On any given top weather day, the sizable paved trail loops around the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes fill with runners, pedestrians and bicyclists.
For some, grabbing a bite at nearby restaurants is a way to embrace what the city’s lakes — including Lake of the Isles, Bde Maka Ska, Lake Harriet and, to the southeast, Lake Nokomis — have to offer.
In addition to year-round restaurants, seasonal lakeside pavilion eateries stay open well into October. Dawn Uremovich runs the Painted Turtle on Lake Nokomis with her son Sam Carter and has served in managerial roles in restaurants for 40 years. She said there’s just something about running an eatery near the lakes. “It’s a happy crowd,” Uremovich said. “They’re at the lake, hiking or boating, enjoying it with their friends, with their family. It’s just a very fun atmosphere.”
Claire Wilson, outgoing executive director of the Loppet Foundation, which promotes the outdoors and Minneapolis trail systems, said the city’s lakes feature prominently throughout the year, including the upcoming Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon on Oct. 6 that starts in downtown Minneapolis and ends at the State Capitol.
“The marathon runs along many of the lakes,” Wilson said, adding that the lakes are not only for enjoying in the spring, summer and fall, but well into the winter. “We groom paths so you can ski 68 kilometers all around the city, including right on the lakes that become skiing and hiking trails. I can’t think of many urban areas that have that — people come from all over for this and most of them stop to dine while in the area.”
Looking to join in the marathon cheer squad or just enjoy a stroll, run or bike ride around one of the city’s best assets? To feed your appetite, here are our favorite places that are a walkable four blocks or less to the city’s larger lakes — all with full-loop trails.

Lake of the Isles
Trail loop: 2.63 miles
The long and winding lake gives moments of solace in quiet, tucked-away places. And speaking of tucked away, the Kenwood (2115 W. 21st St., thekenwoodrestaurant.com), a few blocks off the lake’s northwest side, is a charming hidden gem of a neighborhood bistro. The weekend brunch is our favorite meal, particularly the fiery eggs Benedict with housemade focaccia, porchetta and a Calabrian chile hollandaise. The flavor-packed Turkish egg dish with labneh soft cheese, pickled red onions and house salsa is a close second. Off the lunch and dinner menus, the chicken ricotta meatballs and cheffed-up burger are highly recommended.