Good Restaurants on the Croix

I was wondering if anyone here has any suggestions on good places to eat on the lower Croix? I’ll be up there in the boat so any place suggested would need to be accessed by water. I’d prefer a nicer place over a bar / grill but anything with a great view of the river would be considered.

Thanks in advance.

Stillwater probably has the two best establishments. The Dock Cafe if you want a quiet place, great view, and a candid discussion – the problem is there isn’t a dock to park your boat. PD Pappy’s is great if you want a few beers and hang with some biker dudes/chicks. Pappy’s has good docking.

Nothing’s perfect..

Thanks Shale.

James
if you are in stillwater i have a few suggestions. the dock of course is a good spot but a bit overrun by the “tourist” types as it is the most visited river restraunt in stillwater. for good reason though, great view, decent food etc. if you are bringing a little lady with you, Marx is the spot to be…on the main street but you can miss it if you aren’t paying attention. tiny little store front and maybe 50 seats inside. go early to get a spot. the food is out of control good and the ambience is inspiring. i don’t know if you like art at all (not that many fisherman that i know do, but maybe you are one of the cultured outdoorsmen) but they display local artists all the time and it’s quite good. hope you have fun
micah

There is really only one place on the lower Croix that fit what you are looking for and that is the Steamboat Inn. They have a dock on the river just upstream from the bridge into Prescott. Fancy, but not snooty. Only place with a view of the river now that the monstosity apartment complex went in.

-J.

The Steamboat has lots of traffic in the parking lot this year so maybe they cleaned up their act. The dock sure looks better. That’s a sit down place with it’s own dock system so maybe your best bet down there. Other than Still water that’s the only restaurant you can dock at and watch your boat. The public docks in Prescott are hidden from view for the most part so that makes me nervous with fishing boat. Afton has a public dock for rent which includes someone to watch your stuff. At least on weekends. Long walk to town but 1 main restaurant there. If someone is not there taking money to watch your stuff you are hanging your butt WAY out concerning the security of your gear.

James – If you decide on Stillwater, they have public docks that cost $5 for the first hour and $2 for each additional hour. The public docks are managed by the St Croix Boat & Packet Company for the City of Stillwater. The public docks are located next to the excursion boats. You can contact St Croix Boat & Packet for dock information at telephone: 651-430-1234.

James,
Riversides in Hudson has just been taken over by a new owner. There is a public dock there for around $5.00 I believe. It’s where they park the Afton Cruise ship. They’ve got an outdoor deck from where you can see the river. It’s not a spectacular view but you can see water.
Great food and if you want to check out another place there’s a new restaurant/music place called Twisted Grill. Just one block up from Riversides. I personally haven’t eaten there because the prices are set to gouge the tourists. It’s a great place to grab a martini and chill. Are you going to get as far north as Hudson?
I’ll PM you my cell number and if you need any more info/directions give me a shout. Heck, give me a shout anyways if you’re in Hudson.

James if your in Stillwater @ the public docks by the paddle wheelers it’s a short walk to these restaurants within A block or 2. These are in order from the South end of town on Main street which parallels the river 1 block West.

THE DOCK CAFE- right on river nice view (casual to nice)

FREIGHTHOUSE- street level, large outside deck with river view inside no view (casual)

ST. CROIX CRABHOUSE- band great appetizers nice 2nd level view main course meals have let me down.

BRINES- nice bar street level good food 2nd level not much view.

MADD CAPPERS- great food and $3.25 beer (casual) no view street level

MARX WINE BAR- (fancy) no view never tried it.

WHITEY’S BAR- (casual) cold beer never tried food no view.

THE LUMBER BARRON HOTEL- (fancy) $5 beers, good food large outside deck with street view.

RUBY BAGONIA’S- band decent food no view street level with game room upstairs.

P.D.PAPPY’S- right on water with docking (free I think?) very casual biker to blue collars good food with river view.

CESARE’S WINE BAR- pricey good food (fancy) no view

STILLWATER DEPOT GRILL- (fancy) excellent food at N. end of town

I think I have all of them here.

Enjoy it while the bridge is out. The crowds have been slower and the locals are coming to town this summer for a change!

Ferny

Thanks everyone… I really appreciate all the help.

San Pedro Cafe – downtown Hudson. Fantastic food!