For those who have been to Europe, the glory of dining there is not so much the five-course, white-tablecloth affairs. It's not that they're unpleasant, but they often pale in recollection beside that glass of wine and plate of cheese enjoyed at a casual seaside cafe. Domacin picks up on that casual but refined vibe and brings it to the shore of the St. Croix River. And if there's a cozier place to eat in Stillwater, we haven't found it.

Chef Don Saunders has a reputation as one of the Midwest's brightest culinary lights, and it comes through in his food, which is rich, beautiful and deftly balanced. The Kenwood feels like a tasteful old hunting lodge magically transported to the cozy Kenwood neighborhood, and it's a place where couples can make themselves abundantly comfortable.

From oxtail cannelloni to walleye cheeks to wild snow crab ravioli, the dishes on the menu at Bemidji's Tutto Bene offer up a level of sophistication that befits its college town locale. If you're in the area, load up on pasta or the pescato del giorno (fish of the day) at one of Minnesota's hidden gems.

As the gateway to the Boundary Waters, Ely has a reputation for being rustic yet sophisticated—a place where you can outfit an expedition but also grab a great bite of grub. Organic Roots offers thoughtful, delicious food that would pass muster in downtown Minneapolis in a charming small bistro environment, and it's a perfect place to mark your triumphant return from the woods.

Finding great seafood in the Midwest can be tricky, but there are restaurants that rise to the challenge with aplomb. Rochester's Pescara is one of them. Its fresh-from-scratch dishes made with seafood have a delicacy and liveliness that recall coastal dining. Handmade cocktails are a perfect support for the food, which includes scallops, lobster bisque, cioppino, and some locally inspired fare like walleye a la Milanese.