Lake Avenue Restaurant & Bar

I've not left a restaurant with such a deep understanding of its city like I have with Lake Avenue. Duluth's urban renewal is charming in the same way a childrens' soccer match is, in that there is an earnest attempt regardless of the result. The same cannot be said about Lake Avenue. A rotating menu will always be bold, and I would have commended them for this had the execution not been so poor. In the images I've included, you'll see the Tofu Masala ($24), the Mac and Cheese ($20), and the Steak Dinner ($53). While I cannot be certain which ingredients were used to push these dishes to such a steep price, I know salt was not one of them. The keen-eyed gourmet will undoubtedly spot the great unifying force of the culinary world, fresno chili and pickled red onion. The unnecessary inclusion of these in both the Tofu Masala and the Steak Dinner unfortunately speaks truth to Lake Avenue's attempt at being something it is not - a restaurant worthy of its prices. Neither the Steak nor Tofu Masala benefit from these flavors, but if your menu is on rotation and you lack the culinary experience to accommodate this, it does provide a universal shock to the palette that might distract your guests from the dish's lack of cohesion. In other circumstances, I would not be so harsh, but the $120 (pre-tip) bill my partner and I paid makes that irresponsible. This is Duluth, Minnesota; leave Lake Avenue, walk 20 seconds in any direction and you'll wind up in a T-Shirt shop or a Bar & Grill. Lake Avenue is not fighting the expectations of its patrons, but the ones that it sets upon itself. Find what works and do it well. No one is asking for anything else.

Our visit to Lake Avenue Restaurant & Bar was truly enjoyable. We stopped by during a quiet period, so we were seated right away. One of the owners, who was both friendly and attentive, looked after us. We tried the Biscuits and Gravy (without the chili oil) and the Carrot Cake French Toast—both dishes were outstanding and unlike anything we'd tasted before. We're certain we'll return in the future.

This place was excellent! It’s a little hidden and you have to go through the market entrance. The salmon was great and I think the portion was perfect for me. I also got the carrot cake for dessert and it was super rich and dense. Super delicious spot for dinner!

The food was good however not spectacular. I had the red snapper ceviche and the pork belly sandwich for dinner with a black sesame cheesecake for dessert. The sandwhich was amazing but the fries were plain.The ceviche was watery (if that makes sense) but still good, and the cheese cake was average. The wait staff was incredible however and I would definitely go back.

My husband & I enjoyed yet another LOVELY evening at Lake Avenue - from the chef's counter, we sipped tasty cocktails (mezcal & negroni) while observing the chefs & servers create the most perfect meal & experience for all, everything seemed to run flawlessly! We started with the most delicious calamari (perfectly cooked with a chili kick) & next, the warm kale salad (a must eat) and salmon dish. What a perfect evening! Thank you all for taking such good care of us, we cant wait to return!

Had the red snapper and it was delish with the pesto and pickled red onions. The white bean puree with the dish could have a bit more flavor, but pairing with everything else was good. Also had the queen bee cocktail, would highly recommend for the gin lover!

Lake Ave is my family’s go-to spot when we’re celebrating something or just feeling a little fancy on any particular day. I had the steam buns back in December (celebrating holiday break kick-off) and I haven’t stopped thinking about them since. My family was thrilled to see them on the menu when we visited this past weekend (feeling a little fancy on a Saturday). We’ve been many times — I guess we like to celebrate/feel fancy — and we always leave content. Portions are always just right, presentation is supreme, the service is top notch, and despite some low key fancy vibes, it is very much a “come as you are” type of place. I love the menu changes that are made periodically, as it highlights the creativity of the chef and the Lake Ave team. This is especially true for their vegan options (pot pie is 💯, steam buns are dream-worthy). This is a feel-good establishment and I am so glad to have them nearby.

Visited there the first time today. The hostess greeted us warmly and had a nice welcoming personality. Our server Maria was very nice and pleasant and answered our questions. The food..holy cow. We had the steak tartare, mussel pasta and the steak. Everything was outstanding! We will definitely be back!

I wish I could give this place more than five stars! The food was some of the best I have had in a long time. We started our meal with the elk fritters and as a main got the salmon dish. All of the flavors blended together so well and the dishes were very well executed. We almost ate here the second night again just because the offerings were very creative and it was close to our hotel. I wouldn't hesitate to come back here again.

