Gov. Tim Walz has eased some dining restrictions, allowing patios at Minnesota restaurants to open on Saturday. Bundle up and take advantage of this weekend's unseasonably temperate weather. Call ahead to determine availability and reservation status. And don't forget local breweries; many taprooms will have patio service, too.
MINNEAPOLIS
Buster's on 28th
"Get out your snowsuit and hang," reads the message on the restaurant's Instagram page. Go for the hearty pub fare (love that beer-braised beef sandwich), stay for the camaraderie.
4204 28th Av. S., Mpls., 612-729-0911, busterson28th.com
Heather's
Owner Heather Asbury has pitched a big tent behind her opened-this-year restaurant, and she plans to use it through at least New Year's Eve. "Unless it's just going gangbusters," she said. "We've got heaters — and open sides, for air flow — and chandeliers and Christmas trees, so why not? Hopefully, we'll have a good turnout." The restaurant, with its appealing, something-for-everyone menu, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
5201 Chicago Av. S., Mpls., 612-445-8822, heathersmpls.com
The Howe Daily Kitchen & Bar
This friendly neighborhood gastropub, owned by Craft & Crew, will open its heated patio from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 4 to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; if temperatures remain above 25 degrees, additional days will be announced.
3675 Minnehaha Av. S., Mpls., 612-729-3663, howempls.com
Lago Tacos
Tacos, yes, along with burritos, bowls and salads. Gather 'round the heated outdoor bar, fireplace and handful of large heaters. "We want to give Minnesotans the chance to safely gather around holiday times while supporting their local businesses in a responsible way," said manager Rob Schulke.
2901 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls., 612-353-6736, lagotacos.com
Mill Valley Market
"We're firing it up," said chef/owner Mike Rakun. Located in the Trailhead in Theodore Wirth Park, this year-round restaurant (open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily) starts with a handful of breakfast items and then segues into the rest of the day with soups, salads and sandwiches, all served from a carryout window. Beer and wine, too. Talk about hygge: the patio will run all winter and is warmed with heaters and five wood-burning fire pits. "And all those lovely skiers will be dressed for the weather," said Rakun with a laugh, referring to the legions of cross-country skiers who converge on the Trailhead during the snowy months. Look for Friday (and possibly Saturday) live music events to return in a few weeks.
1221 Theodore Wirth Pkwy., Mpls., 763-316-4948, millvalley.market
Red Cow
Burgers! All locations will open their patios for outdoor dining, open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Reservations encouraged, and walk-ins will be available as space allows.
208 1st Av. N., Mpls., 612-238-0050; 2626 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., 612- 767-3547; and 3624 W. 50th St., Mpls., 612-767-4411, redcownmn.com
Red Rabbit
This Italian-focused restaurant (and craft cocktail-focused bar) will run service on its patio from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Reservations encouraged, and walk-ins will be available as space allows. And how great is this? On Dec. 29, owner Luke Shimp is offering a free meal to restaurant industry employees. Each meal kit feeds two to three people and includes spaghetti with Bolognese meat sauce, Caesar salad and garlic bread; just present a 2020 pay stub and identification when picking up a meal. Available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., while supplies last.
201 Washington Av. N., Mpls., 612-767-8855, redrabbitmn.com
Smack Shack
This lobster-centric North Loop destination has a roomy patio (with slick infrared heaters), and will operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
603 Washington Av. N., Mpls., 612-259-7288, smack-shack.com
ST. PAUL
Patrick McGovern's Pub & Restaurant
Take a seat at one of the Saintly City's great patios on a first-come, first-serve basis. The kitchen has an affinity for turkey, and proves it with a long list of turkey sandwiches (don't miss the roast turkey piled high on a housemade bun with mashed potatoes, stuffing and gravy) plus a turkey burrito and a turkey pot pie.
225 W. 7th St., St. Paul, 651-224-5821, patmcgoverns.com
Red Cow
Burgers! The patio will be open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Reservations encouraged, and walk-ins will be available as space allows.
