Minneapolis-St. Paul’s Best Patio Dining

Overlooking the mighty Mississippi River in the popular St. Anthony Main neighborhood, the Aster Cafe gives European vibes and is a great spot for a special night out. Find fresh salads, sandwiches, small plates, flatbreads, and bowls, the pride themselves on offering the freshest dishes. For a taste of summer in Minnesota, try their rhubarb burrata appetizer. Make a night out of it and enjoy their popular live music sessions. 

Celebrating Minnesota’s German heritage, this charming patio near the Minneapolis Institute of Art features blue and white checkered table clothes, a giant pergola with lush greenery, and heat lamps for cool nights. Enjoy pork schnitzel, bratwurst, cabbage rolls, and lots of beets, sauerkraut, cabbage, and spaetzle.  

Inspired by the flavors of the south, Caribbean, and Mexico, this beloved local chain’s Northeast Minneapolis location offers large umbrellas to stay cool. Their southwest Minneapolis location is just a short walk from Lake Harriet. Order their protein or vegan bowls, tasty sides, and more. Whatever you do, order their popular house green sauce to top your dish. 

Located across from Loring Park and near the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, this charming patio is surrounded by cozy brick, twinkle lights, white umbrellas, and beautiful flowerpots. Plan a romantic night out and enjoy seafood, pasta, steak, and more. 

Prolific restauranteur Daniel Del Prado’s Mediterranean cafe at the Walker Art Center offers sweeping views of the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, including the iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture. Snack on small plates like baba ganoush, marinated olives, hummus, falafel or heartier fare like pulled lamb shawarma, lamb burger, and pistachio pesto orzo. Save room for a chocolate chip tahini cookie.  

Another Daniel Del Prado venture — Colita in south Minneapolis — blends the flavors of Mexico with barbecue and smoking techniques. Focusing on small plates categorized by cold, hot, and smoked offerings, be sure to order anything with their hand-ground tortillas like the variety of tostadas with options like tuna, charred eggplant, chicken tinga, or cacio e pepe. For a vegetable option, be sure to try their corn elote, glazed carrots, and masa and guacamole. The entire kitchen is gluten-free. Beyond their dishes, they are serving up some of the most popular cocktails and mocktails in the metro. Just peek on Instagram and you will see endless snaps of their pebble ice margaritas topped with foam and a rubber duckie. For something sweet, their churros cannot be missed. 

One of Minneapolis’ most iconic patios, Jax Cafe has been a staple in the Twin Cities dining scene for 90 years. They dish up classics like oysters, lobster rolls, wedge salads, steaks, prime rib, and Red Lake walleye for a legion of fans. The patio features gorgeous flowers, intricate stonework — including a large roaring fireplace — and a soothing water feature surrounded by twinkle lights. 

This popular North Loop food hall offers everything from dynamic Hmong dishes to fantastic soul food. Pack your pup to enjoy their dog-friendly patio or grab a bite or a drink before an event at Target Field, just a short walk away.   

If you’re catching a game or a concert at Target Center or Target Field, Kieran’s is just steps away from the action. Watch the hustle and bustle while you sip a Two Gingers cocktail and munch on their signature chicken shots, bite-sized chicken breast tossed in a honey whiskey glaze, topped with scallions, and ranch. For heartier fare, try the popular fish and chips. 

More than just another food hall, Malcolm Yards offers a wide variety of events throughout the year. Find dishes from around the world, including southeast Asian at Abang Yoli, Bagu Sushi, Wrecktangle Pizza, Revival, Bebe Zito, and more.  

Another popular North Loop spot, Red Rabbit’s pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, and veggie options. Pair it with their extensive cocktail, wine, beer, and mocktail menus.  

This popular vegan restaurant offers bold plant-based dishes and has a beautiful wood deck that is accessible, in addition to their patio surrounded by trees and their colorful murals. Enjoy appetizers, salads, rice and noodle-based bowls, tacos, burgers, and more.  

Another vibrant Daniel Del Prado venture, Rosalia offers a large patio surrounded by trees, planters, cafe lights, and plenty of sunshine. Enjoy their salads, dips, wood-fired pizza, craft cocktails, curated wine list, and delicious desserts.   

With epic views of Minnehaha Falls, dining at Sea Salt is on many local’s summer bucket lists. Find seafood favorites like po’boys, fish tacos, fried catfish, crabcakes, oysters, and more. For land lubbers, find delicious sandwiches piled high with turkey, ham, fresh veggies, and more. Open seasonally.  

With one of the best lobster rolls in town, the North Loop’s Smack Shack is a popular spot with locals. Treat yourself to their indulgent lobster mac and cheese, lobster rolls (served two ways), po’boys, and more. It’s located within walking distance of Target Field if you’re craving a lobster roll before or after a Twins game. 

