Before you begin 

Look at our information about: 

• How to open a new business 
• Sewer Availability Charges (SAC) 

Requirements

Sidewalk cafes must:

• Have insurance
• Follow State and City regulations:
  • See Minnesota Food Code
  • See Minneapolis Food Code
• Record some employee illnesses:
  • Read about employee illness
  • See Sick and Safe Time resources for food businesses

Food safety

You are responsible for food safety. This includes control of food from preparation to serving customers.

See City and State food safety resources:

• Minneapolis Food Safety 
• Minnesota Food Business Safety 

Standards

We have all the information you need to design and build your sidewalk cafe.

See Sidewalk and street cafe standards

Application

Sidewalk cafes in Minneapolis must be licensed. 

See Sidewalk Cafe Application

Fee

Find your license fee

Submit your application  

Submit your application to Business Licenses & Consumer Services

If you have questions, contact:

• 311
• Business Licenses

Green To Go

Minneapolis has rules about containers for prepared food. 

Food and beverages prepared to be:

• Eaten immediately off-site or
• Taken to-go

Must be in containers that are:  

• Reusable 
• Recyclable or
• Compostable

Read more about required containers

Read City code rules

More information

Complaints

Report a complaint about a food or restaurant business

Inspection

Your food handling methods determine how often the City will inspect your business.

Disclaimer 

The information on this page should serve as a guideline only.