Best Restaurants in Forest Lake, MN: A Local Guide to Where to Eat

FOREST LAKE RESTAURANTS AT A GLANCE

If you’re new to Forest Lake, these are a few of the places worth knowing first. I’ve grouped them more by the kind of meal or experience you might be looking for than by trying to declare one place “the best.”

DINNER NEAR THE LAKE

If you want a sit-down dinner without leaving Forest Lake, Lake Street and the downtown area give you a few good options close to the water. These are the places I’d start with when the setting matters almost as much as the meal.

Mallards Southern Kitchen

Mallards on Lake Street is one of the more recognizable sit-down restaurants in Forest Lake. The menu leans Southern and Lowcountry, with seafood and Cajun-inspired dishes alongside more familiar American options. It’s a good choice when you want something a little more substantial than a quick lunch, and the location keeps you close to downtown and the lake.

What I like about including Mallards in this guide is that it fills a different lane than a typical bar-and-grill menu. If you’re in the mood for seafood or Southern-style food, it gives Forest Lake a local option without having to head farther into the Cities.

CLINT’S TAKE

I’ve tried quite a few things at Mallards over time. The Elote Corn Fritters are a good starter if you want something a little different, and the Steak Alfredo is one of the richer entrées I’ve had there, with blackened filet over linguini in a garlic cream sauce.

I’ve also had the Crispy Lemon Chicken, which comes with mashed potatoes and a lemon-butter sauce, the Tennessee Hot Chicken Sandwich, and the Salmon New Orleans with blackened salmon, crab and a white-wine butter sauce.

That variety is part of why Mallards works well for different occasions. You can go with something casual like the hot chicken sandwich or order a more substantial seafood or steak dish. Those are all dishes I’ve actually tried, so when I mention them here, it’s based on my own experience rather than just reading through the menu.

ZOUKMAYA

ZOUKMAYA is one of the more distinctive dining options in Forest Lake, with a Latin American menu and a location close to the lake and downtown. The menu goes well beyond basic tacos, with shareable starters, seafood, birria, carne asada and other Latin-inspired dishes.

I like having ZOUKMAYA in this guide because it adds something different to the local restaurant mix. It’s a good option when you want a sit-down dinner that feels a little more unique than the standard bar-and-grill menu.

POPULAR PICKS

Popular choices mentioned frequently by diners include the birria tacos, shrimp empanadas and margaritas, with tres leches also getting a lot of positive attention. The lake-view patio and cocktails are a big part of the experience too.

Station61 Bar & Grill

If you’ve driven down Lake Street lately, you’ve probably noticed a new name on the former Shore Side building. Station61 Bar & Grill is now at 55 Lake St S, keeping the casual neighborhood-bar feel of the location while bringing in a much broader menu.

You’ll still find the things you’d expect—burgers, pizza, wings, sandwiches, steak, pasta and seafood—but one thing that makes Station61 different is its selection of Indian dishes. That isn’t something you see at many North Metro bar-and-grill spots. They’ve also offered things like weekend brunch and crab-leg specials, so it’s worth checking their current specials before you go.

The atmosphere is relaxed and casual, with a patio, TVs, pool tables and more of a gathering-place feel than a traditional dining room. Another useful feature is the private event space for birthdays, team banquets, retirement parties and other gatherings—something that can be surprisingly hard to find right in downtown Forest Lake.

POPULAR PICKS

Early diners frequently mention the variety of the menu and generous portions. Dishes that have gotten attention include the chicken and shrimp carbonara, dill pickle pizza, crab legs and butter chicken.

Pizza Pub

Pizza Pub is one of the more casual places in Forest Lake where the setting is part of the draw. It sits right on the water, and having dock access makes it an easy stop if you’re already out on the lake.

The menu is straightforward and familiar with pizza, wings, burgers, sandwiches, pasta and other casual options. It works well for families, groups, game days or just grabbing something easy without leaving the lake.