393 Selby Av., St. Paul, 651-789-0545, redcownmn.com
Red Rabbit
This Italian-focused restaurant (and craft cocktail-focused bar) will run service on its patio from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Reservations encouraged, and walk-ins will be available as space allows. And how great is this? On Dec. 29, owner Luke Shimp is offering a free meal to restaurant industry employees. Each meal kit feeds two to three people and includes spaghetti with Bolognese meat sauce, Caesar salad and garlic bread; just present a 2020 pay stub and identification when picking up a meal. Available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., while supplies last.
788 Grand Av., St. Paul, 651-444-5995, redrabbitmn.com
Moscow on the Hill
Slip into the sheltered back patio at this Cathedral Hill favorite. "We're open daily from 3 to 8 p.m., and as always we're open all through the holidays," said co-owner Eugene Liberman. "People need to bundle up, but we'd be very happy to serve some vodkas on the patio."
371 Selby Av., St. Paul, 651-291-1236, moscowonthehill.com
WEST METRO
Bacio
The patio at this lively Italian restaurant is packed with overhead and floor heaters. Reservations required.
1571 Plymouth Rd., Minnetonka, 952-544-7000, baciomn.com
The Block Food & Drink
This friendly neighborhood gastropub, owned by Craft & Crew, will open its heated patio from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 4 to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; if temperatures remain above 25 degrees, additional days will be announced.
7007 Walker St., St. Louis Park, 952-767-1117, the blockslp.com
Gianni's
At this well-run steakhouse, a recently installed pergola provides overhead shelter on the sidewalk patio (with Lake Minnetonka views), and heaters add warmth. Open daily from 4 to 8 p.m. (in January, the restaurant will be closed on Mondays), and patio seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
635 E. Lake St., Wayzata, 952-404-1100, giannis-steakhouse.com
The Grocer's Table
Reserve a two-hour time slot around the fire pit (through New Year's Eve), for morning coffee, brunch (check out the first-rate English muffin sandwiches), an after-work snack or cocktails. There's a $100 minimum, and if you can't spend $100, you'll get a gift card that covers the difference.
326 Broadway Av. S., Wayzata, 952-466-6100, thegrocerstablemn.com
Park Tavern
This St. Louis Park classic has been around for nearly 60 years, making people happy with burgers, pizza, flatbreads, chicken wings and big-old weekend breakfasts. (Bowling, too, but that's currently on hold). The patio is equipped with a heater, and "We encourage people to dress warm," said manager Cheryl Gallagher Watson.
3401 Louisiana Av. S., St. Louis Park, 952-929-6810, parktavern.net
Pub 819
This friendly neighborhood gastropub, owned by Craft & Crew, will open its heated patio from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 4 to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; if temperatures remain above 25 degrees, additional days will be announced.
819 Mainstreet, Hopkins, 952-933-1230, pub819.com
Smith Coffee & Cafe
Order breakfast and lunch sandwiches, baked goods and coffee from the walk-up window, and then take a seat on the heated patio, located on the grounds of the Smith Douglas More House, a historic 1877 Greek Revival home. Open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Don't forget the Holiday Night (5-8 p.m.) on Wednesday, Dec. 23, when the Schuster family will be serving pan pizza, salad and gingerbread men cookies.
8107 Eden Prairie Rd., Eden Prairie, 952-250-7208, smith1877.com
NORTH METRO
Pig Ate My Pizza
The pizzeria-brewery (the "not pizza" menu is also a gem) from the crew behind Travail Kitchen and Amusements is turning on the space heaters in its tent and sparking up the fire pit on the patio. Reservations available through Dec. 23.
4124 W. Broadway Av., Robbinsdale, 763-537-7267, pigatemypizza.com
SOUTH METRO
Charlie's on Prior
The covered patio overlooks Prior Lake and is equipped with heaters. The menu? An all-American roster of barbecue, burgers, pizzas, grilled fish, tacos and salads. On Sunday afternoon, look for an (outdoor) appearance of Santa Claus. Call for hours.
3950 Green Heights Trail SW., Prior Lake, 952-226-5253, charliesonprior.com
Rick Nelson • @RickNelsonStrib
