Guidebook for Decorah
Food Scene
Small French-inspired bistro great for lunch or dinner, featuring local ingredients, fresh/seasonal menu items and a full bar. Reservations strongly recommended, especially for parties of four or more and on busy weekends. Consider eating early (they open at 5 for dinner), or calling ahead to see if you could sit at the bar, if a reservation isn't in the works. The desserts are made by one of the owners, Joanie, in-house. The key lime pie and creme brule are always worth it! Their mojito is known for its handfuls of muddled mint -- good anytime of year, in my opinion.
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La Rana Bistro
120 Washington StSmall French-inspired bistro great for lunch or dinner, featuring local ingredients, fresh/seasonal menu items and a full bar. Reservations strongly recommended, especially for parties of four or more and on busy weekends. Consider eating early (they open at 5 for dinner), or calling ahead to see if you could sit at the bar, if a reservation isn't in the works. The desserts are made by one of the owners, Joanie, in-house. The key lime pie and creme brule are always worth it! Their mojito is known for its handfuls of muddled mint -- good anytime of year, in my opinion.
Between their in-house coffee roasting and pour-over and Nitro press specialities, Impact serves some of the best coffee in town. They also make a mean ReeFuel high-octane smoothie.
This little gem is a family affair. Founders Jeff and Anja Brown and their sons, Sean and Kai, are often bethind the counter (or up the street at their first business, Perfect Edge Framing).
Anja makes the light pastries and scones. Jeff keeps busy retrofitting the historic cafe to host events and music, and Sean and Kai are the main baristas and good resources for happenings about town.
Don't drink caffeine? Their Irish Chai (made with Earl Grey) is awesome, and their decaf roast is top-notch.
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Impact Coffee
101 W Water StBetween their in-house coffee roasting and pour-over and Nitro press specialities, Impact serves some of the best coffee in town. They also make a mean ReeFuel high-octane smoothie.
This little gem is a family affair. Founders Jeff and Anja Brown and their sons, Sean and Kai, are often bethind the counter (or up the street at their first business, Perfect Edge Framing).
Anja makes the light pastries and scones. Jeff keeps busy retrofitting the historic cafe to host events and music, and Sean and Kai are the main baristas and good resources for happenings about town.
Don't drink caffeine? Their Irish Chai (made with Earl Grey) is awesome, and their decaf roast is top-notch.
Plenty of seating for bigger groups and located in the historic Hotel Winneshiek. We like their Sunday brunch, and their dinner specials have been awesome lately. Steaks are good here, and their house French onion soup is pretty decent. The Death by Chocolate cake will easily serve four!
Restauration, in the Hotel Winneshiek
104 E Water StPlenty of seating for bigger groups and located in the historic Hotel Winneshiek. We like their Sunday brunch, and their dinner specials have been awesome lately. Steaks are good here, and their house French onion soup is pretty decent. The Death by Chocolate cake will easily serve four!
Famous for their thin-crust pizza! Unless you have food allergies in your mix, go for Around the Garden (veg heavy) or the Junkyard (meat heavy) -- the equivalent of 'supreme.' You can call ahead to pick up or let them know a group is coming in. You can also pick up just their par-baked crust, if you prefer to make pizza at home!
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Mabe's Pizza
110 E Water StFamous for their thin-crust pizza! Unless you have food allergies in your mix, go for Around the Garden (veg heavy) or the Junkyard (meat heavy) -- the equivalent of 'supreme.' You can call ahead to pick up or let them know a group is coming in. You can also pick up just their par-baked crust, if you prefer to make pizza at home!
A little off the beaten path -- a great experience for thin-crust wood-fired pizza. They have a large screen porch for outdoor seating and often host live music on weekends.
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McCaffery's Dolce Vita & Twin Springs Bakery
2149 Twin Springs RdA little off the beaten path -- a great experience for thin-crust wood-fired pizza. They have a large screen porch for outdoor seating and often host live music on weekends.
Our favorite anyone-can-shop cooperative grocer also hosts a great deli featuring panini sandwiches, gourmet salad bar and self-serve hot menu that changes daily. Also known for their cheese selections and olive bar.
