When I travel, I like to dine where the locals do. Naturally, I wanted to eat and drink in Door County like a local foodie would.
So, I researched Door County before my trip. I had read about Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant, known for its Swedish meatballs and goats on the roof. There was also quite a bit of coverage for Wilson’s Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor, a vintage soda fountain. I drove past both during my trip, and they seem like unique, fun, and kitschy establishments that many vacationers have and will continue to enjoy.
If you are planning a trip to Wisconsin’s Door County, let me assure you, there is so much more to the dining scene!
Arriving in Door County, I just started asking locals where I should eat and drink, and a magical thing happened. Wherever I went, I met foodies full of suggestions. I was often interviewing a business owner who would start raving about another eatery in town.
Based on the locals’ suggestions, I had eight fabulous culinary experiences, which you can read all about in this blog post. I actually accumulated more recommendations than I could possibly fit into my two-day itinerary. So, I decided to share all this wonderful advice from Door County’s resident foodies about where to eat and drink like a local.
Beer, Cider & Wine
- Door County Brewing Company — Taste a flight of local craft beer at this brewery in Baileys Harbor! — Recommended by Door County Creamery
- Island Orchard Cider — Try the hard ciders created from apples grown on Washington Island at the Ellison Bay tasting room! — Recommended by Door County Creamery
- Stone’s Throw Winery — Taste wines made from California grapes and play bocce ball at this beautiful winery at the intersection of county roads A and E! — Recommended by my Airbnb hosts
The pear cider at Island Orchard Cider is light with a distinct pear flavor. Quite lovely! (Erin Klema/The Epicurean Traveler)
Orchard Markets
- Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery & Market — Take a winery tour, pick your own cherries (July-early August) or apples (September-October), taste wines, and shop for specialty food items in Fish Creek. Get some cherry juice! — Recommended by Door County Creamery
- Wood Orchard Market — Pick up fresh cherries (July to August) or apples (fall), cherry or apple doughnuts, cherry strudel, pies, breads and more! — Recommended by my Airbnb hosts
Fine Dining
- Waterfront Restaurant — Fine dining establishment, located along the Green Bay shore in Sister Bay, serving a seasonal menu of fresh seafood, steak, and tapas (Wednesday nights at the bar). — Recommended by Door County Creamery
- Wickman House — Fantastic cocktails and a farm-to-table menu with ingredients sourced from local producers in a beautiful white house on a sprawling property that seems tucked away like a true hidden gem. — Recommended by Door County Kayak Tours and my Airbnb hosts
Dining With A View
- Top Deck Restaurant & Bar — Located at Gordon Lodge in Baileys Harbor, this restaurant offers a beautiful view. — Recommended by Door County Kayak Tours
At Door County Creamery, my sandwich consisted of Door County Creamery fresh chevre, basil pesto, olive tapenade, tomato confit, and arugula. I paired it with Door County Brewing Company’s Pastoral, a Belgian farmhouse ale. (Erin Klema/The Epicurean Traveler)
Casual Dining
- Base Camp — Vegetarian menu, coffee drinks and pastries at this Sister Bay cafe! — Recommended by Door County Kayak Tours and my Airbnb hosts
- Bier Zot — European-inspired menu with a fine selection of Belgian and craft beer at this Sister Bay eatery! — Recommended by Wickman House and my Airbnb hosts
- Door County Creamery — Say hello to the little goats in the pen beside the creamery, then sample some cheese, grab a sandwich and bottle of wine for under $20 or a local craft beer, and finish off your mouthwatering meal with goat-milk gelato at this adorable eatery and cheese shop in Sister Bay! — Recommended by Door County Kayak Tours and my Airbnb hosts
- JJ’s and LaPuerta Restaurant — Voted Door County’s best Mexican restaurant and best margaritas, this Sister Bay eatery has convenient docking for boaters. — Recommended by my Airbnb hosts
- Wild Tomato — With locations in Fish Creek and Sister Bay, this family-friendly eatery offers delicious wood-fired pizzas. — Recommended by my Airbnb hosts
The veggie pizza is topped with red and green bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, sun dried tomatoes, pesto, Wisconsin goat cheese, and mozzarella at Wild Tomato in Fish Creek. (Erin Klema/The Epicurean Traveler)
Breakfast
- Good Eggs — A breakfast cabana serving made-to-order breakfast burritos in Ephraim. Local tip: Download the restaurant’s app to order your breakfast for faster pick-up! — Recommended by Stone’s Throw Winery
- Blue Horse Beach Cafe — Serving breakfast, light lunch fare, and coffee in Fish Creek. — Recommended by Door County Kayak Tours
Coffee
- Bearded Heart Coffee — This Baileys Harbor coffee shop serves lattes, espresso, tea, and more. The lavender and “burnt goat” lattes sound interesting! — Recommended by Wickman House
- Door County Coffee & Tea Company — Family-owned artisan coffee roaster located between Sturgeon Bay and Egg Harbor. Great spot to pick up coffee beans/grounds to take home! — Recommended by my Airbnb hosts
This chocolate-chip cookie dough ice cream sundae is topped with hot fudge, whipped cream, and a cherry at Door County Ice Cream Factory in Sister Bay, Wis. (Erin Klema/The Epicurean Traveler)
Dessert & Ice Cream
- Chocolate Chicken — Coffee, ice cream, chocolates, and fudge at this Egg Harbor cafe! — Recommended by Door County Kayak Tours
- Door County Ice Cream Factory & Sandwich Shoppe — This Sister Bay ice cream shop makes its own ice cream in 45 flavors. Usually there are 29 flavors available for your choosing! — Recommended by my Airbnb hosts
- Grumpy’s — Ice cream, popcorn, fudge, and root beer in Egg Harbor. Try a root beer float! — Recommended by Door County Kayak Tours
- Not Licked Yet — Frozen custard in Fish Creek with a special flavor each day! — Recommended by Door County Kayak Tours
Save this to Pinterest for future vacation planning!
