Guide to Nisswa · The Nordic
Eat Like a Local: Nisswa Restaurants Open in Late Fall & Winter
Where should we eat? It's the question every trip comes back to. Up here, the answer changes with the seasons. Some places close for winter, others switch to shorter hours, and a few roll out their holiday traditions. This post is all about seasonal hours: which spots are open now, which are closed until spring, and what to order. (For our full year-round list, see Bars & Restaurants in Nisswa and Pequot Lakes.) This is our late-fall list of spots that are open now, with the dishes on their menus and their current seasonal hours.
Hours change often in small towns, especially around the holidays, so give a quick call before you go.
Key takeaways
- Breakfast: Ganley's (closed Wednesdays, cash or check preferred) and StoneHouse Coffee in downtown Nisswa.
- Casual: Big Axe Brewing, Main Street Ale House and Rafferty's Pizza, all on Main Street.
- A night out: Norway Ridge in Pequot Lakes (Wed–Sun).
- Seasonal fun: Sunshine's Christmas Bar is open now through Dec 31.
- Several spots run winter hours, and some seasonal favorites are closed until spring.
Breakfast and coffee
Ganley's, downtown Nisswa
Ganley's at 25396 Main St serves breakfast all day.
- What to order: a caramel roll, a slice of fresh-baked pie, or a muffin. Save room for a malt.
- Fall/winter hours: Sun 7–2; Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat 7–2:30; closed Wednesdays.
- Good to know: cash or check preferred (there's a service fee on cards).
StoneHouse Coffee, downtown Nisswa
StoneHouse Coffee at 25346 Main St roasts its own coffee.
- What to order: one of their "famous scones," baked daily, with a seasonal latte.
- Good to know: there's a second location in Baxter.
Casual lunches and dinners on Main Street
Big Axe Brewing
Big Axe Brewing at 25435 Main St is family-friendly and has a dog-friendly patio.
- What to order: smoked trout dip, the Pequot Pretzel, Nisswa Wings or the Big Axe Brisket sandwich. After 4 pm, try the walleye dinner. There's also house-made root beer and cream soda.
- Fall specials: Burger Mondays, Taco Tuesdays, Wing Wednesday.
- Hours: beer Mon–Sat 11–9, Sun 11–8; food Sun–Thu 11–8, Fri–Sat 11–9.
Main Street Ale House
Main Street Ale House at 25559 Main St has 30+ taps, more than 20 of them unique to Minnesota, plus a patio. It opens daily at 11.
- On the menu: burgers (including a wild rice burger), cheese curds and walnut-crusted walleye.
Rafferty's Pizza
Rafferty's at 25457 Main St serves pizza, wings and sandwiches. It's perfect for arrival night.
- Hours: Sun–Thu 11–9, Fri–Sat 11–10.
On the lake
Sunshine's Summerhouse
Sunshine's is at 2008 Hill Dr in Lake Shore.
- What to order: Friday smoked ribs, Saturday smoked brisket, or weekend breakfast with jumbo caramel rolls, avocado toast and a Cafe Dalgona. There are 70+ tequilas behind the bar.
- Fall hours: Mon/Wed/Thu 4–9, Fri 12–10, Sat 9–10, Sun 9–8; closed Tuesdays.
- Don't miss: the Christmas Bar (open through Dec 31), Ugly Sweater Saturdays (through Dec 26) and trivia on Thursdays.
- Thanksgiving: smoked dinners for pickup on Wed Nov 25, 2–9 pm. Details.
Ernie's on Gull
Ernie's on Gull at 10424 Gull Point Rd has been around since 1917.
- What to order: a "Greenie," their signature cocktail.
- Hours: open daily at 11.
A night out
Norway Ridge, Pequot Lakes
Norway Ridge is in Pequot Lakes, about 10 minutes north of Nisswa.
- What to order: the smoked pork ribs (their house specialty), sourdough onion rings and green pepper rings, pickled herring, chicken wild rice soup or the Northwoods Shrimp Alfredo. (Menu PDF)
- Hours: Wed–Sun; bar opens at 4, kitchen at 4:30. Call 218-543-6136 to reserve.
Madden's Classic Grill
On Gull Lake at Madden's.
- Winter hours: Wed–Sat 4–8. No reservations.
- Thanksgiving: buffet Nov 26, 11–3 in Wilson Bay (call 218-829-2811).
Closed for the season (or for good)
So you don't make a wasted trip:
- Roundhouse Brewery closed on Jan 1, 2026.
- Mission Point is closed for the season.
- Cru is pop-up only.
For our full list of restaurants and bars, see Bars & Restaurants in Nisswa and Pequot Lakes.
A few tips for eating out up north in late fall
- Call ahead, always. Late-fall hours shift week to week, and holidays change everything. A two-minute call can save you a 20-minute drive.
- Plan around closed days. Ganley's closes Wednesdays, Sunshine's closes Tuesdays and Norway Ridge is open Wed–Sun. Monday and Tuesday nights take the most planning.
- Eat a little earlier. Kitchens tend to close earlier than in summer, and by late November it's dark before 5 pm anyway.
- Bring cash for breakfast. Ganley's prefers cash or check.
- Reserve for groups. If you're bringing a big crew for Thanksgiving weekend, call Norway Ridge well ahead.
Dessert back at the house
After dinner in town, there's nothing better than heading back to the lake for dessert. Pick up a pie at Ganley's or treats from The Chocolate Ox downtown, then light the fire pit if the weather allows.
Eating in
Some nights, the best seat is your own table. Pick up a pizza from Rafferty's or groceries at Schaefer's Foods (23962 Smiley Rd), and cook at the house.
FAQ
What restaurants are open in Nisswa in the winter?
Ganley's, StoneHouse Coffee, Big Axe, Main Street Ale House and Rafferty's are all in downtown Nisswa, and Sunshine's, Norway Ridge and Madden's Classic Grill are nearby. Check hours before you go.
Do I need reservations?
For Norway Ridge, reservations are recommended. Madden's Classic Grill doesn't take them.
Where can I get breakfast in Nisswa?
Ganley's (closed Wednesdays) and StoneHouse Coffee downtown, or weekend breakfast at Sunshine's.
Come hungry
Shopping downtown first? Our Holiday Shopping in Nisswa guide walks Main Street shop by shop, with lunch stops along the way. For winter plans beyond dinner, see Nisswa in Winter.
We hope you eat well while you're here. More ideas are in Nisswa in November, and if you're bringing the family for the holiday, Thanksgiving at the Lake has dinner options.
Book direct
Our best rate, no booking fees, straight from us. Book direct at bookingthenordicmn.com. See our homes.
