10 Door County Food Finds

Some foods just belong to Door County. You can smell them before you see them—the pecan rolls cooling in a lakeside bakery, the whitefish sizzling at a fish boil, the sweet-tart cherries bubbling into pie. These flavors are stitched into the peninsula’s story, passed down and perfected over generations. We’ve rounded up ten of the most iconic bites (and a few recipes!) so you can taste the real Door County wherever you are.

1. Swedish Pancakes at Al Johnson's

Bring your appetite to Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant & Butik in Sister Bay, and treat yourself to the rich, fruity flavor of Swedish pancakes. Their most popular dish is served all day long with your choice of lingonberries, strawberries, or maple syrup. Pro tip: ask for whipped cream, too.

2. Cherry Stuffed French Toast at White Gull Inn

A customer favorite at the White Gull Inn in Fish Creek is the Door County Cherry Stuffed French Toast. Two slices of egg bread are stuffed with cream cheese and local cherries and then topped with maple syrup for a deliciously decadent breakfast.

3. Apple Cider Donuts

Sweet, spiced, and subtly tart, apple cider donuts offer the taste of autumn in every bite. In Door County, you can sample our best local recipes by hitting the Apple Cider Donut Trail and savoring each stop. Kick off this tour of taste at Wood Orchard Market in Egg Harbor, then pop into Lautenbach's Market, Winery, Cider Co. in Fish Creek, and Seaquist Orchards Farm Market in Sister Bay.

4. Belgian Pie

No "best of" food list would be complete without Southern Door County’s traditional Belgian pie. Yeast-raised crust is stuffed with a variety of tasty toppings, such as Door County’s Montmorency cherries, apples, prunes, or raisins, and topped with cottage cheese. These iconic treats are often served up around Door County in late summer/early fall, so keep an eye out for your chance to try one. If you can’t wait, follow this recipe and make your own Belgian pie. 

5. Cherry Pie at Scaturo's Baking Co & Cafe

Treat yourself to cherry pie the way only Door County can make it. Scaturo’s Baking Co & Cafe in Sturgeon Bay combines from-scratch quality with sweet, indulgent local cherries for an elevated classic you won’t soon forget. While you’re there, check out their extensive selection of house-made breads, scones, cookies and more.

6. White Fish Fry at Samuelson's Creek Pub & Grill

Wisconsin is known for the Friday Fish Fry, and Samuelson’s Creek Pub & Grill at the White Birch Inn in Sturgeon Bay is possibly the best-kept secret in Door County. This is where you can choose from boiled or beer-battered cod, beer-battered butterfly perch filets, pecan-crusted whitefish filets, pretzel-crusted walleye fillets, or a combination platter with shrimp. Now that’s what we call a Friday Fish Fry!

7. Cheese Curds at Renard's Cheese & Melt Bistro

If your mind automatically drifts toward cheese when you hear “Wisconsin”, it’s for good reason. Dining in Door County offers visitors incredible takes on the state’s time-honored tradition, including cheese curds at Renard's Cheese & Melt Bistro in Sturgeon Bay. Choose from loaded cheese curds topped with homemade cheese sauce, bacon, and green onions, or golden-fried cheese curds served with garlic aioli or ranch. Plus, you can get these delightful curds as toppings on the Renard’s Heavenly patty melt or the cheese curd and bacon pizza.

8. Supper Club Dining at Nightingale

Supper clubs are a Door County staple, and their hearty, homestyle recipes make them the perfect way to spend an evening. At Nightingale Supper Club in Sturgeon Bay, you’ll find tasty, traditional cocktails, steak and shrimp cooked to perfection, and classic takes on pork chops and salmon, all in a warm, upscale atmosphere.

9. Fish Boil at Waterfront Mary's

Nothing says Door County quite like a fish boil, and at Waterfront Mary’s in Sturgeon Bay, it’s done with a gorgeous view of the water. Come on down to watch the full, flaming boil-over, then enjoy tender whitefish, rye bread and melted butter, and a generous slice of Door County cherry pie for dessert.

10. Prince of Pierogi

Discover authentic Polish fare in Ephraim and Sturgeon Bay at Prince of Pierogi, bringing fresh, hot classics to Door County. Self-made Chef Krzysztof Krol delivers the tastes of his mom and grandma through homemade pierogis stuffed with traditional potato & cheese or sweet wild blueberry, kielbasa hot dogs with sauerkraut, and savory golabki (cabbage rolls).