Poplar Haus Restaurant, Bar & Cabins

Best restaurant in the area by a long shot! Exceptional food and cocktails, beautiful diningroom. Had a pineapple rum hot toddy with ginger and star anise, and it's one of the best drinks I've ever had! Duck wings were perfect. Had a great smash burger, and my husband's Ruben was excellent. Can't wait to go again!

We stayed in Fox Haus and had an absolutely wonderful experience! All of the staff were incredibly kind, attentive, and helpful. The cabin is possibly the best we’ve ever rented—comfy beds, huge windows, and a stocked kitchen. Plus the whole box set of Northern Exposure! We spent the day skiing at nearby Golden Eagle and enjoyed drinks in the restaurant/bar at the end of a long day. We’ll 100% be back!

We stayed in the Little Bear cabin for our honeymoon recently and had the most amazing time!! The cabin was so lovely and cozy. The gas fireplace was awesome. We made roast chicken one night and ate at the restaurant the other nights. The food and service was fantastic! (Would recommend the truffle mac especially.) Bryan and Stacey were super responsive over text, giving us updates on conditions before we even checked in.They also supplied us with a ton of firewood and chairs for our outdoor campfire. While we were sitting at the fire, we saw a wolf run across the frozen lake!

We had a great weekend staying at Poplar Haus in the Little Bear cabin in January. Our trip was originally for the Gunflint Mail Run, but the race was rescheduled to a later date. This left us with more time to explore the Gunflint Trail and experience Poplar Haus! The food at the restaurant is incredible, the service is stellar, and the vibes are super fun. Our cabin had everything we could possibly need and was very cute and cozy. 10/10 would stay again! Bonus, we saw a fox running across Poplar Lake first thing in the morning, which was the cherry on top of a very lovely weekend in the north woods!

This place is great. The service is welcoming and fabulous in the restaurant. We brought our kids and they were treated like royalty on bingo night. The waitress was timely with our drinks and food. Duck wings/Haus burger/Trifle Mac and cheese were all amazing. Topped off with a manhattan cocktail to start our gunflint adventure. Thank you so much!

This was my 2nd stay at Poplar Haus and was once again excellent. We stayed in Pineview cabin before a camping trip in the BWCA so the location was perfect. The cabins are very clean and comfortable. The owner Bryan is super friendly and was able to recommend restaurants that were open on a Wednesday night in the winter etc.

Awesome Labor Day weekend gateway on the Gunflint Trail. Fox Haus cabin was clean and had well stocked kitchen hardware (including a crock pot, which we used) for those who want to cook on their vacation. Loved the turntable and vinyl and the fox theme! 2 VERY spacious rooms with king beds and 1 smaller room, all had space to put stuff up off the floor so we wouldn't trip over it. Couches that folded down provided extra sleeping space for a couple extra people, and one of the kids liked sleeping on the love sac. We took advantage of both the pontoon rental and the free use of canoes provided by Poplar Haus to explore Poplar Lake. Well worth the money for our stay! 1/2 hour from Grand Marais, but why go that far because the Poplar Haus restaurant has great food!

We recently stayed at a beautiful new rental lake home at Poplar Haus, called the Fox Haus. A very nice place for a larger family or 3 couples to hang out together, cook some meals, sleep in a comfy king bed, and simply enjoy togetherness with family and friends. Prefer to eat out? Poplar Haus restaurant is so good! While their menu isn't large, the food is well prepared and so tasty. Beer selection is excellent and cocktails are yum!

Our group of three LOVED our dinner at Poplar Haus! It was truly a highlight of our trip. We had a reservation (which I highly recommend making) and were sat on time. We opted to dine on the outdoor deck overlooking the lake and it was a solid choice. We watched the sun set and it was just delightful. Our waitress was so friendly and helpful in making choices of what to order. We ended up sharing the Brussels sprouts appetizer and nearly kicked off the plate it was so good! For entrees, I had the blackened fish with wild rice and broccolini. My friends had the BLT and walleye po boy. All of our dinners were so good and we kept raving about it! Our only regret is not getting dessert but we were so full! I will definitely need to make a trip back!

