Northern Waters Smokehaus

Lakeshore eating and fresh fish go hand in hand, and Northern Waters is the premier location to scratch this itch if you’re in Duluth. With several sandwiches loaded with fresh fish, Northern Waters has something for everyone looking for the freshest sea and lake food (the Cajun Salmon sandwich is their most popular). But it’s the fish market that really shines here. Don’t bother shopping at your local supermarket when you can get fair market value for premier fish. From Atlantic Salmon to local Whitefish, they have it all (the smoked salmon candied ends are splendid). While there is less local fish then you may expect, the fish they do have is fantastic. This is a Duluth staple and absolutely deserves your patronage.

Never drive north without stopping at Northern Waters. Always order some smoked fish + cream cheese from the deli. Their new location in the same building is so cozy. Lots of seating and I love that the deli and restaurant area are sort of split. Its super convenient.

We were in town visiting and came upon this place, it was ABSOLUTELY delicious! My bf had The Hedonist sandwich and I had the Cold Turkey sandwich. Both were fresh and so tasty! We also went home with a bunch of goodies from the Deli, including the Crayo as well. We will be back soon!

A Duluth Trip wouldn't be complete without a visit to my favorite shop. My go to has always been the Cajun Finn and my husband likes the Sitka Sushi. We tried the Silence of the Lambwich this time. It's my new favorite. I also like the Banh Faux Mi and the Slammin' Gordon from time to time. Congratulations on the new space! 💕

Sooooo many amazing sandwich options I had a hard time picking. We settled on the classic Cajun Finn and the pastrami mommy. Both were delicious! The salmon in the Cajun fin was so tender, the pastrami sandwich was loaded with pastrami and lots of banana peppers. Definitely come check this place out for some fresh and filling sandwiches.

On the hunt for lunch during a work trip and stumbled upon this recommendation. I went with the Cajun Finn and it was delicious. The chive cream cheese and roasted red pepper were a nice balance to the smoked salmon. Well worth the stop!

We had NWS for our wedding catering. My caterer dropped out 3 months before our wedding so I reached out to NWS and got connected with Hannah. She helped me build a menu, accommodated nut and gluten allergies, and delivered and set everything up. Communication was so easy with Hannah. They even gave us something off their usual menu and set a smoked whitefish aside for us, which our wedding party immediately decorated and called the "disco fish" that my new wife and I selfishly devoured (we did share with our flower girls). The food was SO GOOD! Multiple people told me it was the best wedding food they've ever had. Everyone was stuffed! It took away my foot pain! It was a fabulous addition to fuel a great party. My only regret was I didn't get a chance to give them a hug when they came to set up. All hail Hannah! All hail the disco fish!

Seriously worth the hype if you need something to eat in Duluth. We loved our sandwiches. He got the club mariner, and I got the silence of the lambwich. Big sandwiches full of flavor! There are plenty of seats inside and outside. Just be prepared to wait in line - even on a Monday!

I've been stopping at Northern Waters for several years and have enjoyed their walk up window and now new restaurant digs. The Big Dipper porchetta sandwich is Hall of Fame level. Crazy delish unbelievable!! Prolly best Sammy in Minnie.

I've stopped in here several times over the past eight years or so when passing through. I also ate there twice over the past weekend. My earlier experiences were better. Weighing them in, I suppose 3.5 is more accurate. The Silence of Lambwich (almost worth ordering just for the name) unfortunately didn't pack much flavor at all. And charging $15 for its size and lamb content is audacious to put it politely. I returned a couple days later and had the Northern Bagel. It was absolutely sublime--just outstanding. So they do have excellent products--just maybe not every item on the menu. Here's the real rub: be aware that they will apparently charge you to use a credit card (without mentioning it) and call it a "convenience fee". This is nonsense and if I would have noticed it after my first visit this past weekend, I don't know that I would have returned. If they want to charge $14-16 for a not-large sandwich and pickle spear, then their paying 3% to Visa is very easily the cost of doing business. Laying that on their patrons is shoddy. It makes one debate the "convenience" of simply eating elsewhere.

We stopped here during the lunch hour and it was hoppin'! It has a fast, casual vibe and you order at the counter. We got the Clubhaus and Cedars Secret with a side of the potato salad. The Cedars Secret was the star by far. I love anything on naan, but the sriracha and cranberry interplay was a nice surprise! The potato salad and clubhaus were nothing special which is the reason for the 4 star. It also took quite awhile (over 20 minutes) for us to get our order. If you're in the neighborhood, stop by!

