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Owamni by The Sioux Chef Minneapolis Tripadvisor Reviews
Latest Reviews On Tripadvisor
31 Reviews
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One of the best meals I’ve ever had
One of the best meals I’ve ever eaten—the staff were gracious, the food was remarkable. I highly recommend the Marichou, Shaved Bison Picanha, and Wild Rice Pudding. These are haunting flavors, a wonderful and inspiring meal in a beautiful setting.
Be the first to ReplyGood and fun to say was there but not sure I would go again
I have let too much time pass to give a detailed review. Everyone else in our group of 4 raved about the food. I liked it ok but I did not think it was worth the wait to get a reservation or the price. I would rather put my time into some other restaurant. But that is me. I did really like the duck purple corn mash. Very different and very good. I like duck. At this time I can’t remember any of the other food. I know it was good but … The dessert was not very sweet as you would expect. Again cannot recall what it was. Service was good. Sorry for the poor quality of this review.
Be the first to ReplyUnderwhelming, overpriced and pretentious
We were in town for a wedding. Hotel offered this restaurant as an option. Since we were just a group of three, we were able to get a seat at this restaurant. Upon entering the building and being seated, the staff, the actual menu, the aura were all preachy and arrogant. We chose to stay and give it a try. We won’t make that mistake again. The prices were astronomical and the portions were bite-sized. On top of it, they add all these fees on top of the listed menu price bc their employees deserve a certain quality of life. Really? Then price the menu accordingly and spare me the self-righteousness. We have a business and we provide a great service at a reasonable price AND we pay our employees very well (with benefits too). I’m open to a meal that comes with learning/education, but don’t expect me to pay a small fortune for an even smaller meal and get lectured on top of it.
Be the first to ReplyReservation issue
So my mom went to check.in while I parked. When I came in she seemed stressed and said there was an issue with our reservation. I went to desk and they first claimed my reservation wasn't for another 90 minutes. She had been looking up the wrong name...same first name but assumed I was the other person with different last name due later. I explained when my reservation was for and she then found it but refused to honor it and said we could sit on patio instead but that was all she could.offer. it was in the high 90s outside so I definitely would have preferred indoor table for the experience we had booked but there was no accommodation whatsoever. It was below expectations for what we paid. Another time when we came they found our reservation but we still had to wait over 30 minutes.
Be the first to ReplyFaulty online reservation system
I can't speak to the food at Owamni, unfortunately. After waiting months to get a reservation at Owamni, our group of four arrived at the restaurant only to be told that they had no record of our reservation. Even when I showed a screen shot of the reservation, the host personnel peppered us with questions, suggesting we hadn't done something right. They offered us a seat on the patio, which was not even set up for patrons because it was 45' F outside. We declined, and walked to Spice and Tonic, a delightful and accommodating restaurant serving Indian food nearby. Good luck to others who try to go. If we were to attempt again (probably not!), we would surely call the restaurant right after making the reservation online to make sure it is recorded.
Be the first to ReplyPoor food and service
This was one of the worst dining experiences I have had. We had a reservation for the dining room. The restaurant was almost empty and they seated us at a tiny high top bar-style table. As a disabled person, this was extremely difficult. Even entering the restaurant with a disa ility is difficult. The ambiance was that of a cocktail hour at a wedding venue. Uncomfortable chairs and hightops. The staff was inattentive, slow and uninformed about the dishes. We ordered a mushroom taco and a squash taco and a salad. Plus 2 drinks. My companion said the mushroom taco tasted like frozen and reheated bland mushrooms on a fried cornmeal patty. He didn't even want to eat it. I got a squash and bean taco on a corn meal patty. It was absolutely flavorless. It was refried beans and a few kernels of corn that tasted freezer burned, on top of fried cornmeal. We spent about 100 dollars before the 20% charge and tip. We both went to eat at another restaurant after. Service was slow and dishes came out haphazardly. Staff was standing around talking and complaining loudly about patrons. I love the cause and have been following Sherman for years. The restaurant was a big disappointment. Upon leaving, we walked past our server and some kitchen staff smoking weed on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant causing an asthma attack for me. It was not a pleasant experience and we will not go back.
