The Diamond Lake neighborhood is located on the southern end of Minneapolis. The Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport is situated directly to the southwest, and the city of Richfield is immediately south. The neighborhood derives its name from the lake found on its western side. Diamond Lake’s northeastern corner attaches to Lake Nokomis recreation areas and parks.

Diamond Lake represents a premier neighborhood of South Minneapolis. The neighborhood features exceptional residential areas with convenient access to commercial and recreational locations inside the big city.  Natural landmarks make the neighborhood, with its many parks, green spaces and bodies of water, including Diamond Lake and Minnehaha Creek, a place full of charming scenery. Among the 4,000 or so households, more than 90% are single-family homes with styles ranging from early 20th century two-story colonial, Tudors, and 1950’s Ramblers. With 6,000 residents, this neighborhood exudes the pleasantries of a private community that is in close proximity to the big city.

First Course Bistro is across the park from Diamond Lake on 56th Street and Chicago Avenue. First Course Bistro has been providing its casual, chic design and classy yet soothing atmosphere of modern American cooking since it opened in 2001. It is ideal for a successful beginning to one’s night and wonderful for a multi-course evening with a loved one. Guests may relax in the comfy furniture, enjoy the fireplace, or take seating at the bar before enjoying one of the uniquely handcrafted dishes. The menu offers a great assortment of meats, seafood, small plates and nightly specials.

The 5-8 Club is a well-renowned restaurant throughout the Twin Cities metro area. Famous for their “Juicy Luicy” burgers, a Minnesotan invention where cheese is cooked between two burger patties resulting in a molten-hot delicacy, the 5-8 Club claims to be the inventors of this Minnesotan classic. The Juicy Luicy has been featured on several national television shows and in several magazines. It first debuted on the TV show Man v. Food, and since then has gained widespread notoriety. In 2014, The 5-8 Club was ranked #1 Tastiest Place to Chow Down by the Travel Channel, and TIME Magazine rated the Juicy Luicy as one of the most influential burgers of all time. A local favorite, The 5-8 Club is a must-try restaurant.

At Fat Lorenzo’s, an award-winning, nationally recognized, and locally-owned Twin Cities Italian restaurant, one will experience some of the most delicious food that can be found within the Diamond Lake neighborhood. The restaurant is known for excellent, authentic, Italian cooking and fun and distinct paintings created by local Twin Cities artist Ed Charbonneau. They have received awards for their pizza and gelato, and awards for being the best Italian restaurant in the Minneapolis area from multiple ratings boards and organizations.

The Diamond Lake neighborhood is home to four parks. They include:

Diamond Lake Park: Diamond Lake Park is a large, natural wildlife preserve that shares the name of the neighborhood. Home to a wide variety of wildlife and migratory waterfowl, the park encompasses 81 acres and is a beautiful destination for nature enthusiasts. Residents are able to take a canoe out on the lake in the warmer months or go snowshoeing across during the winter. The park’s completely undeveloped nature makes it a wonderful addition to the neighborhood’s park system.

Todd Park: Todd Park is a 13-acre park located adjacent to Diamond Lake Park. Unlike its neighbor, Todd Park is highly developed and full of amenities. Guests can enjoy a baseball/softball field, playground, tennis court, drinking fountains, and walking paths. The park’s central location makes it an important community location, and each year it is the host of the Picnic in the Park Festival.

Edward C. Solomon Park: Edward C. Solomon Park is named after a recent park commissioner of the same namesake. At over 45 acres, this large park is cherished by the community. Known simply as Solomon Park, the park is comprised of fields, hills, wetlands, and a small pond. Visitors to the park can enjoy the wildlife and open space. Additionally, Solomon Park is home to an archery range where residents can practice their archery skills on hay bale targets.

Lake Nokomis Park: The Keewaydin neighborhood contains the majority of Lake Nokomis Park. A massive park at over 400 acres, Lake Nokomis Park services the Diamond Lake, Hale, Keewaydin, and Wenonah neighborhoods. Amenities at the park are seemingly endless and include baseball and softball fields, biking and walking paths, a decorative fountain, fishing piers, football and soccer fields, pickleball and tennis courts, a playground, picnic areas with a grill, a pond hockey rink, and public art sculptures throughout. Additionally, visitors can make use of the lake. Lake Nokomis is one of only three sailing lakes in Minneapolis and also offers boat and canoe access. The park has several swimming beaches along the lake’s shores which are wildly popular during the summer months. A great destination for all ages and interests, Lake Nokomis Park is a wonderful park to visit year-round.

If you have any questions regarding the city of Minneapolis, the Nokomis community, or if you would like to sell or buy a house in the area, please feel free to visit Twin Cities Property Finder or call 1-800-909-1953.