$20 for a hamburger that was so dry it was white . Chefs and cook should start taking more pride in what they're doing especially when people are spending $20 on a single paddy that's not even a double quarter pounder. Make the cook.eat a burger so dry it's white inside
Vegan Restaurant
Minervas Restaurant & Bar
· $$$$ · aberdeen · Strict-vegan verified
Fully vegan
Editor synopsis · 0 reviews
Diners overwhelmingly call out the signature dish as the must-order. The vibe reads as vegan restaurant — service is consistently described as warm and unhurried. Common gotcha: queues form at peak times — go early or late.
Excerpts
$20 for a hamburger that was so dry it was white . Chefs and cook should start taking more pride in what they're doing especially when people are spending $20 on a single paddy that's not even a double quarter pounder. Make the cook.eat a burger so dry it's white inside
No host at the front. We had to wait for someone to finally notice us. The restaurant was not busy at all and our waitress did not come over to take our drinks for at least five minutes. She then proceeded to mess up for a drink order. Our food arrived within 20 minutes, but it was very dry and we never got any refills on our drinks. We watched the staff watch videos on their phone and mess around the whole time we were there.
No host at the front. We had to wait for someone to finally notice us. The restaurant was not busy at all and our waitress did not come over to take our drinks for at least five minutes. She then proceeded to mess up for a drink order. Our food arrived within 20 minutes, but it was very dry and we never got any refills on our drinks. We watched the staff watch videos on their phone and mess around the whole time we were there.
The recent change in ownership has not been for the better. Formerly Minerva's, it was abruptly rebranded "Dakota Kitchen & Lounge" in July 2025 and the food is now as bland as the name. "Meh" is an understatement. Despite restaurant prices, the taste and quality of the chicken alfredo is below that of a Walmart frozen meal. The tomato soup looks and tastes like Prego pasta sauce. The firecracker shrimp have no fire or crack, and the accompanying rice is dry and tasteless. The staff are doing their best, but they have clearly been put in a difficult position by the sudden and poorly planned transition. According to news reports they were given 24 hours notice to create a revised menu, and the inexperienced head chef was responsible for naming the restaurant. The Best Western Ramkota Hotel and Convention Center, which houses the restaurant, used to be a premier event venue in Aberdeen. Not anymore. With food quality this low, I can't imagine anyone hosting a lunch or dinner event here unless they had no other option. Sadly the once-great Ramkota appears to be yet another victim of mediocrity and lack of imagination. Unless something drastic changes, I expect them to be out of business soon. I sincerely hope I'm wrong.