What makes this location stand out from a typical pizza place is that you can arrive from the water, tie up at the dock and walk in for a meal. That gives it a very Forest Lake feel, especially during the summer.

CLINT' S TAKE

You have to try the Pickle Pizza, Popper Pizza and Deep Fried Ravioli.

 

BREAKFAST, BRUNCH & COFFEE

Keys Cafe & Bakery

Keys is one of those Forest Lake places that works for a lot of different situations. It’s probably best known locally for breakfast, but the Forest Lake location also serves lunch and dinner and has its own bakery, takeout, catering, patio seating and a drive-through.

For breakfast, it’s the kind of place people think of for eggs, pancakes, omelets and a full sit-down meal, while the bakery gives you another reason to stop in for rolls, cakes, pies or something to take home.

CLINT’S TAKE

Breakfast is usually what brings me to Keys. I’m a fan of their French toast, and the Banana Bread French Toast is especially good if you want something on the sweeter side with bananas and pecans.

When I’m looking for something more filling, I like the Farmers Omelet with meat, vegetables and cheddar, or the Cajun Breakfast with potatoes, andouille sausage, vegetables, Cajun seasoning, eggs and hollandaise. Those are the dishes I tend to come back to.

Coffeesmith

Coffeesmith is one of the more distinctive coffee shops in Forest Lake, partly because of where it is. The shop operates out of a historic home on North Shore Drive, and much of the original character of the house was preserved during the renovation.

Founder Calvin Waddle, a Forest Lake native, wanted to bring a higher-quality coffee experience back to his hometown, and the old house ended up becoming part of the identity of the business itself.

The menu goes well beyond basic drip coffee, with lattes, cold brew, matcha, chai, coffee flights, breakfast items and pastries. House-made syrups, seasonal drinks and Minnesota-roasted coffee are a big part of the draw.

What makes Coffeesmith memorable is the setting. Sitting inside an old Forest Lake home feels completely different from a chain coffee shop, and it gives you a little bit of local history along with your coffee.

CLINT’S TAKE

Coffeesmith has become one of my go-to caffeine stops in Forest Lake. It works just as well when I’m grabbing something on the run as it does when I want to slow down, catch up with a friend or meet with a client.

One of my favorites is the Coconut Shaker, and I’ll usually pair it with a pastry or their breakfast sandwich with applewood bacon, aged cheddar, egg soufflé and maple-sriracha aioli on an everything bagel.

Kodiak Coffee

Kodiak Coffee is another longtime local option in downtown Forest Lake. It leans more casual and grab-and-go than Coffeesmith, with handcrafted coffee drinks, tea, sandwiches, soup, bakery items and a drive-through.

It’s the kind of place that works well when you want a coffee or breakfast without turning it into a full sit-down meal.

Big Apple Bagels

Big Apple Bagels is a good Forest Lake option when you want a quick breakfast or lunch, especially for bagels, breakfast sandwiches, muffins and deli-style sandwiches.

It gives the breakfast section another option that falls somewhere between grabbing coffee and sitting down for a full breakfast.

SOMETHING DIFFERENT IN FOREST LAKE

Soha’s Cafe

Soha’s Cafe gives Forest Lake something a little different from the usual breakfast-and-burger lineup. The menu leans Mediterranean and Middle Eastern, with gyro and chicken shawarma bowls, falafel, hummus, baba ganoush, kebabs and house-made sauces, along with coffee, tea and all-day breakfast options.

What stands out is how broad the menu is without feeling random. You can stop in for a gyro or shawarma bowl, grab falafel or hummus, or even get breakfast and coffee earlier in the day. It also feels more like a locally run cafe than a chain, which fits the kind of places I want this guide to highlight.

POPULAR PICKS

Recent diners frequently mention the gyro, chicken shawarma bowl, falafel, baba ganoush and samosas. Reviews also tend to call out the freshness of the food and generous portions.

