As someone who grew up in the Northland and currently lives in Duluth, I’ve spent a lot of time on the North Shore throughout my life. Whether it’s from clients looking for the best places to take photos or just looking for the spots they can’t miss as they head along the shore, I get asked all the time where to stop.
So, I’ve put together some of the best stops along the North Shore of MN, from restaurants to coffee shops to hiking trails and even places to satisfy your sweet tooth. Plus, many of these places can be great spots for couples’ photos or even for an elopement! The suggestions I’ve included are in order from Duluth, MN, and up the North Shore!
Let’s dive into some of the best stops along the North Shore, MN!
Best Restaurants on the North Shore
There are a lot of different places to eat along the North Shore, but these are some of my absolute favorites. Whether you’re in the mood for pizza, burgers, or seafood, there’s really something for everyone.
Canal Park Brewing is the perfect spot to stop for pub food like nachos, pretzels, burgers, and sandwiches, paired with artisanal drinks brewed on-site. Plus you can sit outside in the summer and admire Lake Superior.
Situated in the Lincoln Park Craft District of Duluth, this restaurant is known for its incredible smash burgers, milkshakes, and fun atmosphere. If needed, you can join the waitlist in advance to make sure you can grab a table. All of the burgers here are incredible, but the Wompling and the Fire Ant?? Chef’s kiss.
A two-for-one! Wrecktangle Pizza is located inside Wild State Cider in the Lincoln Park Craft District of Duluth. There are multiple locations in Minnesota, and it’s the perfect spot for both pizza and cider.
For an incredible sandwich (especially with smoked fish), stop by Northern Waters Smokehaus. With 25 years of history in the area, this is a favorite among locals and great for a quick bite. A forever favorite!
A personal favorite. If you like Italian food, Va Bene is a must-try! This is the perfect place to stop for all types of Italian food, with homemade pasta, paninis, and caprese on the menu. If you request to sit in the enclosed solarium, you’ll be greeted with the most stunning view of the lake.
Sir Benedict’s Tavern on the Lake
If you’re in the mood for classic English-style food, Sir Benedict’s is the perfect stop for soups, sandwiches, and more. If you’re lucky, you’ll even be able to catch some live music. Phenomenal food, great service, and awesome vibe. Can’t recommend enough!
Cascade Lodge’s Restaurant & Pub
Another great stop with a view, Cascade Restaurant & Pub creates from-scratch soups, salads, omelets, and more. The restaurant is styled after Irish pubs and overlooks Lake Superior.
This casual spot is a go-to for fish and chips!
Brewing since 2015, Voyageur offers a variety of tasty menu items like flatbreads, tacos, sliders, and pub favorites. For a sweet treat, try their caramel bacon sundae or floats.
Best Coffee on the North Shore
Not in the mood for a full meal but still want to get some caffeine and maybe a small bite to hold you over? You’ll want to stop at one of these coffee shops, which are easily some of the best stops along the North Shore, MN.
Situated in Duluth’s Enger Lofts Hotel & Marketplace, this coffee shop is known for its great atmosphere and delicious drinks. Be sure to check their seasonal menu – the snickerdoodle latte is a favorite.
This quaint cafe features a cozy interior and serves classic lattes made with all-natural ingredients. Their chai tea is said to be some of the best in the area, and I couldn’t agree more.
A perfect stop if driving up the Scenic Highway. With books adorning the walls and a very understated exterior, it’s easy to see why locals love this cafe. Dream Cloud is casual and offers a wide variety of drinks, exceptional latte art, and small bites to pair with them.
If the weather is great, Cedar Coffee’s patio is the perfect place to grab a latte paired with one of their great wraps.
This lively cafe has great classics like mochas, cappuccinos, and Americanos, along with signature latte offers like bean and bear (honey, vanilla, and cinnamon) or even s’mores!
Located along Lake Superior in Grand Marais, Java Moose is a must-stop, offering delicious coffees, pastries, and sandwiches.
Best North Shore Breweries & Cideries
You can’t go wrong with many of the breweries along the North Shore, and these can be the perfect places to stop if you are in the mood for a local brew paired with some delicious pub food. Here are some of my favorites!
I included this in the restaurants above, but it deserves a mention here again because it’s just that good. They feature many local and unique drinks brewed right in Duluth.
