The Better Half

I had a wonderful experience at The Better Half in Lakeville, MN! From the moment I walked in, the host and my server were incredibly friendly and provided perfect service. The ambiance is warm and clean, and the staff was on top of everything, ensuring a top-notch dining experience. I ordered breakfast and had the brisket hash—absolutely delicious! The meat was tender with no gristle (which I prefer), and it came with a sauce that I got on the side just in case it was too spicy. However, the zest was just right—not spicy at all, just flavorful. I also tried the NA Lavender Haze, which was super refreshing—next time, I might ask for a little less ice since I’m not a big fan of too much ice in drinks. To accompany my meal, I had a green tea, which was a perfect addition. A special shoutout to my server, Kelsey, who was prompt, polite, and made my experience even better. I would love to come back and explore more of the menu! Highly recommend this spot.

Who knew it could get even better after Dark! The lighting is dimmed, and the flavors are elevated. The tuna stack and sea bass are both excellent choices. The steaks are cooked to perfection, and the chicken pesto skewers and salmon are equally tasty.

Ok. So I've eaten here several times. The 1st year ish, it was very inconsistent. In the last 6 months though, it's been excellent. Flavorful and perfectly cooks Eggs Bennie amazing Cappuccino. Good lunch options too. Atmosphere is good too. OH AND THE CHEESY POTATOES!!! I always order extra to take home.

We came here after my best friend's pageant at the community center down the street, unfamiliar with the area and looking for a good place for a warm, cozy dinner. We were not disappointed! The Better Half was inviting, filled with a welcoming energy, just what we were looking for. The staff were extremely courteous and friendly, helping to make our visit that much better. We ordered a few appetizers to share, a few drinks, and entrees, all of which were superbly prepared and satisfying to the palette and the stomach. I would love to come here again and try some of the other menu items, there was so much to choose from! 🩷🩵

Amazing little place first time coming here. will be back again. food was amazing, kids even loved their yummy French toast. loved all the artist work on the walls. Staff was warm and kind.

The chorizo bowl is my favorite. My husband has had biscuits and gravy and the lobster eggs Benedict. Both were delicious! Sarah was fantastic, and has a great energy! We will be back again!

Definitely coming back! When we walked in, atmosphere was cute and inviting. The hostess was super friendly, which started our experience off to a good start. I was debating between the breakfast tacos and the breakfast sandwich. Our waitress Kelsey suggested the tacos, and I'm glad she did. I ordered the tacos with a mimosa and extra bacon. The chorizo had a wonderful spice, and the amount of food was pleasantly more than enough. I asked about their specials, and it sounds like I'm coming back on Tuesday for the all-you-can-eat crab legs!

Not a fan of the breakfast. The bacon wasn't cooked long enough, the hashbrowns were too cheesy, and the scrambled eggs tasted like they were liquid out of a carton and had a weird texture.

I could not recommend The Better Half more. Comfiest bar stools, stellar food quality, and great drinks. Not to mention the service is tippity top notch. Paige smells like roses and Lyndsey has the kindness of 100 puppies.

Excellent food and amazing service. Our server Lindsey was fantastic and the atmosphere is super chill and comfortable. My better half definitely approves ! Avocado Toast BBQ Chicken Flatbread

Aaaaaahhhhhh! Yummy Sunday brunch! Amazing care by staff! GO!! Just GO!! Accommodating, generous piryions. Im back!

Not only was the staff super friendly, but the entire experience was a blast! The BBQ chicken pizza was a standout--the crust wasn't your typical thin flatbread; it was light, fluffy, and had the perfect bite. Every slice was packed with great flavor from top to bottom.

Great place to eat. Portion sizes are nice size. The servers are really friendly. I highly recommend anything that you can get the chimichurri sauce. My only recommendation is to have more veggie variety. Perhaps roasted carrots or zucchini. Beautiful place overall.

