Our publisher, Dave, got to share his restaurant picks, so now it’s my turn! These are the spots I find myself recommending, returning to, and craving when I don’t feel like cooking, which seems to happen often hence the many recommendations. Consider this your guide to a great meal around the lake. This is one you may want to keep handy for your next night out.
Tono Pizzeria + Cheesesteaks
Made-from-scratch pizza and authentic Philly cheesesteaks, featuring 45-year-old recipes, prime beef, and fresh Amoroso’s rolls. tonomn.com/locations/wayzata
Josefina
An intimate setting, serving up homemade pasta, wood-fired pizza, beautiful entrees, and fantastic cocktails. josefinawayzata.com
Vagabondo
Sicilian-style with handmade pastas, fresh seafood, and pizza made with a 130-year-old family sourdough starter. vagabondomn.com
Olive's Fresh Pizza Bar
Dozens of authentic pizza creations or create your own with a great Happy Hour twice daily. olivesfreshexcelsior.com
Spasso
Italian classics meet creative, fresh dishes, from housemade pastas and flavorful entrées to decadent desserts along with a standout wine program. spassomn.com
Lago Tacos
Classic Mexican street food gets a modern twist, with house-made salsas and favorites like Guava BBQ Pork and Buffalo Chicken Tacos. lagotacos.com/excelsior-menu
Tequila Butcher
Slow-smoked meats, fresh hot tortillas, and bold barbacoa flavors. equilabutcher.com/chanhassen/#menus
PURALIMA Cantina
Made-from-scratch Mexican favorites, it’s great for a quick bite. puralima.com
Blue Agave
Authentic Mexican favorites, from street tacos and enchiladas to seafood and handcrafted margaritas. blueagave.us
Hazelwood Food & Drink
From wood-fired pizzas and rotisserie chicken to walleye, burgers, and craveable shareables, there’s something for everyone at the table. hazelwoodfoodanddrink.com
Red Cow
Upscale tavern serving up gourmet burgers, craft beer, and an impressive wine list. redcowmn.com
Gianni’s Steakhouse
A Lake Minnetonka classic, Gianni’s brings together award-winning steaks, fresh seafood, and genuine hospitality. giannis-steakhouse.com
Redstone
Classic American comfort food like rotisserie chicken, fresh seafood, steaks, and pastas. redstonegrill.com
Molly’s
A chef-owned gem in St. Bonifacius, Molly’s is all about scratch-made food, thoughtful sourcing, and a menu that follows the seasons. mollysmn.com
Sushi Fix
It’s in the name. Get your sushi fix with creative rolls, fresh sashimi, and tempura, plus an impressive selection of Japanese whiskey. sushifix.net
Yumi
Classic Japanese favorites, all made for mixing, matching, and sharing. yumisushibar.com
Sakana
Go beyond your standard sushi roll like the Sakana Roll or Under the Sea. And save room for the tempura-fried ice cream. sakanasushimn.com
6Smith
Come for the lake views, stay for the seafood: fresh oysters, chilled lobster rolls, jumbo scallops, pan-seared salmon, and more. 6smith.com
Layline
Start with the Halibut Ceviche or Fried Calamari, then go for the Cedar Plank Salmon or a bowl of Bouillabaisse loaded with halibut, calamari, and mussels.laylinerestaurant.com
CōV
“Where Minnesota nice meets East Coast spice.” Dig into lemon white wine mussels, walleye fish & chips, and Alaskan halibut. covwayzata.com
Belle & Grey
Bringing seaside influences from Charleston to Cape Cod to a beautifully curated menu. thehotellanding.com/dine
Lord Fletcher's
Go for the Battered Walleye Fingers, Chimichurri Swordfish, or Fletcher’s Acclaimed Walleye. Honestly, need we say more? lordfletchers.com
Mirabelle
Elevated American fare like their Stuffed Manicotti and Chicken Wild Rice Soup. mirabellemn.com
Coalition
A sophisticated take on classic American dishes. Fried Goat Cheese starters are a must. coalitionrestaurant.com
Cabana Anna's
Right on Lake Minnetonka, order shareable plates, handmade pizzas, fresh salads, and entrées like Herb-Crusted Chicken and Halibut. cabanaannas.com
The Muni
Or more officially known as Wayzata Bar & Grill. The local spot for great burgers, sandwiches, flatbreads, and hand-battered onion rings. wayzatabarandgrill.com
Benedicts
Fantastic breakfast spread. And yes, splurge and always get the Monkey Bread. benedicts.com
Primo Plates & Pours
Great Italian fare in Long Lake. Their famous Spaghetti and Meatballs is a must. primolonglake.com
Maynards
It’s all about the ambiance. Patio dining lakeside with great food. maynards-excelsior.com
Birch's on the Lake
Wisconsin-style supperclub with lakeside dining and locally-sourced ingredients and seasonal menus. birchsonthelake.com
North Coop
Scratch-made Southern comfort food. Their signature dish: Southern Fried Chicken. northcoop.com
Al and Alma’s Supper Club
Legendary supper club serving up hand cut steaks, slow cooked BBQ ribs, and famous camp-style walleye. al-almas.com/supper-club
The Lake Room
A relaxed atmosphere and an extensive menu with gourmet burgers, pastas, steaks, and seafood means everyone will find something they love. thelakeroomrestaurant.com
Ike's Minnetonka
Serving classic American plates and a great place for date nights or a family night out. minnetonka.ilikeikes.com
Miyabi
Japanese and Asian-inspired cuisine, ranging from traditional dishes to Thai, Indian, and Chinese. miyabiexcelsior.com
318 Cafe
Cafe by day and great food and music by night. three-eighteen.com