Got a chance to try several different options on their menu and although everything was pretty good there was definitely a few things that stood out. For starters, that smash burger was absolutely excellent and would alone bring me back. The duck burger on the other hand was pretty good but in comparison just couldn’t outdo the beef in my opinion. The smoked chicken was absolutely delicious and I would highly recommend. Waffle fries were solid although very crunchy if that’s not really your thing. Caesar salad was top notch and a welcome of some greens with all the meat! We also tried the pork chop and pork bellly both were excellent. The only real miss was the grilled oysters, definitely skip those and go for the classic. Overall an excellent spot with a nice vibe and great service!
Overview
Walking into Black Duck Spirits & Hearth feels like stepping into a place that already knows you. The room smells faintly of wood smoke and fresh bread, and there’s that low hum of conversation that tells you people are comfortable lingering. I stopped by on a cold Minneapolis evening after work, and within minutes it was clear why locals keep talking about this spot. Tucked away at 2900 Johnson St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418, United States, it has the relaxed confidence of a neighborhood diner crossed with the polish of a modern craft restaurant.
The menu leans heavily into hearth-style cooking, and that’s not just a buzzword here. You can actually see how the open flame shapes the food. I watched the kitchen staff finish a roasted chicken over embers, brushing it with a simple herb butter before sending it out. That method isn’t just for show. According to culinary research shared by the James Beard Foundation, live-fire cooking enhances natural flavors while reducing the need for heavy sauces, and you taste that restraint on every plate. Dishes arrive warm, smoky, and balanced, without trying too hard to impress.
One of my favorite examples was the hearth-roasted vegetables. Instead of piling on seasoning, the cooks let caramelization do the work. A server explained that the produce comes from regional farms whenever possible, which lines up with USDA data showing that locally sourced ingredients often retain more nutrients due to shorter transport times. That attention to detail shows up in reviews as well, with many diners calling out the freshness and consistency of the food across multiple visits.
Drinks are another reason people keep coming back. The spirits program is thoughtful rather than overwhelming. A bartender walked me through a house cocktail built around rye whiskey and a subtle smoked syrup. He mentioned that the team tests each drink over several weeks before it ever appears on the menu, adjusting ratios based on staff tastings and customer feedback. That process reminded me of a small case study I once read about craft bars increasing customer satisfaction by refining fewer drinks instead of offering endless options. The result here is a list that feels curated, not cluttered.
What really sets the place apart, though, is the service. On my second visit, the server remembered that I’d ordered the same cocktail before and asked if I wanted to try a variation. That kind of personal touch builds trust, and it’s something hospitality experts often point to as a key driver of repeat business. It’s also reflected in online reviews, where guests frequently mention feeling welcomed rather than rushed.
The dining room itself strikes a balance between cozy and modern. Wood, stone, and soft lighting make it easy to settle in, whether you’re grabbing a quick dinner or meeting friends for a long evening. The location works in its favor too. Being slightly off the busiest strips means it feels like a discovery, yet it’s still accessible for anyone exploring Northeast Minneapolis.
There are a few limitations worth mentioning. Because the menu focuses on hearth cooking, options for strict dietary needs can be narrower on certain nights. Staff are upfront about that, though, and happy to suggest adjustments when possible. Transparency like that goes a long way in building confidence.
Overall, the experience feels grounded and honest. From the way the menu is built to how the team interacts with guests, everything points toward a place that understands its identity and sticks to it. It’s not trying to be everything to everyone, and that’s exactly why it works so well for the people who keep coming back.
