6 Best Places to Eat on the Gunflint Trail

This post featuring my top picks for the best restaurants on the Gunflint Trail may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclaimer & Disclosure Policy (linked below).

The Gunflint Trail is one of my favorite corners of northern Minnesota. And, if you’ve ever been, you know why. This 57-mile road winds from downtown Grand Marais into towering pines and remote lakes. This route also provides easy access to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

The Gunflint Trail is also wonderfully remote. Once you leave Grand Marais, grocery and dining options are few (especially in the winter), so a little meal planning goes a long way. Luckily, there are some delicious spots along the way! In fact, one of my favorite cardamom buns and wings in the state are up here! Okay, let’s dig in! Here are my favorite picks for the best restaurants on the Gunflint Trail.

Always check the hours and plot your restaurants before your trip, especially during the shoulder and off-seasons. Also, note where they are along the Trail or download your maps. Reception is very limited on the Gunflint Trail.

Loon’s Nest Coffee (Coffee, Breakfast, Lunch)

Mid-Trail | Seasonal (mid-May – October)

Tucked into the woods just off the Gunflint Trail, Loon’s Nest Coffee is a delightful stop for your morning coffee. The menu has a wide selection of coffee and espresso drinks. I recommend trying their maple latte. Plus, you have to get one (or two) of the BEST cardamom buns ever!!

You can also order other types of pastries, croissant breakfast sandwiches, or grilled cheeses. On a hot summer day, I also recommend grabbing a blended drink or ice cream (especially after a hike!). 

Seating is limited, with a mix of indoor and outdoor spots. No indoor bathrooms, but a portable toilet is available. 

Trail Center at Poplar Lake (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Mid-Trail | Year-Round

A classic Gunflint Trail stop, Trail Center at Poplar Lake is one of my favorite places for a hearty lunch or dinner. We often stop here after hiking. The rustic setting just feels right for a North Woods meal. 

The menu has burgers, sandwiches, salads, Swedish meatballs, walleye, and hot beef sandwiches. I recommend the Blue Cheese Burger paired with an Oreo malt (especially after a hike!). Their malts are unmatched up here! 

There’s also a small shop with camping and fishing essentials. Indoor seating only. They also have a kids’ menu, making it one of the best restaurants on the Gunflint Trail for families.

READ NEXT: 8+ Exciting Things to Do on the Gunflint Trail this Winter with Kids

White Pine Lodge (Dinner Only)

Mid-Trail | Year-Round | Reservations are recommended

If pizza is on the menu, we’re always in! And, up the Gunflint Trail, White Pine Lodge is the place to get pizza. Open year-round, this Gunflint Trail favorite is known for its homemade pizzas and cozy lodge atmosphere. 

Choose a specialty pizza or build your own. We usually go for the Superior Supreme. They make the dough fresh in-house every day (and gluten-free crust is available if you call ahead). 

Dine in by the massive 25-foot stone fireplace or take it to go. You can also grab a beer or glass of wine while your pizza bakes. Take-and-bake options are available, too! This is an ideal option if you want to grab dinner on the way back to your cabin.

Poplar Haus (Weekend Lunch + Dinner)

Mid-Trail | Year-Round | Reservations are recommended

Poplar Haus is my favorite place to eat on the Gunflint Trail. The deck overlooking Poplar Lake is genuinely hard to beat anywhere in Minnesota. This chef-driven restaurant serves some of the Trail’s most creative food, including duck wings (A MUST!), messy burgers, salads, and a hard-to-beat walleye sandwich. The duck wings are currently off-menu, but you can (usually) still order them if you ask your server. My in-laws also swear by the French onion soup! 

There’s also a great cocktail menu, live music on select nights, and a kids’ menu. Choose indoor or outdoor deck seating and stay awhile. Reservations aren’t accepted on the deck per se, but you can express your interest when you make a reservation over the phone. In my experience, they generally accommodate the request when possible. This is undoubtedly one of the best restaurants on the Gunflint Trail!

READ NEXT: A Family-Friendly Review of Trail Cabin on the Gunflint Trail 

Hungry Jack Lodge (Lunch + Dinner)

Mid-Trail | Year-Round

For a low-key, classic North Woods spot, Hungry Jack Lodge is a great post-hike stop for lunch or dinner. The atmosphere is rustic and relaxed, with lakeside dining and a bar. You can grab a drink, a bite, and even throw a few darts. (In case anyone is wondering, I won the last two rounds of darts here!)

The menu includes burgers, sandwiches, and pizza. Plus, one of my favorite apps, duck wontons! Hungry Jack Lodge is a particularly fun option for families or anyone looking to refuel without making dinner a whole production. 

Justine’s at Gunflint Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

End-of-the-Trail | Year-Round | Dinner reservations are required

If you’re looking for places to eat at the end of the Gunflint Trail, put Justine’s on your list. Located at Gunflint Lodge, it’s a cozy, woodsy spot serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner year-round. It is a particularly valuable option when other trail restaurants are closed seasonally. 

The menu puts a North Woods spin on the classics. The menu features duck, walleye, wild rice, burgers, and even tater tot hotdish. I mean, come on! When have you seen tater tot hotdish on a menu before? Kids have their own menu, too (this is one of the most family-friendly restaurants on the Gunflint Trail!). For dessert, don’t miss the tableside-flambéed S’mores Baked Alaska. Indoor and lakefront patio seating are available.

Have Fun Trying My Favorite Restaurants on the Gunflint Trail!

I hope this guide makes planning your next Gunflint Trail adventure a little easier and a lot more delicious! From cozy North Woods lodges to lakefront dining, there are plenty of great options when you’re wondering where to eat on the Gunflint Trail (with or without kids). These are some of my personal picks for the best restaurants on the Gunflint Trail. Each one is perfect after a day of hiking, paddling, or exploring. Come hungry, plan ahead, and enjoy one of my favorite places in Minnesota!

Unless otherwise noted, all images within this article were taken by and belong to the blog’s author, Antonia Grant. A reminder that this post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclaimer & Disclosure Policy for more information.