One of my favorite things to do in the summer is eat outside.

Enjoying a lovely meal with the sun shining and blue skies adds another dimension to the meal – whenever I eat at a restaurant with excellent outdoor dining, I note it.
With summer in full swing, I thought it was the perfect time to share my favorite places to eat outdoors.
You have to take advantage of these locations while the weather is good.
I’ve created this list of the best outdoor dining in Minneapolis over the last few years, and I’m proud to share it with you.
Check out the best outdoor dining in Minneapolis below!
Lake & Irving Restaurant & Bar
1513 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Phone: 612-354-2453
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Lake & Irving is on W Lake St in the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis.
Lake & Irving is an excellent spot for outdoor dining because of its proximity to Lake Bde Maka Ska.
The lake cools the air, so it’s pretty pleasant to sit outside no matter how hot a day it is. I ordered the steak salad and the chicken sandwich.
The steak salad was the right balance of fresh salad and medium-rare steak, and the chicken sandwich was moist and had an incredible sauce.
If you’re looking for a great meal in a relaxed setting, Lake & Irving is the place to go.
Borough
730 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Phone: 612-354-3135
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You can find Borough on North Washington Ave in the Warehouse District just west of the North Loop Playground.
Borough is a great spot to grab a bite to eat after walking through the park and enjoying a stroll along the Mississippi River.
It’s an excellent spot for people-watching as you enjoy your meal.
Borough serves up a seasonal fare, and the summer meals are incredible.
I ordered the lobster salad and the ravioli. The lobster salad was fresh and had a great dressing, and the ravioli was also fantastic.
It was filled with ricotta cheese and spinach and came in a light tomato sauce. The service at Borough was outstanding.
Our waiter was very attentive and made sure we had everything we needed. He even brought us a complimentary starter of bread and olive oil.
Hola Arepa
3501 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Phone: 612-345-5583
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Hola Arepa is on Nicollet Ave in the Midtown Global Market and is an excellent spot for outdoor dining because you can enjoy the market atmosphere while eating.
The outdoor seating is right in front of the restaurant on the sidewalk.
I ordered the chorizo arepa and the chicken arepa. Both were fantastic.
The chorizo arepa was filled with flavorful sausage, and the chicken arepa was tender and juicy.
The arepas themselves were crispy and fluffy.
Hola Arepa is a great spot to grab a quick bite to eat with a friend. Trust me, the arepas are amazing.
ie – Italian Eatery
4724 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Phone: 612-223-8504
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ie – Italian Eatery is on Cedar Ave in the Longfellow neighborhood of Minneapolis and is a fantastic spot for outdoor dining because of the scenic views.
The patio is also excellent for people-watching as you enjoy your meal. I ordered the spaghetti carbonara and the chicken parmesan.
The carbonara was creamy, and the chicken parmesan was crispy and cheesy. The sauce was also fantastic.
If you’re looking for a great Italian meal, ie – Italian Eatery is the place to go.
Red Cow
Multiple locations
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Red Cow is a local chain with multiple locations around the Twin Cities.
They’re best known for their burgers, but they also have a great selection of salads and sandwiches.
The outdoor dining at Red Cow is on the patio.
It’s an incredible spot for people-watching as you enjoy your meal. It is some of the best outdoor dining in Minneapolis.
I ordered the Barcelona burger with manchego cheese, prosciutto, peppers, and pepper aioli.
I didn’t want this burger to end. It was one of the best burgers I have ever eaten.
Colita
5400 Penn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419
Phone: 612-886-1606
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Colita is on Penn Ave in the South Minneapolis neighborhood of Kingfield.
The outdoor seating is on the patio in front of the restaurant.
There’s a beautiful view of the surrounding area and the people walking up and down West 54th street.
The dining in the back is perfect for a more private outdoor dining experience.
I ordered the corn elote and the shrimp tacos, and the flavors were incredible.
The shrimp tacos were my favorite, though. They were filled with fresh shrimp and topped with a delicious sauce.
If you’re looking for a great Mexican meal, Colita is the place to go.
The Bungalow Club
4300 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Phone: 612-866-3334
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The Bungalow Club is on E Lake St in the Cooper neighborhood of Minneapolis and is perfect for outdoor dining because it’s right by the Mississippi River.
The outdoor seating is on the patio in front of the restaurant.
