It feels great when you discover a restaurant hidden gem. That place that no one seems to know about, hidden in some nondescript building, that has the best food you’ve ever tasted. It almost becomes your special spot to grab a bite to eat, and tends to be the first thing you recommend to out-of-towners. We’ve searched for those kind of secret, hard to find restaurants and have compiled them into a list – and you’ll want to try them all.
- Los Compadres Steak & Seafood Grill - Williston
Ben H/Tripadvisor
Los Compadres Steak & Seafood Grill/Facebook This quaint restaurant in Williston almost seems mysterious. With a “clock” that just reads “?” and an otherwise nondescript exterior, you wouldn’t imagine there was much more than the usual Mexican food inside. Los Compadres Steak & Seafood Grill is so much more than that. They cook up authentic Mexican food with everything from tacos, to enchiladas, to burritos, and all the usual sides - rice, beans, and plenty of toppings. The seafood twist in many of the options makes them even more delicious. It’s definitely one of the best spots to grab Mexican food in North Dakota.
Los Compadres Steak & Seafood Grill is located at 216 Main St. Williston, ND 58801.
- Prante’s - Wahpeton
Google maps
Prante’s/Facebook This restaurant is far from the main strip in the town of Wahpeton where most of the other food spots are. It’s practically in a neighborhood, and you wouldn’t expect such a great restaurant to be there. Prante’s is a wonderful place to grab anything from fine dining options like steak and shrimp, pasta, or fish, or everyone’s favorites like ribs, chicken, and burgers. It’s got a bit of everything and it’s definitely a hidden gem you’ll want to discover.
Prante’s is located at 1605 11th St. N, Wahpeton, ND 58075.
- North Dakota Museum of Art Cafe - Grand Forks
Vacation391435/Tripadvisor
DakotaFlyer2/Tripadvisor Did you know that there is a cafe inside the North Dakota Museum of Art? If you didn’t, then you should definitely go check it out. Other than the unique and interesting location, this charming cafe has fantastic food. Grab a salmon BLT and a cup of hot coffee or try one of the many other options on their menu. You won’t be disappointed, plus you can check out the beautiful art pieces in the museum while you’re there.
The North Dakota Museum of Art Cafe is located inside the North Dakota Museum of Art at 216 Centennial Dr. Stop 7305, Grand Forks, ND 58202.
- Noodlezip - Bismarck
Noodlezip/Facebook
Noodlezip/Facebook Love asian food? Then Noodlezip needs to be at the top of your list. They have everything you love in asian food made to perfection. Whether you are in the mood for pad thai, udon, or all the noodles you can eat, they have a bit of everything and it’s all great.
Noodlezip is located at 208 E Main Ave., Suite 2, Bismarck, ND 58501.
- Pastime Club & Steakhouse - Marmarth
Andrew Filer/Flickr
Jimmy Emerson/Flickr This secret restaurant is hidden way out in the middle of nowhere in a near-ghost town called Marmarth. Although the town might not be hopping anymore, this restaurant certainly is. You wouldn’t expect to find a place with escargot this far out of the way, and yet the Pastime Club & Steakhouse has it and so much more. Sandwiches, pasta, ribs, steaks - you name it, they have it.
The Pastime Club & Steakhouse is located at 118 Main St., Marmarth, ND 58643.
- The Boiler Room - Fargo
Thom H/Tripadvisor
DanDeMan-O/Tripadvisor Not only is this restaurant tucked away in a hidden alleyway in downtown Fargo, it’s also the state’s only underground restaurant. You’ll have to descend some stairs below a historic building to visit this industrial-themed spot, but it’s well worth it for the food. They have scrumptious options like poutine, scotch eggs, ribeye, mac and cheese, and many beers on tap.
The Boiler Room is located at 210 Broadway N, Suite 90, Fargo, ND 58102.
