Pioneer Press 2024 patio guide has something for everyone

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This year’s patio guide contains 15 newly minted (or new to our list) outdoor spaces that we visited over the year.

This spring has been a little Jekyll and Hyde, so a few newbies haven’t opened yet, but there are some brand-new stunners, and, of course, all of our returning favorites are worth a visit, too. You have a few months to make a list and check them off, one by one!

We also want to encourage you to be patient as restaurants staff up for the season, especially outdoors. In some cases, menus and hours might be limited, and staffing shortages mean you might be waiting a little longer (hopefully in the sunshine!) for your food or drinks.

Here’s this year’s guide:

New kids on the block

City House in St. Paul. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)

Neighborhood gems

Churchill St. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Spots to see and be seen

Handsome Hog in St. Paul. (Scott Takushi / Pioneer Press)

Along the water and scenic

Admiral D’s Waterfront Tavern in White Bear Lake. (Courtesy photo)

Breweries, distilleries and wineries

An area of the patio at St. Paul Brewing. (Courtesy of St. Paul Brewing)

Our readers had thoughts, too. Here are their favorites, from online voting:

Reader picks

Water Street Inn in downtown Stillwater. (Courtesy of Water Street Inn)

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Here are readers’ picks for 2024’s best patios

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We asked readers to nominate their favorite restaurant patio and then put the finalists to an online vote.

RELATED: The 2024 Pioneer Press patio guide

Here are the top patio picks from readers for 2024:

1. Charlie’s Restaurant and Irish Pub/Papa’s Rooftop at Water Street Inn: 101 S. Water St., Stillwater; 651-439-6000; waterstreetinn.us/papas-rooftop/

2. Waldmann Brewery: 445 Smith Ave., St. Paul; 651-222-1857; waldmannbrewery.com

3. Missi’s Sip & Savor: 200 Second St. W., Hastings; 651-432-5266; confluencehotel.com/eat-drink/

4. The Grounds at St. Croix National: 1603 32nd St., Somerset, Wis.; 715-247-4200; www.scngolf.com/the-grounds-pizza-bar-restaurant

5. Tilted Tiki: 324 Main St. S., Stillwater, 651-342-2545; thetiltedtiki.com

6. Iron Ranger: 1085 Grand Ave., St. Paul; 651-487-1913; ironrangermn.com

7. St. Paul Brewing: 688 Minnehaha Ave., St. Paul, 651-698-1945; stpaulbrewing.com

8. The Copperfield: 735 Maple St., Mendota Heights; 651-340-5144; thecopperfieldmn.com

9. La Grolla: 452 Selby Ave., St. Paul, 651-221-1061; lagrollastpaul.com

10. Moscow on the Hill: 371 Selby Ave., St. Paul, 651-291-1236; moscowonthehill.com

11. (tie) Smash Park Roseville: 1721 W. County Road C, Roseville; 651-615-5171; smashpark.com

11. (tie) Rudy’s Red Eye Grill: 4940 U.S. 61 N., White Bear Lake, 651-653-6718; rudysredeye.com

13. Jax Cafe: 1928 University Ave. N.E., Minneapolis, 612-789-7297; jaxcafe.com

14. Sweeney’s Saloon: 96 Dale St. N., St. Paul; 651-221-9157; www.sweeneyssaloon.com

15. Burger Moe’s: 242 W. Seventh St., St. Paul, 651-222-3100; burgermoes.com

16. (tie) The Tavern Grill (Woodbury): 772 Bielenberg Drive, Woodbury, 651-578-3000; thetaverngrill.com

16. (tie) Hastings American Legion: 50 Sibley St., Hastings; 651-437-2046; hastingslegionpost47.com

16. (tie) Day by Day Cafe: 477 W. Seventh St., St. Paul, 651-227-0654; daybyday.com

19. The Gnome Craft Pub: 498 Selby Ave., St. Paul; thegnomepub.com

20. (tie) The Dock: 425 Nelson St., Stillwater, 651-430-3770; thedockstillwater.com

20. (tie) Muddy Waters Bar & Grill: 231 Broad St., Prescott, Wis., 715-262-5999; muddywatersbarandgrill.biz

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Pioneer Press 2024 patio guide: Along the water and scenic spots

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What’s better in Minnesota than dining along the water? Here are some great options. And see the rest of the Pioneer Press 2024 patio guide here.

6SMITH, 294 E. Grove Lane, Wayzata, 952-698-7900; 6smith.com: Pull up to one of the patio seats off the main floor or head to the rooftop patio. Either way, this sleek, contemporary spot on Lake Minnetonka’s Wayzata Bay is a place to watch the waves and boats docking.

