One tiny Minnesota town with fewer than 100 residents has a restaurant famous enough to pull drivers off the highway for broasted chicken. I love that. A town smaller than some school classes, and people still find their way there for supper.
The list gets better from there. One stop sits inside a building dating to 1854. Another serves Cajun crab cakes and gumbo in the middle of the state.
I can’t think of a better excuse to fill the gas tank. Lake Superior views, river towns, farm roads, and supper clubs on a lake all show up on this route.
The drive becomes part of the meal. You get scenery on the way there and a full stomach on the way home. So which direction are you heading first?
1. New Scenic Café
A garden out front and Lake Superior across the road make a pretty strong opening act. New Scenic Café delivers both before you even sit down.
The cafe sits right on North Shore Drive, the scenic route that hugs the lake northeast of Duluth. It opened in 1999 and has served sophisticated New American food ever since.
The menu changes with the seasons, so your visit might look different from a friend’s. That keeps return trips interesting. You never quite know what the kitchen will try next.
Fans of dessert should keep an eye out for the Cardamom Bread Pudding. Cardamom bread and Swedish saffron buns have also shown up here, which feels right for this part of Minnesota.
Inside, the room feels intimate, with partial lake views and a fireplace. It reads more like a special evening than a quick bite. Still, the mood stays relaxed enough that you won’t feel stiff.
Plant-based eaters get real options too. The café offers some vegetarian and potentially vegan-friendly dishes, but the seasonal menu changes frequently, so plant-based diners should check the current options before visiting.
Dinner reservations are recommended, and that advice is worth taking seriously. Weekend afternoons and evenings tend to be the busiest times.
Hours run daily from 11 AM to 9 PM. A late lunch on a weekday could be a smart move if you want a calmer table.
Plan to linger after your meal. The North Shore drive keeps going, and you’ll want daylight to enjoy it.
Address: 5461 N Shore Dr, Duluth, MN 55804
2. Angry Trout Cafe
Any fish named angry has earned a spot on your plate. At this harbor cafe in Grand Marais, the trout gets grilled, and the lake view comes free.
Angry Trout Cafe sits right on the harbor along Highway 61. Grand Marais is a small North Shore village of roughly 1,300 people. It feels like the reward at the end of a long, beautiful drive.
Local seafood leads the menu here. You’ll find a fish and chips basket, grilled fish tacos, and a rotating lineup of chowders.
Chowder fans may spot whitefish, salmon, or a classic fish chowder. On a chilly Lake Superior day, that bowl could be the best part of your trip.
Not into fish? The kitchen also offers cheeseburgers and plant-based burgers. Full vegetarian and vegan menus mean the whole car can eat happily.
Outdoor seating puts you close to the water when the weather cooperates. Up here, that is never a guarantee, so grab it when you can.
One catch: the cafe doesn’t take reservations, and there’s usually a wait. Saturday afternoons and evenings get the busiest.
Parking can be tricky in town too. Give yourself extra time and maybe a stroll around the harbor while you wait.
During its operating season, Angry Trout Cafe opens at 11 AM and closes at 7:30 PM Sunday through Thursday and 8 PM Friday and Saturday, but it closes for the winter from November 1 through April 29. Arrive early, because nobody wants to drive four hours to a locked door.
Address: 408 W Hwy 61, Grand Marais, MN 55604
3. The Hubbell House
Few dinner reservations come with a building older than the state itself. The Hubbell House dates back to 1854, four years before Minnesota joined the Union.
It’s often called the oldest operating restaurant in Minnesota. That’s a lot of suppers served on one spot.
Mantorville is a historic small town with fewer than 1,200 residents. It makes a scenic drive from Rochester or the Twin Cities.
Inside, antiques fill the rooms and set a traditional mood. You might feel like you’re eating inside a history book, only with better food.
The menu leans into meat-and-potatoes favorites. Steaks and prime rib anchor things, which suits the old-school setting perfectly.
Starters are worth a look too. Pappas Onion Rings, the Hubbell Shrimp Cocktail, and a Garlic Toast Box all appear on the menu.
Lighter appetites can try fish and chips or a French dip. Save a little room, since desserts are a strong point here.
Timing matters with this one. The restaurant closes Mondays and Tuesdays and opens at 4 PM Wednesday through Friday.
Weekends start earlier, at 11:30 AM on Saturday and Sunday. That makes a Saturday lunch trip easy to plan.
Dinner reservations are recommended, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings. A private dining room is also available for bigger groups.
Before you leave, take a walk through town. The historic streets make a nice way to settle a big steak dinner.
Address: 502 N Main St, Mantorville, MN 55955
4. Krewe Restaurant
Gumbo in central Minnesota sounds like a mix-up on a map. Krewe Restaurant in St. Joseph proves it’s a very good mix-up.
This Cajun spot serves traditional jambalaya, gumbo, and crab cakes. Louisiana flavor, Minnesota zip code.
St. Joseph has a walkable downtown and around 7,000 residents. That makes a stroll before or after dinner easy.
Crab cakes are a big draw here. Seafood gumbo and smoked duck have also earned attention from diners.
Want something fancy to start? Oysters Rockefeller show up on the menu, which feels like a small vacation on a plate.
The dining room is open and roomy. Live music adds to the fun on certain nights, so check ahead if that sounds appealing.
Meals are prepared individually rather than rushed out in bulk. Krewe offers selected vegetarian and vegan-friendly dishes, including fried Brussels sprouts and MN Maque Choux, which can be prepared with coconut milk instead of cream.
Plan around the schedule, because it’s a little unusual. Krewe closes Mondays and Tuesdays and opens for dinner Wednesday through Saturday.
