Trying new restaurants covers two of the best parts of any vacation in Wisconsin: new experiences and delicious food. These good-vibe, unique restaurants all opened within the last few years, and they’ll make for great, tasty memories during your vacation adventures.
Door County
The Door County peninsula has been a Wisconsin vacation favorite for generations. Tasty old-time traditions set this place apart, and new restaurants keep adding more tasty experiences to try.
Clover & Zot
You’ll find this chic euro-style hangout on the shore of Bailey’s Harbor. The menu at Clover & Zot features up-scale variety at great prices and a long, thoughtful list of wine and beer options. There’s indoor and outdoor seating — outside features lawn games and great lake views. Share a plate of Curried Tempura Artichoke Hearts with friends or bring the kids for a sweet PB&J crepe.
Skaliwags
Up from their original home in Algoma, Skaliwags opened in Fish Creek in June 2021. Now the flagship restaurant of the Skaliwags brand, this location has quickly become a local favorite, specializing in seafood dishes like Lobster Ravioli and Shrimp and Grits with mouthwatering presentations. Visit with your friends for a satisfying meal and to watch your food being prepared in the open kitchen.
Green Bay
Green Bay’s unexpected culinary prowess makes time sharing a meal here especially memorable. Visit in July for the city’s restaurant week to dine your way through even more spots.
Mangiare
The new sister restaurant to the highly rated Republic Chophouse, Mangiare serves authentic Italian dishes in a family-friendly atmosphere. Diners love Mangiare’s top-notch service, and the dishes feature fresh ingredients with oils sourced directly from Italy. Build your own pasta dish and savor time spent with good friends and family.
Slander
Slander might be a fun restaurant name, but it also nods to owner Elizabeth Kangas’ background in the legal field. The new restaurant in downtown Green Bay serves unique sharable plates and craft cocktails with quippy names in an upscale romantic setting perfect for date nights.
Eau Claire
Headed to the Indie Capital of the Midwest? Try these interesting eateries in Eau Claire. Note: their restaurant week happens in September if you and your foodie friends are hungry for more.
Karl’s Bar-B-Q Express
Karl’s Bar-B-Q is no-frills, just-tasty barbecue at its finest. The favorite Chippewa Falls BBQ spot has opened a new location in Eau Claire for more foodies to enjoy. Enjoy Karl’s smoked-in-house meats at the restaurant or take it to for a picnic in one of Eau Claire’s parks with friends.
At Lake Superior
Vacation adventures around Lake Superior, including the Apostle Islands, are as spectacular as the water. Fuel up at these interesting eateries on the Great Lake.
The Cranberry Over Superior
This unique bar & restaurant overlooking the Cranberry River and Lake Superior in Herbster serves not-your-typical dishes. Try their pickle-brined buttermilk fried chicken dinner on Saturdays for an unexpectedly delicious dish. If you’re looking for something extra special, dig into the Smoked Bloody Mary that comes topped with cheese curds, pickled garlic, veggies and a whole smoked cisco (lake herring) fish.
ScareCrow Pizza
When you’re Up North, pizza is a main stay that keeps everyone in your crew happy. ScareCrow Pizza in Washburn serves all the classic pizza favorites on their original sourdough crust recipe in a laid back, Northwoods lodge setting. It makes a perfect meal stop between Bayfield and Ashland.
Madison
Madison’s lakes and urban energy provides lots of vacation opportunity. Add these special restaurants to your trip itinerary to try something new.
The Harvey House
This stylish, high-end restaurant is redefining — and celebrating — Wisconsin's iconic supper club traditions. Inside a renovated train platform, the Harvey House transports you to the booming age of big band jazz and doo-wop and was named one of the New York Times’ favorite 50 restaurants of 2022. Enjoy fresh takes on classic supper club classics, like the Grasshopper Baked Alaska for dessert.
The Botanist Social
This new brunch, dinner and late-night hangout specializes in gin cocktails and fine dining. The atmosphere: think leather couches, green plants and candlelight. Conveniently on vibrant State Street, The Botanist Social is in the heart of downtown Madison and a perfect spot to catch up with good company.
The Northwoods
It’s a big area, dotted with Wisconsin gems, and vacations here quickly become family tradition. Check out these one-of-a-kind spots the next time you’re Up North.
Northfork Fin & Filet
In Arbor Vitae, Northfork Fin & Filet uses local ingredients for their steak-and-seafood forward menu. It’s family-friendly and their patio pavilion is perfect for dining outside in the fresh, Northwoods air. Inside, try for a spot under the hanging wooden canoe, lit up with Edison bulbs.
The Portage
Find bar-food favorites at The Portage in Cable, a stylish new indoor/outdoor bar and casual eatery designed to bring people together with music, dance, games and specialty drinks. The menu’s small and mighty, and the Instagram-able peace fingers sculpture makes this spot even sweeter.
Wisconsin Dells
Trips to the Waterpark Capital of the World have been a family favorite for generations, and these new and interesting restaurants can add fresh flavor to your next trip.
The VUE Waterfront Dining & Bar and The Boathouse
The two new restaurants in the VUE Hotel features some of the best river views and dinnertime sunsets in the Dells. The menus at both the restaurant and Boathouse feature unexpected variety, from a gourmet double cheeseburger to chicken marsala to miso ramen.
Lake City Social
Lake City Social features a sizable menu of comfort food and Wisconsin classics in a laid-back environment. In downtown, the restaurant is close to Wisconsin Dells’ waterparks. Order the “Wisconsin Standard” for a great taste of the state that includes a pint of New Glarus Spotted Cow, a shot of Milwaukee based Central Standard Distillery Brandy or Bourbon, and an order of tasty cheese curds. Lake City Social also opened a restaurant in Lake Geneva — check it out!
Still hungry for more? There are more interesting eateries and classic favorites to discover in Wisconsin. Explore your next delicious adventures.