We rode to Poplar house on sleds. Had a group of 12. The bartender Jeff (or steve) was horrible. Honestly the whole crew just sucked. Don't bring your kids or family. It was not busy. He made comments to our group, he was not friendly at all. It was the complete opposite of a good bartender. The server couldn't care less either. We were looking forward to going there to have a drink and food. They ruined our whole experience. I tried to order a drink and he mentioned to not tell him how to do his job, when I just ordered the drink I wanted. This place needs to hire kind people who know who have customer service experience and want to work in the industry. Absolutely disgusting. We would've stayed later, but left due to how bad the service and staff was. I wish it was better. We would have spent our money here over anywhere else if it wasn't so bad.

We tried this spot while staying nearby for a long ski weekend. It's about 30 miles up the Gunflint Trail from Grand Marais, right off the road at Poplar Lake. There was plenty of parking out front, even during the Saturday evening dinner rush. The decor is open but still warm and fun. The staff were very welcoming and the have a full bar and some good draft beers. We went with Castle Danger Cream ale, and started with Fried Pickles, which were very good. For dinner we ordered the Haus Burger, the Walleye Po' Boy, and a fried chicken/mashed potato/corn bowl thing that I forget the name of. Both sandwiches were really good. The bowl thing got mixed reviews but I thought it was solid. For dessert we ordered cheese cake and carrot cake - both of which were delicious. We had a very nice meal and plan to try in again in the summer.

We visited Poplar Haus on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, and I'll start by saying the actual restaurant is very cozy, great location up the gunflint trail, and the food was amazing! I had a seasonal flatbread (they had a pop up menu in honor of the state fair) and it was delicious. But I just wanted to caution any non locals before visiting, because there's no other way to say it other than we were so uncomfortable dining here. Poplar Haus was recommended to us by the owner of the motel we stayed at, and I called the day before to make a reservation. When we got there it was busy but of course it was a holiday weekend so we didn't expect to walk right in and be seated instantly even with a reservation. They were definitely busy and I had heard that they had been a bit backed up from storms earlier in the day that had knocked out the power (at least I think that's what had happened). But again we were down to wait because we expected it to be busy. The issue was our server. She was so short with us, slammed our drinks down (not an exaggeration, it startled us the first time she did it), and acted so put out by us but we noticed her stopping at other tables to chat and even sing happy birthday. I don't consider my husband and myself to be tough customers(we knew exactly what we wanted to order, just two people in our party, didn't ask any questions about the menu), so the only thing we figured is it was because we were not locals? I've never experienced anything like it really so just wanted to put that out there for other tourists.

Probably the best lunch on our trip. This is a jem in the north woods. Definitely worth a stop.

More like 4.5 on the gunflint trail where food is scant and mediocre at best Great venue overlooking the lake. Nice indoor spots but patio is sooo nice if it's warm. The grapefruit marg was delicious and nuanced. The old fashioned was very worthy. Limited menu but there were a ton of upscale touches on high quality ingredients. Best walleye for freshness and flavor but the touches of a pickled fennel and a tarragon slaw and aioli with a soft high quality bun put it right on top. The fries were very thin sliced oven fries which were a revelation. Walleye chowder would have been 5 star but for overly salty bit delicious homemade croutons. Our server Casey was amazing and she made the whole experience even better. I believe this is the best place to go on the gunflint trail for a lovely meal and service.

I called a week in advance for reservations. Was told they would only take them a day in advance. Made the reservations a day in advance. Was seated by the bathrooms with two tables on the windows open. Asked to move. Was told, "No, man." Waited 45 minutes for app. Waited another 30 minutes for entree. Hangar steak was actually COLD when we got it. Flavor was good, but these people are in way over their heads. I am so glad people want to do better dining on the Gunflint, but this is not going to be it. I want them to be successful, but they are not on the right path. The people that got the tables near the window......they had a cocktail and a toothpick. We have a $200 bill.