Lunch runs Thursday through Saturday from 11 AM to 2 PM. Sunday brings brunch from 10 AM to 2 PM.
Reservations are recommended for dinner and brunch. Friday evenings tend to be the busiest.
If you go Sunday, brunch could be the sweet spot. Cajun food in the morning is a great way to wake up.
Address: 24 College Ave N Ste 104, St Joseph, MN 56374
5. Carl’s Corner
Essig has fewer than 100 residents, yet drivers detour there for chicken. That tells you plenty about Carl’s Corner.
This casual Midwestern spot sits in rural Brown County in southern Minnesota. It’s surrounded by farm country, so the drive itself feels peaceful.
Broasted chicken is the signature here. Expect a crispy outside and a seasoning that’s earned the place a loyal following.
Pizza is the other big player on the menu. The house pizza, named after Carl’s itself, makes a fine second order for the table.
Burgers are on hand too. A salad bar keeps things balanced, or at least gives you something green before more chicken.
Prices stay friendly, which makes this an easy trip for families. A kids’ menu and high chairs help with the little ones.
The room feels like a classic small-town gathering place. You come for supper and maybe stay to chat a while.
Hours run 9 AM to 8:30 PM on weekdays. On weekends, the doors open at 4:30 PM and close at 8:30 PM.
Friday and Saturday evenings get the busiest. Supper rush can slow things a bit, so patience helps.
Reservations are accepted, which is handy for a group. Call ahead if you’re bringing a crowd.
Arriving after the early dinner rush might be smart. You’ll get calmer service and the same tasty chicken.
Address: 21378 1st St, Essig, MN 56073
6. King’s Place Bar and Grill
Burgers taste better when you cross farmland to reach them. King’s Place Bar and Grill sits in tiny Miesville, a village of around 130 people.
It carries a Hastings mailing address, but don’t let that confuse your GPS. You’re heading into rural Dakota County.
This long-standing spot is known for burgers. The menu offers plenty of variety, from classic burgers with fries and cheese to the playfully named Quarantine Burger.
Sides are part of the fun. Fried pickles and tater tots both appear on the menu, and they make great sharing snacks.
The setting is down-home and casual. Nobody here expects you to dress up for a burger.
Looking for entertainment? Bar games and trivia nights add some friendly competition.
Outdoor seating gives you a chance to enjoy the country air. On a nice evening, it’s hard to beat.
Families are welcome too. A kids’ menu and high chairs make it easy to bring everyone along.
Reservations aren’t accepted, so plan accordingly. Saturday afternoons and evenings get the busiest.
King’s Place opens Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday from 11 AM to 10 PM, stays open until 11 PM on Friday and Saturday, and closes on Mondays.
Late-night food is available too. That’s handy if your road trip runs long.
Pair the visit with a drive along the Mississippi River nearby. Minnesota farm country looks especially pretty around sunset.
Address: 14460 240th St E, Hastings, MN 55033
7. Bar Harbor Supper Club
Supper clubs are a Midwest tradition, and this one comes with a lake. Bar Harbor Supper Club overlooks Gull Lake in Minnesota’s lake country.
Lake Shore is a small resort community of about 1,100 people. Summer brings cabin traffic, boats, and plenty of hungry visitors.
The menu focuses on American classics like chops and seafood. It’s the kind of dinner that feels like an event.
The setting is refined without feeling stuffy. Large views of the harbor make the dining room hard to beat.
A fireplace adds charm on cooler evenings. Live music shows up on certain nights too.
Outdoor seating lets you dine closer to the water. On a calm evening, the lake practically joins your table.
Service gets plenty of praise here. The staff knows the menu and aims to make guests feel welcome.
Families fit right in too. A kids’ menu and high chairs mean the supper club tradition can start early.
Timing is the tricky part. Bar Harbor Supper Club opens Thursday through Sunday at 4 PM, with closing times varying, so check directly with the restaurant before visiting.
Monday through Wednesday, the doors stay closed. Plan your lake weekend around that schedule.
Dinner reservations are recommended. Weekend evenings get especially busy.
Save room for dessert, which ranks among the highlights. A sweet ending fits a lakeside sunset nicely.
Arrive early if you can and enjoy the view. Few drives end with a better reward.
Address: 8164 Interlachen Rd, Lake Shore, MN 56468
8. Scarlet Kitchen & Bar
River views and a historic hotel make a classy pair. Scarlet Kitchen & Bar sits inside Red Wing’s St. James Hotel, overlooking the Mississippi River.
Red Wing is a historic bluff town of about 16,500 people. Its downtown makes a great stop on any river road trip.
The bistro serves New American food in a bright, roomy dining room. A patio puts you even closer to the river.
Scarlet Kitchen & Bar offers seasonal patio seating with Mississippi River views, although the patio is currently closed for the season.
Breakfast fans have a treat waiting. The Big Boot Breakfast nods to the town’s famous boot heritage.
Later in the day, the Crab Rangoon Dip makes a fun starter. It’s a playful twist that feels made for sharing.
Plant-based eaters can relax. Full vegetarian and vegan menus are available.
Hours run daily from 7 AM to 10 PM. That flexibility makes it easy to plan around your drive.
Saturdays get the busiest, from morning through evening. Reservations are recommended for brunch and dinner.
Live music appears on some nights too. It’s a nice bonus after a day exploring town.
Free parking adds to the easy experience. You can leave the car and wander Main Street afterward.
Watch the Mississippi drift past as you finish your meal. It’s a fitting final stop on a Minnesota dinner adventure.
Address: 406 Main St, Red Wing, MN 55066
