Local Guide
Crosslake & the Whitefish Chain
Dining Guide
Where to eat, drink, and dock on and around the Whitefish Chain. Everything from legendary pizza joints to upscale lakeside dining.
The Scene
A dining scene that punches above its weight.
Crosslake might be a small town of 2,400, but when summer hits and the lake cabins fill up, this place hums with a dining scene that rivals towns twice its size. From the iconic rooftop at Moonlite Bay to the cozy cabin warmth of Patrick's Cedar Chest, there is a surprising depth of options for a town that sits at the center of one of Minnesota's great lake chains.
Whether you are pulling up by pontoon, rolling in from the Paul Bunyan Trail, or just driving over from the cabin, this guide covers every notable spot in and around Crosslake. Written like a local would talk to you. No fluff, just good info on where to eat tonight.
Category
American Classics & Comfort Food
The backbone of Crosslake dining. Burgers, steaks, fries, and the kind of hearty meals that hit the spot after a day on the water.
Moonlite Bay Family Restaurant & Bar
$$American comfort food
Award-winning burgers, classic comfort food, great for families and groups.
Vibe: Lively, family-friendly, energetic. Seasonal rooftop bar Pub 33 (Thursday-Sunday).
37627 County Road 66, Crosslake
The Wharf
$$Classic lakeside food & drinks
Burgers, sandwiches, fish, cocktails. One of the most recognizable spots on the chain.
Vibe: Nautical charm, laid-back, iconic. An institution since 1988.
12986 Co Rd 16, Crosslake
Andy's Bar and Grill
$Casual bar & grill
Great burgers, wings, and cold beer. Quick, affordable, and dependable.
Vibe: No-frills local favorite on Cross Lake. The kind of place where everybody knows your name.
35453 Co Rd 3, Crosslake
Pine Peaks Restaurant
$$American
Steaks, seafood, comfort food. A solid all-around choice with a pleasant dining room.
Vibe: Nice atmosphere with a gifts and apparel shop on site. Popular with visitors.
35654 Co Rd 66, Crosslake
Red Pine Cookhouse
$$American comfort food
American comfort classics in a warm, inviting setting.
Vibe: Warm, inviting, homey. The kind of place where comfort food is the whole point.
Category
Pizza & Italian
From legendary local pizza joints to homemade Italian fare, Crosslake punches above its weight when the craving for red sauce hits.
Rafferty's Pizza
$$Pizza
Some of the best pizza in the Brainerd Lakes area. Creative specialty pies and fresh salads.
Vibe: Legendary local pizza joint. Sunny patio, creative pies, always busy.
14281 Gould St, Crosslake
Maucieri's Italian Bistro Bar & Deli
$$$Italian
Homemade pasta, pizza, and deli items. A refined Italian option in the heart of Crosslake.
Vibe: A step above typical lakeside fare. Great for date night or a family dinner.
34650 Co Rd 3, Crosslake
Zorbaz on Cross Lake
$$Mexican & pizza
Margaritas, tacos, and a lively boater-friendly scene. Popular spot to pull up by boat.
Vibe: Fun, casual, right on the water. Party atmosphere with a lake view.
Category
Steaks & Chops
When you want a proper dinner out. Whether it's a cozy cabin setting or an upscale dining room, these spots deliver.
Patrick's Cedar Chest
$$$American fare, steaks & chops
Steaks, chops, great bar scene. Beloved spot with regulars who come back year after year.
Vibe: Cozy cabin atmosphere, loyal local following on the Whitefish Chain.
33350 Co Rd 3, Crosslake
Norway Ridge
$$$$Upscale American
Steaks, seafood, and craft cocktails. Creative seasonal menu in an upscale setting.
Vibe: Refined dining in Pequot Lakes. Worth the short drive from Crosslake for a special night out.
30880 Patriot Ave, Pequot Lakes
Category
Taverns & Hangouts
Casual, welcoming, and reliably good. These are the spots where locals go on a random Tuesday night.
Riverside Tavern
$$Tavern fare
Good food, good drinks, comfortable setting. A reliable go-to for casual dining.
Vibe: Classic tavern atmosphere. Solid, dependable, no surprises.
35322 Co Rd 3, Crosslake
Mission Tavern
$Tavern fare
Good food, good drinks, familiar faces. A true local's spot.
Vibe: Casual, local hangout. No frills, just good company and cold drinks.
Dark Horse Brew
$$Craft brewery & pub food
Great locally crafted beer, pub food, and a relaxed atmosphere.
Vibe: Laid-back, craft beer focused. A relaxed spot for beer enthusiasts.
UpNorth Social
$$American casual
Good food, good drinks, welcoming atmosphere. A fresh option in town.
Vibe: Casual and social. A newer addition to the Crosslake dining scene.
Category
New & Noteworthy
Crosslake's dining scene keeps evolving. These newer spots have quickly earned their place in the local rotation.
Mad Rabbits
$$$Creative American
Creative dishes, excellent wait staff, and a rotating menu that keeps locals coming back.
Vibe: Fun, upscale, excellent service. A newer spot that's quickly become a local favorite.
The Bourbon Room
$$$Whiskey bar & cocktails
Whiskey-focused menu, craft cocktails, a refined atmosphere for an evening out.
Vibe: Refined, sophisticated. The spot for a proper night out with a well-curated whiskey list.
UpNorth Social
$$American casual
Good food, good drinks, welcoming atmosphere. A fresh option in town.
Vibe: Casual and social. A newer addition to the Crosslake dining scene.