Looking for a new date night location with my wife and we decided to keep it close to home this time and try something local. I'm glad we did. The Better Half I would say is a modern take on an American diner with an upscaled touch. The decor celebrated famous couples (famous and made up) and had a Burger Jones (you guys remember Burger Jones???) kind of vibe. Very Uptown Minneapolis in the heart of Lakeville, I like it. To start the night, my wife had a cocktail from the bar. The Aviator was a great fuschia tinted gin drink. The couples sips I snuck in were very good. For food, my wife tried the scallops. First impressions - the scallop to price ratio here was very generous. We've been to "fancier" seafood places in Edina and Minneapolis that charge $$$ for scallops and then short you on how many you get. Not here. The scallops were cooked perfectly, tender and sweet. Great dish. I settled for comfort and has their breakfast burger. Patties were juicy and cooked perfectly. The burger was a sloppy good mess, how all good burgers should be. I greatly enjoyed it. Our waitress/bartender was friendly and attentive and no complaints on that end. We thoroughly enjoyed our time here and the prices were very reasonable. It's like this place was uprooted from Uptown or Lynlake and dropped right in Lakeville, great spot. We will be back!

The place is buzzing, evidence of the quality of service and food. My wife & enjoyed their "classic smash" and "better smash" burgers along garlic aioli fries! Mmm, worth coming back for. Plus all so reasonably priced! Heads up, tap list is short, but we found suitable options. Psst, they do have a "Date Nite" special on Wednesday nights that is pretty sweet! We'll be back.

Went here for the first time for breakfast on Black Friday and was able to be seated right away. It was nice not having to wait in a long line. Once seated I chose to get a crafted shot (Blue Collar Combo). The description sounded a little different from what it actually was when I got it. It was ok, definitely wouldn't get it again but was fun to try. For my food I chose the Classic Benedict and got a side of avocado. Anything extra was ale carte and a minimum of $2. Because of this the price adds up fast so keep that in mind if adding or subbing items. When I got my meal I noticed my poached eggs were not truly poached - it seems like they rushed it because the white wasn't even cooked, it was all runny. (And I like runny and know how poached eggs are supposed to be but this wasn't cooked long enough - needed another 2 to 3 minutes). The flavors were very bland too so I ended up have to salt and pepper it a lot. The hollandaise sauce also was crusted on top - so looked like it had been sitting for a while. I don't know if I would come here for breakfast again, or on a holiday. I assume maybe they had an early morning rush and that's why things were a bit off and because of that will look to try again maybe for lunch or dinner and see how that is.

The service was really great. I went for the AYCE crab legs, they were rubbery, dirty, and really didn't look good but I thought maybe it was the steam or process they were cooked with. I was ill until today, so three days of stomach issues. The crab was $45, so also not inexpensive for the quality.

Had a dinner date with my sister and saw this place had good reviews. Most of the reviews I looked at prior to going to this spot talked about poor service but great food. We had the opposite experience. This is a small spot located in Lakeville and has free street parking and a shared parking lot in the back of the building. When you first walk in, the vibes are trendy and fun. Loved the lighting up on the ceiling and saw they do have a small patio on the side of the building. The service was OUTSTANDING! And it is the ONLY reason why this is a 4 star and not 3 star review. Our server was funny, personable and did a great job checking in on us. The food: We tried multiple items and nothing stood out to us. My sister got a mule and said it was good. We tried the drunken shrimp. It was 4 shrimp for $15! The plating was awful and the sauce was very bland! Save your money. The fries tasted like they came out of the freezer and were not crisp. They were spongy. Skip. The aioli is good but not enough to save the dish. The steak was good but did not come out medium well like my sister asked for. The chicken wings had a good smokey flavor along with a citrus dry rub. However, these were very dry. The dessert had such a strange plating.... It looked like something my kids would do... the server told us they have the cheesecake shipped in (which is fine lots of places do that) but it tasted fake and overly sweet). I'd be willing to give this place another chance based on the service and vibes but if you look at my pictures and past reviews you can tell the quality here has definitely dropped.

Food was amazingly good and was served really fast! The server was really nice and was attentive. Latte was really good! Overall everything was awesome would totally recommend and come back for lunch and dinner sometime to try their other goods!

