The Best Restaurants in Wisconsin Dells

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. We visit the Dells multiple times a year, every year, and are slowly eating our way through all the options. As a foodie at heart, I find the city in general doesn’t live up to bigger cities, but there are some really fun atmospheres as well as some hidden and tasty gems. My favorite restaurants on food quality would be a toss-up between Bella Goose and Denny’s Diner for breakfast, Macs for lunch, the Brat House or Ravina Bay for dinner, and Huckleberry’s for ice cream. Here are my recommendations for some great places to chow down. I also have ideas on the best activities to do in the Dells.

Best All Around Restaurant in Wisconsin Dells

Moosejaw Pizza and Dells Brewing Company has a cozy northwoods feel and is one of the best restaurants in Wisconsin Dells. The pizza is delicious, and in addition to the classic toppings, they have some unique choices such as taco or fajita. There are thin and thick crust options, and the thick crust is exceptionally thick. They also have a selection of burgers, sandwiches, and salads. We always get pizza, but there is a kids’ menu if you aren’t going family style. There are microbrews and homemade soda pop on tap. Don’t forget to grab a pair of paper antlers for the full experience.

Breakfast Restaurants

The best place for a morning pick-me-up is Bella Goose Coffee. This local gem is sure to please with its wide selection of caffeinated drinks, in addition to its amazing 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 dam.

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 80’s 80s-themed indoor decor offers plenty to look at while waiting to break your fast. Don’t forget to get a Cinnamon Roll; they are amazing! BJ’s breakfast is another solid choice for a local all-American breakfast.

A family favorite is Mr. Pancake. This paddle-boat-themed place offers a variety of pancake options, including strawberry, peanut butter, Hawaiian, and potato pancakes. They also have Belgian waffles and traditional egg-type breakfast options. They close during the off-season.

For a unique and delicious dining experience that pays tribute to Wisconsin’s logging past, check out Paul Bunyan’s 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 lumberjack shows next door. They are closed during the off-season.

If you don’t mind a short drive, head to Baraboo for Broadway Diner. This small 1950s-themed diner has great breakfast options, including some stellar vegetarian choices.

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.

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.

Hot Dog Avenue serves hamburgers, fries, gyros, and, of course, hot dogs! The last time I was there, we saw several local first responders stopping by as well. 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 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.

The Best Restaurants with Great Vibes 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 more than just a trampoline park. It includes a large arcade, mini golf, a ropes course, bowling, and more.

The Grateful Shed is another one with fantastic ambiance. It is a large warehouse that has several different food trucks selling street tacos, pizza, and burgers. We think the food is pricey and not our favorite, but we return for the fun atmosphere. There is a full bar decorated with old VHS tapes, and the walls are covered in bright colors and murals. A full-sized city bus hangs from the ceiling for a seat with a view, or you can snag one of the VW buses on the floor that have been converted to booths. They have a large outdoor patio in the warmer months.

Great Bar and Grill Restaurants

Monk’s Bar & Grill is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. They offer 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.

River’s Edge Pub and Grub has a great northwoods ambiance and is a favorite among tourists and locals alike. There are fish tanks to watch and a huge tree inside the pub. They serve fish, burgers, and steak. The Pub is right next to a lovely public park, Newport, with a free beach and a few small playground areas.

The Best Small Pubs with Food

The Brat House is built in an old church, and in addition to a full bar, it has a German-themed menu. This features potato pancakes, pontine, hot dogs, and of course, amazing brats. There is a dedicated kids’ menu.

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 offers crayons at the tables, but does not have aa dedicated kids’ menu. They have a selection of sandwiches and a wide range of options for loaded tater tots. We had to try a s’more tots for dessert, which was a fun novelty, but I probably wouldn’t order it again.

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 slight 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. It is popular and they do not accept reservations, so expect a significant wait time.

Ravina Bay Bar and Grill has a large patio overlooking the river and the old waterski stadium. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of their food. They have a solid selection of burgers, all served with crispy, fresh fries. The portabello burger option was well-made and flavorful. Dogs are welcome on the patio, and there are multiple docks available for tying up a boat if that’s your mode of arrival. They are connected to Green Owl for great pizza.

Delicious Desserts

On Broadway is Huckleberry’s. They have amazing ice cream flavors and delicious fresh cookies and baked treats. We find ourselves coming back here again and again. They now have lunch items that look amazing! Next time I need to go for more than dessert.

Dells Bistro on Broadway has ice cream and dipping dots (cheaper than buying them at the parks) but the real treasure here is bubble waffle ice cream concoctions.

Goody Goody Gum Drop is a candy and chocolate shop offering a sweet treat for every taste. They have a vast selection of fudge, truffles, and other chocolate treats. There are many flavors of taffy, jelly beans, kids’ candies, and ice cream. Go to the one by Timbavati, and you can sometimes see llamas or lemurs from the show windows.

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.

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 also sell some beer, hard seltzers, and soda. You are allowed to carry in food, but no drinks.