Foodie Favorites: 8 Door County Restaurants You Have to Try

Door County has always been full of delicious places to dine, but the culinary scene in Wisconsin’s popular peninsula has recently been gaining national attention. From features in The New York Times and beyond, the world is taking note of this one-of-a-kind destination. Read on to discover your next favorite restaurant in Door County.

Wild Tomato – Fish Creek & Sister Bay

At Wild Tomato, nearly everything (including the hand-tossed crust) is made from scratch using fresh, local ingredients, with meats and produce sourced from farms up and down the peninsula.

Topping choices range from standard (pepperoni, mushrooms) to truly unique (cheese curds, vegan sausage). Each month, there’s a different specialty pizza called the “Donation Creation,” with $1 from the sale of each pie donated to local nonprofits. The menu also includes appetizers, salads (try the cherry walnut, showcasing Door County’s famous cherries) and sandwiches.

Insider Tip: If you’ve got little ones, eating at Wild Tomato doubles as entertainment. Kids and adults alike will get a kick out of watching the pizza chefs toss the crusts into the air in front of the roaring pizza oven.

Hotel Washington - Washington Island

Worth the trek (and ferry ride) to Washington Island off the tip of the peninsula, Hotel Washington offers charming historic rooms and a farm-to-table restaurant specializing in local ingredients.

Recently featured in The New York Times, the restaurant has a rotating schedule of small plates, burger nights and regular dinner service on weekends.

Whether you make your trip a couple’s getaway, a friends’ vacation or a solo retreat, you’ll be enchanted by the friendliness of the staff here and the beauty of the giant oak trees and gentle breeze off Lake Michigan.

Insider Tip: The owners recently opened a small market on the property that features a fresh homemade bakery, coffee and other favorite local items. Stop in and stock up for a perfect island picnic. While the restaurant is only open in the warmer seasons, the hotel is open year–round.

Door County Creamery – Sister Bay

Door County Creamery is a cheesemaking facility, restaurant and retail store just down the road from the owner’s goat farm. Housemade cheeses include some you’ve probably heard of (chevre and cheddar) and some you might not have (wild ramp chevre, marinated feta, cave-aged falltum).

The creamery is the perfect place to pick up fresh cheeses and meats if you’re headed out for a summer picnic; they’re happy to offer small samples before you commit. Grab a bottle of wine to go, too—the shop offers more than 30 bottles, all priced under $20.

Or, stay and eat in the cozy space or out on the patio; you’ll love sharing the tasting plates with friends (meats, cheeses or a combo) and the rotating hot-baked artisan sandwiches. Try the French Ham made with fig butter and Camembert cheese and served on a baguette.

Insider Tip: The case of colorful gelato, made in-house with the creamery's silky goat's milk, has quickly earned a reputation for being some of the tastiest around. Try the most popular flavor: roasted almond & fig.

Door County Coffee & Tea Co. – Sturgeon Bay

Coffee lovers take note of Door County Coffee & Tea Co. in Sturgeon Bay. Dozens of varieties of gourmet coffee are roasted on-site every weekday—just look through the large bay window and see for yourself!

This is a great place to get a handcrafted espresso drink and a fresh pastry, but if you have time, stay for breakfast in the café. Everything is house-made from fresh, local ingredients and nothing is ever fried—even the bacon is baked.

The signature dish is baked eggs—a delectable combo of fresh eggs, cream cheese and Wisconsin butter, whipped together until amazingly fluffy and then topped with your choice of meat or veggies. And don't miss the hashbrown potato bake, with cheese, onions and a crunchy topping.

Insider Tip: Call ahead and see if the "Coffee College" will be in session during your visit, or find out about scheduling a private class for your group. You’ll learn about the company’s unique approach to coffee roasting and score a tour of the facility.

Chives - Baileys Harbor

For a delightful, upscale yet relaxed dining experience, head to downtown Baileys Harbor. Chives Door County truly embodies the farm-to-table philosophy by growing many of its ingredients right on the property. From delicious specialties like the DoCo Burger featuring bacon jam and a fried egg to French-battered whitefish and lots of local charcuterie to share with friends, you and your crew are sure to be blown away by the creative dishes here. Don’t miss out on the rotating dessert menu offering specialties such as cherry almond bounce cake and a salted caramel and chocolate dome. 

Insider Tip: Stop by on Sundays for a delectable brunch menu!

Roots Inn & Kitchen - Sister Bay

Just steps from the beach in Sister Bay, Roots Inn & Kitchen is an adults-only B&B with a fantastic restaurant. Serving up a largely plant-based menu made with local ingredients, dishes rotate seasonally but often include thick-cut truffle chips, fried broccoli wings with sweet pepper sauce and ramen with house-made noodles.

Stay at the Inn with friends to enjoy a fresh breakfast each morning and have access to a complimentary beer and non-alcoholic drinks cooler. Your group will be perfectly situated to explore Sister Bay and be well-fed for your entire visit.

Insider Tip: When the weather’s right, enjoy your meal on the patio here, named one of the best in Door County.

Old Post Office Restaurant - Ephraim

Located in the heart of Ephraim, the Old Post Office Restaurant offers mouthwatering cuisine as well as a breathtaking view of Eagle Harbor. This home-style establishment specializes in carrying on the fish boil tradition brought to Wisconsin by Scandinavians more than a hundred years ago.

Everyone in your group is sure to get their fill on fresh-caught whitefish prepared over a roaring fire, paired with potatoes and followed up with Door County cherry pie for dessert. Open seasonally, this is a must-stop (and must-experience) in the warmer months.

Insider tip: The Old Post Office is also a beloved breakfast spot serving up everything from egg scrambles to Belgian waffles.

Scaturo’s Baking Company & Café – Sturgeon Bay

If you’re looking for reasonably-priced comfort food classics, this is the place. Stop in for a mouthwatering loaded cheese steak sandwich or Badger BLT with Wisconsin cheddar.

After your meal, head into the adjacent bakery and marvel at the selection of breads, pastries and cookies, plus casseroles and soups to go (in case you don’t want to cook dinner). Scaturo’s is famous for opening at 5 a.m. year-round to cater to fishermen wanting to grab tasty provisions for the day.

Insider Tip: Locals know—and now you do, too—that Wednesdays are two-for-one bread days in the bakery.

Still hungry? Explore more one-of-a-kind Wisconsin eateries and start planning your next night out.