Very impressed with food quality; unsure why the salmon & skillet desert was not available. Service was excellent ( wish I knew the name of our server-no nam badge). She was very attentive and knowledgeable of the menu. We took advantage of the discounts offered for happy hour. Highly recommend!

Great food , many options & the vibe inside is amazing! The service was energetic and friendly!

Tried this eatery for lunch for the first time. The waitress suggested the corned beef melt and she was right, this sandwich with beer cheese soup was good! I went my own route and ordered the tacos. The flavors were good but the shrimp was over fried so tougher and dry (had it not been for the sauce). The truffle fries were luke warm and I prefer to eat mine almost right out of the fryer. So kinda sad for $9 french fries to not have them crispy and hot. So take the waitresses recommendation when visiting. They won't steer you wrong. The service was excellent and the decor is charming.

Cute and casual place! Burgers, brunch, coffee, cocktails! Nice patio too. BLTA and fries were delicious.

Food was great service was terrible during our late afternoon lunch. The waitress/bartender was more worried about flirting/conversations with the guy at the bar vs taking care of our table to the point I had to get up to request to get her attention to order, get silverware to eat, get the lemmings I requested for my water. Ambiance cute diner style place with a great patio. Food tasted good was fresh. What should have been a quick lunch took over an hour.

I love gnocchi and was excited to try a new version. Because we care for someone who has Alzheimer's we often order takeout and eat in the car. This prevents a very upsetting scene in a restaurant and keeps everyone happy. The gnocchi had a very pronounced smokey flavor throughout. Very little in the way of squash, pancetta or mint. It was off-balance. The gnocchi was also heavy instead of fluffy inside. What we ordered: PAN SEARED GNOCCHI Smoked pancetta, butternut squash, cherry tomatoes, fresh parmigiano reggiano, parmesan cream, basil, and mint. Smash Burger - it was okay but a little on the dry side. We were going to order the chocolate cake but they were out.

First of all. Sensing a woman behind this great little breakfast spot. Too much consideration, effort and planning to be anyone else. Very attentive wait staff just informed me, yes. GM is a woman. Thank you so much for that. Secondly. Forget any mediocre or negative reviews. Only complimentary truths can be possible here. Welcoming, clean, upscale and hometown all on your first impressions list. Wow. Next, most importantly, the food looks and tastes great. Ole retired Greek Restaurant manager here. What could I possibly know? Well, basics are what work. Will find it here. Your turn. Stop in soon. See for yourself. Pleasant surprises in store for you.

Awesome place!! Great food, portions and service. We had a late Sunday dinner on the lovely patio. Highly recommend.

Food was delicious absolutely LOVE their drunken shrimp!!!! That saffron cream sauce is dreamy. Instead of ordering as my meal we shared this tonight as an app and I decided to be a big girl and try their smash burger which was perfect! Each bite better then the last. I got the fried with their truffle oil and Parmesan cheese but honestly to just swish the fry in the leftover saffron sauce was really a hit! My daughter got the BBQ chicken salad that she did not care for at all, she said it was very bland and over dressed. She ate maybe 5 bites. They no longer offer fruit with the kids meals which was a dissapoinment. The risotto was good but my son thought more soupy then in the past. Would love to give 5 stars again but because of the salad and waitress forgot to place the kids meal order they only got 4

Great time, great food. Salad and tiramisu were wonderful choices for a first date. I'd for sure go back and try more food and I enjoyed the calm atmosphere and quick service.

A new favorite spot in Lakeville! A little finer dining than any other place in downtown Lakeville, but we needed something like The Better Half. Drinks: amazing. Their espresso martinis are devine and the best I've had. Their cocktails are super good and espresso based beverages are also great. Food: Breakfast tacos, biscuits & gravy, waffles, omelets, bagel and egg sandwich.. all so good. I've only had breakfast here, so unsure of dinner. But I've always wanted to come for the all you can eat crab legs. Dessert: GET THE BLONDIE. OMGGG This has become a dessert my family loves to come get on our birthdays. It's so amazing. Vibe is good. Smaller restaurant. Bar area is great.

After further visits, I've had a lot better experiences here. I love their drunken shrimp with a side of asparagus. They also have great breakfast tacos. Been disappointed in their salads; I've learned to stick with their apps. Service can be hit or miss.

