FAQs

moto-i is open:

  • Sunday & Saturday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
  • Monday – Friday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM

Hours can vary slightly by season or special events, so we always recommend confirming on our website or reservation platform before your visit.

We're at 2940 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408, USA., you are leaving the website, opens in a new tab

Parking:

  • Street parking
  • Public parking spots or pay lots

Transit:

  • Metro Transit bus routes like the Routes 2, 6, and 12 stop within a few minutes' walk of moto-i.
  • The Lake Street / Midtown Greenway area is easily accessible from across Minneapolis via bus or bike.
  • If you're using a rideshare service (Uber/Lyft), just enter 'moto-i Minneapolis' and it'll get you right to our front door.

Yes. You can order moto-i online, takeout/pick up and delivery are available in Minneapolis through our first party and preferred food delivery platform, here: https://motoi.toast.site/order, you are leaving the website, opens in a new tab. We offer delivery for all our menu items including bottles of sake, with all the same prices and customizations / accommodations as ordering in-store.

Walk-ins are welcome as space allows, but reservations are recommended — especially on weekends or for larger groups — to secure your table. moto-i can get busy during peak dining hours. Rooftop patio seating is first come first serve only.

If you'd like to book ahead, here's the link: https://www.exploretock.com/motoi/, you are leaving the website, opens in a new tab

For reservations of 8 or more, contact our phone number (612) 821-6262. The best way to make a reservation for less than 8 guests is to book online and use our reservation link in tock here: https://www.exploretock.com/motoi/, you are leaving the website, opens in a new tab

You can view our full menu here: https://moto-i.com/ Guest favorites include:

  • Classic Ramen - smoked pork shoulder, pork belly, scallion, chili oil, poached egg, shoyu broth.
  • Japanese Fried Chicken (JFC) - spicy cabbage slaw, kecap manis
  • Another Dalliance sake - rice: yamadanishiki | abv: 16% | smv: +4 | seimaibuai: 57% | our longest love affair, velvety smooth with a bright acidity, flavors of strawberry, macademia, and maitake

moto-i is generally considered casual dining with moderate prices

Yes. moto-i offers vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan-friendly menu items. There are dishes that are prepared vegan (like the lettuce wraps) and ramen that can be made vegan by substituting udon noodles and adjusting ingredients. Several salads and sides are also vegetarian or vegan, and the menu indicates which items can be modified.

moto-i can accommodate many dietary preferences and restrictions, including vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan requests. Some dishes can be modified on request — for example veganizing certain ramen or rice bowls — and staff can help guide you to options that fit your needs. If you have specific allergies or dietary concerns, it's a good idea to mention them when ordering or when you arrive. You can also add these in your reservation notes.

Yes. We offer catering services for company or group lunches, host private events and group dinners and have multiple event spaces that can accommodate parties, celebrations, corporate events, and special occasions.

Our private areas offer semi-customizable layouts and can be tailored to your event needs:

  • Ramen Alley (1st floor): Semi-private space for 15–30 guests. Great for seated dinners or mingling-style events, located next to our sake brewery and shuffleboard table.
  • Big Boy Lounge (2nd floor): Private lounge for up to 50 guests (25 seated), with a dedicated bar, customizable lighting/music, and the option to host DJs or live music, or other forms of presentation.
  • Stryker's Lookout (Rooftop): Open-air patio with skyline views. Perfect for 75 seated or up to 160 guests cocktail-style. DJ/live music permitted with a sound permit.

Contact events@moto-i.com or (952) 295-7291 to inquire about our event spaces or check out more information about them here www.moto-i.com/events-moto-i

We also offer catering and large-order pick up here: https://www.toasttab.com/catering/moto-i, you are leaving the website, opens in a new tab

Contact catering@moto-i.com or (952) 295-7291 to inquire about our catering services or check out more information about them here https://moto-i.com/cater

  • Street parking is available around the restaurant (meters apply on main streets).
  • There are also nearby public parking spots or pay lots within a short walk.
  • On nights and weekends parking can fill up, so we recommend arriving a few minutes early if you're driving.

What makes moto-i unique is that it's more than just a place to eat - it's a place to discover something new.

