Zelo

GREAT restaurant for any occasion. Service provided by David and staff was most excellent: very attentive, knowledgeable, and refined. Food is the best Italian food we’ve experienced so far in our five years of searching for authenticity in the Twin Cities. We also appreciated the elegance of the atmosphere with no obnoxious music disturbing our conversation.

Very good customer service. We made reservations, was greeted warmly when we arrived and directly seated. Wait staff was very friendly, attentive and polite. Wild rice soup is amazing! Steak and fontina potato frico was amazing. One of my companions had the classic lasagna which she loved and shared. They have a variety of dessert options we tried four and we impressed with each of them.

One of the best restaurants I have ever been to. Food is delicious, service is top notch, atmosphere is also great. Love the gluten free menu. Portions are big for main dishes. We took leftovers home and on the next day it tasted as good.

Incredible dinner--bread service so hot and freshly baked it should have spoiled our appetites, but everything we ordered was perfection: scallops with prosciutto and perfectly dressed wilted greens; chicken and mushroom risotto; housemade ravioli; caramelized Brussels sprouts; and the evening's halibut special were all perfection. Our servers were all so kind and attentive and accommodating. Just what we needed to end a long day--good food, good company and good conversation--can't wait to return.

Excellent dining, we haven’t had anything we dislike yet. The manager is also exceptional! The vanilla homemade ice cream is also great, I wish I could buy a tub to bring home

My partner and I both agreed this was the best meal we’ve ever had in the Twin Cities. We had the calamari, crab cakes, linguine del mare, and the bucatini dish. Absolutely lovely, fresh, and delicious. Our waiter Corrina was so helpful and kind! Will be returning soon as it’s one of our new favorites!

Had a fantastic birthday dinner with girlfriends at zelo. Everything was delicious, the cocktails were tasty and we had a very friendly and attentive server. Will definitely be back again

I was a bit skeptical about this place. Often really bougie places are hit or miss. This place is a hit. First, the portions were worth the price. Secondly, the appetizers were amazing especially the tuna. Third, the service was top tier. Finally, it was a little busy so reservations are a must. They also have a bar area as well. I would highly recommend this place, especially for a special occasion.

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!

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!

Zelo in downtown Minneapolis is a gem, combining the charm of a cool old building with a modern, elevated interior. The vibe is sleek yet welcoming, and the service was top-notch from start to finish. From the host to our server, and even the manager who checked in, everyone was friendly and attentive, making us feel well cared for. The food was truly fantastic! We started with the Burrata appetizer, which was creamy, crispy perfection. The calamari, while flavorful, was a bit on the rubbery side. But the real star of the meal was the lasagna--hands down some of the best I've ever had, and trust me, I've tried a lot. My husband, who is Sicilian, agreed, and as scratch pasta and sauce people, we were thoroughly impressed. Zelo is definitely a must-visit for Italian lovers, and I can't wait to return!

I enjoyed Zelo a couple times recently. I want to give it more than a 4 star but can't give it a 5. The dinners were delicious. I loved the chicken parm dinner, the chicken was perfect and the spaghetti was good but didn't blow me away. Another dinner was the brick chicken and that was a good meal too worthy of 4 stars. The bread is 5 star for sure!! It was so delicious. The service and staff was great, the last time our female server was excellent. The atmosphere was a very nice setting inside. Outside ignore the surroundings and get inside. Overall Zelo is a wonderful restaurant and I would definitely visit again.

came here with my work team after a long day of meetings. The service is incredible - the wait staff is incredibly friendly and helpful in recommending things from the menu and explain stuff. We got the steak bruschetta and avocado bruschetta and parmesean shrimp to start which were also delicious. The steak roast thing was my absolute fave. I got the pesto sea bass for my main course which was pretty phenomenal - well cooked and incredible flavors. creamy burre blanc. We got the pumpkin cake for dessert which was INSANE. Highly recommend the dessert. The ambiance was upscale and classy but not stuffy. Overall such a fantastic experience and the perfect place to grab dinner with parents or colleagues etc.

