The Best Places to Eat in the St. Croix River Valley
The St. Croix River Valley is one of Minnesota’s most scenic regions, with rolling landscapes along the St. Croix River and lakes surrounded by forests. There’s plenty of beauty and recreation year-round, not to mention history, making it a popular draw for day trippers.
The communities that dot the valley also have a wide range of delicious dining options for visitors. Whether you need a hearty breakfast to kick off a day of exploring, a casual, family-friendly meal to cap off a hiking trip or want to celebrate a special occasion with fine dining, the valley has you covered.
In fact, there’s so much to do and see — and eat — along this part of the state that you could make a weekend getaway out of it, enjoying river views along the way.
Bayport
Bayport is a small community just below Stillwater with a public boat launch into the St. Croix River. It’s also home to several notable restaurants that make the town worth a visit.
Area natives Mike and Nicole Millenbring opened Manger Restaurant & Wine Bar in 2018. The French bistro–style restaurant offers a frequently changing à la carte menu and a five-course “Chef’s Counter” option (reservations required at least 48 hours in advance). The Garde Manger is right by the entrance, offering diners a view of the oyster bar and seafood being prepared. The bar has nearly 200 wines—almost half of them French—as well as cocktails crafted with local distilleries.
Olio opened in early 2024. This contemporary Italian restaurant features an upscale menu, including grilled octopus, inventive pasta dishes (spaghetti with charred cauliflower, Castelvetrano olives, vermouth cream, lemon, and chilis; pappardelle with littleneck clams, sweet corn, and prosciutto), steak, and sea bass. Dessert may include olive oil ice cream with Marsala caramel and sea salt.
Chisago Lakes Area
Taylors Falls is the easternmost part of the Chisago Lakes area, which also includes Chisago City, Lindström, Center City, Shafer, and Almelund. The region is full of historic landmarks and lakes. (Selfies by Lindström’s Swedish coffee pot tower are a must.)
Directly to the east — just south of Taylors Falls — is Franconia Sculpture Park, a large, ever-evolving outdoor gallery and garden. After spending an hour surveying its larger-than-life installations, grab a box of baked goods at Lindström Bakery. Don’t miss the Scandinavian donut, which boasts a tender, light interior and shatteringly crispy exterior. Food & Wine ranked it the best in the state in 2021, leaving its longtime owner (Bernie Coulombe) a lovely parting gift before she sold the bakery to Angie and Eric Richey. Don't worry; the Richeys have kept Coulombe's original recipes in their daily rotation and added new favorites like freshly baked cardamom buns.
Gustaf’s on Main is another noteworthy Lindström eatery. Built in 1879 in a home listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it is open daily for breakfast and lunch. The pioneer-themed menu includes hearty plates like the Nordic (Swedish pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream) and the Covered Wagon (buttery toast, eggs with Italian sausage, cheddar cheese, fresh vegetables, cheesy potatoes, and ham).
Gustaf’s also sells its famed chicken pot pie as a take-and-bake item, but check availability in advance — it’s hugely popular.
Marine on St. Croix
Marine on St. Croix is a charming village along the river, south of the Chisago Lakes Area. It has a town square and a general store, but perhaps most importantly, it’s home to the St. Croix Chocolate Company. The shop produces delectable, gorgeous chocolates and other sweets.
Robyn Dochterman and Deidre Pope's offerings have earned international accolades, including a Good Food Award for their burnt cinnamon and bourbon bar. They capped a record-setting year of sales with an ownership change in the summer of 2025. U.S. Army Reserve veteran Jason Moldan is now St. Croix's owner and head chocolatier, building upon the beautiful work he did at his own small-batch company Minnesota Chocolate Lab.
Scandia
Scandia lies just south of the Chisago Lakes region and is home to the Gammelgården Museum, an extensive facility focused on Swedish heritage.
New Scandia Café reopened in 2024 after closing in 2019, following nearly 30 years of business. The community welcomed back the popular breakfast and lunch spot, and it’s quickly regained favor with visitors. The extensive breakfast menu covers nearly every morning staple, while lunch features a robust selection of burgers and sandwiches, tacos, and salads.
Meister’s Bar and Grill has operated in Scandia since 1959. Open daily for lunch and dinner, with brunch on weekends, it features a massive menu that includes several takes on the “Meisterburger,” plus pizza, sandwiches, walleye, broasted chicken, and daily specials such as ribs and a Friday fish fry.
Stillwater
A few miles south of Marine on St. Croix is Stillwater, an immensely popular city among both locals and out-of-towners. One of the oldest cities in the state — predating Minneapolis — its riverside downtown is reminiscent of New England seaside towns. A major regional draw, Stillwater also has a robust food scene.
Many of its eateries have long histories, fitting for such a historic town. Candyland sells sweets, nuts, and a wide variety of popcorn. The shop owns the trademark for its version of the “Chicago Mix,” made with salted, cheese, and caramel popcorn — a treat for kids of all ages.
Leo’s Grill & Malt Shop is a congenial, retro-style burger and malt shop with an indoor dining room, a year-round ice cream window, and seasonal patio and roof seating. Burgers are made from Midwestern beef, sandwiches include classics like BLTs and egg salad, and the ice cream menu covers nearly every palate. Soft-serve ice cream and Chicago hot dogs are available in warmer months, perfect for enjoying by the river.
Lowell Inn Restaurant, nearly a century old, boasts a gorgeous, upscale interior. Offerings include escargot, crab cakes, chicken à la king, schnitzel, and almond-crusted walleye. The inn also serves a five-course fondue dinner (reservations required) with cheese, oil, and chocolate fondues, as well as a formal tea service featuring scones, soup, canapés, and assorted desserts.
Phil’s Tara Hideaway is housed in a 1929 building named a historic landmark in 2008. Its menu focuses on upscale American fare, from lamb and pork chops to steaks, burgers topped with Wisconsin Brie or truffled Gorgonzola, and several preparations of Minnesota’s favorite fish: walleye.
The Harbor Bar & Restaurant, established in 1910, is a casual option near the shores of Lake McKusick, just a few blocks off the main street along the river. Visitors can enjoy pizza, pasta, wine, and beer, along with games like foosball and pool.
Taylors Falls
This popular town, situated directly across the river from St. Croix Falls, is home to the Minnesota side of the well-loved Interstate State Park and the historic Folsom House. Visitors can also find a variety of eateries.
The Drive-In has been a Taylor’s Falls landmark since 1956. Its giant, rotating Frostop Root Beer mug sign is easy to find. Open mid-April through mid-October, it’s a classic drive-in experience with your meal delivered to your car.
Juneberry Café offers breakfast and lunch items, coffee and tea drinks, and ice cream. Its food is locally sourced and sustainable as much as possible, and with advance notice, the welcoming staff can provide camping and canoeing provisions.
Tangled Up in Blue is a fine-dining spot that’s only open a few evenings a week. It's worth seeking out for its extensive seafood and steakhouse fare.
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