- Rock’n 50s Cafe - Bismarck
David Schlecht/Google
Chantel McGurren/Google This fun 50’s style diner is hidden inside a shopping mall in Bismarck. Grab some of the free popcorn and pick any one of your classic American food favorites of their menu. Burgers and fries, shakes, and even North Dakota classics like knoephla soup are all available here and all tasty.
Rock’n 50s Cafe is located at 2700 State St. Bismarck, ND 58503.
Where is your favorite hidden gem restaurant? On the opposite end of the spectrum, here are well-known restaurants in North Dakota that are definitely worth all the hullabaloo.
Ben H/Tripadvisor
Los Compadres Steak & Seafood Grill/Facebook
This quaint restaurant in Williston almost seems mysterious. With a “clock” that just reads “?” and an otherwise nondescript exterior, you wouldn’t imagine there was much more than the usual Mexican food inside. Los Compadres Steak & Seafood Grill is so much more than that. They cook up authentic Mexican food with everything from tacos, to enchiladas, to burritos, and all the usual sides - rice, beans, and plenty of toppings. The seafood twist in many of the options makes them even more delicious. It’s definitely one of the best spots to grab Mexican food in North Dakota.
Los Compadres Steak & Seafood Grill is located at 216 Main St. Williston, ND 58801.
Google maps
Prante’s/Facebook
This restaurant is far from the main strip in the town of Wahpeton where most of the other food spots are. It’s practically in a neighborhood, and you wouldn’t expect such a great restaurant to be there. Prante’s is a wonderful place to grab anything from fine dining options like steak and shrimp, pasta, or fish, or everyone’s favorites like ribs, chicken, and burgers. It’s got a bit of everything and it’s definitely a hidden gem you’ll want to discover.
Prante’s is located at 1605 11th St. N, Wahpeton, ND 58075.
Vacation391435/Tripadvisor
DakotaFlyer2/Tripadvisor
Did you know that there is a cafe inside the North Dakota Museum of Art? If you didn’t, then you should definitely go check it out. Other than the unique and interesting location, this charming cafe has fantastic food. Grab a salmon BLT and a cup of hot coffee or try one of the many other options on their menu. You won’t be disappointed, plus you can check out the beautiful art pieces in the museum while you’re there.
The North Dakota Museum of Art Cafe is located inside the North Dakota Museum of Art at 216 Centennial Dr. Stop 7305, Grand Forks, ND 58202.
Noodlezip/Facebook
Love asian food? Then Noodlezip needs to be at the top of your list. They have everything you love in asian food made to perfection. Whether you are in the mood for pad thai, udon, or all the noodles you can eat, they have a bit of everything and it’s all great.
Noodlezip is located at 208 E Main Ave., Suite 2, Bismarck, ND 58501.
Andrew Filer/Flickr
Jimmy Emerson/Flickr
This secret restaurant is hidden way out in the middle of nowhere in a near-ghost town called Marmarth. Although the town might not be hopping anymore, this restaurant certainly is. You wouldn’t expect to find a place with escargot this far out of the way, and yet the Pastime Club & Steakhouse has it and so much more. Sandwiches, pasta, ribs, steaks - you name it, they have it.
The Pastime Club & Steakhouse is located at 118 Main St., Marmarth, ND 58643.
Thom H/Tripadvisor
DanDeMan-O/Tripadvisor
Not only is this restaurant tucked away in a hidden alleyway in downtown Fargo, it’s also the state’s only underground restaurant. You’ll have to descend some stairs below a historic building to visit this industrial-themed spot, but it’s well worth it for the food. They have scrumptious options like poutine, scotch eggs, ribeye, mac and cheese, and many beers on tap.
The Boiler Room is located at 210 Broadway N, Suite 90, Fargo, ND 58102.
David Schlecht/Google
Chantel McGurren/Google
This fun 50’s style diner is hidden inside a shopping mall in Bismarck. Grab some of the free popcorn and pick any one of your classic American food favorites of their menu. Burgers and fries, shakes, and even North Dakota classics like knoephla soup are all available here and all tasty.
Rock’n 50s Cafe is located at 2700 State St. Bismarck, ND 58503.
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