Mostly in the Uptown, Lyn-Lake districts in south Minneapolis. Here are some of my less pretentious favs:
Byrant Lake Bowl, www.bryantlakebowl.com (Lake St/Bryant Ave)
El Meson, www.elmesonbistro.net (35th St/Lyndale Ave)
Punch Neapolitan Pizza, www.punchpizza.com (Lake Calhoun Square; a few other locations in the area)
Pizza Lola, www.pizzerialola.com (56th St/Xerxes Ave?; shout out to owner/childhood friend)
Kings Wine Bar, www.kingsmpls.com (46th St/Grand Ave)
Bull Run Coffee, www.bullrunroasting.com; 34th St/Lyndale Ave (new tenant opens on 1 April)
Rustica Bakery, www.rusticabakery.com (Lake Calhoun square)
Patisserie 46, 46th St/Grand Ave (new bakery... winning mucho awards)
Piccolo, www.piccolompls.com (43rd St/Byrant Ave) (voted tops in MSP)
Victor's 1959 Cafe, www.victors1959cafe.com (38th St/Byrant Ave; Cuban diner)
Pizza Luce, www.pizzaluce.com (several locations)
Gigi's Cafe, www.gigisuptown.com (36th St/Byrant Ave)
Our Kitchen (across the street from Gigi's, great diner, maybe 10 seats?)
Crema Cafe, www.cremacafeminneapolis.com) (34th St/Lyndale Ave, home of Sonny's ice cream)
Broder's Pasta Bar, www.broders.com (50th St/Penn Ave)
Matt's Bar, www.mattsbar.com (35th St/Ceder Ave, Juicy Lucy)
5-8 Club, www.5-8club.com (58th St/Ceder Ave, just north of airport, Juicy Lucy)