Stillwater (20 minutes, 15 miles)
Downtown Stillwater is a great place to spend the day or enjoy a meal. There are lots of cute shops to see, a bike trail that goes over the old lift bridge, and many options for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or drinks. You'll see a few of our favorites listed within our recommendations.
We list a few of our favorite restaurants we have tried in Stillwater. We're certain that there are many more greats that we haven't yet tried as well.
A small intimate higher end wine bar with unique dishes
8 Einheimische empfehlen
Domacin Restaurant And WineBar
102 2nd St SA small intimate higher end wine bar with unique dishes
We love going for breakfast - it's actually our favorite breakfast place. It can be busy, but if you're waiting they'll bring you ice water or coffee while you wait. The vibe is great and so is the food. If the parking lot is full, there is usually street parking available across main street.
10 Einheimische empfehlen
Oasis Cafe
806 Main St SWe love going for breakfast - it's actually our favorite breakfast place. It can be busy, but if you're waiting they'll bring you ice water or coffee while you wait. The vibe is great and so is the food. If the parking lot is full, there is usually street parking available across main street.
We haven't tried it since it changed names, but it's a really cool vibe right on main street to have a drink when you're waiting for your table at a nearby restaurant.
River Siren Brewing
225 Main Street NorthWe haven't tried it since it changed names, but it's a really cool vibe right on main street to have a drink when you're waiting for your table at a nearby restaurant.
Lolo has all sorts of dishes from small plates to share, unique burgers, and fancier entrees, to a bacon-wrapped hot dog. It has a fresh vibe and a great cocktails as well. It can be busy and hard to get into (like many Stillwater restaurants) on weekends.
29 Einheimische empfehlen
LoLo American Kitchen and Craft Bar
233 Main St SLolo has all sorts of dishes from small plates to share, unique burgers, and fancier entrees, to a bacon-wrapped hot dog. It has a fresh vibe and a great cocktails as well. It can be busy and hard to get into (like many Stillwater restaurants) on weekends.
Great mexican food and huge portions right off of Main Street in Stillwater.
9 Einheimische empfehlen
Nacho Mama's
312 Main St SGreat mexican food and huge portions right off of Main Street in Stillwater.
The Daily Grind Espresso Cafe
217 Main St NAshley's favorite coffee in Stillwater.
HUGE portions and HUGE variety of options. If you go in the afternoon it can have a long line, but it's worth it. The hand scooped cups or cones are big enough to share - even if you get a child size.
15 Einheimische empfehlen
Nelson's Ice Cream
920 Olive St WHUGE portions and HUGE variety of options. If you go in the afternoon it can have a long line, but it's worth it. The hand scooped cups or cones are big enough to share - even if you get a child size.
The Velveteen Speakeasy
123 2nd St NUnique cocktails and vibes.
Axe throwing, good food and drinks. If you're looking for a fun local activity - this is a great option.
The Lumberjack
Axe throwing, good food and drinks. If you're looking for a fun local activity - this is a great option.
Upscale Mexican-inspired food. We love the unique cocktails and the brisket tacos are delicious (we'd pass on the rice and beans). The location is right on Main Street, central to downtown.
Lolito Cantina
Upscale Mexican-inspired food. We love the unique cocktails and the brisket tacos are delicious (we'd pass on the rice and beans). The location is right on Main Street, central to downtown.
Scandia (10 minutes, 7 miles)
Scandia is a small town only 10 miles away. There are a few places to highlight as they're the closest and some great options.
Our family really likes Scandia Pizza - it's pickup only, closeby and a delicious change from the normal chains.
Scandia Pizzeria
21190 Ozark Ave NOur family really likes Scandia Pizza - it's pickup only, closeby and a delicious change from the normal chains.
Your Home Cafe
A small cafe nearby to grab breakfast.
Sort of a dive, but good bar food and drinks nearby. There is also a Meister's in Stillwater.