Be the first to ReplyA Must Try!
This restaurant is fabulous. The food is fresh and tasty. The flavors meld together in new ways. It was delicious to eat Native cuisine that was not just fry bread. The service was stellar and the view is pretty.
Be the first to ReplyA national treasure to experience!
Owamni defines authenticity. Our experince was personally moving. We recommend the restaurant as a must-do to everyone. The food, ambience, and service were beyond expectation. We intend on traveling back from the east coast just to dine again. Truly worth the accolades. Among the top restaurants across this country!
Be the first to ReplyMy brother-in-law made an excellent decision booking a meal at Owamni! And that birch beer…
Honest. Welcoming. If one listens, one can learn! Confident atmosphere behind the counters. Kitchen choreography clearly evident. My tattooed spouse notes the inked staff. Good! After we checked in for our seating, we were escorted to our seats. Commanding view of river locks. For best results, share many dishes. Don’t be shy, but be mindful. Take your time. Marinated beans in a chilled gourd. It was artfully presented to us. I respected its presentation. Flavour? It was meh… I’d enjoy it more if it was all heated. (Wood coal?) roasted sweet potato. Hearty & smooth texture. I loved me some chilli oil! Paul crazy enjoyed the mushroom chowder drizzled with extra chilli sauce from the sweet potato dish. Wild rice decent by itself. It added welcome bulk to the chowder while Paul wiped out the soup. He can also detect the hardwood smoke from the grill. Bison. Turkey. Salmon exactly what I was hoping for. So THAT’s what huckleberry should taste like. Fresh fruit and in-season vegetables abound. Next time, I’m going for the elk! Napswithcats eagerly grabbed all of the salmon skin (expertly descaled). Paul kept his fingers out of the way. Corn cookie, well… our server said more R&D being considered with its shape. My baker-spouse appreciated the dialogue. The accompanying sorbet was nice! Piping hot spoon bread in a terra cotta bowl. Sweet! Caramelized maple and honey. Like hot cereal. Recommended! And for glod’s sakes, order the birch beer root soda - no ice. Snort the empty glass for the lingering aromas (as the glassware heats up to ambient temperature). Repeat! Rainwater used for modern toilets! Clean and neat throughout public spaces. Thank you for the fist bump, Ms. M. I’ll get the word out.
Be the first to ReplyIncredible!
This was a delight, highly recommend. It’s hard to get a reservation but we walked in for lunch and got a nice seat at the bar
Be the first to ReplyA different kind of experience
Owamni by the Sioux Chef is Sean Sherman’s creation along with his partner Dana Thompson. Owámni (‘swirling water’ in the Dakota language) is located on the banks of the river Mississippi in the Water Works Park in the reclaimed riverfront mill in downtown Minneapolis. Using local and natural indigenous resources this concept of a ‘decolonized’ restaurant is a first of its kind. Eurocentric ingredients like cane sugar, wheat flour, lemons, diary, beef, pork, chicken etc. are not used. Instead ingredients like wild rice, squash, quinoa, ground corn, wojape berry, bison, venison, lake fish, elk, duck, turkey and other seasonal produce from local farmers are used to create unique dishes. Our expectations were high although we knew this would be very different to what we’ve ever had in a traditional restaurant. We might have chosen the worst weather of this year to go though. Our dinner reservation was at 8.30 pm. What otherwise is a 1 hour and 10 min drive took almost 3 hours as we were hit with a snow blizzard as soon as we left Rochester. With 0 visibility and strong gusts, the usual 80 mph was more like 20-40 at the most- the entire time. Several moments we thought perhaps we should turn around and leave. But we kept going. Once we arrived we realized we had to take the steps one flight up or two flights down because neither of the entrances were road level. The restaurant is on the second floor of a renovated historical building. There are self service coat hangers before you enter. The restaurant looks and feels pretty narrow and cosy. I had phoned earlier notifying that we’d be arriving later than our scheduled time so we were ushered in almost as soon as we arrived. The restaurant sits on the banks of the Mississippi- with the blizzard we could see just about a glimpse. The food came in pretty quickly. We were told the portions are small and its best to order a few dishes like a tapas. Any preconceived