Unearth The Voyage
If you crave fire-kissed flavors, Martina is your Minneapolis address for Argentinian brilliance served with modern flair. Tucked into Linden Hills, this chic spot turns dinner into a cinematic scene of crackling grills, shimmering cocktails, and warm hospitality. With a 4.7 star reputation and lines forming before doors open, every bite feels like a celebration worth planning. Let this guide help you order like a regular and savor every smoky, citrusy, buttery moment.
Step into Martina and the first thing you feel is the glow from the wood-fire grill. It perfumes the room with a whisper of smoke that clings to steaks, seafood, and even vegetables. You can watch flames lick cast-iron pans while bartenders shake bright citrus cocktails that sparkle under soft lights.
The room is airy and chic, all clean lines and a little romance, perfect for date night or an elevated catch-up. You taste Argentina through fire and patience rather than heavy fuss. If you love dishes that speak in char, crisp edges, and silky centers, this is your happy place.
Servers guide you without pretense, offering smart pairings that make decisions easy. Order with curiosity and share across the table. By dessert, you will already be plotting your next reservation, because the experience feels both special and comfortably repeatable.
Provoleta at Martina is a must-start, a skillet of molten provolone browned at the edges and perfumed with fresh herbs. You scoop it while it stretches in buttery ribbons, then drag everything through chimichurri. It is salty, tangy, and deeply comforting, like grilled cheese dressed for a night out.
Shareable by design, it sets the tone for the table. The fire-kissed crust gives every bite a toasty snap that balances the rich middle. Pair with a crisp white or a bright cocktail to cut through the richness.
If you are new to Argentinian traditions, this dish is your cheerful introduction. It is simple, generous, and perfectly suited to the restaurant’s wood-fired soul. Order extra bread because you will not want to abandon a single melted corner.
Martina’s empanadas arrive golden and aromatic, their flaky crusts cradling savory fillings that steam when you break them open. Expect perfectly seasoned beef, tender chicken, or seasonal vegetables with a touch of sweetness. Each bite balances crunch and tenderness, made for dipping in vibrant chimichurri.
They are the kind of appetizer that disappears fast, so plan accordingly. The pastry is delicate without crumbling, keeping every morsel neat and satisfying. You taste careful technique in the sealed edges and the gentle heat that lingers.
For a fuller experience, order a sampler to compare textures and spices. Pair with a Malbec or a citrus-forward spritz to brighten the spices. If you love portability and precision, these little half-moons deliver everything you want in a few glorious bites.
Chimichurri is Martina’s signature accent, and you will want it on everything. The classic green bursts with parsley, garlic, and a tangy splash of vinegar. A red version brings warmth and depth, with mild heat that never overpowers the dish beneath it.
Drizzle it over provoleta, empanadas, and steaks to awaken every charred surface. The oils seep into crevices and make flavors bloom. You will notice how brightness cuts richness while herbs keep everything lively and fresh.
Ask for extra because the servers understand its magnetic pull. Try a dip with crispy potatoes or even spoon a touch onto seafood. By the end of the meal, you might wonder how to stock your fridge with a jar that tastes exactly like this.
The grilled octopus at Martina is tender with a smoky bite, kissed by paprika and brightened with lemon. You cut through it easily, revealing a delicate interior that carries just enough char. Every plate looks like art without feeling fussy.
What makes it memorable is balance. The smokiness wraps around citrus and spice, while the texture stays silky and confident. It feels light yet deeply satisfying, a perfect transition from snacks to larger plates.
If seafood is your love language, this is the dish to anchor your meal. Pair it with a crisp Albariño or a mineral driven white. By the final slice, you will appreciate how the kitchen captures the grill’s voice without losing octopus’s gentle sweetness.
Beef tartare at Martina is sharp, clean, and confidently seasoned. Hand-cut cubes keep texture lively, letting you feel the quality of the beef. A silky yolk or cream element lends gentle richness that folds into capers and herbs with each stir.
It is the kind of dish where restraint matters. You taste acidity, salt, and aromatic bite without any single note shouting. Toasted bread brings crunch, creating that perfect contrast with the cool meat.
If you are adventurous, this is a treat that rewards attention. Take small bites and let the flavors build. Paired with a dry sparkling wine or a grapefruit cocktail, it becomes the most refreshing way to start an indulgent evening.
Martina’s steaks are the heart of the menu, seared over ripping heat so the crust sings when sliced. Inside, the meat stays blushing and juicy, ready for a waterfall of chimichurri. You can taste the discipline of high heat and quick rest in every focused bite.
Cuts rotate, but expect ribeye, strip, or a leaner option for contrast. Salt, smoke, and beefiness land first, followed by the herb brightness that defines the house style. Share one alongside vegetables so everyone gets a taste.
Ask your server about temperature and fat preference to land the perfect cut. Pair with Malbec or a bold yet polished red. If steak is your measuring stick, this program sets a standard you will remember long after the plates are cleared.
Do not skip the vegetables. Martina treats produce with the same respect as steaks, letting flames transform carrots, squash, and brassicas into concentrated sweetness. Blistered edges crackle while interiors stay tender and juicy, wearing olive oil and flaky salt like a tailored suit.
