ve ever had in MN! It is extremely rare to find a place with great quality and tasting food along with reasonable prices. I find that Italian food tends to be more on the expensive side, but not Rinata. I was incredibly shocked at how well priced everything was for how high quality everything was. And the service was just as amazing too! I went in for the Sunday date night special priced at $25 for four courses which includes bread/olive oil, an appetizer, salad, entree, and dessert. Every single thing I ordered not limited to the complimentary bread and oil was delicious. Everything was perfectly prepared and seasoned. I am grateful that this was my last meal I was able to eat out before all the quarantine stuff was happening. If they are open for takeout, I will gladly be back! I can’t wait for Rinata to open their doors officially again once the quarantine is over!

David Reimer

Google
Excellent date night experience. Small, intimate and quaint. Delicious, unique, with fantastic service. Ordered the bruschetta as the appetizer; pappardelle and cannelloni dishes, as well as a cannoli for dessert. Including the wine and complementary Italian bread & oil, every single thing that went down our gullets was dynamite. The cannoli was one of the best we've ever had. The only downside, purely of my personal preference, is their menu is on the smaller side and consists of rather unique meal options - as compared to maybe a more Americanized Italian establishment. I'd come back to try only a couple different items on the menu. That said, we will definitely be back and it will be a place we bring friends and family from out of town. Worth every penny spent.

Kevin Heimer

Google
Great little under-the-radar place. My wife and I have been here twice, and we've absolutely loved it both times. The pasta is fresh, and the sauces are delicious, as is the ceaser salad. Great ambiance too. We are thrilled to have this little gem in our neighborhood!

Eddie Mendoza

Google
Great food and the service was perfect! This is a nice spot for a date night or large dinner. I recommend the pizza or pasta for a classic Italian dinner. It’s a nice area too if you’re hopping around for drinks and dinner. They have a great selection of wine too and fair bottle prices!

Thomas Trondson

Google
The team cooked up a feast on their day off to feed a big family in town for their mom’s funeral. The lasagna was loved by all. First rate Italian served up by a classy family.
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Kate R.

Yelp
Incredible food and ambiance. Perfect for an intimate dinner. Excellent service! ........
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Santina U.

Yelp
My friend and I chose this place to do it Christmas gift exchange. Parking was rough especially because of the construction, but we were able to find a spot about a block away. Not too bad, but on a cold winter day wasn't great. The smell of the pizza was in the air and we floated off to the door like a couple of cartoon characters following the aroma. We couldn't decide what we wanted so we ordered the fettuccine Alfredo and margherita pizza and split them. Both were good, but not anything spectacular, especially for the price. Our server was great and answered any questions we had. I was really hopeful about this place, but I probably won't be back.
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Steve G.

Yelp
We've been to Rinata a number of times over the years. We like it, but it seems like it's time for a refresh. When we first went many years ago, it was a cute date-night kind of place. I suppose it still is, but it seems a bit "stale". The interior is nice but in need of an update. Lighting is very dark. The menu is small and pretty good, but just seems like it needs some new items. Service was very good. Our group started with the Bruschetta. I wouldn't recommend it. Instead of grilled Italian bread, it was served on what seemed like basic white bread toast, and instead of diced tomato it was topped with slices, and not many of them. Entrees were pretty good. My wife had the Mussels appetizer as her main. She said it was good, but nothing special. I had the Bucatini with what is essentially an Amatriciana sauce. Again, pretty good, but not the best I've had. Other dishes our party had (Chicken Parm, Spaghetti, Pappardelle), were also good, but not particularly memorable. For dessert, we had a Cannoli (very good) and Creme Brulee (runny). All in all, it was a decent meal, but not memorable enough to make us rush back. I struggled with whether to give 3 or 4 stars. I probably would have gone with 3-1/2 if that were possible, but went with 3 because I don't know that I would recommend Rinata to anyone I know, so I guess that relegates it to just being ok in the ratings.
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Jackie G.

Yelp
I'm still confused about my experience here. We were sat right next to the kitchen, near the bathrooms, while we heard the hostess offer options to everyone except us. This place has great vibes and everyone was so nice. We started with the bruschetta and it was the top 3 worst things I've ever eaten. The driest toast, with a sliced sando sized tomato, no olive oil or seasons. Terrible. However, previous reviews show this hasn't always been the case. The pasta was INCREDIBLE!!!! 10/10 would 1000% recommend again. The pasta was perfect, the taste was divine and perfect portion size.
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Katherine B.