Avacado toast is to die for! Breakfast tacos a close second! Temp on coffee tepid. Ambiance great. Service meh.

Service is good and friendly but it seems a little understaffed (even when slow in the early AM) but there could be a lot of reasons driving that. The menu is so-so if I'm honest. Great at Americana foods but any tries at anything ethnic are not adviseable (ingredient choices/balance for those dishes make zero sense). Maybe worth taking those off the menu completely until getting those even remotely close to authentic? (might be a money-saver too) Very middle of the road and probably good for taking a big group there where preferences are likely to be all over the map. Food quality is fine but still some work to do if they want to be at the level of other restaurants in downtown Lakeville.

Great place for breakfast with my sister and friendly staff! Yum. I'll be back . . Tomorrow!

Delicious food, swift service. I really enjoyed the flavorful biscuits & gravy. My spouse enjoyed her omelet. Prices were reasonable and the decor was fun. The chairs were very comfortable.

This was my first visit and I highly recommend! It has the appearance of a cute diner but the menu is so much more. Our waitress knew the menu well. I had the better mash with truffle fries. Everything they put on this burger just works. Would definitely order again.

The first time I went there was recently and my fiance and I went in for a late lunch. It was so delicious! It is rare that I find a place that I say "I want to come back here soon!". I had the corn beef hash with hollandaise and it was amazing! I actually went back two weeks later and brought my 2 oldest kids with me to have it again. Our service has always been amazing and the renovation that was done since buying it from Alibi is beautiful! I love the placement of the bar. I can't wait to go back with a friend for a brunch service! I would highly recommend eating here!

Been here multiple times. Each time, the staff is lovely, but the timing of service is awful. Last week I got my food, then 10 minutes later two others at my table got theirs, and the fourth diner got her meal right as we were finished eating. Additionally, one friend had asked for a runny egg on her avocado toast and got a rock. When we mentioned the unfortunate timing to our server, she said, "Sorry. It's lunch time and it's busy." In fact, the restaurant wasn't even half full, and -- isn't serving meals at meal times what restaurants purport to do?!?! Don't think we'll be back.

I'm excited to have something new in downtown Lakeville. And I'm glad that Better Half seems to be taking feedback and has added happy hour! I do feel like the food has always had something off - like the sauces on our breakfasts were too tangy and too heavy. Same with the breakfast sandwich. Maybe a safe bet is to ask for their sauces on the side to make sure you like them first! I've had their soup of the day twice and both times excellent - chicken wild rice and southwest creamy chicken!

I was pretty dissappointed in the few meals I've had here so far (I keep coming back hoping for better) but I get the sense it is the menu whom is the culperit. Largely, it's pretty tame in terms of taste. Normally, when this happens, that is due to an economized selection of ingredients. Surprisingly, that is not the case here. It's a deliberate choice. A perfect example of this is the Spicy Chorizo Bowl. It is neither spicey nor particularly unique in taste (to say nothing of the texture) - it could at least be a little on the salty end of things.... Frankly, dishes at this level should be rotated out until the cook rehabs the plate. I had to use a significant amount of hot sauce and bum some lime from the bartender in order to make it editable. Another example of "defeat being snatched from the jaws of victory" would be their Creme Brule French Toast. Overall, the french toast is great... until you add the maple syrup.... it tastes cheap and feels like something a local could easily grab from their local Cub Foods. What an odd thing to slip-up on! I'm not being negative with the intention of knocking the place. My partner and I were SO EXCITED to see a breakfast place opening so close to where we live. We just expected more - especially since the owners are already established restaurant owners in the community. WHY I AM GOING TO KEEP COMING BACK: That all said, the service is good and the staff will only get better as everyone finds their "sea legs." Moreover, the management the owners selected is reputable person and I'm excited to see where she takes this place.

We stopped by here and had a late lunch. (They serve both breakfast and lunch till 3). French toast was yummy and light. Some of us had smash burgers and they were moist and tasty. Some of the entrees were on the smaller side, but the quality was there. Service was friendly and attentive. That's a big plus. Would recommend.