notions you have about the food would be wrong. Indigenous food set in a modern context is a blending of the past and the future. We are so used to excess in our foods- excess of salt, sugar, ingredients. This food is different- low sugar, gluten free, paleo, low sodium. Unexpected and nuanced flavors, textures and unique combination of ingredients makes it something new because where else would you find food like this these days? What we had Wiisagaagomin - drink 1 Bashkodejiibik- drink 2 Both nonalcoholic drink options tasted earthy, woody with some turmeric and ginger flavors and very little sweet. We weren’t a fan of the drinks although it was probably good for us! Smoked Trout & Bean Spread- Lake Superior Trout with wojapi and tostada- I loved this. The trout was so fresh- I don’t usually enjoy fish cooked this way- especially smoked fish, but this was delightful. Complimenting the smokiness of the fish was the creamy bean spread. The tostada was perfect to dip into the fish and beans. The dish looks small but it was actually a great appetizer option. Duck Sandwich with cranberry and sage on a corn tostada- its sour, sweet, smoky and tastes very different than any duck dish I’ve ever tasted. The corn tostada was rustic and perfect. Stuffed Poblano- this was a huge meal- wild rice, mushroom Piccadillo with a hazelnut purée- the salt, sugar, spices content was minimal. I didn’t like this too much but my husband did. Labrador Tea Custard- a soft, smooth, soft custard that is so delicate the crunchy toppings with the honey just was delicious. It was refreshing and a perfect end to the meal. There is an 18% service charge of on every order on top of taxes and gratuity. Most of the portions are indeed small so order a few dishes to share. Overall we enjoyed the experience. The menu is very unusual. It would be interesting to go back and try a different menu with more options. Also we really need to go during the day time where we can enjoy the view of the Mississippi too. The service was very good- every single dish was explained in detail by our server Esiban and he knew a lot about the origin and history of the ingredients as well as how the dishes were prepared.
Be the first to ReplyInconsistent
Our first experience was far better. The stuffed pablano was not good, but amazing on our first visit. The price of it is too expensive to not be consistent in your recipe, not to mention the 18% service fee in addition to gratuity. The honey for the tea was so incredibly watered down this time as well… had to ask for more. The waiter was not at all attentive to our table, waited too long for silverware or to add things to our order. Tried the wild rice (surprisingly good for as simple as it seems), mushroom sandwich and sweet potatoes for the first time and those were great! Love the food when it’s good, but not sure I will make it a regular spot due to inconsistency and price. Spent over $200
Be the first to ReplyYes, there is Native American food in Minneapolis.
I had only just learned about Owamni but, lucky for me, a table opened up for the night after V-Day. Usually, they open up a month in advance and go quickly. You gotta be ready and quick when making dinner plans here. They informed my SO and I about the 90 minute time limit and 18% service charge upon arrival, both of which made perfect sense. Before perusing the food menu, we poured over the drinks menu, which had some non alcoholic cocktails on it. Due to my intrigue, I ordered a wild rice mocktail. We both had the three sisters bison stew. We also ordered a corn taco and wild rice porridge. We originally had our hearts set on their blue bread, but it was literally just baked when we arrived and needed to cool down completely before it could be sliced. Otherwise, it would disintegrate. So we had their blue corn mush for dessert. The mocktail tasted like cereal milk to me and evoked feelings of nostalgia. The stew was comforting from the first bite. Loved the big chunks of bison in there. They did not skimp on those. The corn taco was a testament to no waste as it was a corn tortilla, had a corn dumpling and featured corn cob jam so it was a delicious balance of savory and sweet. Thanks to being topped with dried currants and toasted hazelnuts, the wild rice porridge was a wonderful combination of textures. And blue corn mush for dessert? Yes. It was sweetened with maple and had dried currants and dried cranberries. Not too sweet and the perfect bow to tie the whole meal up with. We'll definitely be back. If for anything, to finally be able to try that blue bread.
