What a find! Stopped in while visiting local family who'd never been there. Chicken and Wild Rice soup was spot on delicious, and I loved their take on Swedish Meatballs. Staff was very friendly. read more

Great lunch / dinner place. Ambience is a little old school for my preference but the food easily makes up for that. This is our 2nd time here and everything we've tried has it's own unique twist. Even the Reuben was pulled like pork and had crispy onions. This chief has done his homework. Really great restaurant. read more

For friends who like those hidden gems, here's one. In the middle of an old residential neighborhood, in an old grocery store! Great restaurant and menu. Just packed on Wednesday night! Nice decor, real flowers on white tablecloths and great service. Good diverse menu and we had wine, half price bottles on Wednesday, with cheese and charcuterie plate, roast chicken and flatbread. Delicious. Worth the drive from Hastings to find another gem my friends. read more

Amazing new menu, excellent service, beautiful classy atmosphere. My new favorite place!

I visited the Ole Store Restaurant for the first time in October of this year and was extremely impressed. I ordered a soup that I wasn't familiar with and didn't enjoy it. Not only did the server take it off my bill, but he gave me my soda for free too because he felt so bad that the soup wasn't what I expected. My meal itself was FANTASTIC and the desserts are mind blowing. For an appetizer, definitely get the parmesan crusted shrimp! It's out of this world! read more

Nice place, food is good, service is good as well. I recommend reservations on weekends.

A very lovely place to eat! A tasty menu and with a really nice atmosphere! The location is as unique as the establishment! A highly recommend a visit here! read more

The Ole Cafe has been totally renovated inside and a new chef Chris Basina is operating the business. Chris is our favorite chef and used to work at the Good Thyme in Washburn, Wisconsin. So fortunate to have moved to the area and found him and his wife. The food, the service, the decor did not disappoint us. Elegant and a nice place , one of a kind in the area, to take our friends and out of town relatives. They have everything from the "Ole burger" to fantastic steaks, pastas, etc. We had wine, but not sure if the bar is a full bar. read more

I'm from New England and decided to stop in while attending a conference at St Olaf's and I'm glad I did. It's Thursday and was fairly early so there weren't many patrons and the place seemed airy (okay a little sparse) but warm. Staff was very friendly and helpful and my waiter gave me spot on recommendations. I ordered the ahi tuna sliders with perfectly cooked, slightly smoky tuna, fresh chewy bread and a lovely slaw. The fries were perfectly crisp on the outside, soft on the inside with just the right amount of sea salt - they reminded me of home cooked fries (in a good way). Once I dipped them in the left over wasabi aioli, I was blissed out. I washed it down with a Surly Furious beer on tap which was pleasantly hoppy. Fresh ingredients, very well prepared with interesting and well balanced flavors and my entire meal was under $20! It would cost twice as much back east. read more

I had never heard of this place. If you've not been there, you will think you're lost, but hang in there. It will be worth it. Cute place; small; get reservations. We were there on a Wednesday night and it was very busy. Wood floors and tin ceilings make for amplified voices. Noisy. The server, Stephen, did his work as well as anybody could. Nice job. My steak was pepper encrusted and flavorful. I wouldn't rate it as high as , for instance, Porterhouse in Lakeville, but read more

My favorite restaurant in Northfield! I've been here several times for both breakfast and dinner and always had a great experience. When my parents come to visit, we always dine here. It's busier on Friday and Saturday nights, so on the safe side you should call and make a reservation. The service was great; we were seated right away and placed our orders almost right away. I noticed that compared to last year some of the items changed on the menu. I decided to try one of their new dishes which was the salmon special. The salmon was cooked perfectly. The mushrooms and vinaigrette on the side accommodated the salmon well. Lastly, I recommend to always save room for dessert. I had the chocolate lava cake, and it just melted in my mouth. read more

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Food Quality excellent, staff was very friendly and efficient. Would have given five stars but the noise level is high. read more