ACQUA, 4453 Lake Ave. S., White Bear Lake, 651-407-7317; acqua-restaurants.com: Nab a seat on one of the quaint patios on either floor of this duplex restaurant overlooking White Bear Lake, or cross the street and enjoy the restaurant’s more spacious lakeside patio. Italian fare served here is top-notch.

Admiral D’s Waterfront Tavern in White Bear Lake. (Courtesy photo)

ADMIRAL D’S WATERFRONT TAVERN, 4424 Lake Ave., White Bear Lake, 651-330-3101; admiraldswbl.com: The casual, come-one, come-all vibe makes this popular dockside patio a welcoming spot for enjoying views of White Bear Lake. Under new ownership, the menu of things like burgers has expanded to include items such as seafood baskets and tacos, and the restaurant’s yacht, The Admiral, has undergone a renovation, too. Book it for an unforgettable meal on the water.

BIRCH’S ON THE LAKE, 1310 W. Wayzata Blvd., Long Lake, 952-473-7373; birchsonthelake.com: Brew house and supper club with an expansive wood deck on a hill offers pristine views of Long Lake. Or, walk to the bottom of the hill where a fire pit surrounded by chairs sits right next to the lake. It’s also a place to grab a decent brew and gastro-pub fare.

BRICK & BOURBON, 215 Main St. S., Stillwater; 651-342-0777; brickandbourbon.com: Bird’s-eye views of the St. Croix River and historic Lift Bridge make scoring a seat on this small rooftop deck worth your while. Craft drinks and spins on comfort food are the lay of the land.

CHARLIE’S RESTAURANT AND IRISH PUB/ PAPA’S ROOFTOP AT WATER STREET INN, 101 S. Water St., Stillwater, 651-439-6000; waterstreetinn.us: The riverside hotel and restaurant underwent a big expansion and, as part of it, created downtown Stillwater’s most expansive rooftop restaurant patio. The 160-seat rooftop patio features six gas fire pits and bird’s-eye views of the St. Croix River Valley. The new rooftop restaurant also has its own bar and kitchen and a menu different from the first-floor pub and restaurant. The popular first-floor patio now can be enclosed or open, so it’s come rain or shine. While each patio has a different vibe, they have one thing in common: spectacular vistas of the St. Croix River Valley and Lift Bridge.

The Nantucket-themed patio at Cov in Edina. (Courtesy of Cov)

Cov (Cov Edina, 3155 Galleria, Edina; 952-999-4011, covedina.com. Cov Wayzata, 700 E. Lake St., Wayzata; 952-473-5253, covwayzata.com): The spot with a Nantucket feel extends to the gorgeous patio that immediately transports you. The menu of oysters and plenty of seafood adds to the coastal vibe. Cov’s location in downtown Wayzata also has lake views.

CURRENT, the Afton House Inn Hotel, 3291 St. Croix Trail S., Afton, 651-436-8883; currentrestaurant.com: Restaurant with a patio a few hundred yards from the St. Croix River offers views of the majestic waters and marina. The area’s charming small-town vibe makes you feel like you’re on a staycation.

THE DOCK, 425 Nelson St., Stillwater, 651-430-3770; thedockstillwater.com: Restaurant with a patio on the water’s edge offers direct views of the St. Croix River, Lift Bridge and river valley. The restaurant, formerly known as The Dock Cafe, serves a menu of American classics.

The patio action at Feller in downtown Stillwater, May 11, 2019. (Nancy Ngo / Pioneer Press)

FELLER, Lora Hotel, 402 Main St. S., Stillwater; 651-571-3501; fellerrestaurant.com: The patio at this gorgeous boutique hotel in downtown Stillwater is a way to take in the city’s historic charm, plus the bluffs, the St. Croix River, and the action on Main Street. Order from the hunter-and-gatherer menu or enjoy happy hour.

A dog lounges on the Freight House patio in Stillwater. (Courtesy of Freight House / Meagan Elizabeth Photography)

FREIGHT HOUSE, 305 Water St. S., Stillwater, 651-439-5718; thefreighthouse.com: One of downtown Stillwater’s most popular and sizable patios boasts seating on the main patio, gazebo with wrap-around bar or beer garden. Take in vistas of the St. Croix River and historic Lift Bridge. Challenge your dining mate to a game of bocce ball. And dine on burgers and local tap beer while there.

GIANNI’S STEAKHOUSE, 635 Lake St. E., Wayzata; 952-404-1100; giannis-steakhouse.com: Take in views of Lake Minnetonka while dining in style at one of Gianni’s white-linen-covered tables with hand-woven bistro chairs. An overhang allows for a shaded area on the patio for those who don’t want to soak up the sun.

MALLORY’S RESTAURANT AND ROOFTOP BAR, 609 Second St.; Hudson, Wis.; 715-531-4101; mallorysrooftop.com: Sit at one of the high tops offering glimpses of the St. Croix River, head to a lounge area with fire pits or belly up to the long bar at this downtown restaurant with a rooftop patio and bar. Food is as casual or fancy as you want it to be, from burgers to knife-and-fork entrees.

