We had a bit of mixed reaction with our food. All of our main dishes were great! We tried the chicken burger, the shrimp burger, and a chicken pesto sandwich. Both burgers were very tasty and the accompanying fries were fresh and tasty. The chicken was a little on the dry side but the pesto was great. The tater tot side upgrade was a bad choice. They were overdone and pretty awful. We all opted for desert and the pies were soooo good. The lemon cloud was so refreshing and the strawberry peach was sweet and tart. The carrot cake was good but the frosting was too sweet and lacked flavor. The service was quick but the servers have a lot of tables so the waitress was not overly friendly or inviting. We felt like we were a task and not a guest. Would we go back? Yes but.....I would order differently and stick with the things that they are best at. read more

Sorry I didn't take pictures, but it was wonderful!! The steak and eggs with hash-browns and toast were delicious!! A great serving size to fill me up. Steak was cooked perfectly and everything tasted great! The service was wonderful! She was prompt and communicative, and she checked on us several times. It's a great mom and pop spot. Very cozy and comforting! Glad we chose them!! Now, belly is full, time for a catnap haha read more

For breakfast/diner rating- 5*. Affordable, tasty and mounds of food with friendliest service in Alex. The corned beef omelette is the best! Our server Kait was the best. People and food here remind you the original Minnesota Nice. read more

We really enjoyed this adorable cafe. I have three kiddos (6,4,2) and my husband dropped me off to see if there was room to eat and I waived there was once i popped my head in. By the time he had parked the server had coffee and water cups for the kids with lids. She was so patient and kind - friendly as the kids ordered and back to top up the coffee. They even had sprinkles on the pancakes. We will excitedly return. The entire serving staff seemed to enjoy one another and their energy was positively impactful. Thank you! read more

Cozy cafe! Large portions on every plate! Friendly staff, very attentive. Cash only! Very reasonable priced! Full bellies and happy family:

Great homestyle breakfasts. Always crowded with regulars. Probably the best breakfast diner in town.

Great food and even better customer service! Never have to worry about your coffee cup being empty and they are very courtious if you have food allergies. read more

Picked this cafe based on the yelp reviews and it did not disappoint. I would give 4.5 stars just because they take CASH or CHECK only & we found that out only when our waitress brought the bill. This could've been bad, luckily we had a little cash left. Otherwise the place is ok, just a typical cozy small town dinner with great food and beyond reasonable prices. We ordered steak and eggs which was delicious. Bacon was tasty. Also French toast & waffles were good. Seems like all the locals come to this cafe so this is very good sign as well. Definitely recommend this place if you are in the area. read more

See all

As Cafes go, this is one of the better ones I've been to. You know it's good when you can't find a table at 10 AM and they know their regulars by name. Great service and reasonably priced. read more

Great food good price. Would love to go back. Service was great. Does not take credit cards.

I recommended the Northwoods Cafe as a meeting place for lunch during a trip to Alexandria based on the recent reviews. Upon entering the dusty, pothole-filled driveway that doubled as a kind of parking lot we began to question whether we were at the right place. As the couple we were meeting were already inside, we decided to overlook our first impressions. Finding our friends already seated we walked across an almost threadbare carpet and joined them at a small, well-worn table and pulled back the two remaining well-worn chairs and sat down. We scanned the place and were not pleased with the general look of the place. Our second impression was to leave, but everyone was hungry, and I reminded the group of the great Yelp reviews I read before proposing this restaurant. A friendly waitress brought menus, which contained the "usual" small town diner fare. One of our party ordered the chicken noodle soup and was satisfied. Two others ordered the tuna melt and described the taste of the tuna as approximating cat food. I ordered their roast beef and mashed potato with gravy special, which in small towns in western Minnesota is called "The Commercial" (not sure why). What arrived was a plate of glossy dark brown gravy that covered a pile of mashed potatoes and a few thick slices of what could have been roast beef. If portion size matters, this dish would be a hit. If taste matters, the dish was a dismal failure. The coagulated "gravy" had no taste. The mashed potatoes had no taste. The roast beef was tough and also flavorless. Suffice to say that we ate, paid the bill and left. Eager to be on our way and puzzled by the glowing reviews --and knowing that we'll eat again and hopefully will follow our gut and first impressions. read more

Staff is so very friendly and fast. Cook was fast. Food was on table quickly and the place was almost full. Breakfast sausage and bacon is absolutely terrible. That's why I give a 4. But everything else was delicious. Best ranch ever. Hash browns. Fresh and yummy. Chicken strips, oh so good. read more

Great service! Low prices and decent portions along with great tasting food. Nastalgic cafe vibe that took me back to my childhood!!! Love, love, love!! read more

Northwoods Cafe - Rodeo - Cafes Near Me - Alexandria, Minnesota

We stopped here on our way to Fargo. We had great food, great service, and all at a great price!

Very very quick food, and delicious. The only problem is they're always busy, and the sound of everybody else talking makes it difficult for you to hear your own conversation. However, I would give them a five for food and two for ambience. read more

Great food at decent prices. Friendly staff. Sports bar type vibe. I would recommend it.

