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Sunny day picnics are appropriate for a romantic evening or a lunchtime rendezvous with friends. Ordering pre-made sandwiches from a deli, bakery, or cafe takes the grunt work out of packing the perfect basket.
Cafe, deli, and neighborhood market Kieran’s Kitchen has a picnic spread to die for. A park-friendly kombucha mimosa made with a choice of 3Leche’s fermented beverages fits the bill for a fancy beverage to sip alongside a summer spread. Head to the Food Building in Northeast for meat and cheese boards or a la carte items from local makers around the city to craft the ultimate picnic basket.
The cozy St. Paul deli is selling hot and cold sandwiches and brats for your next picnic or backyard barbecue. Pasta, potato, and fruit salads are available by the pound to share with a friend. The walk-in meal deal includes a choice of a sandwich, plus two of the following items: canned pop, bottled water, chips, or a cookie.
Surdyk’s is an essential stop for a bottle of wine and all the appropriate accouterments. The cold sandwiches in particular would keep well in a picnic basket in the back of a trunk or backpack on a bike ride. Order the ficelle with assorted salumi, sweet butter, red onion, and arugula or a simple brie and asparagus on a baguette on a sunny day.
This classic no-frills deli and eatery shouldn’t be missed when planning a picnic in St. Paul. Big bags of chips, a cold case of sodas, and a lox plate for two make Cecil’s the place to swing by in the afternoon before lounging on a blanket beneath a tree. The Reuben with coleslaw and a Dr. Brown’s Cel-Ray soda shouldn’t be missed.
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Inspired by days on a North Dakota family farm and named for a beloved grandmother, Mary Ellen’s is a warm and affordable breakfast and lunch addition to Minneapolis’ Northeast neighborhood. The brunch board feeds 3-5 and comes with three biscuits, a hot pretzel, toast, scrambled eggs, two kielbasa sausages, greens, and more. Be sure to add on a growler of cold press coffee.
The local favorite for sustainable seafood, Coastal’s cafe serves up tasty sandwiches to enjoy on the parking lot patio or to-go. Snag the Norweigen smoked Reuben and lobster roll from the cafe and browse the store.
Cheerful Common Roots Cafe just expanded the patio so more diners than ever can enjoy outdoor seating. Bagels are made fresh daily and available in a half dozen or dozen for a morning or afternoon nosh in the park with friends. Add on cinnamon rolls or salted chocolate chip cookies for a sweet treat.
Rustica Bakery bakes bread for every flavor of picnic spread. Go Parisian with a chocolate croissant or indulge in challah baked exclusively on Fridays. Sandwiches include chicken salad on a croissant or ham and cheese on a baguette. When planning a picnic the more baked goods the better.
The mezza plate from Cafe Ceres consists of marinated olives, pita, prosciutto, labneh, and za’atar to order to go and enjoy al fresco. Pastries and cookies like the garam masala zephyr rye cookie are also available. Order an iced hibiscus roobios tea or chai latte to sip on your favorite blanket in the grass.
