Land to Table: Indigenous Foods to Try

For many Indigenous communities, food is about far more than nourishment–it’s deeply connected to culture, community and a relationship with the land. Cultivating, harvesting and preparing food can carry generations of knowledge, from understanding the rhythms of the seasons to caring for seeds and passing traditional practices from one generation to the next. 

In Wisconsin, foods such as wild rice, corn, beans and squash are part of living foodways that connect people to the lakes, forests, prairies and fields that have sustained Indigenous communities for generations.

Wild rice, or manoomin, is one example. It grows in shallow lakes and streams, where its slender stalks sway gently above the water as summer winds pass through. Harvested in late summer, this nourishing grain has long been an important food for Ojibwe and Menominee communities. Its significance runs deeper than the dinner table, too: the Menominee became known as the “Wild Rice People,” and wild rice remains an important part of their cultural traditions and stories. Watch harvest demonstrations and learn more about this storied crop at Wild Rice Festival, which takes place in Fond du Lac each September.

The Three Sisters — corn, beans and squash — offer another beautiful example of Indigenous agricultural knowledge passed down through generations. Planted together, the crops work in harmony: corn grows tall, beans climb its stalks and squash spreads across the ground, helping shade the soil. This thoughtful growing practice, documented in the region as far back as the 11th century, nourished communities while caring for the land. Together, the Three Sisters tell a story of connection between people, plants and place that continues to grow today.

Read on to discover where to taste these flavors and more throughout the state.

Where To Taste Indigenous Flavors in Wisconsin

Ukwakhwa Farm - Oneida 

At Ukwakhwa Farm, a Native American-owned farm on the Oneida Reservation, traditional foods and agricultural knowledge are at the heart of every season. The nonprofit grows heirloom Haudenosaunee (also known as the Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy) varieties of corn, beans and squash while creating opportunities for visitors and community members to learn about planting, harvesting, seed keeping, food preparation and more. Guided farm tours bring these traditions to life through food, storytelling and cultural teachings.

For a deeper connection to these traditions, Ukwakhwa offers hands-on classes and workshops primarily for the Oneida community, with group visits available by arrangement. Depending on the season, programs may include traditional cooking, corn husk crafts, basket making, pottery, wooden tool carving and even tea making. Group experiences can also include food processing and demonstrations that offer a closer look at traditional ways of preparing and preserving the harvest.

One especially unique stop is the farm’s trading post, where there’s no cash register — everything operates on barter. Bring something to trade (requested items include shelf-stable homemade foods and functional traditional crafts such as baskets) and leave with something new, creating a modern connection to the longstanding tradition of sharing. Ukwakhwa also leads seed rematriation efforts, returning Indigenous heirloom seeds to the communities where they belong so they can be planted, saved and shared for generations to come.

Cedar & Sage Grill House - Green Bay

Local ingredients take center stage at Cedar & Sage Grill House in Green Bay. The menu here draws on familiar Midwestern flavors and gives them a flavorful, fire-kissed twist in the restaurant’s Josper Oven. From breakfast through dinner, you’ll find dishes that celebrate the region’s agricultural traditions and Indigenous foodways.

For breakfast, try the Three Sisters Omelet, a savory combination of roasted squash, sweet corn, green beans, peppers, onions, tomatoes and herbs inspired by the traditional Three Sisters crops. Or if you’re visiting later in the day, dig into Beast Balls, made with elk, Wagyu and bison and served with spicy marinara, fresh mozzarella and fry bread. Don’t skip the Oneida Fry Bread with molasses butter — especially delicious alongside the cozy patio fireplace. Many ingredients are sourced from close by, including from Oneida Cannery, Oneida Orchard, Oneida Nation Farm and Empire Fish. 

Off the Trail - Ashwaubenon

At Off the Trail, freshness is the name of the game. This locally owned grab-and-go spot grows ingredients in gardens right on the property and turns them into vibrant juices, salads, bowls, sandwiches and more for breakfast and lunch. Sip a Strawberry Drink made with just strawberries, filtered water, maple syrup and brown sugar, or try the Triple Berry Moon with blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and maple syrup. For something hearty, warm up with bison chili or corn soup, then grab a seat on the patio and enjoy the fresh flavors with your favorite people.

Oneida Nation Apple Orchard - Oneida

Stroll through Oneida Nation Apple Orchard to connect with the land and bring a little of its harvest home. What began with 2,400 apple trees now spans about 40 acres and 4,000 trees, with favorites like McIntosh, Cortland and Honey Gold alongside dozens of other varieties. Visit to pick your own apples and seasonal produce, from sweet corn and squash to berries and pumpkins, then join the fun at the annual Big Applefest each September.

Wild Plume - Green Bay

Run by members of the Forest County Potawatomi, Wild Plume is an Indigenous catering company and food truck that creates seasonal dishes inspired by the land, bringing ingredients like wild rice, maple syrup, buffalo and fresh fruits and vegetables to the plate. Try flavorful buffalo tacos, red chile potatoes or wild rice paired with berries for a delicious taste of Indigenous foodways. You can also catch Wild Plume serving up these dishes at powwows and other events, where food becomes part of the gathering, celebration and community.

Tall Grass - Madison

In fall 2026, Madison’s State Street is getting a new taste of Wisconsin with Tall Grass, an exciting restaurant coming to the ground floor of the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. Named for the native tallgrass prairies that once blanketed South-Central Wisconsin, the restaurant will be led by award-winning Ho-Chunk chef, Elena Terry. Look up, and you’ll spot a micro-prairie taking root on the museum’s rooftop—a fitting reflection of a restaurant rooted in local food, culture and community. While the menu won’t focus on Indigenous cuisine, a visit here will still support a Native chef and give you the chance to taste delicious local ingredients at one of Wisconsin’s most anticipated new restaurants.

Copper Crow Distillery - Bayfield

Make your way to the shores of Lake Superior to visit the first Indigenous distiller in North America. Copper Crow Distillery creates award-winning spirits using Wisconsin whey and water from the Lake Superior aquifer. Stop by the tasting room for cocktails featuring seasonal ingredients like maple and birch syrup, plus Wisconsin-grown strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and apples.

Seven Acre Dairy Company - Paoli

Wisconsin’s agricultural roots meet Indigenous ingredients in deliciously unexpected ways at Seven Acre Dairy Company. Set along the Sugar River in a restored cheese factory, this destination offers a Forager Sundae, swirling wild rice and honey soft serve with chokecherry syrup and black walnut streusel. You can also sip a Wild Harvest Milkshake, blending wild rice soft serve with blueberry sauce made with locally grown blueberries. It’s a sweet way to taste Wisconsin’s harvests in a whole new way.

Experience Indigenous Culture at a Powwow

Powwows offer a vibrant way to experience Indigenous culture through drumming, singing, dancing, art, storytelling, community and traditional foods. Gather with friends and family, take in the energy of the celebration and sample foods that connect to Indigenous traditions and the land.

Wisconsin hosts many powwows throughout the year, offering a welcoming opportunity to learn, celebrate and share a meal together. Learn more about these celebrations and find one near you!

Taste more delicious Wisconsin flavors at these 6 Wisconsin Food and Wine Festivals Perfect for Fall.