Heading off to Door County for a Wisconsin weekend getaway? Make sure to put these top 15 best restaurants in Door County on your itinerary!
Door County has something for everyone’s palate and budget. We’ve visited Door County several times in the past year and did a lot of “research.” We ate our way around the peninsula to come up with this list of what we think are the best Door County restaurants.
1. Pelletier’s Restaurant & Fish Boil
You can’t go to Door County without experiencing an authentic fish boil. The restaurant boils Lake Michigan whitefish, baby red potatoes, and Texas sweet boiling onions in a massive, stainless-steel kettle every evening.
This method of cooking the ingredients over a wood fire has been preserved for hundreds of years. When the fish is done cooking, its oils will cause the water to “boil over” the kettle, signaling that it’s time to eat.
The fish boil isn’t just a delicious meal. It’s also a worthwhile tradition and unique experience of the Door Peninsula. If you can’t reserve a spot for the boil (tables must be booked in advance), you can also come to Pelletier’s for breakfast and lunch.
Related Article: Things to Do in Door County
2. Door County Brewing
As a local, family-run brewer, Door County Brewing knows a thing or two about craft beers. The Punk Ass Cat is a juicy IPA rich in hops, while their double IPA Holly Kid is strong and flavorful (not to mention also high in alcohol). They also have an on-site music hall where you can listen to live music and dance the night away with friends.
While they don’t have a full sit-down menu, you can order a few snacks to gobble down with your beer if you’re feeling a bit peckish. BBQ pork nachos, soft pretzels, and cinnamon sugar mini doughnuts are just a few favorites you’ll want to try while you’re here.
3. Chop
This family-owned restaurant is one of the best American steakhouses, not just in Door County but in the entire state of Wisconsin!
Their expansive menu includes fine cuts of New York Strip, Filet Mignon, and Ribeye, although other options include lamb, pork, and surf & turf. However, if you or someone in your group isn’t a meat eater, there are plenty of vegetarian meals (like their famous chop salad).
Chop is a great option if you’re looking to celebrate a special evening, whether for a birthday, anniversary, or romantic date. If you’re dining from 5 to 5:30 pm, you can also enjoy a three-course meal for a discounted price.
Related Article: How to Plan the Perfect Weekend in Door County
4. Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant
Taste the best of Scandinavian cuisine when you dine at Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant. Here you can dine on traditional Swedish cuisine with popular favorites like Swedish pancakes with lingonberry sauce, homemade pickled herring, and of course, Swedish meatballs with lingonberries and mashed potatoes.
However, the sweet and savory entrees aren’t the only thing Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant is famous for. On top of the restaurant’s grass-covered roof, you’ll find a herd of live-grazing goats! We like to dine here for one of the best breakfasts in Door County before exploring the area all day.
5. Florian II Supper Club
A staple in Door County cuisine, Florian II Supper Club, has been run by the Kwaterski family for over 60 years. The great-grandchildren of the original owners still work in the restaurant, either in the kitchen, dining room, or bar.
The menu serves traditional American classics, like BBQ pork ribs, Wisconsin duckling, Lake Michigan whitefish, or US porterhouse steaks.
In addition to the drool-worthy menu, Florian II Supper Club is also known for its live entertainment. From live piano music to interactive sing-a-longs, you can always expect a night of fun and entertainment when you come here for dinner.
6. Old Post Office Restaurant
This award-winning restaurant isn’t just known for its delicious entrees – they’re also known for having one of the most unique locations in the city. As you can probably tell by the name, the Old Post Office Restaurant is located inside a historic building that was used in the 1900s as Ephraim’s post office.
The large windows open out onto Lake Michigan, so you can enjoy beautiful water views while you eat.
The Old Post Office Restaurant also has a fish boil where diners can feast on locally caught whitefish, potatoes, and onion with a side of freshly baked bread and homemade cherry pie. If you still want to participate in the fish boil but aren’t in the mood for seafood, you can also choose from grilled chicken or BBQ ribs.
7. The English Inn
With a mix between an American supper club and a traditional English pub, the English Inn is a cozy restaurant with a dark, wooden interior where you’ll immediately feel at home. The original location is in Fish Creek, although the owner recently opened up a second restaurant in Green Bay as well.
When you dine here, you can indulge in hearty classics like broiled whitefish, prime rib, and broiled pork chops. They also serve one of the best beef Wellingtons outside of England. Come on Friday to partake in their weekly, all-you-can-eat fish fry of Perch, Walley, Cod, Catfish, Whitefish, or Bluegill.
