801 Fish

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

Coastal Freshness in the Heart of the Midwest

Founded in 2013 as the newest concept within the 801 Restaurant Group portfolio, 801 Fish set out to prove that pristine coastal seafood has a rightful home far from any shoreline. The restaurant sits on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis, part of a group that has been setting the hospitality standard across the Midwest since 1993.

The guiding philosophy is straightforward: finned fish, crustaceans, and oysters sourced from the world's most pristine waters, delivered daily, and prepared with what the kitchen calls "pure cookery." The promise is that the seafood arrives transported directly from the dock — so fresh, as the restaurant puts it, that you might feel as though you were eating right on the coast.

The Raw Bar Experience

The raw bar is a centerpiece of the 801 Fish dining room. Oysters are kept alive and shucked to order, arriving at the table moments after leaving their shells. For guests new to oysters, the kitchen team offers guidance on selections and pairings. Signature options — including the 801 Signature and Grand Duxbury — are served with lemon, red wine mignonette, fresh horseradish, and house-made cocktail sauce.

A Sophisticated Room with Serious Wine

The atmosphere is described as vibrant and sophisticated — elegant without being stiff, energetic without being loud. That balance carries through to the wine program, which earned a Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence in 2025, a recognition that reflects genuine depth and curation rather than a perfunctory list.

The broader 801 Restaurant Group brings the same commitment to wine across its portfolio, with in-house sommeliers at its flagship 801 Chophouse locations. At 801 Fish, that culture of pairing knowledge is woven directly into the seafood-focused experience.

Private Dining and Gatherings

Beyond the main dining room, 801 Fish offers private dining options suited to rehearsal dinners, corporate events, and larger celebrations — a practical extension of the same service standards that define every table in the restaurant.