Surrounded by lush ivy and a gorgeous wood shade structure, The Bungalow Club’s patio is a can’t miss spot for date night. Join Wednesday night for Burger Club, featuring a rotating menu of beef, fish, veggie, and patty melts or Pasta Night on Sunday for their delicious homemade pasta. Their tasting menu rotates frequently but is always top notch, and happy hour on the patio is always a la carte. Grab some of their homemade pastas, prepared foods, and more in their small Bungalow Market before you go. 

Located in the popular North Loop neighborhood, The Freehouse’s patio keeps you close to the neighborhood action but offers romantic trees covered in lights, firepits, and city views. Try their cheese curds with apple sauce or roasted pepper sambal dipping sauces, turkey burger or the popular Roto Bird Baguette wood smoked chicken sandwich. Wash it all down with one of their popular beers they brew on site. 

Located in a giant custom grain bin, Bang Brewing’s organic ales and lagers pair perfectly with their partner, Farina Rossa Kitchen’s wood fired pizzas. Their beer garden is surrounded by native prairie grasses and flowers which attract pollinators and birds. Cozy up by the fire on a chilly night for a spectacular Minnesota summer night. 

With epic views of the mighty Mississippi River, this dog-friendly patio welcomes leashed and well-behaved dogs. Located in the historic Saint Paul Municipal Elevator and Sackhouse, the building stands to celebrate St. Paul’s history as a port city and the grain industry of the Twin Cities. In the summer, don’t miss their popular live music events. Dine on street tacos, Cubanos, nachos, cheese curds, ceviche, rice bowls, peel and eat shrimp, and more. 

With one of the largest patios in St. Paul, El Burrito Mercado offers Mexican street food, margaritas, tap beers, seltzers, and more. Enjoy live Latin music on the weekends. Before you go, stroll through their mercado to find salsas, premade meals, unique Hispanic groceries, goods, and more. 

Sister restaurant to the iconic eggrolls on a stick at the Minnesota State Fair and locations in Minneapolis and Brooklyn Center, Em Que Viet is serving authentic and homemade Vietnamese cuisine with a modern flare. Their bubblegum pink patio is dreamy with cafe lights and plenty of shade. Enjoy their iconic egg rolls, banhi mi, noodle salads, seafood, pork, beef, veggie, and chicken dishes, and more. They also offer a variety of craft cocktails, zero proof drinks, and desserts.  

Near Rice Park, Landmark Square, and the Xcel Energy Center, Meritage is the perfect spot for brunch or dinner before an event. A French bistro with an outstanding selection of oysters, plan a visit to feel like you’re on the streets of Paris. Don’t miss their French fries with béarnaise dipping sauce. 

Find traditional Russian, European, Ukranian dishes and drinks at this St. Paul icon. Their secluded patio can’t be missed in the summer months. Their extensive menu includes handmade dumplings, beet salad, deruny, beef stroganoff, blintzes, and a variety of infused vodkas.  

This beloved St. Paul spot opened a new patio with beautiful pergolas and lush green plants a few years ago. Dine on their popular pizzas, including their deep-fried pizza dough, indulgent pastas like lasagna, bucatini, and more. In summer, their heirloom tomato and burrata are a must-try appetizer. 

Sitting on the deck at Nico’s Taco Bar in the scenic Saint Anthony Park neighborhood sipping a margarita and snacking on tacos or nachos is a wonderful way to spend an evening. Find a variety of chips and salsas to add to any meal.  

Saint Paul Brewing is located in three historic buildings that were once part of the Hamm’s Brewery. The patio is situated in the charming ruins of the Hamm’s stables and carpentry shop, providing a unique and inviting atmosphere. Their patio is equipped with a one-of-a-kind canoe fire pit, making it a welcoming space for guests to enjoy year-round. 

This sprawling deck offers plenty of spaces to soak up the sun while you enjoy one of their 60 beers on tap. Snack on their garlic cheese curds, or their popular giant pretzel with spicy pickle dip and beer cheese sauce. For dinner, try their stuffed portobello mushroom, Cubano, or craft mac and cheeses.  

This popular brewpub is Minnesota’s first LGBTQ+-owned and woman-owned microbrewery. Their charming beer garden offers live music during the summer. The foods are designed to pair with their award-winning beers. Some popular dishes are their poutine, Italian beef, and ice cream floats.  

When it comes to outdoor dining in the Twin Cities, few restaurants can compete with the picturesque, tree-lined patio at W.A. Frost. A staple of St. Paul’s historic Cathedral Hill neighborhood for over 40 years, W.A. Frost pairs fine dining with an award-winning wine list and one of Minnesota’s most charming patios.  The expansive back patio is surrounded by a combination of leafy trees and the Dacotah Building’s ivy-covered, 100-year-old brick walls. Fire pits, string lighting and perfectly placed flowerpots add to the dreamy, fairytale-like atmosphere.  

