Sidewalk cafe
Application and fee
Application
Sidewalk cafes in Minneapolis must be licensed.
Submit your application
Submit your application to Business Licenses
If you have questions, contact Business Licenses
Requirements
Standards
We have all the information you need to design and build your sidewalk cafe.
Insurance
Sidewalk cafes must have insurance.
Before you begin
Look at our information about:
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:
Record some employee illnesses:
Follow City and State regulations:
Food plan review
You must submit plans to:
- Open a new food or alcohol business, including:
- Food carts
- Food kiosks
- Food trucks
- Remodel or expand an existing food or alcohol business
- Replace food equipment that needs any of these permits for installation:
- Gas
- Mechanical
- Plumbing
- Add ventless cooking equipment or ventless hoods
The City must approve your plans before you start any work.
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
More information
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.
Request accessible format
If you need help with this information, please email 3 1 1, or call 311 or 612-673-3000.
Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.
Contact us
Environmental Health
Minneapolis Health Department
Phone
Address
Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 520
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Business Licenses & Consumer Services
Phone
612-673-2080
Fax
612-673-3399
Address
Public Service Building505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 220
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Office hours
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Monday – Thursday
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Friday