Looking for the perfect lakeside restaurant in Minnesota? Being the Land of 10,000 Lakes, there are many options. On just about every major lake in the state – and even a few smaller ones – there is a great kitchen serving up a menu full of delicious food. They are great for date night ideas in Minnesota as well as musts to add to your outdoor dining bucket list.

1. Maynard's - Excelsior
Joan W/TripAdvisor
Maynards, 685 Excelsior Blvd, Excelsior, MN 55331, USA
Sam B/TripAdvisor
Located on the banks of Lake Minnetonka, this beautiful restaurant is well worth the visit. Flavorful, fresh food is the name of the game here, but you'll find plenty of other reasons to stop by. One of the best restaurants on a lake, the view from the patio will make your meal taste even better. Read more about dining at Maynard's.
2. Sandcastle - Minneapolis
Bob T/TripAdvisor
DrummerGelly/TripAdvisor
Editor's note: Unfortunately, this site is permanently closed. 

Get ready for a day at the beach! One of the best lakeside restaurants in MN, Sandcastle is right on the sandy beach of Lake Nokomis. Outdoor seating will help you enjoy your meal at this tasty restaurant. Everything is made from scratch, and all of it is delicious. Head to the website for Sandcastle for the most up-to-date information about dining here.
3. Bar Harbor Supper Club - Nisswa
Bar Harbor Supper Club/Facebook
Bar Harbor Supper Club, 8164 Interlachen Rd, Lake Shore, MN 56468, USA
Bar Harbor Supper Club/Facebook
You can boat right up to this gorgeous northern Minnesota restaurant as there are plenty of spots to tie up along the shore. But if you prefer to arrive by land, you still won't miss out on a great waterfront view. With great food, excellent service, and amazing views, a stop at this lakeside restaurant in MN is a no-brainer. Learn more about why you should dine at the Bar Harbor Supper Club.
4. Bluefin Grille - Tofte
Bluefin Grille/TripAdvisor
Bluefin Grille, 7192 MN-61, Tofte, MN 55615, USA
Bluefin Grille/TripAdvisor
What better lake to dine on than Superior? The greatest of all the Great Lakes, its choppy waters create a spectacular show for any visitor to the North Shore. If you're looking to take in the view from the comfort of a restaurant, look no further than Bluefin Grille. Incredible food awaits at this delicious spot, and you'll have a 360-degree view of Superior to go along with it. It's also a pretty good date night idea in Minnesota. Visit the website for Bluefin Grille to learn more about this restaurant.

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5. Angry Trout Cafe - Grand Marais
Fritz W/TripAdvisor
Angry Trout Cafe, West Highway 61, Grand Marais, MN, USA
Eric S/TripAdvisor
Amazing food awaits you at this North Shore restaurant. In fact, it may be the tastiest spot you can visit north of Duluth. Whatever you order, you'll get a plate of bright, fresh, and delicious food that will have you planning your next trip to this lakeside dining near me in MN mid-bite! Sit out on the patio during warm weather for excellent views of Lake Superior. Get more details on dining at Angry Trout Cafe.
6. Lord Fletcher's Old Lake Lodge - Spring Park
Lord Fletcher's Old Lake Lodge/Facebook
Lord Fletcher's Old Lake Lodge, 3746 Sunset Dr, Spring Park, MN 55384, USA
wandeemsp/TripAdvisor
This restaurant on the lake has a huge variety of menu items. From gourmet burgers to salads to walleye wraps, you'll find it all here. The flavorful food is best enjoyed outside, where you can look out over Lake Minnetonka. Try it out on a summer evening. You will not be sorry. Read more about dining at Lord Fletcher's Old Lake Lodge.
7. Fisher's Club - Avon
Tim D/TripAdvisor
Fisher’s Club, 425 Stratford St W, Avon, MN 56310, USA
Peggy O/TripAdvisor
Fisher's Club is a historic Minnesota restaurant that is not to be missed. But its history is not the only draw. For one thing, this little spot in small-town Minnesota has great food. And for another, it overlooks a sandy beach on the shores of Middle Spunk Lake. Go swimming or fishing, then sit down at this gorgeous lakeside restaurant. It'll be the best day of your entire summer! Here are some more details on dining at Fisher's Club.
8. Lola's Lakehouse - Waconia
Lola's Lakehouse/Facebook
Lola's Lakehouse, 318 E Lake St, Waconia, MN 55387, USA
Lola's Lakehouse/Facebook
Lola's Lakehouse is a little-known gem that you should definitely add to the top of your dining bucket list. The menu for this lakeside dining near me in MN spot is full of classics like lobster bisque and filet mignon. But there are plenty of inventive dishes as well! And the view over Lake Waconia is the perfect backdrop to your meal. Check out the website for Lola's Lakehouse to get more information on its menu and hours.

What is your favorite lakeside restaurant from this list? Do you have any other spots that you like? Tell us in the comments!

Try not to go too overboard with your meal and make sure you leave at least a little bit of room for dessert! For your after-dinner treat, check out these unique desserts in Minnesota.

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Rachel Raimondi | June 29, 2022

What is the best park in Minnesota?

While there are 66 state parks in Minnesota, there is also a national park in Minnesota, and I think it just so happens to be the best park in Minnesota:

  • Voyageurs National Park is located in northern Minnesota’s International Falls. At this 218,000-acre park, you can canoe, fish, and hike more than 100 miles of trails. Just be aware that most of the park’s best highlights are only accessible by boat. Many visitors opt to stay overnight here, and luckily, it’s also a great spot for camping in Minnesota. You can also come here to view the Northern Lights during the winter.

 

What are the most beautiful lakes in Minnesota?

Now that you know about some of the best lakeside restaurants, what about exploring the most beautiful lakes in Minnesota:

  • Lake Pepin: At 24,550 acres, this is the largest lake on the Mississippi River and it even creates a natural border with neighboring Wisconsin. There are three marinas here with boating, fishing, and swimming available. Frontenac State Park is located on the lake as well, and here, you can take in even more recreation, from hiking to camping to fishing.
  • Lake of the Isles: This Minneapolis lake is 109 acres and has just about three miles of shoreline where you can boat and fish. There are also walking and biking paths and in the wintertime, you can skate here, too!

 

What is the weather like in Minnesota in the summer?

Thinking about summer in Minnesota? Find out what to expect:

Summer here in the upper Midwest is a great time to visit some of Minnesota’s swimming spots. The average high is about 83 degrees, and never really goes below 73 or above 92. July is the hottest month of all with the highest-ever recorded temperature of 115 occurring on July 29, 1917, in Beardsley. But many residents welcome this as temperatures can reach well below zero in many places during the winter.

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