East Isles
Spanning the winding, eastern edge of Lake of the Isles—one of the northernmost links in the city’s chain of lakes—East Isles is a lush, green neighborhood primarily known for its tree-lined streets, many historic homes, and densely situated restaurants and shops. Many residents describe East Isles as the quintessential Minneapolis community. In the span of just a few blocks, the neighborhood contains many of the city’s best-known features: a lake, a regional park, multiple local grocery stores, easy access to public transportation, and an engaged and close-knit community of neighbors. It is also a site of conflicting storytelling, where stereotypes of ivory tower wealth meet media misconceptions of a desolate and abandoned Uptown. A neighborhood of possibility and contradiction, seated where the lake meets the city, the real story of East Isles lives in the complicated middle. Along Lake Street and Hennepin, new businesses and public art are filling in once-vacant storefronts, and the Midtown Greenway brings pedestrians and bikers from across the city to the neighborhood. The parks and boardwalks along Lake of the Isles hum with activity all year long: picnic blankets dotting the grass in summers; hammocks catching the changing leaves in the fall; neighbors braving a polar plunge in winter, their laughter louder than the cracking ice; runners looping the lake at sunrise in the spring, their headlamps spinning across the lake like fireflies in the dim morning light. On weekends, the line at Isles Bun and Coffee stretches down the block—a mix of new visitors drawn by the promise of the nation’s best cinnamon roll, and East Isles regulars running into their neighbors as they pick up a box of the cafe’s scones (the order—and sign—of a local in the know). It is the kind of community gathering that is a testament to the magic of East Isles: a neighborhood large enough for new discoveries, and small enough for serendipity.
East Isles is your go-to for:
Nightlife: You’ll have dozens of bars and restaurants to choose from in the neighborhood.
Arts: There is a thriving arts scene, with small galleries and independent theaters always showcasing new work.
Nature: Bde Maka Ska has amazing trails and clear water. Rent a boat or a bike and enjoy the outdoors!
Shopping: A mix of nationally-recognized chains and small local boutiques offer unique fashion.
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