Cantilever Distillery + Restaurant, Cocktails & Tastings

Amy P

2023-08

Our stay at this hotel was wonderful! Room was beautiful, really comfortable and clean. One of the best parts is the lattes at the front desk! The young blonde woman at the front was very nice and made great lattes. We had one meal here, the non alcoholic cocktails were excellent and we were able to make the pasta dish vegan- it’s probably the only vegan option in town. Would definitely come again!

Stephen Tannen

2024-02

Fabulous gem in da Norte Hinterland! We’ve been coming to I-falls for The Arrowhead 135 ultra for a decade. A fellow athlete encouraged me to splurge on the Cantilever if my wife came up.We are SO glad we did. The staff was friendly, eclectic and knowledgeable. The dinner menu had delicious walleye tacos and Dino kale salad. Both had surprisingly fresh ingredients.We also enjoyed the Lavender Gin Martini and the fun (a bit pricey) Lavender Smoked Old Fashioned. Tasty, fancy and delightful.We had dinner with 3 friends and despite the bar being packed with guests; the bartender and our server checked in on us mid meal for 5 minutes. They shared the history of the building.Also the afternoon bartender educated us on the distillery and liquors before we bought a bottle for my brother in law.We would joyfully return.NOTE: pricing $$ is similar to Minneapolis and probably higher than my local VFW. That’s ok! There’s a time to splurge and a time to knock down cheap cold ones with your War brothers & sisters. Capiche? RLTW

Jacinda Correa

2024-02

This entire venue is incredible!!! Linda was our server for dinner and she made our night!!! Her amazing personality, coupled with the unique and delish cuisine, made our dining experience unforgettable!!! Highly recommend dining and staying here!!!!

Warren Flenniken

2023-05

This is a great place to stay and have drinks. The Bartender, John knows what he is doing. We showed up on wing night and had a couple pounds. The wings are fresh, meaty and cooked perfectly. As an appetizer we ordered the short rib nachos. Lots of layers of flavors and a perfect amount of heat. Try this place when you are in the area.

Jolene Stahn

2020-05

We stopped by here on their second day open, drinks were awesome, decor and design is stunning! Nothing quite like it in the area!! All the details make a huge difference and don’t go unnoticed. The windows into the distillery offer a neat dining experience. The staff was super friendly and helpful!I also participated in a beautiful, relaxing yoga class hosted by one of their instructors, Hailey! Absolutely loved it ! The studio space was beautiful - I can’t wait to go to more of their classes in the future!Unfortunately we did not have a chance to try any of the menu items but will for sure be back to try the full menu! (I will add to this review once we are back- with further details). Would definitely recommend this beautiful hotel and bar with the bonus yoga offerings!

Tara Spear

2023-12

Fantastic food and possibly even better drinks - I’d love this place even if we hadn’t stayed in the connected hotel, but that was certainly a huge bonus. The manager served us, and she was an absolute delight. The whole place was pretty chaotic, and I think they were a bit understaffed, but we wouldn’t have known the difference. They were apologizing to us for what we thought to be very reasonable wait times, and we were well taken care of the whole evening. Prices are incredibly reasonable given the quality of everything, and that goes for their bottled liquors as well!

Matti Nelson

2023-07

Whenever I’m in the area I come for a visit whether it’s just for drinks or dinner with family + friends. Dine like you’re in the big city while enjoying the comfort of small town USA. I will admit, service can be hit or miss at times, but sit back, relax and enjoy yourself. I have yet to have a drink I didn’t like.

Andy Markert

2023-05

tldr; over priced, sub par food, slow as hellFood was just OK. The server was attentive but anything from the bar or kitchen was the slowest service I've had in a long time.Back to the food. I had the sliders. The taste did not reflect the price. Dull flavor, small portions. They served the plates like it was French food sized portions.I had a whiskey sour. It didn't have enough simple syrup and was weak on the bitters.The server didn't know anything about the distillery, which was a bummer. I wanted to ask some questions about the bourbon and didn't get good answers.We checked the top floor out and the roof closed and hot tub empty. I bet the guests weren't too happy about that.Will not go back.