Came on a Wednesday night and was pleasantly surprised to learn it was "wine Wednesday" so all bottles and glasses of wine were half price! Friendly service, and good food. Gluten free and vegetarian items marked clearly on the menu. Easy parking for the entire complex the restaurant is in right next to the building, but would imagine this might be different on a Friday or Saturday night. Would absolutely go back if in the area again!

An eclectic menu from breakfast to dinner. The food was probably some of the best I had while in Duluth. Service was great. Small restaurant with what feels like a homemade touch. I recommend this 10 times out of 10. Must visit and must eat if in Canal in Duluth!

Great location! They have a parking lot which makes it convenient visiting near Canal Park in Duluth. Hostess and waitress is friendly and courteous. The interior definitely feels lake cabin-like. Food was great! We enjoyed the variety and flavors! Get the nopaloma if you're looking for a great refreshing non-alcoholic drink!

I was very impressed with the breakfast burrito! It was upscale, and the brisket and potatoes inside were amazing. I wish it was a little more evenly distributed because the flavors altogether were lights out delicious! The lamb Shepard pie was great... although a little too rich to finish the entire dish. However, I love that the sweet potato was served savory. The cocktails were great and unique!

Recommended by bartender at Bent Paddle. He was spot on!!! Entire staff was on point. Friendly, courteous and professional each one. Food especially the Duck Tamale was phenomenal! Deconstructed tamale was unlike anything I have ever eaten. The masa had foie Gras blended. The duck breast was perfect. The steak presentation on the menu was also beautiful. The blistered cherry tomatoes were delicious. They also make a wicked Old Fashioned !! Liked it so much we returned three times including Sunday Brunch during the week we were in Duluth!

Wonderful service, food, and a nice location! The burger was cooked to perfection, and I loved the soup of the day, a fabulous carrot soup that had a hint of curry - it was amazing, and the raw pumpkin seeds on top added even more dimension. I would travel back to Duluth just for that soup! Haha Prices are a little on the high side, but the quality of the food was worth it.

The food was fantastic. The vegan and gluten free food . The drink many options. The service were friendly and fast . The ambiance was nice and cool artwork. The small gift shop too

I sat at the bar top adjacent to the kitchen the service was good. For a Friday evening it was kinda quiet and weird....... Wine selections are below average The kitchens is completely open and visible from the bar, the kitchen staff have beards, ponytails and dread locks and wear filthy aprons and skate board type apparel. The food was good ...... I have a few suggestions for this establishment that will certainly increase their sales and repeat business Weekends have some live music.... Perhaps Acoustics ??? The kitchen staff should be wearing white chef's jackets/shirts if they are visible to the patrons. White kitchen apparel is intended to signify cleanliness and is generally worn by highly visible chefs and kitchen staff. GUARANTEED THESE FEW CHANGES WILL INCREASE SALES & TIPS FOR THE EMPLOYEES and generate additional income for the owners. The staff was great and professional

Ambiance and service was very welcoming and comforting. Came in late for a dinner and a drink, we were met with smiles and warmth! The calamari was delightful and so fresh and flavorful- it was like no other calamari I've ever had in the best way. The waiter (whom I am so sorry I am blanking on the name) was beyond informed about the food and added to this amazing experience. He suggested the venison ramen and it was beyond words! Unfortunately we were too full for dessert but it sounded out of this world. Truly inspired by this place, rotating menus, young chefs, and a staff that seems to really love being a part of this place...and it's easy to see why. Check it out - you won't be sorry...we will definitely be back!!!

We really enjoyed our dinner at Lake Ave. we were seated immediately, served promptly. The burger was picture perfect. Fish of the day was Arctic Char served with baby bok choy, wild rice and kimchi. Delish. The restaurant was a bit chilly. Service was professional. Nice ambiance, conducive for conversation.

This place is excellent! This was our 2nd visit. I got the Cheesesteak and my wife got the Muffuletta. Both dishes were great. Good coffee too. 100% recommend, we will be back.

