Door County, Wisconsin, is a popular tourist destination for its beauty, outdoor recreation, and most importantly, its amazing restaurants. With so many dining options, it can be hard to decide where to eat! That’s why I’ve compiled a list of recommendations for restaurants in Door County in this dining guide. Whether you’re looking for a casual lunch spot, a romantic dinner, or a memorable brunch, this list has it all. Keep reading to discover the best restaurants in Door County and find out which ones are worth visiting! We hope you get a chance to enjoy many of these options on our Door County Dining Guide.

Looking for lighthouses to see, beaches to play on, trails to hike, or shopping in Door County? I have compiled an extensive list of all our favorites in our Door County Travel Guide.

The Helgesons Top-Recommended Restaurants in Door County, Wisconsin

Sturgeon Bay

Morning Glory

Morning Glory serves a traditional breakfast all day.

I’m starting out with Sturgeon Bay only because of it being the entrance into Door County and I’ve compiled this list with location in mind going up the peninsula. There are not many restaurants we’ve tried that I would suggest to others in Sturgeon Bay. However, if you are heading up to Door County in the morning and are looking for a delicious breakfast. Morning Glory is worth the wait time and always delivers a tasty start to your day. This is not to say there are no good restaurants in Sturgeon, we just save our belly room for our favorites.

Egg Harbor

Rusty Tractor Breakfast Barn

If you will be dining out for breakfast while on the peninsula, this would be the place I’d choose. They have french toast options that change with the season, which are always amazing.

Danielle’s Pick: Cherry Pie or Caramel Apple French Toast

Cole’s (kid) Pick: Tractor Tires “pancakes” with a side of sausage

Troy’s Pick: Biscuits & Gravy or The John Deere

MacReady’s Artisan Bakery

We love a good cafe or bakery so when we stumbled upon MacReady’s on a recent trip to the Door County peninsula. We were delighted by their menu and bakery options and they did not disappoint. Plus the staff were extremely friendly, with a lovely atmosphere, and have indoor and outdoor seating.

Danielle’s Pick: Cranberry Chicken Salad Sandwich & Buttercrisp Cookie w/ coffee

Cole’s Pick: Tuna Salad Sandwich & Blueberry Scone

Pa Pa’s Pick: Garden Salad & Blueberry Scone w/ coffee

Shipwrecked

Danielle’s Pick: I’ve had the Asian Grilled Salmon, Veggie Burger, and Baja Fish Tacos, and Cherry Pecan Salad. All were very good.

Cole’s (kid) Pick: Seafood Chowder

Pa pa’s Pick: Veggie Burger

Troy’s Pick: Jolly Roger Burger

Grumpy’s

Ice cream, popcorn, fudge, and root beer. All the good things to indulge in on vacation.

Carrington at the Landmark Resort

The food at Carrington is good but we especially love grabbing an after-dinner drink and heading outdoors to their firepit. The view of the bay below is beautiful, particularly on a fall evening with the fall foliage surrounding you. In addition to their standard menu, they also serve a Sunday Brunch that we haven’t had the opportunity to try but looks incredible online.

Danielle’s Pick: Walleye Piccata w/ wild rice pilaf and seasonal vegetables or the Norwegian Salmon with baby red potatoes and seasonal vegetables

Cole’s (kid) Pick: Fish n’ Chips

Troy’s Pick: Steak Frites served with skin-on fries and arugula w/ a French Vinaigrette or Saturday Prime Rib, Yukon potatoes, and seasonal vegetables

Pa pa’s Pick: Walleye Hoagie

Jacksonport

Town Hall Bakery

Island Fever Rum Bar & Grill

Danielle’s Pick: Door County Whitefish Roll w/ hand-cut fries and lemonade

Troy’s Pick: Enchiladas

Cole’s (kid) Pick: TTCB sandwich w/ kiddie cocktail

Pa Pa’s Pick: Door County Whitefish Roll

Bailey’s Harbor

Chives

Fine dining meets Farm-to-Table at this local cuisine-featured restaurant. A calm fine atmosphere with incredible food that will please any palate.