Every time I'm in Duluth I feel like I see Northern Waters in a different location (they are now in the former Amazing Grace venue). It was my first time ordering a sandwich at Northern Waters Smokehaus. I've only ever had smoked fish for here before; highly recommend. I was overwhelmed by the menu and had the cashier pick her favorite for me. She recommended the Sitka Sushi. It does indeed taste like sushi on bread. I thought it was a bit too much bread.

Am I crazy, or are these sandwiches prices steep? This used to be a favorite to stop at when going to the North Shore, but each time I come back since 2017 I leave a little disappointed. There's no dispute - the flavors and ingredient combinations are delicious. Their smoked fish and meats are great. $16 for a small sandwich - not even well-filled - and no sides has just gotten too steep for my taste. I'd gladly pay that for a denser sandwich and a side of cheap chips and a pickle, but this just isn't a filling meal on its own. Even the salmon pate dip was shockingly pricey. This most recent time we were there, they'd converted their space into a pick-up window only, which limited the experience as well. We couldn't see any of the smoked fish or dips, so it was hard to know what else we wanted to get. Sadly, I'm just not sure I'll stop here again after a few too many disappointing sandwiches.

I'm going neutral on this one. The sandwiches are tasty, but the crust on the bread is like a razor on the roof of your mouth and at $16 for an 8"sandwich I'm sticking to JJ! The smoked porchetta by the lb was really good though.

Can't give 6 stars, so 5 will have to do. My first time in and staff was helpful in navigating the menu. Cool atmosphere with deli counter on one end so you can take home some treats. I got the Slamming' Gordon... so fresh and flavorful! I'm in town for work, this place is on my radar now and I will definitely be back.

Northern Waters' new space on the lower level of Dewitt-Seitz Building is simply a great place to grab a sandwich. Not much to the space as it lost its former coffee house charm, but I didn't care.

Kimchi, salmon melt, pastrami sandwich, amazing food. Clean place, freindly staff, would cone again Great sandwhich shop that also has a deli counter. Would be a good stop for visitors to bring goodies back to the room or on a hike

The best smoked fish in town. The sandwiches are numerous and difficult to decide on. They all sound great and the few I've tried were top notch. I am from the Iron Range and we are particular about porketta. The porketta here meets all the criteria and gets my approval hands down. Overall, try this place. You will find something you like here or you have no taste buds.

Delicious, but expensive. Easy to access location. Great to get a sandwich there then hit a nearby brewery.

Must stop in Duluth! Time and time again this place knocks it out of the park. I've enjoyed a lot of great food but this is the one place that I dream of enjoying again. Literally can't go wrong with anything on their menu.

This is one of my go-to spots for whenever I visit Duluth. It's usually always busy since it's very popular by locals & out-of-towners alike so I recommend ordering online ahead of time! The last time I was there, I got the salmon melt which was so good since it was a warm sandwich on a chilly autumn day. The sandwiches are on the spendy side but it's worth the splurge if you're in the area!

Absolutely worth the hype! Northern Waters Smokehaus is an absolute must when in Duluth. It's worth eating there for ordering pickup. Yes it's busy and there's a strong fishy smell but that's part of the experience! You can order online for pickup which helps with the wait but again make it an experience! The most popular sandwich is the Cajun Finn and for good reason! So many great flavors and the fish quality is *chefs kiss*. If you're not local or don't make it Duluth often, you can also find some of their smoked fish at speciality grocery stores in the Twin Cities! I think they also ship nation wide!

This was a happening spot in Duluth. Located in the marketplace, there's a takeout window with outdoor seating in Canal Park. All our sandwiches were hardy and colorful. I got the Chuck Finn, which was alright - the salmon felt a bit salty along with the sharpness of the peppers, I would have preferred to have more mayo in the sandwich. Nevertheless, the sandwiches tasted bright and fresh. On a Monday lunch time, the line was impressively long. I waited in line TWICE to pick up some to go items, which was a mistake, you just get queued up like everyone else even though there was minimal prep to pack ready to go items. Our outdoor lunch turned out to be much longer than I thought, so keep that in mind. Crayo - a dip with cranberries/walnuts/mayo was better than I thought. I wanted to try the smoked trout, but they were out. Just a note, there are many smoked fish shops in the north shore areas, so I managed to pick some up in other places.

