Your summer isn’t complete without a trip to downtown Stillwater, Minnesota to take in the beautiful scenery, great shopping, and fun activities. And don’t leave without stopping for a meal at one of the amazing Stillwater outdoor dining patio locations!
We don’t think there is a better way to experience this hip historic town and all of its charm than at one of the many Stillwater outdoor dining locations. There are so many gorgeous views, menus, and ideal people-watching spots!
For a full list of restaurants, pubs, wineries, and breweries visit www.DiscoverStillwater.com.
Stillwater Outdoor Dining (in no particular order)
Brick and Bourbon – 215 Main Street S. Stillwater, MN
This intimate rooftop patio has an amazing view of the St. Croix River! Enjoy happy hour from 3-6pm Monday to Friday with drink and menu specials. And they have brunch with a bloody Mary bar on the weekends…don’t miss that!
Nacho Mama’s – 312 Main Street S. Stillwater, MN
If you haven’t been to Nacho Mama’s yet, do so! In the summer, head to their patio located behind their building. Their alleyway patio is tucked away and a colorful place to grab a bite to eat. Nacho Mama’s serves up large portions of delicious Mexican food. Once you come, you’ll be back!
Papa’s Rooftop at Water Street Inn – 101 Water Street S. Stillwater, MN
Enjoy the panoramic views of the St. Croix River, the historic lift bridge and and the historic downtown district of Stillwater, MN on the 4th floor riverside rooftop of Water Street Inn. This is a nice stop for a glass of wine after a bike ride on the Loop Trail!
Feller Restaurant at Lora Hotel – 402 Main Street S. Stillwater, MN
At Feller Restaurant you’ll find a beautiful, dog-friendly patio right on the main street. Feller has a gorgeous location and delicious made-in-house, chef-driven food! We are big fans of their Feller burger, foragers crostini, and cocktails.
Matchstick Grill in Hotel Crosby – 232 Main Street N. Stillwater, MN
Matchstick has an amazing main street indoor/outdoor vibe. Giant doors open to their main street patio and allow for a great social experience. Each weeknight features a fun special and their happy hour runs from 3-5pm – it’s a great time to try a flight of something new. Did we mention that their whiskey selection is extensive? Sooo good!
The Freight House – 305 Water Street S. Stillwater, MN
With 8,000 square feet of river view deck and a tap room, the Freight House may be the largest outdoor dining spot in downtown Stillwater. Casual and welcoming to families and pups, the Freight House deck is a great place to people watch the nearby bike trail and admire the riverside park or raising and lowering of the historic lift bridge.
The Dock Stillwater – 425 Nelson Street E. Stillwater, MN
This list would not be complete without mentioning The Dock Stillwater. The Dock looks upriver to the historic Stillwater Lift Bridge and downriver to the new St. Croix Crossing Bridge. The patio, bar and dining rooms provide unrivaled views as well as the area’s most complete menu choices. The Dock is a truly unique, one-of-a-kind dining experience.
Portside – 317 Main Street S. Stillwater, MN
Located in the heart of Historic downtown Stillwater offering a diverse, scratch made menu & craft cocktails. Great happy hour & game specials, weekend entertainment, pool, darts, and a great roof-top dining patio overlooking the Scenic St. Croix River!
Charlie’s Irish Pub – 101 Water Street S. Stillwater, MN
Enjoy an authentic pub scene offering Irish fare with lively Irish music on Friday and Saturday nights year-round, an expanded bar/restaurant area, and large glass-enclosed river view patio.
Oasis Cafe – 806 Main Street S. Stillwater, MN
A local favorite known for it’s burgers, breakfasts and pies. The Oasis Cafe is a family-owned restaurant tucked into a rocky bluff as you enter Stillwater on the south side. They have a full service bar, outside patio and really good food!
Victoriano’s Pizza – 402 Main Street N. Stillwater, MN
Enjoy authentic New York and Sicilian style pizza from fresh and local ingredients. These well loved recipes are made from scratch with legendary crust and sauce and you can order pies and slices, delivery or carry out and eat on their lovely patio all summer.
The Lowell Inn – 102 2nd Street N. Stillwater, MN
The dining experience at the Historic Lowell Inn hotel is vintage and classy, with an inviting atmosphere. Enjoy an array of fine dining offerings and an outdoor patio to enjoy some of their amazing food and a cocktail.
LOLO – 233 Main Street S. Stillwater, MN
Enjoy gourmet street food and American small plates along side craft cocktails and artisan spirits. Watch the culinary action at the open kitchen chef’s bar. This locally owned, locally sourced restaurant and bar also has outdoor patio for cocktails in the summer.
Tilted Tiki – 324 Main Street S. Stillwater, MN
The Tilted Tiki’s patio is right on Main Street and a great location for people-watching. They have live music multiple nights a week, drink specials daily, and a menu unlike anything else in the city with a nice vegan section (we tried the vegan tiki burger… so good!).
River Siren Brewery – 225 Main Street N. Stillwater, MN
River Siren is a community-focused destination brewery for craft beer enthusiasts and all who want to enjoy a low-key and lively experience with remarkable beer and house-made seltzer. Come enjoy our riverview location and expansive patio and deck right downtown!
