Young Joni is a wood-fired restaurant at 165 13th Ave NE in Minneapolis’s Sheridan neighborhood, Minnesota, United States of America. Opened in 2016 by chef Ann Kim and Conrad Leifur, it combines pizza, Korean-influenced cooking, and a separately accessed cocktail bar. The name honors their mothers, Young and Joni. Travelers come for a meal that connects Kim’s Korean heritage with her approach to pizza—and for the intimate Back Bar, which is a different experience from the main dining room.
What to Expect at Young Joni
The main restaurant is a substantial dining room, not simply a speakeasy serving snacks. Wood surfaces, exposed structural elements, and the visible cooking area give it a warm, industrial character suited to Northeast Minneapolis. Wood-fired pizzas anchor the experience, accompanied by vegetables and other shareable dishes. The signature Korean BBQ pizza brings together beef short rib, mozzarella, arugula, scallions, and sesame with a soy-chili vinaigrette. It illustrates the restaurant’s central idea: Korean flavors are integral to the cooking rather than an occasional special.
The Back Bar has its own identity and entrance off the alley behind the restaurant. Look for the red light rather than expecting to enter through the dining room. Inside, wood paneling, vintage-style wallpaper, low lighting, and music create a more enclosed, lounge-like setting. Plan around the distinction: a restaurant reservation is not a reservation for this separate bar. Ann Kim’s broader culinary reputation includes the 2019 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Midwest, but the appeal here remains an approachable dinner built around shared food.
- Wood-fired pizza: Order contrasting toppings to share rather than treating each pizza as an individual course.
- Korean BBQ pizza: Short rib and Korean-inspired seasoning distinguish the restaurant’s best-known pie.
- Shareable cooking: Balance pizza with vegetable dishes and other plates from the evening’s menu.
- Back Bar: A separate alley entrance and red light mark the cocktail lounge.
- Distinctive interiors: Compare the open main dining room with the bar’s darker wood-and-wallpaper setting.
Young Joni at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 165 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413, United States of America |
| Neighborhood / Area | Sheridan, Northeast Minneapolis |
| Operating Hours | Check the official daily schedule; plan restaurant and Back Bar visits separately. |
| Admission & Ticket Prices | No sightseeing admission ticket; food and drinks are purchased individually. See the official menu for prices. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1–2 hours for dinner; allow additional time for the Back Bar. |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Metro Transit Route 11 serves nearby 2nd Street NE; look for stops around 13th Avenue NE. Check posted restrictions on neighborhood street parking. |
| Official Website / Phone | Young Joni official website / +1 612-345-5719 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
For a meal with less time pressure, choose an early dinner reservation rather than arriving during the main evening rush. Book through the restaurant’s official website or its Resy listing, and check cancellation conditions before confirming. There is no attraction ticket to buy. If the Back Bar is your priority, check its separate opening hours and entry arrangements first. Allow extra arrival time for street parking, particularly on busy evenings, and avoid treating nearby private lots as restaurant parking.
The main restaurant and alley-entry Back Bar require separate arrival planning. Wheelchair users should call ahead to arrange the appropriate entrance and confirm accessible restroom access; families bringing strollers should request suitable table space. In winter, account for snow and ice on sidewalks and the alley. Before dinner, walk approximately 5–15 minutes to the Grain Belt brewery complex for its historic industrial architecture, or to Sheridan Memorial Park beside the Mississippi River. The surrounding 13th Avenue NE arts-and-dining corridor also rewards a short neighborhood stroll without moving the car.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to visit Young Joni?
An early dinner reservation is a practical choice if you want time to explore Northeast Minneapolis afterward. Check the official daily hours before traveling, especially for the separately operated Back Bar.
Does Young Joni charge admission, and do I need reservations?
There is no sightseeing admission charge; you pay for your meal and drinks. Reserve dining-room seating through the official booking channel. Do not assume that booking includes Back Bar seating.
How much time should I budget?
Allow 1–2 hours for a shared dinner. Add time for cocktails, any wait at the Back Bar, and a riverside walk rather than scheduling another reservation immediately afterward.
Is Young Joni suitable for families and wheelchair users?
The main dining room is the better choice for a family meal, with shareable pizzas offering a straightforward starting point. Call +1 612-345-5719 about wheelchair access, restroom needs, or stroller space; the Back Bar has a separate alley entrance.
When planning your Minneapolis travel guide or browsing verified restaurants in Minneapolis, pair this stop with standout local spots including Pizzeria Lola, Butcher & The Boar, Barbette, and Emily's Lebanese Deli (0.7 km away).
