Some might say Grand Forks and the Twin Cities share little beyond state lines. And in many respects, they’d be right. But focus on the dining landscape, and you’ll discover we’re not so far apart after all. This list highlights the local gems that feel like familiar friends—places that could be spiritual cousins to Minneapolis favorites. If you love one, you’ll likely adore these 18.
Skies 322
$$ | (701) 746-8970 | WEBSITE
By now, lots of Grand Forks residents know that Skies 322 is the place to go for stylish, delicious plates of satisfying brunch and dinner offerings. The lobster linguine hasn’t quite reached that status yet in North Dakota, but it deserves to be just as celebrated. If you’re only getting one thing, make it Skies 322’s pancakes. The fluffy batter does not cover the plate so much as it drapes over it like a golden cloud.
It’s got the irresistible flavors that emerge when something has been prepared with care. Go here if you want a beautiful view out the window with nice upholstery and lighting, though be prepared for service that can sometimes be inattentive when the restaurant gets busy.
The Office Pub & Grub
$$ | (701) 757-1091 | WEBSITE
Grand Forks does classic pub experiences very differently. Some spots are polished, with craft cocktail menus, reservation systems, and servers in crisp uniforms. At The Office Pub & Grub, they only ask that you’re ready for fun, provide you with pool cues and dart boards, and let you go casual on lavosh, wings, and cold beers. The Office Pub & Grub and other pubs deliver different atmospheres, but the spiritual core of this one can be summed up by one word: entertainment.
North Dakota Museum of Art Cafe
$ | (701) 777-4668 | WEBSITE
Amazing little gems. Every art museum needs one, and North Dakota Museum of Art Cafe is our favorite restaurant in Grand Forks. It’s a lot like a hidden treasure because both spots are unique, occasionally serve impressive chef presentations, and make for perfect lunch options. There is more seating and space at other cafes. At North Dakota Museum of Art Cafe, there’s a more intimate atmosphere. But it just means you can enjoy the personal service more fully.
McMenamy’s Tavern
$$ | (701) 772-9061 | WEBSITE
Most Grand Forks residents know you have to head downtown for the best nightlife in the city (and The Hub for the best craft beer selection). But you could also go in the opposite direction instead: east to McMenamy’s Tavern in the quieter part of town. The small bar doesn’t have a fancy entrance—more like a walk-in.
You grab your 3 for 1 special in the morning, and within a few minutes, you’re enjoying pizza that tastes better than it looks, with crust so satisfying you’ll struggle to save room for another slice.
Dairy Queen (Treat)
$ | (701) 772-3801 | WEBSITE
It’s going to be a little hard to go back to other fast-food spots after you have the treats at this charming location in Grand Forks. Dairy Queen (Treat) is a destination for any North Dakotan who loves classic American desserts. The flavors here don’t just satisfy your sweet tooth—they hit you with the force of a summer thunderstorm. It should be a seasonal goal of yours to try every item on the menu, but start with the Blizzard, the Dilly Bar, and that soft-serve cone.
Try to visit during quieter times, since the picnic tables can fill up fast.
Red Pepper South
$ | (701) 757-0235 | WEBSITE
You go to Red Pepper South to grab one of those everything grinders and eat until you can barely move. You’re going there for the same reason you’d hit any quick spot in Grand Forks—except the food is better here. The sandwiches are generous enough to fill up two hands, the tacos are flavorful with just the right touch of spiciness, and the whole experience is efficient enough to trigger satisfaction.
Try to stick with the simple menu, like the excellent everything grinder, even if the options feel limited for vegetarians.
Fuji Japanese Seafood and Steakhouse
$ | (701) 757-3855 | WEBSITE
Both Fuji Japanese Seafood and Steakhouse and its hibachi competitors fall into a genre we’re calling ‘entertaining Japanese meals you can enjoy with family.’ While some places focus strictly on sushi or steak, Fuji’s menu is firmly Japanese-American fusion. We always get the hibachi filet mignon here, cooked with fresh vegetables and flavorful sauces. The restaurant also has accommodating staff who handle food allergies well, so you’re probably more comfortable dining here than you realize.
Chick-fil-A
$ | (701) 746-9942 | WEBSITE
Turns out, Chick-fil-A isn’t the only fast food spot with gluten-free options and a friendly vibe in Grand Forks. You can find its efficient counterpart near the university district. The campus location, though, is open seven days a week and has a consistently fresh selection of sandwiches, salads, and sides to choose from. Other chains’ gluten-free menus are limited (but the service here is also much quicker).
Still, both places have the hot food, cheerful atmosphere, and a polite staff you secretly want to chat with longer. It’s too easy to grab a meal here until your schedule gets tight.
Its Burger Time Grand Forks
$ | (701) 775-2776 | WEBSITE
To grab a burger from the drive-thru and eat it outside while traffic hums nearby is one of the simple, satisfying joys of American dining. And Its Burger Time Grand Forks delivers this experience just as reliably as any classic burger joint in the region. It’s a straightforward, convenient spot with outdoor seating and burgers that consistently satisfy.
Its Burger Time’s commitment to quality is clear, which is why you should be ordering the Black and Bleu burger here (though we’re also quite fond of their cheese curds and onion rings).
