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    The Watershed Cafe

    4.3 (147 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

    The Watershed Cafe Photos

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    THE WATERSHED CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Good for kids

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    Peterson steak selection
    Markus G.

    My wife and I wanted to get a little more riding in before the season comes to an end, so we decided to take the motorcycle up to Osceola and grab dinner at The Watershed Cafe. When we arrived, the area was packed, and there wasn't a single open parking spot within a few blocks. Thankfully, we were on the motorcycle, so we found a place to park right away without any issues. When we first walked in, a gentleman greeted us and was ready to take our order, but we learned by looking at the menus at the front counter that dinner service didn't start until four o'clock. We decided to take a short walk around town, enjoy the scenery, and then come back once they started serving dinner. After returning, we realized the restaurant has a slightly different setup, you place your order at the front counter, and then one of the servers seats you and brings anything else you might need once your food comes out. I ordered the herb roasted chicken, a farm-raised and seasonally inspired dish that came with freshly prepared sides broccolini, mushrooms, and carrots and seasoned potatoes. My wife went with the Peterson steak, made from Peterson Craftsman Meat, served with seasoned potatoes and a mix of vegetables that included broccolini, mushrooms, and carrots. The food was excellent, packed with flavor and cooked perfectly. It was the kind of meal that makes you want to shake the chef's hand and thank them for the experience. The restaurant itself had a nice atmosphere, plenty of seating inside, and even a patio for when the weather's nice. Overall, we were very impressed and plan to come back soon to try more items from their menu.

    Kathleen K.

    Order at the counter and then they will seat you. My husband thought the Turkey Club was okay but nothing special. The Wisconsin Board offered locally made sausage but it was just sausage stick and not very good. The board was bland. I asked for some fig jam and that made it much better. My husband added some to his Turkey Club and said it was a big improvement. An okay place but nothing special. Service was very good.

    Upon entering you place your order - the menu was
    JR W.

    We were in the area and with the help of ChatGPT we found the Watershed Café. It's a great place. You order the food at the counter and then they escort you to a table. Great ambience great service and good food. It was a little more expensive than I would've anticipated. The food was really good. I had the Reuben and fries, my wife had a quiche. My son had a pulled pork sandwich w/ the mac-n- cheese, and his girlfriend had a cheeseburger with fries. Everyone enjoyed their meal. It's a great place and if we are ever in the area, we'll be back. Fries are especially good. The service is really good, the location is scenic, next to the falls in the trails.

    Carissa E.

    I've been wanting to check out the watershed for sometime now and today ended up being the day! There was a line out there door so I suppose that's a good sign. It was a bit of the wait but the food and service was great. We were able to dine outside which was great on this perfect day. We ordered the Wisconsin board to share - cheeses, sausages, grapes, nuts, strawberries, apple slices and berries it was delicious. The tomato basil soup was delicious but a different more brothy base than I'm used to, the Cobb salad was filling and delicious with crisp fresh greens. We all enjoyed the pastries as well. The staff was super friendly and attentive, we had a really great time. (Hopefully no one else reviews from their POV of us loud obnoxious girls out and about away from our kids for two hours haha tearing the place down during lunch)

    Steak salad with beets, feta, red onion, walnuts, and balsamic vinaigrette. Delicious.
    Kathy B.

    Finally found a place with fresh produce. Cute place, good service, and great food. I enjoyed a very fresh skirt steak (seasoned perfectly) on greens with feta, walnuts, beets, and balsamic vinaigrette. Wonderful.

    Bench
    Nikki B.

    Stopped in yesterday as i was in town to meet a friend. Unfortunately i didnt order or eat since i was headed to lunch. Just popped in to check it out. For 11:30ish on a spring Saturday afternoon, the place was hopping. Employee Gabe was friendly & informative. Look forward to lunching here on my next pass through town.

    Fried walleye, potato wedges, coleslaw and tartar sauce. Fried chicken French fries, jalapeño coleslaw, dill pickle, which I stole.
    Audrey W.

    Weird motif GREAT staff, FANTASTIC food! Decor and vibe was a little off (dated, disjointed, lots of lodge lunch only vibes) but the food and kind staff made up for it. Would say don't judge a book by its cover, I was impressed.

    Maple Glaze Duck
    Luke G.

    Impressive menu for a small town "Cafe". I was a little confused; it's an informal spot with expensive food items. It's order at the counter service, but you're able to order a 10oz steak. Also, not just any steak, a $30 steak. Annoyingly, they don't have the prices on the menu blackboard behind the counter so you have to ask the host the cost for every item (which is awkward). The food was better than expected. The dressing for the Caesar salad was very light, I was hard to taste and required a lot of manipulation to spread it evenly on every leaf. The maple glaze duck was pretty good! However, In some spots it was a little dry.

    Patio
    Anne S.

    Wonderful food and drinks. The patio was delightful with the sound of the waterfall and all the trees.

    Side of fries
    Robyn L.

