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A jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread, and Thou,
Beside me singing in the Wilderness--
Oh, Wilderness were Paradise now…
 
The iconic words of Omar Khayyam’s, penned over eight hundred years ago, still ring true today: We love eating outdoors. Albeit, there are countless magnificent locations nearby to pack a lunch and dine au naturel, we will highlight instead, a few of our local bars and restaurants that offer, for a handful of glorious months, outdoor eating at its best.
 
 Sir Benedict’s Tavern
805 East Superior Street, Duluth
Known by locals as Sir Ben’s, it has been recently sold by the charming and gracious Italian native, Antonino Copolla to Josh and Kaila Stotts.  We will all miss Antonino’s uniquely Mediterranean hospitality yet fully expect that Josh and Kaila Stotts will continue to grow and nurture Sir Ben’s long-established traditions which includes lots of live, local music, a full bar and more-than-20 beers on tap, and that simultaneously relaxed yet energizing vibe that keep us all coming back. Try a Cuban sandwich or bowl of smoked butternut squash soup. Come on Tuesday and you can get a ½ priced bottle of vino. Welcome Josh and Kaila! We wish you well!
 
Chester Creek Café
1902 East 8th St, Duluth
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, specialty coffee-drinks, wine and martinis: You can have it all at Sara’s Table Chester Creek Café. It’s a restaurant with a lot of names, but with a single mission: quality. How about a Green Eggs and SamOmelet made with wild-caught salmon, Havarti cheese, spinach and pesto orCranberry Wild Rice French Toast served with locally-sourced maple syrup from Dave Rogotze’s Farm? Largely due to the shared vision of Carla Blumberg and Barbara Neubert, the corner of 8th Street and 19th Avenue has become a thriving micro-economic hub with the addition of a new teashop, Snooty Fox, recently opened kitty corner to Chester Creek Café.
 
Midi Restaurant and Wine Bar  
600 East Superior Street, Fitger’s Complex
A half dozen or so umbrellaed tables grace the small patio just outside of Midi, Fitger’s Hotel’s Restaurant. Charming old stone and brick walls, create an old-world cozy feel while buffering the lake breeze. Peering across the lawn at a large freighter gliding across a glistening Lake Superior, one can enjoy a delicious caprese salad made with house made mozzarella or wild mushroom and caramelized onion flatbread. Enjoy them with an oak-aged Chardonnay…
 
Mexico Lindo
600 East Superior Street, Fitger’s Complex
With lunch specials and happy hours every day of the week. One might get the impression that there’s an ongoing fiesta at Mexico Lindo. The view from their fourth floor deck is unparalleled. With the picturesque backdrop of lake and sky, one feels on-top-of-the world peering down at the Scenic Railroad, cyclists and parents with strollers passing below.
 
In the heart of Canal Park, there are terrific places to enjoy outdoor food & drink:
 

Grandma’s Saloon & Grill
522 Lake Avenue South, Duluth
Deck Dining overlooks the famous Aerial Lift Bridge, lighthouse and Duluth’s harbor. Enjoy a bowl of Grandma’s famous wild rice soup or walleye cakes served with finely chopped cucumber & a ginger-vinaigrette. Local brews and half-priced drinks from 3-6pm and 9-11pm everyday. Appetizer specials too!

 Little Angie’s Cantina
11 East Buchanan Street, Duluth
Sitting on Little Angie’s large outdoor deck, you’re at the corner of the Middle and Everything (or is that the Middle of Everything?) Fountains, street musicians, gulls and statues, locals, tourists, hotels, shops, galleries and restaurants. Sipping on one of their ginormous Margaritas, it’s probably best you check into a hotel for the night.
 
Bellisios
405 South Lake Ave
Bellisios boast over 400o bottles of wine! Well-versed wait staff can help you in selecting the perfect wine to complement any meal. Appetizers include an Artisan Cheese Plate with “some of the Mediterranean’s most celebrated cheeses”; specialty dishes include fennel roasted rack of pork and wild-caught salmon entrees. Enjoy a $12.99 three course lunch offered 11:30-3:00pm daily. Reservations Recommended.
 
Amazing Grace Bakery and Café
394 South Lake Ave
Charming as all get-out, Amazing Grace, is tucked underneath the popular DeWitz Seitz Marketplace. Enjoy a yummy, homemade blueberry muffin with a cup of strong coffee while reading your local Northland Reader. Share your crumbs with the brazen, yet charming Chickadees as you plan a day full of promise, good deeds and adventure.
 
Canal Park Brewing
300 Canal Park Drive
Canal Park Brewing boasts one of the few year round patios in the region. You’re a short walk from the Lakewalk , the Lift Bridge and the many shops of Canal Park. Knowledgeable servers can help you pair the perfect Canal Park brew to complement a hand-built sandwich or freshly-prepared entree. Throughout the summer, Canal Park Brewing offers yard games, and a fire pit at night. Sunday through Thursdays 9pm-11pm $1 off pints.
 
If you’re willing to drive and a take a ferry....
 
Tom’s Burned Down Café
Madeline Island, Wisconsin
Where do we begin? Tom’s Burned Down Café is a magical mix of Gilligan’s Island and a kid’s fort. Truly. No building this side of the Caribbean constructed out of trailers, tarps and duct tape posses more charm or stories within its four walls (um…we mean, four tarps). Our first (but not-to-be-our-final) experience at Tom’s Burned Down, included every inebriated soul in the sweaty, sardine-packed place joyfully singing along with the awesome, Stearns County Pachanga County Society rendition of Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds.” It was a foggy evening filled with foggy, delightful memories. We recommend if you’ve never been to Tom’s Burned Down, you add it to your bucket list… Cuz every little thing’s gonna be alright…
 
 
Lake Superior Shores/Kamloops Restaurant
Two Harbors, Minnesota

Kamloops Restaurant and Lounge is located on the second floor of the Superior Shores Resort; it is twenty miles north of Duluth in Two Harbors.  Award winning chef, Kevin Aho, prepares everything from scratch.  Enjoy traditional Eggs Benedict for breakfast or Northshore Wild Rice Fish Chowder for lunch while you drink in the spectacular view of Lake Superior while dining on the deck.