Friday night in Minnesota has its own unofficial rule: if there is fried fish on the menu, there will be a crowd. From river towns to Lake Superior to downtown Minneapolis, the Friday fish fry is a weekly habit that brings families, friends, and hungry neighbors together.
Some of these spots serve all-you-can-eat walleye, some fry Alaskan cod in beef tallow, and one even lets you eat right by the docks on Lake Minnetonka. Here are eight places where the tables go fast, so plan to show up early and bring your appetite.
1. 328 Grill, Hastings, MN
Seventeen dollars buys a full plate and then some at this Hastings grill. The Friday fish fry here is all-you-can-eat, and you get to choose deep-fried or baked fish.
The sides read like a church basement dinner done right. Scalloped potatoes, mac and cheese, green beans, coleslaw, and pudding all come with the deal, so nobody leaves hungry.
Friday afternoon into the evening is when the place gets as busy as it gets, especially during Lent. Reservations are not accepted, so timing matters.
I would aim for an early dinner if you want a seat without a wait.
Not a fish person? The rest of the menu leans into comfort food, with cheese curds, chicken wild rice soup, loaded fries or tots, and a Minnesota-style poutine.
Families get high chairs and a kids’ menu, and the free parking lot usually has plenty of room. That last part is a small blessing on a packed Friday.
2. The Breeze Inn, Duluth, MN
Up on Jean Duluth Road, a few miles from the busier parts of town, sits one of the area’s most talked-about Friday fish fries. The Breeze Inn keeps things homey and casual.
The all-you-can-eat fish fry runs $12.99 and comes with crispy fries and coleslaw. It has been voted best in the Ports, which is no small honor in a city that knows its fish.
Friday evening is the peak. If you would rather skip the rush, coming in at an off-hour is the smart move, and the restaurant does accept reservations.
Save room for the cheese curds and wings, two other favorites here. The fireplace makes it an easy pick on a chilly northern night, and the place is closed Mondays.
3. The Anchor Fish & Chips, Minneapolis, MN
Beef tallow is the secret weapon at this Northeast Minneapolis favorite. The Anchor fries its Alaskan cod in it, and the result has earned a loyal following.
The space is small, which means a wait is common, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings. Reservations are accepted, so call ahead if your group has a set time.
The menu has an Irish pub accent. Pair your fish and chips with mushy peas, or branch out with shepherd’s pie, battered sausage, chowder, or a mussel salad.
Hours run from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day, giving you more room to plan than most fish spots. A later dinner might be your best shot at a quick table.
4. Bridgeman’s, Duluth, MN
Walleye and a malt in the same meal? At Bridgeman’s, that combo makes perfect sense.
This long-established Duluth fixture pairs homestyle diner food with creative ice cream in vintage digs.
The draw on Fridays is the all-you-can-eat walleye fish fry. It is a true Minnesota fish, and getting it bottomless is a treat.
Finish with a shake, a Mega Malt, or a Coffee Lovers Sundae. The dessert menu alone keeps kids happy.
Bridgeman’s does not take reservations and is closed Sundays. Weekends draw the biggest crowds, so arriving early on Friday is a good plan.
5. Gluek’s Restaurant & Bar, Minneapolis, MN
History comes with your fish at Gluek’s. The old-world beer hall sits inside an 1855 warehouse in downtown Minneapolis.
Fridays bring an all-you-can-eat fish fry with hush puppies, a fun Southern touch you will not find at many Minnesota spots. The Walleye Fish N Chips is fried in a crisp beer batter.
The rest of the menu leans German. Think Bavarian pretzels, sausage samplers, beef stroganoff, and schnitzel with spaetzle.
Crowds build from Friday evening into the night. Reservations are accepted, which helps a lot before a downtown game or show, and paid parking lots are nearby.
6. Mac’s Fish & Chips (Saint Paul), St Paul, MN
Key lime jalapeno sauce on fried fish sounds bold, and that is exactly the point at Mac’s. This compact Larpenteur Avenue shop treats condiments like a hobby.
The menu sticks to a variety of fried-fish meals with homemade fries and house tartar sauce. Poutine, chicken strips, and shrimp tacos round things out.
Ordering happens at the counter, and takeout and curbside pickup are popular options when the dining area fills. Friday evening is the busiest stretch.
Grab some housemade salt water taffy on the way out. Note that Mac’s closes at 8:30 p.m. and stays closed Sundays.
7. Longtrees, Alexandria, MN
Sunfish rarely gets the spotlight, but Longtrees in downtown Alexandria serves it all-you-can-eat. That alone makes it stand out in a state crowded with walleye.
The restaurant takes inspiration from old-school supper clubs and neighborhood bars. Walleye fish and chips, walleye cakes, and loaded mashed potatoes also show up on the table.
Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest times. Reservations are accepted, and free parking includes a garage, lot, and street spaces.
I would save this one for a lakes-country weekend. Alexandria makes a fine base, and Longtrees stays open until 11 p.m. on Fridays.
8. Lord Fletcher’s Old Lake Lodge, Spring Park, MN
A dock-side table on Lake Minnetonka might be the best seat in this whole list. Lord Fletcher’s sits right on the water in Spring Park.
Walleye is the star here. Order walleye fingers, the Fletcher’s Walleye Sandwich, a walleye po’boy, or the full Walleye Dinner.
The complex includes an upscale steakhouse, a casual eatery, and a sports bar, with seasonal live music. That range makes it work for a date night or a group outing.
Do not skip the fries, especially the sweet potato version. Weekend nights draw big crowds, so plan ahead.
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