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.

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.

It was my wife's birthday, we usually dine at Hells Kitchen and walked by Zelo a lot and were interested in trying it out. Before going there we read some reviews on Yelp and a few people gave a glowing review to the server Benjamin.I joked to my wife, wouldn't it be something if we got Benjamin as our server. Imagine our surprise when we got seated to our table and the server introduced himself as Benjamin. We mentioned we only have an hour to eat since we have theater tickets, he fast tracked our order and I mentioned that we are here to celebrate my wife's birthday, he then said he wants to buy her a dessert and said that anytime we are here we can request him. Needless to say, we give the food 5 stars out of 5 and give Benjamin 6 stars out of 5

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!

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!

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.

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!

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.

Had the perfect dinner at Zelo while traveling in Minneapolis. Kathleen was our waitress and she was lovely and so knowledgeable. We started with a small portion of calamari. Perfectly cooked and delicious aioli. I had the yummiest chopped salad with a lemon vinaigrette and salmon cooked to perfection. My friend has the house made pasta which I sampled and was so delicious. You could taste the spices. Perfect night!

What a beautiful space and what beautiful food. We had a delicious dinner at Zelo. I wasn't sure what to expect but the food exceeded my expectations. The space is a bit cramped, but still managed to feel open. They have a mixture of booths and tables, along with a nice bars area. They offer a comprehensive drink menu and extensive wine list. The appetizer we had, the calamari, was perfectly cooked and the sauce offered just the right amount or bite without overpowering the dish itself. I had the pesto sea bass for the main dish. The fish was buttery and flaky with a kick from the wasabi mashed potatoes. The sauce on the plate was a nice balance of sweet with the heat. Our waiter, Benjamin, who was fabulously helpful, suggested the Peach Cobbler for dessert. It was just like you'd expect of your grandmother was a pastry chef. We also tried a lemon dish, which had a beautiful balance of sweet and tart with a trio of textures. I would absolutely recommend Zelo if you're looking for a nice meal in Minneapolis

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.

I stopped by Zelo on a business trip to Minneapolis. I can't comment on the parking situation as it was walking distance from my hotel. The restaurant itself is well decorated and seems to pull in a lot of local business people. From the front desk to the server, the service was friendly and timely. Having been first-time visitors, the server walked us through some menu highlights, which was appreciated. As for the food itself , the bread service was warm and great tasting bread. I tried a tomato Basil soup, which was usual but enjoyable. My favorite was the chicken parm. The sauce was sweet and rich, which I loved. The chicken wasn't dry at all and had a decent batter around it. The spaghetti for it was served on the side and needed a bit of salt but created a good portion size. I loved the food and suggest it to anyone who happens to find themselves in the area!

We celebrated a birthday at Zelo and enjoyed the following CHICKEN AND WILD MUSHROOM RISOTTO. The creamy risotto paired well with the flavorful chunks of chicken and mushroom. SPICY CRAB SPAGHETTI The spaghetti was cooked al dente and had just the right amount of spice. Both dishes were filling and packed with flavor. The restaurant seemed ill-prepared for the amount of parties they had that evening. Service took approximately 2.5 hours. I will go back just not on a Saturday evening. Bonus! The espresso martini was delicious

Honestly this place didn't wow me, all of the entrees seemed like they were lacking something and for the price points I just don't have a reason to return with so many other options in the area. The atmosphere was unique and very well lit. It was a bustling place on a Tuesday which made it a little noisy. The staff was very attentive and the complimentary valet was nice but other than that it was an underwhelming experience.

The Pepperoni pizza was amazing, the chicken parm was tender and huge and the fettuccine was so good. Great wine Austin Hope and the bread and salads were excellent.

