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Frozen rosé on the new deck at The Lexington, opening Tuesday the 12th
Joy Summers

The Hottest Al Fresco Dining in Minneapolis and St. Paul Right Now

The al fresco dining Heatmap is here.

by Joy Summers Updated
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Frozen rosé on the new deck at The Lexington, opening Tuesday the 12th
| Joy Summers
by Joy Summers Updated
1 comment / new

Summer may have passed, but there are still new patios opening to the public. It is a Minnesotan's obligation to the weather gods to not waste a single meal sitting indoors. So, whether its an oasis among the city streets, dining pretty much on top of the Mississippi River or a French bistro or on the lake, consider this your outdoor dining bucket list. We welcome newly opened patios Grand Cafe and Revival.

Did we miss your favorite spot or do you have a sweet deck we need to know about? Please take to the comments and let us know where you'll be dining out right now.

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Sea Salt Eatery

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The undisputed Queen Bee of sort-of-waterside eateries, Sea Salt serves the freshest seafood obtainable in our landlocked state. The lines are long at this seasonal curator of oysters, shrimp and all things seafood, but it’s all worth it when you finally tip back a Crispin and bite into that Cajun Grilled Catfish Po’ Boy.
4825 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417
(612) 721-8990
(612) 721-8990
Katie Cannon

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Sandcastle

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Doug Flicker and Amy Greeley’s seasonal spot on the shores of Lake Nokomis is as summery as Minnesota gets, offering fun finger foods like fried cheese curds, sweet corn fritters and of course, the iconic Dog Flicker. It's an all-beef frank topped with tangy kimchi, a golden fried egg and peppy fresh cilantro. Don't miss the epic Friday night fried chicken special.
4955 W Lake Nokomis Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55417
(612) 722-5550
(612) 722-5550
Katie Cannon

Red River Kitchen at City House

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Why dine near the river when you could be actually on top of it. Red River Kitchen at City House offers gorgeous views of the Mississippi, fantastic tacos and a perfect gin and tonic.
258 Walnut St, St Paul, MN 55102
Facebook

Hola Arepa

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It's not patio season until you've visited the indoor/outdoor turquoise-tinged beauty at Hola Arepa. Whether sitting on the actual patio or just basking the sunshine at the open-air/indoor bar, this place eats and drinks like endless South American summer.
3501 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 345-5583
(612) 345-5583
Hola Arepa Chevy www.katiecannonphotography.com

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Bellecour

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Gavin Kaysen's stunning new French bistro has added a patio that's worth with all the French bubbles, daquiris and country pate you can handle.
739 Lake St E, Wayzata, MN 55391
(952) 444-5200
(952) 444-5200
Gavin Kaysen

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Grand Cafe

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This new version of this classic French bistro is drawing raves for its classic French fare from nationally renowned chefs Jamie Malone and Erik Anderson, but it's the new patio seats that are drawing neighborhood fans night after night. Tuck into those plush blush pillows and be enveloped by the aroma of nearby Jasmine planters. There are even a couple of nearly-hidden seats in the little alley next to the restaurant.
3804 Grand Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55409
(612) 822-8260
(612) 822-8260
Instagram

Revival

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St. Paul's fried chicken and barbecue hot spot has added some very welcome new seats out in their backyard oasis. Gorgeous wood tables and pretty flowers set the stage in the heart of St. Paul's Cathedral Hill neighborhood.
525 Selby Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55102
Joy Summers

Pryes Brewing Company

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It's right by the Mississippi river with Red Wagon pizza on site. The new Pryes Brewering is an ideal outdoor setting in Northeast.
1401 West River Road North, Minneapolis, MN 55411
A view from the bike rack into the outdoor patio at Pryse. Facebook

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Nightingale

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The sidewalk outside this beloved neighborhood restaurant recently got an upgrade. There's shade, the cocktail and small plate Nightingale is known for and as always, the lively people watching of Lyndale Avenue.
2551 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55405
(612) 354-7060
(612) 354-7060

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The Lexington

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Now that the new era of the Lexington, the historic restaurant on Grand Avenue in St. Paul, is fully rolling, it's time for owners Jack Riebel, Josh Thoma and Kevin Fitzgerald to enter the next phase of its restoration: the addition of a rooftop patio. The sunny space overlooks the back lot and has a special dedicated menu (and kitchen) along with a huge bar. It's bar food with sticky orange chicken wings and more plus tiki drinks and frose. (That's frozen rose.)
1096 Grand Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55105
(651) 289-4990
(651) 289-4990
Photo courtesy The Lexington Photo courtesy The Lexington

