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 would even be interviewing a business owner who would start raving about another eatery in town.
Based on suggestions from local residents, I had eight fabulous culinary experiences in Door County. 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.
Best Local Breweries, Cideries & Wineries in Door County
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
Orchard Markets in Door County
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
Door County’s Best Fine Dining Restaurants
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 in Door County, Wisconsin
Top Deck Restaurant & Bar
Located at Gordon Lodge in Baileys Harbor, this restaurant offers a beautiful view.
— Recommended by Door County Kayak Tours
Casual Dining in Door County
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 also offers 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
Where to Eat Breakfast in Door County
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
Best Coffee Shops in Door County
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
Where to Eat Dessert & Ice Cream in Door County
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
Read More About Wisconsin
- 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.
Save this to your Wisconsin travel board on Pinterest for future vacation planning!
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 😀