Danielle’s Pick: Mussels and Parmesean Fries

Troy’s Pick: Class Steak Frites

Harbor Fish Market & Grill

Sneak in for a quiet lunch and find a table near the back windows for a view of Lake Michigan while you enjoy a Lobster Roll. If your a seafood lover, this is certain to feed your need. On Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays evenings they feature a Maine Lobster Boil, along with their standard dinner menu. Reservations are required.

Danielle’s Pick: Lobster Roll

Troy’s Pick: Prime Rib w/ Au Gratin Potatoes and Fresh Vegetables or Whitefish

Door County Brewing Co.

Listen to good Live Bands in the Music Hall, order some grub, and take your Porter out in the Beer Garden. We almost always make a stop here to hang out awhile during the slower part of our day or if we need to kill some time. If you have littles or you’re a non-drinker or not much of a drinker like myself then make sure to try their homebrewed root beer, it’s amazing.

Danielle’s Pick: Root Beer or Polka King Porter

Troy’s Pick: Little Sister

DCBC Food Picks: Smokehouse Sausage & BBQ Mac n’ Cheese

Peninsula Center

PC Junction

PC Junction is a unique and quirky playground that has something for every member of the family. This spot is filled with fun and creative activities, ranging from a life-sized chess set to slides, a fire pit, and a swing set. Our family loves to bring our visiting guests here to experience the Neverland-like atmosphere, and the kids always have a blast pedaling hard through the tall pine trees on dune buggies and taking sharp turns around the hog pin and sand volleyball court.

If you’re looking for a unique dining experience in Door County, Wisconsin, then you must check out the Train Depot! The Train Depot at PC Junction is a magical place where adults can be transported back to their childhood and the only way to pry the kids away may be to lure them over for lunch. Here you can grab a scoop of ice cream and enjoy lunch that’s delivered to you on a miniature-scale train. It’s such an interesting experience that it’s been included in both our Door County Dining Guide and our Travel Guide.

Cole’s (kid) Pick: Mac n’ Cheese Bites & Superman Ice Cream

Danielle’s Pick: Chili or the Grilled Sheboygan Brat and Mackinaw Island Fudge Ice Cream

Troy’s Pick: Walleye

Fish Creek

White Gull Inn

The Helgesons Door County Dining Guide #1 Recommendation

The White Gull Inn is our most-loved restaurant in all of Door County. We adore spending an evening outdoors on their intimate patio space. Drink in hand and listen to the Master Boiler tell his story. Followed by a blast of large flames and the white fish boil over. If you’re looking for the best Fish Boil in Door County, in our opinion the White Gull Inn is it. They provide a more refined version of the traditional fish boil and it’s an experience that is enjoyable for the whole family. If we had to choose one restaurant to take visitors during their stay with us, this is the one we choose every time.

They have a regular daily breakfast, lunch, and a candlelight dinner menu on days they don’t serve the fish boil. The fish boil runs Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, & Sunday evenings from May thru October. We recommend making reservations as soon as you know you’ll be visiting. This is also an adorable inn with rooms & cottages available for your overnight stay. They are located in a quaint spot down the street from the shops. In a convenient and out-of-the-way location perfect for an evening out or weekend getaway. Additionally, there is a small park with a water view just a short walk down the lane. It has a gorgeous view of the sunset that you’ll not want to miss. We always try to time our dinner time so we make it to the sunset afterward.

Family Pick: Fish Boil w/ cherry iced tea

Ephraim

Chef’s Hat Cafe’

This little cafe is a gem! The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, and they have a beautiful patio with a stunning view of the bay. We have been lucky enough to visit this spot often, and each time we come away feeling relaxed and content. The food is delicious, the service is friendly, and the view is breathtaking. If you’re looking for a spot to relax and enjoy a good meal, this cafe is it!

