New Duluth restaurants served up comfort classics in 2025

Minnesotans have a soft spot for comfort food, and three new Duluth restaurants are serving up hearty, warming dishes to help locals through the coldest winter months.

In more than six years of business on Duluth’s Central Entrance, PhởHolic Taste of Vietnam has helped to popularize phở (pronounced “fuh”). The eatery’s signature dish is a hearty meat-and-noodle soup with a savory broth, topped with aromatic herbs. Rich and restorative, there’s little doubt this Vietnamese soup helped Twin Ports residents weather the pandemic.

Phở fans were thrilled to welcome a new London Road location in September in the longtime China Cafe space. With triple the seating and significantly more parking, the new spot has been a welcome upgrade for customers.

While both locations serve the namesake soup, the new location has different menu offerings. “I wanted to make it different, a little bit different than Central, because I don’t want to take Central business,” owner Ann Nguyen said with a laugh.

Antony Gor gives PhởHolic credit for enlightening the Twin Ports about phở. He’s the chef and owner behind Sol Hong Kong Cafe, which opened in November. Gor honed his culinary chops at a ramen shop in St. Paul, and expects he may be able to build a similar type of enthusiasm for his wonton soup.

“I personally believe noodles have and should have a special place in this town because of how cold it gets here,” he said. “There’s nothing like a piping hot bowl of noodle soup in the middle of winter.”

Another recent addition to the scene is best known for its cocktails, but it’s equally worth a visit for its comfort-driven fare. Duluth Whiskey Project Owner Kevin Evans readily admits his expertise lies more in distilling whiskey than in developing a menu, which is why he brought in a chef to create what he calls “good, wholesome food you might like to have with a cocktail.”

It leans into Minnesota classics, from chips and Top the Tater to tater tot hotdish and skillets of mac and cheese. One of the most popular offerings is a wild rice meatball skillet, which features an “aggressively sized meatball” smothered in marinara, topped with mozzarella and served with garlic bread.

Sol Cafe 

4721 E. Superior St, Duluth

Antony Gor tested the waters with a series of fine dining pop ups before he committed to Sol Cafe’s brick and mortar location in Lakeside, which formerly housed Falastin and New London Cafe. He found a receptive audience in Duluth.

The new establishment takes inspiration from Hong Kong-style diners, known as cha chaan teng, which emerged in the former British colony in the 1940s. Gor is the son of Cantonese immigrants who lived in Hong Kong, and he’s putting his spin on the fast-casual diner concept, where a fascinating fusion of Chinese cuisine and Western ingredients takes place.

Sol Cafe serves up unique breakfast items that feature light and fluffy milk bread, like an egg and Spam sandwich, and a decadent Hong Kong-style French toast made with sweetened condensed milk and Chef Gor’s special additions, like peanut butter and a cookie crumble. Customers can also sample distinctive baked goods, like egg tarts and pineapple buns. Gor boasted that the cafe has the best pastry chef in town. “I challenge folks in Duluth to come and taste the pastries.”

As far as savory food goes, in addition to the wonton soup, Gor takes great pride in the dumplings. The meat is ground in-house. The dumplings are folded by hand and have more than four pleats, which he emphasized requires “technical skill, detail and finesse.”

A transplant from Texas, and the son of Cantonese immigrants, Gor said the Duluth community has been very welcoming to him.

“I think that’s the greatest strength of the town, despite tourism being at the center of economics,” he said. “I love living here and being part of the community.”

Gor pointed out that the “SoL” stands for slice of life, something he wants to emulate at the cafe. He has been excited to build a base of regulars and see people connecting with one another at the cafe. He’s especially touched by the warm welcome from the area’s small Asian community, and has even had the chance to speak Cantonese — something he hasn’t been able to do much in recent years.

Sol Cafe recently extended its hours until 7 p.m. and Gor promised that the restaurant will continue to offer specials and dining events. “It’s in line with one of our core values of creativity in the kitchen. That’s really important to us as cooks.”

Duluth Whiskey Project

2226 W. Superior St, Duluth

Kevin Evans started distilling in 2013 in a shared space at Vikre. He opened the Duluth Whiskey Project in the Lincoln Park Craft District next to Bergey’s Sports Bar in July.

The establishment has an expansive cocktail room featuring a lengthy bar constructed from reclaimed wood. There’s plenty of seating including lounging spaces with comfy leather furniture and a cozy fireplace, and the walls are decorated with historic area photos.

One notable feature for the budget-conscious is Duluth Whiskey Project’s affordability. While the top-selling, smoked old-fashioned will run you $12, you can get the Uff Da vodka or gin with juice or soda for $6. Mocktails are available for $8. Patrons can also purchase several items such as appetizers, soup or chili for under $10.

“We’re trying to keep prices down as much as we can,” Evans said. “We know inflation really hurts folks.”

Evans started his distillery journey with bourbon.

“I’m going to continue to make premium whiskey to enjoy, but it takes 7-8 years,” he explained. His goal is to provide more mid-level options for consumers. “We’re trying to meet the customer where the customer is at,” he said.

In looking at the market, he took note of the fact that vodka is the largest category and, within whiskey, Canadian whiskey is the top seller. He is eager to release a blended whisky with a flavor profile similar to Crown Royal in the spring. Additional offerings are forthcoming as the distillers are also playing with rum and agave.

