If you’re visiting Door County, Wisconsin, chances are you’re spending your days exploring the great outdoors through all the scenic hiking trails and parks that this region has to offer. Beautiful places such as Cave Point County Park and Washington Island are wonderful spots to explore all day with your family. But did you know Door County is also home to some delicious food and sweet treats?
While the Door Peninsula and surrounding areas of Wisconsin are known for their amazing selection of fresh cheese and seafood, you can find various cuisines ranging from amazing steakhouses to international specialties, wood-fired pizzerias, and local breweries.
Some of the best restaurants in Door County are Fish Creek, Sister Bay, Egg Harbor, Baileys Harbor, and Sturgeon Bay. These towns are also close to most of the top attractions on the peninsula.
Door County grows and lands a lot of what ends up on these menus. The 14 restaurants below are grouped by the villages most visitors base themselves in – Fish Creek, Sister Bay, Egg Harbor, Baileys Harbor, Jacksonport and Sturgeon Bay – with the address for each one. If you only have one dinner in Door County, make it a fish boil: the White Gull Inn in Fish Creek runs them Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings from May through October, and Friday evenings the rest of the year.
Best Restaurants in Door County, Wisconsin
1. CHOP
Address: 2345 Mill Rd, Sister Bay, WI 54234
Topping our list of amazing Door County restaurants is CHOP, located in Sister Bay. The restaurant offers high-quality steaks and seafood. Each steak selection comes with four house-made compound butter, or you can stick to classic plain (and delicious) Wisconsin butter.
The menu changes seasonally, ensuring the highest food quality by using fresh ingredients. This modern and upscale eatery offers seating spread over two levels, the second accessible via an elevator.
Bar seating is also available. CHOP is a bit pricier but is considered one of the top Door County restaurants due to its high-quality ingredients.
See Related: Things to Do in Appleton
2. Nightingale Supper Club
Address: 1541 Egg Harbor Rd, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
If you don’t already know, supper clubs are a long-standing tradition in Wisconsin. Think classic Midwestern meets quasi-European-style slow dining with a warm, cozy ambiance and great food. Nightingale Supper Club is one of the best supper clubs in Door County.
The Nightingale opened in 1913, but it opened as a cafe – it became a supper club in the 1930s, when Prohibition pushed the format across Wisconsin, and a dance hall was added mid-decade. The original building burned in 1972 and was rebuilt the same year, which is the structure you eat in today. John and Farrah Heikkila took over in August 2021 as the seventh owners in its history. The menu is classic American and affordable, and the prime rib is the local order.
If you’re dining in on a Wednesday or Friday, you can enjoy Nightingale’s Door County Fish Fry, which serves a selection of locally caught fish. Supper clubs open for dinner only, as the name suggests, so this is not a lunch stop.
Read Also: Where to Stay in Door County
3. The White Gull Inn
Address: 4225 Main St, Fish Creek, WI 54212
The White Gull Inn is an awesome spot for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The historic inn dates back to 1896.
One of the main favorites here is the Door County cherry-stuffed French toast with farm-fresh eggs. If you’re ordering off the lunch menu, the open “doorwich” will water your mouth with its shaved ham, apple slices, and melted Wisconsin brie.
If you stop by the inn’s historic dining room during dinner time, you won’t want to miss the famous White Gull Fish Boil. It features Lake Michigan whitefish cooked over an open flame, served with potatoes and coleslaw, and local cherry pie for dessert.
The Door County tradition of fish boils goes back generations. The White Gull runs them Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings from May through October, and Friday evenings the rest of the year. Reservations are recommended – the summer sittings fill. Non-fish eaters can still enjoy the festivities and substitute the fish for chicken or a yummy quinoa salad.
Kids will love watching their food cooked right over the fire pit, and kids’ meals also include dessert. This is definitely one of the best restaurants in Door County for families and somewhere you won’t want to miss eating while in the area.
See Related: Hotel vs. Motel vs. Inn: What’s the Difference?
4. Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant & Butik
Address: 10698 N Bay Shore Dr, Sister Bay, WI 54234
Get ready for your taste buds to adventure at Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant in Sister Bay. This family-owned restaurant offers a cozy atmosphere to enjoy with the entire family.
