On Main Street in downtown Excelsior, Minnesota is Vagabondo – an Italian-styled restaurant sits on the corner, with a menu full of rich flavors, unique dishes, and a posh atmosphere. The quaint lakefront town is known for being one of the wealthiest areas in the North Star state, and there’s a wide range of restaurants at every price, offering diverse cuisines and unique environments to celebrate all occasions or a simple dinner for one or two. Having a restaurant that isn’t focused on freshwater cuisine and offers elevated dishes is unique for that area. Here’s my take on the Vagabondo restaurant:
What is the ambiance at Vagabondo?
When I walked into the Vagabondo restaurant, on the left were small tables for parties of 2-4 people. And on the right was bar and lounge seating. Several couples, friends, and colleagues were there, eating appetizers and sipping beverages. However, when I checked my reservation, they said my table was downstairs. I was shocked. I go “where’s downstairs?” and, through the main area, down the steps, I found a completely different vibe. Where upstairs was open, white, and modern, downstairs was darker, moodier, warm. With velvet booths and cushions, tables ready for parties of 4-10 people, and even a private party room.
How about the important part – Vagabondo’s Food?
Inspired by Fhima’s Sicilian heritage, Vagabondo’s menu is designed to transport it’s customer’s into the unique, rich history of family-loving meals. From Pappardelle Carbonara, an egg-noodle dish with a creamy sauce made with pancetta fat, topped with Romano or Parmesan, to Wagyu top Sirloin, which offers the perfect juicy, savory texture, paired with a pile of salty fries under the piece of beef.
Inspired by Fhima’s Sicilian heritage, Vagabondo’s menu is designed to transport it’s customer’s into the unique, rich history of family-loving meals. From Pappardelle Pancetta Carbonara, an egg-noodle dish with a creamy sauce made with pancetta fat, topped with Romano or Parmesan, to Wagyu top Sirloin, which offers the perfect juicy, savory texture, paired with a pile of salty fries under the piece of beef.
They also have a menu with unique cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages. I got the Phony Negroni, and it was so good!
Please note: Vagabondo offers vegetarian options, such as vegetarian risotto, as well as pescatarian options.
As a self-certified tiramisu expert, I try the Italian, perfected dessert everywhere I go. I can honestly say, skip the dessert and spend more time enjoying the main food. My tiramisu wasn’t soaked in espresso and lacked the rum flavor.
What are the food prices at Vagabondo restaurant?
Items on the Vagabondo dinner menu range from $12 -$60.
What’s on Vagabondo’s menu?
There are different types of dishes, but the Excelsior restaurant is best known for its pasta dishes and oven-fired pizzas.
If I liked Vagabondo, where else should I go to eat?
Bar la Grassa, Broder’s Pasta Bar, and Red Rabbit.
What other restaurants should you try in the greater Minneapolis-St.Paul (MSP) area?
There are great restaurants throughout the metro, so if you are looking for a pub-style restaurant, I would recommend Gus Gus. If you are looking for white tablecloth restaurants, I would recommend Jax Cafe or the Butcher’s Tale.
If you are looking for other restaurant recommendations, I have a list of new restaurants I’ve tried since I started the blog. I give my honest feedback: what I ordered, how the staff were, and whether I would go back. I have many restaurants coming up this year, so I hope you will subscribe and continue coming back to see and learn about new restaurants to try!
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