North Dakota is a state that is mostly rural. While we do have our larger cities, most of the map is dotted with small towns among thousands of acres of farmland. You don’t have to go to one of those larger cities to get a good bite to eat, in fact there are tons of hidden gems all over the ND small towns. There are even some that are as rural as they can get, and yet their food is fantastic. Here are five great examples of these awesome country restaurants that are so worth the drive:
- Rusty’s Saloon & Grill - Saint Anthony
Rusty’s Saloon & Grill/Facebook
Rusty’s Saloon & Grill/Facebook The teeny town of Saint Anthony consists of just one road going through a few businesses, farmhouses, and a church. Less than 30 people live there, and yet many more than that flock to the town’s restaurant, Rusty’s. This rustic spot has the most delicious and juiciest steaks and burgers. This isn’t your usual small town bar and grill - it’s what you’d expect from a big city steakhouse, and yet it’s out in the middle of nowhere.
Rusty’s Saloon & Grill is located at 2331 Country Road 136, Saint Anthony, ND 58566.
- Four Corners Cafe - Fairfield
halyna49/Tripadvisor
Four Corners Cafe/Facebook This quaint little cafe is located in the itty bitty town of Fairfield, not far outside of the Little Missouri National Grassland and on the edge of the badlands. Even though this spot is surrounded by fields and seems like just a truck stop, the Four Corners Cafe keeps customers coming back for their wholesome North Dakota food. They are especially known for their homemade perogies, a Ukrainian food, caramel rolls, and knoephla - all North Dakota favorites!
The Four Corners Cafe is located at 2000 Highway 85 SW, Fairfield, ND 58627.
- The Lunchbox Eatery - Fort Ransom
The Lunchbox Eatery/Facebook
Eric Thorsell/Google Fort Ransom may only have a population of 77, but that doesn’t mean they can’t have a restaurant that rivals those in big cities. The Lunchbox Eatery is all about homestyle from scratch foods. They use only the freshest of ingredients and have a constantly rotating menu of options that you’ll love. Sandwiches, pasta, steaks, and even elk burgers are just a few of the many options you’ll find, and all of them are positively scrumptious.
The Lunchbox Eatery is located at 101 E Main St., Fort Ransom, ND 58033.
- Pastime Club & Steakhouse - Marmarth
Andrew Filer/Flickr
karlb912/Tripadvisor Located on the main street of what once was a bustling western town in North Dakota but is now a mostly-vacant rural spot is a restaurant that’ll make you feel like you’ve stepped into a fine dining atmosphere from a big city. You’d never expect to find something like escargot available at a restaurant this far of a drive out of the way, and yet the Pastime Club has it! That and fancy pasta dishes, seafood, and of course great steaks are served up fresh every day. And boy is it all tasty!
The Pastime Club & Steakhouse is located at 118 Main Street, Marmarth, ND 58643.
- Coffee Cottage Cafe - Rugby
ShanOC/Tripadvisor
ShanOC/Tripadvisor Stop by this adorable little cafe in Rugby, ND for a delicious treat. They do indeed have coffee, but they also have so much more. You definitely don’t want to leave here without trying one of their fresh baked goods, especially their pie. There is also soups and sandwiches available and lots of things to buy and take home. It’s a place full of country charm that anyone would enjoy.
The Coffee Cottage Cafe is located at 106 US-2, Rugby, ND 58368.
Where is your favorite lesser-known North Dakota restaurant that is worth the trip to try? One of the state’s most unusual and unique restaurants is out in the middle of no where in a town of less than 25 residents – and people love it.
Rusty’s Saloon & Grill/Facebook
The teeny town of Saint Anthony consists of just one road going through a few businesses, farmhouses, and a church. Less than 30 people live there, and yet many more than that flock to the town’s restaurant, Rusty’s. This rustic spot has the most delicious and juiciest steaks and burgers. This isn’t your usual small town bar and grill - it’s what you’d expect from a big city steakhouse, and yet it’s out in the middle of nowhere.
Rusty’s Saloon & Grill is located at 2331 Country Road 136, Saint Anthony, ND 58566.
halyna49/Tripadvisor
Four Corners Cafe/Facebook
This quaint little cafe is located in the itty bitty town of Fairfield, not far outside of the Little Missouri National Grassland and on the edge of the badlands. Even though this spot is surrounded by fields and seems like just a truck stop, the Four Corners Cafe keeps customers coming back for their wholesome North Dakota food. They are especially known for their homemade perogies, a Ukrainian food, caramel rolls, and knoephla - all North Dakota favorites!
The Four Corners Cafe is located at 2000 Highway 85 SW, Fairfield, ND 58627.
The Lunchbox Eatery/Facebook
Eric Thorsell/Google
Fort Ransom may only have a population of 77, but that doesn’t mean they can’t have a restaurant that rivals those in big cities. The Lunchbox Eatery is all about homestyle from scratch foods. They use only the freshest of ingredients and have a constantly rotating menu of options that you’ll love. Sandwiches, pasta, steaks, and even elk burgers are just a few of the many options you’ll find, and all of them are positively scrumptious.
The Lunchbox Eatery is located at 101 E Main St., Fort Ransom, ND 58033.
Andrew Filer/Flickr
karlb912/Tripadvisor
Located on the main street of what once was a bustling western town in North Dakota but is now a mostly-vacant rural spot is a restaurant that’ll make you feel like you’ve stepped into a fine dining atmosphere from a big city. You’d never expect to find something like escargot available at a restaurant this far of a drive out of the way, and yet the Pastime Club has it! That and fancy pasta dishes, seafood, and of course great steaks are served up fresh every day. And boy is it all tasty!
The Pastime Club & Steakhouse is located at 118 Main Street, Marmarth, ND 58643.
ShanOC/Tripadvisor
Stop by this adorable little cafe in Rugby, ND for a delicious treat. They do indeed have coffee, but they also have so much more. You definitely don’t want to leave here without trying one of their fresh baked goods, especially their pie. There is also soups and sandwiches available and lots of things to buy and take home. It’s a place full of country charm that anyone would enjoy.
The Coffee Cottage Cafe is located at 106 US-2, Rugby, ND 58368.
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