7 Must-Try Brainerd Restaurants | The Best Restaurants In Brainerd, MN

Written By: Gail Clifford | Published By: Foodie Flash Packer | January 10, 2022

7 Must-Try Brainerd Restaurants | The Best Restaurants In Brainerd, MN

Brainerd, the largest and oldest city in the Brainerd Lakes region of central Minnesota, was first seen by European settlers in 1805 during the search for the Mississippi headwaters.

Established in 1871 and declared a city on March 6, 1873, this Northern Pacific Railroad-created town is the manifestation of President Abraham Lincoln’s dream to connect the east coast with Tacoma, Washington via a northern rail route.

In the 1920s, 90% of the Brainerd population relied upon the railroad for its livelihood. Today, approximately seventy people are retained in a maintenance capacity. While we are going to review Brainerd, MN restaurants here, there is much, much more to the area.  

The landmark Brainerd water tower was the first all-concrete elevated water tower in the country. No longer functional and with repair costs climbing, its restoration vs, removal remains a hot topic debated among residents. It’s easy to spot from either side of the Mississippi River and from many of the restaurants on this list.

Brainerd’s touch with infamy occurred on October 27, 1933, at the First National Bank when Baby Face Nelson and his gang robbed the bank, stealing nearly $32,000. The bank building now hosts a collectibles store with images of old-time Brainerd in its windows. Enter and ask the proprietor to show you the bullet holes remaining.

Now, with the railroad a minor player, the primary source of revenue to the region comes from tourism, especially cycling.

Summer or winter, it’s an outdoor location destination. Whether it’s ice fishing and snowmobiling during the winter or cycling and car racing during the summer, the important thing is to embrace the great outdoors. And with tourism, Brainerd restaurants offer tasty, healthy, and homestyle food with frequent new options for all to enjoy.

Not in the mood to go out to eat tonight? Click here to have Grubhub deliver directly from the best restaurants in town to your doorstep. 

Also, visiting nearby Baxter during your time in Minnesota? Check out this post covering the best restaurants in Baxter, MN!

7 Best Brainerd Restaurants

Sage on Laurel

606 Laurel Street //  (218) 454-SAGE

This favorite restaurant in the center of town is eclectic and cozy and breezy all at the same time. Eat inside, or out on the patio in good weather – the farmers’ market may just surprise you by popping up in the middle of your meal. If they’re not available for people watching, you can always play checkers or chess on the outside tables.

The owner is known to be one of the great restoration people in Brainerd – working with the old brick to rebuild and refurbish this delightful establishment.

Meal options include vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. Fast service with a smile and clarification or “What does that mean?” is truly helpful especially for first-timers. 

Appetizers include wings, walleye cakes, fresh spring rolls, baked bruschetta, chips and dips, lefse rolls, a beer cheese pretzel, fried cheese curds (must-have comfort food!), and nachos. The bruschetta is available with gluten-free bread.

Salads include spring roll, wild rice dragon bowl (a favorite), black & blue salad, and southwest salad. My pescatarian loved the wild rice dragon bowl: wild rice (watch labels to see if it’s truly river rice and from the Mississippi Delta), rainbow slaw fresher than you’ve had before, mixed greens, toasted walnuts, apple, and a lightly smoked salad dressing.

They bill themselves as “Creative New American Cuisine” and the menu makes this instantly obvious. They have takeaway and local delivery options.

With the choice of honey basil flatbread, grown-up grilled cheese, brisket Reuben, bruschetta BLT, Thai peanut wrap, red curry bowl, and seven burger choices (Kimchi looked good and the “Justa Burger” was tempting) or even “Halvsies” – their combination of a half sandwich plus soup or salad or fries – I landed on the Thai Peanut Wrap. With grilled chicken, peanuts, crunchy veggies, herbs, and a peanut sauce that is somehow both sweet and savory, it really treated the taste buds. 

To round out their creative offerings, in addition to fries, sweet potato fries, salad, or soup, you can order brisket beans for a smoky taste of days gone by. 

They host monthly paint nights from 6 – 8:30 pm for additional community involvement. It’s a fun environment where you’ll meet an eclectic swatch of Brainerd’s best, all at one of the best restaurants in Brainerd, MN.  

The Northern Cowboy Flame N’ Brew

19090 State Hwy 371 // (218) 829-9872

If you’re interviewing in the area, this is one of the most likely spots for your group dinner. It eschews rugged individualism, whether riding motorcycles, snowmobiles or personal watercraft. But these modern cowboys eat Buffalo wings as hot as they can stand instead of beans over the campfire. 

In addition to wings, smoked and rubbed or drizzled with your favorite spice or sauce, they offer nachos, onion rings, walleye cakes, stuffed jalapenos, cheese curds, jalapeno cheese curds, avocado toast, spinach artichoke dip, pickle fries, warm pretzels with cheese sauce, and mac n’ gouda bites. 

Choose between flatbreads, sandwiches, or wraps served with chips, soup, or house salad. They serve a brisket twist on a Philly sandwich, an “angry pig,” or go all out for “the bigger Gull Dam,” their signature sandwich, which is an elaborate ¾ lb. stuffed cheeseburger with ham, BBQ pork, bacon, cheddar cheese sauce, pickle chips, and a fried egg.  

They offer a half-dozen burgers, fish and chips, chicken tenders, and popcorn shrimp.

In the evening, the field and stream offerings expand. Their eight-ounce Atlantic salmon and walleye fillets were perfect choices, with shrimp skewers, for our evening after a long interview day. Healthy and filling, it holds you in good stead for a restful night and follow-up travel or interview day. And it is perfect for rebuilding muscles if you’re in town for the bike trails. 

It’s a great place to meet new colleagues, enjoy the family, fellow cyclists, or have a girls’ night out. 

Don’t forget to check out their featured specials and desserts that change seasonally.  Casual and always comfortable, Northern Cowboy is one of the best places to eat in Brainerd.  

Sawmill Inn Café

601 Washington Street // (218) 829-5444

Enter to seasonal decorations guaranteed to make you smile. Banners hang in welcome throughout the establishment. Saw blade art is prevalent with gorgeous bald eagles in flight, beavers, mallards, or a deer looking longingly at a small log cabin with a cheery stream of smoke from the chimney.

Wait to be seated – fifteen booths in the main section and three tables in an alcove extension or grab one of the three seats at the counter. There’s a small salad bar with pasta salad and salad adds on the way to the two back conference or event spaces.