Ask a Minnesotan where to eat, and sooner or later the conversation lands on walleye. The state fish shows up on menus from downtown Minneapolis to the far end of the North Shore, but a few kitchens have turned the humble walleye sandwich into a reason to plan a whole trip.
This list covers eight of those spots, including a German beer hall in an 1855 warehouse, a 1914 landmark with Lake Superior views, a Bemidji cafe known for giant cinnamon rolls, and a tavern in Grand Marais with a rooftop. Some are big-city classics, while others sit along lake country highways where you might stop for gas and stay for lunch.
Each one brings something different to the table beyond the fish itself. Save this list for your next road trip, or send it to the friend who always orders walleye.
1. Gluek’s Restaurant & Bar, Minneapolis, MN
Downtown Minneapolis has plenty of shiny new restaurants, but Gluek’s leans proudly into its age. The beer hall sits inside an 1855 warehouse at 16 N 6th St, with an old-world look and a fireplace that fits right in on a cold Minnesota night.
The menu takes a German turn with Bavarian pretzels, a giant pretzel, beef stroganoff, schnitzel with spaetzle, and a four sausage sampler. Walleye gets serious attention too, showing up as a sandwich, as walleye fingers, and in walleye fish and chips.
Deep fried pickle spears make a fun starter if you are sharing with a group. Live music is part of the scene, and the bands can get loud, so plan accordingly if you want a quiet chat.
Hours run late, which makes this a handy stop after a game or show. Gluek’s is closed Sunday and Monday, opens Tuesday at 6 PM, and stays open until 2 AM Thursday through Saturday.
Reservations are accepted, and there is a kids’ menu for family outings.
2. Pickwick Restaurant & Pub, Duluth, MN
Few lunch spots can claim more than a century on the same stretch of Superior Street. The Pickwick dates to around 1914, and its wood-paneled dining room looks out over Lake Superior through big windows.
Order the walleye sandwich, then add the famous onion rings. That pairing is the move here, and the portions run generous across the menu.
Beyond walleye, the kitchen covers steak, salmon, jambalaya pasta, clam chowder, and a long list of appetizers. Walleye fingers, a smoked fish platter, stuffed mushrooms, and artichoke dip are easy picks for the table.
Save room for the red velvet cake if dessert is on your mind.
The vibe lands somewhere between casual and dressed-up, so it works for a road trip lunch or a date night. Dinner reservations are recommended.
The restaurant is closed Sunday and Monday and open from late morning to evening the rest of the week.
3. The Side Track Bar and Restaurant, Brainerd, MN
Opening at 8 AM every single day gives The Side Track a big advantage on lake weekends. Whether you need breakfast before the boat launch or a late bite after dark, this Highway 371 stop keeps the kitchen going until 1 AM.
The walleye sandwich sits among the featured menu items, alongside fish and chips, a French dip, and French onion soup. Comfort food is the theme, with cheese curds and wings rounding things out.
Prices stay friendly, usually around $10 to $20 per person. That makes it an easy choice for families and groups heading through the Brainerd area.
There is more going on than food. Arcade games, bar games, live music, and dancing give the place an energetic personality, and sports fans will find it a solid spot to catch a game.
Free parking is easy to find, and outdoor seating is available when the weather cooperates.
4. The Quarterdeck Grill, Nisswa, MN
Some sandwiches are good enough that people living hours away start plotting the drive. The walleye sandwich at The Quarterdeck Grill has that kind of pull, thanks to a large portion of fish that fills the bun.
The grill sits at Quarterdeck Resort on Birch Bay Drive in Nisswa, right in the heart of Brainerd Lakes country. Lake views and live music set a relaxed resort tone.
Walleye is not the only thing drawing attention. Burnt ends and smoked salmon are standouts, and chicken wings and nachos work for snacking.
Check the schedule before you go, since hours shift through the week. The grill is closed Tuesday and Wednesday, opens at 4 PM Monday and Thursday, starts at 11:30 AM Friday, and serves from 8:30 AM on weekends.
Reservations are accepted, and free parking is plentiful.
5. Lord Fletcher’s Old Lake Lodge, Spring Park, MN
Lake Minnetonka has a long list of waterfront hangouts, and Lord Fletcher’s is one of the names that comes up first. The complex combines an upscale steakhouse, a casual eatery, a sports bar, and seasonal live music under one roof.
Fletcher’s Walleye Sandwich is a menu headliner, and ordering it with tater tots makes for a very Minnesota plate. If you want something heartier, a walleye dinner is also on the menu.
Mud pie is the dessert to know about. Sunday brunch starts at 10 AM, while the rest of the week opens at 11 AM and runs until 10 PM.
The setting lets you pick your mood. Outdoor seating suits a summer afternoon on the lake, while the fireplace and historic lodge style work for cooler months.
Free parking is usually easy to find, and the private dining room is an option for bigger gatherings.
6. Mad Capper Saloon & Eatery, Stillwater, MN
Main Street in Stillwater is made for wandering, and the Mad Capper gives that stroll a tasty pit stop. The family-owned saloon sits in an 1890 building at 224 S Main St, close to the St. Croix River.
Here the walleye sandwich is built with walleye fingers. Even cut in half, each side still carries plenty of fish, so this one can easily feed a hungry appetite.
Burgers and craft beer are longtime staples. The menu also includes full vegan and vegetarian options, which is handy when your group has mixed tastes.
A few practical notes help here. Reservations are not accepted, and parking downtown can be tricky on busy days, so arriving early on Saturday makes sense.
The saloon is closed Tuesday and open until 11 PM on Friday and Saturday.
7. Minnesota Nice Cafe, Bemidji, MN
A cafe named Minnesota Nice has a reputation to live up to, and this Bemidji favorite handles it with homestyle cooking and very big portions. The walleye sandwich is huge, and it shares the spotlight with chicken wild rice soup.
Breakfast is just as strong. French toast, omelets, eggs Benedict, and eggs Florentine fill the morning menu, along with old-school picks like liver and onions.
Then there are the cinnamon rolls, which come out bigger than a hand. Hummingbird cake and cranberry bread make the bakery side hard to skip.
Plan around the schedule. The cafe is open Wednesday through Sunday from 8 AM to 2 PM and closed Monday and Tuesday.
Weekend mornings get busy, and reservations are not taken. Prices usually land between $10 and $20 per person.
8. The Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais, MN
Grand Marais sits far up the North Shore, and The Gun Flint Tavern makes the long drive pay off. Fresh walleye fillets and a great sauce turn the sandwich into one of the strongest reasons to stop.
Ribs that fall off the bone are another favorite. The rest of the menu includes a gyro, a Reuben, and a Southwest burger, plus full vegan and vegetarian menus.
A rooftop seating area and a pirate-themed bar add personality. Live music shows up regularly too.
Dogs are welcome inside and outside, which is great news for road trippers traveling with a pup. Weekday hours start at 4 PM, while weekends open at 11 AM.
There are no reservations and no takeout, so plan to grab a seat and stay a while.
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