Best sandwich Ive ever had!! My hubby and I stooped here for a quick lunch on our way upp to the North Shore of Lake Superior. If you are anywhere near Duluth, MN for lunch you should definitely check it out! They have a huge selection of preconceived concoctions. I can't imagine any of them being less than delicious. There is also an option for make--your-own sandwich, but with all of the tried and tested ones on the menu - why bother? This is a DO NOT MISS

Every time I'm in Duluth, I have to stop at Northern Waters Smokehaus (NWS). Hands-down one of the best sandwich places in Minnesota. I'm going to be honest, I only get the Cold Turkey. A hot take, I know, but goddamn, it's delicious. I'm not a mayo fan, and I asked for it on the side the first time I had the sandwich. WOW - I am so glad I did. The craisin-walnut mayo is absolutely divine. So flavorful and really elevates the sandwich. Friends have also said Cajun Finn and Sitka Salmon are delicious, but I'm a sucker for Cold Turkey. Notes: *PRE-ORDER. You'll thank me later. *Or, you can get it delivered to nearby breweries, which I've done at Earth Rider. *There's seating outside, which is super nice in the summer. But there is not seating inside.

The Club Mariner Sandwich was fabulous. Group of 5 met for lunch, and we all loved our sandwiches.

Amazing food and service. Absolutely loved the Northern bagel and waiter was so darn friendly. Thank you Smokehaus! Will be back each time I'm in Duluth!

Loved the Cajun Finn sandwich. The smoked salmon on it was really good. I tried my friend's sandwich with pastrami on it and it was also good. The wait is worth it. They had some sort of candied spicy smoked salmon that I should've bought because it was delicious. We came here Friday before we headed more up north and we tried to come back on our way home again because it was that good but the line was crazy!

The food was absolutely delicious! Super cute in downtown and the service was fast. I love seafood and was definitely not disappointed with the smoked trout. If you like seafood (wich I LOVE seafood), this is the place for you!!! They were very helpful with my allergies (gluten and dairy) as well and were easily able to accommodate them. Highly recommend! With respect to allergies (gluten and dairy) here are my thoughts: - Gluten: The fish itself is GF and all sandwiches can be made GF.Extremely cross-contamination friendly! My brother is celiac and did not get sick. - Dairy: Dairy is not really an issue here, so that is fantastic!

Simply outstanding. A must visit while in Duluth. Everything we tried was fresh and packed with flavor Service was fast and everyone was polite. Charming little spot with incredible food Wish we were in town longer so we could come back and try more of the menu

I have tried the smoked salmon and cream cheese in the past, but today was the first time I went and tried something for myself! I ordered outside at the stand. I had a Cajun Finn sandwich but substituted the Cajun for traditional salmon (as I'm not too feen on spice), the ensaladita (with no onion and Russian dressing), and got two elk sticks (have not tried yet). Kind employees and quick service. Great food and will be coming back again!

Pros: Good sandwich. Friendly staff. Good selection to choose from. Cons: Pricey for what it is.

Duluth was our first stop before heading up North and it just happened to be close to lunchtime, dang the luck. Ha A Yelp search helped me pick, but didn't prepare me for the taste experience I was about to have. Holy Smoked Salmon!!! Order at the walk up window from a super nice employee willing to give suggestions and small talk. Served in a brown bag, great for on the go or eating at a pretty lake edge. We actually sat at the picnic tables there and people watched. Busy downtown, I doubt those seats are always an option. I should preface these next couple of sentences with, Salmon is my least favorite fish. I can no longer say this after trying this place. I think I've just been eating it cooked incorrectly all this time. My sandwich was huge, full of chunks of salmon. Roasted red and banana peppers, that paired so beautifully with the dill cream and strong fish. For real, an experience I'd be willing to have over and over again. I think some call that LOVE!! The Hubs isn't much of a fish fan and picked the Club. It was stand alone delicious, but I much preferred mine, if comparing the two. I took a menu to go, in case our paths crossed again, only to find out they ship. Hooray. I will definitely be ordering more of that smoked goodness.

Someone was trying to slip in one last restaurant meal before I left Duluth but I let it be known that I'd been hoping to try something from Northern Waters Smokehaus, something that I'd eat later, on the flight home. When that information was relayed here was the texted response: "Smokehaus is world class. She should definitely get a travel sandwich from them". So much for the dine-in restaurant. Northern Waters Smokehaus is a window, not a restaurant. It's a window that people line up at before the window opens. At the moment the window opens, up goes a sign telling you how long your wait will be; not to order, but to receive your order. I was third in line and the posted wait time was 30 minutes thanks to a large phoned-in order. It probably makes sense to phone in your order but it somewhat dilutes the experience of queueing up and salivating while you consider what to order and wait for its arrival. I'm not really a "sandwich person" so I didn't get a sandwich, and the menu is about 99% sandwiches all of which, even for this "non-sandwich person" sound incredible. I opted instead for the NWS Salad, one of the two salads on the menu. Oh my, this was a fabulous salad. I didn't even know that I needed smoked Atlantic salmon, cilantro, pickled ginger, cabbage, and Marcona almonds in my salad. But wait. What are the two containers of dressing found within? One was Wasabi Mayo and for this lover of all things spicy, it was the perfect dressing to accompany each forkful. My layover in Minneapolis Airport was made an utter joy as I killed time with this salad. Plan ahead to try Northern Waters Smokehaus while you're in Duluth. If I return, I sure will. Yum, yum, yum.