Yelp
I used to live walking distance to Rinata. 25 year old me thought it was so fancy! 45 year old me might not use the word fancy, but it is still a treat. The pasta is amazing, it's still made in house. The mista salad was perfection with flavors and textures. Our baked feta was only 3/5 stars and the creme brûlée was disappointing, but we still finished it! Other things I love about Rinata: the waitstaff is great, the volume level is good for conversations, there are very few children, the price for the quality of food is amazing. Things you might not love about Rinata: the tables and chairs are pretty basic and you might feel a little smooshed if you have an appetizer and a salad and a bread basket that you want to keep when the entrees arrive. Also, you know where this is. Parking is fine, but yes you're in uptown.
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Dianna N.

Yelp
The bartender/host was very welcoming and attentive. Our server Mike was absolutely great too! The dim lighting and smaller space made it feel intimate. They provided complimentary bread and olive oil. It went well with the mussels we ordered. Can't go wrong with garlicky lemon sauce. If it wasn't for the bread I'd be licking the plate. Pappardelle's robust sauce was rich and meaty. Luckily there was room for dessert. Ended our wonderful meal with Tiramisu.
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Mj K.

Yelp
Cute little Italian spot. We got there earlier on a Saturday and got served right away. The restaurant was getting busier as we were leaving. The food was good, but not anything special.
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Lisa H.

Yelp
You need to update pricing on your Yelp page. It's all very old pricing and very deceptive. Please fix this.
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Hallie O.

Yelp
Food and drinks were excellent. My boyfriend and I came here for a little pre-Valentine's Date night. Service was great. Parking was free street parking. All of the noodles and the pizza dough were homemade. We will definitely be back.
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Tom S.

Yelp
Everyone at our table ordered a different entree. All were delicious. I had the pizza which was very very and quite large. I had an enough for lunch the next day. Very subdued atmosphere. A very attentive wait staff did an admirable job considering she was covering a the entire room. Cocktails were good albeit pricey. FYI: I don't give 5 stars because nobody's perfect. 4.5+
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Eddy H.

Yelp
Italian at Rinata . Reservation was at 7pm, got seated at 7:30pm because they were busy. It's a small place so it felt overly crowded but service was great. Here is what I thought of the food: Caponata - roasted eggplant, moroccan black olives, cherry tomato, capers, basil, tomato sauce, and mozzarella (7/10) Gnocchi - Poached lobster, cream sauce, and chili oil (5/10) ***Lobster was overcooked, and Gnocchi was too Doughy unfortunately*** Fettuccine Puttanesca - Mussels, Salmon, shrimp, garlic, white wine, and Chili flakes. (7.5/10) Mussels - White wine, garlic, lemon, and chili flake (7/10) Eggplant Involtini - Chèvre, pistachio sugo, and chili oil (5/10) Overall Food & Vibe 6/10
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Scott F.

Yelp
We enjoyed Rinata twice this summer, once for a group of 30 and another time with the family. This place is a classical Italian home style eatery that does it right! The wood fired pizzas are some of the best in the Twin Cities and the pastas are unbelievable. I highly recommend the red sauce bolognese options or the clams. The salads are really light and refreshing and pair well with the salads. The owners and staff compliment every part of the meal and the crème brûlée and other deserts finish the meal nicely. What a gem, I love the cities !
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Charlie P.

Yelp
We've been going here for years! It's our favorite Italian spot in town. Homemade pasta, and you can tell the difference! Amazing friendly service. Very accommodating to requests including young children and infants. The food is fresh and tasty. Everything we get is outstanding but our all time favorite is the bucatini pasta. It's a small space but still has ample seating and multiple rooms. You can make a reservation or stop by. On street parking. Easy reservation options.
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Lilah M.

Yelp
Ceno and everyone at Rinata were amazing! Wonderful drinks, food and environment! The Ravioli was to die for! Can't wait to go back!
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Katherine C.

