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Lanesboro, Minnesota, may be small, but it sure knows how to feed you right. You’ll find some of the best Minnesota places to eat in Lanesboro MN. Tucked away in the heart of Bluff country (that’s southeast Minnesota), Lanesboro is about 125 miles southeast of the Twin Cities.
This friendly Minnesota town serves up cozy cafés, fine dining, and everything in between. Whether you’re walking the Root River State Trail, shopping downtown, or winding down after a long day of exploring, these places to eat in Lanesboro MN, will fill your belly and your heart. Here’s my guide to some of the best places to eat in Lanesboro, MN, and yep, I’ve tried them all!
Don’t forget to pack a bag for exploring! I adore this Baggallini bag. It’s handy for stashing your camera, phone, and even a water bottle (or maybe a leftover cookie or two).
Table of Contents
Breakfast: A Sweet Start to Your Lanesboro MN Dining Adventure
The best way to begin a new day full of adventure is to have a good breakfast, and Lanesboro won’t let you down! Lanesboro’s downtown is incredible walkable, so wear some good walking shoes and a sun hat so you can get some steps in with breakfast!
Home Sweet Home Café & Cakery
Start your morning with a bit of homemade comfort at Home Sweet Home Café & Cakery. Locally owned by the Mason family, it’s known for made-from-scratch cooking (with gluten-free options) and the all-day breakfast menu. I had the oatmeal and a fruit cup, and that fruit tasted like it had been hand-picked just for me. It’s that fresh. Come for breakfast, but don’t skip dessert! Their cakes and pies are the stuff of small-town legend.
210 Parkway Avenue N
Lanesboro Pastry Shoppe
The smell of warm cookies hits you before you even open the door. The Lanesboro Pastry Shoppe bakes daily, serving everything from buttery croissants to gooey chocolate chip cookies. A breakfast visit is always busy with locals chatting over their morning cup of coffee. One of my favorite things about this place is the “no menu” breakfast. Guests just tell the server what they’d like, and the kitchen will whip it right up!
I didn’t make it for breakfast, but I did have a warm Snickerdoodle (can you say YUM), and my two traveling friends enjoyed a fresh-out-of-the-oven chocolate chip cookie. We intended to take a bite and bring the rest back to our rooms for a bedtime snack, but nope. We three all devoured our treats on-site!
202 Parkway Ave N
☕ After breakfast, jot your foodie finds in your Free Printable Travel Journal. It’s perfect for tracking restaurants, recipes, and memories from your trip.
Paddle On Coffee (and Maker Emporium)
If you want to see the creative heart of Lanesboro, stop in at Paddle On Coffee. Owners Ryan and Allie Palmer have built more than a coffee shop. It’s a community hub full of local flavor and handmade treasures. They serve drinks made with local ingredients and showcase handmade gifts from area artists in their maker boutique.
While your drink is brewing, browse the small shop filled with jewelry, art, and gifts you won’t find anywhere else. Be sure to admire the fish photos along the wall. They were captured right from the Root River by the building’s former owner and now tell the story of local life in each frame.
Order your favorite drink (I recommend the Chai Tea Latte!) and grab a sunny spot to relax. You can catch up on emails with their speedy internet or join one of the regular meet-ups, including poetry, painting, and even philosophy. This popular modern coffeehouse hangout has become one of Lanesboro’s local favorites for a reason: good drinks, friendly faces, and a cozy vibe that makes it hard to leave.
Hip Grandma Tip: Bring a folding shopping bag because you’ll definitely find a handmade treasure or two to take home.
115 Parkway Ave N
The Best Places to Eat in Lanesboro MN for Lunch
Midday meals are some of my favorites. Sandwiches, soups, even charcuterie. Lanesboro has a host of excellent lunch options to host you (see what I did there?).