On the Water
Boat-Up Dining on the Whitefish Chain
One of the great joys of lake life in Minnesota: tying up your pontoon at a lakeside restaurant and walking off the dock straight to your table. These spots all have boat access and welcome the lake crowd.
Moonlite Bay
Dock your pontoon and grab a bite. One of the most popular boat-up spots on the entire chain. Award-winning burgers, cold drinks, and a lively atmosphere right on the water.
The Wharf
Nautical charm with easy boat access. Classic lakeside dining since 1988. Pull up, tie off, and settle in for burgers, sandwiches, fish, and cocktails.
Patrick's Cedar Chest
Boat up for steaks and chops in a cozy cabin setting. A beloved local institution with a loyal following on the Whitefish Chain.
Andy's Bar and Grill
Quick boat-up stop for burgers and cold drinks on Cross Lake. No-frills, affordable, and dependable. Exactly what you want after an afternoon on the water.
Directory
All Restaurants at a Glance
The complete list of every notable restaurant in Crosslake and on the Whitefish Chain. Sorted for quick scanning.
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Price | Boat-Up | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moonlite Bay Family Restaurant & Bar 37627 County Road 66, Crosslake | American comfort food | $$ | Yes | Award-winning burgers, classic comfort food, great for families and groups. |
| The Wharf 12986 Co Rd 16, Crosslake | Classic lakeside food & drinks | $$ | Yes | Burgers, sandwiches, fish, cocktails. One of the most recognizable spots on the chain. |
| Patrick's Cedar Chest 33350 Co Rd 3, Crosslake | American fare, steaks & chops | $$$ | Yes | Steaks, chops, great bar scene. Beloved spot with regulars who come back year after year. |
| Andy's Bar and Grill 35453 Co Rd 3, Crosslake | Casual bar & grill | $ | Yes | Great burgers, wings, and cold beer. Quick, affordable, and dependable. |
| Maucieri's Italian Bistro Bar & Deli 34650 Co Rd 3, Crosslake | Italian | $$$ | No | Homemade pasta, pizza, and deli items. A refined Italian option in the heart of Crosslake. |
| Rafferty's Pizza 14281 Gould St, Crosslake | Pizza | $$ | No | Some of the best pizza in the Brainerd Lakes area. Creative specialty pies and fresh salads. |
| Zorbaz on Cross Lake | Mexican & pizza | $$ | No | Margaritas, tacos, and a lively boater-friendly scene. Popular spot to pull up by boat. |
| Norway Ridge 30880 Patriot Ave, Pequot Lakes | Upscale American | $$$$ | No | Steaks, seafood, and craft cocktails. Creative seasonal menu in an upscale setting. |
| Mad Rabbits | Creative American | $$$ | No | Creative dishes, excellent wait staff, and a rotating menu that keeps locals coming back. |
| Riverside Tavern 35322 Co Rd 3, Crosslake | Tavern fare | $$ | No | Good food, good drinks, comfortable setting. A reliable go-to for casual dining. |
| Pine Peaks Restaurant 35654 Co Rd 66, Crosslake | American | $$ | No | Steaks, seafood, comfort food. A solid all-around choice with a pleasant dining room. |
| Manhattan Beach Lodge 39051 Co Rd 66, Crosslake | Elevated American | $$$ | No | Steaks, seafood, and legendary Sunday brunch. Historic lodge setting on Lower Whitefish Lake. |
| Dark Horse Brew | Craft brewery & pub food | $$ | No | Great locally crafted beer, pub food, and a relaxed atmosphere. |
| Mission Tavern | Tavern fare | $ | No | Good food, good drinks, familiar faces. A true local's spot. |
| Red Pine Cookhouse | American comfort food | $$ | No | American comfort classics in a warm, inviting setting. |
| The Bourbon Room | Whiskey bar & cocktails | $$$ | No | Whiskey-focused menu, craft cocktails, a refined atmosphere for an evening out. |
| UpNorth Social | American casual | $$ | No | Good food, good drinks, welcoming atmosphere. A fresh option in town. |
Price key: $ = under $15 · $$ = $15-$30 · $$$ = $30-$50 · $$$$ = $50+ per person
Local Knowledge
Tips from a Local
A few things worth knowing before you head out. These come from growing up on these lakes and watching the dining scene evolve.
Summer weekends mean waits.
From late June through mid-August, every popular spot fills up by 6 PM. Go early (5 PM) or late (8 PM), or call ahead. Moonlite Bay and Rafferty's especially.
Boat-up is the move.
If you are on the water, boat-up dining is the way to go. Moonlite Bay and The Wharf are the most popular docks. Patrick's and Andy's are quieter options with less wait.
Pub 33 is a hidden gem.
Moonlite Bay's seasonal rooftop bar is open Thursday through Sunday and offers one of the best elevated lake views in town. Great for sunset drinks.
Don't sleep on Pequot Lakes.
Norway Ridge is worth the 15-minute drive from Crosslake. It is the most upscale dining option in the area and perfect for a date night or celebration dinner.
Off-season is quieter but still good.
Many restaurants scale back hours after Labor Day, but the year-round spots like Rafferty's, Maucieri's, and Pine Peaks stay open with shorter waits and the same quality.
The Bourbon Room for a nightcap.
After dinner, head to The Bourbon Room for a proper cocktail. It is the most refined drink spot in town, with a serious whiskey list and a sophisticated atmosphere.
Ready to explore the dining scene in person?
12388 Brookwood Circle puts you right on the Whitefish Chain, minutes from every spot on this guide.