    What a gem! Was in town for a wedding and wanted to eat somewhere with a pretty outdoor space. We hit the jackpot here. On a quaint street overlooking lush greenery and a waterfall- wow. Cute place for sure! The steak salad was a hit, nachos not so much. Service was decent- attentive but the food took a while to come out. Free street parking.

    Rueben with warm homemade chips.  BLT with egg and cheddar cheese.
    Cindy S.

    Excellent place! There has been a line every time we have been to this restaurant, however it moves quickly and does not take long to get your order. Location is wonderful, you can sit outside and enjoy the beautiful scenery and sounds of the waterfall. Highly recommend.

    Turkey club and house chips

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    4 years ago

    Food is wonderful and the views out the back are amazing. I've never had food I didn't love from here

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    4 years ago

    Great menu and people . Beautiful little town ( downtown is literally 2.5 blocks ). Your also next door to Cascade Falls.

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    8 years ago

    The atmosphere, service, view, food and drinks are great! Perfect for breakfast, brunch or afternoon snacks.

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    5 years ago

    Great food. The homemade potato chips were delish!!! I love the back deck/patio eating area. A bit pricey... but overall, I'd go back.

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    8 years ago

    A historic location in Osceola has been expertly repurposed into a dining establishment. It's a nice place.

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    7 years ago

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    7 years ago

    This place has the best food in the world and has amazing fries. When you go there get there burger or the steak salad.

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    9 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Had a wonderful lunch here today. I had the Reuben sandwich and it was great. Very friendly staff. Will go back!

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    6 years ago

    Whoever said the wait staff was rude or the staff in general this rude is highly mistaken they are fabulous so check yourself Five Star!

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    Page 3 of 4

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    Burnt Chicken - Bourbon Chicken

    Burnt Chicken

    4.5(45 reviews)
    30.2 miPayne-Phalen

    From the food to the music to the service. Everything was perfect. In the hospitality industry,…read morethats a very hard thing to achieve. The head chef even took time to recognize us and offered his warning of "kick/spice" in the jambalaya and again later by noticing we were getting more food to take with us! 10/10 would eat here again. Thank you to you and all your staff

    Overall: 3/5 This spot delivers solid burgers and chicken…read moresandwiches, but in a Twin Cities food scene packed with strong contenders, it doesn't quite rise above the crowd. The portions are generous, the ideas are there, and a few components really work-but the overall experience stops short of being especially memorable. It's the kind of place I'd be fine returning to if someone suggested it, but not one I'd find myself actively craving. Food [1.5/3] The food was good, just not distinctive enough to stand out among the plethora of burger and chicken sandwich options around the Twin Cities. The portions are definitely hearty, which helps make the meal feel satisfying, but several dishes could benefit from bolder seasoning and better balance. A little more acidity, sauce, or brightness would go a long way in cutting through the richness and giving each bite more personality. Bourbon Chicken Sandwich had a tasty glaze with a pronounced bourbon flavor and paired nicely with the pineapple slaw, which added a welcome hit of acidity and fruitiness against the heavier fried chicken. The bun was soft and lightly toasted, and the chicken portion was massive. That said, the chicken itself was under seasoned, leaving the unglazed bites fairly bland. The pineapple slaw was a great idea, but it was used so sparingly that its flavor only came through occasionally. The come back sauce was overlooked by the glaze. Burnt Chicken Sandwich followed a similar pattern: a very large piece of chicken, but not enough seasoning in the breading to carry the sandwich on its own. The herb mayo added some needed depth and helped elevate the flavor, but the layer was so thin that it got lost in larger bites. With a heavier hand on the sauce and seasoning, this could be much more compelling. When dipped into the side of aioli (cost extra), the flavor profiles were much better. Voodoo Smash Burger was overall underwhelming. The voodoo pepper sauce was easily the highlight and gave the burger a strong focal point, but the sautéed onions and comeback sauce were muted, and the smashed patty itself wasn't especially memorable. The first bite was decent, but the flavor didn't build or evolve, making the rest of the burger feel a bit flat. Service [0.5/1] The service was friendly, however, they were doing what seemed to be a midday clean and prep, which made the visit feel less polished. I also ordered a side of aioli for the fries and wasn't told there would be an additional charge. The cost itself wasn't a concern, but if a condiment carries an upcharge-especially one not listed on the menu-it should be mentioned before it shows up on the bill. Atmosphere/Ambiance [1/1] The space itself has a lot going for it. If you stop in for lunch on a Tuesday, you may catch some cleaning and prep activity, but setting that aside, the decor and ambiance are genuinely pleasant. It's cozy, well lit, and has a nicer feel than you might expect, especially for this part of the east metro. With a little more attention to the dining room experience and a stronger flavor punch in the food, this could be a much more memorable neighborhood stop.

    Photos
    Burnt Chicken - Bar set for a quick spot for eating and they're working on a liquor license as of 12/25.

    Bar set for a quick spot for eating and they're working on a liquor license as of 12/25.

