Where to Eat in Duluth

Delectable delights in the North Shore city

A plate of sushi from Hanabi in Duluth.

photo by jpellgen (@1179_jp) – Flickr


Joy: ’Tis the season for Bentleyville’s massive holiday light display. You’ll need a spot to warm up before or after walking through the show.

Roasteria (Duluth Coffee Cocktail Room): There isn’t much that will get me outside for light shows, but both coffee and booze can do it. The new cocktail room on Superior Street is an expansion of the popular coffee shop a couple doors down. Cocktails are inspired by drinks native to coffee beans’ origins. It’s a special kind of deeply nerdy, north-woods awesome that only Duluth can pull off.

Hanabi: This is not only the best Japanese food in Duluth, but some of the most incredible sushi, divine noodles, and creative rolls in the state. Dive into a steaming bowl of ramen before heading back out into the windy cold down by the lake. 

Jason: Duluth is one of the greatest cities in the upper Midwest. My family just vacationed there and relished its exciting, fast-growing food scene, along with the legendary natural beauty of Lake Superior’s shores.

OMC Smokehouse: The OMC stands for Oink, Moo, Cluck, and the brisket is among the best I’ve ever had. My kids loved the duck-fat fries, and don’t miss the smoked-salmon pimento cheese dip. That’s Minnesota barbecue for ya.

Duluth’s Best Bread: Open only Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, this bakery is easy to miss, nestled into a nondescript residential neighborhood. Make sure you don’t, though: The chocolate croissants feature local Meadowlands chocolate, and the homemade pop-tarts are filled with seasonal fruits.