The big thing to try here is the Swedish pancakes, which can be served with meat or fruits, making it a great vegetarian option. I highly recommend getting the lingonberries, a traditional Swedish jam that tastes similar to cranberries but has less tartness.
Children’s menus are available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; breakfast is served all day. After your meal, everyone can enjoy lawn games or admire the goats that graze on the restaurant’s rooftop! Don’t forget to stop by Al’s Butik, where you can find Scandinavian-themed clothing, gifts, and food items to take home.
See Related: Best Restaurants in Madison
5. Door County Creamery
Address: 10653 N Bay Shore Dr, Sister Bay, WI 54234
Nothing screams Wisconsin more than a charming cafe specializing in artisanal cheeses and other dairy products. Door County Creamery has served cheese, gelato, sandwiches, and more since 2013.
Everyone can find something here, such as sandwiches like the jalapeno popper curd sandwich made with truffle tomato pesto and the lamb gyro, which will transport you to the Greek islands.
Kids’ menu items like mac ‘n’ cheese and pizza rolls are also available. Goats’ milk gelato, which can be ordered by the scoop or pint, includes fantastic flavors like lemon cookie and pumpkin pie.
Their handmade goat milk soaps and a wide variety of flavors of chevre (goat cheese) and feta make awesome gifts to bring home. Charcuterie boards and cheese plates are also available and are perfect if you’re looking for something to bring on a picnic.
Door County Creamery closes for the winter and reopens in late spring, so check before making the drive out of season.
See Related: Things to Do in Wisconsin & Places to Visit
6. Harbor Fish Market & Grille
Address: 8080 WI-57, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202
Located in downtown Baileys Harbor, the Harbor Fish Market & Grille is a top spot to sample Lake Michigan whitefish and other fresh seafood options. Visitors love this spot for its waterfront location.
While seafood is the main character in this story, the restaurant also offers an amazing selection of steaks. If you’re stopping by for lunch, start with the mouth-watering fried cheese curds served with ranch dressing. There’s also nothing better than a creamy Maine lobster bisque.
There is a special menu for kids under 11 and a ton of gluten-free and vegan-friendly options. The Mediterranean Ravioli is an amazing vegan option with red pepper romesco and a balsamic glaze.
7. Wild Tomato Wood-Fired Pizza & Grille
Address: 4023 WI-42, Fish Creek, WI 54212
Pizza can be so simple yet absolutely delicious, and no one does it better than Wild Tomato Wood-Fired Pizza & Grille. The Fish Creek eatery was the first wood-fired pizza place in Door County and is still one of the most popular restaurants in Door County.
What sets Wild Tomato apart from other pizzerias is its partnership with local farms to serve customers only the freshest ingredients. Take, for example, the Fun Guy, which is made with foraged local mushrooms, caramelized onions, and a garlic cream sauce. Parmesan knots and fried cheese curds are amazing sides that can complement any pizza dinner.
If your kids want more than pizza, Wild Tomato in Fish Creek offers a kids’ menu that offers pasta and a fun peanut butter and jelly pizza. Additionally, the pizza crust can be made gluten-free.
See Related: Things to Do in Hayward, Wisconsin
8. White Pine Supper Club
Address: 11934 State Highway 42, Ellison Bay, WI 54210, inside The Ellison Inn
White Pine is the newest upscale dinner in northern Door County, and it is the answer to the question this section used to point at. It opened for the 2026 season inside The Ellison Inn as a Nordic-inspired supper club – a chef-driven menu built around seasonality rather than a fixed card, with fresh fish, house-cured and slow-cooked meats, roasted root vegetables and herb-forward sauces.
The detail that matters locally: the fish comes from Henriksen Fisheries, a Door County operation, so the whitefish on the plate is the same fish the peninsula has been eating for generations. The room is set up for long dinners rather than quick turns, which makes it a better fit for a special night than a stop between hikes.
A correction other guides have not made: this slot belonged to Wickman House for years, and many Door County lists still recommend it. Wickman House is closed. Owner Mike Holmes ended a 12-year run and shut the Ellison Bay restaurant, and the property was sold to new owners who opened Osteria Tre Tassi there. Holmes also retired the sister restaurant Trixie’s in Ephraim and reopened it as The Fashionable, at 9996 Pioneer Lane. If a guide still sends you to 11976 Mink River Road for dinner, it has not been updated.
