Door No. 2
"The life you have led does not need to be the only life you have." -Anna Quindlen

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You don't have to spend loads of time and money to experience something amazing.  Sometimes an adventure is just outside your door.  These are some of the beautiful things that we have found, here in our own little corner of the world. 

You don't have to spend loads of time and money to experience something amazing.  Sometimes an adventure is just outside your door.  These are some of the beautiful things that we have found, here in our own little corner of the world. 

A Food Tour of Duluth

If you have visited Duluth, you have likely experienced Grandma’s Restaurant, Little Angie’s, Blackwoods or Sammy’s Pizza. These are certainly Duluth staples, but there are some real gems if you know where to look. Here are some of our favorites.

Coffee

There are many great coffee shops in Duluth - both in quality and in vibes. Brad’s regular order is an americano, black. I like a vanilla latte - iced in the warmer months, decaf always.

  1. Dovetail Cafe & Marketplace - A popular study spot for college students. Located in Lincoln Park with a large dining room, an excellent breakfast menu and lots of art on display, it’s a good choice for a luxuriously productive morning.

  2. 190* Coffee & Tea - The newest spot in town is part of the Lincoln Park renewal. Enjoy your coffee in a hip and cozy environment, then shop local at the multiple small store fronts that share the building.

  3. Amazing Grace Cafe - This place has changed over the years and their pre-Covid dining room now houses a small grocery market. They still serve up great espresso, and you can get hot breakfast to go on the weekend.

  4. Perk Place - If you like your latte strong this is the spot for you. Plenty of tables to get some work done and a great breakfast sandwich.

  5. Amity Coffee - Our neighborhood shop. They serve rotating baked goods and the almond croissant can’t be beat.

Breakfast

  1. Duluth Grill - If you’re willing to wait for a table on a weekend morning you will be justly rewarded with the best brunch of your life. Local and organic, pancakes bigger than your face, skillet dishes with so much flavor you’ll cry tears of joy, smoothies, cocktails, espresso bar. Just go.

  2. New London Cafe - a cozy little mom and pop style cafe in our neighborhood where the basics are done well.

  3. Uncle Loui’s - a Duluth staple where you’ll find tables full of college students on a Sunday morning. Excellent hangover food, and just as good when you got 8+ hours of sober sleep last night. Seat yourself.

Dinner

  1. Lake Avenue - upscale dining in Canal Park. Brunch or dinner, it’s a great option.

  2. Northern Waters Smokehaus - if you want to eat a really good sandwich by the lake, this is the place. They serve a variety of smoked meats and fish - order it in a sandwich or order it by the pound. We like to pick it up and take it down by the water for a picnic. Our favorite is the Cedar’s Secret, and if you like salmon the Cajun Finn is an excellent choice. Vegetarian options available as well.

  3. OMC Smokehouse - just really good barbecue. Brad loves the Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich. Kate loves the mac and cheese.

  4. King of Creams - best burger in town in my opinion. It’s nothing fancy, but when I want a burger that’s the first place I want to go.

  5. Va Bene - this is a favorite of mine. It’s Italian (as you may have gathered by the name) and serves the most delicious toasts and pasta. I especially love it in the summer as they have both indoor and outdoor tables that look out over the lake. Last year on my birthday we watched the sailboat races over dinner. Make a reservation, it’s a popular spot.

  6. New Scenic Cafe - we’re thrilled to have this place back on the “menu”. Their dining room was closed through Covid and we finally made it back again recently for I think the first time since Kate was born 3 years ago. It’s a great place to celebrate something special. I have yet to be disappointed with anything on the menu.

Dessert

  1. Love Creamery - that’s it. That’s the list. I will not be accepting arguments. Goat cheese and honeycomb ice cream? It’s a yes from me every time.

  2. Ok fine, the Portland Malt Shoppe is worth a stop too on a summer day.

Anytime

There is one place in town that comes top of the list anytime we are thinking of going out. It is truly great anytime of day - breakfast, lunch, dinner, they do it all well. Even dessert (don’t tell Love Creamery).

  1. At Sara’s Table the Chester Creek Cafe - most people just call it Sara’s Table. I’m not sure why they chose such an onerous name, but I’ll allow it given the absolute satisfaction of a plate of their truffle fries with aioli. Their menu is local, organic and features a mix of dishes to suit any eater. Add kombucha on tap and home made baked goods and you can’t go wrong.

I know there are great spots that I’ve missed on this list. For starters, Duluth has several breweries with really great vibes, we just haven’t spent enough time there to report about them adequately. Perhaps now we will. For “research”.

Nicole TombersComment