Where to Eat in Minnesota
Lake Superior fish, pie stops on Highway 61 and brewpubs in every port and river town.
Greater Minnesota cooks with what is close at hand. Lake Superior herring and lake trout are smoked in Duluth and along the shore, walleye turns up on nearly every menu, wild rice goes into soups and hotdish, and in fall the farms of the southeast supply apples and cheese. Duluth has become one of the Midwest's better small brewing towns, and you will find brewpubs in Ely, Grand Marais, Rochester and Stillwater too.
For Minneapolis and St. Paul restaurants, see the Twin Cities dining guide on our sister site.
Duluth
A former truck stop turned scratch kitchen, with a big menu, its own gardens and long weekend brunch lines.
Smoked Lake Superior fish, cured meats and big sandwiches from a small counter in the DeWitt-Seitz building.
Italian cooking and gelato with a porch overlooking the lake.
A long-running brewpub in the old Fitger brewery buildings on the lake.
A taproom in Duluth's Lincoln Park craft district, known for its lagers and pale ales.
Gin, aquavit and whiskey made with Lake Superior water, served in a cocktail room by the canal.
The Canal Park restaurant beside the lift bridge that gave the city's marathon its name.
Along the North Shore
Pie, fish and donuts are the traditional road-trip stops.
A small dining room on the scenic drive with seasonal plates and a garden.
A Highway 61 landmark with a long list of fruit and cream pies.
Fresh Lake Superior fish in a former fishing shanty on the harbor, open in the warmer months.
A seasonal donut shop by the harbor where morning lines are part of the tradition.
A 1920s lodge east of Grand Marais with a dining room painted in bright Cree-inspired designs.
Canoe Country and the Lakes
Beer brewed on site and pub food on Ely's main street, a favorite after a canoe trip.
A restaurant and bar on Gull Lake that boaters can reach by water.
Rochester and Stillwater
Wood-fired pizza and inventive beers in a former laundry building.
A downtown dining room known for creative, seasonal tasting-style menus.
A wine bar and restaurant in an old downtown building, with a long list by the glass.
Restaurants change hours, menus and ownership often — check with the restaurant before you go. Listings are editorial picks, not paid placements.
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Get free trip quotes »Minnesota Dining — FAQ
What food is Minnesota known for?
Walleye, wild rice soup, hotdish, smoked Lake Superior fish, Juicy Lucy burgers in the Twin Cities, bars (the dessert) and a deep love of pie.
Where can I buy smoked fish on the North Shore?
Northern Waters Smokehaus in Duluth and several fish markets in Knife River, Two Harbors and Grand Marais sell smoked herring, trout and salmon.
Are North Shore restaurants open in winter?
Many are, but some, especially in Grand Marais, close or cut hours from late fall to spring. Check before you drive.