LOCAL FAVORITES & CASUAL DINNER

Some Forest Lake restaurants are just easy places to come back to. They work for a casual dinner, meeting friends, taking the family out, or grabbing something familiar without making a big production out of it.

These are the places that tend to become part of the regular rotation because the atmosphere is comfortable, the menus are broad enough for different tastes, and people know what to expect when they walk in.

Stella’s on 97

Stella’s is one of those Forest Lake spots that works when you want something a little nicer than a basic bar and grill but still want to keep things relaxed. The menu has plenty of familiar options, but it also goes beyond burgers and sandwiches with steaks, walleye, salmon, pasta and a few more substantial dinner choices.

It’s a good fit for a casual date night, dinner with friends or one of those nights when everyone wants something different. The dining room feels a little more polished, while the bar side keeps it from feeling too formal.

CLINT'S PICKS

Stella’s is one of those places where I usually have a hard time narrowing it down. For a starter, I like The Monkey’s Uncle with grilled marinated chicken, plum sauce, cabbage, green onion and sesame seeds.

For dinner, a few of my favorites are the Land and Lake with steak and breaded walleye, the Minnesota Mac & Cheese with pork belly, ham and andouille sausage, and the Cajun Penne Pasta with blackened chicken in a Cajun cream sauce. They’re all very different, which is part of why Stella’s works well when everyone at the table is in the mood for something different.

 

The Old Log Cabin Restaurant

The Old Log Cabin has been part of the Forest Lake area for more than 35 years, so it feels more like a local institution than a newer restaurant trying to find its footing. It’s casual, comfortable and the kind of place people come back to for a familiar dinner without overthinking it.

The menu leans classic American with steaks, broasted chicken, fish, sandwiches, soups and hearty comfort-food choices. It also has that old-school supper-club feel in places, which fits the name and the atmosphere.

POPULAR PICKS

Broasted chicken, prime rib, walleye fish and chips, French onion soup, beer cheese soup and Cabin Steak quite a bit. Bread pudding also is a favorite.

The Grillium

The Grillium on West Broadway is another casual Forest Lake spot with a broad menu and more of a neighborhood bar atmosphere. Burgers are a big part of the menu, but they also serve sandwiches, pasta, street tacos, wraps, salads and other dinner choices.

It is the kind of place that works when you want to grab dinner, meet friends or watch a game without making the night too formal.

CLINT’S TAKE 

A couple of my favorites here are the Street/Fish Tacos, Santa Fe Burger. Fish Fry Fridays all you can eat!

QUICK LUNCH, SUBS & CASUAL BITES

Stewie’s Subs

Stewie’s is one of those Forest Lake places that has a real hometown feel and there is nothing not to love. It’s a straightforward local sandwich shop, but people are loyal to it for a reason. The menu focuses on hot hoagies, cold subs, wraps, soups and other easy lunch options, and it has built a strong local following over the years.

CLINT’S TAKE 

Stewie’s is one of my go-to lunch spots when I’m in the mood for a hot sandwich. My favorites are the Hot Italian Hoagie and the Philly, and I’ll usually add a cup of chicken wild rice or baked potato soup on the side. It’s simple, filling and exactly the kind of local place that works when you want a good lunch without overthinking it.

Rubio’s on 61

Rubio’s on 61 is one of the newer Forest Lake spots that mixes Mexican food with classic American quick-service food. Their menu includes tacos, burritos, bowls and quesadillas, but they also do smash burgers, fries, malts and other casual options. That mix is a big part of what makes it stand out.

It works well when different people in the group are in the mood for different things. One person can get tacos or a burrito bowl while someone else gets a burger and fries.

POPULAR PICKS

Reviewers frequently mention the tacos, burritos, bowls and burgers. The Bacon Gazmo burger, al pastor, steak burritos and birria tacos are among the items that come up often

MEXICAN FOOD IN FOREST LAKE

Rancho Loco Grill & Bar

Rancho Loco sits right in downtown Forest Lake on Lake Street North and has a much broader menu than just the familiar tacos and burritos. You’ll find fajitas, enchiladas, birria, seafood, molcajetes, soups and more traditional Mexican dishes alongside the usual favorites.

