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Best Restaurants in Door County: 16 Places to Eat & Drink Recommended by Locals

What are the best restaurants in Door County? If you’re also a food lover visiting Door County in Wisconsin, you’re probably wondering where to find delicious local eats. I set out to find the answer!

Arriving in Door County in June 2016, I asked 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 these 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 excellent advice from Door County’s resident foodies about where to eat and drink like a local.

Disclosure: This guide to the best places to eat in Door County contains affiliate links. When you click on or make a purchase from one of these partner links, I may earn a commission. 


Best Restaurants in Door County Map

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.

That is why I researched Door County before my trip. I read about Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant, known for its Swedish meatballs and goats on the roof. There was also considerable coverage about Wilson’s Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor, a vintage soda fountain.

I drove past both of those well-known Door County restaurants during my trip. From the outside, both appear to be unique, fun, and kitschy establishments that many vacationers have and will continue to enjoy.

If you’re planning a trip to Door County, let me assure you, there is so much more to the dining scene!

Browse the map below to pinpoint the best places to eat in Door County, as recommended by local foodies!

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 at Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery & Market in Fish Creek. Don’t miss the fresh cherry juice!

Address: 9197 WI-42, Fish Creek, WI 54212

Stay Nearby: Settlement Courtyard Inn & Lavender Spa

Recommended by Door County Creamery

Wood Orchard Market

Pick up fresh cherries in July and August or apples in the fall, cherry or apple doughnuts, cherry strudel, pies, breads, and more at Wood Orchard Market!

Address: 8112 WI-42, Egg Harbor, WI 54209

Stay Nearby: Ashbrooke Hotel

Recommended by my Airbnb hosts

Lautenbach's Country Winery
Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery & Market (© Erin Klema)

Best Craft Beverage Makers in Door County

Door County Brewing Company

Taste a flight of local craft beer at Door County Brewing Company in Baileys Harbor!

Address: 8099 WI-57, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202

Stay Nearby: Blacksmith Inn on the Shore

— Recommended by Door County Creamery

Island Orchard Cider

Try the hard ciders created from apples grown on Washington Island at the Island Orchard Cider tasting room in Ellison Bay!

Address: 12040 Garrett Bay Rd, Ellison Bay, WI 54210

Stay Nearby: The Ellison Inn & Lounge

— Recommended by Door County Creamery

Stone’s Throw Winery

Taste wines made from California grapes and play bocce ball at the beautiful Stone’s Throw Winery, located at the intersection of county roads A and E!

Address: 3382 County Rd E, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202

Stay Nearby: The Inn at Windmill Farm 

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)
The pear cider at Island Orchard Cider is light with a distinct pear flavor. Quite lovely! (© Erin Klema)

Dining with a View in Door County, Wisconsin

Waterfront Restaurant

Waterfront Restaurant is located along the Green Bay shore in Sister Bay. It’s an upscale restaurant with a seasonal menu of fresh seafood, steak, and half-price oysters during happy hour.

Address: 10947 WI-42, Sister Bay, WI 54234

Stay Nearby: The Liberty Lodge at Sister Bay

Recommended by Door County Creamery

Top Deck Restaurant & Bar

Located at Gordon Lodge in Baileys Harbor, Top Deck Restaurant & Bar offers a beautiful view, craft cocktails, and full food menu.

Address: 1420 Pine Dr, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202

Stay Nearby: Gordon Lodge

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 a Door County Brewing Company's Pastoral, a Belgian farmhouse ale. (Erin Klema/The Epicurean Traveler)
At Door County Creamery in Sister Bay, Wisconsin, my sandwich consisted of fresh chevre from Door County Creamery, basil pesto, olive tapenade, tomato confit, and arugula. I paired it with Door County Brewing Company’s Pastoral, a Belgian farmhouse ale. (© Erin Klema)

Casual Dining in Door County

Door County Creamery

Say hello to the little goats in the pen beside the creamery before stepping inside Door County Creamery to sample the cheese. Then, share a lunch of freshly made sandwiches and a bottle of wine. Finish off your mouthwatering meal with goat-milk gelato at this adorable cheese and gelato shop in Sister Bay!

