restauranʦ, f d ucks, wineries, and breweries

Upscale

In downtown Mankato, diners in search of upscale eating can find it at Number 4, a homegrown restaurant with a liberal touch of class. From New York strip steaks to specialty pasta dishes to pesto salmon, you can bet your beer-battered asparagus fries your party will walk away satisfied.

At Swiss and Madison on Mankato’s hilltop, sink your teeth into a prime rib sandwich on a toasted bagel, a tender eight-ounce sirloin—or keep things lighter with a spicy BLT and cup of soup. Whether for a business lunch or date night, Swiss and Madison will serve it up right.

For a stylish stop with Mediterranean flair, look no further than Olives, which mixes sophisticated cocktails with creative meals, picture-perfect desserts and topnotch service—conveniently located within the Hilton Garden Inn across from the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center.

Enlightened Nolabelle Kitchen + Bar sources ingredients from local and regional producers to create tantalizing appetizers like candied butternut squash steak, a chopped kale and brussels sprouts salad accented with bleu cheese, wheat berries, and pistachios and entrees like a pork chop with pomegranate and molasses reduction. Clearly labeled glutenfree, vegetarian and vegan options allow groups to easily accommodate appetites and dietary restrictions of all types.

In Old Town, look for Wooden Spoon to lead the way with its farm-to-table producer partnerships resulting in sandwiches like its Kato Classic (a gourmet grilled cheese dripping with smoked provolone, sharp cheddar, feta, and a garlic spread on Italian sourdough), from-scratch soups and daily mouth-watering pastries and breads.

Get creative at Frozen Yogurt Creations, which tempts with indulgent treats like frozen yogurts, gelatos, custards and Italian ices—oh, and 75 possible toppings!

Satisfy your sweet tooth and your passion for zero waste with a visit to Mom & Pop’s ice cream shop, where wa e or sugar cones serve as edible containers. Even if you opt for utensils, dip into one or more of Mom & Pop’s 2 flavors of house-made, handscooped ice cream, gelatos or sorbet with confidence; after all, their cups and spoons are compostable.

Family-friendly

A legendary Mankato must-do is Zanz Mexican Restaurant. Fill up the whole family with tacos, tostadas, burritos or the famous Zanz cheese chilitos.

Pub 500 is so welcoming, even your dog will feel at home. And everyone can find a favorite here, whether it’s an appetizer of poutine, a cajun chicken pita, fish tacos, a hickory burger or a gluten-free grain, veggie and protein bowl. Who won’t toast (from Pub 500’s extensive libations menu) to that?

The celebrated Tav on the Ave serves up a sports bar ambience complete with wings, wa e fries, roll-ups, burgers, and malts.

It doesn’t get more classic or downhome Mankato than at Happy Chef on Highway 169 North. Pancakes, French toast, patty melts and senior specials reign—but kids love pushing the giant chef’s button to hear a few words of comic wisdom straight from the Happy Chef’s mouth.

Did somebody say pizza? Whether it’s one of Mankato’s classics (Pagliai’s or Jake's Stadium Pizza), Dino’s Pizzeria in lower North Mankato) or a university favorite (Costanza’s Pizzeria), you can’t go wrong with sharing a hot ‘za. Mangia!

Food trucks? Fantastic!

Don’t forget to check out The Hub in Old Town, where a constantly revolving list of food trucks rolls in. Brats, BBQ, Asian cuisine, authentic Mexican fare and more are available at various times.

And keep an eye out for The Pelican of North Mankato, which pops up seasonally with mouth-watering gourmet hot dogs, burrito bowls and salads, pork nachos, and more offerings that make any line totally worth it.

But first, coffee

With multiple institutions of higher learning on hand, it’s no surprise that coffee shops are also popular. A few to fuel your caffeine fix Coffee Hag, Neutral Groundz on Belgrade Avenue, the Fillin’ Station or River Rock Coffee Tea.

Hometown roasters Beans Coffee Company sells bags of its beans and individual steaming cups; at Tandem Bagels, pick up a dark roast to complement your fresh, cream cheeseshmeared bagel.

Wine and breweries

Ah, time to sample local libations. Mankato Brewery’s tap room, in lower North Mankato, is open every day but Monday. Beers on tap include Mad Butcher IPA, Organ Grinder Amber Ale and…Kato Lager.

Across the Minnesota River in downtown Mankato, LocAle Brewing Co. is turning out brews with appropriately local flair, like the Red Jacket Amber Ale and the Deep Valley Amber Stout.

And because it’s all so close, New Ulm’s August Schell Brewing and The Starkeller easily add to the brewery mix.

Just a few miles north on Highway 22 lies Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery and Distillery. Chankaska’s convenient yet rural setting, along with its awardwinning wines, spirits and North Forest Kreme liqueurs, combine to put you at ease. Relax with a wine flight or enjoy a Kasota Rosita or seasonal hand-crafted cocktails, along with an appetizer or specialty pizza.

Best of the best.

You’re sure to be satisfied at every stop, but if you’d like more guidance in whittling down your options, the Mankato Magazine’s annual “Best of Mankato” list can help point you in a winning direction.

wines & bre

AFTER A DAY OF THE TRAILS, RELAX WITH A GLASS OF THE GOOD STUFF!

Each winery offers a unique experience and entertainment options from grape stomps to murder mystery parties, but all provide the escape and relaxation a person associates with a nice glass of wine. If only a brew will do for you, then check out our local breweries or unwind with a hometown brew at a local watering hole.

Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery & Distillery

Come enjoy the beauty of Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery & Distillery. Nestled into the lush rolling hills and fertile soil of the Southern Minnesota River alley, Chankaska offers breathtaking views of 15 acres of meticulously tended vines, a rippling creek and gorgeous landscape. Take a stroll around the grounds with your favorite beverage, listen to live music on the patio or grab a spot by one of their fireplaces! No matter the time of year, you will find relaxation and delicious hand-crafted wines and spirits.

Indian Island Winery

Indian Island Winery is a family-owned and operated business built on historic Native American grounds. Indian Island focuses on making wines that are 100 percent Minnesota grown and produced. The winery has a beautiful patio with campfires to enjoy as well as a large indoor space with a stage for weekly musical performances.

Morgan Creek Vineyards

Morgan Creek Vineyards’ eco-friendly underground winery provides perfect cellar temperature for wine production and creates an inviting atmosphere for a tasting room and gift shop for visitors. The winery overlooks a magnificent oak tree surrounded by groves and vineyards. The winery offers seasonal performing arts and culinary events, weekly live music, and appetizers.

Javens Family Vineyard and Winery

Javen’s Family Vineyard and Winery, the newest winery to Mankato, is one of the premier Minnesota farm wineries. It’s located on the banks of the Le Sueur River, just five miles southeast of Mankato. Javen’s offers a range of red and white wines, features a tasting room and an amazing outdoor space to socialize with family and friends while taking in the view of the grounds and vineyard.

Mankato Brewery

Experience some local flavor at the Mankato Brewery, the first production brewery in Mankato since 1976. The Mankato Brewery is focused on creating authentic beers that reflect the heritage of the region and its people. Tour the brewery and enjoy a sampling of the German-inspired brews. Check out its event calendar for festive events and great musical acts. Stop in the gift shop for your Mankato Brewery gear, and don’t forget to fill up your growler on the way out.

LocAle Brewing Company

LocAle Brewing Company is the brainchild of two microbiology graduates and over 12 years of awardwinning homebrewing which is a recipe for amazing beer! With an open eastwest layout taproom, bright sunlight lights the taproom all day and gives you an amazing view of Downtown Mankato. LocAle’s goal is to produce exquisite small-batch craft beer with a connection to the landscape and history of southern Minnesota.

August Schell’s Brewing Company

Schell’s Brewing Co. is the second oldest family-owned brewing company in the country and the oldest industry in New Ulm, a 30-minute drive northwest on Highway 14 from Mankato. The brewery continues to be managed by August Schell’s descendants. The visitor center includes a gift shop and museum of brewing. Tours and tastings are available throughout the year.

Starkeller Brewery & Taproom

The Starkeller is overflowing with rich history from Schell’s Brewery with the focal point being the 1936 Cypress wood lagering tanks that were restored for the purpose of aging sour beer. When you come to the Starkeller for a beer, you might sit at the bar made of an old copper kettle or next to one of the wooden tanks where the next beers are quietly aging. It’s a unique experience that you won’t find anywhere else. Located 30 minutes from Mankato in New Ulm. mankatofreepress.com

18 2 U.S.-Dakota Conflict (August 1 December 26, 1862). Hundreds of white settlers and Dakota lost their lives. In the end, 38 Dakota Warriors were tried and sentenced to death resulting in the nation’s largest mass execution in history.

18 Iron truss bridge was first bridge to cross the Minnesota River between Mankato and North Mankato. Prior to this, river crossings were done by ferry.

188 Sibley Park, the first city park, was established. Over the years, the park has served as a destination for residents and visitors featuring a racetrack (1887-1915), a zoo (1907-1965), recreation facilities and today’s Sibley Farm petting zoo and Kiwanis Holiday Lights (2012-present).

In 1880, Mankato was the fourth largest city in Minnesota with a population of 5,500. Today, more than 50,000 people call Mankato and North Mankato home. Mankato was originally named “Mahkato” (meaning greenish-blue earth) by its early inhabitants, the Dakota. Mankato is located at the confluence of the Minnesota and Blue Earth Rivers.

Today, many memorials and buildings exist to commemorate the diverse and important history that has shaped the greater Mankato area. These historical attractions are must-sees for visitors! Customize your experience and explore the various historic sites.

In 1852, Parsons K. Johnson and Henry Jackson staked claims along these banks of the Minnesota River and founded the town of Mankato. The city was established on land purchased in the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux between the US government and the Dakota, breaking of this treaty by the government led to the US-Dakota Conflict of 18 2.

North Mankato, which sits just across the river, was established in 18 8. The first bridge between North Mankato and Mankato was an iron truss bridge constructed in 1879. The bridge represented an interdependence and partnership between the cities that continues.

Museums and historical sites encourage you to discover vivid stories from days gone by. Be sure to check out the Blue Earth County Historical Society, The Hubbard House, Betsy Tacy Society and the Nicollet County Historical Society during your visit!

1 05 Bill passed by State Legislature designated 70 acres of land around Minneopa Falls as Minnesota’s third State Park. “Minneopa” means “water falling twice.” Minneopa State Park has grown over the years to include Seppman Mill (1929) and the reintroduction of bison (2015).

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1 Minnesota Vikings held their first training camp in Mankato.

1 2 Dakota community return to Mankato after a century for the first Wacipi (pow wow) to “honor” the 38 Dakota Warriors executed in 1862.

1 Mankato Area VocationalTechnical Institute approved as the first vocational-technical institute in Minnesota. Today, this school is known as South Central College

201 10th Annual Mankato Marathon held more than 4100 runners.