One thing that makes Rancho Loco useful for a group is the range. You can keep it simple with tacos or fajitas, or order something more traditional and seafood-focused if you want to try something different.

 CLINT’S TAKE

I’ll be honest, I don’t wander far on the menu. I tend to stick with the burritos, the chimichangas, the Burro Ranchero and the Carne Asada. They’re familiar, they’re filling and they’re exactly what I’m looking for when I want Mexican food in Forest Lake. If you’re new to Rancho Loco and don’t know where to start, any of those four is a safe bet.

The menu itself goes well beyond what I order, with seafood, burgers and plenty of traditional Mexican plates, so there’s something for everyone at the table.

SO, WHERE SHOULD YOU GO?

That really depends on the night.

If I want breakfast, Keys is one of my regular choices, while Coffeesmith is great when coffee is the main event or I want somewhere to meet someone and slow down for a little while.

For a nicer dinner, Mallards, ZOUKMAYA and Stella’s each offer something different. If the plan is more casual, Old Log Cabin, Station61, Pizza Pub, Stewie’s and The Grillium all fit that kind of night.

And if I’m looking for something outside the usual American bar-and-grill menu, places like Soha’s Cafe, Rancho Loco give Forest Lake quite a bit more variety than people sometimes expect.

That is really the point of this guide. There is not one Forest Lake restaurant that is right for every occasion, and I’d rather help you figure out which place fits what you’re looking for than rank them from 1 to 10.

I’ll keep building this out with more Forest Lake food guides too, including gluten-free options, breakfast and coffee favorites, and other local places worth knowing about.

FOREST LAKE RESTAURANT FAQ

What are the best restaurants in Forest Lake, MN?

There is not one answer that fits everyone. Mallards and Stella’s are good choices for a more substantial sit-down dinner. Keys is one of the better-known breakfast options, Coffeesmith stands out for coffee and atmosphere, and Forest Lake also has Mexican, Mediterranean, Thai, pizza and casual bar-and-grill choices.

Where can you eat near the lake in Forest Lake?

Several restaurants are concentrated around Lake Street and downtown, including Mallards, ZOUKMAYA, Station61, Rancho Loco and New Bangkok Thai. That also puts you close to Lakeside Memorial Park and the waterfront.

Where is a good breakfast in Forest Lake?

Keys Cafe & Bakery is one of the most established breakfast spots in town. Coffeesmith, Kodiak Coffee and Big Apple Bagels are good options when you want coffee or something quicker.

What are some locally owned restaurants in Forest Lake?

Forest Lake has a good number of locally operated restaurants and cafes, including Coffeesmith, Soha’s Cafe, Old Log Cabin,, Rancho Loco and several others in this guide.

Are the restaurants in this guide actually in Forest Lake?

Yes. I have intentionally kept this guide focused on restaurants located in Forest Lake rather than filling it with places in neighboring cities just to make the list longer.

A LOCAL GUIDE THAT WILL KEEP CHANGING

Restaurants change. Menus change. New places open and longtime favorites sometimes close or change ownership.

I plan to keep coming back to this guide and updating it rather than publishing it once and forgetting about it. I will also keep adding my own recommendations as I spend more time at different places around town.

If you live in Forest Lake and think there is somewhere I should try, I am always interested in hearing what other people consider their local favorite.

If you are new to the area or considering a move here, restaurants are only one part of what makes Forest Lake feel like home. I have also put together a broader guide to the parks, lake life, trails, events, neighborhoods and everyday places that make up the community.

At the bottom, add these two internal links:

EXPLORE MY FOREST LAKE LIFESTYLE & COMMUNITY GUIDE →

EXPLORE FOREST LAKE REAL ESTATE →