We were in the area on vacation and stopped here for lunch. They had a nice size outdoor patio and plenty of seating inside as well. We tried the Jamaican Jerk pizza and it was very good! It had a spicy kick and we took the advice of others and added the pineapple to the pizza - excellent advice even for someone who doesn't typically care for fruit on my pizza. The crust was excellent - one of the best I've ever tasted!! We spent $22 for a 10" pizza, a salad, a beer and a soda. This was a place that would certainly be a regular spot of ours if we lived in the area!!
(5)
William B.
Stopped in on Saturday night after a day visit to Big Axe and a round of mini golf at Pirate's Cove. Place had no tables available, on account of rain, and had what looked like every staff member on. Even with all of this commotion a few spots opened at the bar and we snagged them after ordering. Started with cheese bread which was gooey, warm, and went great with the pizza sauce. Also a couple 1919 Root Beers were consumed. After a house special pizza was consumed. The toppings were plentiful and well distributed. Likewise the crust was crisp and flavorful, as well as not overly filling. I have been going to this place for years when visiting Nisswa and I am so glad that it consistently has memorable pizza that I wish I could get in the Twin Cities!
(5)
Tim C.
the atmosphere was fun; a quintessential small town experience. Its the kind of place you feel like you have to go when going "up north" but the pizza is nothing to write home about. The sauce was pretty bland, the toppings alright and the crust was chewy...not in a good way. My sister-in-law warned us, we didn't listen, we had average pizza
(2)
Raphael P.
Had the chicken ranch pizza, and a sausage, sauerkraut, and banana pepper pizza. My wife and 2 little girls loved them and I'd say it was one of the better pizza experiences I've had in a long time! When back this way we will definitely be back!
(5)
Melissa J.
Been eating here since I was little. Great pizza with a variety. Great service..
(5)
David P.
It tasted like pizza. Toppings including the sauce and cheese all like to fall off of the slice. The cheese tastes like normal bar style pizza. The crust is barely edible unless covered completely with toppings. Leaving the edges of the crust is acceptable here. The Jamaican Jerk pizza was overly hot. I like flavor but not when it slows down my eating. At any rate, if you are up at the lake, this is a fine choice instead of cooking. I wouldn't make any special trip to this place though. Much much better exists in the Twin Cities.
(2)
Cat T.
When I come in from out of town I always make a point to stop here. Nisswa is a great little town and they have the best pizza around! The beer is also pretty cheap so that's a always a plus.
(5)
Marisa P.
Raffetty's has great pizza! They have classic and unique pie's, great salads and good service. It's a nice gem tucked away in little old Nisswa. The Jamaican Jerk and Lucky's Chicken are both excellent choices. As a Coca-Cola drinker I was a little upset about the Pepsi selection, but a nice cold beer cheered me up pretty quick. Definitely worth checking out next time you're in the area.
(4)
Rachel S.
Love their pizza and I am not a pizza fan. Some very unique combinations along with traditional favorites. If it was cleaner it would get a five-star from me. I just wish my town had great pizza like this, but then again maybe it's better for my health that we don't!
(4)
Steve H.
We have ordered and eaten pizza literally all around the world, from Rome to Chicago to Sydney. I can't think of a pizza I like better than Rafferty's. The service is always fast and friendly and the pepperoni with garlic pizza is to die for. And get the root beer by the pitcher!
(5)
Chris C.
Rafferty's is an up north tradition for years and it always will be. Fantastic pizza and a great atmosphere. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone!!!
(5)
Cindy M.
Passing through and thought we'd give it a try. Very good pizza. It was crowded, but that's a good sign. Took our pizzas to go and ate them in a nearby park in the Oct. sunshine. We were not disappointed. They have mini pizzas too for the not too hungry folks.
(4)
Uptown Foodie G.
We think Raffertys is the best pizza in Nisswa and Crosslake! We dine there a few times per month...love the pepperoni! They own the right combination of light crust, awesome cheese and quality toppings. Great service and the prices are right. Will repeat over and over...
(5)
Kimberly T.
We went to Rafferty's for dinner on Friday night & waited for a table for roughly 10 minutes. You order at the counter & they bring your order to your table. I ordered a 10" build-you-own with Canadian bacon & pineapple as well as some breadsticks for the table. The breadsticks were soft & greasy AKA delicious. My Hawaiian pizza was definitely one of the best pizzas I've ever had. However, I did not need a 10" all to myself. I could have gotten by with a 6" as they aren't as tiny as they look! I tend to like pizza the next day better than when it's right out of the oven. I will say that my pizza didn't taste great the next day cold. One of my girlfriends said the same thing but reheated hers & said it was much better that way. Noted for next time!