There’s a beautiful view of the Minneapolis skyline, and its proximity to the River Parkway makes it a great spot to stop after spending some time outside.
I ordered the cheeseburger.
The burger was cooked to order and had high-quality cheddar cheese on top.
The Bungalow Club is the place to go if you’re looking for a great burger.
The Sample Room
2124 Marshall St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
Phone: 612-789-0333
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The Sample Room is on Marshall St in the Northeast Minneapolis neighborhood of Bottineau.
There’s a beautiful view of the Minneapolis skyline, and its view of the Mississippi River makes for outstanding outdoor dining.
The patio also has a great atmosphere, making it a nice spot to relax with a drink after a long day.
I ordered the Cuban Sandwich and the Caesar Salad.
The sandwich had delicious pork shoulder and pickles, and the salad was fresh and crispy. The dressing was also fantastic.
The Sample Room is the place to go if you’re looking for a great sandwich or salad.
Red Rabbit Minneapolis
201 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Phone: 612-767-8855
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Red Rabbit is on N Washington Ave in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis.
The city skyline’s beautiful view and proximity to Target Field make it a great spot to stop before or after a Twins game.
I ordered the BBQ Pork Sandwich and the Italian Chopped Salad.
The pork was melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the salad was fresh and crispy.
If you’re looking for a bite to eat after catching the game, stop by Red Rabbit.
Jax Cafe
1928 University Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
Phone: 612-789-7297 ext. 1
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Jax Cafe is on University Ave in the Northeast Minneapolis neighborhood of Dinkytown.
Jax Cafe is a terrific place to stop after visiting the various art boutiques and do some window shopping.
I ordered the Walleye Pike and the Pierogis.
The fish was flakey and tender, and the pierogis were cheesy and tasted as your grandmother made them.
If you’re looking for a great meal, Jax Cafe is the place to go.
Eat Street Social
18 W 26th St, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Phone: 612-767-6850
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Eat Street Social is on W 26th St in the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis.
It is an excellent spot for outdoor dining because it’s right in the middle of one of Minneapolis’ best neighborhoods for shopping and dining.
There’s a beautiful view of the park, and it feels like you are eating in someone’s backyard.
I ordered the BBQ Pork Sandwich and the BBQ plate.
The pork was tender and moist, and the BBQ sauce was tangy and spicy.
If you’re looking for a great BBQ, Eat Street Social is the place to be.
Smack Shack
603 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Phone: 612-259-7288
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Smack Shack is on N Washington Ave in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis.
There’s a beautiful view of the city skyline, and its proximity to downtown makes it a great spot to stop before a night out or while walking around downtown.
I ordered the lobster roll and the crab cake.
The lobster was soft buttery, and the crab cake was cooked perfectly.
Smack Shack is the place to be if you’re looking for a great seafood meal.
Stanley’s Northeast Bar Room
2500 University Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
Phone: 612-788-2529
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Stanley’s Northeast Bar Room is on University Ave in the Northeast Minneapolis neighborhood of Dinkytown.
Stanley’s is a great place to enjoy after a lovely evening walking around the area.
The outdoor seating is right next to the restaurant.
I ordered the buffalo cauliflower and quesadillas.
The buffalo cauliflower was cooked perfectly, and the quesadillas were outstanding.
I never thought buffalo cauliflower could be better than buffalo wings, but Stanley’s changed my mind.
Aster Cafe
125 SE Main St, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Phone: 612-379-3138
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Aster Cafe is on SE Main St in the Mill District neighborhood of Minneapolis.
Aster Cafe is a beautiful place to enjoy exploring the Mill City Museum or walking around downtown Minneapolis after a long day.
I recommend coming to the Aster Cafe in the afternoon for some lunch.
You can look out on the river and enjoy the breeze.
I highly recommend the charcuterie plate.
The meats were all high quality, and the selection was outstanding. The best part of my meal was the view. I could have sat there all day.
The Freehouse
701 N Washington Ave #101, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Phone: 612-339-7011
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The Freehouse is on N Washington Ave in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis.
There’s a gorgeous view of the city skyline, and its proximity to downtown makes it a great spot to stop before a night out.
You can also enjoy live music on some nights.
I highly recommend stopping by for happy hour and a couple of drinks before dinner.
I ordered the short rib dip and the tuna poke.
The short rib dip was excellent, and the tuna poke was fresh and delicious.
If you’re looking for a great meal with a view, The Freehouse is the place to be.