6Smith pairs lake views with a serious steakhouse menu

The public-review consensus

With a 4.4 Google rating from more than 2,600 reviews, 6Smith has built a substantial following in Wayzata. Public feedback most often frames it as an upscale seafood and steakhouse suited to celebrations, date nights and leisurely dinners. The Lake Minnetonka setting plays a major role in its appeal, especially when patio weather cooperates.

The restaurant is also described as large, vibrant and frequently busy. That scale does not appear to erase the sense of occasion. Reviewers mention attractive surroundings, carefully prepared tables and enough energy to feel festive without turning dinner into a rushed experience. Valet service was appreciated by one diner arriving during heavy rain.

Steaks lead the menu conversation

Steak is the clearest strength across the supplied reviews. Filet mignon receives repeated praise, including a description of a well-developed exterior crust with a properly medium center. Another diner paired the filet with an Oscar-style add-on and found the combination delicious. Ribeye and hanger steak also earned an enthusiastic endorsement, with one reviewer ranking the meal among their best steak experiences in Minnesota.

The Bread Is Life appetizer is another recurring favorite. One account praised both the bread and its seasoned cauliflower, while another diner said it was among several items worth ordering again. Steak tartare, Brussels sprouts and spicy lobster mac and cheese also drew positive notices, though they appear less often in the sample.

Not every dish lands at the same level. One reviewer found the tamarind short rib and apple cider pork shank merely acceptable compared with the steak selections. Another thought the accompaniments served with cheese fondue were too heavily sauced. Those comments suggest that the strongest ordering strategy is to prioritize the steakhouse side of the menu rather than assume every rich preparation will be equally precise.

Service and pacing support special occasions

Positive service comments recur throughout the feedback. Reviewers describe staff as lovely, wonderful and prompt, with one date-night account specifically appreciating the time left between drinks and courses. That pacing matters at an expensive restaurant, particularly one chosen as much for conversation and atmosphere as for the food itself.

The operation also showed some flexibility when poor weather forced the cancellation of patio seating for a July 4 reservation. Indoor accommodation was available in that instance, although weather-dependent seating remains an obvious variable at a lakefront destination.

What to expect

Reservations are a sensible precaution. A Tuesday dinner was reportedly very busy, and patio tables are clearly desirable when conditions allow. Diners primarily interested in the view should keep weather and seating changes in mind.

Dessert can provide a theatrical finish. The mocha mud pie was singled out as both delicious and visually dramatic. Overall, the evidence points to a polished, high-energy choice for steak, attentive service and Lake Minnetonka atmosphere. The price level makes it better suited to an occasion meal than a casual weeknight default, but the volume and consistency of positive feedback support its standing as one of Wayzata’s prominent upscale dining rooms.