The Duluth – Superior Area’s Most Iconic Restaurants

The Twin Ports area has a wealth of incredible restaurants that offer great variety to local diners and tourists alike. While we have many recognizable national chains, there are an incredible amount of awesome locally-grown favorites that residents consider hidden gems or tourists consider must-visit food stops.

Among these local companies, some have earned reputations as a names people think of when they think dining in the Twin Ports area. Even people that have never eaten at these iconic restaurants are familiar with them.

In no particular order, here are some of the Twin Ports area restaurants that come to mind first among locals and tourists alike.

 Some of the Twin Ports Area's Most Iconic Restaurants

Grandma's Saloon and Grill

522 South Lake Avenue Duluth, Minnesota

2202 Maple Grove Road Duluth, Minnesota

In 1976, the very first Grandma's restaurant was established as a family-run business with generally large portions and prides itself on being a place where everyone can come in and enjoy a great meal and look at all the memorabilia you will see on every square inch of the walls. With two locations both places are a big draw for tourists and locals alike.

Little Angie's Cantina And Grill

11 East Buchanan Street Duluth, Minnesota

This Tex-Mex restaurant is part of the Grandma's family and is a great place to meet friends and family for some delicious food or a giant margarita. If the weather is nice and warm you can also enjoy the big deck overlooking the hustle and bustle of Canal Park in Duluth.

Silo's

800 West Railroad Street Duluth, Minnesota

This restaurant is located inside Pier B Resort Hotel. With an extraordinary view of Lake Superior looking right across the harbor, they truly have one of the best views around and every seat in the place has sweeping views. Plus, when weather permits there is outdoor seating and a massive deck that is part of the hotel.

Fitger's Brewhouse

600 East Superior Street Duluth, Minnesota

The Fitger's Brewhouse is nestled in the bluestone walls of the Fitger's Brewery Complex at 600 East Superior Street in Duluth. Since 1995 it is known as Duluth's oldest brewpub serving its homemade brews and delicious pub-style food to this day. A popular stop for locals and tourists alike and on a nice day or evening they have some outdoor seating on the side of the building facing Superior street.

The Boat Club

600 East Superior Street Duluth, Minnesota

Established in 2017 on the first floor of the Fitger's Brewery Complex at 600 East Superior Street in Duluth has quickly become one of the go-to places in the area to enjoy fine dining with a beautiful view of Lake Superior. Enjoy fresh seafood, steaks, and handcrafted cocktails and beers while enjoying the nautical theme. The restaurant was completely redone before it opened and no detail was overlooked.

The Vanilla Bean

1608 Woodland Avenue Duluth, Minnesota

812 7th Avenue Two Harbors, Minnesota

The Vanilla Bean is a great place to enjoy a delicious variety of dishes including all-day brunch soups, salads, and delicious sandwiches. Plus signature cocktails, wine, and beer in both locations. Top-notch service and great atmosphere.

Pickwick

508 E Superior Street Duluth, Minnesota

One of the oldest establishments in Duluth this full-service restaurant and bar have been at its current location since 1914. You can't help but notice the beautiful dark woodwork detailed throughout the entire restaurant and massive bar area. Famous for its char-grilled steaks and homemade soups along with generous portions of food from appetizers to entrees.

Hammond Steakhouse

1402 North 5th Street Superior, Wisconsin

This old-fashioned dining establishment is a local legend among locals with a liquor store and bar on the first floor. Famous for its delicious steaks I must say it does not disappoint. I ate there for the first time a few weeks ago with some of my co-workers the staff was super friendly and the food was absolutely delicious.

Black Woods Grill And Bar

2525 London Road Duluth, Minnesota

195 US-2 Proctor, Minnesota

612 7th Avenue Two Harbors, Minnesota

Locals and tourists alike have many options on which restaurant to choose from for their delicious entrees and appetizers. I generally go to the Duluth location and love to watch the toy train zip above my head as it travels through the restaurant and the bar. With a huge variety on their menu, some of my personal favorites are some of their comfort foods like the Irish meatloaf and hot turkey sandwich. 

