Part 2: Best Minneapolis outdoor patios off the beaten path

1) Victor's 1959 Cafe: Victor's was the first restaurant I visited when I first moved to south Minneapolis. This Cuban secret was passed down by word of mouth, cleverly hidden in the Kingfield neighborhood in a tiny brown shingled building with a green sea-foam colored fence and festive lights strung about.

Victor's gained national attention when Guy Fieri from the Food Network's popular show "Diner's Drive-ins and Dives", visited the cafe and cooked up some "Off the hook Cuban food!" with owner Niki Stavrou. I first visited Victor's in late August when the outdoor patio was open and music and laughter spilled out into the quiet street. The delicious Cuban smells that wafted outside from the tiny kitchen immediately made me a fan on the spot. In the summer, enjoy the brand-new happy hour "fritas" (little Cuban burgers) and tropical Mojitos on their deck. Read a full food review here.

Victor's is small to spot but fairly easy to find. It is located on 3756 Grand Avenue South on the corner of Grand Avenue and 38th Street in south Minneapolis. Dinner is 4:30-9 p.m., and reservations are strongly recommended for dinner. Call 612-827-8948 or email cafe1959@gmail.com to place your reservation.

2) Hot Plate Diner: Hot Plate is another South Minneapolis neighborhood favorite near Lake Nokomis that is a bit off the radar to most folks. Hot Plate is wildly eclectic and colorful with vintage light fixtures, kooky mid-century art and other retro kitsch like the haphazardly hung paint-by-numbers pictures. The diner inside is cluttered but cozy with sizzling hot breakfast items. Their outdoor patio is a comfortable reprieve from the heat with the seating option of sun or shade. As you wait for your table, loll around on the grass outside the restaurant, talk up with other friendly guests, pat a dog (everyone loves dogs here) and grin at the toothless, happy babies.

Breakfast is the usual American favorites with a twist like the nutty fluffy buckwheat and pumpkin waffles. The fried egg sandwich with a side of deliciously fried potatoes is especially scrumptious and filling. Hot Plate is a great place to bike to on a Saturday afternoon in between the breakfast and lunch rush. 

Hot Plate is located at 5204 Bloomington Avenue South, two blocks west of Lake Nokomis. Contact 612-824-4794 for more information.

3) Crema Cafe: This romantic Lyndale neighborhood bistro is a European-style cafe that serves up famous home-made Sonny's Ice Cream and breakfast and lunch items. Crema has one of the best boulevard gardens in town and a side patio with a flair of Italian-countryside appeal. If you want to pretend to be in Europe for the summer, Crema is your place. 

Crema can be found at 3403 Lyndale Avenue S. on the cross street of Lyndale and W. 34th Street. The cafe is just south of Painter Park in southwest Minneapolis. Call 612-824-3868.

4) Grand Cafe:  Grand Cafe is right across the street from Victor's Cafe in southwest Minneapolis and about a five minute drive from Uptown. Like its neighbor, Grand Cafe is small and modest but delivers a tasty menu that rivals any downtown dining giant. This organic European neighborhood bakery creates French masterpieces like the tender Duck Confit and incredibly rich Eggs en Cocotte. The outdoor ambience is romantic with quiet views of Grand Avenue and a great place to grab brunch or a cafe au lait in the late afternoon and let the hours slip by on their outdoor patio.

Grand Cafe is located on the corner of 38th and Grand Avenue in south Minneapolis. From 35W take the 35th Street exit and drive west past Nicollet to Grand Avenue and turn south up to 38th street. Call 612-822-8260 to place your reservation.

5) Butter Cafe: For over 25 years, the butter bakery cafe has been a cheery neighborhood fixture perfect for a quick stop on your morning commute, watch a local band on the weekend, or just read the paper and watch the quirky crowds pass by. The outside sidewalk seating gets somewhat crowded around brunch time, but you can easily snag the large picnic table in the early afternoon. Butter is a great chill-out place to work, study, visit with friends, and enjoy a legendary chocolate eclair. Look for the bright blue awning as you troll down Grand Avenue in search of your coffee fix.

Butter is located at 3544 Grand Avenue S. in south Minneapolis. It is approximately three blocks east of Lyndale Avenue S and six blocks west of I-35 W. Contact 612-521-7401 for more information.