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Sandcastle and others are ready to kick off the sunny season
Katie Cannon/Eater Twin Cities

Six Seasonal Favorites Return for Spring

Welcoming spring with lakeside dining and an old favorite on new wheels

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Sandcastle and others are ready to kick off the sunny season
| Katie Cannon/Eater Twin Cities

In the Twin Cities, the first spring breeze brings with it the clatter of patio chairs, the twinkle of rooftop lights, and the promise of longer days and warmer nights soon to come. Here are six restaurants across the metro area that are opening their doors for the summer season.

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At Terzo, the Porchetteria window is the place to be during warm days. Opening this week and serving sandwiches and bowls all summer long, the eponymous hit here is the porchetta sandwich: Air Duroc pork, slow-roasted until meltingly tender, served on a plush ciabatta bun. This year, the walk-up window has a new addition: a full bar with creative, seasonal cocktails.

Sliced, stuffed pork
Terzo [ Official]

Sandcastle

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On the shores of Lake Nokomis, this counter-service cafe is officially open for their 2019 season this week, firing up their kitchen for the greatest hits of summer: from BLTs with local bacon to piles of freshly fried cheese curds, to their famous Dog Flicker: an all-beef frank served with kimchee, cilantro, and a fried egg.

sandcastle mpls
Sandcastle on the shores of Lake Nokomis.
Katie Cannon/Eater Twin Cities

Sea Salt

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A staple of Minnesota summers near Minnehaha Falls, Sea Salt Eatery has officially opened its doors for the year, serving tacos, po’ boys, and other shoreside classics until October. Start with the calamari and don’t miss their iconic crabcakes, piled high with housemade coleslaw that’s best paired with a cold cup of Surly.

At the door of Sea Salt Eatery
Katie Cannon/Eater Twin Cities

Bread & Pickle

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The perfect place to watch the sailboats on Lake Harriet, or to catch live music at the Bandshell, Bread & Pickle has reopened for the season. Starting this week, the counter service eatery is firing up its grill for another summer of “sustainable picnic foods.” Order a few sandwiches to split on the beach, and make sure to save room for ice cream.

The midday line at Bread & Pickle

Harbor View Cafe

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Open until the fall, this lakeside bistro is back for its fortieth year. Find seafood-centered specials, locally-sourced produce, and showstopping desserts, including a decadent, complex sticky toffee cake that is a menu staple. All items on offer are written on the restaurant’s famous chalkboard menu: handwritten, color-coded, and updated twice a day.

A rotating menu, updated daily
Harbor View Cafe

The Tin Fish

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A long-time Bde Maka Ska favorite has gone mobile for the spring, moving from its lakeside address on Calhoun Parkway to a truck, where Tin Fish To-Go-Go will be serving up favorite Tin Fish classics around the Twin Cities. Find them on Monday nights starting May 6th at Brim, and Thursday nights at 34th and Irving.

Tin Fish To-Go-Go!

Cajun Twist

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This Creole-spiced restaurant at the edge of Theodore Wirth Park is a perfect stop post-bike ride for some gumbo, or a weekend brunch of fried chicken and waffles. Cajun Twist is open inside The Trailhead.

Brunch goals
Cajun Twist/Facebook

TERZO

At Terzo, the Porchetteria window is the place to be during warm days. Opening this week and serving sandwiches and bowls all summer long, the eponymous hit here is the porchetta sandwich: Air Duroc pork, slow-roasted until meltingly tender, served on a plush ciabatta bun. This year, the walk-up window has a new addition: a full bar with creative, seasonal cocktails.

Sliced, stuffed pork
Terzo [ Official]

Sandcastle

On the shores of Lake Nokomis, this counter-service cafe is officially open for their 2019 season this week, firing up their kitchen for the greatest hits of summer: from BLTs with local bacon to piles of freshly fried cheese curds, to their famous Dog Flicker: an all-beef frank served with kimchee, cilantro, and a fried egg.

sandcastle mpls
Sandcastle on the shores of Lake Nokomis.
Katie Cannon/Eater Twin Cities

Sea Salt

A staple of Minnesota summers near Minnehaha Falls, Sea Salt Eatery has officially opened its doors for the year, serving tacos, po’ boys, and other shoreside classics until October. Start with the calamari and don’t miss their iconic crabcakes, piled high with housemade coleslaw that’s best paired with a cold cup of Surly.

At the door of Sea Salt Eatery
Katie Cannon/Eater Twin Cities

Bread & Pickle

The perfect place to watch the sailboats on Lake Harriet, or to catch live music at the Bandshell, Bread & Pickle has reopened for the season. Starting this week, the counter service eatery is firing up its grill for another summer of “sustainable picnic foods.” Order a few sandwiches to split on the beach, and make sure to save room for ice cream.

The midday line at Bread & Pickle

Harbor View Cafe

Open until the fall, this lakeside bistro is back for its fortieth year. Find seafood-centered specials, locally-sourced produce, and showstopping desserts, including a decadent, complex sticky toffee cake that is a menu staple. All items on offer are written on the restaurant’s famous chalkboard menu: handwritten, color-coded, and updated twice a day.

A rotating menu, updated daily
Harbor View Cafe

The Tin Fish

A long-time Bde Maka Ska favorite has gone mobile for the spring, moving from its lakeside address on Calhoun Parkway to a truck, where Tin Fish To-Go-Go will be serving up favorite Tin Fish classics around the Twin Cities. Find them on Monday nights starting May 6th at Brim, and Thursday nights at 34th and Irving.

Tin Fish To-Go-Go!

Cajun Twist

This Creole-spiced restaurant at the edge of Theodore Wirth Park is a perfect stop post-bike ride for some gumbo, or a weekend brunch of fried chicken and waffles. Cajun Twist is open inside The Trailhead.

Brunch goals
Cajun Twist/Facebook

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