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Lake Avenue Restaurant & Bar, Duluth, MN

Lake Avenue Restaurant & Bar

4.6
4.6
246 Reviews
$31 to $50
Global, International
Lake Avenue Restaurant & Bar in Duluth, Minnesota has been around since 1991, back when Canal Park was better known as an industrial harbor rather than a tourist location. The interior at Lake Avenue Restaurant & Bar has a cozy feel to it, thanks in large part to the reclaimed lumber used for the tables, booths and bar as well as thriving plants. When the weather is nice, you can dine on our deck, furnished with Loll patio furniture made locally.
We are a small restaurant, limited to 15 tables and 70 seats indoors. Because of this we are not able to accommodate groups larger than 8 people. If your party is larger than 8 people, please understand that your group may be split at separate tables, potentially not near each other. Please call us to discuss accommodating your large group events.
Due to the invariability of Duluth weather, our deck is non-reservable (with or without dogs) and subject to be closed without much notice. We seat the patio on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 12 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Global, International, Contemporary American, Cocktail Bar
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu 11:00 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 10:00 am–10:00 pm Sun 10:00 am–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (218) 722-2355
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Neighborhood
    Duluth
  • Cross street
    1st floor of the Dewitt Seitz Building, corner of S Lake Ave & Buchanan
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access

What 246 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Duluth

    Best Overall

  • Duluth

    Best Food

  • Duluth

    Best Service

  • Duluth

    Best Ambiance

  • Duluth

    Best Value

  • Duluth

    Good for groups

  • Duluth

    Good for special occasions

  • Duluth

    Lively

  • Duluth

    Most Booked

246 Reviews
  1. KathleenR

    Minneapolis

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    While the menu is creative, I wish the sausage pizza was available in the evenings when the choices of dinners just don’t seem to work.

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  2. OpenTable Diner

    Minneapolis

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    I’ve been to Canal Park many times, but I think I’ve found my new favorite restaurant in Duluth. Small space but very welcoming. Food was interesting and sooo good. I have found my new crave-able dish — the salmon was amazing!

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  3. LuAnneA

    Minneapolis

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great service, ambiance, interesting and delicious menu items, along w/nice wine pairings.

    Is this helpful?

  4. OpenTable Diner

    Minneapolis

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on November 18, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Excellent experience as usual. Great food and service. Good vegetarian and vegan options. Many thanks!

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  5. JayY

    Minneapolis

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great Food, something for everyone, Exceptional Service!

    Is this helpful?

  6. JacobB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The chefs choice pasta special was delicious, I would definitely recommend it!

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  7. OpenTable Diner

    Omaha

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delicious food and great service! Definitely will come back.

    Is this helpful?

  8. RydellK

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 10, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    This place gets us every time we come up to Duluth. It's a must stop!

    Is this helpful?

  9. DanM

    Minneapolis

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, server was very nice. Cute little joint.

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  10. Emilyanna

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing service, high quality food, great lighting. It's expensive, but worth it for a special occasion.

    Is this helpful?

  11. Havethemonkfish

    Greater Boston

    23 reviews

    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on November 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I love this place. Inventive menu, friendly, warm staff. Professional service — attentive but gave us space. Highly recommended.

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  12. KellyL

    Minneapolis

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 29, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Amazing food Everytime! Different then any other place in Duluth. Just fantastic.

    Is this helpful?

  13. GregH

    Minneapolis

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 29, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Great food, menu refreshed frequently, interesting menu items. Friendly staff

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  14. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Loved our first visit. Small, quaint experience, perfect for celebrating our anniversary. Will definitely eat here again.

    Is this helpful?

  15. TimR

    Minneapolis

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great food and great service. Really enjoyed our time at the restaurant.

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  16. BrandeeW

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 28, 2023

    overall1food1service4ambience4
    Great place, good drinks, but terrible food! One meal was cold in the center, the other tasted off like food you have left in the fridge too long. This is the second time we have eaten at Lake Avenue with the same culinary experience. We will never eat there again.

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  17. NickL

    Minneapolis

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    We've been coming here for years and it's always an enjoyable experience. The bar and cocktail / wine options are very good. The menu's smaller than before COVID. However, most anyone should find something they like.

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  18. Artep

    Minneapolis

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on October 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fun and delish great place great service, we will come back

    Is this helpful?

  19. DawnB

    Minneapolis

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on October 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Outstanding food and service! Best appetizers and meals we’ve had in a long time. It beats a French dinner in a French restaurant hands down. Excellent service - enthusiastic staff who truly love their work! A definite must on your dining list!

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  20. Cgso

    Minneapolis

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on October 22, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    We really enjoyed this restaurant! At first, I thought the menu was too small, but I was so pleased with the skirt steak that I ordered. I’d go back the next time I’m in Duluth. We were disappointed they didn’t have much of a dessert menu, but everything else was great.

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  21. OpenTable Diner

    Minneapolis

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Another review claims the food is bland- in the years we have been coming and through all the seasonal menu changes this has never been our experience! The menu is creative and interesting yet approachable and with the fresh, local ingredients the food is spectacular. High quality food, cocktails, and stellar service. I also notice that much of the staff has remained the same over the years, this truly speaks to their love of what they do that shines through in the whole experience- not to mention how sweet it is to see familiar faces! We come from out of town and this is worth a stop every single visit, we have yet to find another restaurant at home that compares.

