Best Restaurants in North Oaks, MN — Top Local Spots in 2026

North Oaks is a unique community — a private city with its own homeowners association, a private lake, and miles of trails. What it also has, tucked along Village Center Drive and Centerville Road, is a surprisingly strong dining scene for a residential community of its size. From a classic French-American dinner spot to a beloved Scandinavian bakery to some of the north suburbs’ best sushi, North Oaks punches well above its weight when it comes to restaurants.

The Owl Roofing team has spent plenty of time on North Oaks rooftops over the years, and these are the local dining spots that have earned our respect (and our business).

And if your North Oaks home needs roofing, gutters, windows, or siding, Owl Roofing is your family-owned Twin Cities neighbor — give us a call for a free estimate.

The 6 Best Restaurants in North Oaks, MN (2026)

1. Tria Restaurant

Address: 5959 Centerville Rd, North Oaks, MN 55127
Phone: 651-426-9222
Website: triarestaurant.com
Rating: ⭐ 4.4 / 921 Google reviews
Hours: Opens 4 PM daily (closed one day per week — check website)

Tria Restaurant is North Oaks’ flagship dining destination — a stately, upscale American bistro with contemporary French influences, a warm atmosphere, and a menu that changes with the seasons. The space is beautiful, service is consistently professional, and the kitchen handles everything from mussels and calamari to filet mignon and walleye fingers with equal care. Tria also operates a full events center, making it a favorite for rehearsal dinners, holiday gatherings, and private parties. If you’re celebrating something in North Oaks, Tria is the obvious choice.

“We were there for Thanksgiving 2025 and it was delicious! They had a 3-course pre-fixe menu with a variety of options including quite a few gluten free options. The hostess was friendly and professional.” — Michelle D., Google ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Returning to Tria is quite an adventure. The people who work there are friendly and professional. The dishes are delicious and very well prepared, whether in the French or American style. They have a great selection of wines.” — C.E. Tobler, Google ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

2. Taste of Scandinavia Bakery & Cafe

Address: 845 Village Center Dr, North Oaks, MN 55127
Phone: 651-482-8285
Website: tasteofscandinavia.com
Rating: ⭐ 4.6 / 765 Google reviews
Hours: Daily, closes 4 PM

Taste of Scandinavia is the kind of neighborhood café you’d move to a suburb for. Women-owned and community-rooted, this bakery and café has been serving North Oaks and the Village Center area with authentic Scandinavian baked goods, breakfast, and lunch for decades. The Swedish Lefsa Breakfast, lingonberry pancakes, almond kringle, cardamom bread, and freshly made kolache are among the fan favorites — and that’s before you get to the coffee. It’s a genuinely warm, unpretentious spot where staff know regulars by name and everything tastes made from scratch because it is.

“They always have a very friendly staff and usually when I order the Lefsa and fresh fruit it’s always very fresh! Just a nice small little café.” — Ruth Taylor, Google ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Fabulous breakfast! I was amazed at the superb quality of service and the picture perfect and delicious breakfast I received at 6 AM.” — Randall Bergman, Google ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Taste of Scandinavia Bakery & Cafe is an excellent spot for breakfast or some baked goods. I stopped by one day and picked up a fruit pastry and it was delicious.” — Frederick (Google Local Guide) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

3. Panino’s North Oaks

Address: 857 Village Center Dr, North Oaks, MN 55127
Phone: 651-486-0296
Website: paninosmn.com
Rating: ⭐ 4.3 / 1,092 Google reviews

Panino’s has been a north suburban family staple for years, and the North Oaks Village Center location keeps the tradition going strong. The menu features handcrafted panino sandwiches, fresh pastas, pizzas, and crisp salads — all in a warm, casual setting that works equally well for a family dinner or a night out at the bar side. The restaurant recently remodeled and the space looks great, but the heart of the place hasn’t changed: quality ingredients, generous portions, and the kind of friendly, attentive service that keeps customers coming back for years.

“Panino’s has been a family staple for a very long time! You can either sit in the quieter restaurant side or the more social bar side. You must get the panino fries to start.” — Anna Orlich, Google ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Recently dined here for the first time. Food was great and the service was amazing! Our server Millie was so professional and made our experience that much better.” — Shannon Stahn, Google ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“The food here has really improved. I got the cracker pizza with sausage and mushrooms. It was really good, plenty of cheese and toppings.” — Jackie Boutall, Google ⭐⭐⭐⭐

4. Suishin Restaurant

Address: 125 Village Center Dr, North Oaks, MN 55127
Phone: 651-765-1317
Website: suishinmn.com
Rating: ⭐ 4.6 / 374 Google reviews
Hours: Daily 4–9 PM

Suishin is the north suburbs’ go-to for quality Japanese cuisine and sushi, and it’s been earning that reputation quietly at the North Oaks Village Center for years. The sleek, contemporary interior and calm atmosphere make it ideal for a date night or a relaxed dinner, and the menu delivers — from the signature Suishin Roll (asparagus, spicy tuna, salmon) to bento boxes, hot pots, and teriyaki plates. At a 4.6 rating across nearly 400 reviews, Suishin consistently overdelivers for its neighborhood location.

