From Memorial Day to Labor Day each year, it seems like the Fargo-Moorhead area empties out on the weekends to head west on Highway 10. Detroit Lakes and surrounding areas are busy places to be during the summer months, and feature some fantastic dining options! Here are my 6 favorite restaurants in Lakes Country.
Restaurants in Lakes Country
Zorbaz
The classic option — and for good reason! Zorbaz has many locations in Lakes Country and all feature delicious pizza and Mexican food, as well as good drinks. Zorbaz is a good family-friendly option during the daytime. There are many indoor and outdoor seating options, and you order all food and drinks at the bar. At night, many locations have live music and can get a little rowdier.
I personally love the Greek and Thai pizzas, and you can never go wrong with Macho Nachoz.
Blackboard
Blackboard is located in Vergas, MN. It’s about a 30-minute drive from the Detroit Lakes area, and is open seasonally from May through September. The restaurant is housed in an old school house (hence the name) and has indoor and porch seating. The menu rotates based on what’s in season. This is definitely more of a special occasion restaurant — perfect for a date night! And reservations are accepted.
Spanky’s Stone Hearth
Spanky’s is located in Frazee, MN and is a classic dining spot. It’s open year-round and the menu rotates seasonally. Spanky’s focuses on sourcing ingredients from local farms when possible. Entrees come with a side item and salad or soup, and the portion sizes are pretty large. You will not leave hungry.
My recommendation is the walleye. The “Trust Me” option on the menu is popular — if you choose this, the chefs will pick what they want to cook and surprise you!
Roasted Pub & Eatery
Roasted Pub & Eatery is located in downtown Detroit Lakes, MN and is open year-round. I actually love coming to Roasted during the winter months because it has such a cozy atmosphere. They are best known for their wood fired pizzas, but the menu includes salads, sandwiches, and appetizers as well. You can build your own pizza or order a specialty pizza. There is a coffee shop with baked goods at the front of the restaurant, and it’s a guarantee that one of my kids will “need” a cookie on our way out.
I love the prosciutto and sun dried tomato pizza.
Bucks Mill Brewing
This brewery has a large taproom and is located in downtown Detroit Lakes, MN. Bucks Mill is open year-round and is open daily with at least 12 beers on tap, as well as a selection of N/A tap options. The taproom is large and has many TVs, board games, pinball machines, as well as private alcoves. There are statement murals as well that are perfect for photo ops! Bucks Mill does allow you to bring in any outside food. If you want to buy food there, they offer frozen pizzas from Great North Pizza Co. as well as a variety of snack options: think popcorn, charcuterie boards, chips and salsa.
Long Bridge Bar, Grill & Marina
Long Bridge Bar, Grill & Marina is located in Detroit Lakes, MN next to Long Bridge. There is indoor seating available as well as a large outdoor seating area. The food options are pretty casual but everything I have tried is delicious. There is a playground next to the outdoor seating. And I love being able to watch my kids while I can sit and relax!
My favorite menu option is the BLT.
Are there any other restaurants in Lakes Country you would add to this list? Let us know in the comments below!
Bleachers bar and grill
Thanks for sharing!
For us, our Summer starts and stops with The Hotel Shoreham. It offers beautiful outdoor seating between Lake Sally, Lake Melissa and the Detroit Lakes Country Club drawing in both lake and golf enthusiasts. This historical restaurant is known for their pizza shack, walleye, dill dressing, and cucumber cooler drink. They do offer a cauliflower crust as a pizza option.
If you’re looking for an excellent year round option at The Lakes, we recommend, Parallel, in Cormorant, near Pelican Lake and Cormorant Lake. This newly renovated hot spot offers both a delicious restaurant and bar menu. If I’m leaning towards a healthier choice this is it for me. Their meat and seafood selections paired with their featured side vegetable and a salad usually hits the spot! Yet my boys can dive into the honey butter and buns and carbs they love. If anyone in your group loves an old fashion, they have a great one.