Cross the bridge to Superior for a pint at Earth Rider, one of the Twin Ports’ best tap rooms. The beers on tap, from silky stouts to zesty Caribbean-style lagers, are reliably good, but this is also a great place to catch local music acts, and there’s a huge picnic area for lounging outside in the summer.

This newly renovated grill has become a popular destination for Midwestern road-trippers thanks in part to a feature on Guy Fieri’s Food Network series Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. At the Duluth Grill, everything from chilaquiles to Mediterranean omelets are served in a classic woodsy interior. Fans have been known to plan an entire road trip just to get an order of the Korean Brussels sprouts.

Wild Street Cider’s ice cream outfit is a new-ish fixture in the Duluth landscape, bringing tall cones of ice cream and Positively 3rd Street Bakery cookie sandwiches. Flavors rotate — think salted maple syrup, shamrock, and swirls of both — and there are already long lines of loyal fans. 

Bent Paddle has a broad selection of both craft beers and THC drinks, games like foosball and darts, and a large patio and green space for summer evenings. Keep an eye on the events calendar, which features live music, rotating food trucks, and wood-fired pizza nights on Fridays.

This family-owned distillery uses This family-owned distillery uses local botanicals and grains — not to mention ice-cold water from Lake Superior — to craft its spirits, from boreal gin to aged Aquavit. The cocktail room, located at the foot of Duluth’s iconic lift bridge, supplements its classic, seasonal, and zero-proof cocktails with snacks from Northern Waters Smokehaus.

Lake Avenue is one of Duluth’s best upscale restaurants — it offers everything from littleneck clams in a delicate black bean sauce to salmon with parsnip puree. The elegant, sun-drenched space is an ideal stop for a romantic night near the lake, and the wine list is unparalleled in the area.

This woman-owned creamery in Canal Park serves small batches of both dairy and vegan ice creams. The flavors run the gamut from classics like cookies and cream to buttermilk vanilla, honey lavender, and roasted banana chip.

This tiny taqueria is the ultimate takeout spot. Grab a torta or a tamale and wander down to the water for an easy picnic. The chorizo tacos, topped with pineapple and crunchy jicama, are a favorite, and pulled jackfruit in an amarillo mole make for a great vegetarian option.

This is the sister restaurant to Duluth Coffee Company, which pours the Twin Ports’ finest cups of Joe just next door. With a full espresso bar and farm-to-table dishes like biscuits and gravy, vegetable hashes, and loaded French toast, Duluth Coffee Kitchen is an ideal brunch spot — even better, bloody marys and espresso martinis are on the menu, too.

Duluth’s Best Bread cold-ferments its dough and bakes it in high heat and high moisture, giving it a crackly, caramelized crust and a moist, soft interior. It’s made with wild yeast — which has the same probiotics found in kombucha and yogurt — giving the dough a delicate tang. Load up on pain au chocolats, croissants, and cranberry wild rice bread for the road.

Some days call for fancy juice. When that day comes, The Pharm has you covered. A variety of cold-pressed juices, smoothies, bowls, and vegan dishes — like BLT Caesar bowls made with vegetarian tempeh bacon — will fuel your walk to the Great Lakes Aquarium, which is only a 15 minute walk away.

Sir Ben’s, a local favorite, is a British-style tavern near the lake shore. Come for the pub food (Cobb salads, hot club sandwiches, bread pudding, etc.) and the live music calendar, which is stacked with local acts every night except Sunday. Hit American bluegrass-influenced folk band Trampled by Turtles got their start here, even returning to Sir Ben’s for its 20th anniversary gig.

For a steaming, aromatic bowl of pho, there’s no better Duluth staple than Phoholic. Beef; chicken; shrimp; or a medley of brisket, tripe, and meatballs — all are great bets, as is the vegetarian option. But a worthy alternative is Phoholic’s curry chicken, stewed with potatoes and sweet onions. Round out the meal with a sweet Vietnamese coffee.

Falastin, Duluth’s “unapologetically Palestinian” pop-up, has opened as a permanent cafe and deli in the former New London Café space. Menu specials change often, so keep an eye on Instagram for the latest details — but expect dishes like musakhan (chicken smothered in caramelized onions), date-stuffed ma’amoul, kofta platters, and fragrant rose-pistachio baklava. For now, Falastin is only open Friday and Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Just North of Duluth sits New Scenic Café, with stellar views of Lake Superior and a nod to Nordic traditions in both menu and decor. Sharable dishes like the game platter or the smörgåsbord (a true smorgasbord of pickled herring, smoked salmon, deviled eggs, cheese, fruit, and olives) are a must.