Be the first to ReplyGreat food, unimpressed by policy
I’ve been trying to get a reservation for months. I finally got one for a day that worked for me. My reservation was at 11am. I loved the location and the parking was easy. I was immediately put off by the host. He looked at me in a not very nice way and said “well you are about to have a great day, IF YOU HAVE A RESERVATION.” I did, so I tried not to let this snide comment be taken the wrong way. We were seated and started ordering. The server told us that most people order 2-3 things per person as portions are smaller, so that’s what I did. We loved all of the food that came out. I would say 2-3 things per person was way to much, but it’s always fun to take leftovers home too. The atmosphere in this space and the views are fantastic. Here’s why I gave the rating a 2. For all the hype with getting this reservation and the rudeness displayed when we arrived about it… the restaurant was less than 10% full the ENTIRE 90 minutes we were there. Nearly all the tables were empty. Was this to maintain social distancing one might wonder? NOPE! Because everyone that was in the restaurant was crowded in the same area. Was there an issue with the number of staff available? There were more people working than eating, so that wasn’t it. Did 90% of the people who had reservations not show up? That doesn’t seem likely. It really felt like the reservation system here was merely a ploy to hype up business and marketing. The concept of this place is phenomenal and I would like to say I’d return. However, I was left with a bad taste in my mouth by policy and not the food.
Be the first to ReplyRare find in cuisine.
Amazing experience and fresh take on the heritage on Native American cuisine in the North central US. This is a true dining experience as you taste your way through the menu. When considering how the food is sourced, curated, and presented the pricing is quite reasonable. Make reservations.
Be the first to ReplyA Little Unexpected
Personally, I loved this restaurant because it was something absolutely new and I thought that the concept was interesting. Also, I do not eat gluten for health reasons so it was amazing to go to a restaurant with absolutely no gluten and be able to choose anything off the menu. I went with my mom and we each chose dishes to share. We had come with a plan, but the new menu started the week we came, so we got to try some unexpected items. One thing to note, some people have said the portions are small, but we did not find this to be the case. We had 4 dishes to share and a dessert. We did have some leftover. I’m going to rank the things we tried individually. 5/5 Wild Rice Porridge: SO good. I think this is almost a dessert and I liked it better than the dessert, so I might have this at the end of the meal. It comes in a pretty large dish and could easily be enough for someone as a meal on its own. Our server mentioned that she puts “maple water” which is syrup on top. We did ask for that and they brought a little carafe. That was a great tip. 5/5 Three Sisters Bison Stew: Excellent choice. The only thing I would say is I wish it had been a little warmer, but we were there for an 11:00 reservation, so maybe it was a little early. This was really had a chili feeling to it. 3/5 Red Cliff Trout and White Bean Spread: We both felt meh about this for a couple of reasons. There was too much bean and too little trout. With just a little more trout, this would have been a win. The dish needed a couple more chips to eat all those beans. The berry sauce was lovely with this dish. I wish it would have been a little easier to put in the rest of it or dip it because the sour/sweet of this really adds to the dish. 5/5 Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Perfect. The chili sauce is sweet with a tiny bit of spice. It’s not too spicy. 4/5 Labrador Custard: I’m not sure I liked the custard all that much, but it pairs nicely with the sweet potato on top, BUT there is not enough sweet. I asked for a bit of maple water and that helped a lot. There were a lot of things I wish I could have tried but couldn’t because I was too full to eat another bite. I will definitely go back to try this another time.
Be the first to ReplyOwamni by the Sioux Chef
My friend and I had a wonderful lunch at Owamni. The menu, food, service, ambience, and view add up to a VERY special and memorable experience. Our server was John; he was exceptional! We loved the tartare and the cedar braised bison, with lovely wine to complement. Try Owamni for an experience you won’t forget!
Be the first to ReplyBest Meal in Minnesota
We no longer live in Minnesota, so Owamni has been on our list for quite a while. We're so glad we finally made it! The food is fresh and unique - it's hard to make a suggestion on what to eat because it's so seasonal. You can't pass up the wild rice, but everything else we ate was equally incredible. This will definitely be a place we frequent when in town.
Be the first to ReplyCulinary adventure
we travelled from MI for a 3 day adventure at Owamni. We were greeted with warmth & our specific needs were anticipated and accommodated by cordial staff. Window walls suffuse the space with warmth, providing views of the Mississippi River, local falls and a riverside promenade. The rapid service was notable. We ordered most of a variety of dishes, finding them innovative, delicious & nutritious. It would be difficult to surpass our experience re food, service and atmosphere! We vowed to return regularly. Owamni deserves our highest recommendation.
Be the first to ReplyMight be the absolute worst food I’ve ever put in my Mouth
I’d like to start off with saying that I consider myself an adventurous eater. I’ll try anything twice! Unfortunately, said rule doesn’t apply here. This is definitely an amazing cause and I wanted to be able to support the cause and eat at another JAMES BEARD restaurant. My husband and i basically ordered one of everything. He’s dairy free and we don’t eat pork, it’s like a dream come true, right? They don’t serve either. When the food arrived, it was a bit underwhelming. Then we went in for the bites. Unfortunately, I’ve never seen anyone disrespect duck and elk so much. It might have been, no it was, the absolute worst food I’ve eaten in my life. Nothing tasted good. Yes, we continued to order to find something delicious. We couldn’t. We even ventured into dessert, which was a sunflower seed something and it was atrocious. I am positive that i would never ever return based on the simple taste of all the ingredients. The atmosphere, beautiful. The staff, friendly. I don’t know how this place will stay open. I believe people feel like they HAVE to love the food because of the cause. I love the cause, not the food. What I have learned though, is that JAMES BEARD awards are being given out for cause and not good food.
Be the first to ReplyA memorable dining experience
The restaurant makes great use of ingredients that were available in the Western Hemisphere BEFORE contact with Europeans. Some dishes were modern updates of indigenous foods, some were new creations based on traditional ingredients. All were superb. Service was fine. Our server was highly entertaining and quite knowledgeable about the restaurant scene across Minneapolis. Atmosphere is informal and welcoming. We interacted with other diners at nearby tables and had a great river view. I rated Owamni as an "American" restaurant on the list below. It certainly is. Just not what you would normally think of.
Be the first to ReplyAmazing Food Service Needs Upgrade
First off it is difficult to secure a reservation. So call in advance. The location is awesome on the river. I love the concept. The food was perfection. I had the Elk Sandwich and I loved it. I also had the wild rice which was amazing. Our server was quick with us and not very polite. She only came back once to check on us and we never got drink refills. Service needs work. I will return.
Be the first to ReplyFirst visit, hope to return
We had a reservation at 4pm. My friend was very excited because she avoids wheat and this place is perfect for that. We had a series of small plates to share. They were all excellent except for our wild rice dish, which said it came with root vegetables, of which we found none in our serving. Other than that the staff was fabulous. The drinks were superb and the remainder of our meal met or exceeded expectations
Be the first to Replyinteresting place, fresh food
It's in a beautiful spot in the Mill District, the outside patio is nice. The food was varied and good. I had a salad with crickets, was tasty, actually. Pricey though, be aware.
Be the first to ReplyGot to try it at least once!
Some of the dishes were really good! Game tartare, theee sisters and blue corn mush were my favorites! Service was average.
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