    Burnt Chicken - Nashville Hot Chicken

    Nashville Hot Chicken

    Burnt Chicken - Cajun seasoned fries

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    Cajun seasoned fries

    Howard's - Trout dip & quesadilla

    Howard's

    4.5(46 reviews)
    18.9 mi

    This location was recommended to us by a lady who was working at the antique mall across the…read morestreet. It's a local bar with food - but wow, such GOOD food. My companion and I both ordered the quesadillas appetizer as our lunches. WOW. The best quesadillas I've ever had. Delicately crispy on the outside and stuffed with all the good things inside. Not hot (aka spicy) at all, which is great for someone likes me who blows up when looking at a jalapeno sideways. Far more than I really needed to eat. The staff were all so kind and enthusiastic. (And hey, I found my keys!) Hopefully they'll get the ladies' room up and running soon, as the men's room was...yeah.

    Stopped into Howard's Bar for dinner on a random Tuesday evening with a party of five, including a…read morecouple of kids. The place is split into a bar area with tables and a smaller dining area. We opted for the dining section since we had little ones with us. There was one server covering our section, which had our table and another table. While she seemed to be keeping up with orders reasonably well, her friendliness left something to be desired. As the face of the restaurant, especially in a family-friendly section, a warmer attitude would've gone a long way. Food-wise, everything we ordered was solid. I had the deluxe patty melt with fries which was tasty, well-cooked, and a generous portion. Others at the table had walleye strips, nachos, mac and cheese, and another sandwich (can't remember the name). Across the board, everyone enjoyed their meals, and the portions were definitely generous for the price. Overall, Howard's delivered on food and portion size, but the service could use a little polish to make it a more welcoming experience. Would I come back? I'd likely consider, I just hope the service is better this time.

    Photos
    Howard's
    Howard's - Art deco light fixture

    Art deco light fixture

    Howard's

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    Marma - Bang bang shrimp appetizer - stunning!

    Marma

    4.2(50 reviews)
    23.6 mi

    Tried Marma in Lake Elmo for the first time and overall - there is a lot to love here, with a…read morecouple things to be aware of. First, parking is very limited - plan ahead! Now the good: the food was absolutely incredible. Easily a 10/10. Our group of five had a variety of dishes; the Marma burger, Rosa fettuccine, pesto penne, walleye, and Bang Bang shrimp - and every single one was excellent. The whipped feta and Brussels sprouts were standouts and a must-order. The atmosphere is beautiful and inviting, and our service was fantastic; attentive, friendly, and seamless. That said, the 90-minute table limit made the experience feel rushed. With five people ordering drinks, appetizers, and entrées, it's just not realistic to have a relaxed dinner in that timeframe. We didn't even have time for dessert before being asked to wrap up. What made it more frustrating was that tables of four across from us were seated before we arrived and were still comfortably enjoying their meals while we were being rushed out. Bottom line: amazing food and great service, but if you're looking for a leisurely, relaxing dinner - especially with a group - this may not be the best fit. Go for the food, just be prepared for the pace.

    Ambience: small interior, modern, vibey. It can be chilly (if it's not warm out), with the doors…read moreopening often in a small space. Service: Quick, attentive, friendly. However, the 1.5 hour limit for dinner feels rushed, so wouldn't recommend it if you're looking for a place to socialize for any longer than that. Food: We enjoyed our dishes overall. The hoisin sauce was pretty strong, even by our standards, and overpowered the tuna. But overall, it was good.

    Photos
    Marma - A nice cozy atmosphere.  Kind of tricky to just walk in and get a table, though.

    A nice cozy atmosphere. Kind of tricky to just walk in and get a table, though.

    Marma - Fabulous crostini appetizer!

    Fabulous crostini appetizer!

    Marma - Bars

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    Bars

    Local Rumor - Well designed interior

    Local Rumor

    4.4(47 reviews)
    34.5 miMerriam Park

    I'd seen rave reviews about this place, so we decided to go here to celebrate a personal…read moreaccomplishment last weekend! It's a really cozy moody interior, with *no big lights* aka great low lighting and comfy seating options. When we went, there were just a few other parties there so pretty quiet. I liked that we had a whole corner to ourselves with a sectional couch of sorts and some chairs. They close at 10pm on a Friday night, which felt absurdly early for a cocktail bar. But, we were able to order and drink one drink during the ~45 minutes we had. They closed up shop promptly at 10pm. They had a classics and a "rumors" section of the menu. I didn't think the signature drinks were overly unique, with classics like Paper Plane making that menu side. I had a pomegranate mojito which was good! Consensus was that the cocktails were good not exceptional, especially for the $16-17 price point. We ordered churros for the table which were a table favorite! I wouldn't go out of my way to come here again, but we enjoyed our time and could see this being a good option if you lived in the neighborhood and don't mind the early close hours.

    The interior of this place is incredible, such a cute spot with moody lighting, intimate seating,…read moreand vibey music. It's a great place for drinks and appetizers. The drinks were good, and they also have a solid selection of beer on tap. The food portion are a bit small imo but I will say the Mac and cheese was pretty darn tasty!

    Photos
    Local Rumor - Elevated mocktail program

    Elevated mocktail program

    Local Rumor
    Local Rumor

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    The Watershed Cafe - comfortfood - Updated September 2026

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