After getting lost on the lake in our kayaks, my mom and I were starving. We were staying at Big Bear Lodge next door to Polar Haus and decided to head over before they closed. I could not have been more shocked. After ringing the bell and being allowed upstairs to the restaurant, I was surprised to find a beautiful modern restaurant. We sat at the bar where my mom had a "Yas Queen" with sparkles and I had an IPA. We ordered the umami tsunami burgers and it is the tastiest burger I've ever had. We liked it so much, we came back a second night and tried out the Brussels sprouts in addition to the burgers. Worth every penny. Just beware! This place is popular and it can be difficult to get a seat during peak hours.

I never visited this location in its previous form when it was the Windigo Lodge. But from what my husband tells me, it was quite a dump with no windows (which makes no sense give the gorgeous lake outside). But I can tell you this: in its current form, the Poplar Haus is completely worth the stop and also completely surprising. The Gunflint Trail is not where I expect to find amazing cocktails that we would happily pay $10 a pop for, nor one of the best cheeseburgers I have ever had. But that's totally what we got. So first, the space. It's lovely. There are gorgeous huge windows facing the lake and outside seating if the weather and the bugs want to cooperate. There's lots of woodwork, a huge fireplace, the coolest coffee table made of driftwood and art from some of our favorite local artists. It's very tastefully done and very elegant. There's also a bar dog! Second the cocktails: everything we had was so good that we basically ordered a second round immediately. My husband had the mule (some variation of the Moscow mule, I can't remember what it was called). My brother in law had the old fashioned and declared that it was excellent. And the mango margarita was also a hit at our table. And finally, the food. I ordered the cheeseburger, which is juicy, flavorful and somehow feels like the cheese is melded throughout the meat. It almost was like a Juicy Lucy but without one big glob of cheese in the middle. The bun was perfectly toasty and boy was that a good burger. I upgraded to the parmesean tots, which were SO good (though the curry ketchup was not my favorite - I just used regular ketchup). My mother in law got the salad which was humongous and totally gourmet. And the soup of the day, which was a walleye chowder, was also declared to be delicious. The only other thing I remember is the brussell sprouts (awesome) and the fries, which were unique and almost like thick potato chips that were still potato-ey in the middle. YUM. The menu isn't big but man is it good. No room for dessert. It's a delight to know there is such a high-end meal available on this part of the Trail. Service was great and the bar staff was super nice and friendly. We will surely be back.

Do I make excuses several times a year just for the food up here? Yes I do. Just took a three day trip up north to see the fall colors and more specifically to eat at this restaurant. Had the Ruben this time which was a phenomenal mesh of flavors, the autumn book cocktail which definitely hit the spot, Asian duck wings which are always delicious, and the classic house burger which is always a tasty indulgence. Great staff great service great food... What more could you want?!

The Gunlint Trail does not have many places where one can eat. So, really, just a decent hamburger would do. But, Poplar Haus goes well above and beyond the basic victuals and serves some first class, both in taste and creativity, gourmet cooking. I can't think of any other place where you can come in off a five-day canoe trip and sit down to an appetizer of maple-glazed Brussel sprouts. Their mac and cheese is like none you have ever had before. Service is excellent, they have a real chef, and the bartender knows his stuff!

My wife and I drove up from Gran Marais and it was well worth the trip up the GunFlint! The short ribs and Brussels! DELICIOUS!

Three nights in a row. Limited menu but full service bar and an insatiable view. Staff is like family. But 3 nights in a row might be part of that ....

Amazing views, friendly knowledgeable, attentive staff/owners. Wonderful menu selection Blue Gill and Walleye delicious. Amazing drink, beer and wine selection. Nice ambiance, good music but not to loud. Pool table, darts, video games and fun woman bathroom. Will definitely be recommending this place and will come again next year. Wishing you the best.