(4)
John B.
We came here for lunch while we had a day walking around Nisswa. We had the Buffalo Chicken pizza and absolutely loved it!! Great mix of flavors and the crust was perfect. Would love to go back and try some other flavor combos.
(5)
Pat C.
My favorite pizza place - always packed in summer (it's a resort area) but also open and very busy in winter. Pizza specials are original, of fresh ingredients and very tasty. Or build your own. We especially like the barbecue chicken pizza but the baked potato one (with mashed potatoes and baked potato toppings) was surprisingly good!
(5)
Dan R.
Rafferty's is a great place for any pizza lover! They have a lot of options, including build your own. Although the pizza was loaded with toppings and had plenty of cheese on it, it was not greasy...which usually turns off people trying to keep it healthy. Since traveling up north on a Friday can (and usually does) restrict you from making a nice meal, we decided to have pizza in town. Rafferty's wasn't busy around five when we got there, but picked up by 5:30 and the patio filled up shortly after that. We were lucky enough to get a nice spot on their patio that overlooks a nice plaza. You choose your own table and then go inside to order, then they bring out your pizza (they have sandwiches and other items besides pizza). They have a 4-5 beers on tap, all of which sounded tasty, but I settled on a Blue Moon as it is summer. They have other bottled beer and other drink options, but I didn't pay attention to them...beer was what I needed. We ordered taco pizza and a pizza with a ton of veggies and chicken. The taco pizza was good, but could have had a little more meat on it to give more taco seasoning/flavor. The other pizza was great and would be tasty with sausage or pepperoni too. I will definitely try to talk the family into going back again!
(4)
Joe I.
I wrote a positive review for this place in Cross Lake, and I am seconding that great review for the Nisswa version - though this place is even better as it has a neat outdoor seating area. I love the pizza here and wish there was a place like this in the Cities. I again had the Buffalo Pizza which was delish. I also helped myself to a slice and a half og my daughter's cheese pizza, which was also tasty. I didn't think it was too expensive - I love the option of buying personal sized mini pan pizzas which allows us each to get what we want and avoid the horrible bargaining that begins each group pizza order decision. Major ups.
(5)
M G.
I used to go to this place when it was the bier stube. The place is the same inside but is now a pizza place. The service is good and the Pizza is fantastic. If you eat in, try the Rafferty Red beer which is very tasty. If your looking for an alternative to Zorbaz's for pizza this is your place.
(4)
Neal L.
I have been to Rafferty's many times, as it isn't far from where I live, and I have never been disappointed with the food, prices, or the service. I like the atmosphere of this place especially in the summer when you can eat outside...just watch out for mosquitoes ;) I can't recommend this place enough if you're in the Nisswa area.
(5)
Jill K.
I received a recommendation for Rafferty's from a local business. It was indeed the best pizza I ever had. The beer was cold and the service outstanding. I look forward to going to Nisswa again this summer just to go to Rafferty's.
(5)
Katherine B.
I recently dined at Rafferty's after receiving a recommendation from an acquaintance. All I have to say is this: YUM. Like the previous review, I had the jerk pizza, which was a combination of spicy, gooey, peppery, rich deliciousness. My companion and I sat on the deck and watched Monday afternoon foot traffic in charming downtown Nisswa, and it was a complete delight. Staff was friendly, prices were reasonable, and the pizza was awesome.
(5)
j j.
I came here due to the high reviews, but thought the pizza was only average. I liked the creativity of the menu, which has pizza combinations including ingredients such as lingonberry sauce, flank steak and pesto sauce. I also like the various sizes available, including a 6-inch personal size pizza and the prices are very reasonable. Service is casual. Staff bring your drinks and utensils and you order at the counter. Your pizza is brought to you when its ready. It's a good place to bring kids. I ordered the Jamaican Jerk with pineapple. The crust was good, soft but not too thick. The pizza had a nice spice to it. But it tasted too sweet. I think it was due to the lack of tomato sauce. It's possible the same pizza might have tasted better with the addition of tomato sauce. My husband had a simple pepperoni pizza and he also thought it was just average. The restaurant is located conveniently close to the Nisswa turtle races and the food is OK. It's not a bad place to come to with the family. I just don't think it's anything worth seeking out.
(3)
Shaun R.
