Over the past ten years, Wayzata’s restaurant scene has boomed. Now home to more than a dozen establishments, there’s no doubt you can find an ambiance, a cuisine, or a dining space perfect for any occasion.
CōV Wayzata
CōV serves a wide range of American fare, offering anything and everything from sushi to burgers. The restaurant is known for its great patio, home to a summer music series, as well as its delicious lobster guacamole. There’s valet parking to alleviate the stress of having to find a free spot and a large bell behind the bar, which is rung whenever a train passes by. Brunch is served on weekends and on Sundays you’re treated to a complimentary caramel roll in place of bread!
Maggie’s
Opened in 1979, Maggie’s is truly a family establishment. Boasting a more diner-like vibe, you pay at the counter and can’t go wrong with any of their down-home options including breakfast. The restaurant is, however, best known for its pizza and burgers. It’s a great place for a quick and casual meal with friends, family, or anyone in the mood for some comfort food.
6Smith
Situated on the south side of the railroad tracks, 6Smith has nothing but dock standing between it and the lake. From its location to its huge windows, its expansive patio to its predominantly steak and seafood-oriented menu, when you’re here you truly feel like you’re dining on the water. It’s the perfect place to spend a summer evening or host an event, as there is private dining available. 6Smith also boasts a lively bar that serves delicious craft cocktails.
Baja Haus
Baja Haus is Wayzata’s perfect beach hideaway. Serving Cali-Mex cuisine, the food, décor, and casual ambiance instantly transport you south of the border. Its street corn appetizer is a must as are the chicken wings, which are the best in town. The cocktail menu is tequila and Mezcal focused, with owners and drink masters Josh Friedt and Troy Vasquez having individually concocted each beverage. Baja Haus’s small bites and margaritas make for a perfect happy hour any day of the week ($2 off tap and $4 rail drinks).
Sakana
A truly delicious Japanese restaurant, Sakana offers everything from Udon noodles to stir fry and of course lots and lots of sushi. While personal favorites include the mango tuna and shrimp tempura rolls, you can’t go wrong with any of their Nigiri, Sashimi, or Maki. The restaurant’s lunch specials give you the choice of one or two sushi rolls along with either a salad or miso soup, filling your stomach without emptying your wallet.
Benedicts
A modern diner, Benedicts is open from 7am-3pm daily. Its menu features all the classic breakfast and brunch fare, with sandwiches, soups, pancakes, and of course eggs. Aptly named, the restaurant offers a total of nine different styles of Eggs Benedict, ranging from fried chicken to caprese to Cubano. It’s extensive menu, central location, and hours of operation make it a great place for morning meetings or a weekend gathering with friends.
Gianni’s Steakhouse
Now open for dinner seven days a week, Gianni’s prides itself on being a family owned and exceptionally delicious steakhouse. One of the most upscale restaurants in town, its menu centers on beef- with ribeye, T-bone, filet mignon, New York strip, wagyu and more. However, it also offers pasta, chops, chicken, and fresh seafood. One of Gianni’s most fun menu items is the spun salad. You build your own based on a list of ingredients and it is assembled right at your table.
Grocer’s Table
A market and café, Grocer’s Table offers a little something for everyone. You can sit indoors, out on the patio, order food to go, or simply grab a smattering of pre-made items to enjoy later. The café offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus, with items ranging from pizzas to pancakes, toasts to pasta. All bread-based dishes, whether for a flatbread or sandwich, can be made gluten-free, which makes it an easy destination for those with dietary restrictions. Grocer’s Table also boasts a wine and cocktail menu and exceptional baked goods. The chocolate chip cookie is especially delicious.
Jade Fountain
Another Wayzata institution, Jade Fountain serves classic Chinese food, specializing in Szechuan, Mandarin, and Cantonese cuisine. Open for lunch and dinner, the restaurant’s menu is quite comprehensive with Lo Mein, Chow Mein, fried rice, and various meat and seafood dishes. Personal favorites include the egg roll and moo sui pork. Regardless of what you order, you know you’re in for some incredible flavors and, of course, fortune cookies.
Josefina
One of the city’s newest dining options, Josefina is located in what was once Bellecour and the restaurant has made great use of the space. With a quaint back patio, beautifully decorated dining room, and a to-go window at the front, there are multiple ways in which you can enjoy Josefina’s cuisine, which focuses on Italian fare. Pizza and pasta are its bread and butter. And as part of Daniel Del Prado’s restaurant family, which includes Rosalia, Colita, Martina and Sanjusan, you know you are in for a treat.
McCormick’s Pub & Restaurant
McCormick’s is the perfect combination of a traditional pub and more upscale supper club, whose newly refurbished indoor space provides plenty of room for guests to enjoy its Irish and American cuisine. The burger is exceptional, as are the brussel sprouts, both of which are personal favorites. It’s also the place to go for a Guinness, as the bartenders pride themselves on their ability to pour the perfect pint. But rest assured, there’s a wide variety of beer, wine, and cocktails, so there’s a beverage for everyone.
NineTwentyFive
Coastal meets the Midwest at NineTwentyFive, which is located within the Landing Hotel. Dishes are built around what’s locally available and thus vary depending on the season, with a few staples remaining year-round. The restaurant boasts multiple menus including a Happy Hour, new Late Night, and even a Dog Menu which offers items ranging from a Puppy Parfait to a Pupsicle. Truly fun for the whole family.
Wayzata Bar & Grill
Opened in 1947, Wayzata Bar and Grill is the oldest restaurant in Wayzata, and one with a well-documented history. Originally named the Minnetonka Bar and Lounge, here you can enjoy a wide variety of typical bar food, including fish n’ chips, fried chicken sandwiches, and burgers. The “Muni,” as it is known locally, boasts a casual yet lively ambiance, its energy (and ample number of televisions) making it a great place to catch a game or enjoy happy hour with friends. And its free and unlimited popcorn is a perfect addition.
Sushi Fix
As the name entails, at Sushi Fix you can expect delicious sashimi and nigiri, along with a laundry list of specialty rolls. However, the establishment is more than just sushi, also offering soups, stir fry, tempura, and a wide range of appetizers. They do not take reservations but do offer takeout service (it’s always better to call early, as orders may be delayed or unaccepted during peak hours). If dining in, try to sit at the counter so that you can watch the chefs making every roll. It leaves no doubt the food is not only flavorful but also incredibly fresh.
Macanda
A new Daniel Del Prado restaurant has opened in the former Wayzata Brew Works. Macanda’s food will center on Mexican fare infused with more global flavors, its menu including items such as fried oyster tacos to braised oxtail. In addition to a fun cocktail program, the space will also have a vinyl lounge and record bar, indicating that music will be an important part of one’s experience at Macanda.