If you liked this post about where Door County foodies dine, you might also like:
- Eight Must-Have Culinary Experiences in Door County — I share all eight of the delicious stops for food and drink I made throughout a weekend in Wisconsin’s charming Door County.
- Kayaking Lake Michigan Caves in Wisconsin’s Door County — With Door County Kayak Tours, I kayaked the Lake Michigan shoreline and into caves you can only see by kayak. In the post, I share what you need to bring kayaking and more tips for your kayaking adventure.
- Five Reasons To Book Your Trip To Madison, Wisconsin — Why visit this Midwestern college town and Wisconsin state capital? For one thing — cheese curds. Read the post for reasons 2-5!
- Wisconsin’s Great River Road — Explore Wisconsin’s small towns along the Great River Road and the mighty Mississippi River!
- All Aboard The High-Speed Ferry Crossing Lake Michigan–Traveling between Michigan and Wisconsin? In this post, I share the costs and benefits of taking the Lake Express high-speed ferry between Milwaukee and Muskegon, Michigan.
Where are your favorite places to eat and drink in Door County?
Sister Bay Bowl has amazing Perch, and you have to get the hash browns – so good!
How I wish to travel with you. I’m a foodie lover too. Everything looks so yum!
Amazing post. I was unaware of so much that Door County has to offer in food and beverage choices. All sound so amazing. The various establishments seem so friendly to offer up suggestions to other places to try. Need to put this area on my vacation to do list.
Wow, what a list! Many of the spots listed are new to me, especially the boozy places. It’s been too long since I’ve been to Door County; I’m almost positive those places didn’t exist last time I was there!
Am goin to door county in 2 weeks. Am happy to have your food suggestions. 4 days. Hope to try them all.
I pinned this for the next time I’m in the Door County area. I totally shouldn’t have read this while I’m hungry. I really want some WI beer right now, too!
Foods looks so oh delicious. I would love to try it too soon! Looks really yummy!
Where is Door County? I might have to plan a girl’s trip.
Door County is Wisconsin’s peninsula that juts into Lake Michigan. On the west side is Green Bay, and on the east side is Lake Michigan. It’s almost directly across the lake from Sleeping Bear Dunes, so if you are familiar with that area of Michigan, you’ll notice a similar climate and lake-life vibe.
So many great sounding and looking foods and drinks. If I ever find myself out that way I’ll reference your suggestions.
Love this post. Everything looks so delicious. And, how adorable is Wickman House?
Yum! I’ve not been to Door county, but these places look delicious.
WOW, the food looks fantastic there. I love finding new places to eat and since I’ve never been to Wisconsin, a trip there would be two great new adventures for me.
So many choices! I’ve been wanting to do a road trip in Wisconsin for a while and those are several more reasons to add to my list!
I need to travel with you. I’m a foodie and I love to try new places. These all look wonderful
Love eating local dishes when I travel. Pear Cider yum.Dessert shops caught my name rather unusal names.
Wow, this give me the travel itch! I haven’t explored Wisconsin much, but being known for beer and cheese, I must! Love this guide and your beautiful photos 🙂
Wow, so many choices and I want to try them all!! Thanks for making me incredibly hungry! Lol
Oh my, so many things to eat! Love hidden gems like you found them, and also, great to find so many food enthusiastics 😀