Yelp
I think about Rinata at least once a week. Rinata has great Italian food with the prices and hominess of a neighborhood favorite. I don't know what they put in their sauce but it's actually addicting. Their spaghetti and pappardelle are my favorites but honestly everything on their menu is amazing. Great for both casual and slightly fancier dining, and their complimentary focaccia bread is just another plus. One time I saw someone sitting at the bar listening to a podcast and writing down some notes with a cup of espresso and some focaccia bread, and I knew he was a regular there. One day I aspire to be a regular at a place just like he is, and if that place is Rinata so be it.
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Michael K.

Yelp
My friend and I had a dinner date at Rinata on a Friday night, after making reservations for the dining room. The restaurant is deceivingly bigger than when you first enter, they have a room with high tops and a regular dining room. The wait staff were excellent, our server did a great job of explaining certain dishes and how they make their own pasta and pizza dough in house. We ordered a bunch of different items from the menu in attempts of trying as many things as possible. We started with this baked feta appetizer (pass on it, salty with crouton like bread pieces on top) and garlic bread (good size portion, delicious marinara sauce for dipping). We then ordered the Bucatini, Ravioli, Pappardelle, and a Verdura Pizza. The bucatini was my favorite, such an amazing flavor profile and lots of sausage, quite meaty, but the sauce was the star! The ravioli was my next favorite, it was filled with butternut squash and the simplicity of the meal was what really shined, great execution and flavor. The pappardelle was bland and boring and didn't taste as good as the menu sounded. The Verdura pizza was lackluster, the toppings were caramelized onions, yellow squash, and goat cheese I believe. I had high hopes for the pizza but it only tasted good after I put it in the air fryer the next day. We also ordered a bottle of their Chardonnay to share. I really wanted to like Rinata more, I think I'll come back to try other menu items, I know this restaurant is a local favorite, but execution was missing on some of the dishes.
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Paula C.

Yelp
From the outside, you wouldn't know how cozy the vibe is here and our service was outstanding! We ordered quite a few of their dishes and here are my thoughts: - Mussels: good app but nothing too special - Verdura Pizza: surprisingly liked this one, the squash kind of threw me off texture wise though - Braised Short Rib: this was my fave! It was so tender and so flavorful, the risotto also absorbed a lot of flavor -- just please order it - Ravioli: again, nothing too special for me - Gnocchi: this has poached lobster and chili oil and again, a must order! This was really good - Fettuccine Carbonara: this def needed more flavor/ spices even just some salt and pepper would've added more to it - Tiramisu: yum!!
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Kevin L.

Yelp
4.5 - excellent food, good service and, per my youngest daughter, great classic cocktails. Their focaccia was light and so good with olive oil and the tapenade. Then, for starters we had the pork meatballs and the garlic bread. The meatballs themselves were a bit bland, but the sauce they were served in was fantastic. The garlic bread was outstanding- crispy and garlicky with a great chew. Both the bucatini and fettuccine were outstanding, loved both of them. Their affogato, with their house made vanilla gelato was a great finish to a very good meal. One note- parking is tricky in this area, so allow some extra time to find a spot.
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Tonny Y.

Yelp
Got take out with my partner. I've been to Rinata before and it's always amazing! I love the spaghetti and meatballs; it's definitely a go to! The chicken parm was crispy and delicious! Highly recommend Rinata!
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Erik G.

Yelp
I am not someone who really eats Italian food, so I believe my review may help those who think they will experience a "wow" meal by coming and buying a fairly pricier meal. I bought the $18 Dollar Pepperoni Pizza which I did not expect to taste like a regular Domino's Pizza. Underwhelming. I also tried some of my friend's Ravioli, which was made of beet and corn. It tasted like corn on the cob, and while I think it was unique, it's not something I'd buy for myself. The absolute best part about my experience was that bread. I ate so much of it and that olive oil given before my meal was insanely tasty. Also, the server and atmosphere was warm and cozy. Not for me, but not bad!
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Julia L.

Yelp
this is my second experience at rinata and I have to say it's not as memorable as the first unfortunately. I tried their squash ravioli last year and I raved about it because it was so good. Probably the best ravioli I've ever tried. Hoped this time's rendition would be as good but the beet and corn was a bit too bitter/earthy and under salted. After we asked for salt and more Parmesan to balance the earthiness it was a lot better! Service is 10/10 as they were able to accommodate our birthday group of 11!
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Natalie C.

