Moorhead, Minnesota
Moorhead is Fargo's sister city located on the eastern side of the Red River of the North.
FOOD & DRINK
Moorhead continues to thrive in the food scene with various Moorhead Spud-themed restaurants and staples like Rustica.
Restaurants in Moorhead
There are many local American eateries in Moorhead. Starting with the ones with the most history in the metro area, Mick's Office is a staple in Downtown Moorhead, with some of the best burgers and a great meeting space for local college students to grab a beer. Grand Junction has multiple locations now, but the original (and arguably the best) location is in Moorhead. Vic's has recently moved from the Moorhead Center Mall location, but it continues to be the watering hole and restaurant for many residents. Last but not least, Burger Time is a drive-through with great burgers and fries.
Many of the local American restaurants have strong ties to the community. This could not be truer for Legends and Murphy's who share the same owner and love for the Moorhead High School Spuds. Midtown Tavern is an excellent spot with Duane's House of Pizza on the menu and a wide variety of taps. Hen House is a fantastic addition to the Moorhead food scene, with a cozy brickhouse atmosphere and great menu items.
There are a few favorites to choose from for something a bit more unique. Reese & Riley's has a full selection of olive oils alongside a menu of healthy Mediterranean food items for take-out or dining in. Rustica is a hometown favorite in Downtown Moorhead with a higher-end restaurant side and a tavern side, Rustica is perfect for any occasion. Sol Ave. is a restaurant concept by some of the best in the area, who also brought Luna home a James Beard nomination. The menu has international-inspired street food with a midwestern twist.
There are also a variety of ethnic food options. Mexican restaurants in Moorhead include La Unica, a small grocery store serving an authentic lunch, and El Torero, which has more of a sit-down restaurant vibe. China Buffet and Snap Dragon bring Chinese food to Moorhead. The Spice Grille is a local restaurant with fantastic African specialties that redefine Afro-Caribbean cuisine in the area. Newroz Kebab serves Kurdish-Mediterranean dishes like Chicken Shawarma, Baklava, and much more.
Dessert Places in Moorhead
There are two great local dessert spots in Moorhead. The Moorhead Freez is a small walk-up ice cream place with a strong history in the FM area. There's also the Original Moorhead Dairy Queen, which was the birthplace of the Dilly Bar and still serves various menu items from the pre-franchise era of Dairy Queen.
Coffee Shops in Moorhead
For your coffee fix, try Third Drip Coffee in Downtown Moorhead, which has great coffee options and pastries and salads. Or, opt for Twenty Below Coffee near Concordia's campus. It makes its fluffy bread in-house and roasts its coffee beans.
SHOPPING
There are some great one-of-a-kind spots in Moorhead from antique shops to book shops and more.
The Scheels in Moorhead is the original location in the Fargo-Moorhead area, which started a legacy of a shopping experience like no other. Plus, Moorhead does not have sales tax on clothes and shoes, so it's a great spot to get name-brand fashion items, outdoor essentials, and fan gear.
If your shopping trip is focused on books, antiques, and gifts, there are some remarkable spots to find what you want in Moorhead. More than Words is an adorable indie bookshop with all of the top titles alongside gifts, games, and more. Mother's Records is a record and music store with CDs, vinyl, and more. There are also various antique shops in Moorhead, the Moorhead Antique Mall is located right off of I-94 and houses a creative mix of antiques, vintage, and flea market finds. FM Antiques and More features collectibles like records, toys, and even repurposed items.
SIGHTSEEING & ATTRACTIONS
Many FM residents can draw their ancestry back to Norweigan and Scandinavian heritage. Because of this vital history, the Hjemkomst Center and Stave Church along the Red River showcase this historical significance with a large exhibit of the Hjemkomst ship, which sailed from Duluth, Minnesota, to Norway in the 1980s. The center also hosts various exhibits on the area's history, from local black history to Indigenous cultures. The Stave Church is located outdoors adjacent to the Hjemkomst; it was built by a local man and hosts tours every hour on the hour.
The Rourke Art Museum is a free art museum in Downtown Moorhead with various collections and traveling exhibits. Public viewing hours are from 1-5 p.m. Friday- Sunday, and there are appointment viewing hours if you call ahead. The Original Moorhead Dairy Queen is not just a place for a treat; it also has a great photo-op with the 16" tall Dilly Bar outside, which page homage to the ice cream treats invented there.
NIGHTLIFE
Cocktails
There are two great spots to get a nice cocktail in Downtown Moorhead. Rustica has a wine collection and various libations and cocktails. Plus, their bartenders know what they're talking about, so make sure to ask if you can't decide what you want. Harold's on Main is another unique spot; they have a wide variety of cocktails available, along with local beers on tap.
Breweries in Moorhead
Moorhead is also home to two breweries. Junkyard Brewing Company started in Moorhead and has recently expanded into West Fargo. They focus on experimental sours and their tap list varies nearly each time you walk in the door. Swing Barrel is another option, with various beers from light to dark and seltzers on tap.