10 Einheimische empfehlen
Meister's Bar & Grill
1402 Co Rd ASort of a dive, but good bar food and drinks nearby. There is also a Meister's in Stillwater.
White Bear Lake (20 minutes, 15 miles)
Brickhouse is an upscale yet casual with American food and a fantastic and large rooftop.
Brickhouse Food and Drink
4746 Washington SquareBrickhouse is an upscale yet casual with American food and a fantastic and large rooftop.
Casual place to try a locally brewed beer - we like the vibe if we're early to another place we're heading.
8 Einheimische empfehlen
Big Wood Brewery
3429 4th StCasual place to try a locally brewed beer - we like the vibe if we're early to another place we're heading.
A speak-easy vibe and hand-crafted cocktails as well as the classics - they also have some food, best for appetizers/snacks in our experience (but they've been adding).
9 Einheimische empfehlen
The Alchemist
2222 4th StA speak-easy vibe and hand-crafted cocktails as well as the classics - they also have some food, best for appetizers/snacks in our experience (but they've been adding).
Classic soft serve ice cream location - we love the candy bar shakes, the many flavors of dip, and the flavor of the day that rotates every few days. It's across hwy 61 from the main downtown area, but you can walk across the street easily
8 Einheimische empfehlen
Cup and Cone
2126 4th StClassic soft serve ice cream location - we love the candy bar shakes, the many flavors of dip, and the flavor of the day that rotates every few days. It's across hwy 61 from the main downtown area, but you can walk across the street easily
One of Ashley's favorite coffee places - you may be familiar if you've been to the MN State Fair - they're the face of the mini-donut latte.
The Anchor Coffee House
4742 Washington SquareOne of Ashley's favorite coffee places - you may be familiar if you've been to the MN State Fair - they're the face of the mini-donut latte.
A high-end restaurant in White Bear Lake - right near the water. They have a tasting option that we've liked to try.
11 Einheimische empfehlen
Acqua Restaurant-White Bear Lake
4453 Lake Ave SA high-end restaurant in White Bear Lake - right near the water. They have a tasting option that we've liked to try.
If you've had Chicago deep dish and liked it - this is a great place to go. Sit down or pickup. We've only tried their pizza and salad but have heard that their other menu items are solid as well. Ashley's husband is from Chicago and approves 10/10.
7 Einheimische empfehlen
Pizzeria Pezzo
2143 4th StIf you've had Chicago deep dish and liked it - this is a great place to go. Sit down or pickup. We've only tried their pizza and salad but have heard that their other menu items are solid as well. Ashley's husband is from Chicago and approves 10/10.
Forest Lake (13 minutes, 9 miles)
Fairly close, good bagels, coffee, lattes, ice cream - there is seating, but is a great place to pick something up and enjoy it overlooking the lake.
Big Apple Bagels
508 Lake Street SouthFairly close, good bagels, coffee, lattes, ice cream - there is seating, but is a great place to pick something up and enjoy it overlooking the lake.
A newer restaurant with lots of options and everything we've tried has been delicious.
Mallards Restaurant
220 Lake Street NorthA newer restaurant with lots of options and everything we've tried has been delicious.
A casual restaurant on the way to Forest Lake and fairly close to The Blue Lagoon. Picture a rustic supper club type food - daily specials, steaks, seafood, but also sandwiches and burgers.
7 Einheimische empfehlen
The Old Log Cabin Restaurant
9726 Scandia Trail NA casual restaurant on the way to Forest Lake and fairly close to The Blue Lagoon. Picture a rustic supper club type food - daily specials, steaks, seafood, but also sandwiches and burgers.
The local golf course restaurant with lots of options and it's on the way to Forest Lake, making it one of the closest locations from The Blue Lagoon and has consistently good food and drinks in our experience.
6 Einheimische empfehlen
Stella's On 97
7050 Scandia Trail NThe local golf course restaurant with lots of options and it's on the way to Forest Lake, making it one of the closest locations from The Blue Lagoon and has consistently good food and drinks in our experience.