Wayzata

If you ask me where the Twin Cities does luxury best, the answer is Wayzata. It has been for a while now, and it keeps raising the bar.

Tucked along the northern shore of Lake Minnetonka, Wayzata has evolved into something genuinely rare — a lakeside community that manages to feel both intimate and world-class at the same time. The kind of place you arrive in for the first time and immediately understand why people never want to leave.

Architecture that makes a statement.

Wayzata has become the architectural showcase of the Twin Cities, full stop. What's happening here in terms of design and new construction is remarkable — custom homes that belong on the pages of any national design publication, thoughtfully placed along the shoreline and woven into the hillsides above the lake. Whether it's a sleek contemporary build with floor-to-ceiling water views or a classically inspired estate with every detail considered, the caliber of architecture here reflects a community that takes beauty seriously. Buyers who care deeply about design — and who have the means to act on it — find their way to Wayzata.

A community that attracts the best of the best.

Wayzata draws a discerning crowd. Empty nesters and retirees who have spent decades building extraordinary lives and are now ready to invest in a home and a lifestyle that reflects exactly where they are — this is their community. The energy here isn't about keeping up. It's about arriving. And the development activity underway reflects that demand, with luxury projects continuing to reshape what's possible along the lake and throughout the surrounding neighborhoods.

Lake living at its absolute finest.

Living in Wayzata means living with the lake as your backdrop, your playground, and your daily meditation. The waterfront is active and beautiful — boat slips, lakeside dining, a charming downtown that invites you to slow down and stay awhile. It's the kind of community where summer evenings feel like they were designed specifically for you.

A small town with a luxury address.

What I find most compelling about Wayzata is that despite everything it offers, it never loses its sense of community. The downtown is walkable and genuinely charming. People know each other. There's a warmth here that you don't always expect to find alongside this level of affluence — and that combination is exactly what makes it so hard to leave once you've found it.

This is the crème brûlée of the Twin Cities real estate market. And I mean that in every possible way.

The Wayzata Checklist — At a Glance

The Commute & Location While it feels like a secluded coastal escape, you are only about 15 minutes west of downtown Minneapolis and the North Loop via I-394. If you travel frequently, MSP International Airport is a straightforward 25 to 30-minute drive. It offers arguably the most convenient luxury location in the West Metro.

The School District Wayzata is served by Wayzata Public Schools (ISD 284), consistently ranked as one of the absolute top-performing school districts in Minnesota. The reputation of the schools is a massive, permanent driver of property values here. Local tip: School boundaries can be highly specific depending on the street address, so we will always want to verify assignments during your home search.

The Corporate Connection One of the reasons Wayzata attracts so many senior executives is its effortless proximity to the region's major economic engines. Cargill’s global headquarters is essentially next door, and UnitedHealth Group, General Mills, and Best Buy corporate campuses are all within a quick 10 to 15-minute commute.

The Neighbors Wayzata tightly anchors the northeastern shore of Lake Minnetonka, directly bordering Orono, Minnetonka, and Plymouth. Living here gives you immediate, seamless access to neighboring lake hubs like Excelsior and Shorewood, whether you are traveling by car or by boat.

Wayzata — Where to Eat

CōV
This is my personal favorite and it deserves the top spot. Sitting right on the shores of Lake Minnetonka in downtown Wayzata, CōV brings together Midwest hospitality and the unmistakable energy of the East Coast — think Nantucket meets Lake Minnetonka, with breathtaking water views from virtually every seat in the house. The menu leans into coastal American — wood-fired steak, classic seafood, and the kind of thoughtful details that turn a dinner into a memory. On a summer evening with the patio open and the lake right there — there is simply nowhere else I'd rather be.

The Grocer's Table
Part market, part café, part wine and cocktail bar — The Grocer's Table is a scratch kitchen concept that offers everything from freshly made prepared foods to made-to-order menu items alongside a curated selection of artisan grocery provisions. It became a community gathering place the moment it opened, and it has never let up. Morning coffee, a quick lunch, a glass of wine after shopping — this place fits every occasion and it does all of them well.

Eloise
The sister restaurant to The Grocer's Table, Eloise brings a moodier, more intimate dining room energy to the same building — think dinner at a chic friend's house, with bold flavors, global influences, and the same from-scratch seasonal ethos that made Grocer's Table a Wayzata institution. Dinner only, and absolutely worth planning your evening around.

6Smith
Situated right on the south side of the railroad tracks with nothing but a dock between you and the lake, 6Smith delivers steak and seafood with the kind of setting that makes every meal feel like a special occasion. Expansive patio, huge windows, craft cocktails at the bar, and private dining for events — this is the go-to for a celebratory dinner on the water.

The Hotel Landing — ninetwentyfive
The Hotel Landing is Wayzata's luxury anchor, and its restaurant ninetwentyfive serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and daily happy hour with menus that blend authentic Midwestern heritage with seaside influences drawn from Charleston to Cape Cod. Whether you're staying at the hotel or simply making a reservation, the experience here matches every expectation the address sets.

Wayzata — Where to Shop

44 North Boutique A classic yet modern boutique that has been a Wayzata fashion staple since 2017, carrying brands like Roller Rabbit, Commando, and Assouline — the kind of curated edit that feels both current and timeless. This is the shop that captures the Wayzata aesthetic perfectly.

Julia Moss Designs A home goods boutique where classic meets whimsical — the kind of shop that makes you want to redecorate the moment you walk in. Owner Julia Moss has created something genuinely special here, and it's become an anchor of the Wayzata Design District.

Highcroft A go-to destination for luxury linens alongside apothecary goods, fragrances, coffee-table books, and jewelry — the kind of carefully curated shop where you always find the perfect gift, including one for yourself.

Near + North The Wayzata fashion aesthetic at its best — playful, preppy, pattern-forward, and utterly lake-ready. The kind of boutique that makes you feel like summer every time you walk in, regardless of the season outside.

Fox & Willow Known for distinct tablescapes and a community spirit that goes beyond retail — they even host mahjong lessons. It's the kind of shop that reflects everything that makes Wayzata special: beautiful things, real community, and a sense of humor about itself.

Anthropologie A national name, but the Wayzata location is worth calling out specifically. The setting and the edit feel right for this community — well-stocked, thoughtfully merchandised, and a reliable stop for clothing, home goods, and gifts. One of the better locations in the metro.

Fashion Avenue 2 The crown jewel of Wayzata shopping and genuinely one of a kind in the Twin Cities. Right on Lake Street in downtown Wayzata, Fashion Avenue 2 carries the largest assortment of authenticated pre-owned designers in the region — Hermès, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dior, and Celine among them, with new inventory arriving five days a week. Every visit is different, which is exactly the point.