Cozy diner in the heart of town with knockout food. The caramel roll is a definite must for sweet tooth lovers. Charming staff that make you feel right at home. You can tell this place is loved by many! read more

See all

I am a local to Alexandria. One of my favorite breakfast meals is the steak and eggs (over easy), with the addition of bacon (to help mop up the egg juice). I have tried all of the restaurants here in town (steak and eggs) as well as some restaurants down in the Twin Cities and across the country during my travels. This place is rated #1 in my book not only for the quality of steak but the price as well! Then there's the omelettes they make. Really good! And probably the hidden gem of the breakfast menu is "The Stacker"! Awesome family diner and very happy that I live just down the road from them. read more

Excellent breakfast, fast, hot, cute little setting. The sausage patty was huge compared to other restaurants and tasted great! They can only seat 9 tables because of the 'cv' which is totally unfortunate because more people need to enjoy their food! We will be back when traveling this direction. read more

Northwoods Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Alexandria, Minnesota

An AMAZING place. I brought my 3 teenage boys here for breakfast. We ordered almost one of everything off the breakfast menu and it was all awesome. We stopped here after we checked out of Geneva Beach Resort for a week and we wished we would have come here every day of Vacation. read more

Northwoods Cafe - Eggs, hash browns, bacon and toast- half eaten. ALL AMAZING - Cafes Near Me - Alexandria, Minnesota

This place was jam packed and one waitress who did a phenomenal job serving everyone. Also the cook deserves recognition as he kept up with all the orders. Our food was absolutely delicious and the prices were very reasonable. When we are back in town we will definitely return. Sure wish the service and food was this good back home in Henderson Nevada. This is a cash only establishment and completely understandable with the more than reasonable prices. Heck card companies want to charge businesses 3-4 percent and that would have to passed on to the consumer. The owners know how to run a business. read more

Excellent value for exceptional food dee dee dah dee dah and me love me lasagna rules rules rules

We were here 3 years ago, still rate as 5 stars!! Great homemade food! Highly recommend! Out of the way, but worth it. Fast, friendly service. read more

Service was quick and friendly! Food was great. Enjoyed my chicken fried steak. Would recommend for breakfast!

Great food, service and price! My grandkids favorite place. Amazing pancakes and omelets!

A very nice place for breakfast with excellent service. The bread is excellent and service unually good. I'm from out of town and stop in town once a year. i will for sure return read more

Best breakfast in town! It's our family favorite for breakfast all day at a great price. We've never been disappointed. Sometimes we'll split the Hungry Bear or the Stacker. Num! read more

I was a touring cyclist going through Alexandria. I stayed in the town for three days because I fell on my bike a few days before and needed to rest. Everyone needs a good brunch, so looked it up and based on the review, I chose Northwoods cafe. I had an omelet and it was great! It was great that I decided to come again the next day before I leave the town. Thats the proof the restaurant is good because I'm a bit picky.. Like the day before, the restaurant was really laid back and the servers were super friendly. I ordered another omelet and it was fresh, hot, yummy. After a good meal, I asked for a check, and the lady who called me 'a kiddo' said the food is on them. I was like, what just happened? They gave me free food to cheer me up on my bike tour! What kind of hospitality is that? How often do you get that kind of generosity from an established business? The food was great, but the people were greater. Thanks for making my day guys! read more

This place was great, the staff is friendly and the food is good. I'm giving it four stars instead of five because there are no high chairs and some of the booths are pretty small if you have a family. Prices are fair and portions are large. We had an omelette and a baby bear- both were very good. Would recommend read more

Always a great place to go for breakfast. Have not been there for lunch, so can't comment there. My only complaint is that it's always so busy. Wait staff is friendly and efficient. You never have to wait too long. Coffee is a little weak, but food is great! read more

I really enjoy dining here! Friendly, inexpensive, great food. I have no complaints. Very relaxed atmosphere

Northwoods is your classic Minnesotan cafe'. They have great food and the service is excellent. It's reasonably priced as well.

Top notch breakfast here in the lakes area. Truly one of the best spots in town. The atmosphere is awesome and the service is just like sitting at a family table! I love it! Strongly encourage the omelets!! read more

Found this little cafe on our way through Alex and thought we'd check it out with the kids. Cute little cafe with great food and great service. We all had breakfast and the pancakes and French toast were good! Kiddos loved the whipped cream and blueberries on there cakes. Friendly staff and very fast service. Would definitely come back! read more

The portions are big, the prices are small. Food is very satisfying. Waitress was okay, didn't like being called pet names. Didn't ask how things were or for a refill, just gave us a check and wished us a good day. read more

This café is really good, the food is amazing and the staff is so nice and welcoming. I only went here 2 times and I already love it and wish I didn't have to go back to ny. If I lived in Minnesota I would be there every morning. I recommend this place read more

I have been here twice for breakfast, and I love it! I found the food excellent and the service most friendly; I really felt at home here. It is the kind of place that has a sign up; "Unattended children will be presented with a free puppy." Open early in the morning for breakfast and lunch. It's a place I remembered and came back to two years later, the next time I was in town, and was just as happy the second time around. read more

This is our favorite place to come. If anyplace deserves a 5 star for friendly fast service this is it. If you are in town its a must stop on the list. read more

Amazing!!! Service is always above and beyond. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu/ it's delicious! An excellent spot for breakfast or lunch! One of my favorites!! read more