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Oneota Community Food Co-op
312 W Water StOur favorite anyone-can-shop cooperative grocer also hosts a great deli featuring panini sandwiches, gourmet salad bar and self-serve hot menu that changes daily. Also known for their cheese selections and olive bar.
Best for large groups and/or a meal requiring a private dining room. Their tapas-sized house pizza changes often, and their bar menu is very good for a quick meal. Wine selection is extensive.
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Rubaiyat Restaurant
117 W Water StBest for large groups and/or a meal requiring a private dining room. Their tapas-sized house pizza changes often, and their bar menu is very good for a quick meal. Wine selection is extensive.
Best burger joint. Kids and the less adventurous will find something here, while thrill seekers can try the Wytowkski (w/sauerkraut and French dressing) or Peanut Butter burgers. Also the best location for sports coverage -- if there's a big game/match you just can't miss, you'll find it here.
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T-Bock's
206 W Water StBest burger joint. Kids and the less adventurous will find something here, while thrill seekers can try the Wytowkski (w/sauerkraut and French dressing) or Peanut Butter burgers. Also the best location for sports coverage -- if there's a big game/match you just can't miss, you'll find it here.
Bustling cafe by day, live music hangout by night. Check out the 'muffin tops' made fresh daily, alongside a range of fresh-brewed roasts. Their lunch quiche and soups are good, and they make a good London Fog (tea, foamed milk, choice of syrup) or Smog (as above, with espresso). To showcase Decorah's many talented musicians and wordsmiths, they've ramped up a schedule of events in the evenings 7-9pm, ranging from acoustic guitar to jazz piano to dramatic readings of original work.
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Java John's
400 W Water StBustling cafe by day, live music hangout by night. Check out the 'muffin tops' made fresh daily, alongside a range of fresh-brewed roasts. Their lunch quiche and soups are good, and they make a good London Fog (tea, foamed milk, choice of syrup) or Smog (as above, with espresso). To showcase Decorah's many talented musicians and wordsmiths, they've ramped up a schedule of events in the evenings 7-9pm, ranging from acoustic guitar to jazz piano to dramatic readings of original work.
Coffee shop with lots of seating. Breakfast can be busy, but the cinnamon rolls are THE BOMB. Try their healthy veg-full sandwiches for lunch.
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Magpie Cafe & Coffeehouse
202 W Water StCoffee shop with lots of seating. Breakfast can be busy, but the cinnamon rolls are THE BOMB. Try their healthy veg-full sandwiches for lunch.
New in Sept and Oct 2017: PIZZA NIGHTS. If you happen to stay on a Friday, take a short drive north of Decorah 4-8 p.m. to this organic farm for seasonal, eclectic pizzas featuring organic, farm-raised veg, cheeses, meats and herbs. Take a blanket and any comfy picnic supplies: you'll be seated in a grassy pasture! Literally! For details, please Google the farm's name.
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Luna Valley Farm
3012 Middle Sattre RdNew in Sept and Oct 2017: PIZZA NIGHTS. If you happen to stay on a Friday, take a short drive north of Decorah 4-8 p.m. to this organic farm for seasonal, eclectic pizzas featuring organic, farm-raised veg, cheeses, meats and herbs. Take a blanket and any comfy picnic supplies: you'll be seated in a grassy pasture! Literally! For details, please Google the farm's name.
Drinks & Nightlife
Located in the side yard and basement of the Armory building on Water Street, this is Decorah's sweetest little spot for a curated beer, cider and wine list, cozy seating for conversation, cards or catching up, and, often, the best indie/live music in the region. Need recommendations? Ask the knowledgable bar staff.
The Courtyard & Cellar
421 W Water StLocated in the side yard and basement of the Armory building on Water Street, this is Decorah's sweetest little spot for a curated beer, cider and wine list, cozy seating for conversation, cards or catching up, and, often, the best indie/live music in the region. Need recommendations? Ask the knowledgable bar staff.