Best fusion pizza place in Northern Minnesota. I say "fusion" because it is an Irish Pub atmosphere serving Italian food (pizza) with Jamaican (jerk chicken) and Swedish (lingonberry) toppings. But for me the difference between a good and great pizza is the crust. Here you will get a crust that is not deep dish Chicago style, it's not foldable New York style, it's not cracker thin Minnesota style. The crust is a wonderful slightly crusty, slightly chewy combination that falls somewhere between hand-toss and pan pizza. But don't come here and spoil that crust by just get a cheese pizza, instead try out a specialty pizza such as the "Lucky Chicken" which has Cajun Chicken, sweet lingonberry sauce, and green onions. Please note that this place can be very busy in the summer as the tourists flock to Nisswa but because you order at the bar and get your own beverages and plates the wait is never long and dining on the patio will help you escape the crowd.
(5)
Jen O.
Amazing pizza? You betcha. We had the chicken Alfredo and I definitely over-indulged. A lot. We took the little yoopers and really appreciated the fact that the music being played had no swearing or suggestive lyrics. It was nice to know that my little parrot won't be dropping the f-bomb because of her dining experience.
(5)
Eric S.
This place is excellent, stopped in here last weekend for lunch and it was packed. There sign says "Ranked top 100 in the USA", I don't know about that but the atmosphere and outdoor shaded patio are great. When you walk in, you grab a menu and seat yourself, when ready to order, you go up to this counter and place your order. This is probably the only thing I didn't dig all that much, once I'm seated, I like to remain seated, but O-Well. I had the Jamaican Jerk pizza and it was excellent and highly recommended, I have no idea what they used for sauce on this pizza but it was unlike anything I've ever had, it had nice chunks of spicy seasoned chicken along with green onion and banana peppers. The menu says to order it with pineapple too but I forgot and don't think it could have made it better anyways. The couple I was with had the Bacon cheese burger Za! that also was excellent, it came with your normal hamburger, bacon and cheese but also they add fresh home made pickles and thick slices of tomatoes. The crust was great and even had the perfect bubble here and there. I will definitely come here next time I'm in Nisswa!
(5)
Krista S.
best pizza up north, get it every year while camping and they opened one in crosslake too i believe, so if you're camping and want pizza, call these guys! warning: very popular and busy and never anywhere to sit!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Loud Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : No
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
Kathy M.
We were in the area on vacation and stopped here for lunch. They had a nice size outdoor patio and plenty of seating inside as well. We tried the Jamaican Jerk pizza and it was very good! It had a spicy kick and we took the advice of others and added the pineapple to the pizza - excellent advice even for someone who doesn't typically care for fruit on my pizza. The crust was excellent - one of the best I've ever tasted!! We spent $22 for a 10" pizza, a salad, a beer and a soda. This was a place that would certainly be a regular spot of ours if we lived in the area!!
(5)William B.
Stopped in on Saturday night after a day visit to Big Axe and a round of mini golf at Pirate's Cove. Place had no tables available, on account of rain, and had what looked like every staff member on. Even with all of this commotion a few spots opened at the bar and we snagged them after ordering. Started with cheese bread which was gooey, warm, and went great with the pizza sauce. Also a couple 1919 Root Beers were consumed. After a house special pizza was consumed. The toppings were plentiful and well distributed. Likewise the crust was crisp and flavorful, as well as not overly filling. I have been going to this place for years when visiting Nisswa and I am so glad that it consistently has memorable pizza that I wish I could get in the Twin Cities!
(5)Tim C.
the atmosphere was fun; a quintessential small town experience. Its the kind of place you feel like you have to go when going "up north" but the pizza is nothing to write home about. The sauce was pretty bland, the toppings alright and the crust was chewy...not in a good way. My sister-in-law warned us, we didn't listen, we had average pizza
(2)Raphael P.
Had the chicken ranch pizza, and a sausage, sauerkraut, and banana pepper pizza. My wife and 2 little girls loved them and I'd say it was one of the better pizza experiences I've had in a long time! When back this way we will definitely be back!
(5)Melissa J.
Been eating here since I was little. Great pizza with a variety. Great service..
(5)David P.
It tasted like pizza. Toppings including the sauce and cheese all like to fall off of the slice. The cheese tastes like normal bar style pizza. The crust is barely edible unless covered completely with toppings. Leaving the edges of the crust is acceptable here. The Jamaican Jerk pizza was overly hot. I like flavor but not when it slows down my eating. At any rate, if you are up at the lake, this is a fine choice instead of cooking. I wouldn't make any special trip to this place though. Much much better exists in the Twin Cities.
