Diane's Place is a Hmong-American restaurant in Minneapolis serving brunch and dinner with bakery-style pastries. Expect brunch plates from $21 to $28 and Resy reservations, and it suits brunch fans, pastry lovers, and first-time Hmong-food eaters. It operates at 117 14th Ave.
NE inside the Food Building in Northeast Minneapolis. Hmong cooking here means Southeast Asian flavors shaped by Hmong family traditions, paired with French pastry technique. The restaurant earned national attention after opening in 2024, including Food & Wine's 2025 Restaurant of the Year, according to Minnesota News Network reporting in the September 3, 2025 headlines.
Table of Contents
- Why does this spot stand out?
- What will you eat, and what does it cost?
- When can you go?
- How do reservations work?
- Who will enjoy it most?
Why does this spot stand out?
Chef-owner Diane Moua is Le Cordon Bleu-trained and previously served as executive pastry chef for Spoon and Stable, Bellecour and Demi. She builds the menu around her Hmong heritage and local produce, according to the restaurant's official About page on the About page. That mix explains the appeal for home cooks.
Savory Hmong dishes sit beside laminated pastries, custard tortes, and French toast with Southeast Asian flavorings. North America's 50 Best ranked it No. 50 for 2026 and singled out Hmong sausage with sticky rice, chicken noodle soup, Thai-tea French toast, coconut-pandan croissants and chocolate-custard torte.
What will you eat, and what does it cost?
Brunch leans savory and sweet. The menu lists Hmong sausage with sticky rice for $21, papaya salad for $21, Thai-tea French toast for $25 and red-curry duck stew for $28, according to the official Brunch menu on the current brunch menu. Those four plates show the price band.
Sticky rice and sausage eat like a filling lunch. French toast and curry bring stronger spice, tea, coconut and herb notes. Pastry lovers can focus on croissants and torte-style desserts rather than a full entree.
When can you go?
Listed hours are brunch Thursday through Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner runs Thursday through Sunday from 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesday is closed, while cafe hours extend to 5 p.m.
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Thursday through Sunday. That split matters for planning. Dinner happens only four nights per week. Brunch covers most mornings, but Wednesday offers neither service. Check the schedule before driving across town.
How do reservations work?
Reservations are recommended and run through Resy in two-month windows. The windows open at 10 a.m.
on the first of each month, according to the official reservations page on the current reservations page. Home cooks visiting for ideas should bring a note about flavors, not just photos. Papaya salad balance, sausage seasoning and curry heat translate well to weeknight cooking.
- Book early for weekend brunch and dinner.
- Expect a $25-per-person no-show deposit.
- Arrive within the 10-minute hold.
- Try patio, bar and rail seats as walk-in only.
Who will enjoy it most?
The restaurant suits brunch, lunch and dinner diners, pastry lovers, and newcomers to Hmong cuisine. Spice is present but approachable, especially beside sticky rice, noodles and toast.
Busy periods reward advance booking. Only four dinner nights run each week, so visitors should book ahead and verify hours before driving.
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