As a resort town, Wisconsin Dells welcomes millions of tourists every year, and there are tons of restaurants helping to feed all those visitors! The best place depends on what you are looking for. Here are my recommendations for some great places to chow down.
Best All Around Restaurants in Wisconsin Dells
Moosejaw Pizza and Dells Brewing Company is one of the best restaurants in Wisconsin Dells and an all-around great choice. The pizza is delicious and in addition to the classic toppings, they have some unique choices such as taco or fajita. They also have a selection of burgers, sandwiches, and salads. They have a kid’s menu and some solid desert choices as well. The decor has a cozy Northwoods feel, and there are always microbrews on tap.
The Grateful Shed is another all-around favorite. It is a large warehouse that has several different food trucks selling street tacos, pizza, and grilled cheese. There is a full bar decorated with old VHS tapes. The quirky decor doesn’t end there. A full-sized bus hangs from the ceiling for a seat with a view or snag one of the VW buses on the floor that have been converted to booths.
Breakfast Restaurants
The best place for a morning pick-me-up is Bella Goose Coffee. This local gem is sure to please with its caffeinated drinks and they also offer a breakfast menu. Food options range from smoothies and oatmeal to sandwiches, and biscuits and gravy. They have a bakery case to satisfy your sweet tooth. There is a downtown location as well as one a few blocks away with a great view of the water near the damn.
For the classic big American breakfast, check out Denny’s Diner. This is NOT the chain restaurant Denny’s-it’s so much better! They offer all the American classics, such as eggs, bacon, and pancakes. The indoor decor offers plenty to look at while waiting to break your fast.
For a unique and delicious dining experience that pays tribute to Wisconsin’s logging past, check out Paul Bunyans Cook Shanty. It is an all-you-can-eat breakfast that is served family-style. It includes all the breakfast staples, from eggs and bacon to doughnuts and pancakes. The decor emulates a logging camp, and if you want to get even more into the lumberjack feel, check out one of the lumberjacks shows next door.
A family favorite is Mr. Pancake. This paddle-boat themed place has tons of pancake options including strawberry, peanut butter, hawaiian, or potato pancakes. They also have Belgium waffles, and traditional egg type breakfast options.
Quick Bites
Sometimes you don’t have much time or just want something quick. While you can certainly find some standard fast food options, here are a few local places to try that are quick and delicious.
Hot Dog Avenue has hamburgers, fries, gyros, and of course-hot dogs! The last time I was there, we saw several local first responders stopping in too-they usually know where the good stuff is! I asked the cashier what their most popular items were, and she said “everything,” so I guess you can’t go wrong.
Check out the Pizza Lab for unique and creative pizzas and salads. You can choose from a variety of toppings and crusts to create your own pizza or order one of the restaurant’s signature pizzas. The Pizza Lab also offers gluten-free and vegan options to cater to a wide range of dietary requirements.
Mac’s Macaroni and Cheese Shop specializes in serving up delicious mac and cheese dishes. The restaurant is known for its casual atmosphere and family-friendly vibe. The menu at Mac’s features a variety of mac and cheese dishes, with options to customize your meal with different toppings and add-ons. Some of the many options include memphis mac, the hangover, chicken bacon ranch or taco.
The Best Restaurants for Kids in Wisconsin Dells
Our kids’ absolute favorite place is Buffalos Phils. The food comes out on a model train! There are several small trains zooming around the restaurant and two large Lego cities, so there are many things to look at while waiting for the food. I feel the food is mediocre but the ambiance and kid appeal are so great we find ourselves returning time and again. It is also connected to Knuckleheads Trampoline Park. This is much more than a trampoline park and includes a large arcade, mini golf, a ropes course, bowling, and more.
Great Bar and Grill Restaurants
Monk’s Bar & Grill is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. They have great burgers and cheese curds, Monk’s is a casual and fun option with a large selection of beers on tap. The kids meals are served on frisbees which is a fun addition.
The Dells Distillery has a very similar vibe to the downtown Monks. They feature their own distilled liquor as well as a selection of beer. The Dells Distillery advertises itself as family-friendly and has some crayons at the tables but no dedicated kid’s menu. They have a selection of sandwiches and a ton of options for loaded tater tots. We had to try to s’more one after our meal which was a fun novelty dessert, but I probably wouldn’t order it again.
River’s Edge Pub and Grub has a great northwoods ambiance and is a favorite amount tourists and locals alike. There are fish tanks to watch and a huge tree inside the pub. They serve fish, burgers, and steak. They are right next to a lovely public park, Newport park, with a free beach and a few small playground features.
Places with a Great View
Ishnala is well known as a top Wisconsin supper club. The atmosphere is warm and rustic, with a natural stone and wood building. Ishnala offers delicious steaks, seafood, pasta, and an extensive wine and cocktail list. Its large patio overlooks the stunning Mirror Lake State Park. Suppose you are the sort who would enjoy an evening stroll, park at the Cliffwood Campground parking area in Mirror Lake. The hike to the Ishnala is about 1/3 of a mile. Take a small detour on Echo Rock Trail, and you can see the supper club from across the river. This is a seasonal restaurant, so be sure to check the hours.
The Riverwalk Pub is situated right along the Wisconsin River, and its outdoor patio area provides great views of the water and the surrounding scenery. The restaurant serves a variety of classic American pub fare, including burgers, sandwiches, and appetizers such as wings and cheese curds. They also have a wide selection of beer on tap and a full bar. After eating, enjoy the 1/2 mile paved riverwalk that goes right past the Pub and connects it to Broadway Ave where there is plenty more fun to be had.
Delicious Desserts
Goody Goody Gum Drop is a candy and chocolate shop that has a sweet fit for any taste. They have a huge variety of fudge, truffles, and other chocolate treats. There are many flavors of taffy, jelly beans, kids’ candies, and ice cream.
B-Lux is known for large fancy milkshakes. They feature flavors such as Oreo, the cake shake, the cookie monster, and the cereal killer (with fruit loops and marshmallow cream). They have a full dinner menu as well. We thought the food was decent but the burgers didn’t have a lot of seasoning.
Scoppy’s Ice Cream and Candy sells Chocolate Shoppe ice cream made in Wisconsin. They have a wide variety of flavored popcorn, including Snickers, frosted birthday cake, and unicorn flavors. It’s right next to the 80’s experience and mini golf.
On Broadway is Huckleberry’s. They have amazing ice cream flavors and delicious fresh cookies and baked treats.
Wine
The Kilbourn Cork is right downtown and offers a wide selection of wines. They sell some appetizers and light bites. You can get a larger variety of food delivered from next door at The Keg and Patio.
Fawn Creek Winery is just outside of town and offers wine tasting. They have a limited selection of food. They sell some beer, hard seltzers, and soda as well. You are allowed to carry in food but no drinks.
In Conclusion…
There are so many great places to eat in Wisconsin Dells. What other places are your favorites? Which ones did I miss?
Other Recommendations
Check out my other Wisconsin Dells recommendations including Rocky Arbor State Park, the Great Wolf Lodge, Wisconsin Dells Duck Tours, and a Timbavati Zoo behind the scenes tour.