Waldmann was a brewery way back in 1857 — six months before Minnesota became a state. It reopened in 2017 for the first time in 154 years. Find wood stoves, pinewood floors, hand-blown window glass, and more historic pieces throughout the building. The patio is scattered with hearty wood picnic tables and bright blue umbrellas or play cornhole (bags for Minnesotans). With the traditions of wursts and beer, their menu uses local ingredients. Try their pickles, smoked trout dip, biergarten pretzel and German dishes like spätzle, wursts, schnitzel, and more. They specialize in German and Czech beers, but their menu is always growing. They also have a rotating selection of N/A beers, make your own sodas with their seltzer waters and house made syrups. 

A sister restaurant to their popular Wrecktangle pizza locations, Wrestaurant at the Palace sits next to one of St. Paul’s most iconic music venues and serves up Detroit-style pizza alongside pickle roll-ups, salads, wings, burgers, and chopped cheese sandwiches. Their patio is the perfect spot for before or after a show.  

Known for their brunch and dinner, this spot in Shoreview is centered around their community and is a beautiful restaurant offering comforting classics with an elevated spin. Find sweet and savory brunch dishes, hearty entrees, salads, soups and more. Their patio is surrounded by large planters that are decorated for the season and offers plenty of shade. 

Duke’s on 7 is a popular spot that features an expansive patio and is a sister restaurant to Twin Cities favorites like Stanley’s in Northeast Minneapolis, Pub 819 in Hopkins, and The Block in St. Louis Park. They even offer a dog-friendly menu with entrees, treats, and desserts. Their weekly specials are great ways to enjoy a night out, including burger and wing specials, wine nights, or kids eat free promotions. 

Not many breweries can offer plenty of green space and even a playground for its littlest patrons, but Lakeville Brewing knows what their patrons like to do in the warmer months. Lakeville Brewing Company offers a full bar with wine, cocktails, in addition to their variety of craft beers. Snack on an extensive appetizer menu offering rueben or rachel nachos, beer steamed mussels, roasted cauliflower, and more. They also serve salads, soups, burgers, sandwiches, tacos, bowls, noodles, and more. 

Malones is located next to Arbor Lakes Shopping Center, the large outdoor shopping complex in Maple Grove. Find a casual menu with sandwiches, burgers, salads, wraps, entrees, and have some of the best waffle fries you’ve ever had. Their patio offers plenty of seating and is surrounded by charming twinkle lights and greenery. 

Every dish is made from scratch every day in Mason Jar‘s kitchen, bakery, and bar. Find Minnesota favorites like Red Lake walleye, bison Swedish meatballs, tater tot hotdish, poutine topped with AmaBlu blue cheese and wild mushroom gravy, or their chicken pot pie with Minnestoa wild rice. Enjoy more sandwiches, stone oven pizzas, salads, soups, and more. Before you go, stop for something sweet at their bakery where they offer pints of Sebastian Joe’s ice cream, rotating flavored macaroons and cupcakes, and more. They also offer gluten-free and vegan cupcakes. Their patio offers plenty of shade and has charming twinkle lights and is surrounded by beautiful hanging flowerpots.  

Sister restaurant to Travail, Nouvelle Brewing puts a culinary spin on pub classics. Their popular Pig Ate My Pizza pies are featured on the menu (like the delicious Piggy Pie) or try their burgers, appetizers like the addicting Pork Nuggs, or check out their rotating specials. Wash it down with their in-house brewed beers, seltzers, craft cocktails, and more. During the warmer months, they transform their parking lot into a hopping patio with lots of shade, tables, bonfire pits, and a plant wall. To cool down, get a scoop or a pint to-go of their sister Dream Creamery’s ice cream. 

Park Tavern in St. Louis Park’s patio seems to grow every year. Now offering spaces to catch a game on their outdoor TVs with lights, fans, heaters, plenty of tables, and even a few couches. Try bocce ball, catch live music, or enjoy their famous pizza, wings, burgers, and more. 

Surrounded by hanging plant baskets, cafe lights, umbrellas, and views of a large fountain, Tamarack Tap Room is a great spot to soak up the sun. Find elevated American fare like a wagyu mushroom and Swiss burger, Ellsworth cheese curds fried in Summit EPA batter with smoked blueberry ketchup, red beet hummus, several flatbreads and bowls, sandwiches, and more. They feature an extensive list of Minnesota and domestic beers, cocktails, wine, and more.  

With its sprawling patio, large outdoor fire pit, beautiful landscapes, and even a large bar with outdoor TVs, Tavern on France features build-your-own pizzas, salads, burgers, and serves comfort pub dishes. Don’t miss their popular brunch with a build-your-own bloody mary, and refreshing mocktails like a cucumber mint lemonade.