Canal Park Brewing

300 Canal Park Drive Duluth, Minnesota

Located at 300 Canal Park Drive in Duluth this family-owned restaurant and brewery in the heart of canal park is truly a family affair. With a great uncle who was a brewer in Duluth back in the 1940s and 50s the family is proud to continue the tradition of making a delicious craft beer. They also boast quite a varied menu with appetizers, soups, sandwiches, and a variety of burgers along with a fantastic view of Lake Superior both inside and out on their large deck.

Bellisio's Italian Restaurant And Wine Bar 

405 South Lake Avenue Duluth, Minnesota

Also part of the Grandma's family, this upscale restaurant is famous for its authentic Italian pasta dishes, grilled steak seafood, and more. They are also known for their huge wine selection and outdoor patio which has great people watching facing the bustling Lake Avenue.

Sir Benedicts Tavern On The Lake

805 East Superior Street Duluth, Minnesota

Sir Bens is an authentic British Pub serving fresh gourmet sandwiches and soups along with a variety of 20+ beers on tap and live music 5-7 nights a week. With a beautiful deck looking out on lake superior this place is always hopping all year long.

Valentini's 

4960 Miller Trunk Hwy Hermantown, Minnesota

They recently moved from their location on London Road serving delicious Italian fare. They are open for breakfast lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Plus don't forget about Valentini's Deli on the second floor of the Holiday Center in Downtown Duluth. I was a regular at their old location and always enjoyed their delicious pasta dishes.

 Va Bene'

734 East Superior Street Duluth, Minnesota

Serving fresh Italian food perched right above the Lakewalk with stunning views of Lake Superior. My favorite place to sit is in the solarium and look out at the lake. This place is rather small, during peak season they limit your time to 1 1/2 hours to be at your table, thankfully the service is generally very quick and the food is absolutely delicious.

Sammy's Pizza

(West Duluth) 403 North Central Avenue Duluth, Minnesota

(Downtown Duluth)  103 West 1st Street Duluth, Minnesota

(Lakeside Duluth) 4631 East Superior Street Duluth, Minnesota

(Cloquet) 305 Sunnyside Drive Cloquet, Minnesota

(Hermantown) 4310 Menard Drive Hermantown, Minnesota

(Woodland) 4011 Woodland Avenue Duluth, Minnesota

With five Northland locations, Sammy's Pizza is definitely a place that you think of when you want to go out to eat in the Northland. Known for their award-winning pizza they also have delicious pasta, sandwiches, and chicken too. Pre-Covid many of the restaurants had the super popular all-you-can-eat buffet of pizza, chicken wings, and salad bar. Fingers crossed that comes back again.

Anchor Bar

413 Tower Avenue Superior, Wisconsin

This place prides itself on being a hole-in-the-wall type of establishment with no frills, nautical decorations with cheap food and ice-cold beer. This is absolutely one of my go-to places when I am craving a cream cheese olive burger and is very popular with locals and tourists alike. It is still amazing to me after all these years how they continue to keep their prices down and you get a generous size burger and fries for a steal.

7 West Taphouse

7 West Superior Street Duluth, Minnesota

1319 Tower Avenue Superior, Wisconsin

2510 Maple Grove Road Duluth, Minnesota

With three locations in the Twin Ports, downtown Duluth, Miller Hill and Superior with a wide variety of specialty burgers and full bar this is a great place to meet for drinks and appetizers or a delicious meal.

Burrito Union

1332 East 4th Street Duluth, Minnesota

Is located at 1332 East 4th Street known as a locally owned neighborhood restaurant that serves a variety of unique burritos like their annual Thanksgiving burrito along with avocado and shrimp tacos too.  They also have pub-style appetizers and a full bar like their delicious margaritas. A huge draw for locals, college students, and tourists alike.

Duluth Grill

118 South 27th Avenue West Duluth, Minnesota

Located at 118 South 27th Avenue West this restaurant has been featured on the show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives is a family-owned place since 1991. Known for fresh, local, and organic fare the food is made with care and is absolutely delicious. The service is fast and friendly and the portions are plentiful.

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