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This was my first visit to the Ole Store Restaurant since its recent remodeling. Overall, my experience was positive. Our server was very attentive, and provided us with several useful menu recommendations. The food was quite good, probably the best modern American food I've had in Northfield. Our appetizer was a plate of risotto topped with asparagus and seared scallops along with some sort of sweet citrus-y sauce, and a balsamic reduction. It was simply wonderful; the risotto was creamy and fluffy, the asparagus was tender and flavorful, and the scallops were seared perfectly. The brightly-flavored sauces contrasted the mellow flavors of the dish without overpowering them; it was simply delightful. Our entrees were quite good as well, although not of the same caliber as the delicious appetizer. My one issue with the entrees was the peculiar price system. The entrees ran been $15-$24 for fairly standard fare (I ordered parmesan-crusted walleye, and my companion ordered a mozzarella chicken dish). The funny thing is, most of the $20ish entrees were available in the same portion size as sandwiches for half the cost! My walleye sandwich cost $13 compared to the $20 fillet of the same size (sans buns) ordered by a man at the next table over. I wasn't too bothered by this (I still got some tasty fish), but I have to admit that relegating an entree item to the sandwich list on the same menu made me question its quality. The decor of the Ole Store also leaves something to be desired. There's nothing unattractive about plain hardwood floors and unadorned walls, but the space feels rather naked. It looks like they stripped out the previous interior and never bothered to install a new one. The scantly-clad walls do little to dampen sound, so it became fairly noisy during our meal. Overall, I quite enjoyed my dining experience at the Ole Store Restaurant, despite the aforementioned shortcomings (which could probably be fixed with a quick trip to a flea market, and a menu reorganization). The food was some of the best I've had in Northfield, and I will probably return again. read more

Great service, were seated right away with a reservation. Menu has an extensive variety of entries from 3 kinds of fish to lamb and other meats. Full bar service. Generous portions of a good quality home cooked meals. read more

Ole Store Restaurant - Beer and cider flight - New American Near Me - Northfield, Minnesota

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Grabbed brunch with a friend at this charming local joint and was very impressed! Located in a quaint residential area, this house-turned cozy eatery has an atmosphere and service well worth the review. Decent priced + delicious food. Already looking forward to the next time I can go back. :) read more

Ole Store Restaurant - New American Near Me - Northfield, Minnesota

I had never been thought it would be overpriced with small portions. Turns out I was wrong big portions and delicious. I couldn't believe how big the frie portions and more importantly how crispy they were. My moms hanger steak was as good as it gets. The sauce was amazing. This place has a chef that would impress Gordon Ramsey. Drinks are really high but they are everywhere. They were delicious though but I wouldn't pay that drink price with my own. I will be recommending it to friends. Just will be getting water with my entry read more

We were back in town this past weekend, and the Ole Store was as fantastic as ever! The food was delicious and the service was great. We really enjoyed our meals, especially the Swedish Meatballs. Our daughter is graduating from St. Olaf this year, so we may not be visiting as often...but the Ole Store will be a priority whenever we are back in Northfield! read more

Absolutely scrumptious food in a quaint and quiet atmosphere. The Pork Osso Buco is phenomenal, and their flatbreads are all extraordinary (especially when shared with a group as an appetizer). You can't beat breakfast at the Ole Store, either. I know Northfield well and ALWAYS recommend the Ole Store to those looking for a great place to enjoy an excellent meal and good company. My only criticism is that not all of the servers are as knowledgeable about the menu, drinks, and history as others. read more

My wife and I were in town for our anniversary and we visited the Ole Store on Saturday for the first time and wont be the last. Our server informed us of the special of the day that was a grilled tuna slider with a mango compote and caramelized onions that also came with a wonderful salad. To my surprise this was hands down one of the best lunches I have ever had, it was very fresh and light but filling at the same time. I will only be disappointed if they dont add this to their regular menu, I'm ready to come back to have this again. read more

Went for Brunch ! What a quaint , comfortable , sweet place to enjoy a morning with friends and family . Food was fabulous ! We can't wait to go back for dinner ! read more

Great ! be sure to try their Monday night Burger and Beer special. This may be the best deal in all of Minnesota.

