Gasthaus, just off Manning Avenue, is one of Stillwater’s most unique restaurants. The classically German menu offers everything from bratkartoffeln (fried potatoes with bacon and onion) to a schnitzel sampler with rham, jager, and zegnuer sauces, and is complemented by a 12-tap bar that serves German imports. Don’t skip the Black Forest cherry cake. Gasthaus is a great stop for bikers; it’s just off the Gateway Trail.

Housed in a log cabin once frequented by the mafia during prohibition, a cool, old-school energy still lingers at Phil’s Tara Hideaway. Expect thoughtful riffs on supper club classics, but with a Greek twist. Rotisserie-cut gyros are a crowd favorite, as is the 10-ounce Tara steak.

The Oasis Cafe is a dreamy highway diner just north of Stillwater’s main drag. Stop by for excellent breakfast dishes like cinnamon nutmeg buckwheat pancakes, country fried steak and eggs, and the Granny Smith breakfast sandwich, made with caramelized apples and havarti cheese. The lunch and dinner menus, which offer poutine, mac and cheese bites, burgers, and more, is also worth sampling.

Nelson’s has built its reputation on almost comically large servings of ice cream. The shop first opened in Stillwater in 1923 as Seven Corners grocery store — in the ‘60s, it sold hefty two-scoop ice cream cones for just 10 cents. Decades later, Nelson’s is still known for its generous servings. A “child” size will buy you a towering cone of black licorice chip, moose tracks, or Superman ice cream.

Local Minnesota musician Caroline Smith and her partner, chef Adam To (formerly of LA restaurant Trois Mec) bought Whitey’s Bar on Main Street, renaming it Howard’s. They’ve stayed true to Whitey’s cozy, hometown bar vibes, and introduced a stellar menu with highlights like hand-trimmed ribeyes, meatloaf, and lasagna made with fresh pasta sheets. As always, juice is pressed fresh behind the bar.

Mad Capper is one of Stillwater’s longest-standing bars: First opened in 1979, the space and menu were revamped in 2021. The historic feel remains, but from the new menu, expect small plates like truffle fries, smoked fish dip, and bruschetta, plus burgers, paninis, and house-made pasta. The cocktail, wine, and draft beer menus are also robust.

This new(ish) spot is big on smoke: The food gets a hefty dose of it, and the restaurant’s signature whiskey cocktails are served with smoked ice balls. It’s a fun bit, but the big burgers (try the PB & Jay, served on a glazed donut) and pastas are also notable. Elsewhere on the food menu are highlights like the duck bacon wontons and smoked chicken mac and cheese.

This glass-paned corner storefront on Main Street has seen a number of grill and malt shops come and go over the past two decades, but the space’s old-fashioned heart (and decor) has remained unchanged. From the grill, grab a flat-top burger and add fries and onion rings. Save room for a thick, creamy malt: Leo’s flavors range from classics like chocolate, vanilla and strawberry to pineapple, orange Dreamsicle, and chocolate wild cherry.

An oenophile’s dream, this wine bar is located just up the hill off Main Street. It’s stocked with hundreds of bottles of wine: Pair one (or two) with an elegant beef tenderloin or halibut entree, or a plate of papardelle with duck confit and English peas. Domacin is among Stillwater’s priciest restaurants; its interior is understated and warm.

Osaka is Stillwater’s sushi go-to. Grab a seat at the mahogany bar and pair a sake pour with a red snapper, scallop, or salmon roe roll — Osaka also offers an array of vegetarian rolls, from peanut and avocado to sweet potato tempura with sweet soy sauce. Appetizers like the pork gyoza are also worth sampling.

Stillwater’s only speakeasy is a swanky, Prohibition-style bar tucked into a 2nd Street basement. Wander over to the JX Event Center, enter into the lobby and listen for muted jazz music playing through a door — then, as the website instructs, “follow it down the rabbit hole.” Expect weekly live music, a robust cocktail menu (an entire section features Prohibition-style drinks like the Tom Collins and the “Alamagoozlum,” a gin, rum, and chartreuse mix) plus small plates, tacos, and desserts.