Food & drink in the Wisconsin Northwoods.

Melody Mill

A bar and grill on Highway 45 near Aniwa known for one of the best Wisconsin fish frys with homemade German potato salad, outstanding pizza, and popular Sunday chicken dinners. Reopened in 2010 after a fire.

Sorge's DayBreak Diner

Family-owned breakfast and lunch diner in Three Lakes since 2020, serving fresh-made food with small-town charm, known for crispy Friday fish fry and hearty breakfast wraps and skillets.

The Chocolate Cafe

Family-owned cafe in downtown Wausau specializing in rich European drinking chocolates, Belgian imports, gelato, espresso drinks, and chocolate fondue. Opened February 2024.

Beking Chinese Restaurant

Chinese restaurant in Tomahawk, WI offering dine-in and online ordering for pickup.

Buckshots Saloon & Eatery

Family-owned saloon and eatery on Highway 45 since 2016, known for in-house smoked meats, pizza, burgers, homemade soups, Friday fish fry, and 12 TVs for watching sports. Pet-friendly with outdoor seating.

Thirsty Whale

Family restaurant and bar called Thirsty Whale.

Aqualand Bakery

Family-owned artisan bakery in the heart of Boulder Junction, baking fresh croissants, cookies, danishes, and hearth breads daily. Their artisan breads are also delivered to grocery stores across the Northwoods.

Smokin’ J’s Smokehouse Bar/Grill

Smokehouse bar serving southern-style smoked meats including burnt ends, pig shots, smoked queso, and sweet smokey wings in downtown Crandon's iconic Ducks Bar building.

Around The Corner Pub

Bar and grill on Railroad Street in Mercer, located right on the ATV/UTV and snowmobile trail, known for broasted chicken, the Pub Burger, the Olive Burger, homemade soups, and friendly service.

Mac's Bar

A small friendly bar on Silver Street in Hurley that opens at 6 AM for coffee, serving the locals with happy hour specials, Monday night specials, and prime rib.

Auntie Ray's Coffee House

Coffee house in downtown Merrill opened in 2021, serving lattes, seasonal specials, breakfast, lunch, and baked goods with over 100 seats, a patio, and a cozy mix of bright and moody seating areas.

Pine Lake Lodge

Lakeside lodge with restaurant and bar overlooking Pine Lake north of Mercer, serving steaks, prime rib, and a popular Friday fish fry with cabin rentals available.

Pine Knot Tavern

Cozy Northwoods bar and restaurant with higher-end dinner options including roast duck, a popular Friday fish fry, and outdoor summer seating that welcomes the snowmobile crowd in winter.

Sugar 'n Spice Cheesecakes & Coffee

Central Wisconsin's premier cheesecake shop offering 150 flavors, all made from scratch with the finest ingredients. Also serves coffee and espresso drinks.

Era Cafe Rib Mountain

Claytons 1881 Room

Contemporary American restaurant in Three Lakes offering a relaxed, modern dining experience with seasonal ingredients, craft cocktails, and an outdoor patio.

Casa Mexicana Rhinelander

Family-friendly Mexican restaurant on Lincoln Street in Rhinelander established in 2001, serving authentic Mexican cuisine, seafood, vegetarian, and gluten-free options with a La Cantina Bar for cocktails and game days.

Three Coins Dining Room at Holiday Acres

American restaurant operating as part of the Holiday Acres resort or property.

Log Cabin Cafe

A Crandon community staple for over 89 years, serving hearty American breakfast and lunch classics in a vintage diner setting with friendly service and reasonable prices.

Black Bear Bar & Grill

Rustic log building bar and grill built in 1947 on Highway 70, with a casual family atmosphere, game room, seasonal tiki bar, outdoor dining along Shishebogama Creek, playground, and 12 TVs for watching sports. Open year-round.

Little Brown Jug

A beloved Minocqua dive bar where patrons staple dollar bills to the walls and ceiling, open seven days a week year-round with live music nightly, ice-cold beer from an old ice cream freezer, and a deck for outdoor seating.

Blue Willow Cafe

Family-style diner on the west side of Wausau serving breakfast all day, known for country fried steak, oversized pancakes, homemade pie, and huge portions in a cozy northwoods atmosphere. Open Monday through Saturday.