Seasonality keeps the plate shifting, which makes ordering exciting. You might get smoky carrots with citrus, or charred broccolini with a nutty accent. The grill whispers through each bite without masking the vegetable’s personality.
These sides become conversation pieces when shared. They lighten rich mains and invite a second glass of something cold. If you love a balanced table, this is the move that makes your spread feel complete and beautifully intentional.
On the plancha, fish develops shatter crisp skin and pearly flesh. Martina’s kitchen nails that contrast, finishing with lemon, butter, or verdant oils. The result tastes clean and focused, like a bright line drawn across the richer parts of your meal.
Depending on the night, you may see halibut, branzino, or salmon. Each is cooked with restraint, letting the natural sweetness show. A final brush of chimichurri or a delicate salsa turns the plate into something quietly thrilling.
If you lean seafood, this course can be your main event. Order with roasted potatoes or a citrusy salad to round things out. You will leave feeling satisfied but not weighed down, which is a rare and lovely trick.
Brunch at Martina is sunny and spirited, running Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 2 PM. The kitchen leans playful, with dishes that borrow smoke and citrus from dinner while keeping things light. You feel relaxed, like the neighborhood collectively exhaled.
Expect fresh pastries, egg dishes with herb brightness, and a few sweet options that still respect balance. Coffee service is thoughtful, and cocktails keep the tone festive without tipping into heavy. It is the kind of brunch that starts slow and disappears quickly.
If you live for weekend rituals, this one deserves a spot. Come early or book ahead because seats fill fast. You will walk out ready for the lake or a long stroll through Linden Hills, satisfied but not sleepy.
Martina’s bar crafts cocktails with vivid citrus, clean spirits, and precise ice. Drinks arrive crystal clear and perfectly chilled, like jewelry glinting under bar lights. You taste intention in every proportion, from bright spritzes to stirred-and-serious sippers.
Ask the bartenders for pairings because they read the kitchen’s flavors well. Citrus and herbs echo chimichurri, while smoke nods to the grill. The result is harmony on the table, where nothing fights for attention.
If you enjoy conversation across the counter, grab a bar seat before five. Watch the choreography while your drink gets built. By the second round, you will likely commit to a favorite and plot a return just to taste it again.
Dessert at Martina often lands on dulce de leche, that velvety caramel that tastes like a hug. Expect salty-sweet balance and textures that alternate between crisp and creamy. It is indulgent without being heavy, especially if you share a plate across the table.
A drizzle of sauce, a whisper of vanilla, maybe a nutty crunch, and it all clicks. The kitchen understands restraint, leaving space for one last sip of coffee or a nightcap. You finish satisfied and a little giddy.
If you like endings that feel thoughtful, this is your move. Pair with an espresso or a small pour of something aged. The memory tends to linger on your walk out the door, sweet but never cloying.
Service at Martina is polished yet relaxed, the kind that anticipates without hovering. You get honest menu guidance, smart pacing, and real enthusiasm for the food. It makes the experience feel easy, even on busy nights when the room hums.
The atmosphere is chic but welcoming, with an airy layout that keeps conversation flowing. Lighting flatters the plates and the people. You feel wrapped in warmth from the grill and the staff’s confidence.
If you are celebrating, they know how to make it feel special. If you are just hungry, they honor that too. It is the kind of hospitality that makes you a regular before you realize it.
Martina opens at 5 PM on weekdays and Friday, with dinner running until 9 or 10 depending on the night. Weekend brunch hits 10 AM to 2 PM Saturday and Sunday. Prime times fill quickly, so reservations are smart, especially for groups.
The address is 4312 Upton Ave S in Minneapolis, easy to reach if you are exploring Linden Hills. Call +1 612-922-9913 or book online through their website. Pricing sits at the $$$ mark, reflecting quality ingredients and technique.
If you like bar dining, arrive before the doors open and slide into a front row seat. For date night, aim for a later table when the room glows. Either way, you will leave happy and thinking about your next visit.
Part of Martina’s charm is its Linden Hills setting, where evening strolls feel natural before and after dinner. You can wander past boutiques and the lake air before slipping into that warm, wood-fired glow. It turns a meal into a neighborhood ritual.
The vibe is relaxed but stylish, mirroring the restaurant’s design. Locals mix with destination diners, which keeps energy fresh. If you love a scene that feels lived in, this block delivers.
Plan a pre-dinner walk or a post-dessert loop to make the night last. The neighborhood frames the experience with comfort and curiosity. By the time you head home, you will understand why people keep calling this place a favorite.
Martina stands out because every element sings the same song: clarity, fire, and hospitality. The kitchen trusts simple techniques and excellent ingredients, letting smoke, salt, and citrus carry the melody. You taste confidence in each bite.
With a 4.7 star reputation across nearly two thousand reviews, consistency backs the romance. Service flows, cocktails gleam, and plates look effortless. It feels modern but rooted, elegant but never stiff.
If you want Argentinian spirit interpreted through a Minneapolis lens, this is the address. Come with friends, share widely, and let the grill lead. You will walk away with a new standard for how delicious restraint can be.
