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White trays of smoked fish.
A bounty of smoked fish in Duluth.
Katie Cannon

Where to Eat and Drink Along Lake Superior’s Scenic North Shore

A dining guide for Highway 61

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A bounty of smoked fish in Duluth.
| Katie Cannon

Traveling from the Twin Cities up the craggy shores of Lake Superior is a bracing, breathtaking journey — and the scenic stretch between Duluth and Grand Marais offers a bounty of smoked fish, sourdough pancakes, black licorice caramels, and slices of strawberry rhubarb pie. Here’s where to eat and drink all along Highway 61 in the north country.

Note that these restaurants are listed geographically.

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Tobie’s

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Technically speaking, Tobie’s isn’t on the North Shore, but it’s a requisite halfway stop between Minneapolis and Duluth. What was once a family-owned roadside stand is now a bustling business — it’s hard to miss the bright red roof just off I-35. Grab one of the famous caramel rolls for the road, or stop in for a late-morning omelet.

Duluth Grill

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This recently renovated grill has become a popular destination for Midwestern road-trippers thanks in part to a feature on Guy Fieri’s Food Network. At the Duluth Grill, everything from chilaquiles to Mediterranean omelets are served in a classic woodsy interior. Fans have been known to plan an entire road trip just for an order of the Korean Brussels sprouts.

Vikre Distilling

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This family-owned distillery uses hyper-local botanicals and grains — not to mention ice-cold water from Lake Superior — to craft its spirits, which range from boreal gin to aged Aquavit. The cocktail room, located at the foot of Duluth’s iconic lift bridge, supplements its classic, seasonal, and zero-proof cocktails with snacks from Northern Waters Smokehaus.

Northern Waters Smokehaus

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Steps away from Lake Superior is Northern Waters Smokehaus, a specialty sandwich shop nestled in the DeWitt-Sietz Building. Unique combinations of seafood, meat, or vegetarian sandwiches are available alongside butcher cuts, from smoked fish to jerky. The Cajun Finn, which pairs smoked salmon with a thick smear of cream cheese and roasted red peppers, is a favorite. Order ahead online for speedy service, as the line can get long — though NWS is in the process of expanding into a larger space.

A hand holding a sandwich stuffed with salmon and pepperoncinis in front of a beach and blue sky.
The famous Cajun Finn at Northern Waters.
Justine Jones

New Scenic Cafe

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Just North of Duluth sits New Scenic Café, with stellar views of Lake Superior and a nod to Nordic traditions in both menu and decor. Sharable dishes like the game platter or the smörgåsbord (a true smorgasbord of pickled herring, smoked salmon, deviled eggs, cheese, fruit, and olives) are a must.

Five fish tacos garnished with greens on a long white plate.
Tuna tacos at New Scenic Cafe.
Katie Cannon

Russ Kendall’s

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Part smokehouse, part local bar, Russ Kendall’s is an old scenic highway tradition. Stop in for a sleeve of saltines, a can of Hamm’s, and some smoked cisco, fished from nearby Lake Superior.

The exterior of a red building with a sign that says “Russ Kendall’s” and another one that says “FISH.”
Smoked Ciscos await at Russ Kendall’s.
Katie Cannon

Great! Lakes Candy

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Great Lakes Candy sits just north of the Knife River on Highway 61. Step into this sweet candy shop for silky blueberry bark, chocolate turtles studded with pecans, and truffles. The black licorice caramels, a rich midnight color, are a specialty.

White shelves stacked with candies.
Great Lakes’ candy stockpile.
Katie Cannon

Castle Danger

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Stepping into Castle Danger’s cozy taproom is like renting someone’s cabin for a spell. Stop in for a pint of the famously smooth cream ale, and catch a little live music here on the weekends.

A group of people sitting in bar stools with their backs to the camera; a warm wood ceiling.
The bar at Castle Danger.
Katie Cannon

Betty's Pies

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Betty’s serves a full breakfast and lunch menu (omelets, biscuits and gravy, burgers and the like) but it’s best known for its famous pies. Step up to the counter for a slice of tart bumbleberry or strawberry rhubarb, or sink a fork into the silky banana cream.

Rustic Inn Cafe

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The Rustic Inn serves toasted walleye melts, cranberry wild rice French toast, pork tenderloin sandwiches, and other comforting northwoods dishes in a cozy 1925 log cabin. Start with the onion rings, which are dipped in a Castle Danger beer batter.