Quick Fire Pizza – 116 Main Street S. Stillwater, MN
This patio isn’t super well known but oh boy, if it worth it to find! Quiet and tucked away so it’s convenient for grabbing drinks and a delicious dinner and have private chat with a friend. Kids will love to watch them build your za and place it into the custom wood-fired oven. Out will come the crisp toppings ready to enjoy with a local brew on tap or wine for the adults.
Lift Bridge Brewing Co. – 1900 Tower Drive W. Stillwater, MN
Enter the doors of this taproom and you’ll immediately sense that things are a little different here. Bustling city life is left behind for something more authentic, and that starts with the beer. Visit the taproom and get served directly from the source. While here enjoy music, events and outdoor place to enjoy this local favorite.
Saint Croix Vineyards – 6428 Manning Avenue, Stillwater, MN
One of Minnesota’s largest wineries – Take a stroll through the picturesque vineyards and enjoy the rustic tasting room in restored century-old barn. Award-winning Minnesota wines range from the dark, intense, oak-aged Frontenac to the semi-sweet Vignoles, reminiscent of a fine German Riesling.
Thor’s Hard Cider – 6428 Manning Avenue, Stillwater, MN
Thor’s Hard Cider is authentically made from fresh-pressed, full-strength, locally-grown apples with no preservatives. The entire process happens at our Stillwater orchard, Aamodt’s Apple Farm.
PD Pappys – 422 Mulberry Street E. Stillwater, MN
Seasonal restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating on the river by the marina. Popular spot for boaters, motorcyclists and everyone in between. Burgers, beer and so much more. Live music and dancing Friday- Sunday. Never a cover charge. Join the fun!
Lolito – 214 Main Street S. Stillwater, MN
New concept restaurant from the Lolo American kitchen group. Lolito is inspired by Latin American flavors with plenty of tequila, mezcal, run, Mexican beers & arid climate wines. Their wildly popular margaritas are some of the best around and best enjoyed on their back patio in the summertime!
Forge & Foundry Distillery – 223 Main Street N. Stillwater, MN
Forge and Foundry is a small craft distillery located in downtown Stillwater, Minnesota. We carefully pick our ingredients from local sources to produce exceptional spirits and hand-crafted cocktails. Enjoy a cocktail on our back deck overlooking the river. It’s a hidden gem in downtown!
Wild Hare – 218 Main Street N. Stillwater, MN
Where an Organic menu meets a 90’s-themed Dive Bar! There’s nothing quiet like it, with menu items that will satisfy the WHOLE family. The laid back patio is a fantastic spot to people watch on Main Street, sip a cocktail and enjoy some incredible food. No reservations needed! Doors open daily at 11am.
The Daily Grind Espresso Cafe – 217 Main Street N. Stillwater, MN
Life is too short for Bad Coffee. Daily Grind is downtown Stillwater’s oldest coffee shop; currently located at the back of Valley Bookseller. Take your coffee to go or drink your coffee on their infrared heated & covered deck, with one of the best views of the river in town!
Leo’s Grill & Malt Shop – 131 Main Street S. Stillwater, MN
The patio for Leo’s Malt Shop and Grill is large, dog-friendly, and nicely shaded. Leo’s is always the perfect place to grab a classic burger and malt with that old-time vibe in Stillwater. There is also an all-season porch and the new Gloria’s To-Go walk up window featuring quick to go items like real dairy ice cream and all beef hot dogs.
3rd Street American Legion Post – 103 3rd Street S. Stillwater, MN
The deck at “the Post” is a hidden gem in Stillwater! Spacious, casual, welcoming spot especially if you like great drink deals, TV’s to watch any and every sports match and pull tabs. BONUS: they just opened their kitchen, “Hillside Kitchen”, with some great food options.
Matt’s Basement – 413 Nelson Street E. Stillwater, MN
Come visit one of the newest cool spots in town! Matt’s Basement is a cozy Lounge with nostalgic video rentals & board games, Boba Bubble Tea, waffles and a great deck to enjoy these treats outside facing the river!
Acapulco Restaurant – 1240 W. Frontage Road Stillwater, MN
Family-owned Mexican restaurant with fantastic food, great service full sports bar, and nice outdoor seating space to sip those margaritas! Located on Hwy 36 frontage road – just minutes from downtown Stillwater. They offer a great catering menu also!
Devil’s Advocate – 14200 60th Street N. Stillwater, MN
Old-school meets new school and East Coast meets Midwest. Devil’s Advocate serves healthy and devious food, with elegant flavors that are made with locally sourced ingredients. And they have a fabulous patio to enjoy this dining experience in Stillwater!
Joseph’s Family Restaurant – 14608 60th Street N. Stillwater, MN
Pleasing St. Croix Valley diners for over thirty years with home-cooking. We’re famous for broasted chicken and our pies, over thirty different kinds of delicious homemade pies. Located on the Hwy 36 frontage road, just minutes from downtown.
Cozzie’s Tavern & Grill – 11154 60th Street N. Stillwater, MN
This renovated roadside restaurant has a rustic country bar charm with great food, drinks and one of the best outdoor patios around! Cozzie’s serves lunch, dinner and drinks in this casual atmosphere right off Hwy 36 – great for groups, families – dine in or take out.
More outdoor seating options: 45th Parellel, Domacin, Made Coffee, Melt Pizza, Phil’s Tara Hideaway, Sarah’s Tipsy Pies, The Lumberjack, You & Me Cafe
For a complete list of dining options, use this link: https://www.discoverstillwater.com/dining-night-life/