A hidden gem along the Gunflint Trail, the newly renovated Poplar Haus is worth the drive just for lunch. I haven't seen inside the cabins but if they're anything like the restaurant and bar, I'd surely stay! The food was upscale and delicious without being pretentious and the drink menu was creative in the best way possible! I will be back plenty throughout the winter and summer!

Best place to eat on the trail! Love the duck wings and tater tots with a great deck over looking Poplar Lake

My wife and I were heading out for a trip in the woods and this place became highly recommended from our outfitter. He said that they had new owners and that they had done a lot of work on the place. The place was very cool inside with a million dollar view of the lake. The patio was full so we had to eat inside. I did notice that they had people tying up tables on the patio that were not eating, they were just playing games. I found that very odd that they would allow people to do that when they had customers coming in and looking for tables to eat at. It is not like it was a slow time, it was 6pm on a Saturday. They have a limited menu but we were able to find something. My wife ordered the walleye quesadilla and I orders the California Club. I have to say that we had the tail of two meals. My wife's quesadilla was okay, but the weird slaw stuff they had on top had a very strange flavor, it really took away from the overall meal. On the flip side of it, my sandwich was amazing. The bread was good, the turkey, was good, the bacon was good, and the aioli was awesome! The service was a bit slow, but when it came time to pay it got really slow! I think our waiter all but forgot about us, it is not a big place so we can see him walking around busing tables and helping other people but it sure did seem like he was doing everything to avoid our table. Just to give you an idea of how bad it was, the people next to us ordered and got their food in the time that we were waiting for our bill. And he never did end up showing up, we ended up going up to the bar to get our bill. The scary thing is our next meal out after this at another restaurant we had the exact same problem. All that being said, I would probably give this place another try.

This is such an incredible place - the atmosphere, the service and the food is outstanding! Looking at the view of the lake - and sipping a Mango Margarita - it's like a kiss from Jesus! Definitely make a stop at this wonderful place on the Gunflint Trail. Xoxo

Poplar Haus is a perfect gem. Nicest staff on Gunflint. The cabins are clean, comfy, and a great value. I canoed Poplar Lake everyday of my visit. The water was glassy and smooth at sunset and so clear you could see very deep. A beautiful retreat. Bonus tip: order the Brussels Sprouts!

Restaurant with one of the Best views - overlooking Poplar Lake on the Gunflint Trail. Great service from super friendly staff and I'd live on their tots, brat, and chicken salad every day by choice if I could!

Poplar Haus is by far our new favorite restaurant in northern Minnesota. The drive up the Gunflint Trail is so picturesque in the fall, and once inside the restaurant's modern aesthetic is warm & charming. The staff were on top of all Covid-19 necessary protocols, but still killed it in the customer service department. Poplar Haus has a pretty big menu - for both food and drinks. There's a nice selection of beers on tap, wines, and cocktails. I went with their take on a Moscow mule...& trust me, you need to try it. For food, we got an order ofthe cheese curds & duck wings. Now, I was apprehensive ordering the duck wings but I'm so so so glad we did. The sweet chili glaze and seasoning was perfect. Not to mention they were breaded & cooked perfectly. It was hard to share them! The cheese curds were a slight departure from the squeaky norm, but I like how fresh they were & how they were melted more than they are at other restaurants. Can't wait to go back!

Best walleye sandwich I have ever had. The best fish sandwich I have ever had and that is saying something. I will be back! I love this place. Service was great! Wow. Just wow.

A meal from Poplar Haus is a must during your trip to Gunflint Trail! Asian pork sliders, beef stroganoff and walleye po-boy - every bite was amazing! Nothing like we've ever had before! And we had the carrot cake for dessert - light and fluffy cake with whipped cream cheese frosting and crushed walnuts on top - not your average carrot cake by any means. Poplar Haus always puts a unique twist on northwoods comfort foods. The owners Stacy and Bryan are so friendly and chef Jackie is amazing. We'll keep coming back and look forward to it!

