Sometimes, you don’t want a delicate martini. Sometimes, you don’t care about the garnish. Sometimes, a bartender’s stories matter more than whether the ice is hand-carved. Duluth has proper cocktail dens. From historic speakeasies to lakeside lounges with views worth the price of admission. Just don’t be surprised if there’s an old-fashioned or two with a local twist.
Zeitgeist Restaurant & Bar
$$ | (218) 722-9100 | WEBSITE
Two words: live entertainment. It’s one of our favourite hints that we’re in a vibrant community hub. Zeitgeist has that creative energy, offers diverse options, and completely unpretentious. The relaxed atmosphere means you may find yourself enjoying the local talent a little longer than you planned, but if you’re ready to embrace that, you’re in for a memorable time. The staff are friendly and the food is good.
Not revolutionary, but always satisfying and at prices that are in keeping with Zeitgeist’s status as a firm Downtown Duluth favourite.
Kitchen & Bar at Duluth Coffee Company
$ | (218) 221-6643 | WEBSITE
You don’t come to Kitchen & Bar at Duluth Coffee Company because it’s the best place for a quick caffeine fix or a grab-and-go meal, or because it’s a bargain. You come for the cozy, inviting space that somehow manages to promote conversation while maintaining privacy, for the warm, welcoming atmosphere that feels like a neighborhood secret everyone knows, and for the stellar meals that make you want to linger over breakfast or lunch.
It takes all the intangibles of a great local spot and puts them all in one place. Like the regulars who seem to have claimed their favorite tables, everyone passes through here at one point or another. It’s an institution—treat it like one.
Burger Paradox
$ | (218) 606-1185 | WEBSITE
Every time we’re driving through downtown Duluth or heading up the hill toward the university, we get a sudden craving. “Where’s Burger Paradox?”, we wonder. We can’t spot it. It’s hidden. Has it been swallowed by the new development? No, there it is. Relief. That’s how unassuming this no-frills burger joint is. The Armadillo Bomb is messy and the fries are crispy. There’s local craft beer on tap and the spicy cocktails have warmed us up countless times.
But the regulars and newcomers who fill the art-covered booths are always kept satisfied and (very) well-fed.
Corktown Deli & Brews
$$ | (218) 606-1607 | WEBSITE
At Corktown Deli & Brews, come for the Bruss allo chicken salad with avocado cilantro dressing and stay for one of Duluth’s most welcoming dining experiences. The heart and soul of the local deli scene, Corktown has been serving outstanding sandwiches and its idiosyncratic breed of cozy charm for years. Lazy lunches in the bright, chipper dining room, relaxed dinners surrounded by boat decor, entertaining and affordable family outings in the beautiful gardens—Corktown can do it all.
Their fresh, large side salads and wide variety of beers on tap won’t change your life but when you’re having this much fun, who cares.
Bali Asian Cuisine
$$ | (218) 217-4266 | WEBSITE
Nothing says authentic Indonesian cuisine quite like some superfluous bang bang sauce on your plate. Bali Asian Cuisine in Duluth has a heartwarming commitment to the art of the decorative drizzle—it appears on the edge of a deeply flavorful shrimp appetizer and frames a pleasing bowl of spicy BBQ sirloin. The traditional dishes are borderline intense and yet, we’ll forgive a lot for this kind of smile-a-minute mentality.
Wipe-clean menus are passed around, laid-back tunes play through the speakers, and you’ll have a good time with close friends who also appreciate a restaurant that feels like a culinary journey to Indonesia.
The Boreal House
$ | (218) 606-1606 | WEBSITE
The Boreal House may not look like much from the outside. Don’t let that fool you. There’s always lots of fresh pizza on the menu, often paired with craft cocktails or exceptional local beers. If you like pizza and you like cocktails, enjoying them together at The Boreal House will yield happy results. The craft cocktails are among the best in Duluth, but the local beers are just as good—and each comes with that super chill vibe.
The Rathskeller
$ | (218) 606-8727 | WEBSITE
We genuinely can’t explain how speakeasies stayed hidden during Prohibition, but we do know we intend to spend our evenings tucked away in this quintessential underground haunt, sipping cocktails with our fellow jazz-loving spirits enthusiasts. The Rathskeller of Duluth is a dark, moody-lighting kind of bar that’s been a favorite for years, and it’s perfect for pre-show drink specials and casual late-night catch-ups down in the haunted setting.
More power to you if you can leave without ordering a Lavender Nordic Spritz, a Fall Finish, and three experimental cocktails to try with the bartender.
Jade Fountain Cocktail Lounge
$ | WEBSITE
Another big group and let’s-not-worry-about-working-out-the-bill spot, Jade Fountain Cocktail Lounge is a Duluth favourite. Their vibrant atmosphere has been the backdrop of many a happy evening in town, often starting in one distinct room before moving into another with its own feel for well-crafted daiquiris and more. The deep-fried anchovies with traditional light red garlic sauce should be your go-to but if you’re after wings or other delectable options, they’ve got those too.
The menu, like everything about Jade Fountain’s, is pleasing and limited.
Vikre Distillery
$$ | (218) 481-7401 | WEBSITE
Vikre Distillery is a spot. It’s got copper stills gleaming in the low light and a don’t-give-a-damn attitude about using local botanicals in their gin. This Duluth distillery is tucked away in a converted warehouse, with a space that quietly blends industrial chic and rustic warmth into a cozy tasting-room atmosphere. This is a relaxed, conversational kind of spot, for people who aren’t going to overthink their cocktail. Yes, it’s a bit casual.
But it’s perfectly enjoyable, well-priced, and the laid-back vibe is all part of the charm.
At Sara’s Table Chester Creek Cafe
$$ | (218) 724-6811 | WEBSITE
Duluth clearly has its cozy breakfast and brunch epicentre. We’re not mad about it. In fact, we’re big fans of another local golden oldie, At Sara’s Table Chester Creek Cafe, and not just for the charming atmosphere that keeps the morning chill at bay, or the intimate tables that are perfect for a leisurely weekend meal.
No, the reason we love this spot is because it maintains a farm-to-table, organic-ingredient philosophy, while serving comforting plates of tender brisket and chorizo biscuits with gravy. Plus, they aren’t too precious if you have dietary needs. Want to swap regular bacon for tempeh in the BLT? They’ve got you.