Area Activities
Dining
Here is a list of some of our favorite restaurants in Mankato with a close location to Moulin Rouge House B&B.
Our guests are giving us the thumbs up on all of these dining options.
NolaBelle Kitchen is located only 4 blocks from Moulin Rouge House B&B in downtown Mankato. Guests love their made fresh, farm to table inspired menu, serving candied bacon, grilled sweet corn, blueberry chicken tacos, polenta, chicken and steak. Nolabelle offers traditional American cuisine with a rustic twist using local ingredients from partners throughout the Midwest and Plains States including Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Wisconsin.
520 S. Front Street
Mankato, MN 56001
507-720-0841
Pub 500 is located 5 blocks from Moulin Rouge House B&B and is one of the most popular hangouts for locals and visitors in Mankato. Pub 500 is widely hailed as a hip spot for libations, hearty fare and sports bar atmosphere. Located on South Front Street in the heart of downtown, Pub 500 is known for hosting various nightly events like Monday Night Poker, Thursday Night Trivia, open mic and live music. Diners can swing by for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and sample pulled turkey sandwiches, raspberry jalapeno pork, and rodeo burgers.
500 S Front Street
Mankato, MN 56001
507-625-6500
Number 4 American Bar & Kitchen downtown Mankato is one of Mankato’s go-to spots. It is an upscale-casual bistro & bar featuring elevated American dishes—with a twist. The togorashi burger, for example, is topped with smoked bacon, pepperjack cheese and cabbage tossed in a creamy sweet chili sauce. And the guacamole made tableside is a must. Inside, the restaurant is modern but comfortable with black leather booths, red curtains and exposed brick. Also, this is a bar as much as it is a kitchen, so check out its extensive drink menu.
124 E Walnut Street
Mankato, MN 56001
507-344-1444
Swiss & Madison Restaurant is newly renovated with an inspired menu for lunch or dinner offering salmon, prime rib, fried shrimp, pastas, sandwiches and salads.
920 Madison Avenue
Mankato, MN 56001
507-380-7556
Olives by Massad’s is located in the Hilton Garden Inn lobby and is a family-owned restaurant specializing in fine cuisine with Lebanese flavors. The menu at Olives is a smart combination of Mediterranean and American cooking techniques and styles, resulting in light, flavorful dishes including caramelized onion pizza, grilled portobello mushroom sandwiches and savory New York strip. The restaurant has weekly specials, including Tuesday fondue nights, specials during Mankato Mavericks hockey season and more. A must try either on the menu part of their daily lunch buffet is their famous Chicken Schwarma, made with their marinated rotisserie chicken, delicious fixings and their unforgettable signature sauce.
20 Civic Center Plaza
Mankato, MN 56001
507-386-1001
Pagliai’s Pizza is located 4 blocks from Moulin Rouge House B&B and has been serving Mankato since1969. Pagliai’s Pizza has always been in the running for the best pizza place in town. . In addition, the restaurant serves tasty Poorboy sandwiches, spaghetti and garlic bread.
524 S Front Street
Mankato, MN 56001
507-345-6080
Dino’s Pizzeria is one of our favorite traditional New York style pizzeria atmospheres. Red gingham tablecloths and shakers of parmesan cheese on the tables, and a strong scent of melting mozzarella and toppings coming from its open kitchen as soon as you walk in the door.
Whether its pizza, pasta, sandwiches or salad, our menu has a selection to please anyone.
239 Belgrade Ave
North Mankato, MN 56003
507-385-3466
Coffee Hag Coffee Shop has won many awards for best coffee shop in Mankato. It’s Mankato’s favorite laid back hangout with a cool decor of eccentric musician albums, local artwork and a tin ceiling. The cafe serves lattes, americanos and espressos, as well as freshly baked pastries, soups, quiche and sandwiches. Make plans to swing by Friday and Saturday nights to catch a live performance from local musicians or an open mic night.
329 N Riverfront Drive
Mankato, MN 56001
507-387-5533
Three Perfect Summer Days in Mankato
| Venture out after a delicious breakfast to enjoy a day in the Historic Old Town Shopping District, where you’ll find some unique gifts and shops to explore.
| From Salvage Sisters to Bumbelou you’ll take some treasures home. Stop by to view the Old Town Community Mural at 417 N Riverfront Drive.
| Enjoy lunch at the The Hub Food Truck Park and enjoy an outdoor picnic on the lawn.
| Wander over to the CityArt Walking Sculpture Tour downtown Mankato.
| Make your way back to Moulin Rouge House B&B for an afternoon rest or take our bikes on The Red Jacket Trail.
| Finally, enjoy a romantic dinner at Number 4 offering delicious steaks and scallops.
*All of these locations are walking distance from Moulin Rouge House B&B and are Free to enjoy.
| After a relaxing and tasty breakfast, head over to Bent River Outfitter, where you will enjoy a day on the Blue Earth River on a guided kayak trip. Pick up snacks or a picnic lunch at The Coffee Hag on your way. (we can arrange your kayak trip).
Our most popular route on the Blue Earth River begins at Rapidan Dam in Rapidan, MN, ending at the Fort Lehillier Landing (County Road 90 bridge landing). The trip lasts about three to four hours, depending on how much you paddle. This route takes you through 11 sets of Class I rapids. Along with fun, small rapids there are two main waterfalls where you can get refreshed standing under the spring-fed falls.
| Return back to Moulin Rouge House B&B to get refreshed and relax in our beautiful parlor or covered porch.
| Take a casual walk 4 blocks to NolaBelle Kitchen for a fresh dinner made from scratch with local ingredients.
| You have shopped, explored and adventured. In the morning of Day Three, for those interested in nature visit 7 Mile Park for an inspiring hike. 7 Mile Park is a 628-acre county park located off of Highway 169 between North Mankato and St. Peter. There are multiuse trails with equestrian parking. Several footbridges cross 7 Mile Creek. A boat landing is located on the east side for access to the Minnesota River. It’s a beautiful park with new playground equipment, 2 volleyball courts, and 3 shelters.
| For those with more of a flare for culture, enjoy a guided tour of the Historic Hubbard House and gardens located walking distance from Moulin Rouge House B&B.
| The Historic R.D. Hubbard House is one of the finest examples of French Second Empire architecture in Minnesota. R.D. Hubbard was a true captain of industry in southern Minnesota. He not only founded Hubbard Milling Company, one of the largest flour mills in the Minnesota, but also the Mankato Linseed Oil Company and he established a system of 42 grain elevators stretching across southern Minnesota and into South Dakota.
| The 16-room historic house museum chronicles the life of R.D. and his family from 1871 to 1905. The home combines rich beauty and “new” innovation. The home featured the first private residence in Mankato to have indoor plumbing, electricity and a telephone connecting the home to Hubbard Milling Company.
| The adjoining 1890 Carriage House contains a collection of horse-drawn vehicles and antique automobiles. Elegant Victorian gardens landscape the two buildings. The House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a Mankato Heritage Preservation Landmark
| Go to Tandem Bagels Bakery & Coffeehouse for an easy lunch before coming back to Moulin Rouge House B&B to depart.
| Visit Greater Mankato Events and MankatoLife for specific dates for local concerts and events that you can enjoy during your stay with us such as a MoonDogs Baseball game, Songs on the Lawn in June, and Alive-After-5 in August 2022.