Our region's new farm-to-glass distillery! Eclectic tasting room is open Thurs, Fri and Sat nights 4pm-10pm with special hours for community events. Cocktails feature RockFilter bourbons and rye, with seasonal accoutrements such as rhubarb(!), lemonbalm(!) and blackcap raspberry(!). Google the name for details.
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RockFilter Distillery
113 Maple DrOur region's new farm-to-glass distillery! Eclectic tasting room is open Thurs, Fri and Sat nights 4pm-10pm with special hours for community events. Cocktails feature RockFilter bourbons and rye, with seasonal accoutrements such as rhubarb(!), lemonbalm(!) and blackcap raspberry(!). Google the name for details.
A Decorah exclusive! Pulpit's brew menu changes weekly and features limited-edition offerings across the spectrum of fermentation, made in-house by two of the best brewmasters around. Literally, their business model is to offer the majority of their beers through their Decorah tap room only, so expect to taste something you'll find nowhere else. 'Softig' is a standing lighter favorite.
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Pulpit Rock Brewing Company
207 College DrA Decorah exclusive! Pulpit's brew menu changes weekly and features limited-edition offerings across the spectrum of fermentation, made in-house by two of the best brewmasters around. Literally, their business model is to offer the majority of their beers through their Decorah tap room only, so expect to taste something you'll find nowhere else. 'Softig' is a standing lighter favorite.
Decorah's first microbrewery in a new, expanded location, known for their widely anticipated releases of seasonal brews. Ample indoor and outdoor seating, often with live music on the patio in summer months.
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Toppling Goliath Brewing Co
1600 Prosperity RdDecorah's first microbrewery in a new, expanded location, known for their widely anticipated releases of seasonal brews. Ample indoor and outdoor seating, often with live music on the patio in summer months.
Parks & Nature
Quiet, cool springs ripple over limestone shelves iconic of the Driftless region's topography. Easy to access, with something to see for those who can't venture far, as well as those who want to follow the trail to its end.
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Dunnings Spring Park
Ice Cave RoadQuiet, cool springs ripple over limestone shelves iconic of the Driftless region's topography. Easy to access, with something to see for those who can't venture far, as well as those who want to follow the trail to its end.
Learn more about native species of trout and other fish in this hatchery facility just minutes from downtown. Kids can feed the spawn, and history buffs enjoy the CCC-era limestone facilities. Group tours are generally available during daylight hours. Call ahead for seasonal availability.
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Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery
2321 Siewers Spring RoadLearn more about native species of trout and other fish in this hatchery facility just minutes from downtown. Kids can feed the spawn, and history buffs enjoy the CCC-era limestone facilities. Group tours are generally available during daylight hours. Call ahead for seasonal availability.
Historic city park with play equipment, picnic facilities, RESTROOMS, and a seasonal water fountain guaranteed to attract kids like a magnet. Adjacent walking trail along with bluff (overlooking Upper Iowa River) features a stone archway that makes for good keepsake photos!
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Phelps Park
613 Park StHistoric city park with play equipment, picnic facilities, RESTROOMS, and a seasonal water fountain guaranteed to attract kids like a magnet. Adjacent walking trail along with bluff (overlooking Upper Iowa River) features a stone archway that makes for good keepsake photos!
Planted with native perennials and beloved by hikers, bikers, runners, skiers, snowshoers and folks with dogs on leash, this 34-acre park-like prairie is open year-round. Its grass paths are wide, flat and mown regularly in summer months. Dog mitts are provided. The Butterfly Garden offers a sun/rain shelter with picnic tables and benches. A paved walkway loops through the Garden to make it accessible for wheelchairs and baby strollers. Ample parking is available.
Decorah Community Prairie
4 Ohio StPlanted with native perennials and beloved by hikers, bikers, runners, skiers, snowshoers and folks with dogs on leash, this 34-acre park-like prairie is open year-round. Its grass paths are wide, flat and mown regularly in summer months. Dog mitts are provided. The Butterfly Garden offers a sun/rain shelter with picnic tables and benches. A paved walkway loops through the Garden to make it accessible for wheelchairs and baby strollers. Ample parking is available.