First of all, the menu on YELP is completely inaccurate. This place is NOT a seafood restaurant. It is vegan at best, with an Asian flare. They were out of Coors, so we had Michelob Light. They were out of the special at 7:15... the only seafood offered other than squid. That was the scallops and pasta Alfredo. So.... We had sandwiches. Steak Philly (24$) and Muffaleta (22$). With fries. And a pickle. The place is super loud because of the concrete floors and ceiling. I'm surprised anyone can hear. So, unless you are just dying to spend a fortune on over priced sandwiches, ramen, or Mac and Cheese, skip this place.

So we have eaten across the country and seek local tables for area flare. Unfortunately we could have had this quality at a brew pub but guessing better. Duck Tamal: over cooked to the point it required a knife! Yes we are talking about duck breast & masa with a relish garnish. $33 Burger: simple, basic and rarely cooked. $21 Ambience was charming and pleasant. Service was mediocre but fair. Save your money for other local restaurants.

You can find better restaurants especially if looking for pescatarian options. Very disappointed in food.

Love dining at this place. The staff is friendly, the food is delicious and the location is great!

Great food. Menu is awesome. Highly recommend. Enjoyed the happy hour menu and the pork belly

What a lovely place. What an eclectic menu! This is an oasis for foodies and we loved it! There wasn't a bad dish all night: Pheasant Pate; Confit Pheasant Salad; Wild Boar Bolognese; and a Poached Pear in Bourbon desert. Thank goodness we shared some of these dishes. They were all very good. The cocktails were too. The Wild Boar Ragu was superb. Holy mole! The pasta, the sauce - superb and delicious!! Some light misses though. The Pheasant Pate promises foie gras, but nary a taste. The same dish and the salad promised "confit pheasant" but it wasn't a traditional confit - or something seemed amiss - because it was very dried out (akin to overcooked chicken). I was expecting something more succulent personally. Now, it WAS good - just not exactly as expected. We love menus like this but interestingly we saw two different couples leave shortly after sitting down. I suspect They just didn't know what they walked into. Finally the staff was as wonderful. Thank you!!

I dinged this 1-star because of the price-point, the "meh" service (kind of expect a server to ask how the food tasted or to give recos but maybe I'm being pedantic) and the ambiance didn't quite work, it felt a bit sterile for such a neat building. The food however was excellent (had the ceviche, pork belly, cheese steak) and we were not short-changed on the quality of the ingredients. Decent NA beer selection too. We left fully-sated but prepare for a bit of sticker-shock as the check comes though.

While in town for a conference I had dinner at Lake Ave. Great service, great atmosphere, and a damn tasty burger! Worth the stop, I just wish I had more time to make a second visit. If I ever get the opportunity stop back in Duluth, I'll be sure to visit this gem!

We are there for lunch. The atmosphere is modern with local art and big windows that let in lots of natural light. It's located in the heart of canal park. The food range was $15-20 for meals. The soup was $8 for a bowl with a homemade cracker. The presentation of food was clean and stylistic. The food itself had wonderful complex, but not overpowering flavors. Portions were perfect for a lunch. Staff was attentive, friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. They have a full bar and a nice variety on their wine list. I'd recommend this place for a business meeting or a date night.

Nice place for a casual family lunch while visiting college kid. Bustling and busy it behooves you to make a reservation which we did! The food was really good. Seems like it would be only a sandwich, burger place, but they also had pad Thai and couscous bowls and other yummy healthy options.

A nice diversion to the busier restaurants in front. On a busy Sunday I got right in and was seated at a table outside. View wasn't canal but service and food were great. I had a mimosa where you get the full small bottle to keep adding to OJ, a nice surprise. I had the classic breakfast with bacon. Nice and thick and very tasty.

