3 Best Restaurants in Door County, Wisconsin

Whether it's for the thin Swedish-style pancakes or gawking at goats grazing on the grass roof (now also possible via a webcam and screen in the restaurant), Al Johnson's is a Door County institution. Beyond breakfast, specialties include a Swedish-meatball sandwich, whitefish sandwich, pickled herring, or Pytt I Panna (Swedish roast-beef hash). Waitstaff don traditional dress so authentic you'll swear you're in Sweden. Finish the meal with a lingonberry shake. Be sure to drop into the gift shop to score Swedish souvenirs, including hand-knit sweaters.

Just like its name suggests, this was once a post office. Today it's a popular spot for fish-boil dinners, an Upper Great Lakes tradition, particularly in Scandinavian circles. Chunks of Lake Michigan whitefish are boiled with salt and red potatoes in a large kettle. Warm butter is ladled over the fish just before serving. A theatrical demonstration of the process is hosted by boil master Earl Jones in the restaurant's backyard Monday through Saturday evenings. Slices of cherry pie end the meal on a sweet note.

A colorful, eclectic, all-day breakfast spot, this café fits in well with quaint, artsy Egg Harbor. Orders are served on Fiestaware plates and bowls. Art on the walls (and for sale) is just as much a morning pick-me-up as the bold coffee. Dishes straddle Midwestern and global influences, such as spicy, Bahamian-style whitefish chowder or French toast stuffed with cheeses and apricot preserves before rolled in granola. If you fall in love with the food, stop by the in-house store. Jars of cherry jam and a signature spice used on french fries are among the culinary finds.