Perkins Restaurant &amp; Bakery

Brought some college kids here for dinner, and we had a great time. The atmosphere was lively and…read morefamily-friendly--even though it's a pub. They weren't overly busy for a Friday night, and we only waited a few minutes for a table. Right after being seated, they brought out fresh-popped popcorn, which the kids immediately devoured. We also tried the giant pretzel and cheese curds. Both were tasty, though not particularly memorable. The pretzel cheese definitely seemed canned, while the curds appeared homemade--but both appetizers felt a bit overpriced for what you get ($14 for cheese curds seems steep, though maybe that's just the area). Burgers seem to be the star of the menu, with lots of options to choose from. Two of the kids ordered burgers and said they were cooked perfectly. Another ordered the Minnesota Bowl, which was unique but a little underwhelming. The menu describes walleye on wild rice, but it's actually served on white rice with just a sprinkling of wild rice--worth noting for anyone watching their glycemic index. I ordered the walleye tacos, which were quite good. The fresh slaw and special sauce balanced out the spice from the blackening seasoning nicely. Overall: Service was attentive and friendly--our server kept our waters and popcorn filled throughout the meal. The drink menu looked fun, and I'd definitely come back to try one of those and explore more of the menu next time.

Nice atmosphere here. We were seated by the hostess in a booth with menus and our waiter was by…read moreshortly with a bowl of popcorn. Our waiter was excellent. The hostess mentioned it was taco tuesday. I didn't see anything on the menu about tacos so I looked up their website where it's listed. I ordered birria beef tacos and was surprised by what I received. Not sure if this is common to this area or a Lucky's interpretation: cheese is melted onto the outside of a flour shell, birria meat is placed mid-shell w/crema over top. It was tasty. Just very confusing because that isn't what I think of when I think Taco. Overtired and very confused and our waiter really handled it so well. Aside from my taco turmoil my Caeser salad was very tasty and fresh. My dining companion had a half Reuben and chili. The Reuben also was different from our accustomed 'build'. Shredded meat was mixed with dressing (vs thin sliced with saurkraut on top and thousand island dressing as a condiment). We are so far away from home we have no idea is this the ND way? Or the chef's interpretation? No worries. This is a knife and fork sandwich for sure. The chili is topped with Frito cornchips and cheese melted over all. A filling meal. This is a family friendly restaurant with a huge bar and a fun vibe. TV's all around and a few slot games in the bar. There is an actual changing table in the ladies room for diapering. Private parking lot.

Hallway to restrooms at back of restaurant

Birria "tacos" w/cheese melted to the outside, meat & crema inside.

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She, or He restrooms

Blarney Stone Pub- Bismarck

4.3(331 reviews)

The Blarney Stone is our favorite pub and restaurant in old downtown Bismark. The atmosphere and…read moreservice is outstanding, they've an excellent selection of beer, along with a well apportioned bar - and then there's their shepherds pie. It's all so very good - and thankfully, they're open late!

Have been here several times w friends and family. They do have gluten free menu which is nice…read more Food is good and unique Irish authentic. Good selection of beer. Nice garage door they open on nice summer evenings. Staff was decent. Atmosphere is like a pub with charm. Overall worth a shot

Bar area

Fibber Flanagan 's Fish & Chips

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Restaurant entrance

Anima Cucina

4.3(95 reviews)

Anima Cucina is such a cute spot in Bismarck. I was greeted right away and seated promptly, and the…read moreservice throughout the meal was warm, friendly, and attentive. For a small restaurant, they also have an impressive wine selection. We started with the garlic bread, hot olives, and meatballs -- all of which were flavorful, balanced, and absolutely delicious. For entrées, our table had the breaded walleye, the Bolognese pasta, and the Porchetta. The walleye and Bolognese were outstanding, but unfortunately the Porchetta was a big letdown. The skin was chewy rather than crisp, with a thick layer of unrendered fat beneath it, and most concerning, it still had visible pig hair. I was expecting the classic combination of crackling skin, melting fat, and tender pork, but instead it was oddly undercooked on the outside, dry inside, and after biting into hair, I really lost my appetite for it. We finished with tiramisu and a torte, and both desserts were excellent -- a strong way to end the meal. Overall, Anima Cucina has a lot going for it: charming atmosphere, friendly staff, great starters, and standout entrées (other than the Porchetta). I'd happily return for the appetizers, pasta, fish, and desserts, but I'd avoid the Porchetta based on my experience.

Our most favorite place in all of Bismarck! Came here practically every morning over the summer…read morewhile we stayed here for work. Lovely staff, great vibes, lots of natural light, and excellent coffee! We miss this place!!!

This is above the kitchen. A boar with tusk walking.

$17 Charcuterie Board is a great deal!