This 11-mile paved bike/hike/ski loop is a must-see anytime of year. Dog mitts are provided at the West Main Street trailhead, which is closest to my house. From the corner of Mill and Frankin, walk 3 blocks north toward Water Street. Turn left onto West Main and walk 2 blocks until you dead-end into the parking area. Follow the trail to the right to circle town (flatter); follow the trail left to ride/hike a mile along the Upper Iowa River, then begin the ascent of the bluffs and into the countryside, returning to the town proper near the trout hatchery (hence the name).
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Trout Run Trail
Trout Run TrailThis 11-mile paved bike/hike/ski loop is a must-see anytime of year. Dog mitts are provided at the West Main Street trailhead, which is closest to my house. From the corner of Mill and Frankin, walk 3 blocks north toward Water Street. Turn left onto West Main and walk 2 blocks until you dead-end into the parking area. Follow the trail to the right to circle town (flatter); follow the trail left to ride/hike a mile along the Upper Iowa River, then begin the ascent of the bluffs and into the countryside, returning to the town proper near the trout hatchery (hence the name).
Arts & Culture
Folks often know of the museum before they know about Decorah--it's that famous. Collections go above/beyond your average historical artifacts, including wood and metal crafts, homesteading technologies and dwellings, and a nearly-scale Viking ship suspended in a three-story 3-D exhibit. Check out current traveling exhibitions or related events on their website.
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Vesterheim The National Norwegian-American Museum & Heritage Center
520 W Water StFolks often know of the museum before they know about Decorah--it's that famous. Collections go above/beyond your average historical artifacts, including wood and metal crafts, homesteading technologies and dwellings, and a nearly-scale Viking ship suspended in a three-story 3-D exhibit. Check out current traveling exhibitions or related events on their website.
Decorah's own home for visual, performing and tactile arts classes, exhibits and performances. Check upcoming events or concerts through their website. Their bi-monthly Poetry Slams, held at the historic Decorah Elks Club, are usually packed, as are their house concerts by regional artists.
ArtHaus
107 W Broadway StDecorah's own home for visual, performing and tactile arts classes, exhibits and performances. Check upcoming events or concerts through their website. Their bi-monthly Poetry Slams, held at the historic Decorah Elks Club, are usually packed, as are their house concerts by regional artists.
Owned by a local mother-daughter team, this shop is a must-see for crafters. They specialize in quilt supplies and kits, as well as embroidery and all things Bernina. Find Red-Roxy's newsletter online chock full of events, classes and networking opportunities to discover fabric arts all over the region!
Red-Roxy Quilt Co
804 W Water StOwned by a local mother-daughter team, this shop is a must-see for crafters. They specialize in quilt supplies and kits, as well as embroidery and all things Bernina. Find Red-Roxy's newsletter online chock full of events, classes and networking opportunities to discover fabric arts all over the region!
Representing artists from all over the Driftless in media from fiber art to sculpture, painting to functional/wearable pieces, this gallery is a must-see in Spring Grove.
Open noon to 5 p.m. Thursday - Friday, 10:00-4:00 Saturdays
Open Wednesdays noon - 5:00 p.m., April through November
Visits at other times may be scheduled by calling 507-498-ARTS
Want to display your art here? Please Google the gallery's name to download a Jury Form.
Bluff Country Artists Gallery
111 W Main StRepresenting artists from all over the Driftless in media from fiber art to sculpture, painting to functional/wearable pieces, this gallery is a must-see in Spring Grove.
Open noon to 5 p.m. Thursday - Friday, 10:00-4:00 Saturdays
Open Wednesdays noon - 5:00 p.m., April through November
Visits at other times may be scheduled by calling 507-498-ARTS
Want to display your art here? Please Google the gallery's name to download a Jury Form.
While their beautiful Immigrant Hall gallery, gardens and gift shop celebrate Spring Grove's Norwegian heritage, Giants' bigger legacy is to map the genealogy of all its founding families. Curious about your roots? All are welcome to stop in to contribute your DNA to this global mapping project through simple (bloodless!!) 23andMe testing kits, available at the center. Google the Center's name for more information.