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Sea Salt Eatery

4825 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417
The undisputed Queen Bee of sort-of-waterside eateries, Sea Salt serves the freshest seafood obtainable in our landlocked state. The lines are long at this seasonal curator of oysters, shrimp and all things seafood, but it’s all worth it when you finally tip back a Crispin and bite into that Cajun Grilled Catfish Po’ Boy.
4825 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417
(612) 721-8990
(612) 721-8990
Katie Cannon

Sandcastle

4955 W Lake Nokomis Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55417
Doug Flicker and Amy Greeley’s seasonal spot on the shores of Lake Nokomis is as summery as Minnesota gets, offering fun finger foods like fried cheese curds, sweet corn fritters and of course, the iconic Dog Flicker. It's an all-beef frank topped with tangy kimchi, a golden fried egg and peppy fresh cilantro. Don't miss the epic Friday night fried chicken special.
4955 W Lake Nokomis Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55417
(612) 722-5550
(612) 722-5550
Katie Cannon

Red River Kitchen at City House

258 Walnut St, St Paul, MN 55102
Why dine near the river when you could be actually on top of it. Red River Kitchen at City House offers gorgeous views of the Mississippi, fantastic tacos and a perfect gin and tonic.
258 Walnut St, St Paul, MN 55102
Facebook

Hola Arepa

3501 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408
It's not patio season until you've visited the indoor/outdoor turquoise-tinged beauty at Hola Arepa. Whether sitting on the actual patio or just basking the sunshine at the open-air/indoor bar, this place eats and drinks like endless South American summer.
3501 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 345-5583
(612) 345-5583
Hola Arepa Chevy www.katiecannonphotography.com

Bellecour

739 Lake St E, Wayzata, MN 55391
Gavin Kaysen's stunning new French bistro has added a patio that's worth with all the French bubbles, daquiris and country pate you can handle.
739 Lake St E, Wayzata, MN 55391
(952) 444-5200
(952) 444-5200
Gavin Kaysen

Grand Cafe

3804 Grand Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55409
This new version of this classic French bistro is drawing raves for its classic French fare from nationally renowned chefs Jamie Malone and Erik Anderson, but it's the new patio seats that are drawing neighborhood fans night after night. Tuck into those plush blush pillows and be enveloped by the aroma of nearby Jasmine planters. There are even a couple of nearly-hidden seats in the little alley next to the restaurant.
3804 Grand Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55409
(612) 822-8260
(612) 822-8260
Instagram

Revival

525 Selby Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55102
St. Paul's fried chicken and barbecue hot spot has added some very welcome new seats out in their backyard oasis. Gorgeous wood tables and pretty flowers set the stage in the heart of St. Paul's Cathedral Hill neighborhood.
525 Selby Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55102
Joy Summers

Pryes Brewing Company

1401 West River Road North, Minneapolis, MN 55411
It's right by the Mississippi river with Red Wagon pizza on site. The new Pryes Brewering is an ideal outdoor setting in Northeast.
1401 West River Road North, Minneapolis, MN 55411
A view from the bike rack into the outdoor patio at Pryse. Facebook

Nightingale

2551 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55405
The sidewalk outside this beloved neighborhood restaurant recently got an upgrade. There's shade, the cocktail and small plate Nightingale is known for and as always, the lively people watching of Lyndale Avenue.
2551 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55405
(612) 354-7060
(612) 354-7060

The Lexington

1096 Grand Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55105
Now that the new era of the Lexington, the historic restaurant on Grand Avenue in St. Paul, is fully rolling, it's time for owners Jack Riebel, Josh Thoma and Kevin Fitzgerald to enter the next phase of its restoration: the addition of a rooftop patio. The sunny space overlooks the back lot and has a special dedicated menu (and kitchen) along with a huge bar. It's bar food with sticky orange chicken wings and more plus tiki drinks and frose. (That's frozen rose.)
1096 Grand Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55105
(651) 289-4990
(651) 289-4990
Photo courtesy The Lexington Photo courtesy The Lexington

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