Photograph by Caitlin Abrams
Smack Shack Patio
Outdoor dining has become an important stretch through the pandemic, giving many people the confidence to dine out. But with winter back in full swing, restaurants are working hard to help those who don’t want to come inside yet, with heaters, fireplaces, igloos, tents, and other pivots to extend the season.
Many restaurants are requiring online reservations for their limited patio space, so check each restaurant’s website ahead of time. As these things remain in flux, we’ll be keeping this list updated throughout the season as restaurants make decisions about what to do with their outdoor dining set-up.
The Block Food & Drink: An indoor and outdoor hybrid, bring your pooch to the Block’s heated patio, which is also dog-friendly. 7007 Walker St., St. Louis Park, 952-767-1117, theblockslp.com
Broders’ Pasta Bar: Broders’ is only offering patio dining, but their tents and heaters are sure to keep you warm. 5000 Penn Ave. S., Mpls., 612-925-9202, broderspastabar.com
Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative: Broken Clock knows how to hygge, as the brewery is bringing back heated (and themed) igloos. Choose between “Back to the 70’s,” “90’s Sitcom,” and “Ski Lodge” for a different kind of outdoor dining experience. 3134 NE. California St., Mpls., 612-440-4570, brokenclockbrew.com
Colita: Colita has bolstered their winter patio this year with fire pits and heaters surrounding the tables. 5400 Penn Ave. S., Mpls., 612-886-1606, colitampls.com
Duke’s on 7: The exceptionally dog friendly Duke’s will offer heaters and igloos to outdoor diners this winter. 15600 Hwy. 7, Minnetonka, 952-767-2320, dukeson7.com
The Freehouse: There are fireplaces which patrons can sit around after ordering at the bar—but they won’t have servers out there and the open-air patio will only be open when not coated in snow. 701 Washington Ave. N., Mpls., 612-339-7011, freehousempls.com
French Meadow: The Minneapolis spot has propane heaters set up on their patio to keep guests comfortable. 2610 Lyndale Avenue S., Minneapolis, 612-870-7855, frenchmeadowcafe.com
The Gnome: A partial tent, heaters, and a large wood burning fireplace will keep a portion of The Gnome’s patio open through the season. 498 Selby Avenue, St. Paul, 651-219-4233, gnomepub.com
Graze Provisions + Libations: Grab some grub from one of Graze’s eight vendors (including Union Hmong Kitchen, Soul Bowl and B.A.D. Wingz) and enjoy it out on the covered and cozy patio area. 520 4th St. N., Mpls., 612-259-8965, grazenorthloop.com
The Howe Daily Kitchen and Bar: The restaurant is extending their usual outdoor patio to an even bigger size this year, with a walled tent, gas heaters, and a TV. As always, they’re dog-friendly. 3675 Minnehaha Ave. S., Mpls., 612-729-3663, howempls.com
Italian Eatery: The M.O. at I.E. is: “If a guest wants to eat outside, we’ll make it happen.” Italian Eatery has heaters, real fire pits, and corn hole on their patio this winter. 4724 Cedar Ave., Mpls., 612-223-8504, italianeatery.com
Lago Tacos: Uptown’s Lago Tacos features a wood burning fire pit and propane heaters, and each Wednesday they’ll be celebrating winter out there with prizes and drink specials. 2901 Lyndale Ave S, Mpls., 612-353-6736, lagotacos.com
Lake Monster Brewing Company: The brewery has the cold-weather works: plenty of patio heaters, four gas table tops, and two fire pits, “Bring your blankie and come say hi.” 550 Vandalia St. #160, St. Paul, 612-964-6288, lakemonsterbrewing.com
Longfellow Grill: The restaurant will be keeping their guests warm with permanent radiator heaters over their patio. 2990 W. River Pkwy., Mpls., 612-721-2711, longfellowgrill.com
Meritage: They'll keep you comfy in the cold with a new outdoor heating set up and lap blankets. 410 St. Peter St., St. Paul, 651-222-5670, meritage-stpaul.com
Minneapolis Cider Co.: Enjoy fire pits on the patio at Minneapolis Cider Co., where they break out the s’mores every Friday. 701 SE. 9th St., Mpls., 612-886-1357, minneapoliscider.co
Patrick McGovern’s Pub: Complete with ceiling heaters, two fireplaces, heat lamps, and a retractable patio roof, you’ll be covered. 225 W. 7th St., St. Paul, 651-224-5821, patmcgoverns.com
Psycho Suzi’s: Psycho Suzi’s has transformed into Mary’s Christmas Palace through the holiday season, but that doesn’t mean their patio has closed! 1900 NE. Marshall St., Mpls., 612-788-9069, psychosuzis.com
Pub 819: The pub has added a heated tent over their dog friendly outdoor patio, along with TVs to make sure you don't miss a game! 819 Mainstreet, Hopkins, 952-933-1230, pub819.com
Red Rabbit: There are stand alone heat lamps running on the patio in St. Paul. 788 Grand Ave., St. Paul, 612-767-8855 redrabbitmn.com
Red Cow: There are outdoor patios at all of their multiple locations, which will be open as long as the weather permits. redcowmn.com
Rosalia: The restaurant will have limited outdoor seating on the uncovered patio, complete with heaters and communal fire pits. 2811 43rd St W., Mpls, 612-345-5494, rosaliapizza.com
Smack Shack: Stay warm with permanent heaters on their covered patio. 603 Washington Ave. N., Mpls., 612-259-7288, smack-shack.com
Stanley’s Northeast Bar Room: With a tent arriving soon, Stanley’s dog friendly patio will have multiple heaters and TVs. 2500 University Ave. NE., Mpls., 612-788-2529, stanleysbarroom.com
St. Paul Brewing: Located on Hamm's Brewery grounds, St. Paul Brewing's safe and dog friendly patio will keep everyone warm with outdoor tents, heaters, and firepits. 688 Minnehaha Ave. E., St. Paul, 651-698-1945, stpaulbrewing.com
The Stray Dog: Newly installed heaters will keep the patio open as long as the weather allows it. 401 Hennepin Ave. E., Mpls., 612-378-2855, straydogmpls.com
Twin Spirits Distillery: Explore Twin Spirits Distillery’s village of green houses, complete with cozy seating and fairy lights. 2931 Central Ave NE., Mpls, 612-353-5274, twinspirits.us
Utepils Brewing Winter Beer Garden: Utepils Brewing has a large patio space, fires blazing around the garden, and an outdoor ordering window to keep customers extra safe. 225 Thomas Ave N., Mpls., 612-249-7800, utepilsbrewing.com
Waldmann Brewery: The brewery’s biergarten is fully decked out with 11 infrared heaters and three fire rings. 445 N. Smith Ave., St. Paul, 651-222-1857, waldmannbrewery.com
