A Restaurant for Every Month: 12 Bucket-List Worthy Spots in North Dakota

If there's one thing just about everyone everywhere can agree on, it's this: food is pretty awesome. There are entire cultural traditions, rituals, rites, and holidays surrounding food worldwide. It's a universal language, and here in lil' ol' North Dakota, we've got no shortage of excellent examples of this. North Dakota might be one of those states where about four people and a dog live, but you know, we sure do know our amazing diners, incredible steakhouses, wonderful pizza places, and just about everything you can think of. So, to celebrate the arrival of the new year, we've put together this list of 12 of the best restaurants in North Dakota, each of which you need to add to your culinary bucket list (one for each month of the new year!).

January – Savor Classic Comfort at Little Missouri Grille, Watford City

The Little Missouri Grille is a delightful, family-owned-and-operated little hole-in-the-wall that’s become a local staple. It serves up some of the most delectable traditional comfort food and American fare, and we’re pretty sure you won’t find a more down-home, mom-and-pop atmosphere if you try. Reviewers rave about the friendly service and the to-die-for hash browns. It’s especially popular with locals for hearty breakfasts and generous portions, making it an ideal stop for cold weather.

February – Steak & Flavor at The Naked Moose, Loraine

Looking for amazing steaks (quite possibly for the most romantic time of the year)? Look no further than The Naked Moose in Loraine. Rave reviews talk about how they’ve driven from (insert distant city or town here), and it was worth it. It’s not just a steakhouse. The burger menu kicks in at 4 p.m., and the dinner menu begins at 5 p.m. On Thursday nights, there are absolutely delicious Mexican food specials. Weekends vary; you can have steak, seafood, or pasta specials at any given time, so check out the official Naked Moose II Facebook page for the most up-to-date hours and info. This isn't just one of the best restaurants in Loraine; it's easily one of the best restaurants in North Dakota.

Because hours and specials can change seasonally, it’s best to check the restaurant’s official Facebook page before making the drive.

March – Dine in Style at Theodore's Dining Room, Medora

Nestled inside the historic Rough Riders Hotel is the legendary Theodore’s, a top-notch steak and chophouse you will never forget. Everything here is absolutely amazing; it’s another entry on this list where folks quite literally come in from out of state to experience it, and it’s well worth a spot on your culinary bucket list. It’s hard to say which menu item is the fan favorite; folks rave about the salmon, steaks, and everything else, so we suppose you might just have to stop in more than just this once. Experience Theodore's Dining Room, one of the most unique restaurants in North Dakota!

It’s a natural pairing with a visit to Medora or Theodore Roosevelt National Park, making it a favorite for both locals and travelers.

April – Artisanal Pizza & Coffee at Fireflour, Bismarck

Fireflour’s name combines the two most important parts of the art of pizza: fire, used to forge each delicious creation, and flour, used to build it. Of course, it’s more than just a contemporary pizzeria; the coffee, gelato, salads, and pretty much everything else here are absolutely perfect. You’ll find some of the most unique pizzas ever within these walls; make sure to try the coffee, too. Any of it will do, honestly. Once again, this establishment has folks in the reviews talking about making the drive from Vancouver just for this oven-fired amazingness. We don’t blame ‘em one bit.

Fireflour specializes in Neapolitan-style pizzas cooked in a blazing hot oven, giving each pie its signature blistered crust. Find out for yourself why Fireflour's has some of the best pizzas in North Dakota.

May – Award-Winning Breakfast & Brunch at Butterhorn, Bismarck

If you're looking for award-winning restaurants in North Dakota, well, Butterhorn's talented chefs have been nominated for a James Beard Award in 2024! Frequently crowned as the "best breakfast place" in Bismarck, Butterhorn is so much more than JUST a breakfast joint. It’s an experience, as evidenced by the higher-than-average number of reviews (most of which are absolutely of the "rave" variety). Serving up brunch, dinner, desserts, and more, you’re sure to find at least one or two things on this menu to come back for again and again. Once again, we strongly suspect you’ll be coming back more often. Don’t say we didn’t warn you! The restaurant’s national recognition has helped put Bismarck’s dining scene on the map.

