A Day Trip to Victoria

Located in the southwest metro, Victoria offers must-visit coffee shops, boutiques, and restaurants


Meet Winnie, Winnie Lu’s friendly shop dog, while you shop for gifts, home decor, and more.

Photo courtesy Winnie Lu/Amanda Feltmann

Start your morning in Victoria off with a visit to Ruby’s Roost Bakery, located on Victoria Drive. Order a latte and one of the bakery’s famous caramel rolls before taking a seat. My recommendation is the high top seating facing the window out to the sidewalk or one of the circular tables in the middle of the coffee shop.) With tall windows and high ceilings, Ruby’s Roost Bakery is an open, airy space with tons of sunshine.

Next door to Ruby’s Roost is Winnie Lu, a Minnesota lifestyle boutique which sells rustic chic home décor and gifts, often made by Minnesota makers. Take a look at the cute pillows and throw blankets plus the candles, inspirational sayings, and Minnesota-inspired apparel; don’t forget to say hello to Winnie, the shop dog, too! Nearby is Willa June Apparel + Design which specializes in women’s apparel, shoes, jewelry, and more, plus White Birch House next door offers unique furniture, candles, and wool throws by Faribault Woolen Mills among other one-of-a-kind-gifts.

Craft brew lovers need to make a stop at ENKI Brewing Co. with year-round beers like the Tail Feather IPA for hop enthusiasts (at 73 IBUs, you’re in for some memorable bitterness) or the cream ale, Victoria’s Gold, for those who intend to stay as far away from hops as possible. And be sure to grab dinner at the Noble Lion, a classy eatery with European and Mid-American fare. If you’re meeting up with friends, order the board with a variety of cured meats and cheeses for an appetizer, then try the lemon herb chicken for your entrée. You can never go wrong with a good glass of wine, but make sure you also take a peek at the Noble Lion’s cocktail menu for specialty seasonal drinks.

Since you’re in the area, you make also want to check out the wineries in the area (check out our Day Trip to Waconia, too), or—if you don’t mind eating ice cream in the middle of winter—make a pit stop to the Social Ice Cream Parlor, which is open on weekends and offers 32 flavors of ice cream.

For some outdoor activities, visit the Carver Park Reserve for sledding and snowshoeing. If snow isn’t really your thing, that’s okay—just make sure you come back in warmer weather for the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in nearby Chaska.