Wander Minnesota: The Restaurant Capital Of The World

Have you heard of Dorset, Minnesota, the Restaurant Capital of the World? No? Well. Let's take a visit.

Dorset is a village Park Rapids and Akeley in northern Minnesota, with a population of about 22 people and 4 restaurants, hence the Restaurant Capital moniker -- Capital of the World, at least per capita.

The four restaurants include the Dorset Café, Dorset House (which WCCO viewers just chose as the best place to get an ice cream sundae in Minnesota), Dorset General Store and LaPasta Eatery, and Compañero's Mexican. Collectively these restaurants have helped keep Dorset alive and well, and have turned it into a tourist attraction. A bed and breakfast is right on the edge of Dorset, handily located near the A Heartland Trail, a 49-mile trail that runs from Park Rapids to Cass Lake.

Retail has sprung up in the form of fun small shops, with a good amount of variety for such a small community. Lundrigan's Clothing has a small outpost here, as does Sister Wolf Books.

There's an antique store:

And a stained glass shop.

You can get old-timey photos taken at Professor Nils Photo & Gift Emporium:

And shop for general souvenirs and clothing at the Dorset Trading Post.

Dorset is a great place to while away a few hours between meals. And you can combine a visit here for dinner with a trip to neighboring Akeley and take in a performance at the Woodtick Theater.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.