Restaurants in Brainerd, MN: 19 Best Places to Eat (2023)

Looking for the best restaurants in Brainerd, MN to dine at during your visit?!

If you’re making a visit to Brainerd in central Minnesota, then you’re in luck when it comes to finding somewhere to eat.

From classic American food, bars, Mexican, Italian, and more, there are plenty of places to choose from, all serving delicious choices!

I think that the only problem you may have is choosing which of these places to eat in Brainerd, MN that you should go to first!

I’m a local to Minnesota and spend multiple weekends every summer in Brainerd, as well as a few trips around the other seasons, so I’ve got you covered here!

Below you’ll find a list of some of the top choices to check out before you get too hangry…

Top Restaurants in Brainerd, MN

1. Poncho and Lefty’s

It’s really hard to go wrong with a Mexican restaurant, especially when they bring you endless chips and salsa before your meal…

At Poncho and Lefty’s Tex-Mex restaurant, you might be full before the meal even arrives (and no one’s saying that leftovers are a bad thing!)

The menu is packed with delicious Mexican dishes such as burritos, fajitas, and tacos.

I personally loved the Philly burrito, which is stuffed with skirt steak, peppers, and onions and is topped with queso. Seriously. So Good.

And for the adults, you can enjoy a huge margarita or one of their 30 varieties of beer with your meal.

2. Rafferty’s Pizza

A legend is told that Rafferty’s came to be when an Irish leprechaun grew tired of his old diet and asked all of his friends to bring their best ingredients to him.

He then baked it into a pie and thus, Rafferty’s Pizza was born!

There used to be a Rafferty’s pizza in my hometown of Grand Rapids, and when they left, I was so sad!

They have a menu full of some of the best pizza in town, and there’s no doubt about it that you’ll be coming back for more.

My family loves both the Chicken Bacon and the Jamaican Jerk pizzas, but all of their other options are just as good!

You can also choose from a variety of sandwiches and salads, but trust me on this one, try the pizza!

3. Sage on Laurel

A meal spent at Sage on Laurel surely won’t be a meal wasted, as it’s one of Brainerd and Baxter’s most popular places to dine!

The building that the restaurant is located in has been a part of downtown Brainerd’s history for over 100 years.

Today, Sage on Laurel serves a delicious menu of food that is created in their made-from-scratch kitchen with local ingredients.

Unique dishes are served for those with most diets including vegan and vegetarian, as well as gluten-free.

Guests can choose to dine inside or find a table on their large outdoor patio when the weather outside is nice.

4. Northwind Grille

If you’re looking for where to eat in Brainerd, MN, then consider trying out Northwind Grille, which serves breakfast all day long and is a great place for casual dining.

Whether you’re a fan of eggs, bacon, toast, pancakes, or any other breakfast food you can imagine, they have it all.

Northwind Grille surely has that “small-town diner” feel, which to me, always makes the food taste so much better!

You can also order from a variety of burgers, sandwiches, and of course, delicious shakes that will pair well with any meal.

5. The Local 218

Named after the Brainerd and Baxter region’s phone area code, 218, The Local 218’s goal is to provide a memorable dining experience for their guests.

They serve a large variety of foods from cajun mac ‘n’ cheese to beef stroganoff to fish and chips!

I personally love places that serve brunch because breakfast foods are some of the best things to eat ever!

So the fact that The Local 218 serves a Sunday brunch is perfect for those who are like me and love them so breakfast!

Due to their local restaurant nature, The Local 218 calls itself the ‘Hometown Stomping Ground.’

6. Black Bear Lodge

The beautiful Black Bear Lodge can’t be missed as you drive down the main street through the Brainerd-Baxter area.

It’s a large log building that looks like a cabin, so you know that the food you get inside is going to be just fantastic!

Choose from a variety of delicious steaks and their popular prime rib, which is available on Fridays and Saturdays, but only until it’s gone!

You’ll feel nice and cozy inside their dining room, especially during the winter months, with their large stone fireplace.

You’ll also get to relax in their handmade wooden furniture.

Whether you’re heading out with the family or are taking that special someone out on a date, Black Bear Lodge is a great choice.

7. The Side Track Bar & Restaurant

The Side Track is a classic little bar and restaurant in Brainerd that will serve as a nice place to grab lunch on the weekends.

The building that the current Side Track Bar is in has been the home for many other restaurants over the years.

It’s located in close proximity to the Brainerd International Raceway, so if you’re in town for some racing, this makes for an easy place to grab a meal.

One of my favorites is the Turkey Fritter, oven-roasted turkey, cheese, tomato, and bacon served on raspberry fritter bread, served with a caramel sauce.