June – Creative Cuisine at The Toasted Frog, Grand Forks

The Toasted Frog has three locations in North Dakota, though we think the best is in Grand Forks. The reviews agree: folks love the friendly ambiance and five-star cuisine served here, on plates that are as visually stunning as they are tasty. This is one of those meals you’re going to want to Instagram first. Toasted Frog may end up at the top of your list of favorite restaurants in North Dakota. The beautifully plated dishes are as visually appealing as they are flavorful.

July – Italian Elegance & Hand-Crafted Drinks at Mezzaluna, Fargo

Here’s one you’ll want to make reservations for! Oh, Mezzaluna: how do we love thee? Let us count the ways; could it be the shrimp? The steaks? The desserts? The hand-crafted, artisan drinks? We don’t know, but one thing is for sure: the atmosphere at Mezzaluna is as spellbinding as its menu. It’s a Fargo-based treat for the senses! When it comes to the best restaurants in North Dakota, one cannot go without mentioning Mezzaluna. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends and during peak dining hours.

August – Down-Home Favorites at The Shack on Broadway, Fargo

This is down-home country cookin’ at its finest, and it’s nestled right in Fargo. If you’re a fan of huge portions, friendly service, and menus filled to the brim with every last one of your favorites, you might want to give The Shack a go earlier than August. We feel like it might even be some kind of criminal injustice to stop by this mom-and-pop shop just once. You’ll find hours, menus, and other pertinent information on the official The Shack on Broadway website. This is another one of the best award-winning restaurants in North Dakota. It’s especially popular in the mornings, so arriving early is often your best bet.

September – Mediterranean Delights at Café Aladdin, Fargo

You know, we were hesitant to include three entries in Fargo on this list, but when we realized we hadn’t included Café Aladdin yet (and couldn’t eliminate either of our other two Fargo-area picks), we knew we had to scrap that concern. If you were to check out the reviews for this little joint, you’d see folks who are actually FROM Greece talking about how THIS little hole-in-the-wall is the real deal. We’re pretty sure you won't find better Greek food anywhere in North Dakota. You might just want to make like plenty of people in the reviews and drive here from wherever you are, no matter how far it is. This is one of the best Greek & Middle Eastern Food and is a must-try for anyone who loves Mediterranean cuisine. Many diners praise the restaurant’s authentic flavors and generous portions, especially the gyros and hummus.

October – Comfort Food & Local Charm at Harvester's Café, Pettibone

If you’re a fan of mom-and-pop, you’re going to love this one. Harvester’s Café is hiding in Pettibone, and it doesn’t get much more at-home feeling than this. Folks repeatedly mention that it "feels like Grandma’s", and we suspect that’s the point! You’ll find all sorts of wonderful comfort food, like ridiculously delicious prime rib, served up here. This one is especially unique in that the hours of operation vary from day to day based on several factors, so you’ll want to call ahead to make sure they’re open. It’s worth it, though – trust us. Visit Harvester's Café's official Facebook page for the phone number, menu, and more.

November – Prime Steaks & Classic Dining at The Ranch Steakhouse

Second-to-last on this list but nowhere NEAR last in our hearts is The Ranch Steakhouse, a local staple in Devils Lake. Diners often accuse The Ranch of having the best steaks they’ve ever had, and you know, they might just be right. If you’re in the market for a thick, juicy, prime cut of beef, you’re in the market for The Ranch. The classic steakhouse atmosphere makes it a go-to spot for celebrations and special occasions.

December – Classic Burgers & Cozy Atmosphere at Wolff's Grill, Dawson

Finally comes Wolff’s Grill and Bar, a local favorite in its hometown of Dawson. If you ask people in this area where the best burger they’ve ever had came from, they’ll probably say it came from Wolff’s. If you’re a fan of big, juicy, delicious burgers, you’ll be coming back. Burgers aside, the rest of the menu is pretty stellar, too, and we don’t think you’ll be disappointed regardless of what you order! It’s a relaxed, welcoming spot that works just as well for family dinners as casual nights out. Visit the official Wolff’s Grill and Bar website for hours, menu, and more.

If you had to put together your own list of the best restaurants in North Dakota, which ones would you include? If you have any others you would add to this list, tell us about them through our nominations page!

Planning a food-focused road trip through North Dakota? You can easily map out your stops using the Only In Your State itinerary planner to build a custom route that fits your schedule and interests.