MUDDY WATERS BAR & GRILL, 231 Broad St., Prescott, Wis., 715-262-5999; muddywatersbarandgrill.biz: Outdoor hot spot has become a destination for its expansive, multi-tiered patio. Its primo views of the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers make it one of the prettiest riverfront restaurants around. The patio has an outdoor bar and a covered deck area to keep patrons dry when there’s rain.

PIER 500, 500 First St., Hudson, Wis., 715-386-5504; pierfivehundred.com: Contemporary dining spot, with great views of the pier and St. Croix River, offers one of the best decks in downtown Hudson.

Dining al fresco at Sea Salt Eatery. (Courtesy of Brian Matson)

SEA SALT EATERY, 4801 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis, 612-721-8990; seasalteatery.com: Legions line up at this pavilion restaurant inside Minnehaha Park, and it’s easy to see why. The spot not only dishes up some of the best seafood around, but it also has a seating area to take in the picturesque parkland and nearby roaring waterfall.

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Pioneer Press 2024 patio guide: New kids on the block

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These 15 spots are new or new to our patio guide this year.

THE APOSTLE SUPPER CLUB, 253 W. Kellogg Blvd., apostlesupperclub.com: Chef Brian Ingram’s 1960s Palm Springs-inspired restaurant has given its patio a major upgrade. With thatched cabana-like umbrellas, a bar made with barrels and plenty of tiki heads — in both statue and cocktail glass form — the large patio is basically begging you to sit back on a sticky summer day and sip a Mai Tai (only $6 during the 4–7 p.m. happy hour, a steal compared to the rest of the menu).

THE BUNGALOW CLUB, 4300 E. Lake St., Minneapolis; 612-866-3334; thebungalowclubmpls.com: We’re not sure what took us so long to check out this charming spot, which has been open since 2018 in the former Craftsman spot, but we’ll definitely be frequenting Bungalow club for chef Andrew Kraft’s tasty prix fixe menus, delicious craft cocktails and the pretty patio, which has plenty of shade from an expansive pergola with a rooftop.

Dining and drinking on the river is a way of life at City House in St. Paul, housed in a restored grain elevator. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)

CITY HOUSE, 258 Mill St., St. Paul; cityhousemn.com: Casual riverfront drinking and dining (an adjacent food truck offers sandwiches, tacos and more) in a restored grain elevator offers killer views of Harriet Island and the riverboats docked there. Full bar, excellent craft beer selection. Credit or debit card only.

CRASQUI, 84 Wabasha St., Suite No. 3, St. Paul; 952-600-5578; crasquirestaurant.com: Urban terrace with bright blue umbrellas for a tropical vibe. The arepas and seafood here are spectacular, and they serve what is probably our favorite pork chop in town. Bonus: the craft cocktails here, with a special emphasis on rum, are phenomenal and the wine list is excellent.

DIVE BAR AT COASTAL SEAFOODS, 286 Snelling Ave. S., St. Paul; 651-698-4888; coastalseafoods.com: The new Coastal Seafoods location, just down the street from the old one, has an adorable diner counter with indoor seating and a patio to the side of the building. The menu is full of casual seafood favorites such as lobster rolls, fish and chips, fish sandwiches, calamari, and fresh oysters. There will eventually be canned beer, wine and cocktails, but the city of St. Paul is behind on licensing new establishments, so if you’re counting on alcohol, I’d call first.

EAT STREET CROSSING, 2819 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis; 612-345-4136; eatstreetcrossing.com: The patio at the new Minneapolis food hall is spacious yet cozy, with plenty of tables, a firepit and a walk-up bar. Pick from sushi, burgers, Brazilian pizza, ice cream, or pan-Asian fare at the new Staff Meeting restaurant — a new concept from chef Louross Edralin that replaces a ramen shop. Cocktails from the central bar are well-made, too.

GAI NOI, 1610 Harmon Place, Minneapolis; gainoimpls.com: Look, I’m a simple guy: Ann Ahmed makes it, I eat it. After opening Minneapolis stunner Khaluna a few years back, the Laotian chef launched Gai Noi in Loring Park in spring 2023 to immediate national acclaim. The restaurant is quite large and walk-in only; the patio, with comfortable seats and cute flower boxes, is well-arranged to provide guests with a choice of sunnier or shadier table. And the food, obviously, is great: The uber-flavorful wok-fried beef and the basil wings, succulent with a dry rub that feels like a Southeast Asian Old Bay, are both particular standouts.