And if you’re getting a sandwich or something, you have to try their sweet potato waffle fries, which is something that you can’t find many places!

They also serve prime rib every Friday and Saturday night.

8. 371 Diner

The 371 Diner is a large retro-looking building that you definitely won’t miss as you drive down the road.

It looks similar to certain Denny’s that you might see, and this restaurant is pretty similar!

Once you open up their menu, you’ll be met with a huge listing of breakfast foods that are going to fill you up for nearly the rest of the day.

They have loaded hashbrowns, omelets, skillets, pancakes, and more that is served all day long!

Try their Denver Loaded Hashbrowns, which have ham, peppers, onions, and cheese.

And if you aren’t up for breakfast food, you can also find sandwiches, salads, and burgers on the menu!

The 371 Diner definitely has a great kid-friendly atmosphere to it, so it’s a great place to bring the littles for a night out!

9. Dough Bros Woodfire Kitchen

At Dough Bros Woodfire Kitchen, you’ll get a unique and creative wood-fired pizza that was baked in their custom-built oven.

Technically located in Baxter, which is Brainerd’s next-door neighbor, this restaurant isn’t too far of a drive from town and is worth the visit.

They have a few unique pizzas such as their Duck Tales pizza, which has duck confit, goat cheese, sour cherries, and more on it.

Or, give their What’s the Dill, Bro? a try, which features white sauce, pickles, ham, and fresh dill. (Yes, I said pickles.)

For your beverage, try out one of their 20 options of rotating local and regional beers and wines on tap.

10. El Tequila Mexican Restaurant

El Tequila features some of the most classic Mexican dishes that you will love and can bring the entire family to enjoy.

From fajitas to quesadillas to burritos, you can try a huge variety of options in this classically decorated restaurant.

And if you’re craving something delicious to drink, try out a huge margarita!

During the summer months, you can sit outdoors on their patio, or cozy up inside to stay warm during the Minnesota winters!

And if you can’t make a decision on which of their delicious foods you should try, ask one of the servers for their favorite recommendation!

11. Blaze Pizza

Although Blaze Pizza is a chain restaurant and isn’t one local to Brainerd, I have to rave about it in this post because it’s the best!

If you’ve ever been to Subway, then Blaze will look awfully familiar to you, because it’s basically the same idea.

You choose your crust and then build your own pizza from sauce to cheese to toppings.

Then it’s baked in a 600-800 degree wood-fired oven before it’s taken out and given to you to enjoy until your heart’s content.

I always get mine with white sauce, lots of fresh mozzarella, spinach, chicken, tomatoes, sausage, and a drizzle of ranch!

One of the best parts is that you’ll have your food in as fast as around 5 minutes!

12. Boulder Tap House

Boulder Tap House is another chain restaurant, but it’s a nice place for some casual dining to grab a burger and a beer at dinnertime!

Our favorite appetizer is the Totchos, which are homemade tater tots with toppings that you would find on nachos!

They also make their own cheese curds and they’re really delicious!

If you’re looking for where to eat in Brainerd, MN to head to when there’s a big game going on, Boulder is a great option as they have plenty of TVs.

So you can get yourself a beer, and some yummy food, and enjoy the game in great company!

13. El Potro Mexican Restaurant

Just like I mentioned before, it’s tough to be let down by a Mexican Restaurant, and that applies to El Potro in Brainerd!

Start off by filling up on homemade chips and salsa before diving into a large portion of delicious Mexican cuisine.

I know this may be a little boring, but my absolute favorite thing on their menu is a basic quesadilla.

They’re so cheesy and have something about them that is just so different from other restaurants!

My mom loves ordering fajitas when we grab lunch here, and it’s so exciting when you hear that sizzle coming from the kitchen doors!

Currently, they also have buy-one-get-one-free margaritas on Thursdays!

14. Brick House Pizza

You really can never go wrong with hitting up a nice little pizza joint when you’re looking for something to eat.

This one is located on Washington Street, which is one of the main roads through Brainerd.

At Brick House Pizza, you can try a variety of different pizzas including their pizza of the month, which changes every month.

There are also some different specialty pizzas that you can try out and treat the family to.

What’s interesting about Brick House Pizza is that they also sell bagels and other bakery items for you to enjoy.

15. Baia Della Italian Kitchen

My personal favorite food of all time is Italian food because there’s just something so delicious about a big plate of pasta.

Baia Della Italian Kitchen is one of the newest additions for where to eat in Brainerd and Baxter, and it’s a great one to have!

Their menu is packed full with absolutely delicious pasta and entrees.

You have to give their manicotti or braised short rib rigatoni a try because they’re absolutely to die for!