9. Twelve Eleven Wine Bar + Provisions
Address: 10339 WI-57, Sister Bay, WI 54234
The vibes at Twelve Eleven Wine + Provisions’ outdoor patio can simply be described as warm, amplified by the crackling fire pits, soft blankets, and live music.
Twelve Eleven partners with low-yield, family-owned vineyards to produce wine under its own label, and that label now has outside results behind it: its wines took eight medals at the 2026 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, including three golds, a double gold for the 2024 Sauvignon Blanc and Best in Class for the 2025 Barbera Rose. The bar pours those alongside local beer and cider.
While sipping on a glass of wine, you can enjoy a charcuterie board and other small bites. The wine bar doesn’t have a huge selection of food, but what it lacks in variety, it makes up for in flavor. Sample local cheeses, preserves, and even locally made crackers in a cozy and relaxing atmosphere.
See Related: Best Small Towns in Wisconsin to Visit
10. Island Fever Rum Bar & Grill
Address: 6301 WI-57, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Sometimes, you don’t know what kind of food you’re in the mood for; you just want something delicious. This is where Island Fever Rum Bar & Grill comes in.
Despite the Sturgeon Bay mailing address, Island Fever sits in Jacksonport, on the Lake Michigan side of the peninsula about 13 miles northeast of downtown Sturgeon Bay – the operator bills itself as Jacksonport’s rum bar, and the drive is the reason to check the map before you go. The menu is large and covers vegan, gluten-free and vegetarian diners, and the Caribbean-inspired decor does the rest.
Island Fever combines yummy favorites like tacos and lobster rolls with local specialties such as smoked whitefish dip and Wisconsin cheese curds. A variety of burritos, tacos, and tostadas are available, along with burgers, sandwiches, local fish, and salads. If your kids aren’t fans of the above menu items, a kids’ menu is also available.
Island Fever is open for lunch and dinner. In warmer months there is an outdoor bar and lawn games, plus the Pelican Cove tiki bar and ice cream shack next door. The restaurant also runs private fish boils, but these are booked events rather than a nightly show – the minimum is 30 guests, so it is an option for a family reunion rather than a walk-in dinner.
They also offer fabulous drinks, including pina coladas, margaritas, and daiquiris. Try the local favorites with the Island Fever cocktail flight!
11. The Fireside Restaurant
Address: 7755 WI-42, Egg Harbor, WI 54209
The Fireside Restaurant is considered one of the best Door County restaurants for an upscale and innovative take on traditional Cajun comfort foods. It’s a great little taste of the Big Easy up in Door County.
This chef-owned and operated supper club specializes in delicious food using fresh local ingredients. The Monterey shrimp and goat cheese grits combine Southern comfort with a Wisconsin favorite.
The bacon apple pork chops is a gluten-free dish that features sage stuffing and a mouth-watering bacon apple compote. Several gluten-free and vegetarian dishes are available.
The kids’ menu features classic Southern dishes like chicken and waffles. If you can’t get enough of this delicious eatery, the chef also owns a breakfast restaurant called Big Easy in the same location as the supper club. Don’t miss out on the breakfast sandwiches and traditional beignets.
See Related: Things to Do in Wisconsin Dells
12. Door County Coffee & Tea Co.
Address: 5773 WI-42, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Speaking of breakfast, if you find yourself in the Sturgeon Bay area, you’ll definitely want to stop by Door County Coffee & Tea Co. This gourmet coffee spot is perfect for coffee connoisseurs or those looking for a yummy breakfast cafe. Unique coffee flavors like sweet clementine, blueberry cobbler, and peanut butter crunch will make you want to visit every day to try something new.
Visitors can enjoy a refreshing nitro cold brew on tap to go or sit down for breakfast. Their “Hashbrown” potato bake has savory seasonings, melty Wisconsin cheese, and onions.
The vegan baked oatmeal includes brown sugar, dried cherries, and fresh apples, making for a perfect sweet breakfast. All breakfast items can be served with gluten-free bread.
13. Roots Inn & Kitchen
Address: 2378 Maple Dr, Sister Bay, WI 54234
Roots Inn & Kitchen has been serving tourists and the community since 2016, and it is the one entry on this list whose hours changed for 2026. The kitchen is not serving lunch this season. The owner’s own note reads “I will be taking 2026 off of lunch services” after ten years of it. What is running instead: the kitchen opens Monday and Tuesday evenings, 5 to 8 p.m., for Lola’s pop-up dinners. Check before you drive up, because the pop-ups skip some weeks.