GUACAYA BISTREAUX, 337 Washington Ave. N, Minneapolis; 612-345-4981; guacayabistreaux.com: The patio at this Latin Caribbean-Louisiana fusion tapas restaurant is set up in front of the building, along busy Washington Avenue — the sidewalk re-routes around it — so it still has an impromptu, Covid-era feel. If you’re already in the North Loop on a nice day, it’s a worthwhile snack-and-drink stop.

A beet salad and the full-proof mineral cocktail at Herbst in St. Paul. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)

HERBST EATERY & FARM STAND, 779 Raymond Ave., St. Paul; 651-340-0254; herbstsaintpaul.com: True farm-to-table eating, in a pretty, shaded, private patio? Sign us up! This newbie has patio dining dialed in, from the ample shade to the comfy chairs and tables. The menu changes frequently, but is always heavy on vegetables, freshly made pastas and beautifully composed meat dishes. The cocktails are innovative, the wine list spectacular and the service next-level.

KING COIL SPIRITS, 550 Vandalia St., Suite 140, St Paul; kingcoilspirits.com: This 80-seat patio is a nice complement to neighboring brewery Lake Monster, which has the same owners. There’s a nice mix of sunny and shady areas, and there are large tables to accommodate your group of friends. Nosh on a thick-crust pizza and sip on one of the distillery’s fantastic cocktails while you’re there. Happy hour runs 3-5 p.m. daily and includes $8 highballs and draft cocktails. There will also be free live music — viewable from either patio — on Saturdays from 3 to 5:30 p.m. through Oct. 26.

Diners eat at the patio at Porzana, a steakhouse from chef Daniel del Prado in the North Loop in Minneapolis, on May 7, 2024. The restaurant, formerly the home of the Bachelor Farmer, made use of a slim alleyway to create a European-inspired patio. (Jared Kaufman / Pioneer Press)

PORZANA, 200 N. First St., Minneapolis; 612-489-6174; porzanampls.com: Daniel del Prado’s new North Loop steakhouse, which swapped out the upscale Midwestern quirk of the Bachelor Farmer for the Argentinian chef’s trademark creative elegance, makes excellent use of a slim alleyway for a charming European-style patio. It’s a splurge, to be sure — a single 6-oz entrana (like skirt steak; juicy, beefy, perfectly seared) with chimichurri, a side of crispy oven-roasted potatoes with smoky red pepper sauce and a pair of cocktails topped $100 — but the top-notch service and overhead twinkle lights make for a transporting patio experience.

SMORGIE’S, 127 W. Seventh St.; 651-204-5096; smorgiesbar.com: The affordable spot across from the Xcel Energy Center has adopted a new motto: “It’s not too terrible.” The very Minnesotan compliment-ish also applies to the patio, I think, which is nothing fancy. If the restaurant is busy, you might have to order food (via QR code) inside and carry it out yourself to some of the metal tables or lounge chairs alongside the building, or to the walk-up bar. Not a destination patio, exactly, but if you’re looking to grab a bite to eat outside before heading to the X, Smorgie’s will do the trick.

The patio at Wrestaurant at the Palace in St. Paul. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)

WRESTAURANT AT THE PALACE, 33 W. Seventh Place, St. Paul; 952-600-5611; wrestaurantatthepalace.com: The cobblestone pedestrian-only West Seventh Place makes for a naturally pretty patio, and Wrestaurant, the new eatery from the folks behind First Avenue, the neighboring Palace Theatre and Wrecktangle Pizza, takes full advantage with pretty mint-colored patio furniture and flowers. Craft cocktails and Detroit-style pizza make it the perfect place to meet friends before a show.

YUM! KITCHEN AND BAKERY, 164 N. Snelling Ave., St. Paul, 651-615-1230; or 8340 City Centre Drive, Woodbury, 651-603-4444; yumkitchen.com: One of our favorite lunch spots in St. Paul has an indoor-outdoor space that features a screen to keep out the rain if the weather is bad but you still really want some fresh air. And new this year, in Woodbury, brightly colored flowers and whimsical pinwheels surround a lovely 60-seat space with giant red umbrellas for shade. Counter-service model serves homey but delicious sandwiches, salads and plated dishes, including the best tuna melt in town, served on a house-made English muffin. Save room for dessert — all the baked goods here are delicious.

ZAMBONI’S ON 7TH, 174 W. Seventh St., 651-225-2999; zambonison7th.com: Familiar name, new location: With Eagle Street Grille gone, pizza joint Zamboni’s joined forces with The Loon Cafe to move into the large corner spot across from the Xcel Energy Center and expand their Italian-influenced menu. Sports bar vibes reign supreme inside, but the semi-secluded back patio captures a quaint, weathered charm that feels like old St. Paul. It took us a couple tries to actually sit on the patio — evidently, they make the call daily on whether to open it and at what time, a host said — so you might need to call ahead.

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