CRISP & GREEN
$ | (701) 757-1004 | WEBSITE
So you like fresh, customizable dining spots? Well, if you find yourself in Grand Forks (an epicenter of North Dakota’s healthier eating options), stop by Crisp & Green, which we love for many of the same reasons we love other contemporary salad bars in the region. Portions are generous, menus are big, and you can get lots of the salad classics (like the No Prob Cobb) that are hard to find with this level of quality in Grand Forks.
Crisp & Green is a little more generous with the sauce distribution, too.
Texas Roadhouse
$$ | (701) 746-7427 | WEBSITE
If you find a deep comfort in smoky grills and juicy steaks, you’re going to love Grand Forks’ Texas Roadhouse. Both are shining examples of the classic American steakhouse. Both make a mean Caesar salad. Both are affordable comfort-food havens with servers who are generous with the homemade buns. Only one has an authentically Texan atmosphere, though—at least until our Texas Roadhouse script finally finds its way to Kevin Costner’s desk.
Caribou Coffee
$ | (701) 792-7100 | WEBSITE
For a quick coffee fix, Caribou Coffee and Starbucks both serve the same purpose. Caribou is mostly a grab-and-go situation, and fortunately has a drive-thru unlike some competitors. But there are some cozy tables just inside the bright entrance area, which Caribou maintains well. Both chains feel familiar. Caribou kind of stands out—their drinks are unique compared to Starbucks, but their friendly service has been consistent for years. Starbucks just feels more corporate.
At Caribou, the Sriracha Everything Bagel is a popular breakfast sandwich packed with flavors, and the frozen hot chocolate is a sweet treat. The cheerful staff provides speedy, efficient service that can improve anyone’s day. It’s conveniently situated for those heading into town or out, making it a favorite spot for many, including those staying nearby.
Northside Cafe
$ | (701) 738-8500 | WEBSITE
If you’re a classic American diner fan, we’re going to assume you like hearty breakfasts, friendly service, and a cozy atmosphere to enjoy it in. So we’re going to send you to Grand Forks’ Northside Cafe. There are lots of families in the dining area, which has the same welcoming, laid-back energy that pulls us toward local favorites. Northside is a tad smaller, but not cramped, and also has private seating areas where you can celebrate with loved ones.
And yes, there are technically other diners in Grand Forks, but you can never have too many reliable spots in your rotation. Plus, Northside has those famous biscuits and gravy with eggs and hashbrowns, so you can bring friends who couldn’t care less about fancy cuisine.
Marco’s Pizza
$ | (701) 772-4000 | WEBSITE
Marco’s Pizza and Pizza Palace are two local spots making fantastic cheese pizzas and rocking a casual, easy-going atmosphere. Marco’s has more topping options and a gluten-free crust that everyone should order at least once. At Pizza Palace, there’s a big focus on specialty pies. But what you’ll see at both places are regulars enjoying steaming boxes of take-out classics, picking up orders to go, and liberally utilizing the garden salad with red onions.
Steer’s Restaurant
$ | (619) 254-6639 | WEBSITE
Indian food lovers don’t have many options in Grand Forks. There’s Steer’s Restaurant, which is a great place to eat authentic dishes with generous portions. But we have nothing as grand as the big-city Indian spots, which have been regional destinations for decades. The atmosphere isn’t as cozy as some smaller places, and the décor is just fine. But the food makes up for it and then some.
It feels like walking into a bustling kitchen where chefs have been perfecting recipes for years and have been steadily cooking since. It’s great for a quick lunch, but try to order the chicken curry at least once in your life.
Roadhouse Cafe
$ | (701) 772-1273 | WEBSITE
When this Grand Forks institution reopened under new management in 2024, it was obvious what they were aiming for. And so the Roadhouse Cafe became less of a classic diner, and more of a spot to close your eyes and imagine you’re at a cozy farmhouse kitchen. The food isn’t any fancier here, and the crowd is an even mix of local regulars catching up over coffee and travelers grabbing a quick bite before their train. Still, it hits the spot if you know what to expect.
They serve generous portions at reasonable prices and usually have the soup of the day simmering behind the counter.
Grama Butterwick’s Restaurant
$ | (701) 772-4764 | WEBSITE
Grama Butterwick’s brand of hearty, generous, home-cooked breakfast dining is becoming rare in Grand Forks. But not so here. The city rich in chain restaurants has more convenient morning options, but none we love quite as much as Butterwick’s. Just like Grama’s kitchen, this place is old-school, embraces comfort food, and really puts their griddles to work. Sit by the window if a view of the bustling morning crowd is important to you.
But the cozy, stuck-in-time dining room is pretty welcoming, too.
Original Red Pepper
$ | (701) 775-9671 | WEBSITE
Original Red Pepper and a fancy sit-down Mexican restaurant do not have a lot in common other than food. The fancy place is a special occasion spot full of college students in their weekend best. Original Red Pepper is a casual Grand Forks late-night gem. And yet, you’ll find both places equally as busy on a Friday night because of the one thing they do share in common: satisfying Mexican food with a Midwestern twist.
If you love grabbing a quick, delicious bite after a night out, Original Red Pepper delivers. And while the fancy spot might focus on elaborate dishes, Original Red Pepper has other options to throw on that plate, like their signature grinder and clearly marked gluten-free tacos.