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Take advantage of these 6 Twin Cities restaurant patios while the weather cooperates

Enjoy the rest of our summer weather on these lovely patios across the Twin Cities area.

By Rick Nelson

September 5, 2020 at 9:06PM
The tent-covered patio at Hai Hai in northeast Minneapolis.
The tent-covered patio at Hai Hai in northeast Minneapolis. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Cov

Soak up the Lake Minnetonka view from this well-appointed patio and select from a wide-ranging menu that includes sushi, lobster rolls, a first-rate crabcake, cioppino, clam chowder and more. Lunch and dinner daily, weekend brunch.

700 E. Lake St., Wayzata, 952-473-5253, covwayzata.com

Waldmann Brewery & Wurstery

During winter, the setting is all about the historic (1857) architecture. But in the warm-weather months, the pretty and spacious Biergarten is the place to dig into sausages, smoked fish, sauerbraten, pretzels and other beer-friendly fare. Lunch and dinner daily.

445 Smith Av., St. Paul, 651-222-1857, waldmannbrewery.com

Harriet Brasserie

A Linden Hills alley has been transformed into a patio, and it's a charming environment for exploring the eclectic menu: salmon rillettes, steak frites, risotto with chorizo and scallops, duck confit tacos and a mushroom-tofu hash. Lunch Thursday through Sunday, dinner Thursday through Saturday.

2724 W. 43rd St., Mpls., 612-354-2197, lakeharrietbrasserie.com

Freight House

The enormous, sun-soaked patio is tailor-made for the kitchen's gastropub fare, including pork brats stuffed with provolone, chicken tinga tacos, beer-battered deep-fried cheese curds and chicken Caesar salads. Lunch and dinner daily.

305 Water St. S., Stillwater, 651-439-5718, thefreighthouse.com

Pittsburgh Blue

The classic steakhouse menu includes three cuts of prime rib and five filet mignon preparations. There are two daily happy hours, from 4 to 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. to close. Dinner daily.

11900 Main St., Maple Grove, 763-416-2663, pittsburghbluesteak.com

Hai Hai

Take shelter under the tents behind the restaurant, and enjoy flavor-packed takes on Southeast Asian street food. Vivacious cocktails, too, including a few well-mixed spirit-free libations. Dinner Tuesday through Sunday.

2121 University Av. NE., Mpls., 612-223-8640, haihaimpls.com

Rick Nelson • @RickNelsonStrib

Waldmann Brewery and Wurstery in St. Paul.
Waldmann Brewery and Wurstery in St. Paul. (Marci Schmitt — Star Tribune file/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Pittsburgh Blue in Maple Grove offers a classic steakhouse menu.
Pittsburgh Blue in Maple Grove offers a classic steakhouse menu. (Marci Schmitt — Star Tribune file/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Harriet Brasserie in 2012.
Harriet Brasserie in 2012. (Marci Schmitt — Star Tribune file/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
The patio at Cov in Wayzata in 2015.
The patio at Cov in Wayzata in 2015. (Marci Schmitt — STAR TRIBUNE file/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
The Freight House offers patio dining and drinks adjacent to the bike path.
The Freight House offers patio dining and drinks adjacent to the bike path. (Marci Schmitt — Star Tribune file/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
about the writer

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. 

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