Went after work during a business trip with a group of 7. The resident host let us know that this was a pretty solid choice so we were thrilled after having had some bad dinners all week. Finally. A meal that I didn't feel hungry or gross after. We got a couple appetizers but I usually try not to fill up on those. I love eating healthy and the herb grilled organic salmon really hit the spot. The dish came on a bed of roasted heirloom potatoes, zucchini, basil, dressed with a lemon-thyme sauce. It was the perfect portion- but keep in mind that I'm 105 lbs- so the amount can't be enough for most. I eat a lot for my size but even then, i'd say most will need a side. Our waiter was a pleasure- she was attentive to detail and came back to check on us every now and then.

Loved most of the food. Really enjoyed the Tuna appetizer. Sea Bass was a 10! I've only had one other dry aged steak and it was amazing so I was expecting the same here. The steak was good,, but didn't seem dry shed at all, so not worth the price tag. We asked the server how long it's been aged and she didn't know so we lost our confidence even more (assume it would be bragged about). Loved the atmosphere as well, great vibes. Will be back for the tuna and Seabass for sure!

A Mpls tradition for at least 25 years (less a brief pandemic shutdown), I think of Zelo as the home of the best pasta in the city. The Classic Lasagna is unmatched. If pasta can melt in one's mouth, this is that pasta. Zelo serves a healthy portion of this decidedly-unhealthy delight. We also enjoyed the fantastic tomato basil soup, a chunky, sweet bowl of brilliance. One of us ordered a 6 oz filet mignon, declared it "just fine" but his isn't a steakhouse. Better was the side of fontina potato frico (which I think of as a variation on potato pave), which was as close dessert as we would get. I may go back just for that. My Basic Blue Salad was also just fine, though I did not detect any actual blue cheese that would have provided a creamier bite. Great table service, too. I noted at least 4 different servers bringing us menus, bread, cocktails, entrees and then bussing the table clean after. Speaking of drinks, my ongoing quest for pearl onions was nicely quenched with a Hendrick's Gibson. Cold and crisp. That pickled onion lived a short but vital existence only to end up as a perfect finish to my martini. Zelo was buzzing on this midweek evening, creating a pleasant ambiance. Perhaps best of all, the complimentary valet provided at least one guy who could drive a stick. I have learned to ask at when arriving, as many valets either cannot operate a clutch or worse, will lie about it. We tipped him well, topping off a terrific evening.

I had a great time eating here with one of my good gal pals that I haven't seen in 10 years. It was a perfect choice for visiting Minnesota for the first time. I even got a chance to talk to the manager and tell her my likes and one small dislike. She was very open to the conversation. The place is lovely and the booths are wide enough for two people to sit comfortably on each side. We had a table full of appetizers instead of a main meal. It was a good way to sample a lot of food and fill our bellies.

I was visiting the area, and we came to Zelo for a team dinner. It was surprisingly very busy for a weekday night, so it was a good thing that we had reservations. We all got drinks, and I went with the sangria - it was perfectly made! We also started with meatballs and brussel sprouts to share, which were fine. For my meal, I ordered the lasagna, which is my #1 favorite food, so I wanted to see how Zelo did with theirs. It was very good. I loved that they used ricotta, had plenty of cheese, and the perfect amount of sauce on top. The overall taste was fantastic! My only complaint was that the bottom layer was crispy/crunchy and overdone. If it had been properly cooked, I'd put it up there with the best. The small portion was good enough for me for one meal. Everyone on my team enjoyed their meals - they all had pork chops, pizza, chicken parm, ravioli, etc. We ended with desserts to share, and I will say I was not really impressed, they were just okay. I would just recommend sticking with the meals as that is where they excelled. I would definitely recommend Zelo if you are in the area for an enjoyable Italian dinner.

I had an evening here with my mom before catching a show at the Dakota Jazz Club. It had an elegant interior, phenomenal food, and the service met my needs. I would come back! Shoutout to Shaya and Corey as well as the other staff that filled our waters. It seemed like they had a fun team!

In town for a conference, a group of us organized a dinner landing at Zelo. The space is in an old building with soft ambiance. Our table in the middle of the floor and action, was at the same time very cozy and intimate. I had a perfectly filthy martini with blue cheese olives as my cocktail. Our table had a variety of appetizers to start our feast: roasted cauliflower, burrata & prosciutto di parma, and braised meatballs. All delicious. My main was the Classic Chicken Parmigiana - lightly breaded cutlets, with the marina and al dente pasta. Delicious!