Danielle’s Pick: Pear Gorgonzola Turkey Wrap w/ potato salad

Cole’s (kid) Pick: Turkey BLT minus the aioli

Troy’s Pick: BBQ Beef Brisket

Sister Bay

Al Johnson’s

Here’s the thing. I have two favorite places in Door Co. and this is the one that I recommend above all the rest for Brunch! Goats on the roof, the best Swedish Meatballs and Pancakes with Lingonberries you’ll have in America, and all the cute Scandinavian gifts, décor, and charm you can handle. It’s a must-stop! If there’s a line, (heads up: there’s almost always a wait) no prob Bob. They have the Stabbur next door for all your beverage needs and lawn games and a store inside both the Stabbur and the restaurant. Also because I knew you’d ask (nobody would ask, no one would even begin to think this was a thing) they have a rooftop goat cam. Yeah, you read that right! And here’s the link! You’re Welcome!

Family Pick: Appetizer: Scandinavian Bread Tray | Entree: Swedish Pancakes w/  Lingonberries and Swedish Meatballs | Drink: Lingonberry Lemonade Served in a Chilled Pewter Mug

Rowley’s Bay

Rowleys Bay Resort

If you’re looking for an untouched part of the island to wind down for the evening look no further than Rowley’s Bay. Grab a drink (my signature cocktail – bay breeze) at the bar, sit by the fire, and enjoy the tale of how Rowley Bay came about through the character of old man Rowley. If you get too drowsy from your fish coma, don’t fret..they have a sweet little lodge to accommodate you. We enjoyed checkers in the main room by the fire and swam until the pool closed.

Family Pick: Fish Boil Buffet

Grandma’s Swedish Bakery

If you end up staying the night at this relaxing off-the-beaten-path resort (more rustic lodge vibes than a resort, if you feel me) you will have to stroll into this little bakery. Lucky for you it’s inside the resort, delicious, and mere steps away.

Washington Island

The Albatross Drive-In

Cheap eats and ice cream treats is what you’ll find at Albatross Drive-In, this small stand will give you a taste of what summer brings to the island.

Danielle’s Pick: Veggie Burger & Onion Rings

Troy’s Pick: Wisconsin Brat & Cheese Curds

Hotel Washington

A charming place to dine & stay. This establishment brings in garden fresh ingredients from Folk Tree Farm and Hoot Blossom Farm for a true farm-to-table experience that you can’t help but enjoy. While you’re here for a stay, make sure to book a yoga session.

Family Pick: Wood-fired Pizza

The Koyen Collection: K.K. Fiske Restaurant, Granary Saloon & Coop Hangout

This lake-to-plate establishment is the freshest fish you will eat in a restaurant. Each morning owner Ken Koyen drops his nets into Death Door to bring in a fresh catch of whitefish as the island’s last commercial fisherman. Together, Ken & his Brother Tom farm wheat for Death’s Door Spirits and Captial Brewery. An impressive man who has built the Fiske Restaurant by hand, and continues to fish with 53 years under his belt. With every entree comes freshly baked bread from their 100% organic wheat farm, red potatoes, and garlic green beans. You’ll not be able to drive by this restaurant without noticing the delightful and palate-teasing fragrance that fills the air.

Danielle’s Pick: Lemon Pepper Whitefish or Fish Boil

Cole’s (kid) Pick: Kids Fish Basket or Fish Boil

Troy’s Pick: Parmesan Encrusted Whitefish or Fish Boil

Sailor’s Pub Restaurant

Don’t be put off by the small building that once sold lumber off the shipyard, this is a good choice for a steak or seafood dinner on the water. There’s a tiny natural beach and playground for those of you with children, like ourselves to entertain them before the meal or to watch the sunset.

Danielle’s Pick: Mandarin Oranges & Spicy Pecan Salad with Pub Seagull Nest Onion Strings

Troy’s Pick: Delmonico Rib Eye Steak

Help us to make this Door County Dining Guide even more comprehensive

We know that Door County is full of amazing restaurants and eateries to explore, and we want to make sure that you get the most out of your dining experience. We are always looking for recommendations from our readers, so if you have any favorites or suggestions, please let us know. We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences so that we can make this Door County Dining Guide even more comprehensive!