Ely’s Ivy brings creative local flavor to Grand Forks

What public feedback suggests

Ely’s Ivy holds a 4.5 Google rating from 569 reviews, and the supplied feedback points to a restaurant that balances creative cooking with an inviting setting. Diners repeatedly praise the atmosphere, describing both the dining room and building as attractive. The overall mood appears polished enough for an occasion without coming across as overly formal.

The menu also seems to offer more variety than visitors may expect from a regional restaurant. One reviewer particularly valued the creative dishes and use of ingredients sourced from local farmers, while another group found something appealing across appetizers, pasta, steak and fish. Based on these accounts, Ely’s Ivy fits diners who want a proper sit-down meal with broader choices than a conventional steakhouse or bar menu.

The clearest order: walleye

Walleye is the strongest recurring recommendation in the available reviews. One diner called the fillet outstanding, while another described the walleye as excellent. A third said the food was good overall and raised only a minor concern about finding a small bone in the fish, acknowledging that this can happen.

That pattern makes the walleye fillet the safest suggested meal. Other individual dishes also received positive comments, including fried pickles, cheese curds, pasta, a children’s steak and apple crumble. Because those appear only once each in the supplied feedback, they are better viewed as encouraging possibilities rather than established consensus picks.

Families may find some reassurance in the report that a child’s steak arrived properly cooked and was enthusiastically received. The range of dishes mentioned also suggests that mixed groups should have room to navigate the menu, whether they are looking for fish, pasta, steak or shareable starters.

Service and setting

Service comments are consistently favorable. Reviewers describe staff as friendly, attentive and useful when offering advice. One first-time visitor specifically indicated plans to return after a positive meal with family and a friend. Another party was seated promptly during graduation weekend and found both the bartender and server attentive.

The building and ambiance are central parts of the appeal. Feedback characterizes the restaurant as visually attractive and comfortable, supporting its use for family meals, date nights or a relaxed celebration. Pricing is best described as mid range.

Small cautions before ordering

Not every item landed equally well. One diner found the breakfast Old Fashioned too syrupy, although it was still considered good under the circumstances. Another was disappointed that the pickle dip lacked the expected pickle or dill flavor, despite otherwise liking the dip. These are isolated complaints rather than broad patterns, but they suggest that strongly flavored specialty items may not always match expectations.

Taken together, the public rating and supplied reviews present Ely’s Ivy as a dependable Grand Forks option with memorable walleye, an attractive room and well-regarded service. The fish stands out most clearly, while the menu’s breadth gives returning diners reasons to explore further.