Address: 10653 N Bay Shore Dr, Sister Bay, WI 54234

Stay Nearby: Country House Resort

Recommended by Door County Kayak Tours and my Airbnb hosts

Wild Tomato

With locations in Fish Creek and Sister Bay, Wild Tomato is a family-friendly pizzeria serving delicious wood-fired pizzas, fresh salads, Wisconsin craft beer, and wine.

Addresses:

Stay Nearby: Julie’s Park Cafe and Motel

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)
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)

Best Breakfast Spots & Coffee Shops in Door County

Good Eggs

Good Eggs is a breakfast burrito stand in Ephraim. Grab your breakfast wrap to go, or sit down at one of the picnic tables and enjoy the waterfront view!

Address: 9820 Brookside Ln, Ephraim, WI 54211

Stay Nearby: Pine Grove Resort

Recommended by Stone’s Throw Winery

Blue Horse Beach Cafe

Blue Horse Beach Cafe offers a variety of coffee and tea drinks, breakfast sandwiches, and light lunch fare in Fish Creek.

Address: 4113 Main St, Fish Creek, WI 54212

Stay Nearby: Fresh Coast Motel 

Recommended by Door County Kayak Tours

Door County Coffee and Tea Company

This family-owned artisan coffee roaster is located in Sturgeon Bay near Egg Harbor. It’s a great spot to pick up locally roasted coffee beans to take home, and you can order breakfast daily from the Door County Coffee cafe.

Address: 5773 WI-42, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235

Stay Nearby: The Landing Resort 

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)
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)

Where to Eat Dessert & Ice Cream in Door County

Chocolate Chicken

At Chocolate Chicken in Egg Harbor, you’ll find more than an ice cream shop. There are chocolates, truffles, fudge, coffee, tea, ice cream, and adult beverages. In the cocktail café, you can sip the flavors of a Door County summer with a cherry mule or a lavender gin fizz. Not into cocktails? Opt for a drip coffee, a Wisconsin craft beer, a glass of wine, or a boozy milkshake!

Address: 7821 Horseshoe Bay Rd, Egg Harbor, WI 54209

Stay Nearby: Newport Resort

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!

Address: 11051 WI-42, Sister Bay, WI 54234 

Stay Nearby: The Liberty Lodge at Sister Bay

Recommended by my Airbnb hosts

Grumpy’s Ice Cream & Popcorn

At Grumpy’s Ice Cream & Popcorn in Egg Harbor, you’ll find ice cream, popcorn, fudge, and root beer floats.

Address: 7849 WI-42, Egg Harbor, WI 54209 

Stay Nearby: Landmark Resort

Recommended by Door County Kayak Tours

Not Licked Yet Frozen Custard

Try the special flavor of the day at Not Licked Yet Frozen Custard in Fish Creek!

Address: 4054 Main St, Fish Creek, WI 54212

Stay Nearby: Spruce and Shore Motel

Recommended by Door County Kayak Tours

Best Places to Stay in Door County

If you’re planning a trip to Door County and haven’t booked your accommodations yet, you’ll find that Door County offers a variety of places to stay. There are waterfront resorts, romantic bed-and-breakfasts, and charming cottage rentals. These are my top recommendations for where to stay in Door County:

Where are your favorite places to eat in Door County?

In this post, I’ve shared the best Door County restaurants, cafés, ice cream shops, and other local places to eat and drink, as recommended to me by local food enthusiasts. From breakfast through dessert, Door County certainly keeps its food-loving visitors well fed!

Did I miss anything? If you live in or have visited Door County, I’d love to hear about your favorite restaurants, bakeries, and other spots to eat and drink like a local. You can share your best Door County dining experiences with us in a comment below!

If you own, manage, or run the marketing efforts for a Door County restaurant and would like your business or client to be considered for this list, please reach out to me via my work with me page.

Save this Door County restaurant guide to your Wisconsin travel board on Pinterest!

Best places to eat and drink in Door County, Wisconsin, USA

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20 thoughts on “Best Restaurants in Door County: 16 Places to Eat & Drink Recommended by Locals”

  1. 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.

  2. 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!

    1. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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 🙂

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