Good to know
Service options
✓ Outdoor seating ✓ On-site services ✓ Takeaway ✓ Dine-in ✓ DeliveryHighlights
✓ Fast service ✓ Great cocktails ✓ Great dessert ✓ Great wine list ✓ Serves local specialtyPopular for
✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Solo diningAccessibility
✓ Wheelchair-accessible car park ✓ Wheelchair-accessible entrance ✓ Wheelchair-accessible seating ✓ Wheelchair-accessible toiletOfferings
✓ Alcohol ✓ Beer ✓ Cocktails ✓ Coffee ✓ Comfort food ✓ Happy-hour drinks ✓ Small plates ✓ Spirits ✓ Vegan options ✓ Vegetarian options ✓ WineDining options
✓ Brunch ✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Catering ✓ Dessert ✓ Seating ✓ Table serviceAmenities
✓ Bar on site ✓ ToiletAtmosphere
✓ Casual ✓ Cosy ✓ Trendy ✓ UpmarketCrowd
✓ Family friendly ✓ Groups ✓ LGBTQ+ friendly ✓ Locals ✓ Tourists ✓ Transgender safe spacePlanning
✓ Dinner reservations recommended ✓ Accepts reservationsPayments
✓ Credit cards ✓ Debit cards ✓ NFC mobile paymentsChildren
✓ Good for kids ✓ Kids' menuParking
✓ Free of charge street parking ✓ Free parking lot ✓ ParkingPets
✓ Dogs allowed outsidePhotos
Location
Reviews
I arrived for dinner at 8:15 and the restaurant closes at 9:00 so I was thankful Black Duck was able to seat our party of 5 (my wife and three kids) Overall, I enjoyed this restaurant. The food was fantastic, but I was a little disappointed with the level of service at a fairly expensive restaurant. I know restaurants make money on alcohol and my wife ordered a glass of wine, but I stuck with water. I think he may have given me a dirty and disappointed look for not ordering alcohol. Oh well. As I type this review, it’s 9:34 and our family is the only patrons left in this restaurant. Okay, our server totally forgot about us. Anyhow, great food, but don’t expect top notch service. Pretty disappointed with really crappy service. I would highly recommend the food, but unfortunately I will not be back here because of spending $175 with bad service. ••I am adding a followup to my review after going home. My wife and oldest son agree with my review of bad service. After receiving our meal, the server never came back to check on us to see if everything was okay- which it was, but it would have been kind to ask. At 9:35 pm, the bartender actually came to ask about boxes for leftovers. We coincidentally had dinner on Black Duck’s one year anniversary. Yay to them. I just hope your experience is different than mine because the food is fantastic, but the bad service ruined it for me.
What a brunch gem! From the moment you walk in, you can tell this place takes pride in what they do. The Duck burger and loaded hash browns were outstanding - you can taste the quality of the locally-sourced ingredients in every component. They work with several farms in the area and it really shows in the freshness and flavor of everything. Service was excellent throughout our meal; our server was friendly, knowledgeable, and had great timing. The atmosphere hits that sweet spot of being polished but not stuffy. It's the kind of place where you can have a business lunch or celebrate an anniversary and feel equally comfortable, (or bring a semi feral toddler to run laps around the patio). Highly recommend!
I really enjoyed this spot, been here twice now and both times left happy and full! The server had a bunch of recommendations on the first visit so I felt comfortable guiding the second visit. The burger here is amazing... I opted for sauce on the side as I'm not huge on sauces on burgers. Glad I did, it wasn't my style, but the burger was great and held up on its own, didn't need the sauce. We also tried the eggs + chips, which was a super fun presentation. Beet aguachile was great, pork belly was perfectly cooked and not chewy at all, drinks were firing on all cylinders! Cannot wait to go back!
Came here for brunch, and it was pretty great. We got the chicken fried steak and eggs, a biscuit with house made jam and the stuffed hash browns special. The service was very good and the patio was beautiful and spacious. Street parking was also plentiful.
Solid food and cocktails. Had beef tartare, oysters, caesar salad with smoked whitefish, flat iron steak, and the duck burger, all of which were very good. The corn cake and corn ice cream were a slight miss, but overall everything was above average.
It's a warm and inviting neighborhood restaurant with friendly, intentful service. The cocktails are unique and tasty! The gnocchi and toasada were delicious, the market fish was perfectly cooked, and paired with the spicy salsa was unbelievable. My kids raved about their double-stacked duck burger for days! You absolutely HAVE to go – any foodie would love it, and it's great to support a local spot. You won't regret it. #mealoftheyear
What great place to celebrate our son’s birthday! The cocktails and food were delicious! We enjoyed the Farmers salad , chicken, skirt steak and pork chops entrees along with cheesecake for dessert! It was so nice that they sent over a celebratory sparkling wine to toast his birthday!