Delicious! I had the mussels and the scallops. The mussels had a full flavored broth. I only wish I had more bread to soak it up. The scallops had a prefect amount of crispy bacon on top. So good. Best thing I've eaten during my visit to Minneapolis

First of all service was super fast which I loved. Personally really loved the wild mushroom flatbread with truffle oil. It was perfect even as someone who's not a big mushroom person.

Dinner time @ Minneapolis... looked up restaurants @ Yelp as usual and had hard time between three but I am very happy I picked Zelo! It was a fabulous diner! The service was friendly, suggested the specials of the day which was two different fish and we ordered those, we also ordered a Salad and the Prosciutto with Burrata. Loved it all, delicious and tasty, to finish off we got the Chocolate Flowerless Cake with Vanilla Ice cream... wow!!! So yummiii!!! The restaurant is beautiful and well located. If I come back to Minneapolis I surely be back!

Food was excellent as was the ambiance. Not the best for indoor lighting when it gets dark out, but very classy restaurant in Minneapolis. I came here for a birthday dinner and tried a handful of espresso martinis, an aperol spritz, mussels, lamb crostini, and herbed pasta with braised lamb. Everything was so flavorful, even their bread was light and fluffy, very satisfying. The flavor profiles of everything were spot on. The mussels were divine, I'm not usually a big mussels person but the sauce was exceptional and perfect with the bread. My meal was the lamb herb pasta which was so so good, I loved the herb flavor which really elevated the pasta. I had the large portion which was actually a lot of food, I had leftovers. The lamb was braised so perfectly and the pasta was fresh made in house and you could tell, bellissimo! Would absolutely come back to try other things on the menu, very good Italian food!

Amazing service. Great pasta. I love their bread. I'm so glad they reopened. It's beautiful inside too. White table clothes.

Zelo is consistently delicious. My office is close and I'm always happy when we do team dinner here. Fish, pastas, small plates; everything I've had has been great. Portions can vary a bit so be sure to ask - the boar ragu pasta I had once was enormous I half wish I could've finished it! It's not inexpensive but the quality is great, just hope my boss forgets how much we spent last time so we can go again soon.

Zelo is great. My co workers & I had great service from Kaleb. I ordered the Tortiglioni Rossa which was really good. Also had a pineapple martini that was nice. For dessert I ordered some lemon cake thingy which was good too. Beautiful restaurant. Will recommend and return.

I really enjoyed this place. Food and service were excellent. I had the butternut squash ravioli and it was delicious. I've had butternut squash ravioli elsewhere and it is sometimes sweet (which I don't like). This was savory and very good. The only downside is that it is a big open space and is very loud. So if you are looking for something a little on the quiet side, this isn't the place.

Loved this restaurant. Great ambience and service. The restroom, which can be forgotten at times, were clean. That's a plus. Decent wine selection... something for everyone. What I ordered: Calamari fritti. 5/5 from start to finish. Burrata and prosciutto di parma. 3/5 Pesto crusted sea bass. 4/5 I enjoyed every bite of it. A bit pricey I would say. Tiramisu. 4/5 Expect your check to be on the sort-of high side, about $100 per person, but be prepared to enjoy the visit. Keeping it in mind for next MN trip.

We had the delightful dinner to celebrate a colleagues event. We really enjoyed the food and the environment made for a perfect setting for an enjoyable meal and discussion. The waiter was a little bit stiff, but maybe he was trying to add to the ambience. He kept saying " i will be serving us" which seemed odd and a tad pretentious ;-) lol

Zelo, my old friend, I've missed you so over these 3 long years. We had such good times, and I thought I'd never see your hallowed dining room again. Welcome back. This is my new (?) favorite restaurant. Upscale Italian ambiance, delicious food, with optimal service - what's not to love? The beef tenderloin crustini is a must have - 3/16ths slice of rare beef over truffle aioli with a dot of ricotta? Sign me up. Caesar was fresh and tossed with a creamy dressing and big flakes of parm. My pesto house made pasta was good, but a touch over salted. My date's crab spaghetti was amazing. Topped the meal off with a chocolate budini (molten cake) with gelato and a cappuccino. Delightful.