Waitress came to take orders & didn't write them down. She had to double check my boyfriends order before she left the table. She then brought our food and never brought the appetizer we ordered. If you're NOT gonna write orders down as you take them, you should be able to remember what is being ordered. That clearly isn't the case, since she never remembered or acknowledged that we ordered an appetizer. We didn't ask about it, because we don't feel that's our job to remind someone of an order that they're missing when they made the choice to "remember" it. The food itself was good but not worth coming back.

Elevated! They have done an amazing job here. You think you are heading into your local cafe/dinner and are blown away! It is definitely NOT what you expect. Everything is elevated: the food, the décor, and the atmosphere. It was a very nice birthday experience. We will have to go back for their dinner menu! Definitely give this a try! Enjoy!

Going there for fathers day probably a mistake. Kitchen seemed to be overwhelmed. Sent my eggs back 4 times. Lukewarm at best. By the 4th time, waitress seemed annoyed. I was the annoyed one. 30 minutes of sitting before food arrived. And mine arrived lukewarm. I would have comped something for all the trouble. No offer of anything.

This place looked so promising. The French toast was below average. I wish it was fluffier. I did not get the crème with it as they were out. The bacon saved the dish. I also enjoyed the cheesy hash browns. The service is great. Could be a good place to take your family as well. It is an open concept restaurant. I am open to trying to more things on the menu. I heard the omelets were good from the people I dined with.

Our first time for brunch. I had the better half omelet. Very different, sweet, good, but got a bit too sweet toward the end., cheesy hashbrowns were really good. Husband had eggs Benedict. He said the English muffin was not good and overall it was meh.... Best part was the super nice bartender and the mimosa. The Bloody Mary my husband got was average.

Great food and service! Cool environment. Nice tv's for a sports game. Pull tabs. All you can eat crab legs on Tuesday's! Will be back for sure.

Server Andrea was very rude and doesn't know how to treat minority people. She was very rude and was talking sarcastically to us the whole time as if we couldn't understand her just because we're a minority. The food was great but I don't recommend having Andrea as a server!

Amazing food! My favorite is the avocado toast with chorizo sausage! I have tried many many avocado toasts throughout the twin cities and this is the best IMO!!!

Every time I've went here I've never been disappointed with the food everything has been good and the portions are large. My absolute favorite is the breakfast shot with the candied bacon! I love the live music on a Saturday morning it's nice to have someplace local for you don't have to drive into the city for a nice little diner.

Mushroom Flatbread. Lobster roll. Mushroom soup. Bbq chicken salad. Ice teas. The above was the first visit. I didn't get around to doing review. We decided to try breakfast, so we came back. Totally awesome breakfast! This will be a regular on our breakfast rotation!!! Breakfast tacos, which are huge! Avocado toast. The chorizo has a great flavor! Nice people who work here!

Menu is not huge. Service is good. Food is ok. Beautiful restaurant and cute patio for outdoor seating.

Service was phenomenal!! Employees were all great and had positive attitudes. It was a fresh of breath air to have such great customer service. Very dog friendly....they had bowls of water and Pup-a-chinos waiting. If we ever pass through here again, it's def a stop. Food was very tasty as well!

Great breakfast menu. Eggs Benedict are delicious and a mimosa makes them even better. Can't wait for the patio to open again. Enjoy!

Really delicious spot! Lakeville is truly moving up in terms of the food scene. I ordered their better half burger and their gin spritz. The gun spritz was FANTASTIC and perfectly priced. The burger was also awesome (& had truffle aioli so...can't go wrong there). I'll definitely be stopping by here again to try out their breakfast menu!

Had breakfast with a friend. Ordered eggs benedict and specifically asked for runny yolks. They were not. The hollandaise was thin & runny and sparse. I asked for a "little more" for my second half. I was literally brought a bowl with easily 1 1/4 cups. I was shocked. And then more so when they charged me $2 for it. Will not order this again. My friend went a la carte..... way to go! Waitress needs to smile.

Breakfast selection was average, tasted delicious, and was priced well. Service was excellent and food/drinks came out in a timely manner