As the first sake brewpub in the U.S., we're proud to brew our own sake in-house, giving guests the opportunity to experience fresh, locally crafted sake alongside an izakaya-inspired menu built for sharing. From steaming bowls of ramen to our signature steamed buns, every visit is designed to encourage exploration and conversation.

Beyond the food and drink, moto-i is known for creating experiences. Throughout the year, we host events like our Fantasy Sumo League, guided sake tastings with our brewer, Japanese whisky tastings, HiFi listening nights, and seasonal celebrations that bring people together around Japanese food, drink, and culture.

Our team is a huge part of what makes moto-i special. Whether you're trying sake for the first time or have dietary restrictions, our staff is passionate about making everyone feel welcome. We're happy to guide guests through the menu, offer recommendations, and accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets whenever possible.

The experience itself is also unique. With three distinct levels - including our main dining room, intimate Big Boy Lounge, and rooftop patio, every visit offers a different atmosphere, whether you're joining us for a casual ramen lunch, a sake flight, live music, or sunset drinks.

DINING EXPERIENCE & ATMOSPHERE

Yes. moto-i is a popular choice for date nights, anniversaries, birthdays, and celebrations thanks to its unique atmosphere and variety of experiences under one roof. Enjoy a cozy dinner in our dining room, sip cocktails in the intimate Big Boy Lounge, or head upstairs to our rooftop patio for skyline views and sunset drinks during the warmer months.

Alongside our house-brewed sake and izakaya-inspired menu, moto-i offers a full bar featuring Japanese whisky flights, shochu flights, Japanese spirits, wine, beer, and classic cocktails—including our signature Good Luck cocktail, a guest favorite that has been on the menu since day one.

The vibe at moto-i is casual but energetic with warm, low lighting, a bustling bar, and a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces. Our restaurant combines modern izakaya and ramen house influences with a rooftop patio and lively crowd — making it feel friendly and social, not quiet or fine-dining formal.

To get the most out of your visit:

  • Make a reservation if you're coming during peak dinner hours.
  • Try a variety of dishes (ramen, small plates, buns) and sake flights or specialty cocktails.
  • Visit the rooftop seating on nice weather days.

Expect a social, lively setting — perfect for gatherings or a casual night out.

moto-i can be family-friendly during daytime or early evening hours, especially when the vibe is more relaxed and casual. However, later in the evening it's typically more adult-oriented due to the bar scene and energetic crowd, so families with young children might find the atmosphere better earlier in the day.

Yes. moto-i features multiple seating areas, including standard indoor dining, a lively bar space, and a rooftop patio that's open when weather permits. There are also options for groups and events in separate sections of the restaurant.

SAKE & BEVERAGE PROGRAM

Yes. We offer sake flights so you can sample a selection of our sake in smaller pours. This is a good way to explore different styles and find your favorites.

Yes. We have a full beverage program that includes specialty cocktails (many incorporating sake), a selection of beer, and other drinks. Our menu includes sake-based cocktails, classic cocktails, and beer alongside our sake offerings.

ABOUT MOTO-I

moto-i is all three: a full-service restaurant, a bar with a diverse beverage program, and a sake brewery. We describe ourselves as a sake brewpub — the first of its kind outside of Japan — where sake is brewed on-site and served alongside food and drinks.

We serve Japanese and Asian-inspired cuisine, including Tokyo-style straight-noodle ramen, house-made steamed buns, and a variety of small plates and snacks. Our menu blends traditional and modern influences with a focus on bold flavors and shareable dishes.

Yes. We brew our own sake on-site — a defining part of what makes moto-i unique. Our house-brewed sake is available by the glass, in flights, or by the bottle, and it's an integral part of our beverage program.

EVENTS, SERVICES & OFFERINGS

Yes! There's always something happening at moto-i. Throughout the year, we host a mix of recurring events, seasonal celebrations, and one-night-only experiences centered around Japanese food, drink, and culture.

Some of our signature events include our Fantasy Sumo League and Sumo Draft Party during each Grand Sumo tournament, guided sake tastings with our brewer through our Tasting with the Brewer series, Nikka Japanese whisky tastings, HiFi listening nights, and seasonal menu launches.

We also celebrate occasions like World Sake Day, National Ramen Noodle Day, Valentine's Day, New Year's Eve, and many other seasonal and cultural holidays throughout the year—including being open on Christmas night.