I'm not much of a deli sandwich or smoked fish sort of person but I have always enjoyed my sandwiches from here. I am specifically writing this review however to remind myself in the future to order the Silence of the Lambwich because it was just sooooo good! Can't wait until I can order it again! Keep up the strong work, Northern Waters!

Ordered a sandwich to go on my way up north and wow it was soooo good. I got the cold turkey and wasn't expecting much, but it was awesome!!! The walnut mayo that they had on it???? So so so good. I would definitely recommend ordering ahead...honestly ordering online may be the only option they have right now. But we ordered about an hour away and it was ready by the time we got there. So it was very efficient and quick to grab and go! I'll definitely be coming back next time I'm up north.

The accolades for this place cannot be overstated. This place is heaven, and yes, it exists. Heaven is the country pate, the French sausage, the Faux Banh Mi. If you miss this place, you are not only doing yourself a disservice, you are doing Duluth a disservice.

When we come to visit my family in Duluth for thanksgiving, we ALWAYS come to Northern Waters!! We love it so so much! And now that they're downstairs, it's even better! All the sandwiches I've had from there are some of the best ones I've ever had. And every time we go there, everyone is so nice and helpful. We love Northern Waters so much!!

Great food that is expensive. I am going 3 stars because of cost and wait. Not sure why there was a huge line. I ordered ahead and waited 1 hour to pick up 6 sandwiches, which is reasonable. 3 stars because the line for the ordering is way too long. It is expensive for what your get and is in the tourist district of Duluth. If you have time, go. If you want to turn an burn plan ahead or go elsewhere.

This is one of my favorite lunch spots in the twin ports. The food is amazing along with the fast service and good ambiance. Grab a sandwich to go and eat it on the lake walk with a great view.

The sandwiches & salads I've tried here are awesome. It's always busy though, so you must be patient. Best to order ahead to save yourself some time. Always worth it!

Food: salmon salad sandwich: surprising and delicious. High quality ingredients. Chocolate chip cookie that they put in the box was absolutely terrible. Pickle was delicious. Hot vinegar chips were delicious. Service: excellent, I'm accustomed to NYC area disinterested, rude, stoned customer service. These guys were responsive and accommodating and polite. Ambiance: just ok. It was a nice day and we were eating outside but the place is very popular and it was hard to find a place to sit on the deck. It was a nice area but nothing special.

Hands down my favorite sandwiches. Would recommend! the services is always fast and the meats are mind blowing!

Look at this sammy though!!! We went back to the North Shore this past weekend (low key trying to convince my husband to move there), so obviously we had to stop by again for their famous, Cajun Finn!! We got a half lb of their smoked salmon as well, but that was eaten before I had a chance to get a picture. YUM. I could eat this EVERY.DAMN.DAY 15/10

This iconic spot in Duluth has some of the best sandwiches I have ever had throughout my food adventures in Minnesota. I decided to order the Cajun Finn, which is smoked salmon with a few veggies and a nice sauce on ciabatta bread. The spot seems to be pretty popular with the locals so it was very busy when I went and there is parking however, the parking lot tends to get full and there is some street parking though. If you're looking for a refreshing and fulfilling sandwich while walking around Duluth or if you're traveling to Duluth that week and you have to stop by this spot and try one of their smoked salmon sandwiches.

Literally one of the best sandwiches I've ever had....I ordered the mmMmm sandwich and I've never had anything like it. It was just spicy enough, and the ginger was my favorite part. I had to get everything to recreate it at home since I don't live near Duluth. So. Good. My sister got the Clubhaus and also loved it. It was stuffed with fillings - they do not skimp here! This place gets busy, so be prepared to wait. We ordered at the outside counter and waited about 30 minutes for our sandwiches. But the wait was so worth it. Outdoor patio seating got kind of hectic since it was so busy, but we were able to snag a spot.