C K (Nighthawk)

2022-05

Amazing place. We took a wrong turn coming home from the national park and were very surprised to find this restaurant/distillery. They have a great menu that is very well priced. The drinks were well worth the cost. We bought a flight of the aged liquor with bourbon, Canadian whiskey, and rye. We also got the clear liquor which had two types of gin (amazing) and vodka. Was pleasantly surprised when we bought a bottle that the flights were comped. This place is well worth the stop or even drive from central all MN.

Paul Bender

2024-04

Best hotel in International Falls/Ranier… Food and drinks are 5 Stars. Be sure to ask for a room facing north with a lake view, otherwise the trains will keep you up at night.

Paige Espy

2023-05

Went two days in a row while visiting Lake Kabetogama from Rochester. Worth the 40 minute drive. Beautiful space, delicious drinks, and the best fries EVER. The GinRita was our favorite. Thanks for the great time!

James B

2023-11

The cocktails are excellent and food is pretty good, however the prices do not support the level they are charging. I had some better cocktails and food at a better price point in the region

Jason Mueller

2023-05

What a cool place. When you come up to Voyageurs National Park make sure you stay at this hotel or come here to eat, drink and have a wonderful time. This place is like new and a can't miss. Great view onto the lake. We will be back.

Phyllis Britt

2022-05

We are Sunbirds (leave HOT Gulf Shores AL summers in our motorhome & explore.) We visited Rainer in Aug 2021, dropped in for a couple drinks and lunch. Wow !! Fell in love with Cantilever & decided to come back to experience winter. Took us 3 plane changes to get here in Feb 2022 & if we could give Ed, his team, hotel, food, drinks, atmosphere and OUR ROOM 10 STARS, we would. The hot tub with snow and 10 below temps was truly an experience. Their hand crafted cocktails are crafted with their own locally distilled spirits & are award winning !!! Food is outstanding. Ice Fishing, Galentine's Day For Ladies, Valentine’s Day dinner, snowmobiling, walking around Rainer in snow! Would HIGHLY recommend Cantilever to everyone.

Colleen Grimsley

2023-12

We stopped by after hearing Cantilever is a must-do when in the International Falls area. The cocktails were delicious and beautiful. The food was fantastic. Next time, we'll plan to stay in the hotel and enjoy the rooftop hot tub. Shout out to Hiraeth and Edison, we appreciate you!

Heather Thoele

2024-02

This place is a must visit with amazing food and cocktails, and great service. I was in town for Icebox Days and Cantilever was so good that we visited twice. Our only regret is not staying in the hotel so we could spend more time there!

Janelle Johnson

2021-05

Rooms were a very cool modern industrial style! Friendly & helpful staff helped with a booking issue we had.Drinks from the distillery were tasty & refreshing. Food was great too!

Emma Norwood

2022-05

Came to visit grandparents at the cemetery and decided to wander this cute little town. Super excited to have found this place. Not what I would have expected. Amazing flavors in the crafted cocktails. Will be back just for this. We live over 4 hours away. Waitress is adorable and so sweet.

Tamara Gordon

2020-05

Brand new restaurant, distillery and hotel in Rainer. Great new spot. The distillery is one block up from Loony's brewery.The mocha with coffee liquor and lavendar whipped cream was decadent. Spare Ribs nachos over the top and do different from most cheesy, Mexican type nachos. The shrimp cocktail is extremely fresh and lovely. Wait staff are very engaging and attentive. Others were sharing a tiramisu martini that looked amazing! Cool ciazy quaint vibe!

William McCrary

2021-05

The food was great! Drinks were nice! Pricier, but what you expect of this quality. Bought a bottle of gin to bring home because it was that good. Will likely be back, or at least try and find the gin again

Corey Mc Eldowney

2024-02

Always great food and drinks. Bar tenders make the best concoctions in town with their own spirits distilled on-site. A must stop when you come to town.

Jake Lawrence

2024-02

Beautiful hotel, bar, and restaurant. Excellent food and drinks. Location is amazing in the heart of Ranier just steps from Rainy Lake. You won’t be disappointed staying here!

Dr. Rodrigo Silva

2023-10

This place may be good for the locals, but not for tourism. The service is awful, from the hostess to the servers, rudeness and impoliteness all around.We came in and were not seated promptly, although there was nobody else waiting to be seated. We were never told that we should seat ourselves.The server was in a hurry and did not want to explain the dishes or drinks to us, he was too busy taking with a group of local people, laughing and carrying on.The food was bland and cold. The drinks tasted like soda, not adult beverages.I would not recommend this place to anyone.