Some real quirks getting a reservation or even determining how they seated people for dinner on a Saturday night. We were told 8p for earliest reservation, called back to hold a table, got hung up on, called back again, and were told we could be seated at 6:45 (which was 20 minutes). Nevertheless, the food and drinks were outstanding. Our appetizer was the carrot hummus with olive tapenade and warm pitas. A good choice! My brother had one of the best porkchops I've ever tasted or looked at (I had the smallest bite possible and it was smoky and perfectly cooked). The fruit compote and pepper on top were the two other components to the Chop Trifecta, so said my brother who created The Perfect Bite. My sister-in-law enjoyed a heaping pile of mussels with a generous piece of Italian bread with which to sop up the juices. My dish was the noodle bowl: a delectable mix of house noodles, mushrooms, Kim chee, greens, a soft egg (OML), all in a savory broth. I ate it all and mourned the end of my meal. I found it interesting that such a variety of foods could all be so good in their own traditional way. (Could that be a general commentary on Utopia?) anyway - I wish they would figure out the reservation situation bc we nearly didn't eat there due to the confusion.

excellent food, gourmet Quality. Excellent service. best burger in town. On weekend nights can be a little loud, if you are looking for a place with quiet conversation, but in every way worth it.

Heard a lot about this place prior to arrival in Duluth. It seemed to appear on most lists of top restaurants in the area and had several significant awards. Sadly, lunch here was quite the letdown. Service was average - not great, not terrible. The cocktails, especially the Lake Ave vs. Manhattan, ended up as the sole standout of the visit. The menu itself had several items that sounded interesting, but I settled on the Grilled Pita Wrap. Essentially what should have been a glorified gyro. Well, there was no glory to be had. The lamb was bland and not tender. The tzatziki not quite as pungent as it should. The lettuce, too much for the pita. All in all, it was a very poor showing for this menu item. The fries were good, which ended up being the majority of what got eaten. Maybe the dinner menu is more appealing and really kicks it up a gear... but sadly I don't know.

Pork Belly, Burger, & the Duck Tamale was 10/10. The Duck Tamale with the plum salsa was so unique, I ate every little morsel. Such a refreshing menu with delightful flavors you won't find at most northern woods eateries. The staff was exceptionally nice!

Unique food combinations and mixed drinks. It's a regular stop when visiting Duluth. Menu changes in 2023 were not my favorites but the food was still well prepared and staff were wonderful.

They serve brunch from 10am - 2pm. As recommended by our server I ordered the Croque Madame and it was a great choice. It's made with sourdough bread, fried egg on top, a smoked bacon or pork which added a layer of saltiness, gruyere fondue and blue cheese topped with maple syrup. Even with the syrup it wasn't too sweet and the fried egg was cooked perfectly. Our server was very friendly and attentive. Food was delicious

Probably 4 times out of 5 this is our favorite place in/around Duluth. Out of all our favorites, Lake Ave is the most consistent, we love their menu (best burger in Duluth), and frequently it's the only place we can find that "something different," we are looking for. It's a beautiful dining room, lots of windows, and the patio can be very nice many afternoons and evenings in the summer. Rio the bartender is a real hoot, the newer head chef seems to be of the rare sort that is able to be thoughtful and kind while pumping out a lot of quality meals, but our recent favorite there has been a new server--Jayme, who we've had twice now and just adore.

One of the most forward thinking restaurants in northern Minnesota. Creative high quality food and drinks for suitable prices. This is one of maybe two spots in town I'd recommend to anyone who desires incredibly well thought out dishes. The food could seriously hang with high end dress code type places, but it's still casual. Try coming for brunch if you want to check it out for much cheaper than the dinner prices. The rabbit chorizo huevos may have been the best brunch I ever had.

My wife and I recently went for our anniversary. We got the clams appetizer and it was very good. For meals my wife got the steak and it was cook wed perfectly. I got the gumbo which was also very good. Nice atmosphere and good drinks. I recommend if you are will to spend some money it's higher on the cost, but worth it for a great meal.

Excellent cuisine. Their spicy cucumber salad was the right mix of savory and refreshing (and awesomely green). The combination of cucumber, apple, avocado, wasabi, and almonds for texture was really unique and surprised me with how good it was. The Shore Lunch Po'Boy was fantastic - from the walleye to the Cajun remoulade, it was all perfect. The whole experience was capped off with a great dessert of blueberry ice cream with fried ginger and a corn crisp cookie. There was a clearly intentional focus to the presentation and quality of each dish. Definitely go here when you go to Duluth for a splendid cuisine.

24 hours have passed; lunch was not memorable, Pre packaged crusty tofu. Friendly service. Average alley view.

One of the best meals I've had in Duluth. The recommendations from Mark were perfect. The Pork Belly and the local Gin were wonderful. We'll definitely be back!