Wonderful friendly establishment with quality homemade food. Would definitely recommend going for breakfast if you can but the lunch options are quite good as well. Very friendly and personable staff; they actually messed up the order of someone I was eating with but promptly and politely brought us the correct order and did not charge us. The only setback is the wait, both times I've seen there (weekend mornings) there has been at least a 15 minute wait as the restaurant is very popular. A definite place eat if you're going through Northfield. read more

We long for the days when the Ole Store reopens after Covid-19 It will be a sign that life has returned to normal. Northfield wouldn't be Northfield at it's finest if it weren't for the Ole Store. There isn't one thing on the menu that I wouldn't rave about. For breakfast, the Breakfast Wrap or the Gravlox are the best values I know of. Lunch you can't go wrong with the Flatbread and for dinner it's all incredible. The service is delightful, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. Here's to our Ole Store. Return soon when we're all healthy! read more

They have just changed the menu.. brought back the walleye which is scrumptious. The Swedish meatballs are delicious. Fried chicken sandwich is too. We had three deserts the other night, all superb, especially the Ole Roll. The service is matchless. Megan is terrific. Wonderful environment. They have a creative menu but I do wish they would bring back the flat breads! read more

We enjoyed the beet gazpacho immensely. Loved the charming view of the neighborhood from the large picture window. The flourless chocolate cake was the perfect ending to our lunch. We were thrilled to meet the French chef, Oliver. We'll be back! read more

Ole Store Restaurant - New American Near Me - Northfield, Minnesota

Awesome place for any meal great food and staff. Perfect local establishment Be sure to order the Ole Roll !!! read more

Delicious Swedish meatball dinner and yummy smorgasbord appetizer. Super-nice people who work there, and although the menu is not extensive, it all seems very well executed. Try the local Minnesota hard cider - it is great with the meatballs! read more

It really is a great place once you get past the fact it feels like you walked into a residential home. I guess that could be part of the charm, maybe. I have eaten here many times and have yet to have a bad meal or a bad server. This is my "go to" when out of town guests are visiting. The only reason the rating isn't 5 stars is because of the openness of the restaurant. Personally, I know this is minuscule, but I would like a little more privacy in the front room. read more

I was pleasantly surprised with the intricacy and thoughtful paring of flavors in every dish. Between the four in our party we had 3 appetizers and two meals and they were very good. I would order them all again. Very pleased to be treated to a Surly Furious microbrew as well. We all thought it was wonderful and even commented later that evening on how Northfield finely has a place with excellent food to keep us coming back. It is true that the building is not 5 star, but it is quaint and unique. I have been to many restaurants all over America located in former homes, or in this case a store. It is a rising trend. Key West, Crested Butte, Uptown Minneapolis, Hannibal, Talkeetna, Bar Harbor, just name dropping to let you know I have earned some street cred by dining all over the U.S. Don't let The San Francisco review taint your view, decide for yourself. read more

Consistently a great stop! The menu always seems to be changing a bit, solid beverage options (both NA and A), and service is never disappointing. (Yes, they get busy sometimes, but it has never dropped off terribly during unexpected surges.) They do a 'frequent flyer' program that is pretty nice if you're a regular and pay attention. In town, Ole Store often gets talked about as being more expensive than most, but it's really not when you look at the final bills. (I think people here often spend more, because they are putting booze down that they don't do so much elsewhere. ... and, that'll drive the bill up every time.) The breakfasts here are great. I really like the Sven Scramble with the house potatoes. It's simple, but always well prepared. The tuna sliders are great when they offer them. (Yes, an app for dinner. It's cool. You can do it!) The burger here might be best in town, though I do like the one over at Froggy's too as a backup. The flatbreads are pretty good with diverse topping options. Salads and soups are generally pretty good. I had a crusted walleye here once that was really nice with a side of asparagus. They also have a good selection of seasonal veggies at time that I like. The fries are a bit on the greasy side for me, but they really aren't bad at all and I do like the ketchup served. No TVs or distracting nonsense around. The restaurant is a little noisy when busy, but a nice space and never out of control. They don't crunch seating in, so you never feel cramped. Hosting and wait staff is terrific. A solid option, for sure! read more