Lockport Marketplace

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Lockport Marketplace may look like an unassuming roadside store, but it’s home to hearty meat-stuffed pasties and fruit pies. The breakfast menu is worth exploring, too — the tangy sourdough pancakes are a favorite.

A grey building with a grey roof and a gas station pump in the foreground.
Grab a pasty or a slice of pie in Lutsen.
Katie Cannon

Fika Coffee

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Fika Coffee is best enjoyed on the way back home from a trip up north. The coffee, which is roasted on-site, is balanced and strong, an ideal caffeine kick for powering through a long drive. Grab a bag of beans to bring home.

The Fisherman’s Daughter at Dockside Fish Market

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The Fisherman’s Daughter, the sunny cafe tucked inside Dockside Fish Market on the south end of Grand Marais, taps into Lake Superior’s freshwater bounty, serving wild-caught fish by the pound — not to mention piping hot fish and chips. The cafe also serves light cafe fare, from lobster salad and deli sandwiches to rhubarb cheesecake. Don’t miss the maple bacon cheese curds.

A red building with a white and blue sign reading “Dockside Fish & Seafood Market” with a yellow building visible in the background.
Dockside Fish & Seafood Market in Grand Marais.
The Fisherman’s Daughter

The Angry Trout Cafe

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The Angry Trout leans into classic Northwoods flavors — think salads topped with blueberries; tart cranberry horseradish compote spread on smoked whitefish; hand-harvested wild rice; and maple cream sodas made with pure syrup and soda water. The fish here, of course, is fresh-caught from Superior, and the patio is a lovely place to watch the moon rise over the harbor. Pack a sweater for the chilly evening breeze off the lake.

A wooden building with a large deck on a water with a slice of beach in the foreground.
The Angry Trout’s lakeside deck.
Katie Cannon

Sydney's Frozen Custard

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Sydney’s Custard has rebuilt in downtown Grand Marais following a devastating fire. The new spot serves the same flaky wood-fired pizza and overflowing cups of thick, creamy custard.

World's Best Donuts

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The maple-glazed Long Johns, cinnamon rolls, and raspberry jelly Bismarcks at World’s Best Donuts, a Grand Marais staple since 1969, are tempting. But the real gems are the simple cake doughnuts, which balance a reliably moist, not-too-sweet inside with coatings of cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, or thick chocolate glaze. The best move is to buy a dozen to share — made fresh every morning, they’re served hot in brown paper bags. Be prepared to wait on weekend mornings, but the line moves fairly fast.

Four donuts on paper on a red tray.
A morning selection from World’s Best Donuts.
Katie Cannon

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Tobie’s

Technically speaking, Tobie’s isn’t on the North Shore, but it’s a requisite halfway stop between Minneapolis and Duluth. What was once a family-owned roadside stand is now a bustling business — it’s hard to miss the bright red roof just off I-35. Grab one of the famous caramel rolls for the road, or stop in for a late-morning omelet.

Duluth Grill

This recently renovated grill has become a popular destination for Midwestern road-trippers thanks in part to a feature on Guy Fieri’s Food Network. At the Duluth Grill, everything from chilaquiles to Mediterranean omelets are served in a classic woodsy interior. Fans have been known to plan an entire road trip just for an order of the Korean Brussels sprouts.

Vikre Distilling

This family-owned distillery uses hyper-local botanicals and grains — not to mention ice-cold water from Lake Superior — to craft its spirits, which range from boreal gin to aged Aquavit. The cocktail room, located at the foot of Duluth’s iconic lift bridge, supplements its classic, seasonal, and zero-proof cocktails with snacks from Northern Waters Smokehaus.

Northern Waters Smokehaus

Steps away from Lake Superior is Northern Waters Smokehaus, a specialty sandwich shop nestled in the DeWitt-Sietz Building. Unique combinations of seafood, meat, or vegetarian sandwiches are available alongside butcher cuts, from smoked fish to jerky. The Cajun Finn, which pairs smoked salmon with a thick smear of cream cheese and roasted red peppers, is a favorite. Order ahead online for speedy service, as the line can get long — though NWS is in the process of expanding into a larger space.

A hand holding a sandwich stuffed with salmon and pepperoncinis in front of a beach and blue sky.
The famous Cajun Finn at Northern Waters.
Justine Jones

New Scenic Cafe

Just North of Duluth sits New Scenic Café, with stellar views of Lake Superior and a nod to Nordic traditions in both menu and decor. Sharable dishes like the game platter or the smörgåsbord (a true smorgasbord of pickled herring, smoked salmon, deviled eggs, cheese, fruit, and olives) are a must.

