Andy Petterson
Me and the girlfriend stopped in here as we’ve never been here before and thought we’d try something new! We first noticed the building which was 2 floors and then had a rooftop dining as well. The place has a lot to look at inside and is decorated very cool.
We sat ourselves down as there seemed to be only a bartender on staff. After a few minutes she brought us menus and asked for our drinks. It took her a little extra longer than it normally takes to come back to take our order (again seemed to be the only worker). The menu had a decent selection as well as their drink menu. We placed our orders which came out fairly fast by a different person (assuming it was the cook). The food was pretty good. I really liked their fries but the rest was just ok/good. We didn’t get anyone asking for refills of drinks, which was no big deal. A new employee came through the door and got directly to work. She was nice and helpful and gave us our bill. I’m guessing we came right in between shifts, again not a big deal, just seemed like a slow process since it wasn’t very busy. I’d be willing to give this place another try and try out the rooftop dining. Would recommend as long as their staff on board.
… moreSleep Concepts Mattress and Futon Factory Minnesota
5-Star Review for Nordic Taphouse, Monticello, MN I’ve been a regular at Nordic Taphouse for a couple of years now, and it’s hands-down one of my favorite spots in Monticello. What started as a casual stop for drinks has turned into my go-to game-day hangout, especially thanks to the incredible bartender Heather. She’s the real heart of the place—always greeting me with a warm smile and a chat that makes you feel like family right away. Heather’s got this effortless kindness about her; she’s super talkative without being overbearing, sharing stories or cracking jokes that lighten the mood, and she’s lightning-fast on her feet, making sure your drink’s never empty before you even notice. The new downtown location is a total game-changer—way more convenient than the old spot, with easy parking and a prime spot right in the heart of Monticello. They took what used to be a dusty antique store and transformed it into this sleek, modern taphouse without losing any of that small-town charm. The renovation is seriously impressive: they carried the original Nordic soul into every detail, preserving that same cozy, lodge-like warmth that made the old place feel like a hidden Minnesota gem. And of course, that killer rooftop overlooking the Mississippi River is still the crown jewel. It’s a true Monticello staple—nothing beats kicking back with a fresh pint up there on a sunny afternoon or bundling up for a crisp fall game watch. Add in the live music, and this place is unstoppable. They host local talent on a regular basis—acoustic sets, blues, folk—that fill the space with just the right vibe. The sound is perfectly balanced (loud enough to feel it, never overpowering conversation), and Speaking of which, if you’re a Timberwolves or Vikings fan like me, this is the spot. The multiple screens are perfectly placed, the sound system’s on point, and the crowd’s got that electric energy without the chaos of bigger bars. Heather’s always got the channel queued up and ready to keep the conversation going. The food is honestly outstanding—way better than your average bar grub. My go-to is the Maple Bacon BLT: thick-cut bacon, crispy lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and their special sauce on toasted bread. It’s a flavor bomb that pairs ridiculously well with any of their taps. Whether it’s a quiet weekday pour, a packed Sunday showdown, or a night with live tunes, Nordic Taphouse nails the balance of great brews, killer food, and unbeatable views. But honestly, I’d keep coming back just for Heather—she turns a good bar into a second home. If you’re in Monticello, do yourself a favor and swing by. You won’t leave disappointed. Highly recommend!
… moreJordon Nagler
The food is above average. Not the best but better than most. Place was rather busy on a Saturday afternoon so service was adequate. The atmosphere is appealing to some maybe appalling to others. I believe it would be rather cramped when a band is playing or if there is a performance of some sort. #ifyouknowyouknow
… moreBrian Chabot
Perfect spot for something different from your normal sports bar in the area. Live music, two levels plus a rooftop. Great food and excellent tap beer from local breweries and those beyond Minnesota’s borders. Atmosphere is hard to pin down, but they have very northwoods saloon feel, with a definite rebel theme! This Gen-x dad felt right at home!
… moreLeah Patterson
Came here on a Sunday evening. We had 5 in our party and sat in the downstairs dining area. The service by Gracie was good and the atmosphere was fine. The quality of food along with the unclear pricing structure is really what made the place a turn off.
One individual in our party ordered the fish dinner. It says clearly on the menu its served with pub fries. When we ordered, we reiterated that we’d prefer the fries as the server asked if we wanted chips. The fish was pretty gross, low quality, like fish sticks. Culvers makes better fish–and its hand breaded so I’d avoid this item here. In the end, we were charged for the fries that came with the fish & chips! The menu states it comes with fries. So now the fish stick dinner turns into $17. What a disappointment, all around!
The chicken strips are the same thing–poor quality, tons of breading. My daughter ordered them on a previous visit. We thought because they were new, it was just a kink. However, they selected the lowest quality fish and chicken items from their foodservice distributor.
We had the beer cheese soup which was very thick. The table agreed it was good as a dip but entirely too rich as a soup. The cheese curds were just ok.
I’d not return to this restaurant unless they take a look at the quality of food they’re serving and make some changes.
… moreScott Emerfoll
Great staff. Unique bar with views of the Mississippi River. Burger was what you’d expect. The big pretzel was big. The beer cheese was a good compliment to it.
… moreMissy “skzombiequeen” Blanchard
It was our first time being here and it was so lovely! For a Sunday afternoon wasn’t too busy. We didnt know it was a seat yourself so we stood there for a minute looking dumb but thankfully someone told us we can just sit anywhere. I had the life is peachy drink and it was so yummy! Not big on drinking but it was great. The food came out nice and hot, the mushroom burger was super juicy. We got a big pretzel to share before the food came. Im not a big pretzel person but I did enjoy it. We will definitely be back! Loved it all and our server (cant remember her name but she had a beautiful necklace on) was super nice and lovely! Helped us when we had questions. She was awesome!
… morePaul Crosby
Highly recommend a signature half pound burger. The bun is soft and the meat is tender and flavorful. Don’t forget to upgrade for the pub fries!
… moreDane Heidbreder
This place is great I walked in a it was like I had stepped into one of the most confusing fun places I have been to in a while the decor and the layout is all over the place but it was a very fun environment. It is sit yourselves which was a bit difficult because the whole place was pack but we were able to find a table. What sets this place apart is how good the food was and the service was. The place was packed wall to wall and we received very timely service and our food came out in no later than 15 minutes and our drinks were always kept full. Food was better than a lot places I have been to in the hamburgers were a great size. Now at least the time that I was there are receipts were on QR codes that we had to scan and then I had to put my credit card information in manually because I didn’t have an app to do it for me. Which was a bit inconvenient but overall it’s to help the servers be more efficient. Overall this place is a great stop I will be back.
… moreCarly
We had a disappointing experience during our visit. While we were waiting to place a drink order, the bartenders were drinking beers behind the bar, which felt unprofessional. It was also surprising to learn that water isn’t complimentary—you have to purchase it. The food quality wasn’t great; it reminded us of what you might find at a gas station convenience stop.
To clarify, we didn’t come for the concert and arrived well ahead of it. The event wasn’t scheduled to start until 8:30 PM, and we were there by 6:00 PM. The venue wasn’t crowded—maybe around 100 people total. I had high hopes for a new spot opening in our town, but unfortunately, the experience fell short.
What made it worse was the owner’s response to feedback, which came off as rude and dismissive rather than open to constructive criticism. It’s disappointing to see a lack of willingness to improve, especially for a new business. Sadly, that kind of attitude may hurt the long-term success of the place.
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