Yelp
This is one of my go to places for pasta. I love the house red and I always order one of the salads with my dinner. The menu is all very tasty and I am always satisfied with my meals. Definitely a place worth your while.
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Scott S.

Yelp
What a hidden gem! I've passed Rinata a million times never realizing there was an unbelievable great Italian spot staring back at me. It's tucked in facing Hennepin next to the corner balloon shoppe with a handful of parking spots in a lot behind the restaurant. The restaurant opens up to the hostess stand that divides three different seating areas each with their own feel and vibe so there's an area to please anyone whatever you're feeling. Plus has the ability to seat a large party it's very nice layout given it's not a huge space. Our food was amazing there was nothing I would have changed or wanted different. Owner came by spoke to us gave us the history of Rinata meaning reborn giving appreciation to Georgio's a once prime Italian restaurant in the neighborhood. Pasta made in house and menu changes to stay with the seasons of fresh ingredients makes each dish so flavorful. Portions are healthy and the bread is amazing! Check it out if you like Italian you won't be disappointed
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Peter N.

Yelp
We went here for a birthday dinner, it's a small restaurant in the heart of uptown but we got a reservation for our group of 11. The atmosphere and our server was great. We shared a margarita pizza to share and it wasn't all that special. I had the parpardelle and it was good. For drinks I got the mojito and it was the best part of the meal. Overall not a bad experience, I would skip the pizzas and get the pasta and cocktails.

John M.

Yelp
The food is consistently excellent,spiced just right, & the service is always friendly. It's my favorite go to for salad, pasta, & a drink!
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Anastasiya K.

Yelp
Cozy, delicious Italian spot! I've passed by this place many times and didn't realize it was open. It's the cutest place with the most delicious pasta dishes. I was truly blown away. I recommend the Pappardelle dish!
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Jill T.

Yelp
An absolute gem. I've been coming here for 15 years. The made from scratch pasta and fresh bread call to me if I've not been in a while. The spaghetti and meatballs are the best I've ever had. Great wine selection too and the service is always good.
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Dan B.

Yelp
I've been coming here pretty regularly for like two decades and to gorgio's before it became Rinata, since in the 90's.
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Olivia V.

Yelp
First of all, their bread. The complimentary bread was soft and chewy in the best way imaginable, and paired with the seasoned olive oil and olive paste it was just divine. We ordered the Mussels as an appetizer and they were delicious, minus two outliers which had an unpleasant taste for unknown reasons. We also kept dipping our bread in the delicious sauce that mussels sat in. My fettuccine dish was a pleasant surprise, as it diverted from the usual Alfredo sauce matchup, and instead went with a lemony white wine sauce that complimented the seafood in the dish very well. My partner's Cannelloni was a bit on the small side for the price, but the chicken stuffed spinach rolls paired great with the sweet tomato sauce and they were happy with it. The star of the show (besides the bread) for us was the rich and creamy Tiramisu we enjoyed as 984 dessert. Overall the place was warm and inviting and we really enjoyed the friendliness of our waiter. We will definitely be going back to experience more of their menu.
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Eliana S.

Yelp
This restaurant was a little slice of Italy. The homemade pasta was DELICIOUS, I recommend the Bucatini and Meatballs. They even bring out focaccia with tapenade for you . Great cozy date night vibes too, I will definitely be back!
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Scottie D.

Yelp
Writing this review as I'm finishing dinner because it was that good! This place was really cool and intimate. The lights are dim with good music it's a perfect place for date night. The service was great from start to finish! The food was some of the best Italian food I've ever had anywhere. This will be a spot i have to hit up when I'm in the twin cities!
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Vicki H.

Yelp
Great food, homemade pasta and revolving seasonal menu. Rinata because it's a neighborhood Italian restaurant that's not a chain.
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Ben B.

Yelp
No complaints here. Made a reservation for Father's Day, we were seated promptly, drink orders taken and delivered promptly and food orders taken, and served within 10 minutes. The whole experience was almost too fast! Smaller menu but that's ok because everything is delicious. Good drink selections too. Ambiance is great, it's a smaller more personal area, great for dates and special occasions. Wait staff was very nice and welcoming.
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Danielle S.

