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4 great Twin Cities patios to try right now

Patio season has finally arrived (we hope). Here are four Twin Cities spots perfect for a nice day.

By Rick Nelson

May 30, 2019 at 7:45PM

Sandcastle restaurant at Lake Nokomis. (Marci Schmitt/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Monte Carlo

This shady respite is one of the North Loop's better outdoor getaways. The sandwiches — meatloaf, crab salad on toasted pumpernickel, an artery-clogging Reuben — are popular options, along with a long list of grill classics, including liver and onions, a few steaks and shrimp cocktail.

219 3rd Av. N., Mpls., 612-333-5900, montecarlomn.com

Meritage

Take a seat at downtown St. Paul's top-performing sidewalk cafe and enjoy the urbane setting and chef/co-owner Russell Klein's seafood-focused French cooking.

410 St. Peter St., St. Paul, 651-222-5670, meritage-stpaul.com

Sandcastle

The patio at this colorful beachside stand hugs the shores of beautiful Lake Nokomis. The varied menu swings from a classic BLT to a brown rice bowl topped with roasted vegetables and tangy kimchi. Other highlights include dolled-up hot dogs, well stuffed shrimp tacos, a first-rate pulled pork sandwich and soft-serve ice cream, all at reasonable prices. Beer and wine, too.

4955 W. Lake Nokomis Pkwy., Mpls., 612-721-0756, sandcastlempls.com

Wise Acre Eatery

Owners Dean Engelmann and Scott Endres also operate the neighboring Tangletown Gardens, which guarantees that their restaurant's outdoor spaces — they're huddled around a vintage service station — are blooming showplaces. The farm-fresh fare is sourced from the duo's 100-acre spread in Plato, Minn.

5401 Nicollet Av. S., Mpls., 612-354-2577, wiseacreeatery.com

The patio at the Monte Carlo in Minneapolis. (Marci Schmitt — Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The patio area at Wise Acre Eatery in south Minneapolis. (Marci Schmitt — Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Russell and Desta Klein in the doorway of Meritage. (Marci Schmitt — Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

about the writer

Rick Nelson

Reporter

Rick Nelson joined the staff of the Star Tribune in 1998. He is a Twin Cities native, a University of Minnesota graduate and a James Beard Award winner.