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Boulevard Dank 7

Huckleberry House

3.9(54 reviews)

2.7 mi

We had an absolutely wonderful dinner here recently. We were seated outside on the patio with our…read moredog, and able to enjoy the gorgeous sunset while we ate. The ambiance was lovely and warm with the cool evening breeze, light music in the distance and the sparkle of the sunset on the water. The overall vibe does feel a bit bourgeois but not in a bad way. You can tell they know they're very good at what they do. It seemed like most of the people here were regulars. When we first arrived there wasn't anyone at the front of house to greet us and we did have to wander around a bit before finding someone which took longer than expected and was a little awkward. It was also kind of a surprising for an establishment that is obviously sophisticated, however, once we were seated, the service was friendly, attentive and never rushed. The food was absolutely incredible. We had hoped to order the roasted onion fleishkuekle but we were advised that they were out of ingredients to prepare it. I ordered the Hasselhoffs, which were rich, comforting and packed with flavor. My mind kept telling me to eat slow and savor it, but my mouth wanted to gobble it down it was so good. It was like really elevated home cooking. My husband had the Fine Schwein, which was a braised pork dish. It was wonderfully savory and deeply flavored and was beautifully prepared and presented. He really enjoyed. We finished with a kitchen for dessert and everything we ate was outstanding. Despite the small hiccup at the start and the unavailable dish that we were hoping for, this was one of our best dining experiences in a long time. The setting the quality of the food and the overall atmosphere made for a fantastic evening for my husband and I and it is a place we would definitely return to regularly.

tl;dr the service is comically poor and the food falls flat at this riverfront neo-Nordic cocktail…read morebar Bismarck, North Dakota, was named in honor of German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, and the population has a strong German and Scandinavian background. So, it seems fitting that one of the most popular restaurants is a German- and Scandinavian-inspired cocktail bar: the Huckleberry House. Part of the Missouri Valley Heritage Alliance's riverfront revival project, the Huckleberry made its debut on the Missouri River in 2022. (The restaurant's name is a reference to Huckleberry Finn, who rafted along the Missouri in the eponymous Mark Twain novel.) Since its opening, the restaurant has become a favorite among locals, and Head Chef Cody Monson was even named a James Beard Award semi-finalist for 2025. The Huckleberry shares a riverfront post-and-beam warehouse with the Lewis and Clark Riverboat ticketing office. The minimalistic decor feels straight out of Ikea. The HVAC is left exposed toward the peaks of the soaring ceilings. The firetruck-red garage door windows and the vibrant houseplants provide the only pops of color against the otherwise whitewashed walls and lightwood furnishings. Half-booths run the length of the restaurant, flanked on either side by trim two-seaters and larger bartop tables. Woven chairs are organized underneath expansive umbrellas on the riverside patio. Soft instrumental is barely audible above the respectful din of chatter. Sunshine through the wide windows leaves the un-air-conditioned dining room feeling uncomfortably balmy. We arrived for weekday dinner, and immediately, the service was palpably poor. The staff declined to seat us in order to "pace the kitchen." Despite the nearly empty house, we weren't seated for 45 minutes, and we were over an hour in before having the opportunity to order. At least we had ample time to thoroughly review the menu beforehand -- or so we thought. Our waitress rattled off items that the kitchen was out of, and it was nearly half the menu. No matter, we quickly adapted and asked for every plate to be brought out as it was completed. Fortunately, this was only a matter of minutes (shorter, even, than the time between being seated and our order being taken). The best dish, surprisingly, was the Hasselhoffs (an elevated take on tater tot hotdish). Although the tater tots were obviously the frozen grocery store variety, they were paired with an eyebrow-raisingly dynamic combination of rich cheese sauce and tangy sauerkraut. The Buttermilk Chicken Schnitzel was passable; the overcooked chicken was at least crispy, and tasty charred cabbage helped cover up the gummy spaetzle egg noodles. The Smorbrod (a traditional open-faced sandwich in rye) had memorable soggy bread; otherwise, the beef and blue cheese were forgettable. The mashed potatoes-esque Curried Pumpkin Knoephla (German dumplings) was heavy on the curry spices and exceedingly light on the pumpkin or knoephla. One member of our party asked if the dish actually did have pumpkin, to which our waitress tried to explain that the pumpkin was kept to a minimum because patrons don't like the flavor of it (I wondered to myself why those pumpkin-hating people would order a dish with "pumpkin" in the name in the first place). Lastly, the Peachy Keen salad was topped with sliced apple instead of peaches; however, our server inexcusably neglected to tell us about this swap until after the salad had hit the table, offering little more than a shrug ("peaches are out of season right now"). In stark contrast to our extended wait for a table, our server was quick to usher us out the door. She slapped a check onto the table before we even finished our meal (without even the cursory mention of dessert). It felt as though the staff were in a hurry to close up early, even though it was just after 8PM. The prices weren't outlandish (the appetizers were all less than $20, and our entree was less than $30), but no dish was worth the price. While the ambitious fare sounded thrilling in theory, it fell flat in practice. And service was laughably unpalatable; I needed a full debrief afterward to believe what I had just experienced. Regrettably, I'd be more likely to recommend McDonald's than the Huckleberry; at least McDonald's won't take 2 hours and $100+ to serve you food that only loosely adheres to the menu description.