Austen Jarboe

2021-05

Named for the architecturally intriguing bridge that makes the border crossing less than 1/2mi away, Cantilever is a unique Boutique Hotel in Ranier, MN. You'll stay on top of an active distillery in a brand new building with amenities you would expect from a Wyndham property. Would recommend for explorers, couples, and those looking for a high end experience right in the heart of the scenic Boundary Waters area.

Anna Smith

2023-08

Our stay was wonderful! The property is gorgeous and the staff was so accommodating. The atmosphere was just what we were looking for. No details have gone unnoticed with this hotel. The level of cleanliness is unmatched! Whether you are spending time in the area or passing through, we can’t recommend this space enough!

Robert Nowosielski

2023-09

My wife and I were excited to try this restaurant with our toddler. We were seated on the patio by the waitress who casually informed us that she was having a bad week and returned back to the bar. She never returned with menus, waters, or anything for that matter. We sat for 25 minutes with a hungry child as we watched her circle our table, stand around aimlessly and serve others that entered the restaurant after us. We couldn’t wait any longer to be simply offered a menu so we took our business elsewhere.I am not one to complain but am perplexed as to why a server would so blatantly ignore her clientele.

brenda schwarz

2023-05

It was pretty good. Very nice atmosphere and the food was presented nicely. Food could have had a bit more spices as it was kind of bland but nothing a little salt and pepper can't fix.

Samara Bilyeu-Anderson

2023-10

I had high hopes for my visit and tried to visit several times since it opened (area flooded, area under construction, no parking anywhere nearby, etc). However was deeply disappointed in almost all counts. The service was absolutely atrocious. I talked to four people before I was able to confirm that I could seat myself and in which area so I would actually get service. The bar and the tables were not cleared off very quicky so we waited. When a patio tables was cleared we sat there but apparently if the kitchen is not open (and it closed early when we were there) then you don't get service on the patio at all. If it is open you do get service on the patio but it is only for food - they will leave your drinks at the walk-up bar and you'll have to get them yourself (allegedly due to some silly city rule about staff carrying drinks on the sidewalk or something). It's ridiculous. After asking an employee, we moved inside and sat in a couple places before we did finally get served. We had been there for 20 to 30 minutes before a waitress asked if she could get me anything "right away," which only annoyed me more since we had already been there so long. When I asked my waitress normal, basic questions about the drinks (like whether they make their own amaretto or what drinks were gluten free or whether the gin tastes like trees, herbs, or flowers) she had no idea because she's "too young" to drink. I think that if you're going to work with food or beverages you should know what you're serving and be able to answer questions for people. The non-alcoholic drinks line lemonade are $5, which is pretty steep on my opinion. Most of the alcoholic drinks are $8 to $12, which is also overpriced, especially for the area. The Amaretto Sour was ridiculously small and didn't taste right. The Ranier Mule was more reasonably sized for a drink. Both were nothing to write home about, especially at $10 each. The bar tender was the only one who seemed pretty good. Not sure why she had to bring my drinks when I had a waitress but she delivered, asked how it was, asked about another drink brought the second, and asked how it was before I ever saw my waitress again (and that was just for the check). Since my visit, I have talked to many people and everyone I spoke to complained about the service and the prices so I won't be going back.I. there is free on-street and off-street parking but not much of either. I can't speak on the food since it closed early because it was "too busy" (which is also ridiculous). There is an incredibly overpriced hotel above it as well but I'd recommend an AirBnb or VRBO or something instead at those rates - or just drive the few miles to international Falls and stay at a hotel there instead.

Paul Samson

2023-10

Bartender crafted some amazing signature cocktails with care and tastes that complimented the whisky and bourbon they make there.Food service was spot on. Quality and well prepared fresh ingredients made up every dish I ordered. Hats off to Aubrey. A super friendly server who was attentive and suggested the garlic parm dip for the fries. Good call. Dining area is warm and charming with careful theming that extends from the bar.

Branda Lee Goldman

2023-07

My husband and I needed a hotel on the way to Canada and we were pleasantly surprised....so much so that we left Canada early to enjoy another stay. The food was delicious, staff were friendly, the views were nice, rooms were clean, and it was in a nice quiet little town by the lake! We would have been happy just staying there the whole time!