8. Wild Tomato
Wild Tomato knows a thing or two about delicious, mouthwatering pizza. Their pizzas are only made with top-notch ingredients, many of which are sourced from local farms and businesses in the Wisconsin area.
They’re even known to use mushrooms sourced by local foragers (try the Fun Guy pizza with five different types of mushrooms to see what we’re talking about). If you’re looking for something on the lighter side, you can always opt for one of their gourmet salads.
There are two locations in Door County – Fish Creek and Sister Bay – so you are never more than a short drive away from one of the best pizzas in the state!
9. Village Café
Before heading off exploring all the things to do in Door County, make sure to fuel up for the day with a hearty breakfast!
This colorful, family-run breakfast join is a popular choice for early risers. Their breakfast menu consists of delectable options such as corned beef and hash, spicy rancheros omelets, and golden-brown pancakes. They also have a rotating menu of French toast specialties, so make sure to ask for the daily flavor when you arrive.
Although breakfast is served all day, you can also order lunch at the Village Café. Cherry chicken pecan wraps, Cali club croissants, or BBQ bacon cheeseburgers are just a few options on the lunch menu. Don’t forget to wash it all down with their signature hot chocolate, which is topped with thick whipped cream and chunks of chocolate chips.
10. Door County Creamery
A cheese lover’s paradise, Door County Creamery is your one-stop shop for everything creamy, gooey, and cheesy. What once started as a small, local goat farm has evolved into a full-blown creamery where they make feta, goat cheddars, cheese curds, and even handmade goat milk soaps right here on site.
Door County Creamery is also known for its selection of freshly churned gelato, which is available by the scoop or by the pint.
While you’re here, we recommend booking one of their seasonal farm tours, where you can see firsthand how all your favorite treats are made. Not only will you get to play with the resident goats, but you’ll also enjoy a patio lunch with an exclusive tasting of their gelatos and cheeses.
11. Barringer’s Restaurant
Wisconsin is known for its old-school supper clubs, and Barringer’s Restaurant is no exception. This fine-dining establishment features a select menu of aged steaks, locally sourced seafood, and a variety of other Wisconsin specialties.
You have the option to dine in the historic dining room or the outside bar, both of which are great choices for anyone who’s never had the supper club experience. If you’d rather do the cooking yourself, Barringer’s also offers multiple “Grill Out” packages.
Whether you’re cooking a romantic meal for two or hosting a BBQ party for all your family and friends, you can pick up bacon-wrapped filets, porterhouse steaks, or salmon to take home with you.
12. Not Licked Yet Frozen Custard
Since 1982, Not Licked Yet Frozen Custard has whipped up delicious, creamy treats for the Door County community. Their frozen custard menu might be small (they only have chocolate, vanilla, butter pecan, or their ever-changing flavor of the day). But with custard this good, you won’t need anything fancy. All their custards can be served in a cup, cone, or as a sundae.
Although you can’t visit Not Licked Yet without trying their frozen custard, it isn’t the only thing on the menu. They also have edible cookie dough, freshly baked pies, frozen ice pops, and creamy banana-only ice cream. If you’re in the mood for something more savory, they also have an extensive food menu that consists of sandwiches, burgers, and sausages.
13. Bearded Heart Coffee
Start your day off right with a steaming shot of espresso and avocado toast from Bearded Heart Coffee. If espresso isn’t your thing, why not try one of their other caffeinated drinks, like coffee with goat milk and roasted caramel, iced coffee with star anise syrup, or a green matcha latte?
Bearded Heart also has you covered in terms of food. They have six types of toasts to choose from, although we highly recommend the traditional avocado toast or whitefish toast. However, their fruity raspberry toast is a great option for anyone with a sweet tooth.
14. Island Orchard Cider
While Wisconsin is known for its wide array of craft breweries, it would be a shame not to mention Island Orchard Cider. This cider house has over a dozen unique fruity flavors of this wonderful alcoholic beverage, including oak-aged apples, Bartlett pears, apple lavender, and sour cherry.
They also ferment and distill their own vinegar on-site too (trust us – you’ll want to take home a few bottles of their apple maple vinegar).
Although you can shop for your favorite flavors in their store, it’s also possible to sit down for a cider tasting. This is where you’ll be able to sample their specialty flavors and their reserve ciders. They even have a food-pairing menu for each cider selection, which includes foie gras crème Brulee, whipped quark and lemon, and custom-made charcuterie plates.
If you are interested in a few more local drinks, consider checking out some of the wineries in Door County.