Last night I visited the Ole Store Restaurant - and had a delicious dinner with an old friend. The food was so well-prepared (caprese salad was just what I needed and fresh even in deep winter, crispy brie was perfect, and the corn/chicken/pesto flatbread was crispy and yummy), and the service was warm and welcoming and extremely professional! Missy went out of her way to give us star treatment. I love the curated wine list and Sandy is making some lovely cocktails. Thank you! read more

10-1-11 Food was wonderful...finally...Northfield has a decent restaurant! Loved the flatbread pizza, red & yellow beet salad, lettuce cups, creme brulee! Good wine list. Service was very attentive. Would definitely go again! ENVIRONMENT: Accoustics are lousy as it is all hard surfaces & chairs are HORRIBLE and tiny. They must change the seating or they will lose customers with the wobbly, little-girl style seating. Very uncomfortable for tall people or anyone over 5'4". New booth seating is nice, but too tight for tall or heavy people to get in easily. read more

I ordered chicken picatta here, and the chicken arrived dried out without even a hint of sauce! Picatta features butter and capers, and neither were in evidence. The chicken was not sliced into cutlets and floured before sauteeing, another technique that defines a picatta, so there was very little flavor. 13.00 for almost bare overcooked small chicken breast with 4 halves of tiny fingerling potatoes is ridiculous. This place used to be quite good, but lately is very disappointing due to inconsistant cooking. It looks great and people have found memories of it but it doesn't deliver now. read more

Loved this place! The atmosphere was perfect, I loved the old charm. The service was fantastic and we had our food in 15 minutes. My entire group ordered the Walleye by suggestion from the waitress and it was phenomenal! read more

It's a charming place, Changing menu is eclectic with good selection of burgers and pizzas. Great crab cakes and fried calamari. Only dud on the menu was Ole Tagliatelle which sounded great but it just didn't have much flavor. Too make matters worse the pasta was overcooked. Service can lag at peak times. Due to wooden floors, noise can be pretty loud when it's full. Overall, reliable place that gets very crowded. read more

If it wasn't for the hostess girl that hated her life, I would have given the establishment a better rating. Customer service is an important factor in the restaurant business. She smirked, literally threw our menus at us and said something under her breath as she walked away. If you want reoccurring business Ole Store, I'd fire this bad apple. read more

This place was incredible. The walleye was phenomenal! Will definitely come back to this place and bring lots of friends!

What a great addition to the Northfield restaurant scene! The restaurant is fairly new and still has a bit of work to do to polish up the rough edges. The place is noisy, mainly due to the fact that there are no carpets or fabrics to absorb the noise. In fact, decor is almost nonexistent, and misses the opportunity to showcase the local history (especially the farming culture, given the restaurant's emphasis on local produce). The food was generally excellent: don't miss the crab cakes, and the fish was delicious. The potatoes au gratin was not good and should be replaced. Service was excellent, and the early bird 1/2 price bottle of wine was a pleasant surprise. If they can tie up a few loose ends, this will be a 5-star restaurant-- but even now it's probably the best restaurant in Northfield. read more

I found this place the old fashioned way by word of mouth, but it reminded me a lot of the type of places I find on Yelp when I'm traveling. Very charming, with tremendous service and the food was wonderful. I had the Walleye lunch special with Wild Rice soup. Very tasty fish and the tartar sauce was some of the best I've had. Soup was a little soupy (is that bad thing??) but tasty nonetheless. If you want to spend a ton of money or get attitude, I would highly recommend you go somewhere else! :-) Happy Holidays! read more

This was quite a surprise! We stopped in for a quick breakfast. I had the best - BEST - corned beef hash and eggs ever. Hunks of tender beef with almost crunchy tender potatoes. Great coffee. Perfection! My wife had the Benedict. She really liked them. The roll was good but not best ever. read more