I say "wow" - unique and imaginative food. We had the walleye Po-boy....my husband and I will be dreaming of this sandwich for years to come. If you are on a low-carb diet -trust me - this is your cheat meal. The drinks are also really good - grapefruit margaritas - yum and refreshing. I hope Poplar survives the pandemic - they deserve to - great views, great food and an epic stop on the gunflint trail.

Incredible food, fantastic service, and charming staff. The space is open but warm and inviting. The view of Lake Poplar is stunning - but the food takes first prize. The duck wings are perfectly executed and their Burger and Ruben do not disappoint. Cocktails and beer tap are also phenomenal. I Would give Poplar Haus 10/10 but 5/5 will do, too.

A must stop off the Gunflint Trail. A hidden gem that you will love. Amazing cocktails and food. We will stop again if we find ourselves up that way. Oh and if you run out of liquor you can stock up on premium liquor choices below the restaurant in their liquor store, which we did.

This place was incredible, from the food to the ambiance and especially the service. We could not believe how amazing the food was, we ended up dining here three nights in a row. Hoping they keep the Walleye Quesadilla on the menu but we also highly recommend the Brussel sprouts and the margarita. Everything we had here was delicious and we can't wait to come back!

We ordered take-out pizza, with low expectations (I guess because one doesn't think of Northern Minnesota as good pizza country). It was absolutely delicious. Great crust, excellent sausage - we ate more than I thought we could. Covid has really messed up life - but to be on vacation in a remote area where we brought in most of our food, and then be able to pick up hot, delicious pizza for one night was an unexpected treat and much appreciated blessing. Throw in their warmth and kindness, and this was a memorable experience. Thanks, Poplar Haus!

This review is for the lodging. We stayed in cabin 4 with our infant over Thanksgiving and LOVED it. We saw a moose a few miles from Poplar Haus on our way in - it was a snowy evening and the moose turned to look at us before slipping into the woods - quintessential Gunflint Trail! The owners had a fire ready for us in the gas fireplace, and our little log cabin was a cozy delight. They were smoking whitefish from gill netting, and there is a sauna on the property, too. We loved waking up to the sky brightening over Poplar Lake. We highly recommend this lodge. The new owners are renovating and this is going to be a great spot on the trail. Thanks for the great stay for our son's first Thanksgiving!

Newly renovated, this is a favorite stop on the trail for lunch, dinner, drinks, or watching a game with friends and family. Food and drinks are well selected and executed. Staff are welcoming, friendly, and skilled.

Two stars because the cabin and lake were beautiful. Restaurant great too although closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Not more stars because the cabin we were in (4) had no privacy. The cabin next door had a very loud obnoxious group with a little kid screaming constantly. One of the men got off his boat and came to pee in the stream under our deck. They seemed to be related to the owners and just took over the whole area. Large group with more kids camped in the woods on other side and cut across our area dragging all their things. Maybe it was poor timing that we were there for some party they were having. But it's not what I rent a cabin for. Not a bad place overall I guess but will try a different place next time.

My daughter and I had lunch here today and it was amazing. We split a Reuben and a bowl of truffle mac and cheese. This isn't your mom's mac and cheese, it was incredible! The Reuben was equally incredible, the only one that comes close was at a deli in New York City. Popular Haus is worth the drive, just for the food. Oh, did I mention the view of the BWCA across the lake? The view is amazing! We will be back for sure.

This resort is great! A 'must' when you're in the BWCA. The cabins have been updated appropriately for the area. Comfortable and well appointed. The owners are hands on in managing all aspects of the resort and the pride and car they take in their little slice of heaven is very evident. You'd be remiss to not visit the onsite restaurant during your stay. Spectacular food, full bar, service, atmosphere. Fun cocktails. Attentive bartender. The quality of cuisine is far superior to any fine dining establishment. The lodge is casual, which is very fitting given the setting of being perched on the edge of a lake in the BWCA. If the cabins are booked and you're unable to stay on site, stop in for dinner and drinks regardless. You will not be disappointed.

Let's just say I'm willing to drive 6 hours for a burger. SO GOOD! Best food in northern MN we've had. Walleye Poboy was good - yummy crafted lemonades too. A must-stop.