Food menu

Peach milk & honey cocktail

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Kitchen boiz

The Paddle Trap

3.4(46 reviews)

1.5 mi

Best place to hang out during the summer months! Beautiful views, casual & laid-back vibes. I…read morepersonally like everything I've had on the menu. My kids loved being here too, but they might be due to the treasure chest at the entrance lol! Service is a bit slow, so we had to be patient each time, but I think it's worth it!

My family has been here twice over the last year. The ambience is fun and nautical with it sitting…read morealongside the river. Both times we came here the service has been extremely slow. So bank on several hours between the wait time for a table and duration of table service. The food was decent but nothing special, typical bar food. We had the fried pickles, chicken sandwich, a classic burger and the Buffalo wrap. All were good but should not have taken near as long as they did.

View of the River

River S'more and Ice Cream

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Logo of Building

Brick Oven Bakery

4.6(49 reviews)

•$$$$

This little café is tucked away downtown just off 4th Avenue. The sidewalk art out front gives it a…read morefun and welcoming feel. We stopped in midmorning on a Saturday, and it was busy with a mix of locals and students. The counter staff was friendly and helpful. The pastry case made it tough to choose, but we went with a Pumpkin Cheesecake Cruffin, Maple Pecan Blondie, BLT Croissant, and coffee. Everything was fresh and tasty. They also sell loaves of bread and other baked goods to take home. The staff was warm and polite, and even those working behind the counter who weren't serving us took a moment to say thanks for coming in. Will definitely be visiting again.

My husband was obsessed with their pastries while we were staying in Bismarck. Excellent location…read morein the heart of downtown and a cute local shop vibe.

Ham and Cheese croissant with orange juice.

"Miel latte"

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Ham and cheese breakfast croissants, sugar free vanilla latte with almond milk. Delicious Raspberry Danish

Fireflour Pizza + Coffee Bar

4.4(327 reviews)

Fireflour is the hands down the best pizza place in North Dakota, and one of the best pizza places…read morein America (and I've eaten pizza in California, new York, and Chicago)! I can't get enough of the Daisy pizza (Margherita pizza). I've been eating here almost every other day since December , a habit I plan to continue for the foreseeable future! The staff are kind and friendly ! And the service is very efficient!

Stopped in for lunch with my college student on a Friday, and it turned out to be the perfect…read moresolution for a meatless Friday meal. We were greeted right away as there was no one else in the restaurant. Its an open floor plan with two rooms. Im guessing its quite lively in the evenings. We shared the chopped salad and the Daisy pizza. The salad was good, though not a traditional chopped salad--it used that trendy wild greens mix that so many restaurants are leaning on these days. Personally, I'm not a huge fan, but the menu did specify it, so that one's on me for not paying closer attention. The pizza, however, was absolutely terrific. The crust was soft and chewy with just the right amount of char from the stone oven. The combination of the sauce, cheese, and fresh basil was spot on. They also drizzle a flavored oil over the top--we couldn't quite pinpoint what it was, but it added an extra layer of flavor that really elevated the pizza. We devoured the whole thing--three slices each! At around $20, the pizza might feel a bit pricey, but it's clear that everything is fresh and made from scratch, so it's well worth it. Service was attentive, though we were the only ones there at lunchtime. I imagine this place really comes alive in the evening. I'd definitely come back to try more of the menu--and next time, I'm not sharing my pizza.

Iowa Pizza

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Bar area

Peacock Alley

2.9(216 reviews)

Went to here for our very first ND visit. Was very recommended by people we asked. The service was…read moreamazing and the ambiance was great. The food was incredibly mediocre I've had edible for cheaper. I'm rating it a 3 for experience but the food is a 2 and that's being fair.

Decent food, the service was good as well. Nothing for me to "write home about." The portions are…read morepretty big, and the hanger steak was a suggestion by the waiter and lived up to the recommendation. The location was previously a hotel, so you can see a little bit of the history in it when dining there.

Seating area

Thai curry bowl

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Cabernet

The Firepit

4.2(24 reviews)

0.9 mi

We ordered 2 smoked Turkeys from the Firepit for Thanksgiving. I think it was the best turkey I…read morehave ever eaten. It also made things really easy just having to reheat. This place is great. Highly recommend!

Great spot for BBQ, best I have had so far in ND. Brisket had a good smoke ring and was fall apart…read moretender. Rib tips were great. Coleslaw and beans had some kick snd the corn muffin was light and fluffy with a crisp top. Outstanding. Service was polite and quick.

Types of wood to smoke the meat

Smoked Brisket and Rib Tips

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Blueberry lemon waffle with a biscuit and brisket. Cheesy potato's and brisket

BittyBean

4.7(33 reviews)

1.0 mi

Absolutely loved the coffee and customer service was top notch. Had interactions with 3 different…read moreemployees during my first visit and can't say enough good things about this place, their coffee or their food. Definitely will be back.

These folks wrecked my Starbucks habit…read more This is an incredible local coffee drive-through. Everything they do they do with care, quality and freshness. I often order the hot Titanium latte. The breakfast sandwiches are hot and fresh and to die for. If you are rolling through and wondering where is that special coffee place... I promise you will compare everything else to Bitty Bean.