Plus, each pasta and entree is served with Italian salad and warm breadsticks, which I’m sure we all know are some of the best parts of ordering pasta.

One of the best parts of Baia Della is that they are striving to give their guests a great dining experience, so you’re sure to find attentive staff and great service!

16. Grizzly’s Woodfired Grill

As soon as you walk into Grizzly’s Woodfired Grill, you’ll know that you’ve made the right choice for dinner tonight.

Right near the door, there’s a large rotisserie where you’ll see their famous wood-roasted chicken getting ready for guests.

They serve a variety of comfort foods that will have you feeling right at home with how absolutely delicious they are.

The last time that I visited, they had a special with two choices of meat, a side, and corn on the cob. It was so delicious.

If it weren’t for that special, I would have gone for the roasted chicken because it just looked amazing.

And for dessert, they have a molten lava cake that is just to die for.

Brainerd Restaurants on the Lake

If you’re looking to dine lakeside, then there are plenty of places to check out, although you might have to drive just a bit outside of Brainerd.

Here are a few of the best places to dine near the water.

17. Ernie’s on Gull

If you’re looking for a beautiful Brainerd restaurant on the lake, then check out Ernie’s on Gull, which sits near Squaw Point on Gull Lake.

Gull Lake is the Brainerd-Baxter area’s most popular lake, and in fact is one of the best in the state!

Order from their full menu and head outside to find a seat on their outdoor patio as you overlook the beautiful lake.

Whether you’re in the mood for a sandwich, a salad, or some tacos, Ernie’s has a variety of each!

They also serve beer on tap from some of Minnesota’s best breweries including Castle Danger Brewery, and Bemidji Brewing.

One of the best ways to experience Ernie’s in the summer months is to pull up your boat and head inside for a bite to eat!

18. Dunmire’s

Dunmire’s is a beautiful restaurant located on North Long Lake, just about 15 minutes north of Brainerd, right off of Highway 371.

This is one of the top places to eat in the Brainerd Lakes Area, so you certainly can plan to leave satisfied after eating here!

Their menu is filled with a huge list of appetizers, including their popular walleye fingers and others like spinach dip and a large bavarian pretzel!

They also have a huge list of burgers, sandwiches, street tacos, and gyros! YUM.

Around dinner time, you can order one of their dinners or pasta such as chicken bacon ranch mac or a classic tater tot hotdish!

They also have daily specials, so depending on when you visit, you can choose to try things such as prime rib and shrimp.

Plus, you’ll get to admire a view of the beautiful lake while you eat.

19. Zorbaz

Zorbaz is a Minnesota favorite and can be found at some of the best lakes around the state.

So the fact that there’s one located on Gull Lake is no surprise!

Zorbaz is an interesting restaurant, serving a variety of foods such as pizza, burgers, and Mexican.

It’s especially popular during the summer months when boats are able to pull up to the shore and head in for a nice break from the sun and to fill up on some delicious food.

I personally love sitting out on their patio and enjoying the sun and the sound of the waves crashing on the lake.

Fast Food in Brainerd, MN

If you’re looking for something to grab that’s really fast and easy, there are multiple different fast-food restaurants that you can check out.

Here’s a list of some of the best places to grab something super fast in town!

• Taco John’s
• Hardee’s
• Arby’s
• McDonald’s
• Dairy Queen
• Jimmy John’s
• Burger King
• Subway

Dessert in Brainerd, MN

And of course, we can’t forget to have some delicious dessert after eating dinner in Brainerd, so check out one of these places.

• Dairy Queen Ice Cream
• Coldstone Creamery
• The Ugly Cheesecake Company
• Goody’s Gourmet Treats

Where to Stay in Brainerd, MN

There are plenty of places to stay in Brainerd if you’re planning a trip and need somewhere to rest your head at night.

Here are a few of the best options around the Brainerd and Baxter area!

Americinn by Wyndham: This is a classic hotel with basic rooms and free breakfast to enjoy before your day of exploring.

Rapid River Lodge: This beautiful hotel isn’t too far from Brainerd International Raceway and features a large indoor waterpark!

Waterfront Gull Lake Getaway: This private vacation home sits right on Gull Lake and features a fully stocked kitchen and a nice outdoor space.

FAQs

Wrap-Up: Restaurants in Brainerd, MN

If you’re planning a trip out to central Minnesota near Brainerd, then you’ll be pleased to know that there are tons of places to eat.

Whether you’re looking for Mexican, breakfast, American, or something else, there is something for everyone.

All of these restaurants in Brainerd, MN are great choices to head out for a family dinner, a romantic date, or just a night out on the town.