I went out college in Duluth and love the chance to get back there whenever possible, but after having been here so many times I like to try places other than my historical standards once in while. Town was really busy on our last trip up there, so my husband and I decided to try this place. I had been here once before, and had kind of a mixed feeling, but wanted to try it again. It's located toward the back of the Dewitt-Seitz building down in Canal Park, so in a great location. The restaurant itself is a bit on the smaller side, but still many booths and tables. It's open feeling and lots of windows for light. The service has always been decent as well. Food...is OK. At the prices I would expect it to be a little bit better to be honest. The ingredients are good, but there is something in the execution that just doesn't seem to quite cut it for me. On our last trip we started with a wedge salad (which we split). It was very good, but the amount of topping kind of overwhelmed the lettuce a bit. Good quality ingredients though. I then ordered the spinach tagliatelle, and my husband who "doesn't know what half this stuff is, so I'll have the pizza" had the sausage pizza. The pasta was OK...the pasta itself was a little overcooked which always ruins a pasta for me despite whatever else is good about it. The corn topping just didn't work well for me....too sweet in comparison with the rest of the dish and overwhelmed it. This is a personal opinion though because my husband thought it was great! I, on the other hand, could have eaten all of his pizza :). It was a tasty pizza! The adult beverages were pretty good, but again, didn't feel it justified the prices. I'm not usually a person who picks on prices...it you go out somewhere, especially a more farm-to-table establishment, prices will be higher. I guess I just didn't really feel it on my two trips there, but someone else might love it so give it a try.

The service was attentive & friendly and likely at the local pace, which was a little laid back for a New Yorker. The outdoor seating provided a captivating and simple view of the surrounding area, not entirely beautiful but absolutely authentic. I ordered a glass of white wine, Broadbent Vinho Verde maybe, and it was stunning- bright, bubbly, and went straight to my head! The pink snapper po' boy was delicious - a little too much bread, not enough fish, not enough sauce. Though the proportions weren't spot on, all parts of the sandwich were yummy. The fries were seasoned, crisp, and plentiful - the fries were amazing. A perfect quick lunch before boarding a plane.

Wonderful service and amazing food! The server Jordan was very nice!! I got Szechuan Hot Chicken Sandwich and I thought it was delicious you'd like it if you like umami food!

Nice, semi-upscale restaurant in Canal Park. The smoked mac and cheese my mother and I shared was incredible - which was good because we paid $21 for it. The pizza my father and brother shared wasn't bad but absurdly overpriced - $18 for what was essentially a personal pan pizza. Service was good, biggest issue was the (over)pricing.

We stumbled in here kind of on accident (we thought we were going to the restaurant across the hall, ha!) but it was not busy and we had our baby with us so it made sense to get something here. My burger was super good, my husband liked his food but did say it was a little bit fatty (I believe it was the pork belly sandwich so I guess that's probably expected). Not maybe the best place for our little guy, didn't feel like they super loved that we had our baby in there (he was the only kid in the place at the time) but maybe I am reading into things too much. Deff would go with the girls though and get that burger again :)