Five fish tacos garnished with greens on a long white plate.
Tuna tacos at New Scenic Cafe.
Katie Cannon

Russ Kendall’s

Part smokehouse, part local bar, Russ Kendall’s is an old scenic highway tradition. Stop in for a sleeve of saltines, a can of Hamm’s, and some smoked cisco, fished from nearby Lake Superior.

The exterior of a red building with a sign that says “Russ Kendall’s” and another one that says “FISH.”
Smoked Ciscos await at Russ Kendall’s.
Katie Cannon

Great! Lakes Candy

Great Lakes Candy sits just north of the Knife River on Highway 61. Step into this sweet candy shop for silky blueberry bark, chocolate turtles studded with pecans, and truffles. The black licorice caramels, a rich midnight color, are a specialty.

White shelves stacked with candies.
Great Lakes’ candy stockpile.
Katie Cannon

Castle Danger

Stepping into Castle Danger’s cozy taproom is like renting someone’s cabin for a spell. Stop in for a pint of the famously smooth cream ale, and catch a little live music here on the weekends.

A group of people sitting in bar stools with their backs to the camera; a warm wood ceiling.
The bar at Castle Danger.
Katie Cannon

Betty's Pies

Betty’s serves a full breakfast and lunch menu (omelets, biscuits and gravy, burgers and the like) but it’s best known for its famous pies. Step up to the counter for a slice of tart bumbleberry or strawberry rhubarb, or sink a fork into the silky banana cream.

Rustic Inn Cafe

The Rustic Inn serves toasted walleye melts, cranberry wild rice French toast, pork tenderloin sandwiches, and other comforting northwoods dishes in a cozy 1925 log cabin. Start with the onion rings, which are dipped in a Castle Danger beer batter.

Lockport Marketplace

Lockport Marketplace may look like an unassuming roadside store, but it’s home to hearty meat-stuffed pasties and fruit pies. The breakfast menu is worth exploring, too — the tangy sourdough pancakes are a favorite.

A grey building with a grey roof and a gas station pump in the foreground.
Grab a pasty or a slice of pie in Lutsen.
Katie Cannon

Fika Coffee

Fika Coffee is best enjoyed on the way back home from a trip up north. The coffee, which is roasted on-site, is balanced and strong, an ideal caffeine kick for powering through a long drive. Grab a bag of beans to bring home.

The Fisherman’s Daughter at Dockside Fish Market

The Fisherman’s Daughter, the sunny cafe tucked inside Dockside Fish Market on the south end of Grand Marais, taps into Lake Superior’s freshwater bounty, serving wild-caught fish by the pound — not to mention piping hot fish and chips. The cafe also serves light cafe fare, from lobster salad and deli sandwiches to rhubarb cheesecake. Don’t miss the maple bacon cheese curds.

A red building with a white and blue sign reading “Dockside Fish & Seafood Market” with a yellow building visible in the background.
Dockside Fish & Seafood Market in Grand Marais.
The Fisherman’s Daughter

The Angry Trout Cafe

The Angry Trout leans into classic Northwoods flavors — think salads topped with blueberries; tart cranberry horseradish compote spread on smoked whitefish; hand-harvested wild rice; and maple cream sodas made with pure syrup and soda water. The fish here, of course, is fresh-caught from Superior, and the patio is a lovely place to watch the moon rise over the harbor. Pack a sweater for the chilly evening breeze off the lake.

A wooden building with a large deck on a water with a slice of beach in the foreground.
The Angry Trout’s lakeside deck.
Katie Cannon

Sydney's Frozen Custard

Sydney’s Custard has rebuilt in downtown Grand Marais following a devastating fire. The new spot serves the same flaky wood-fired pizza and overflowing cups of thick, creamy custard.

Related Maps

World's Best Donuts

The maple-glazed Long Johns, cinnamon rolls, and raspberry jelly Bismarcks at World’s Best Donuts, a Grand Marais staple since 1969, are tempting. But the real gems are the simple cake doughnuts, which balance a reliably moist, not-too-sweet inside with coatings of cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, or thick chocolate glaze. The best move is to buy a dozen to share — made fresh every morning, they’re served hot in brown paper bags. Be prepared to wait on weekend mornings, but the line moves fairly fast.

Four donuts on paper on a red tray.
A morning selection from World’s Best Donuts.
Katie Cannon

Related Maps