Now that it’s summer, it’s time to go outside! But are swimming, hiking, camping, and sunbathing really enough? To truly enjoy the weather, it’s best to do everything outside that you possibly can. One of the best summer outdoor activities is eating outside. These 11 Minnesota restaurants have fantastic patios. Stop in for a bite to eat, and you’ll have a magical outdoor dining experience.
- NOSH Restaurant & Bar - Lake City
NOSH Restaurant & Bar/Facebook
NOSH Restaurant & Bar/Facebook Nestled on the banks of Lake Pepin, Lake City is an ideal to spend a warm summer day. There’s plenty to do, but if you’re just looking for a relaxing meal, look no further than NOSH. This restaurant has an incredible outdoor patio where diners can delight in watching sailboats gliding over the water. Top it off with some great food, and your day will be unforgettable. Address: 310 South Washington Street, Lake City.
- Dock Cafe - Stillwater
Dock Cafe/Facebook
Dock Cafe/Facebook This riverfront restaurant has an absolutely beautiful outdoor dining area. It overlooks the St. Croix River and offers a beautiful view of the bridge. Better yet, the restaurant serves fresh, flavorful food that is sure to satisfy any palate. Address: 425 Nelson Street East, Stillwater.
- Marine Landing b.o.t.m - Marine on St. Croix
Marine Landing b.o.t.m./Facebook
Marine Landing b.o.t.m./Facebook This restaurant is lesser known, but it sure is delightful. Like the Dock Cafe, it overlooks the St. Croix River. But this spot is a little more remote. Its location in Marine on St. Croix is quiet, full of trees, and features an amazing deck to relax on. Address: 10 Elm Street, Marine on St. Croix.
- 6Smith - Wayzata
6Smith/Facebook
6Smith/Facebook The patio at 6Smith is huge, making it a popular spot for those who love eating outside. You can’t go wrong no matter what you order, but the brunch offerings are particularly delicious. Eat it with a drink on the patio, and you won’t ever want to leave. Address: 294 Grove Lane East, Wayzata.
- Acqua Restaurant - White Bear Lake
Acqua Restaurant-White Bear Lake/Facebook
Acqua Restaurant-White Bear Lake/Facebook This restaurant is right on the banks of White Bear Lake. It offers lovely views of the lake, a perfect outdoor dining area, and a great menu. The food is made with fresh, local ingredients that are sure to delight your tastebuds. Address: 4453 Lake Avenue South, White Bear Lake.
- Birch’s on the Lake - Long Lake
Birch’s on the Lake Brewhouse & Supperclub/Facebook
Birch’s on the Lake Brewhouse & Supperclub/Facebook Birch’s is a supper club that you should put on the top of your bucket list. They serve great food all year, but it’s especially amazing when the outdoor patio opens. Why? Because the patio is full of magical ambiance and overlooks a quiet, tree-lined lake. Address: 1310 Wayzata Boulevard, Long Lake.
- Sea Salt Eatery - Minneapolis
Nicole M./Yelp
- Harbor House Grille - Grand Marais
Harbor House Grille/Yelp
Nathan N./Yelp It should come as no surprise that there are plenty of patio restaurants in northern Minnesota, too. Better yet, many of them overlook Lake Superior. One popular restaurant with an outdoor patio is Harbor House Grille. Located in Grand Rapids, it’s a great little restaurant with a diverse menu of delicious options. Address: 411 West Highway 61, Grand Rapids.
Melaney S./Yelp Sea Salt Eatery is located steps away from Minnehaha Falls. Because of its perfect location, you can bet eating in their outdoor patio is truly magical. Top it all off with a delicious seafood meal, and you will have had the perfect Minnesota day. Address: 4825 Minnehaha Avenue, Minneapolis.
- Sir Benedict’s Tavern on the Lake - Duluth
Sir Benedict’s Tavern on the Lake/Yelp
Sir Benedict’s Tavern on the Lake/Facebook Duluth also has many restaurants with outdoor dining. St. Benedict’s is a good choice for those who want to eat good food in a lively atmosphere. It’s an English-style pub with an upgraded menu full of fresh, flavorful favorites. Address: 805 East Superior Street, Duluth.
- The Water’s Edge - St. Cloud
Shari G./Yelp
Britton R./Yelp Overlooking Pleasant Lake, the Water’s Edge is a great spot to eat outside in central Minnesota. The restaurant has a menu full of classic favorites from coconut shrimp to beef brisket. If you’re looking for a good bite to eat - and a beautiful place to eat it in - look no further. Address: 25958 Lake Road, St. Cloud.
