There’s a new buzz in Shakopee, and you can hear it from the thundering hooves at Canterbury Park to the clink of cocktail glasses on Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar’s sprawling patio. This brand-new dining and entertainment destination opened June 21, but judging by the crowd, the city’s already claiming it as its own. (We’ve been waiting for Boardwalk since last fall, when we posted the news in November 2024.)
Courtesy of Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar
Boardwalk is backed by a seasoned ownership team of hospitality pros: Joe Berg, known for the Lumber Exchange Event Center and former hot spots like The Pourhouse and The Library Bar, and Thomas Pivec, a longtime operating partner at the iconic Lord Fletcher’s on Lake Minnetonka.
When arriving, it’s hard not to notice just how massive the building is. The 6,000-square-foot dining area blends coastal charm with comfort, featuring a 45-seat central copper bar, a mix of tables and banquettes for 120 guests, accented by driftwood-toned finishes, saddle-brown leather seating, and custom artwork by local artist Stephanie Dillon. A private dining room for up to 20 guests adds a whimsical touch with a custom-painted, jockey-inspired striped wall, while floor-to-ceiling sliders seamlessly connect the space to the trackside patio.
I stopped in for dinner this week, and let’s just say: Boardwalk is the elevated, energetic addition Shakopee didn’t know it was missing. It’s got Minneapolis-style dining flair in a laid-back, resort-inspired space—and it’s steps (literally 25 feet) from live horse racing action. During our visit, the chute (starting gate) rolled up right outside the 18,000-square-foot patio (big enough for 300 people), and almost in sync, half of the room flooded outside to watch the action.
Photo by Alesha Taylor
We started with cocktails—do not skip the Hot Honey Margarita ($11), which walks the perfect line between citrus and sweet heat. It’s made with blanco tequila, orange curacao, pineapple, fresh lime, and hot honey, with a Tajín and kosher salt rim. My dining partner opted for the Minnesota Mule ($12)—Tito’s Vodka, ginger beer, and lime—which arrived in a mini Spam can—a cheeky nod to local kitsch that made us grin. I actually ordered one of these, too, after finishing my margarita—this mule is so good and zingy. Other signature cocktails we were eying? A Cruel Summer ($13), which is made with Tito’s, green tea, passion fruit, pomegranate, bubbles, and a cotton candy cloud; and the Mint Julep ($13), made with Horse Soldier bourbon, brown sugar, fresh mint, and ginger dust.
With harbor-style American cuisine by Executive Chef Chris Dmochowski (formerly of CōV Wayzata), the menu is inspired by the boardwalks of the East Coast. Think fresh oysters, Maryland-style crab cakes, and wood-fired steaks to fresh salads and new takes on classic sandwiches. We started with the Crispy Cauliflower ($16), which is brined with jalapeños, crusted with panko, flash-fried, and tossed in buffalo sauce. It delivered the perfect trifecta of crunch, heat, and tang—very addicting.
From there, we dove into the Steak Frites ($44), a 10-ounce hanger steak served over arugula with sweet caramelized shallots, a side of rich béarnaise, and Parmesan truffle fries. Those fries alone—crisped to perfection and tossed with white truffle oil, grated parmesan, lemon zest, and parsley—are worth coming back for. The Ricotta Gnocchi ($26) was equally satisfying, featuring house-made pillows of gnocchi caramelized with spicy Italian sausage, garlic, and roasted tomato, topped with baby kale and finished with a dusting of Grana Padano. The sauce was a bit on the thin side, but the flavors were bold and well-balanced, making it a comforting, craveable dish.
Other tempting menu items we didn’t sample include freshly shucked East Coast oysters ($4) served with cocktail sauce and red wine mignonette, and a Watermelon Salad ($16) with arugula, ricotta salata, and pistachio gremolata in a red wine vinaigrette. The Flash Fried Brussels ($14) are tossed in a maple-Dijon dressing with bacon lardons and finished with shaved ricotta salata. For heartier options, there’s the Pressed Chicken ($32)—a pan-seared, double-lobed breast with crispy skin, served over harissa-spiced couscous with grilled vegetables and chermoula—and a 14-ounce Tomahawk Pork Chop ($36), marinated in bourbon teriyaki and paired with pineapple fried rice.
Boardwalk is clearly still finding its rhythm; it took about 10 minutes before we were greeted at the table. But the service warmed up, and any growing pains felt forgivable for such a recent opening—especially one this ambitious. Overall, it was a fierce vibe, and we can’t wait to go back again (and again).
Courtesy of Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar
Separate from the main restaurant, The Stable—which is 7,500 square feet—delivers a more laid-back vibe with a fast-casual menu featuring nostalgic favorites like the Oklahoma Smashburger, Chicago-style Hot Dog, Shrimp Roll, and Fried Bologna Sandwich. Anchored by a massive stage, top-tier sound system, and a 330-square-foot LED video wall, it’s built for entertainment—think live bands, DJs, bingo, trivia, and sports viewing. A mezzanine overlooking the action is also available for private events of up to 75 guests. Oh, and you can’t miss the life-size art featuring Taylor Swift, Post Malone, and Morgan Wallen above the cozy booth seating areas.
As a Shakopee resident, I couldn’t be more thrilled for Boardwalk. The area around Canterbury Park is booming, and this feels like a natural fit and location for something of this scale. It brings big-city energy with a distinctly Minnesota twist—equestrian art, pull tabs, trackside entertainment you can’t really find anywhere else, and a Ginkgo tree at the entrance (a nod to downtown Shakopee). With a beautiful restaurant, a larger-than-life turfed patio, multiple walkup bars, an entertainment venue (The Stable), and even future volleyball courts, this place is poised to be a summertime staple.
Courtesy of Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar
Pro tip: After back and forth and logistical conversations, Boardwalk recently announced guests can make horse bets right on site—head to the Betting Deck outside on the patio.
Boardwalk is open from 11 a.m.-close for lunch and dinner, seven days a week, and The Stable is open for entertainment from 6 p.m.-close, Tuesday-Friday, 5 p.m.-close, Saturdays, and 12 p.m.-close on Sundays.
1125 Shenandoah Drive, Shakopee, boardwalkmn.com