(2)Cat T.
When I come in from out of town I always make a point to stop here. Nisswa is a great little town and they have the best pizza around! The beer is also pretty cheap so that's a always a plus.
(5)Marisa P.
Raffetty's has great pizza! They have classic and unique pie's, great salads and good service. It's a nice gem tucked away in little old Nisswa. The Jamaican Jerk and Lucky's Chicken are both excellent choices. As a Coca-Cola drinker I was a little upset about the Pepsi selection, but a nice cold beer cheered me up pretty quick. Definitely worth checking out next time you're in the area.
(4)Rachel S.
Love their pizza and I am not a pizza fan. Some very unique combinations along with traditional favorites. If it was cleaner it would get a five-star from me. I just wish my town had great pizza like this, but then again maybe it's better for my health that we don't!
(4)Steve H.
We have ordered and eaten pizza literally all around the world, from Rome to Chicago to Sydney. I can't think of a pizza I like better than Rafferty's. The service is always fast and friendly and the pepperoni with garlic pizza is to die for. And get the root beer by the pitcher!
(5)Chris C.
Rafferty's is an up north tradition for years and it always will be. Fantastic pizza and a great atmosphere. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone!!!
(5)Cindy M.
Passing through and thought we'd give it a try. Very good pizza. It was crowded, but that's a good sign. Took our pizzas to go and ate them in a nearby park in the Oct. sunshine. We were not disappointed. They have mini pizzas too for the not too hungry folks.
(4)Uptown Foodie G.
We think Raffertys is the best pizza in Nisswa and Crosslake! We dine there a few times per month...love the pepperoni! They own the right combination of light crust, awesome cheese and quality toppings. Great service and the prices are right. Will repeat over and over...
(5)Kimberly T.
We went to Rafferty's for dinner on Friday night & waited for a table for roughly 10 minutes. You order at the counter & they bring your order to your table. I ordered a 10" build-you-own with Canadian bacon & pineapple as well as some breadsticks for the table. The breadsticks were soft & greasy AKA delicious. My Hawaiian pizza was definitely one of the best pizzas I've ever had. However, I did not need a 10" all to myself. I could have gotten by with a 6" as they aren't as tiny as they look! I tend to like pizza the next day better than when it's right out of the oven. I will say that my pizza didn't taste great the next day cold. One of my girlfriends said the same thing but reheated hers & said it was much better that way. Noted for next time!
(4)John B.
We came here for lunch while we had a day walking around Nisswa. We had the Buffalo Chicken pizza and absolutely loved it!! Great mix of flavors and the crust was perfect. Would love to go back and try some other flavor combos.
(5)Pat C.
My favorite pizza place - always packed in summer (it's a resort area) but also open and very busy in winter. Pizza specials are original, of fresh ingredients and very tasty. Or build your own. We especially like the barbecue chicken pizza but the baked potato one (with mashed potatoes and baked potato toppings) was surprisingly good!
(5)Dan R.
Rafferty's is a great place for any pizza lover! They have a lot of options, including build your own. Although the pizza was loaded with toppings and had plenty of cheese on it, it was not greasy...which usually turns off people trying to keep it healthy. Since traveling up north on a Friday can (and usually does) restrict you from making a nice meal, we decided to have pizza in town. Rafferty's wasn't busy around five when we got there, but picked up by 5:30 and the patio filled up shortly after that. We were lucky enough to get a nice spot on their patio that overlooks a nice plaza. You choose your own table and then go inside to order, then they bring out your pizza (they have sandwiches and other items besides pizza). They have a 4-5 beers on tap, all of which sounded tasty, but I settled on a Blue Moon as it is summer. They have other bottled beer and other drink options, but I didn't pay attention to them...beer was what I needed. We ordered taco pizza and a pizza with a ton of veggies and chicken. The taco pizza was good, but could have had a little more meat on it to give more taco seasoning/flavor. The other pizza was great and would be tasty with sausage or pepperoni too. I will definitely try to talk the family into going back again!
(4)Joe I.
I wrote a positive review for this place in Cross Lake, and I am seconding that great review for the Nisswa version - though this place is even better as it has a neat outdoor seating area. I love the pizza here and wish there was a place like this in the Cities. I again had the Buffalo Pizza which was delish. I also helped myself to a slice and a half og my daughter's cheese pizza, which was also tasty. I didn't think it was too expensive - I love the option of buying personal sized mini pan pizzas which allows us each to get what we want and avoid the horrible bargaining that begins each group pizza order decision. Major ups.