Giants Of The Earth Heritage Center
163 W Main StWhile their beautiful Immigrant Hall gallery, gardens and gift shop celebrate Spring Grove's Norwegian heritage, Giants' bigger legacy is to map the genealogy of all its founding families. Curious about your roots? All are welcome to stop in to contribute your DNA to this global mapping project through simple (bloodless!!) 23andMe testing kits, available at the center. Google the Center's name for more information.
Sightseeing
Gardening and conservation enthusiasts the world over know about this amazing foundation. Visit their heirloom gardens, orchards, farm animals, and timber-frame gift shop. Check the website for special events or tours that may draw a crowd.
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Seed Savers Exchange
3074 N Winn RdGardening and conservation enthusiasts the world over know about this amazing foundation. Visit their heirloom gardens, orchards, farm animals, and timber-frame gift shop. Check the website for special events or tours that may draw a crowd.
Entertainment & Activities
Fridley Theatres Viking 3
111 N Mechanic StFour screens. Check what's playing online!
Luther sporting events often draw an enthusiastic local crowd, and the campus often hosts big-name ticketed performing arts. Faculty and student performances and exhibits are also worth your time on a rainy day.
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Luther College
700 College DrLuther sporting events often draw an enthusiastic local crowd, and the campus often hosts big-name ticketed performing arts. Faculty and student performances and exhibits are also worth your time on a rainy day.
Shopping
Classy and trend-cutting, with sizing for most. Their buyers take extra pride in choosing styles that truly flatter. Plus, their dressing rooms are an experience unto themselves.
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Modish
217 W Water StClassy and trend-cutting, with sizing for most. Their buyers take extra pride in choosing styles that truly flatter. Plus, their dressing rooms are an experience unto themselves.
Large, eclectic gallery featuring local and regional art: vast selection of fine jewelry, functional art, commemorative pieces.
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Agora Arts
102 E Water StLarge, eclectic gallery featuring local and regional art: vast selection of fine jewelry, functional art, commemorative pieces.
We have an independent bookseller! I repeat: We have one!! Don't miss this well-stocked book nook. If they don't have it, chances are they can get it while you're in town. Not sure what you want/need? Anyone at the counter can help you choose something you'll love. Author talks and book signings often!
Dragonfly Books
112 W Water StWe have an independent bookseller! I repeat: We have one!! Don't miss this well-stocked book nook. If they don't have it, chances are they can get it while you're in town. Not sure what you want/need? Anyone at the counter can help you choose something you'll love. Author talks and book signings often!
Don't want to overlook gents! Did you forget something for the big event? Need some last-minute tailoring? Stop in and get suited up. They have great taste.
Amundson's Clothing Store
130 W Water StDon't want to overlook gents! Did you forget something for the big event? Need some last-minute tailoring? Stop in and get suited up. They have great taste.
So much more than jewelry! You'll find hand-picked artful clothing and accessories for women, including scarves, functional-art jewelry and handbags. They specialize in comfortable, elegant pieces that flatter.
K D Rae Jewelry
101 E Water StSo much more than jewelry! You'll find hand-picked artful clothing and accessories for women, including scarves, functional-art jewelry and handbags. They specialize in comfortable, elegant pieces that flatter.
This is the gear-head's destination. High-quality name-brand outdoor and adventure wear for adults and children. Known for their selection of packs and hats, also socks and other trail essentials. Yes, this store was quite recently a chick hatchery, where locals would buy freshly hatched poultry!!
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Decorah Hatchery
406 W Water StThis is the gear-head's destination. High-quality name-brand outdoor and adventure wear for adults and children. Known for their selection of packs and hats, also socks and other trail essentials. Yes, this store was quite recently a chick hatchery, where locals would buy freshly hatched poultry!!
This thrift store specializes in high-quality children's and maternity wear. Inventory changes daily. Check it out!
The Getup
212 W Water StThis thrift store specializes in high-quality children's and maternity wear. Inventory changes daily. Check it out!