Yelp
Really solid food - definitely one of my top 5 Italian spots in the Twin Cities. I had the bruschetta to start and it was really tasty and unique with shaved brussels sprouts and onions- would definitely get again! For entrees we had the sausage pizza and bucatini. Both were delicious, the sauce on the pasta was very flavorful and the homemade sausage on the pizza was great. Will return!
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Andy D.

Yelp
My favorite Italian place in Minneapolis. The food is great, the service is fantastic, and it's a place where you feel good about the money you just spent. Value! Ambiance is underrated as well.
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Jessica S.

Yelp
location: located in a busy part of uptown minneapolis, pretty packed for a Saturday night but overall parking wasn't too hard to find. atmosphere: intimate, comfortable, and good for groups (as long as you make a reservation). food: varieties of italian favorites with modern, classy twists. I came with a group of friends for a birthday celebration and the verdict was an overall 4/5!
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Angie S.

Yelp
I have been wanting to eat here for quite some time and am pleased to write that it was an amazing experience! I highly recommend this adorable little restaurant for these reasons: Atmosphere -dim lit romantic feel to the small, quaint space Staff -knowledgeable, because they have tasted and choose to eat the food -friendly -invested, the owner brought out the food and asked a few times how our experience was going Food/Drinks -DELICIOUS! -Fresh, handmade in-house pastas -creative and very flavorful dishes (the sauces were tasty) -great wine pairings options -vegetarian options also available We made a reservation ahead of time, which was useful because people started to line up to get seated for Friday night dinner. This isn't really a place for larger groups, but definitely for date nights. I cannot wait to go back here again!
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Christina M.

Yelp
If you haven't tried this place, you don't know what you're missing. Had the Pappardelle and it was incredible (anyone remember the scene from the movie "What About Bob" when Bob was moaning with delight with every bite he ate when he crashed the family meal? That was pretty much my reaction!). The focaccia was amazing as well. Got the tiramisu to go and will be looking forward to devouring it later tonight. Would definitely recommend this place to anyone that appreciates a great meal with homemade pasta and a great drink to accompany it.

Shon J.

Yelp
I have been visiting Rinata as my go to spot for authentic Italian Cuisine for 10+ years now & have never once been disappointed. The relaxed ambiance makes it a great spot for dinner with friends, clients, and especially date night. It is family owned & service has always been 10/10 with one of the friendliest waitstaff in Minnesota. They have a wide variety of cocktails & I promise you if you think of something that isn't listed, whoever is behind the bar at the time will be more than happy to make it happen for you! My favorite entrée is the spaghetti & meatballs. You just can't go wrong with it & for something that sounds so simple, they have a way of really doing it up. I think it's in the house made sauce. I typically frequent a seat at the bar & so have seen many faces walk in & out of their doors, but I think the thing I admire the most about this establishment is how they treat every guest as if they were a part of the family themselves. Treating people that way is something that can't be taught, but instead it takes a certain person to display.
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Tim R.

Yelp
This was an incredible meal. I wish there were a 4.75 star option because this was as close to perfect as we've had. The appetizers were sublime. Rolled eggplant slices in goat cheese. Baked feta and artichoke. And then a really delicious Quattro formaggi ravioli that had me singing Dean Martin's "That's Amore." Kind people run this tiny store front Italian ristorante. We're from Milwaukee and wish we had something similar. And, I lived in Piemonte for four years and have tasted from the grail. I would go back in a heartbeat. Really great experience. The only thing that kept it from being a 5 was the pizza Margherita. Where was the love for the mozzarella? So close. Nevertheless, Tim is happy. His wife is happy. His child is happy.
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Olabisi P.

Yelp
Went here do their Valentine's Day dinner. It was definitely cosy! Their wild boar pasta was life changing!
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MC H.

Yelp
In the last few months I have had the pleasure of dining at Rinata two different times. Both times I was with a large party and the staff handled us with such ease. The service was excellent and the food was out of this world. We were in a little room just to the right of the front door and the ambiance was cozy and warm. If you are looking for a place to host a small dinner 10-12 this is your spot. It is equally great if your looking for a quiet date night spot.

Chantal C.

Yelp
Sooooo good! Don't walk but run!! Great service, the bread with eggplant as a starter and anything else on the menu and your a happy eater
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Alison K.