The restaurant invested in a large air fryer to prepare popular items such as wings, which have become a best seller. The menu offers a range of options, from paninis and brats to tacos and salads.

Evans has been happy with the customer response so far.

“It’s been pretty great,” he said. “Everyone is cheering for us.”

PhởHolic

1623 London Road, Duluth

Owner Ann Nguyen wanted the new PhởHolic location to be “elegant and clean.” Customers familiar with the longtime China Cafe on London Road will barely recognize the building, which has been completely renovated. The dining area is open and bright with colorful neon signs as well as potted herbs and other edible plants.

Alcohol is not on the menu at this family-owned and run restaurant. But customers can enjoy Vietnamese coffee, bubble tea, tropical juices and smoothies. Foodies will appreciate the chance to try some different dishes here.

Ann’s son Alijah Nguyen is the manager, and said the new restaurant has been staying busy. He pointed to the stone bowls with either beef or pork belly and caramel sauce as unique, delicious and popular items.

London Road is also offering familiar Chinese dishes, such as General Tso and Kung Pao chicken. Ann said, “We try to make it a little bit more like traditional Chinese than any other restaurant” in town. “It’s our own twist on it.” Additionally, she highlighted that the location is serving a salmon coconut curry and a ribeye rice platter.

Another noteworthy offering to the new location is house-made ice cream.

“We make it with fresh strawberry, fresh avocado, fresh mango. We make it with our own recipe,” Ann said.

Alijah added that they have some “different, unique Asian flavors that you don’t see everyday.” Think durian, matcha and lychee.

Other notable newbies in Duluth-area dining

Sandwich aficionados will appreciate Rocket Deli, the new New York-style deli that opened in March in the old T-Icy Roll location downtown next to Blacklist Brewing.

Owner Robert Guiliani said the kim chi Reuben (classic plus spicy kim chi) and deli turkey club sandwiches have been top sellers along with the Italiano, which features four cured meats on ciabatta with tomatoes, provolone and an Italian vinaigrette dressing. He reported that business has been steady with downtown workers during the weekdays and tourists on weekends. He has plans to expand next year to include deli meat and cheese sales.

Wrecktangle Pizza opened inside Wild State Cider in August. With several locations in the Twin Cities there was a buzz to begin with. It’s Detroit-style pizza (deep dish and rectangular rather than round) with inventive toppings. The Very Nice Breakfast Pizza has scrambled eggs, sausage gravy, and bacon jam; the Betty White features lemon pepper ricotta, garlic butter and Oaxaca cheese.

Superior gained a new cocktail room in December that will soon double as a daytime soup-and-sandwich spot. The Remedy Room opened Dec. 4 and Souptown Deli is slated to open early next year. The couple behind the concepts, located at 1222 Tower Ave., also own the adjacent Superior Tavern.

Duluth’s Ritual Salad and Apothecary reopened on July 2 after relocating from Lincoln Park to larger space in the Lakeside neighborhood. Earlier this month, the owners added a Superior location. The former Red Mug Coffeehouse space in Superior is now home to Ritual Marketplace. It’s co-located with several other woman-owned businesses. Patrons can expect a similar menu of salads, bowls, soups and “sam-witches.” The space also accommodates book and art sales, tarot readings, live performances and other creative activities.

Worth the road trip

The Arrowhead opened in August in Virginia. Playful, vibrant paintings of Northwoods animals bring the historic bar to life, alongside a collection of interesting Iron Range memorabilia. The establishment serves craft cocktails and beer as well as snacks like Fraboni’s mini pasties, coney dogs, Do North Pizza and homemade baklava. Pro tip: hit up Canelake’s Candies next door before settling in. Owned by the same family, it’s the longest running candy shop in Minnesota for a reason.

Lutsen lost Papa Charlie’s, the slopeside restaurant and distinctive performance space, to a fire in 2023. Sadly, the music portion of the venue wasn’t recreated. But the replacement restaurant opened in July. Charlie’s Alpine Bistro serves up breakfast and dinner as well as sweeping Sawtooth Mountain views. Its broad dinner menu includes everything from Scotch eggs to a walleye sandwich and wild mushroom strudel.

Tequila Town opened in Esko in February. The small Minnesota chain also has locations in St. Cloud, Crystal and Grove City. Due to its proximity to Esko Public Schools, the new location won’t be able to offer tequila or other spirits. But it did receive special permission for beer and wine sales.

Victor Valencuela works at the Mexican establishment. “Some days are good; some are slow,” he said, acknowledging that the current economy is affecting restaurants and other businesses. “We want to thank the community — they’ve really supported us.”

Tequila Town has several types of burrito, which are popular with customers, along with the birria tacos, chimichangas and fajitas, according to Valencuela. The establishment also has a number of options for vegetarians.

“Some clients say our rice is better than other restaurants,” said Valencuela. When asked the secret he deadpanned, “We make it with love.”

The restaurant will feature some menu updates next year in hopes of drawing a broader customer base, particularly from the Twin Ports.

“A lot of people in Duluth don’t even know we’re here,” Valencuela said. “We’re really friendly, and we try to make everyone feel comfortable.”

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For details on eating and drinking establishments that closed this past year, read the companion piece to this story, “Popular Palestinian restaurant among 2025 closings.”