Some favorites on the menu include organic bratwurst on a pretzel bun, truffle, chips, and cauliflower tacos. The kitchen always offers vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options; most menu items fall into at least one of these categories, so you can always find something for everyone here.
The inn takes reservations from May 1 to November 1 and is closed November 1 to May 1. It is also an adults-only inn – inquire for ages 13 and up – and it is not pet friendly, both of which are easy to miss when booking.
See Related: Things to Do in Green Bay
14. Door County Brewing Co. Taproom, DCBC Eats & Music Hall
Address: 8099 WI-57, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202
Door County Brewing Co. is a family-owned brewery that features a taproom showcasing some of its most amazing brews. The taproom also doubles as a music hall with live music every Saturday afternoon. During the warmer months, visitors can also enjoy the outdoor beer garden.
This brewery offers everything from crisp lagers to rich IPAs and stouts. Each season also has its featured beer, like the floral hibiscus witbier Big Sister in the summer and the dark and velvety oatmeal stout called Silurian in the winter. Small bites like pretzels and cheese curds are available in the tap room, or you can head next door to DCBC Eats for larger meals.
Kids are welcome, and the folks at Door County Brew Co. want everyone to have a good time, so non-alcoholic and gluten-free drink options are also available. Dogs are welcome in the beer garden as long as they are leashed.
BONUS: Island Orchard Cider
Address: 12040 Garrett Bay Rd, Ellison Bay, WI 54210
For hard cider fans, check out Island Orchard Cider. The orchard has been operating since 2005 and harvests all its fruits by hand.
The orchard comprises 250 pear trees, 25 hazelnut trees, and almost 3,000 apple trees. Island Orchard Cider won 10 medals at the 2022 Great Lakes International Cider & Perry competition, the world’s largest hard cider competition.
Visitors can enjoy a wide array of classic and specialty ciders at the taproom. Flavored ciders, like apple cherry cider, are definitely something to try while you’re here. While not exactly a restaurant, you can still enjoy your cider with delicious snacks made with local ingredients, including Marieke raw milk gouda, Nueske’s smoked meat, and milk chocolate-covered cashew brittle from Uncle Tom’s Candy Store.
Kids and those who don’t want to drink alcohol can enjoy two types of non-alcoholic apple cider. Indoor and outdoor seating (pet-friendly!) is available.
Door County Restaurants FAQ
What is the best restaurant in Door County?
It depends on the meal. For a fish boil, the White Gull Inn in Fish Creek is the benchmark. For a steak dinner, CHOP in Sister Bay. For an old-school Wisconsin supper club, the Nightingale in Sturgeon Bay, open since 1913. For the newest upscale dinner, White Pine Supper Club in Ellison Bay, which opened for 2026.
Is Wickman House still open in Ellison Bay?
No. Wickman House closed after a 12-year run under owner Mike Holmes, and the property was sold to new owners who opened Osteria Tre Tassi at the same address. Its sister restaurant Trixie’s in Ephraim also closed and reopened as The Fashionable. Many Door County restaurant lists have not caught up.
Where can you get a fish boil in Door County?
The White Gull Inn in Fish Creek is the best known, running boils Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings from May through October and Friday evenings the rest of the year. Island Fever in Jacksonport also hosts fish boils, but only as private bookings with a 30-guest minimum.
Which Door County restaurants are open year round?
Several close for the winter. Door County Creamery in Sister Bay shuts seasonally and reopens in late spring, and Roots Inn is closed from November 1 to May 1. The White Gull Inn serves all year, dropping to Friday-only fish boils outside the May to October season.
Do the goats really graze on the roof at Al Johnson’s?
Yes. Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant in Sister Bay keeps goats on its sod roof through the warm months, and it is the single most photographed thing in the village. The kitchen is known for Swedish pancakes with lingonberries, served all day.
What towns should I base in to eat well in Door County?
Fish Creek, Sister Bay, Egg Harbor, Baileys Harbor and Sturgeon Bay hold most of the peninsula’s best kitchens and sit close to the main attractions. Jacksonport and Ellison Bay each add one worth the drive – Island Fever and White Pine respectively.
Related Resources:
