This week, my restaurant bestie and I visited the hottest restaurant in Minneapolis, Bûcheron. The new, French-inspired restaurant on Nicollet Avenue. It took me six months to get us in, so if you want to go, check Bucheron.com at the beginning of every month to try to book a reservation, as those seats fill up quickly!
Below is my restaurant review for Bûcheron – the food, the ambiance, and my overall thoughts about the 2025 James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant.
The Ambiance at Bûcheron
The atmosphere at Bûcheron is warm and inviting, with tables for four and two inside, as well as bistro seating available outdoors along the restaurant. I will say that even with a two-person table, the spacing was tight. If we both ordered a meal with side dishes, the only way to eat was to hold my drink with one hand and eat with the other.
One thing I will say about the Bûcheron is that the acoustics in the restaurant made it difficult to hold a conversation, as the noise level was quite loud. The difference between inside the restaurant and outside was so staggering that my friend and I started speaking loudly to each other once we made it outside after eating. I’m sure people walking by thought we were having an argument when we were yelling, “Thank you so much for the fun night!” Like, girl, why are you yelling?
Overall, the ambiance at Bûcheron was fun, loud, and boisterous. Everyone was so respectful and kind!
Let’s Talk Food at Bûcheron
Our server informed us that people typically order a three-course meal, which includes an appetizer, a main course, and a dessert. My friend and I decided to order one each course and share, that way, we can try twice as much food.
Here are our Bûcheron meals:
Small Plates at the Bûcheron restaurant:
POMMES DAUPHINES (gruyère, celery, caraway)
Pommes Dauphines is a combination of potatoes and choux pastry, all wrapped within a deep-fried ball. These hot, savory pommes were delectible, and don’t get me started on the gruyère dip!
Tip: This would be the small plate I’d choose for the picky eater.
VENISON TARTARE (poached egg yolk, spruce tips, rye chips)
I loved this! It was so good that I asked for extra rye chips because it was delicious! My friend isn’t the biggest fan of venison or tartare, but she loved it. The venison paired with their chips felt like a perfect comfort dish, like an elevated version of chips and dip. I’d eat this every day.
Bûcheron Medium Plates:
VADOUVAN CURRY PAPPARDELLE (rabbit ragout, peas & carrots, parmesan, thai basil)
This dish reminded me of one of those home-cooked meals, with simple ingredients but excellent flavor. The pappardelle (noodles) were so thin and absorbed the rich flavors that made this dish memorable. It had Eastern Asian, Italian, and French influences, which made it a melting pot of memorable flavors.
SPAGHETTI (poached lobster, lobster sauce, chili, parsley)
I told the waitress I was not allowed to leave this restaurant until I had this dish – it was yummy, without being overly fishy. This dish was lighter than the pappardelle, but it was still full of flavor and absolutely delicious.
Bûcheron Large Plates:
WILD ACRES CHICKEN, (succotash, bacon, pickled green tomatoes, beech mushrooms, bourbon jus)
The mixture of vegetables, meat and the delicious bourbon jus was. I have to say that this was my least favorite of all the dishes we tried, but if you are a chicken lover, this dish is an excellent choice.
FELLER’S RANCH AMERICAN WAGYU STEAK (butcher’s cut or filet)
The Waygu steak was by far the biggest surprise and the best dish of the night. We got the butcher’s cut, and it was the perfect amount for two people. The steak was the juiciest and most flavorful steak I’ve had in Minneapolis. It had a foam mousse with potatoes and onions, which evoked the restaurant’s Sunday roast vibes. It was filling, delectible, and the best shareable dish we had – we couldn’t get enough!
Common Bucheron Restaurant Questions
Is the Bûcheron restaurant different from other Minneapolis restaurants?
Yes, I would say this restaurant is different in its dishes but familiar in style. It’s very warm and inviting, but also has that quaint neighborhood feel.
Is it hard to get into Bûcheron?
Yes, but check its availability at the beginning of every month. I put a calendar reminder to book it right away.
How expensive was the bill?
The restaurant includes an 18% gratuity in the food, so when you receive your bill, you won’t see it; just know it’s built in. We both were billed $145.
Is Bûcheron a good date restaurant? What about family dinners?
There was a four-person family that was celebrating the mom’s birthday. They had the best time! There weren’t many dates at the restaurant, and honestly, it was so loud that it might be hard to hold a conversation with someone new, but what do I know? Give it a try!
Give this new restaurant a try, and let me know what you think!
If you want to try other Minneapolis restaurants, check out Diane’s Place, Owamni by The Sioux Chef, or Dexter’s!