The Fall Dining Guide

Fall is primetime for slowing down, taking in fall color, spending time outdoors, experiencing the seasonal transition, and appreciating Door County’s best-known culinary traditions.

Whether your fall trip style calls for a hyperlocal food experience, fine wine with an even finer meal, or keeping it light with healthier or vegetarian options, there are plenty of ways to get your food fix this fall.

Here’s a guide for capturing that autumnal feeling with seasonal dishes and ingredients at local restaurants and food shops.

Which Seasonal Foods to Look For

Cherries may be the most-talked about Door County export, but you’ll also find a bounty of other locally crafted produce, cheeses, jams and spreadables, snacks, meats, and more. 

Expect to encounter locally caught fish and hearty meat dishes like prime rib, steaks, and veal alongside produce like apples, pumpkins, squash, root vegetables, corn, and other fresh fall produce September through November. 

View the Apple, Cherry, & Farm Market Guide >
More on Cherries >

Fall’s also a great time to explore breweries, wineries, and distilleries. Thinner crowds mean more seats at the bar or on the patio, and many local beers and spirits are brewed with seasonal ingredients, such as apple cider.

Fall fishing is huge up here, so the fish (and lobster and crab) boils don’t stop, and Friday fish fries featuring whitefish, cod, perch, and more become an even bigger deal. 

View the Fish Boil Guide >
More on the Fish Boil Tradition >

Ways to Do Breakfast

For an on-the-go breakfast, head to one of many coffee shops and bakeries to find morning drink staples as well as pastries or bagels.

And don’t forget that our farmers markets and specialty food shops offer fresh eggs, breakfast meats, cheese, breads, and other items perfect for cooking up your own locally inspired breakfast at your lodging or campsite.

Where to Find Lunch & Dinner

Lunch and dinner options are plentiful and can be as formal as a sitdown meal with multiple courses to as casual as ordering a sandwich from a deli counter and eating by the water.

For fast and portable options, fresh sandwiches, deli foods, and groceries are perfect for picnics or grabbing something to take on the trail, to the campsite, or on the water. (Just don’t forget to pack out any waste!)

Evening meals offer just as much variety, from local specialties like fish and seafood, supper club staples, and steaks to standbys like barbecue, burgers, fish fries, pizza, Mexican food, and pub food.

More on Dining 

• Dished Up Video Series: See what the chefs and their crews are up to in Door County’s top kitchens.
  
  
• Dine: Explore the cultural and historical influences on local cuisine or use the dining finders to locate a specific restaurant, cuisine, or amenity.
  
  
• Recipe Book: Explore the unofficial Door County recipe book and cook up something amazing. Perfect for those aspiring to craft their own meals while in Door County or those appreciating its flavors from home this year.