For fresh sushi, and maybe some sake, locals head to the cozy Red Lantern. Japan-born chef Wei Wang, along with partner chef Jordan Wolterstorff, use sustainable, seasonal fish from around the globe in their dishes. The White Bear Lake location is a loungy, speakeasy-esque space with dim lighting and Sinatra crooning in the background. Weekend reservations are highly recommended.

Pezzo’s founding chef, Gary Bougie, who sadly passed away in 2014, brought his coal-fire pizza know-how to White Bear Lake after opening Slyce in a Chicago suburb. While the focus is on those bubbly pies straight out of the red-hot coal oven, the restaurant is also known for their generous salads like the Italian Table salad, overflowing with fresh veggies, prosciutto and pepperoni.

For a fancier meal right on the water, choose one of several levels of outdoor seating at Acqua. The eatery serves contemporary Italian dishes in a gorgeous setting. It’s a perfect spot to spend a spring evening watching the moon rise over the marina while sipping a limoncello cocktail.

Open since 1995, Cravings is a quaint cafe with a charming drive-through to boot. While it’s sister restaurant, Cravings Wine Bar and Grille in Woodbury, boasts wine dinners and a contemporary elegant decor, the White Bear Lake location retains more of a down-home diner sensibility, with unassuming dishes like Belgian waffles and indulgent stuffed French toast. They keep it classic at dinner with rich Burgundy beef stew or hearty sandwiches and soups.

Relative newcomer Big Wood Brewery fits right in at White Bear Lake, although it could have easily found a home in Northwoods country. The charming tap room has plenty of wood accents to be sure. Wood chairs, a wood bar, even wood accents on the walls. Some of their award winning beers even have plaid on the cans. Brewmasters Jason Medvec, Steve Merila and Ty McBee keep 10 brews on tap at all times, rotating weekly. Food can be brought in from local eateries like Ingredients Cafe or Washington Square, where you can also find Big Wood beers on tap.

Johnny Michael,s considered by many to be at the helm of the craft cocktail movement in the Twin Cities, opened this basement bar to great accolades last fall. The steampunkish space with a dark sense of humor and a quirky drink list has been attracting fans from far and wide, possibly thanks to concoctions like the Una Vida De Pecado, crafted with Mezcal, Reposado Tequila infused with dark roasted coffee beans, cacao, chipotle blood orange liquor, Campari, and lime.