Must-Try Dining Destinations in Wisconsin
Although Wisconsin is famous for its award-winning cheese and welcoming supper clubs, there are also plenty of surprising flavors to be found throughout the state. From a board game-themed cafe to Instagrammable bars and a hotel restaurant with sunset views, read on to discover your new favorite spot to dine.
Door County
The Door County peninsula has been a Wisconsin vacation favorite for generations. With its mix of tasty traditions and innovative fare, you’re sure to discover restaurants everyone in your group will love.
The Gnoshery - Sturgeon Bay
You’ll find more than just tasty plates at The Gnoshery in Sturgeon Bay. In addition to dishes like red velvet pancakes and pepperoni “Gnoshbread,” this one-of-a-kind cafe specializes in bringing people together to play tabletop games. Browse their massive game library for your favorite board and card games, or pick out a new game and learn together.
With a packed event schedule featuring role-playing, knitting nights and more, this is a great place to stop and spend quality time together. The best part? You can snack on funnel fries and pretzel bites while you play.
Green Bay
Green Bay’s unexpected culinary prowess makes sharing a meal here especially memorable. Visit in July for the city’s restaurant week to dine your way through specials at even more interesting spots.
Mangiare
The sister restaurant to the highly rated Republic Chophouse, Mangiare serves authentic Italian dishes in a family-friendly atmosphere. Diners love Mangiare’s top-notch service, and the dishes feature fresh ingredients with oils sourced directly from Italy. Build your own pasta dish and savor time spent with good friends and family.
Eau Claire
Headed to the Indie Capital of the Midwest? Try this interesting eatery in Eau Claire. Plan your trip in September to take advantage of this city’s restaurant week, when many eateries offer special deals.
Karl’s Bar-B-Q Express
Karl’s Bar-B-Q is no-frills, just-tasty barbecue at its finest. Enjoy Karl’s smoked-in-house meats and “over-stuffed” potatoes at the restaurant or take it for a picnic in one of Eau Claire’s parks with friends.
Lake Superior
Vacation adventures around Lake Superior, including the Apostle Islands, are as spectacular as the water. Fuel up at these interesting eateries on the Great Lake.
The Cranberry Over Superior
This unique bar & restaurant overlooking the Cranberry River and Lake Superior in Herbster specializes in unique dishes made with local ingredients. Try their pickle-brined buttermilk fried chicken dinner on Saturdays for an unexpectedly delicious dish–you can even order a whole bucket to go! Watch their social media for creative nightly specials made with the freshest ingredients of the day.
Miijim
Visit Madeline Island to find this culinary gem whose name means “food” in Ojibwe. Miijim is an Indigenous restaurant serving modern Ojibwe cuisine with French flair, reflecting the history of Madeline Island (or Mooningwanekaaning as named by the Ojibwe people who originally inhabited the island). Chef Bryce Stevenson is a member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
Open from May to mid-October, Miijim’s menu highlights local, in-season produce often including mushrooms, potatoes, berries and more. Try entrees like bison heart steak with vegetables or whitefish liver hash with wild rice and pair with one of their French wines or local beers. Whatever you choose, this is the kind of outstanding meal you’ll remember long after the last bite.
Madison
Madison’s dynamic restaurant scene offers something for everyone. Add these special restaurants to your trip itinerary to try something new.
The Harvey House
This stylish, high-end restaurant is redefining — and celebrating — Wisconsin's iconic supper club traditions. Inside a renovated train platform, the Harvey House transports you to the booming age of big-band jazz and doo-wop and was named one of the New York Times’ favorite 50 restaurants of 2022. Enjoy fresh takes on classic supper club classics like Applewood Smoked Short Rib with grits and Grasshopper Baked Alaska for dessert.
The Botanist Social
This runch, dinner and late-night hangout specializes in gin cocktails and fine dining. The atmosphere: think leather couches, green plants and candlelight. Conveniently located on vibrant State Street, The Botanist Social is in the heart of downtown Madison and a perfect spot to catch up with good company.
The Northwoods
It’s a big area, dotted with Wisconsin gems, and vacations here quickly become family tradition. Check out these one-of-a-kind spots the next time you’re Up North.
Northfork Fin & Filet
In Arbor Vitae, Northfork Fin & Filet uses local ingredients for their steak-and-seafood forward menu. It’s family-friendly and their patio pavilion is perfect for dining outside in the fresh, Northwoods air. Inside, try for a spot under the hanging wooden canoe, lit up with Edison bulbs.
The Portage
Find bar-food favorites at The Portage in Cable, a stylish indoor/outdoor bar and casual eatery designed to bring people together with music, dance, games and specialty drinks. The menu is small but mighty, and the Instagrammable peace fingers sculpture makes this spot even sweeter.
Wisconsin Dells
Trips to the Waterpark Capital of the World have been a family favorite for generations, and these interesting restaurants can add fresh flavor to your next trip.
The Boathouse at the VUE Hotel
The restaurant in the VUE Hotel features some of the best river views and dinnertime sunsets in the Dells. The menu features unexpected variety, from a gourmet double cheeseburger to chicken marsala to miso ramen. Stay overnight in Wisconsin Dells’ first boutique hotel or just stop in for a meal on the water. You can even dock and dine here!
Lake City Social
Lake City Social features a sizable menu of comfort food and Wisconsin classics in a laid-back environment. Located downtown, the restaurant is close to many of the biggest waterparks and attractions.
Order the “Wisconsin Standard” for a great taste of the state that includes a pint of New Glarus Spotted Cow, a shot of Milwaukee-based Central Standard Distillery Brandy or Bourbon and an order of tasty cheese curds. They also have a location in Lake Geneva — check it out!
Still hungry for more? There are more interesting eateries and classic favorites to discover in Wisconsin. Explore your next delicious adventure and access exclusive deals with Travel Wisconsin's Foodie Pass.