Is cider more your thing? Wild State creates actual, all-natural cider that’s made without any added sugar. Choose from their flagship ciders like hazy pink pineapple, wild apple, or classic dry, or try one of their limited releases for a special treat.
This taproom has been named “Minnesota’s Best Cidery” for 5 years in a row (and counting) in the Star Tribune Reader’s Choice Awards. The atmosphere is always lively, and there’s a variety of ciders, including classic sweet and semi-dry, plus occasional unique ones like coffee or gingerbread.
Both a brewery and a pizzeria, Duluth’s Ursa Minor Brewing offers many great local drinks, ranging from hazy IPAs to cream ales.
Bent Paddle is a craft brewery with many flagship beers, and if you have time, you can even take a tour. Plus, bring some home with a crowler or growler to-go.
Brewed with water from Lake Superior, Castle Danger has great year-round offerings and seasonal ones. While they don’t serve any food, you can always grab some popcorn and pretzels to pair with your drink.
This is another one I had to mention twice. The Grand Marais Taproom is always serving up classic Voyageur brews. Be sure to try a flight with six 5-oz pours to get the full experience.
Desserts Along the North Shore
Sometimes all you need is a sweet treat! These are some of my favorite spots for desserts along the North Shore.
For delicious handcrafted ice cream in an artisan style, give Love Creamery a stop. There are classics like vanilla and chocolate, but also unique flavorings like salted honey honeycomb, cookie butter, and lucky charmz, plus many vegan and sorbet options.
Easily one of the best stops along the North Shore, MN, Burnett Dairy has some of the tastiest ice cream around.
Open seasonally, this walk-up ice cream spot serves delightful ice creams. It’s great if you want a classic cone, malt (I mean, it’s in the name), or even a float or sundae.
Not in the mood for ice cream? Rustic Inn Cafe offers a variety of exquisite cream, crumb, and fruit pies.
This local spot always has some incredible cakes and other desserts in its pastry case.
With a name like “World’s Best Donuts,” it’s impossible to miss this big red building. This family-operated donut shop has every donut you can imagine, plus other baked goods like croissants, cookies, and muffins.
Best North Shore, MN Hikes
Now that you know all about the best things to do along the North Shore that involve food, here are some of the top hiking spots if you’re looking for something a bit more adventurous, with a view to stretch your legs.
Have the time for a longer hike? Carlton Peak is a trail around 7 miles inside Temperance River State Park. Like many of the other trails, it offers great views of Lake Superior.
This 1.8-mile trail takes about an hour and a half to complete and is peaceful, offering great views through the woodlands.
Brewer Park is a breathtaking outdoor area spanning just shy of 170 acres with a variety of trails throughout. Plus, get a great view of the water!
For a nice walk along Lake Superior’s shore, check out the Lakewalk. It’s about 8 miles of paved walkway, and you could easily just walk a portion of it instead of the whole thing.
Two Harbors Lighthouse Trailhead
For an easy, less than a mile hike, trek the Two Harbors Lighthouse Trailhead. It takes no longer than an hour to complete and is rather peaceful.
If you want a much longer hike, check out the moderate 7-mile trail along Bean and Bear Lakes. It takes under 4 hours to hike and offers stunning panoramic views.
With a beautiful view of Lake Superior, Palisade Head is an easy 1-mile out-and-back hike. There’s even a paved section if you’d prefer a drive with a view.
This epic state park has lots of trails, but the 1.3-mile Shovel Point and 2.9-mile High Falls trails are the absolute best.
Another great moderate trail is Fantasia Overlook, a hike that’s just short of 5 miles with over 1,000 feet of elevation gain overlooking Lake Superior.
The Oberg Mountain Loop runs right through the beautiful Superior National Forest and is only 2.4 miles long.
Situated in Grand Marais, this beautiful peninsula overlooks the water and isn’t far from the Grand Marais Lighthouse. It’s a great spot to walk and take in the views.
Enjoy the Best Places to Stop on the North Shore, MN!
I hope you enjoyed learning all about the best stops along the North Shore, MN! There truly are so many great spots to explore, from restaurants and local breweries to outdoor locations and views.
No matter where you choose to stop, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. And if you’re still looking for a photographer to capture beautiful couples’ photos in the area, you can click here to get in touch with me and here to learn more.