- Zorbaz - Lake Shore
Zorbaz on Gull Lake/Facebook
Zorbaz on Gull Lake/Facebook Zorbaz is a popular restaurant near Nisswa that you should add to your dining bucket list. Many rave about their amazing pizza and Mexican food. It’s a combination that may make you scratch your head, but don’t worry about it. The food is good, and the view from the patio is even better. Address: 8105 Lost Lake Road, Long Lake.
Where’s your favorite place to eat outside? If you’re looking for more great spots to grab a bite, check out this list of 14 amazing waterfront restaurants in Minnesota.
NOSH Restaurant & Bar/Facebook
Nestled on the banks of Lake Pepin, Lake City is an ideal to spend a warm summer day. There’s plenty to do, but if you’re just looking for a relaxing meal, look no further than NOSH. This restaurant has an incredible outdoor patio where diners can delight in watching sailboats gliding over the water. Top it off with some great food, and your day will be unforgettable. Address: 310 South Washington Street, Lake City.
Dock Cafe/Facebook
This riverfront restaurant has an absolutely beautiful outdoor dining area. It overlooks the St. Croix River and offers a beautiful view of the bridge. Better yet, the restaurant serves fresh, flavorful food that is sure to satisfy any palate. Address: 425 Nelson Street East, Stillwater.
Marine Landing b.o.t.m./Facebook
This restaurant is lesser known, but it sure is delightful. Like the Dock Cafe, it overlooks the St. Croix River. But this spot is a little more remote. Its location in Marine on St. Croix is quiet, full of trees, and features an amazing deck to relax on. Address: 10 Elm Street, Marine on St. Croix.
6Smith/Facebook
The patio at 6Smith is huge, making it a popular spot for those who love eating outside. You can’t go wrong no matter what you order, but the brunch offerings are particularly delicious. Eat it with a drink on the patio, and you won’t ever want to leave. Address: 294 Grove Lane East, Wayzata.
Acqua Restaurant-White Bear Lake/Facebook
This restaurant is right on the banks of White Bear Lake. It offers lovely views of the lake, a perfect outdoor dining area, and a great menu. The food is made with fresh, local ingredients that are sure to delight your tastebuds. Address: 4453 Lake Avenue South, White Bear Lake.
Birch’s on the Lake Brewhouse & Supperclub/Facebook
Birch’s is a supper club that you should put on the top of your bucket list. They serve great food all year, but it’s especially amazing when the outdoor patio opens. Why? Because the patio is full of magical ambiance and overlooks a quiet, tree-lined lake. Address: 1310 Wayzata Boulevard, Long Lake.
Nicole M./Yelp
Harbor House Grille/Yelp
Nathan N./Yelp
It should come as no surprise that there are plenty of patio restaurants in northern Minnesota, too. Better yet, many of them overlook Lake Superior. One popular restaurant with an outdoor patio is Harbor House Grille. Located in Grand Rapids, it’s a great little restaurant with a diverse menu of delicious options. Address: 411 West Highway 61, Grand Rapids.
Melaney S./Yelp
Sea Salt Eatery is located steps away from Minnehaha Falls. Because of its perfect location, you can bet eating in their outdoor patio is truly magical. Top it all off with a delicious seafood meal, and you will have had the perfect Minnesota day. Address: 4825 Minnehaha Avenue, Minneapolis.
Sir Benedict’s Tavern on the Lake/Yelp
Sir Benedict’s Tavern on the Lake/Facebook
Duluth also has many restaurants with outdoor dining. St. Benedict’s is a good choice for those who want to eat good food in a lively atmosphere. It’s an English-style pub with an upgraded menu full of fresh, flavorful favorites. Address: 805 East Superior Street, Duluth.
Shari G./Yelp
Britton R./Yelp
Overlooking Pleasant Lake, the Water’s Edge is a great spot to eat outside in central Minnesota. The restaurant has a menu full of classic favorites from coconut shrimp to beef brisket. If you’re looking for a good bite to eat - and a beautiful place to eat it in - look no further. Address: 25958 Lake Road, St. Cloud.
Zorbaz on Gull Lake/Facebook
Zorbaz is a popular restaurant near Nisswa that you should add to your dining bucket list. Many rave about their amazing pizza and Mexican food. It’s a combination that may make you scratch your head, but don’t worry about it. The food is good, and the view from the patio is even better. Address: 8105 Lost Lake Road, Long Lake.
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