The view from the deck was incredible, the burger was perfectly made and the service was so friendly. Really glad we stopped in. Can't wait to check out their accommodations for overnight. We will be back! Thank you!

What a breath of fresh air on the Gunflint Trail! Nicely renovated and new restaurant midway up the trail and worth the drive if you are staying in Grand Marais. Food was fantastic (chef is creative) and the service was friendly if not cheerful! The place is airy, the view is amazing and the outdoor seating overlooks the lake. We will stop there often as we are often on "the Trail". Kudos to Poplar Haus!

Had a great weekend at the Poplar Haus! Went up with some friends for a wedding and loved everything about it. Restaurant had amazing food and very convenient being so close to the cabins. Staff went above and beyond taking care of us. Beautiful scenery and amazing wildlife also! We saw a bear, a bunch of deer and heard a bobcat at night while we were sitting around the fire. The property is also just across the lake from the BWCA so very convenient to go camping from. Couldn't recommend it enough!!! 5 stars!

I'm pretty sure this is my first Yelp review. I felt compelled to share how awesome this place is. Blew away my expectations. The food at the restaurant is ridiculously good. Get the Brussels sprouts..and the burger. The cabins were well equipped with anything you could need. The owners were awesome. A friend of mine forgot something after we had left.... They drove up to the place we were having breakfast to get her stuff back to her. We're already planning our next trip back.

I was not expecting this. The food is incredible and more of what you would expect from the twin cities foodie scene and not up on the Gunflint. The burger was amazing and in our top 3 ever! It even beat out the Parlour burger with the sauce and two smashed patties. Also we ended with the butterscotch dessert and it was so intensely good we wished we each had our own. The atmosphere, the food and the service are well worth the trip!

We came down from Trails End campsite to utilize their liquor store only to discover an absolutely amazing and unique establishment run by some of the most awesome and friendly people you will find on the gunflint trail! Stacy went above and beyond serving us and making it feel like home. The duck wings we had were perfectly cooked and paired with awesome tap selections, we are definitely coming back on our next trip!!!

Worst establishment on the Gunflint. Not sure how they keep the lights on. Waste of what should be a fun, upbeat, busy "place to be". On my first visit I literally wandered around looking for food/drink service. Gave them a second chance this summer but did not stay. I had to yell something about an unmanned liquor store for someone to finally show up. Grounds are a wreck. Would love to see new owners treat it and its guests right.

Amazing food! Awesome service. The duck wings are insane and the buffalo wings and brussel sprouts were dang good too. We've heard they make their burgers in house and wish we had ordered one! We'll be back again!

Amazing food...everything we had exceeded expectations, even the fries that came with the burger. Drinks are good and you must get the Brussels sprouts...best I've ever had!

Just spent the weekend in Cabin 3. Love, love, loved it! We found out the place has new owners and they are bringing a great upbeat feel to the lodge and cabins. Service very accommodating and friendly, really enjoyed meeting the new owners. We got to sample food from the new restaurant-- it was excellent! We had a great experience, more than we expected! I highly recommend a stay here!

Best stop on the gun flint! Drinks are top notch, food is great and environment is 100! The front patio over looks sunsets on the lake. The resident yellow lab, LadyBird, is as friendly as the staff. Highly recommend!

Poplar Haus is a one of a kind gem. Amazing people---Bryan, Stacy, Kippy & Lyndsey are friendly & attentive hosts. The cabins are perfect. Beautiful lake views, adorable decor, & had all we needed. The restaurant is DELICIOUS! Burger was the best I've ever had and those brussel sprouts... who knew they could be so tasty!?! We had an absolutely memorable trip and can't wait to visit again. Thanks for everything!

My husband are back from 2 nights in one of the cabins. Fantastic!! I was joking No Review b/c we want to be sure to get a cabin next summer :-). But it was perfect: outfitted kitchen, comfortable beds, incredible view of the lake, gas fireplace; and close to many hiking trails.