restaurants

Mixto to open at former El Barco location

Jan 21, 2026

Taking the place of downtown’s El Barco, located at 209 S. Lakeshore Dr., is a new Mexican American bar and grill, Mixto, whose new owners are excited to be joining the Lake City community. A soft opening is scheduled for either Friday or Monday, depending on when renovations to the building are...

‘Whole, fresh food’ the focus at new Off the Rails Bistro

Jun 25, 2025

A new eatery had a soft opening early last week at 800 W. Lyon Avenue in Lake City. Off the Rails Bistro is now open from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and Sundays for brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Chef-owner Marbin Avilez said he has opened and...

New restaurant opens on Lyon Avenue

Oct 25, 2023

Lake City’s newest restaurant, Copper Mug, opened last week at the corner of 8th Street and Lyon Avenue. It’s open every day except Wednesday. People can find more information on the “Copper Mug Restaurant and Catering” Facebook page.

The Copper Mug is coming to former Railhouse Grill

Sep 13, 2023

A new eatery is coming to the space that was home to Railhouse Grill, and later Salt and Pepper. Heidi and Brent Walker, along with their daughter Kriston Rabehl and her husband Tanner, hope to open the Copper Mug in early October. The name is a nod to the mugs used to serve Moscow Mule and a...

Kelly’s Lake House aims to replicate Red Wing success on Lake Pepin

Jul 28, 2021

When the opportunity to open a restaurant knocked, the family that owns Kelly’s Taphouse in Red Wing didn’t answer, not right away at least. “We were approached by John Hutchinson saying he had a business opportunity for us,” said Mitch Anderson. “We were so busy at Kelly’s (Taphouse) that it wasn...

Positive COVID-19 test closes Port 104 until Aug. 12

Jul 29, 2020

Port 104 announced on July 28 that it would be closed until 11 a.m. on Aug. 12 after a member of the staff tested positive for COVID-19. “The only day the staff member worked after exposure was Sunday, July 26, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. serving tables but to be on the safe side, our staff members...

City refunds fourth quarter liquor license fees

Jun 11, 2020

The Lake City City Council voted unanimously Monday to refund liquor license fees as a way to help local bars and restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bars and restaurants have been “closed or extremely limited” in their operations for months during the pandemic, according to the council...

Lake House is chef's dream home

May 18, 2017

After years of rumors and speculation, it’s really happening. A restuarant is opening in the lakeshore building on Central Point Road that last housed the Skyline. The Lake House on Pepin plans to begin serving the public at 11 a.m. Monday, May 22. “I’ve been trying almost from the day it closed...

1st dollar for new Chickadee owners

May 11, 2017

The Lake City Chamber of Commerce presented Chickadee Cottage Cafe with their First Dollar of clear profit on May 3. The Chickadee is starting off the season with new owners, fiancées Trent Tingblad and Laure’n Kann. Chickadee Cottage was opened by Dawna and Howard Hawkins in 1991 then sold to an...

Farmers Downtown Grill closes

Jan 5, 2017

A downtown Lake City restaurant is no more. Farmers Downtown Grill held a customer appreciation party Saturday, Dec. 31, then closed for good. A note posted in the windows of the restaurant said the closure was due to a “down turn in the season.” Farmers Downtown Grill opened in mid-2015 in the...