This is a harder one to review than normal. I think the negative attitudes right away may have tainted our experience a bit. We heard great things from the locals about this spot. The food, drinks, and friendliness of staff. That was not how our day started. We got there a bit before they opened for brunch. Their were already about 5 people waiting. We were all standing and waiting. When they opened the doors the gentlemen very intensely yelled WAIT UNTIL WE HAVE BOTH DOORS OPEN. No one had moved and we all just kind of looked at each other like okay? He grabbed the first group and seated them. Then a young lady who may have been a host but wasn't when we left said "Are you going to stand out there or do you want to be seated." Our group and another group were like WOW. It wasn't in a joking manner it was very sassy and rude. The host right in front of the door and we were all in line as, the sign states please wait in capitol letters. We were all a little shook and confused. I am not sure if they are used to craziness in the morning but, everyone was quiet and politely waiting. She sat us even though we were off put and none of up really felt like staying. The gentleman who ended up opening the doors was our server. I was worried at first but, he must have had a change in mood as he was a lot more pleasant. We all got drinks. I got the Duluth Grogg and my boyfriend got a recommend bloody Mary. I really enjoyed my Grogg and it came in the cutest mug. He wasn't a huge fan of the bloody Mary. Food: We ordered an app for the table, I got a pizza, and my boyfriend a sandwich. We all loved the Shishito Pepper app. It was hands down the best thing we had. I loved the char on the peppers, and the tasty sauces it came with. I would get this 100 times over. I got the Butternut Squash Pizza which was good but nothing stood out. It didn't have like a super good flavor. I also was unsure because the menu said it has apples but, I couldn't find any on mine. During that time the girl who snapped at us early came back and threw a napkin at our table. My boyfriend grabbed it and set it aside. We all looked confused. She goes no I'm giving it to you to clean up your mess. The mess was a few rings from the bloody Mary glass. She goes I can't reach it, so I'm giving you a napkin to clean it up. Most serves would be like pardon my reach, and we be like oh no we can get it. It was just such weird service. We ordered another round of drinks. I never ended up getting my cocktail. We had to let the server know as we were ready to go. He apologized as he forgot and did not charge me for it. I would like to go back but It might not be for a while.

They used to be our "go to" restaurant, times have changed along with the menu, we still go there, but not as often. The weekend brunch is very good,

The food here is great, as is the staff. The flavor profiles pop with each bite. Sweet, savory, heat... depth. Kudos the the chefs!

If you're a vegetarian, you'll be happy to know you have a few options! I got the fried yucca sandwich. While not the easiest to eat, it had a yummy dipping sauce - worth the messiness. It was super filling too. The fries were fresh though heavily seasoned. Other items ordered: burger (the cheese mixture on it was the hit), lamb breakfast dish (flavorful sauces), and the sausage and pepper sandwich (fork and knife sandwich that was on the small side). Nice sit-down restaurant in the heart of Duluth with friendly service and a wide menu.

I have been here twice now and they have exceptional service and food. Our waitress the first time was Jordan and we told her we were on a time crunch and she made sure we got our food quickly. We sat at the counter which is separate from the bar. I had the soup of the day a beef and veggie and only ordered a cup but should have ordered a bowl! My friend's both ordered the special of pork belly steamed buns. One of my friends also ordered the Cesar salad with extra anchovies which he ordered again the second time too so you know it's good. The first visit I had their Nada Rita a mocktail as I had to go back to work but it was so good I knew we had to come back for actual cocktails. The second time we sat at a table inside but they do have a patio. I ordered an Adult Chocolate Milk which was delicious and strong. For dinner I had the Pad thai and added 4oz of Waugh steak. It had a little kick to it and was delicious. The steak came a little on the rare side for me so I'd recommend specifying how you'd like it cooked. My other friends ordered the salmon which was a generous portion and he said was good, a Po Boy sándwich which came on house made bread and the ceviche which he said was tasty. They also have in house made salsas in mild, medium and Hot. My friends also ordered sangria and Chardonnay and were not disappointed. For dessert we had a peanut butter cup mousse which was INCrEDIbLe!!! It is made by Tracy who owns F-ing Good Desserts and it sure was! Our server was Amy and she was the best! I highly recommend stopping in for a drink or a bite if you're in the Deluth area.

The brisket sandwich had a third of it being fat. The breakfast burrito brisket was more meat but they were both tough and was cold. First day with the new menu. Service was good the ambiance was ok but drafty by the doors.

Went to this restaurant by default one night while visiting Duluth. What a wonderful surprise. We started with a nice lager and Mediterranean salad. Dressing and variety of veggies complimented each other so well. Next we enjoyed the roasted orzo. if I lived in Duluth I'd visit often. Our server was very accommodating and pleasant. Atmosphere enjoyable.

Hiccup with service and they were out of the two things I wanted.. but the burger was very good and the mussels were excellent. Would eat again.

The dish I ordered was unexplainable and I couldn't eat. It was suppose to be some type of pot pie but was like a small mountain of mashed sweet potatoes and not much else. They noticed I didn't eat at the end of the meal but everyone else was done. Plus, I was the one who decided to try something new so I didn't feel it was their job to replace. I know this place is loved by everybody so I don't think this was their usual. The only thing, it was my 75th birthday get together and it was disappointing.