Minnesota has more than 10,000 lakes, and the official state fish is the walleye, so a road trip here should end with a plate of it. This list covers seven spots where the walleye dinner is the reason to pull over, from a Lake Superior landmark in Duluth to a fishing resort near the Canadian border.
Some sit right on the water with big lake views. Others will cook the fish you caught that morning.
A few are old supper clubs and historic dining rooms, while one is a casual counter by the dock in a harbor town. Each stop has its own personality, and each one gives you a different way to enjoy the same famous fish.
Save this list for your next drive north, south, or anywhere in between, and plan your route around dinner.
1. Pickwick Restaurant & Pub, Duluth, MN
Duluth has been feeding hungry travelers at the Pickwick since around 1914, which makes it one of the city’s longest-running dining rooms. The setting is grand and historic, with a bar in the front and windows that look out over Lake Superior.
Walleye shows up in a few forms here. Walleye Fingers make a good starter, while the walleye entrees come out tender and flaky, sitting alongside steak, chops, pasta, and salmon on a menu that leans traditional.
Save room for the red velvet cake. Other favorites include the Pickwick Onion Rings, clam chowder, and the Pickwick Jambalaya Pasta.
Plan ahead on timing. The restaurant is closed Sunday and Monday, and Friday and Saturday evenings get busy, so dinner reservations are recommended.
Prices generally land around $20 to $30 per person, and there is a kids’ menu for younger travelers.
For anyone starting or finishing a North Shore drive, the Pickwick at 508 E Superior St is a classic way to bookend the trip.
2. The Fisherman’s Daughter at Dockside Fish Market, Grand Marais, MN
Fish and chips taste different when the fish came from the lake you can see from your seat. That is the whole idea at this counter-service spot on Highway 61 in Grand Marais, a small harbor town near the tip of the North Shore.
The menu sticks close to Lake Superior. Baskets feature locally caught whitefish, herring, and walleye, and the Walleye Fish and Chips can be ordered with tots.
Walleye tacos with slaw are another strong pick. Sides get playful, with maple bacon cheese curds, garlic bread cheese curds, and crab fries, plus smoked fish from the market to take along.
Order at the counter, then grab a spot on the outdoor deck if the weather cooperates. Dogs are welcome outside.
Hours run 11 AM to 8 PM daily, and most meals cost $10 to $20. Reservations are not taken and street parking can be tight, so weekday visits are the easier play.
3. Ballard’s Resort, Baudette, MN
Baudette calls itself the Walleye Capital of the World, and Ballard’s Resort takes that title seriously. This is a place where the dinner might start with a guided fishing trip on the Rainy River.
The resort offers simple cabins, docks, and ice fishing houses, plus an on-site bar and restaurant. The kitchen will fry up the walleye guests bring back, so supper is as fresh as it gets.
If the fish were not biting, the menu has backup. The smoked walleye and the lightly breaded Cajun walleye are two of the standout plates.
Ballard’s sits in a remote spot at 3314 Bur Oak Rd NW, which is part of the appeal for anglers chasing big catches. The restaurant opens early at 6:30 AM and stays open until 10 PM every day.
I would save this one for the fishing crowd, or for anyone who wants their walleye dinner to come with a story.
4. Twin Pines Restaurant, Resort, & Fishing Launch, Garrison, MN
Walleye for breakfast is a real option at Twin Pines, and nobody here will look at you funny for ordering it. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and walleye fits on the table at all three.
Garrison is a tiny community on the western shore of Lake Mille Lacs, right along US-169. That makes Twin Pines an easy stop for drivers heading up to lake country.
The walleye sandwich is a favorite, and a salad bar rounds out the meal. A fireplace and sports on the screens give the dining room a relaxed vibe.
Twin Pines also runs fishing charters, rents remodeled cabins and fishing houses, and the kitchen will clean and cook guests’ catch. Families will find a kids’ menu, and dogs are allowed inside.
Parking is free. Curbside pickup and takeout work well if the road is calling you onward.
5. Slippery’s Bar & Grill, Wabasha, MN
Some dinners come down to the view, and Slippery’s has one of the best in Wabasha. The restaurant sits right on the Mississippi River in this historic town along the Great River Road.
Walleye is the specialty to watch for. The walleye dinner is buttery and tender, and walleye sandwiches are a menu staple too.
Classic bar fare fills out the rest, including clam chowder, nachos, shrimp tacos, and a chicken sandwich. Live music adds some fun on the right nights.
Outdoor seating is the move when the weather is nice. Meals run about $10 to $20 per person, and kids have their own menu.
Hours are a bit early for a river town, with the kitchen open from 11 AM to 7 PM most days and until 8 PM on Friday and Saturday. Reservations are accepted, and parking is usually easy at 10 Church Ave.
6. Fisher’s Club, Avon, MN
Supper club fans, this one is for you. Fisher’s Club in Avon is a historic bar and restaurant on Middle Spunk Lake, and its walleye dinner is the plate people come for.
The menu keeps the spotlight on walleye, served with sides like homemade potato salad. A table by the window adds a lake view to the meal.
Live music and a friendly, small-town pace make it a good fit for birthdays and group dinners. A private dining room and catering are also available.
Watch the hours, since they change through the week. Fisher’s Club is closed Monday, opens at 4 PM on Tuesday and Wednesday, and serves lunch and dinner Thursday through Sunday.
Expect to spend about $20 to $30 per person. Reservations are accepted, which helps on busy Friday and Saturday evenings, and Avon sits just off I-94 for an easy detour.
7. 502 Restaurant, Walker, MN
Almond-crusted walleye is the dish that sets 502 Restaurant apart from the fried plates elsewhere on this list. It comes in a generous portion, which is good news after a long day on the road.
The restaurant sits on Cleveland Blvd in Walker, a Northwoods resort town on the shore of Leech Lake. The lake views from the dining room are a big part of the draw.
Beyond walleye, the menu features prime rib and flatbreads, along with comfort food built for big appetites. A fireplace and occasional live music give the room some extra character.
Dinner starts at 3 PM most days, with Saturday opening at 11 AM, and the kitchen stays open late, until 11 PM on weekends. Prices run about $20 to $30 per person.
Reservations are accepted, and the parking lot is free. Families will appreciate the kids’ menu and changing tables, making it an easy final stop on a lake country loop.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.