
Best Places to Dine with Your Valentine in the Beautiful Badlands
Where will you dine with your Sweetheart on Valentine’s Day?
We recently posted a question on social media: Where is the best place to take my sweetheart out for a meal for Valentine’s Day?
We received immediate response, and lots of it! We took that as proof that there is no shortage of eateries, or romance, in western North Dakota and eastern Montana!
In twenty six communities, 55 different area eateries were recommended by hundreds of readers. And we can think of many other dining establishments in the region which we love, but were not mentioned. Presented here, the Best of the Best!
Number One: Burly’s Roughrider Bar and Steakhouse, Belfield, North Dakota

Burly’s Roughrider Bar & Steakhouse, Belfield, North Dakota

A super burger at Burly’s Roughrider Bar & Steakhouse
Burly’s Roughrider Bar and Steakhouse in Belfield, North Dakota garnered more recommendations than any other restaurant in western North Dakota and eastern Montana. By far! It’s one of our favorite places to dine as well! We love their specialty burgers, and we’ve heard great things about their prime rib as well!
Number Two: BrickHouse Grille, Dickinson, North Dakota
Another perennial favorite for all special occasions is the BrickHouse Grille in Dickinson. The food is great, and matches the exquisite ambience.
Stated in the website for the BrickHouse Grille:
Experience an Upscale Atmosphere! Step into an upscale, inviting atmosphere when you are in the mood for a delicious meal from an award-winning chef. At BrickHouse Grille & B2 Lounge, we offer a wide selection of exciting fine dining dishes, wines, and spirits of all sorts to complement your meal.

Fine Dining at BrickHouse Grille, Dickinson, North Dakota. (photo courtesy the BrickHouse Grille Facebook page)

An exquisite dessert from the BrickHouse Grille in Dickinson, North Dakota (photo from the Brickhouse Grille Facebook page)

BrickHouse Grille, Dickinson, North Dakota. (Photo courtesy BrickHouse Grille Facebook page)
Number Three: South 40, Sidney, Montana
Coming in right behind the Brickhouse Grille, was the South 40 in Sidney, Montana. It received numerous recommendations from throughout the badlands region. It’s worth a drive to dine at this well known and loved establishment in eastern Montana!
From the South 40 website:
The South 40 is known for miles as the premier spot to feast on Cattle Company slow roasted, juicy, boneless prime rib or sizzling beef steaks. The comfortable rustic atmosphere has an elaborate soup and salad bar to accompany the wide assortment of entrées. There is a special menu for traveling sport’s teams, a children’s menu and an assortment of senior citizen and family favorites.
We have something to make you smile, whatever your appetite fancies.

South 40, Sidney, Montana Valentine’s Day Specials

Bar at the South 40, Sidney, Montana. (photo courtesy the South 40 Facebook page)

A Classic Dining Room at the South 40 in Sidney, Montana. (photo courtesy the South 40 Facebook page)
Number Four: Tobacco Gardens Resort & Marina, Watford City, North Dakota
Tobacco Gardens is legendary!! The drive to this family owned restaurant is through beautiful countryside north of Watford City to the banks of Lake Sakakawea on historic Highway 1806.
As stated on their Facebook page: Welcome to Tobacco Gardens Resort & Marina. Located in the heart of beautiful Lake Sakakawea and the Missouri River System, Tobacco Gardens is the ultimate place for camping, fishing, hunting, hiking, or just sitting by the bay enjoying the scenery. Whatever you are looking for, Tobacco Gardens is the Perfect choice for that great family weekend.

Happy Valentines Day special menu at Tobacco Gardens Resort & Marina, Watford City, North Dakota

Walleye or Halibut Dinner? You might find it at Tobacco Gardens, north of Watford City, North Dakota. (photo from the Tobacco Gardens Facebook page)

Prime Rib! Tobacco Gardens, Highway 1806 north of Watford City, North Dakota (photo from the Tobacco Gardens Facebook page)

Seafood Platter! Tobacco Gardens Resort & Marina, Watford City, North Dakota. Oh the beautiful banks of Lake Sakakawea! (photo from the Tobacco Gardens Facebook page)

Hot Carmel Rolls! A specialty at Tobacco Gardens north of Watford City, North Dakota (photo from the Tobacco Gardens Facebook page)
Number Five: Eleven, Williston, North Dakota
The Eleven Restaurant, the Williston, received great accolades for fine dining in a romantic atmosphere on Valentine’s Day. You’ll find their website here: Fine Dining at the Williston .

Valentines Dinner at Eleven Restaurant & Lounge at The Williston, Williston, North Dakota. (photo from the Eleven Restaurant Facebook page)

Mouth watering Prime Rib at the Eleven Restaurant & Lounge in Williston, North Dakota. (photo from the Eleven Restaurant Facebook page)
Number Six: Gem Theatre, Wibaux, Montana
The Historic Gem Theatre restaurant is one of the best hidden “gems” in eastern Montana! Adjacent to the Beaver Creek Brewery, one of our favorite stops, it boasts a formal ambiance. It comes highly recommended for a special Valentine’s Dinner with your sweetheart!

The Historic Gem Theatre, Wibaux, Montana (Photo: Beautiful Badlands ND)

Superb Valentine’s Dining at the Gem Theatre in Wibaux, Montana

Prime Rib Dinner at the Gem Theatre Restaurant, fine dining in Wibaux, Montana. (Photo from the Gem Theatre website)

Craft Beer, Fine Wine, and Superb Dining! The Gem Theatre Restaurant in Wibaux, Montana (Photo: Beautiful Badlands ND)
Number Seven: Sagas, Williston, North Dakota
Sagas is new to us. In fact, it’s new to Williston! It opened in September 2021 and is receiving rave reviews!
As presented on Sagas Facebook page: Sagas is a local family owned restaurant and lounge. Chef Bernie has created a exquisite menu of made from scratch items. Our beef is sourced and butchered locally. Come enjoy steak, pasta, seafood, burgers and more! Our lounge proudly serves hand crafted cocktails put together by the most fabulous team of bartenders! They are artists!

Sagas Primehouse in Williston, North Dakota. (photo from Sagas Facebook page)

Buffalo Flank at Sagas, Williston, North Dakota (photo from Sagas Facebook page)

Pan seared Alaskan Halibut with a ginger orange glaze over sautéed spinach. (photo from Sagas Facebook page)

Fabulous hand crafted cocktail specials at Sagas in Williston, North Dakota (photo from Sagas Facebook page)
And More!
The following eating establishments rounded out the remaining list of the Best of the Best Places to Dine on Valentine’s Day in the Beautiful Badlands of North Dakota and Montana:
Paleremo Bar & Grille, Palermo, North Dakota
Eight Ball Inn, Medicine Lake, Montana
Elks Lodge Underground, Dickinson, North Dakota
The Dog House Bar, Manning, North Dakota
Fluffy Fields, Dickinson, North Dakota
Shamrock Club, Wibaux, Montana
109 Club and Steakhouse, Lignite, North Dakota
AJ’s Cafe, Tioga, North Dakota
Little Missouri Saloon, Medora, North Dakota
Theodore’s at the Rough Rider, Medora, North Dakota
Outsider’s Bar & Grill, Watford City, North Dakota
Pastime Club and Steakhouse, Marmarth, North Dakota
So Many, Many More!!!
An additional 30+ dining establishment were recommended to us. We’ve tried many of them, and we frequent some of them often. There are many others we could list, all which are great! Have we missed your favorite? Let us know. We want to go there!
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Watford City, North Dakota Fine Dining, Superb Accommodations, Great Shopping, and Things To Do!