Yelp
This place is cute and unassuming. The quality of food and service is excellent. They start you off with. Read and oil, but theirs has a delicate pile of smashed olives in the middle. I've not experienced this and it changed the boring bread to daaaaaamn! It's the simple things for me I suppose. We had the ravioli and tagliatelle. Both were excellent. The ravioli was very rich, it paired better with the Chianti wine. Their cocktails are also on point, very well made by a bartender who knows their way around those beautiful bottles. The quality of food warrants a location with a better view and locale. With the sexy feeling your mouth experiences, your eyes find themselves getting the short end of the deal. Another solution would be to ensure your date is drop dead sexy.. but then you may be too distracted to eat and the whole experience of this fantastic food would be missed.. so maybe stick with your normal sexy level crew and enjoy the food. We were too stuffed to get dessert but I can only fantasize how tasty it would have been. Gather your sexy crew- normal and drop dead and head to Rinata and fill your mouths with moan worthy goodness. And as always, tip your server with what you yourself would hope to earn not just to pay the bills but to live a life of joy.
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Alex L.

Yelp
Do you love garlic? If not, go away. If you're like me, there's no such thing as too much garlic. The Shrimp Scampi Fettuccini was perfect. Six sweet shrimp tangled in homemade fettuccine. The pasta had that elusive chewy-yet-tender texture, slick with shrimpy garlicky sauce, made bright with the addition of tangy little grape tomatoes. The Caesar Salad was perfect - sharp, very garlicky, balanced by that mysterious savory taste that comes from finely smooshing anchovies. The Spaghetti and Meatballs had the proper long-stewed tomato gravy and two giant, soft meatballs. But I didn't like the texture of the spaghetti at all. It was more like soft lo mein noodles. I prefer a snappier bite to my pasta. Would this be a good place for a date? Does your date love garlic? Perfect, then! Does your date hate garlic? Tell them to please go away!
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Bill P.

Yelp
What I love about this restaurant is that it can be full and yet you still feel intimate. Not many place left like this. The staff is attentive and on point but let's you enjoy the food and your time. Food was great as usual. Their meatballs are my favorite because of their flavor and a sauce that's not too acidic. Focaccia bread and tapenade are a great marriage and the bucatini became my favorite. Espresso martinis were also great. Ok I am blabbing but this place rocks and is still a classic in a world turning to takeout and impersonal spaces. Thanks for a great evening.

Tanna B.

Yelp
This place is so good!! Pasta 10/10 I loved the noodles and everyone else loved the pizza too! Got a cosmopolitan and it was very strong so if you are looking for a strong drink get that!
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Meghann S.

Yelp
We really wanted to like this place more than we did. The bread in the beginning with olive oil was delicious! And the interior seemed standard and homey. As far as the dishes, there was something unsatisfying about them both. The gnocchi had a good amount of lobster, but the flavor didn't bind together with the pasta at all - The meat chunks were too flavorful, but the pasta itself was underwhelming. My boyfriend's dish just tasted a bit bland. What ultimately brings this down to 3 stars for me was the price. I would have expected more cohesiveness or huge portions in the dishes if it was costing me $22 for a single entree
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Samuel J.

Yelp
My wife and I came here for MSP restaurant week from Rochester. They had some selections that are not part of their usual menu. I'm not a huge critic of Italian food because I like everything pasta, but seeing that there were some Itallian speaking customers around us, that made us think this place must be legit. They have complimentary bread (always a nice bonus) and a very friendly staff. We were able to try Tomato bruschetta, Eggplant ravioli, Canneloni, Risotto Bay scallops, Pizzaiola hanger steak, Rhubarb crostata, and Chocolate mouse cannoli, just for $35 each which was well worth it. My favorite were the eggplant ravioli and the rhubarb crostata. The other dishes were good too. I would avoid the hanger steak (it isn't on their usual menu anyway). It was too dry, and I personally don't think beef goes well with marinara sauce. In the end, this place was nice to visit for restaurant week and there may be people who might want to come here regularly for its authenticity. I probably will not come here again because of the driving distance and I would want to try other Italian restaurants. Other considerations: There are two single occupancy gender neutral bathrooms that was clean but not scented and without diaper changing tables. We brought an infant in a car seat, who was placed on the booth. There wouldn't have been enough space for a stroller.