This post was originally published in July 2020 and was most recently updated on May 17, 2026.
It's time to savor the all-too-brief Minnesota summer by dining outdoors at a local restaurant patio. Here's a roundup of my favorite restaurant patios in Minneapolis and St. Paul, with restaurants listed alphabetically within each geographical category. I update this post periodically with new finds—there are dozens of excellent spots for outdoor dining in the Twin Cities, and this is only a sampling.
Minneapolis
The patio at Aster Cafe has one of loveliest views in Minneapolis, with a picturesque cobblestone street, the Mississippi River, and the downtown skyline. The crowd-pleasing menu includes salads, sandwiches, and flatbreads—I'm partial to the wild mushroom flatbread with lemon and arugula. The cocktail list is solid, but my go-to is the housemade sangria.
Aster Cafe is open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday and weekend brunch. Patio dining is walk-in only.
125 SE Main St., Minneapolis; 612-379-3138; astercafe.com
For a wimp like me, the heated, semi-enclosed chalet at Hai Hai is perfect for chilly evenings (uncovered patio seating is also available). The menu features Southeast Asian-inspired small plates and entrees—my favorites are the salt and pepper fried tofu and the Hanoi sticky rice, plus the Vietnamese coffee tiramisu for dessert. Many items can be made vegan or gluten-free by request, and there's a interesting selection of refreshing cocktails and rum-spiked slushies.
Hai Hai is open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday, and reservations can be made online.
2121 University Ave. NE, Minneapolis; 612-223-8640; haihaimpls.com
Hola Arepa is one of the best local options for soaking up some vacation vibes. The menu features Venezuelan-style stuffed arepas (cornmeal griddle cake sandwiches), Latin American-influenced small plates, and tropical cocktails. The chips and salsa are a must, and for brunch, I like the fried egg breakfast arepa (add the guacamole, it's well worth the surcharge).
Covered and uncovered patio reservations are available, and Hola Arepa serves dinner daily and weekend brunch.
3501 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis; 612-345-5583; holaarepa.com
Namaste Cafe is housed in a repurposed Victorian house, and the patio out front has a welcoming front porch vibe. The menu of Indian and Nepali dishes includes curries and chaat (Indian street food), and it's especially vegan-friendly—many dishes are plant-based or can be made with tofu by request. I love the tangy mango curry, which has a bright, summery balance of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. The chai can be served hot or iced and is blended in-house, with over a dozen flavors to choose from (I'm partial to the cardamom pistachio).
Namaste Cafe is open for lunch and dinner daily and serves brunch on the weekend. Patio seating is first come, first served.
2512 Hennepin Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-827-2496; namastecafemn.com
Although the patio at Nightingale is right on Lyndale, it's surrounded by boxes overflowing with greenery and flowers, giving it a romantic, tucked away feel. The cocktail menu is a highlight for me, with a fascinating selection of drinks that feature unexpected ingredients and creative names. The food menu has snacks, small plates, and entrees—obviously I love the fries with malt vinegar aioli, and I also like the ricotta bruschetta and the pickle plate, which has some unique items like pickled shiitakes and house cultured butter.
Patio dining is by walk-in only. Dinner is served daily, with the full menu available until midnight.
2551 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-354-7060; nightingalempls.com
Red Wagon Pizza offers a unique patio dining experience: there's a communal table for 12 wrapped around a giant tree. Even more importantly, the pizza is great, with a crust made from locally milled heritage wheat flour and a housemade cheese blend. The menu is rounded out with appetizers, salads, and pasta. I love the garlic cheese bread, the Caesar salad (it's topped with a soft boiled egg), and the Olive Oyl pizza with pesto, olives, artichokes, mushrooms, and lemon.
Red Wagon Pizza is open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday and lunch Friday through Sunday. Patio reservations are available online, including for the communal tree table.
5416 Penn Ave. S, Minneapolis; 612-259-7147; redwagon-mpls.com
St. Paul
For a taste of Paris without leaving St. Paul, spend the evening on the streetside terrace at Meritage, complete with twinkle lights, flowers, and French music. The classical French menu varies with the seasons, but the moules frites and anything chocolate on the dessert menu are always delicious choices.
Dinner is served Thursday through Sunday and brunch is offered on Sunday. Reservations are available online.
410 St. Peter St., St. Paul; 651-222-5670; meritage-stpaul.com
Moscow on the Hill has long been one of my favorite patios in the Twin Cities: a shady, leafy escape with hearty fare and house-infused vodka shots. Their menu features Russian and Eastern European appetizers, dumplings, and entrees. Yes, there are substantial plates of meat and potatoes, but they also have house-pickled vegetables, salads, and vegetarian options. Be sure to try the khachapuri, a Georgian cheese-stuffed bread that puts stuffed crust pizza to shame, and the Moscow fries, which are tossed in dill and garlic.
Moscow on the Hill takes reservations online, although patio seating is not guaranteed. Lunch and dinner are served daily.
371 Selby Ave., St. Paul; 651-291-1236; moscowonthehill.com
Tucked into the crumbling walls of the historic Hamm's Brewery, the patio at Saint Paul Brewing is enormous, but it's arranged with dozens of nooks that give it an intimate feel. The furniture looks like it came from your artsy friends' yard, there are flowers everywhere, and the food menu includes tasty wood-fired pizzas, sandwiches, and appetizers. The fries and garlic cheese bread are excellent. The patio is dog-friendly with water dishes, and pup treats and doggie beer are available for purchase.
Patio seats are first-come, first served, and you place your food order via a QR code. Saint Paul Brewing serves lunch Friday through Sunday and dinner daily.
688 Minnehaha Ave. E, St. Paul; 651-698-1945; stpaulbrewing.com
The patio at W.A. Frost and Company is a perfect for romance, surrounded by greenery and with leafy branches and fairy lights overhead. The dinner menu combines classic American and global influences, with a handful of vegetarian options. The cocktail list features a thoughtful selection of no-proof and low-proof drinks, as well as craft cocktails featuring spirits from local distilleries.
W.A. Frost is open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday and brunch Friday through Sunday. Reservations can be made by online.
374 Selby Ave., St. Paul; 651-224-5715; wafrost.com
Further reading: Best Ice Cream in the Twin Cities
If you enjoyed this post, pin it!