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  22. MaryP

    Minneapolis

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 20, 2023

    overall3food1service5ambience3
    Service was great, food was pretty bland. Drinks were ok, overall unimpressed.

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  23. 3Squares

    Minneapolis

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on October 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    We really enjoyed our meal - right-sized portions, fresh ingredients perfectly prepared. Our server was outstanding. Best combination of attentive yet unhurried. We haven’t eaten there in a while- this meal will encourage us to recommend and return !

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  24. OpenTable Diner

    St. Louis

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A delightful meal and wonderful service. One of our vary favorite spots for date nights when in Duluth. We generally plan a few off-season trips up because the restaurant has such a cozy feel and a more relaxed but still elevated atmosphere when the tourists and day trippers are gone.

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  25. ShireenB

    Cleveland

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My go to restaurant in Duluth! I've been three times now and it's nothing short of excellent.

    Is this helpful?

  26. HaroldO

    Minneapolis

    21 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on October 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our first time trying out Lake Avenue. We loved it, great food, outstanding service and nice location. We will definitely try it again next time we are in Duluth.

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  27. OttoJ

    Raleigh

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Came back to Lake Ave for our anniversary dinner. Great and interesting food, as always. We have a great time coming here.

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  28. StephanieK

    Minneapolis

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    All of the food and drink items we tried had amazing flavors!

    Is this helpful?

  29. KakieD

    Minneapolis

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My husband and I shared the muffuletta sandwich. It was wonderful! We weren’t super hungry so sharing the sandwich worked well. Our server was Shawn and he was marvelous!! Actually everyone we encountered at the restaurant were friendly and professional!

    Is this helpful?

  30. WilliamA

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 1, 2023

    overall3food4service3ambience2
    I took my mother here for her birthday. It was good enough for the cost but I did have a few critiques. The menu listing for the ceviche should say that they rotate the fish - not fail to list any fish whatsoever, I was very confused and had to ask the waiter (which will come up later). I ordered the strip steak which I felt was over seasoned - it was like every mouthful was all spice and no meat flavor. The ambience of the restaurant did not match the quality of the food, it looked very "thrown together" rather than "thoughtfully planned" and the noise levels were ok but higher than I would have liked. I would say the biggest drawback was the waiter's attitude. He seemed like he was tired of being asked questions about the menu or tired of working in the service industry at all. His answers had a the tone of "I've been asked this 5,000 times already today." Overall, the food and drinks are really tasty and interesting and at a good price point, so worth it if you do not care too much about the general atmosphere.

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  31. OpenTable Diner

    Minneapolis

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My husband’s mac and cheese is his new favorite thing and I had the mussels as an entree and while they were good, if I went back I’d try something else. Overall excellent though.

    Is this helpful?

  32. LouiseG

    Kansas City

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 29, 2023

    overall3food1service5ambience4
    Food was poor quality and small. Service was pretty good. We got the monk fish special. Tiny portion, rubbery mealy fish. On top of something bland almost sent it back but my son just ate 1/2 my hamburger. Hamburger was ok, not the best I’ve had by any means. Overall, ok food, ok service. Might return but probably not.

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  33. AmyO

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 27, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    We always have dinner here when we are in Duluth (2-3 times a year.) Thank you for your delicious food, cocktails, and great service! Always consistent, keep it up!

    Is this helpful?

  34. Jack

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Upscale dining in Canal Park, nicely prepared entrees at a variety of price points.

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  35. RichardF

    Minneapolis

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was a great dinner! I think the Owner served us as they were busy and maybe short staffed, in spite of this our meal was excellent and we were well cared for. I like that they prioritize local producers including makers of spirits.

    Is this helpful?

  36. PaulZ

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 23, 2023

    overall2food2service4ambience4
    The food took a long time to come, one meal was cold in the middle. The other meal was expensive but the meal was small and bland. The bill came to $90, and we didn’t even have anything to drink except water. We were all hungry afterwards and had to have a snack when we got home. The waitress, however, was very nice and approachable. It was the food we were very disappointed in.

    Is this helpful?

  37. MWei

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a great time; we’re in Duluth for the weekend from the Twin Cities and had wonderful service, and food was delicious! Will definitely be back!

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  38. JSL1

    Greater Boston

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic service! Delicious food! Incredible wine

    Is this helpful?

  39. Foodie

    Minneapolis

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Remains one of the shining stars on the Duluth Foodie Scene.

    Is this helpful?

  40. MBCo

    New York Area

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on September 13, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    Surprising and delicious fusion. Duck tamales? Pork belly with kimchi and jalapenos? Yes, please.

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings

FAQs

Lake Avenue Restaurant & Bar is rated 4.6 stars by 246 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 12 times today
Google Map for Lake Avenue Restaurant & Bar

394 S Lake Ave, Duluth, MN 55802-2325

Additional information

  • Cross street
    1st floor of the Dewitt Seitz Building, corner of S Lake Ave & Buchanan
  • Neighborhood
    Duluth
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu 11:00 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 10:00 am–10:00 pm Sun 10:00 am–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Global, International, Contemporary American, Cocktail Bar
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access
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