Nichole’s Fine Pastry & Café (Fargo, ND)

It had been an active Saturday morning strolling the streets of downtown Fargo, ND checking out all it has to offer when I decided it would be a good time to find a warm cozy place to duck into for a little sit down and a bite to eat. Nichole’s Fine Pastry & Café was the perfect place for this! Located on downtown Fargo’s historic eighth street, Nichole’s Fine Pastry and Café creates small batch baked goods in the European tradition as well as classic American and local favorites. In January 2021, the café was featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives with Guy Fieri, so it must be amazing, right?! Join me as I share with you all about the unique experience I had at Nichole’s Fine Pastry & Café!

First of all, who is Nichole from Nichole’s Fine Pastry & Café? Nichole Hensen is the head chef and founder of Nichole’s Fine Pastry & Café. Nichole grew up on a family farm near Glenburn, ND, where she helped her parents with their Hereford cattle and small grains. She attended UND and received a BBA in Information Management. After being inspired by culinary experiences on her travels she attended the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, CA.  Nichole returned to Fargo to bring a bit of Paris to the Prairie and opened Nichole’s Fine Pastry & Café in 2003.

When I walked into the café the first thing I noticed was the welcoming ambiance and a group of ladies engaged in good conversation while enjoying pastries, coffee, and tea. I was excited to see all the café had to offer and hurried up to the pastry case that held all the amazing treats! There was something for everyone – cakes, cheesecake, tarts, croissants, cinnamon rolls, lemon bars, crème brulee, quiche, and so much more. Nichole’s Fine Pastry & Café handmakes almost everything from scratch and uses local ingredients whenever possible, and they are passionate about continually bringing their customers culinary and pastry trends while adding their own touch to the classics.

I decided on a fresh fruit tart because it’s something I wouldn’t normally order, and it looked beautifully scrumptious! I waited for the tart to be dished up and then took it and my drink to the adjoining dining area and found a table. It was a perfect place to sit and relax! There were some enjoying their lunch while reading a good book, while others were having conversation with a friend. There is also a space in this area that accommodates 14 to 16 people for parties or events – perfect for hosting! Once seated I dug into my fresh fruit tart, which was made up of a buttery crust, cream filling, and fresh fruit (oranges, kiwi, berries, and a fig). Oh my goodness friends, this tart was so delicious and just the right size! I do want to point out though that the fresh fruit tart is available only during the spring and summer months, so be sure to grab it up when you can!

But maybe all that walking around downtown Fargo has you really hungry, and you decide that you would like a meal instead. Not to worry! Nichole’s Fine Pastry & Café has that too! You can choose from a number of items on their Brunch and Lunch Menu including the Potato and Egg Breakfast Sandwich, Chicken Pot Pie, or Cuban Panini. The menu items are small-batch and made in house offering elevated Midwestern flavors that provide a health-conscious alternative for your midday meal. You can also choose from a number of beverages including warm drinks, water, and pop (we’re in the Midwest, so it’s definitely ‘pop.’ 😊).

Are you planning a birthday party, family gathering, or wedding? Be sure to check in with Nichole’s Fine Pastry & Café to help create cakes and desserts for your special occasion. The tiered cakes are absolutely beautiful!

Lastly, something really cool I found out about the café. Art has been part of Nichole’s Fine Pastry & Café since its inception in 2003. The staff meet weekly at the Plains Art Museum a few blocks away. They share ideas, theories, watch others paint, and they study art history with the huge ambition of kicking it forward a notch! The café has rotating art exhibits, which allows them to surround their patrons with beautiful, interesting artworks while supporting the arts community in the Metro area. Super cool!

I really enjoyed my visit to Nichole’s Fine Pastry & Café! It was such a cozy and relaxing place to take a little break and enjoy a delicious treat! Be sure to follow Nichole’s Fine Pastry & Café on Instagram and Facebook to check out beautiful pictures of the pastries, lunches, and drinks they offer. Enjoy!