Slo's Pub

Lakeside pub on Big Arbor Vitae Drive welcoming snowmobiles, ATVs, and motorcycles, serving homemade pizzas, Friday fish fry, and Wednesday night specials with lake views.

Rigoni's Inn

Family-owned bar and restaurant for over 89 years with a fourth-generation owner, famous for its Friday fish fry served for over 70 years and Italian-American dinner buffets.

Mary's Hangout

A bar on South Tomahawk Avenue in downtown Tomahawk.

Lida's Breakfast & Lunch

A popular breakfast and lunch spot in Minocqua serving freshly prepared meals with classic favorites like fluffy pancakes, hearty omelets, and tasty sandwiches, with vegetarian and gluten-free options available.

Reif’s Bar

Bar on Neva Road south of Antigo.

Boiling Springs Tavern

Welcoming tavern and bar on County Road G in Pelican Lake, accessible by ATV, car, or horseback, serving burgers, pizza, Friday fish fry, and homemade soups with live music on weekends and rooms available upstairs.

Dixie Lunch

Beloved Antigo diner serving made-from-scratch breakfast, lunch, and dinner since 1945, famous for homemade pies, all-day breakfast, and Wednesday kolaches.

Rhinelander Brewing Company

Historic brewery originally founded in 1882, revived in 2009 with a downtown taproom featuring up to 14 rotating taps, including microbrewed craft beers and the famous Rhinelander 'Shorty' 7-ounce bottles.

Home Slice Pizza

A pizza spot in Mercer sharing a renovated truck stop with Liberty Way Taphouse, serving homemade pizza made with fresh dough, chicken wings with a dozen different rubs, subs, and salads for takeout and delivery.

The Twilight Supper Club and Sandman Lounge

1940s hangout with American fare, a salad bar & traditional cocktails, plus nightly music.

Gina's Pizzeria

Pizza restaurant offering takeaway service.

Old Style Bar & Grill

Neighborhood bar and grill on Edison Street in Antigo serving lunch and dinner.

Outboards Bar & Grill

Family-friendly restaurant on the Wisconsin River with a large patio for watching summer water ski shows, serving scratch-made burgers, pizza, sandwiches, and Friday fish fry.

19th Hole Sports Bar & Grill

Lodgelike sports bar with billiards, darts & some arcade games, plus a 9-hole miniature golf course.

Moondance Bar & Grill

A bar and grill on Highway 17 in Sugar Camp north of Rhinelander, known for its traditional Wisconsin fish fry, prime rib served every night, and a gorgeous lake view with historical photos of Sugar Camp on the walls.

Marina Bar

Bar named Marina Bar.

Last Resort on Lily River

A bar and grill on the Lily River near Pickerel in Crandon area.

Some Nerve Brewing Company

Husband-and-wife-owned microbrewery and taphouse serving pints and sampler flights of house-brewed beer in a cozy, dog-friendly setting where guests can watch wildlife through the bay window.

The Sawbuck

Cozy micro bakery and cafe in downtown Land O' Lakes serving Colectivo coffee, espresso, fresh pastries, and custom-order cakes, plus local gifts and artisan crafts.

Three Sheets

Bar named Three Sheets.

Hong Kong Buffet

Chinese buffet restaurant serving Chinese cuisine.

Great Northern Coffee Traders

Gourmet coffee house in downtown Minocqua serving 100% organic coffee and tea, all-natural pastries, breakfast and lunch items, in a cozy cabin-style atmosphere with local artwork.

Boulder Junction Coffee Company

Locally owned cafe on Main Street in Boulder Junction serving Colectivo coffee, espresso drinks, Lotus Energy drinks, scratch-made baked goods, breakfast burritos, and grilled cheese with free WiFi.

Bear Chasers Lodge Bar &Grill

Lakeside bar and grill on the south shore of Island Lake where snowmobile trails 9 and 11 meet, serving famous burgers and wood-fired pizzas. Also offers lodging rooms, a game room, gas, and a gift shop.

9 Mile All Sport Resort

Year-round campground and recreation resort in White Lake bordering the Nicolet National Forest, with 65 full hook-up sites, ATV and horse trail access, a restaurant and lounge, and fishing on 50 nearby lakes.

A & A Restaurant

Family-owned restaurant on Grand Avenue opened by siblings Albion and Albiona, serving breakfast all day along with wraps, pot roast, gyros, and other comfort food from 7 AM to 8 PM daily.