Clara’s Eatery
Right in the middle of Lanesboro, Clara’s Eatery is a standout for both its pink décor (my favorite!) and its heart. Named for the owner’s grandmother, Clara’s Eatery serves seasonal menus made with local produce and lots of love. From cold sandwiches to pizza and salads, you’ll find plenty of delicious options. And don’t skip their ice cream treat from Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream.
The Chocolate Shoppe is a Wisconsin supplier that allows only one retail establishment per community to carry its brand. You won’t find this yummy treat anywhere else in Lanesboro. Since they are open year-round, you will always have ice cream available!
My top pick is the Puppy Plate, a mini charcuterie snack that’s adorable and surprisingly filling. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll fall in love with the vibe and the staff’s personable service. And my favorite part? They have canned Diet Coke, too! Yep! Clara’s knows how to speak Hip Grandma.
Hip Grandma Tip: After a day of eating your way through town, cozy up in this lightweight 7 Degrees hoodie (my favorite). It’s my go-to for every food-filled road trip.
111 Parkway Ave N
Pedal Pushers Cafe
If you’re biking the picturesque Root River Trail, this fast-casual restaurant is your refueling stop. Known for locally-grown meats and in-season produce, Pedal Pushers serves up everything from burgers to grain bowls. Try the Truffle Fries or Cheese Curds, they’re as Midwest as it gets.
And take it from me, pack a set of reusable utensils in your suitcase. There’s nothing worse than sitting in your hotel room with leftovers and realizing you don’t have a fork!
And don’t worry if you don’t have time to eat in-house. You can order ahead and swoop in to grab your meal to go. You’ll even be able to pick it up from the bike-themed to-go table up front!
121 Parkway Ave N
Dinner & Drinks: Fine Dining and Local Watering Holes in Lanesboro MN
Casual? Elevated? Quick? No problem. Laneboro MN dining has it all!
The High Court Pub
I slid onto a barstool at the local watering hole for dinner on my first night in town. The High Court Pub serves craft drinks, microbrews, and flatbread pizzas. Locals gather for live music, trivia, and good conversation. You’ll feel the Lanesboro energy the minute you step in the door. And don’t be surprised if you’re still there when it’s closing time!
109 Parkway Ave N
Juniper’s Restaurant
When you’re ready for an evening of fine dining, Juniper’s is your spot. Set in a historic building with a spacious deck overlooking the Root River, this full restaurant delivers flavor and flair. Chef Tyler Shipton, his partner Ame, and his team focus on locally-grown meats and fresh produce, crafting dishes that change with the seasons.
Order the Pasta of the Moment, a burger with smoked Gouda and onion jam, or share a bowl of creamy mushroom soup. Every dish feels like a love letter to Lanesboro MN dining.
If you can’t decide which entrée to order, go ahead and order up several apps and entrées for the table and sample them all. This might be my favorite way to dine!
109 Parkway Avenue S
More to Taste and Try
If you have room left, grab a cone from Another Time Ice Cream Parlor, or swing by Sylvan Brewing, Lanesboro’s first brewery, for one of their local craft beers or ciders. For dessert lovers, the short ride to Whalan’s Aroma Pie Shoppe is the perfect place to treat yourself. And it’s worth every pedal if you travel by bike along the Root River State Bike Trail.
Where to Stay in Lanesboro
I stayed at the cozy James A. Thompson B&B (5 stars from this Hip Grandma), but there are plenty of unique places to stay nearby, from cabins to inns.
And while you’re planning your getaway, check out my guide to Things to Do in Lanesboro, MN (and nearby Whalan) for even more travel inspiration.
Wrapping Up Your Lanesboro MN Dining Experience
Lanesboro, Minnesota, may be small, but it packs a big culinary punch. From made-from-scratch cooking to fine dining, you’ll find delightful flavors and warm welcomes at every stop. Whether you’re visiting for the trails, the pie, or just the good food, this town will leave you full and happy. Get more details about where to eat, stay, and play in this cozy corner of Bluff Country on the Visit Lanesboro site.
Before you go, grab your Free Printable Travel Journal to plan your next meal, your next adventure, or maybe both.