(5)M G.
I used to go to this place when it was the bier stube. The place is the same inside but is now a pizza place. The service is good and the Pizza is fantastic. If you eat in, try the Rafferty Red beer which is very tasty. If your looking for an alternative to Zorbaz's for pizza this is your place.
(4)Neal L.
I have been to Rafferty's many times, as it isn't far from where I live, and I have never been disappointed with the food, prices, or the service. I like the atmosphere of this place especially in the summer when you can eat outside...just watch out for mosquitoes ;) I can't recommend this place enough if you're in the Nisswa area.
(5)Jill K.
I received a recommendation for Rafferty's from a local business. It was indeed the best pizza I ever had. The beer was cold and the service outstanding. I look forward to going to Nisswa again this summer just to go to Rafferty's.
(5)Katherine B.
I recently dined at Rafferty's after receiving a recommendation from an acquaintance. All I have to say is this: YUM. Like the previous review, I had the jerk pizza, which was a combination of spicy, gooey, peppery, rich deliciousness. My companion and I sat on the deck and watched Monday afternoon foot traffic in charming downtown Nisswa, and it was a complete delight. Staff was friendly, prices were reasonable, and the pizza was awesome.
(5)j j.
I came here due to the high reviews, but thought the pizza was only average. I liked the creativity of the menu, which has pizza combinations including ingredients such as lingonberry sauce, flank steak and pesto sauce. I also like the various sizes available, including a 6-inch personal size pizza and the prices are very reasonable. Service is casual. Staff bring your drinks and utensils and you order at the counter. Your pizza is brought to you when its ready. It's a good place to bring kids. I ordered the Jamaican Jerk with pineapple. The crust was good, soft but not too thick. The pizza had a nice spice to it. But it tasted too sweet. I think it was due to the lack of tomato sauce. It's possible the same pizza might have tasted better with the addition of tomato sauce. My husband had a simple pepperoni pizza and he also thought it was just average. The restaurant is located conveniently close to the Nisswa turtle races and the food is OK. It's not a bad place to come to with the family. I just don't think it's anything worth seeking out.
(3)Shaun R.
Best fusion pizza place in Northern Minnesota. I say "fusion" because it is an Irish Pub atmosphere serving Italian food (pizza) with Jamaican (jerk chicken) and Swedish (lingonberry) toppings. But for me the difference between a good and great pizza is the crust. Here you will get a crust that is not deep dish Chicago style, it's not foldable New York style, it's not cracker thin Minnesota style. The crust is a wonderful slightly crusty, slightly chewy combination that falls somewhere between hand-toss and pan pizza. But don't come here and spoil that crust by just get a cheese pizza, instead try out a specialty pizza such as the "Lucky Chicken" which has Cajun Chicken, sweet lingonberry sauce, and green onions. Please note that this place can be very busy in the summer as the tourists flock to Nisswa but because you order at the bar and get your own beverages and plates the wait is never long and dining on the patio will help you escape the crowd.
(5)Jen O.
Amazing pizza? You betcha. We had the chicken Alfredo and I definitely over-indulged. A lot. We took the little yoopers and really appreciated the fact that the music being played had no swearing or suggestive lyrics. It was nice to know that my little parrot won't be dropping the f-bomb because of her dining experience.
(5)Eric S.
This place is excellent, stopped in here last weekend for lunch and it was packed. There sign says "Ranked top 100 in the USA", I don't know about that but the atmosphere and outdoor shaded patio are great. When you walk in, you grab a menu and seat yourself, when ready to order, you go up to this counter and place your order. This is probably the only thing I didn't dig all that much, once I'm seated, I like to remain seated, but O-Well. I had the Jamaican Jerk pizza and it was excellent and highly recommended, I have no idea what they used for sauce on this pizza but it was unlike anything I've ever had, it had nice chunks of spicy seasoned chicken along with green onion and banana peppers. The menu says to order it with pineapple too but I forgot and don't think it could have made it better anyways. The couple I was with had the Bacon cheese burger Za! that also was excellent, it came with your normal hamburger, bacon and cheese but also they add fresh home made pickles and thick slices of tomatoes. The crust was great and even had the perfect bubble here and there. I will definitely come here next time I'm in Nisswa!
(5)Krista S.
best pizza up north, get it every year while camping and they opened one in crosslake too i believe, so if you're camping and want pizza, call these guys! warning: very popular and busy and never anywhere to sit!
(5)