“We love Suishin! I always get the chicken katsu because I’m not a big fan of seafood — it comes with so much food! My husband loves the sushi as well.” — Ali Hawley, Google ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

5. Ricardo’s Pub Pizza

Address: 1011 Meadowlands Dr Suite 7b, White Bear Lake, MN 55127
Phone: 651-493-0461
Rating: ⭐ 4.9 / 195 Google reviews

Just a short drive from the North Oaks Village Center, Ricardo’s Pub Pizza earns a 4.9 Google rating across nearly 200 reviews — one of the highest-rated restaurants in the entire north suburban area. The formula is simple: house-made sauce, top-quality ingredients, and a pub atmosphere that feels genuinely welcoming. Ricardo’s also offers their famous pies as frozen take-home pizzas, which tells you everything you need to know about how confident they are in their product. If you haven’t made the short trip to Ricardo’s yet, fix that.

6. Punch Pizza — Vadnais Heights (Near North Oaks)

Address: 1018 Hwy 96 E, Vadnais Heights, MN 55127
Phone: 651-429-1061
Website: punchpizza.com
Rating: ⭐ 4.6 / 707 reviews

The Punch Pizza location on Highway 96 serves both the Vadnais Heights and North Oaks communities. These are authentic Neapolitan wood-fired pies made with quality imported ingredients — thin crusts, minimal but thoughtful toppings, cooked in a 900-degree wood-fired oven in about 90 seconds. The result is a pizza that’s blistered, chewy, and genuinely delicious. At $10–15 per pie, it’s one of the north suburbs’ best-value meals. Order the Tuscano or the Napoli and thank us later.

North Oaks Restaurant Comparison

A Note from Owl Roofing

Owl Roofing is a family-owned roofing, siding, windows, and gutters company serving North Oaks and the Twin Cities north suburbs. We love this community and take pride in being trusted by the homeowners, businesses, and neighbors who make it great.

Restaurant or business owner in North Oaks? We’re always looking to connect with great local businesses. Whether it’s mutual referrals, building maintenance, or just being a trusted contractor your customers can count on — let’s get in touch.

North Oaks homeowner? If your home needs a new roof, upgraded gutters, fresh siding, or new windows, Owl Roofing can help. We offer free estimates with no pressure and fast project timelines. Contact us today.

FAQ: Dining in North Oaks, MN

What is the best restaurant in North Oaks?

For a full sit-down dinner experience, Tria Restaurant is the standout — upscale, reliable, and beautiful for special occasions. For everyday dining, Taste of Scandinavia (breakfast/brunch) and Panino’s (Italian comfort food) are the local favorites. Suishin takes the top spot for Japanese food. Ricardo’s Pub Pizza near the Meadowlands area has an incredible 4.9 Google rating and is worth the short drive.

Does North Oaks have many restaurants?

North Oaks is primarily a private residential community, so the restaurant count is modest compared to neighboring suburbs. The Village Center area along Village Center Drive has the core dining cluster — Taste of Scandinavia, Panino’s, Suishin, and others — while Tria Restaurant sits on Centerville Road. For more variety, residents typically head to nearby White Bear Lake, Shoreview, or Vadnais Heights.

Is Tria Restaurant in North Oaks good for special occasions?

Absolutely. Tria is the go-to for anniversaries, birthdays, rehearsal dinners, and holiday events in the north suburbs. They have a dedicated events coordinator (Holly gets rave reviews), a beautiful private room (the Jerome Room), and a kitchen that handles large-format menus with care. Reservations are strongly recommended for weekend dinners and holidays.

Where can I get breakfast in North Oaks?

Taste of Scandinavia Bakery & Café on Village Center Drive is the clear answer — a community institution for homemade Scandinavian pastries, egg dishes, pancakes, and excellent coffee. It opens early and closes at 4 PM, so breakfast and brunch are the move here.

Is there good sushi near North Oaks?

Yes — Suishin Restaurant at 125 Village Center Dr is one of the north suburbs’ most consistently praised Japanese restaurants. With a 4.6 Google rating and nearly 400 reviews, it’s the real deal for sushi, bento boxes, hot pots, and teriyaki. Hours are 4–9 PM daily — dinner only.

Does Owl Roofing work in North Oaks?

Yes — North Oaks is one of the communities we serve regularly. Owl Roofing provides roofing, siding, gutters, and window services throughout the north metro. We understand the character of North Oaks homes and the quality standards homeowners expect here. Get a free estimate from our team today.

What’s the highest-rated restaurant near North Oaks?

Ricardo’s Pub Pizza earns a remarkable 4.9 Google rating — one of the highest of any restaurant in the entire north suburban area. It’s located just a few minutes from North Oaks at 1011 Meadowlands Dr in White Bear Lake/Maplewood. If you’re a pizza person, it’s absolutely worth the trip.