This is the Land of 10,000 Lakes, so all our restaurants are arguably “nice” – it’s just our nature – but if you’re looking for a nice small-town restaurant in Minnesota, head to Bernie’s in East Grand Forks. It’s a hometown joint that’s generating a lot of buzz.

Food Network celebrity and cookbook author Molly Yeh, along with her husband, Nick Hagen, opened Bernie’s in East Grand Forks in 2022.
ShanOC/TripAdvisor
The restaurant is an upscale counter-service concept that’s open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and happy hour.
Bernie’s
The dining room is austerely elegant.
Tamra Leif/Google
The simplicity of the space is echoed by the restaurant’s cuisine, which is inspired by local, Midwestern, and Scandinavian flavors and ingredients.
Bernie’s
Breakfast dishes range from oatmeal or whitefish toast to smörgåsbord.
The menu also includes sandwiches and soups, including Yeh’s famous knoephla soup. It's one of the things that makes Molly Yeh's restaurant reviews so positive.
Ray Parks (Home Account)/Google

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A selection of succulent salads and a regular smattering of specials are also available.
Justin Thompson/Google
Those who enjoy a little bump with their brunch or who stop in for happy hour will be pleased with Bernie’s bar offerings.
ShanOC/TripAdvisor
Order your usual or sample from the bold selection of craft cocktails, like the cranberry shrub.
Bernie’s/Facebook
In addition to Molly Yeh's Bernie's restaurant menu, it also offers a bakery case.
Bernie’s/Facebook
There’s even a market for your postprandial shopping pleasure.
Bernie’s

Check Bernie’s website to see its business hours and complete menu or to order online. Apart from Bernie’s, there are plenty of other nice small-town restaurants in Minnesota that are well worth checking out.

Have you had a chance to visit Bernie’s in East Grand Forks yet? Are there any other hometown favorites that can go toe-to-toe with the country’s best restaurants? Let us know in the comments.

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More to Explore

Scrumptious Restaurants in Minnesota

Will Suphan | February 07, 2024

What are some hidden gem restaurants in Minnesota?

Here are some hidden gem restaurants in Minnesota:

  • Kaffe Stuga. This charming little place serves a combination of down-home American food and delicious Swedish food.
  • Tendermaid. This burger joint in Austin, MN has loose-meat burgers that are as messy as they are delicious.
  • Mabel Murphy’s. This European-style pub serves delicious sandwiches, seafood, and steak, all in a cozy, comfortable setting.
  • Brass Rail. This is a locally beloved spot known for making some of the tastiest broasted chicken around. 

Learn more about these and several other hidden gem restaurants in Minnesota. 

What are the most iconic foods in Minnesota?

These are the most iconic foods in Minnesota:

  • Dessert Bars. These crumbly and yummy dessert treats are a staple at potlucks all over Minnesota.
  • Tater Tot Hotdish. This is Minnesota comfort food at its best. Tater tots mixed with meat and cheese and baked in an oven.
  • Lefse. This soft flatbread is made from riced potatoes and is a savory and comforting Scandinavian standby.
  • Krumkake. The Scandinavian roots of many of the locals come out in this wafer-like confection that is rolled and often filled with cream.

Discover several more of the most iconic foods in Minnesota. 

What are the most historic restaurants in Minnesota?

The most historic restaurants in Minnesota include:

  • Jax Cafe. This place opened in 1910 and became especially popular when Prohibition ended. 
  • Forepaugh’s Restaurant. Originally a home that was built in 1870, this place became a restaurant in 1976 and has been serving delicious food in historic surroundings ever since.
  • The Hubbel House. What started as a tiny log hotel in 1854 has grown into a wonderful place for American fare.

Find out more about these and several more of the most historic restaurants in Minnesota.

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Featured Addresses
Bernie's, 121 Demers Ave, East Grand Forks, MN 56721, USA