3rd Street Tavern in St. Peter features an alley and back courtyard for outdoor seating. All over Southern Minnesota, there are great places to enjoy your food outside.
People- and pup-pleasing restaurant patios in Southern Minn
again from 9 p.m. to closing time. In or out (and some people do prefer the indoors where it’s “nice and cool” on a hot and humid day, Mielke says), 3rd Street Tavern delivers on its blues, barbecue and bourbon motto. “We smoke our own meat in-house and make a lot of the sauces right here too, and I can tell you that our traditional wings are smoked—and they’re amazing,” said Mielke, adding that 3rd Street Tavern has one of the widest selections of bourbon and whisky in the area. He added, “If you want something specific, we either already have it or can get it in for you.” Perhaps it’s not surprising that 3rd Street Tavern was chosen “Best Patio Dining” in the “Best of St. Peter” contest for both 2020 and 2021 (2022 results were not available as of press time). “We were also named ‘Best Appetizers’ and ‘Best Date Night,’” said Mielke. And if a patio date were to lead a couple all the way to the altar, Mielke reminds that 3rd Street Tavern has a private interior room available for reservation that’s in demand for groom’s dinners, bridal showers and other celebratory gatherings. Keeping it casual? Mielke says 3rd Street Tavern has that covered. “Sometimes people like to stop by for just a cocktail and appetizer,” he said. “It’s a great spot, and all sorts of people like our patio.” 3rd Street Tavern is located at 408 S. Third St., St. Peter. 507934-3314, 3rdstreettavern.com Here’s a selection of additional patio dining options across southern Minnesota:
By JANE TURPIN MOORE Guest Contributor
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ho wants to hunker inside a chilly, dimly lit restaurant when sunlight and fresh air beckon? Not too many. In Minnesota, where the ideal outdoor dining dates are numbered in weeks, rather than months, patio dining is where it’s at — literally. “We try to open our patio as early as we can and leave it open as long as possible,” said Tyler Mielke, manager of 3rd Street Tavern in St. Peter. “This year, we opened it bright and early on the very first nice day — and then we had a couple more weeks of snow.” But August’s forecast for the southern section of the North Star State appears to be blessedly flurry-free. Area restaurateurs are putting their best patio feet forward, enticing diners to spend an afternoon or evening out. At 3rd Street Tavern, guests are met with plenty of free parking, whether in the establishment’s dedicated parking lot or on the street. With a westward orientation, 3rd Street Tavern’s patio tables (most set up for parties of five) have adjustable umbrellas to provide comfort if the sun’s maximum tilt really does get to be too much, while a mural, benches, and a wall of ivy combine to create an attractive setting. “And we have a gas fire pit that’s really popular as we get closer to fall. Guests like to sit out and enjoy the Minnesota weather in the evenings,” Mielke observed. The 3rd Street Tavern’s patio is a non-smoking space, but Fido and Daisy are more than welcome to join the fun. “We’re very pet-friendly,” assured Mielke. “We put out some water bowls and have dog treats available for the pups.” As many as 60 people can be accommodated at a time on
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The Ole Store Restaurant in Northfield features a green space patio area.
The Ole Store 1011 St. Olaf Ave., Northfield. 507-786-9400, olestorerestaurant.com Situated close to the main entrance to St. Olaf College, the Ole Store Restaurant has been a Northfield favorite for over 100 years. Open for lunch daily, dinner from Monday through Saturday and brunch from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends, you may opt to have your salad, sandwich, “Church Basement” wild rice soup or signature Ole Roll delivered to your picnic table on the grassy west-facing space that is known as “Lena’s Lawn.” Beneath a blue umbrella and strands of twinkling lights, indulge in a choice from the Ole Store’s full drinks menu while your dog stays cool and your child finds something to their liking on the children’s menu. Skol!
Winjum’s Restaurant & Bar 3rd Street Tavern’s patio, but be forewarned: at many locations, patio seating is first-come, first-served, even though Mielke promises the staff does its best to place customers where they most desire to sit. A weekday happy hour from 2 to 6 p.m. offers discounts on select food and drink items, and those same specials kick in
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17759 West 177th Street, Faribault. 507-334-6661, winjumsshadyacres.com On the west side of Roberds Lake, Winjum’s invites guests to relax with lakeview outdoor seating (they’re happy to let you push a couple of tables together) in a resort setting that’s nevertheless close to town. Maybe try Winjum’s all-you-can-
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