Quick Take
My Rating: 4 / 5
My Take: Good service and generous portions, but an uneven dinner. The vegetables with chicken in black bean sauce were the standout.
Location: 2739 Nicollet Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408
My Order Pick: Vegetables with chicken in black bean sauce
What I Paid: $88 for two, including tip, on this visit
Source: March 2026 review
Local Guide Tip: If the Szechuan dumplings need more heat, ask for chili oil. It helped ours, although it did not fully make up for the missing spice.
Sunday Dinner at Rainbow Chinese
My wife and I went back to Rainbow Chinese on Eat Street for Sunday dinner, and this meal was more mixed than our previous visit a couple of years earlier. I still like the space, the service was good, and we certainly did not leave hungry. But a couple of dishes fell short of what I remembered.
This Rainbow Chinese Minneapolis review comes from the dinner behind my March 2026 Google review. I gave it four out of five overall, with five for service and atmosphere and four for food.
Rainbow Chinese on Nicollet Avenue, right in the middle of Minneapolis Eat Street.
A Familiar Eat Street Restaurant
Rainbow has been serving Minneapolis since 1987, with chef and owner Tammy Wong behind the restaurant. You can read more about her on Rainbow’s website.
For me, part of the appeal is the room itself. It has that classic Eat Street feel, and the koi fish tank is a nice touch. Our dinner was quiet enough for easy conversation, which I appreciated.
Painted panels and wood screens give the dining room its familiar character.
What We Ordered
Szechuan Dumplings: Missing the Heat
We started with the Szechuan dumplings, usually one of my favorites here. This time, they had almost no spice. I asked for chili oil, which brought them back to life a bit, but they still were not what I expect from that dish.
I would not write them off based on one dinner, but they were a disappointing start given how much I have enjoyed them before.
The Szechuan dumplings looked promising, but I needed chili oil to give them some heat.
Beef Chow Fun: Generous, but Underwhelming
The beef chow fun with baby bok choy was another mixed plate. The noodles were fine, but the beef was a bit chewy and the overall dish leaned bland. At this price point, I think there are stronger options around town.
Portion size was not the problem. We had plenty of food. I wanted more flavor and better texture from the beef.
A generous plate of beef chow fun, though the beef was chewy and the flavor too mild for me.
Vegetables with Chicken in Black Bean Sauce: The Best Dish
The vegetables in black bean sauce with chicken were easily the standout. This dish had good flavor, balance and some depth. It was the plate that worked best for us, and the one I would be most inclined to order again.
Our Bill and the Value
We added a fried rice side for $4 and a pot of green tea for $8. Our total with tip was $88. Those were the prices from our visit, rather than a quote for the same dinner today.
The portions were generous enough that we had lunch for two the next day. That helped the value, although leftovers do not entirely make up for a meal where a couple of the main dishes miss the mark.
We ordered a pot of green tea to go with dinner, $8 on this visit.
Service, Atmosphere and Parking
Service was good, and the food came out fast. The room remains a reason I enjoy Rainbow, even when the food is uneven. There is also a small dedicated parking lot next to the building, which was a useful bonus on Eat Street.
The fish tank is one of the little details that gives Rainbow its personality.
Menu Prices and Planning Your Visit
| Menu item | Listed price |
|---|---|
| Szechuan Wontons (8) | $15 |
| Black Bean Vegetable Chicken | $18 |
| Chow Fun, starting price before options | $18 |
These are sample prices from the official linked online ordering menu, checked October 19, 2026. The dumplings I called Szechuan dumplings in my review are listed there as Szechuan Wontons. Online prices and options may differ from dining in; use the current menu for your order.
Rainbow is at 2739 Nicollet Avenue South, Minneapolis. Its website lists Wednesday through Sunday dining from 4 to 9 p.m., with the kitchen closing at 8:30. Reservations are available through the website’s Resy link. Wednesday and Thursday service is described as more casual, with a smaller team. Check the site for changes before heading over.
The bar and cocktail chalkboard during our visit. Drink selections and prices may have changed.
Would I Go Back to Rainbow Chinese?
Yes, but this dinner felt like a step back from our previous meal. I still like the atmosphere, service and generous portions. The vegetables with chicken in black bean sauce showed what worked well, while the dumplings and chow fun left me wanting more.
Four out of five reflects that balance. There were enough good things to enjoy the evening, but I would want the food to be more consistent next time.
For more places to eat around the Twin Cities, see my Minneapolis restaurant guide.
9:07 PM