We were in town for the marathon and looking for a quick, local lunch stop that was dog friendly, which led us to Northern Waters. There is a sit down area inside as well as a walk up window outside with a patio. This place is a real treasure!! They have a huge menu of sandwiches with a wide variety of meats and fish, so it was hard to choose, but we eventually settled on sharing a deluxe sandwich for a lighter lunch. Man, this was a GREAT sandwich. The smoked turkey was delicious, but for me, the horseradish mustard really made it. It's a little pricier than I'd typically spend for lunch but well worth it. Our order was ready quickly and the staff spoiled our pup with lots of love and treats. They sell their smoked fish by the pound as well. Definitely a must stop when you're in Duluth!

It was a bit pricier than we wanted, but lines were exceptionally long everywhere else. We didn't regret it, service was phenomenal and so was the food.

Sadly, our ravishing appetites didn't allow for any pictures. Four of us had nothing to say, literally; mainly because we were too busy eating. Absolutely amazing flavors! Really delicious sandwich's. We fiancé and decided on splitting "The Big Dipper" and what a mistake that was. Get your own Sammy. You won't disappointed. The tender porketta was not over seasoned and left almost naked to really enjoy the natural flavors. I especially loved the dip-ability, because their zesty pepper sauce was a perfect accompaniment- not spicy at all. Also, not traditional but their kimchi side was very good. If I ever find myself in Duluth again, this would be my first stop for sure. We ordered from the car and picked up within 20 minutes. Make this your last stop as you walk through the market.

It was my first time in Duluth and I was recommended to try Northern Waters Smokehaus. I was very impressed by the patience and hospitality I received from the waiter. Love the smoked lake trout. Tried both pimento cheese and Boursin cheese, both are awesome. Will come back to try their sandwiches.

We were in Duluth with the family to go to the Bentleyville light show. We were looking for a place to get lunch and found Smoke Haus. We ordered sandwiches with contactless ordering. We placed and paid on line and then when they were ready someone put them on the rack outside the restaurant. They were good, the bread was a little hard, I think it was the type of bread used. The meat was very tasty. They also sell different smoked meat for purchase in case you are looking for that. We had an enjoyable time in Duluth.

If this place was in the cities, I'd blow half my food budget here! Wait times are a bummer, yes. But the sandwiches are WORTH it!! Cajun Finn - flavors explode in your mouth. Absolutely fantastic. The craisen-walnut mayo on the Cedar's secret was top notch! The Clubhaus was perfect for the guy in our group who just wanted a BLT! Definitely worth the trip here. Parking is definitely a pain but still worth it.

Can you be any more Duluth than this place. I don't know where to start, but there's no other place like it from the outside pick up window, local feel and vibe, and unique that they offer such a selection of very fine charcuteries. All inclusive is obvious here which is important to us, but should also mention that they are among the best places to get a sandwich to go in Duluth as well. Great service.

I cannot come to Duluth and not visit Northern Waters Smokehaus. It's practically synonymous with Duluth IMO. Ever since discovering their smoked salmon and salmon pate, I've been a huge fan of theirs and repeat customer every time I'm in the area. Thanks to COVID, ordering is entirely online or via phone now. The storefront is closed to the public. Orders are picked up outside in a simple white tent & table where staff bring out packaged items with customer name written on the bag. The only pain is providing your credit card number over the phone - this tends to be a popular place so if you're calling onsite/right outside, there's usually people around so trying to find a quiet corner and discreetly give sensitive info can be inconvenient. That aside, covid or no covid, this is fantastic smoked fish and damn delicious sandwiches (shout out to the slammin' gordon). Do yourself a favor and never leave Duluth without stopping by Northern Waters.

We love stopping here on the way to see family. Great food, friendly staff! Their smoked meat is the best and the delicious sides are a bonus.

We will be back! Between the sandwiches that we ate and the smoked fish that we took home everyone had a reason to go try this place again. Highly recommended.

Good sandwich place with a lot of options to choose from. They have their menu organized by the type of meat featured (veggie sandwich menu as well), so it makes it easy to find what you want. The sandwiches were DELICIOUS. I had smoked turkey and my boyfriend had smoked salmon. The only reason I'm taking a star off is because I would love there to be a build-your-own option. I like my sandwiches relatively simple so I had to pick one off the turkey menu and remove/sub a few things. I hope this is something they'll consider for the future. Otherwise, really great food. Tip: if you come during lunch hour, expect a wait. We stood in line for about 20 minutes before being able to order. It was well worth it though!

The Cajun Finn is the first sandwich I've been blown away with enough to review. Each component compliments one another to create a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Going forward, Northern Waters Smokehaus will be an absolute part of my Duluth area experiences.