Ahi TUna absolutely amazing. Espresso Martini yummy with an extra shot of espresso. Mussels great. The stra berry salad was perfect, every bite had my mouth watering. Was a treat.

The atmosphere was great and the homemade pastas were fantastic! The Ravioli was perfect.

Zelo was a lovely dining experience after work. Even without reservations, we got a nice table in the bar area. The ambience was great, for such a busy, frantic restaurant, there's still an aura of intimacy to the dining experience. I could hear my partner just fine amid the activity. Food was fine, I thoroughly enjoyed the kale salad. We thought the fries could have been more crispy. Our service, however, was excellent! Natalie was impeccable! Warm, welcoming and super attentive to us. She made our experience great!

My husband and I went to Zelo before a concert at the State Theatre on a Friday night and everything about our experience was amazing! We decided to go here last minute so we didn't get a reservation, but we arrived early enough to get a spot at a table in the bar, which was first-come. The food was just fantastic! We started off with the bruschetta - very good! It was served in a yummy crostini, which wasn't too crusty. I did think it was weird that it wasn't topped with cheese, but we just asked for some parm and that really hit the spot. For dinner, I had the homemade house ravioli and my husband had the lasagna. These two dishes can be hit-or-miss at restaurants, but the flavors were SO flavorful and savoy! We also had the bread basket and it tasted fresh, and was served deliciously warm with butter. We ended with the Budino because of course! Perfection! Service was also fantastic - I believe our server's name was Carly and she was so lovely and attentive. She really made our experience great!

Good food, but I've had better Italian. a bit overpriced. The waiter was nice but upsold us on the wine that wasn't worth the cost.

Great atmosphere and service. Sat at the bar, ordered the seafood linguine, ahi tuna, octopus and caprese salad. Everything was perfect!

I guess i can only add to the great food by saying that their hot tottie is amazing. It was 2° short of perfection, but maybe it was so cold out that it felt warm vs hot. The chicken parm was perfectly crispy and tender on the inside. Zelo is a hero, not a zero

Sophie and Rubi from Ecuador were the absolute best recommending amazing small plates and a steak that they cooked perfectly medium rare. The ambience in this restaurant has impeccable lighting, fluffy complementary bread, and welcoming service. They brought water out whenever is necessary, and the restrooms are incredibly clean. We recommend the Chilean sea bass because it is tender, and the dry aged New York strip which had savory edges. I couldn't emphasize enough how amazing Sophie was with her professional demeanor, humble knowledge, unparalleled teamwork, and warm smiles in the cold Minnesota weather. We will literally come back just to see her and I wish I could give Sophie and this restaurant six stars not just five.

more of a classy ambiance - great for business meetings, team dinners, dinner with parents (which is what we did!) it's a solid spot, just misses with the "IT" factor. servers are very kind and had great recs we enjoyed. fav dishes: crab cakes, linguine, Rossa pasta & tres leches gelato skip on: risotto, tiramisu (very rummy, unless ur into that) , caramel custard (too sweet)

This is my second time. I had the lasagna with meat sauce. It was really good. The staff was very professional. The dining room was upscale but not stuffy. The noise level was busy but it was no problem to converse easily. I would say that someone is paying attention to the details at this restaurant. Our dining experience was considered important to them.

The place is beautiful and the service was excellent. Our server was extremely attentive to our needs. The pasta was perfectly cooked and flavorful. All the drinks we ordered were also delicious. Unfortunately, the acoustics were terrible and the place is incredibly loud making it difficult to have a decent conversation without trying to shout to drown out the noise. Overall it was a really good experience and we had a fun time.