One of the best things about food is the memories it carries. A single taste or smell can transport you to a different place or time. Whether it’s memories of vacations past or time spent in the kitchen with your family, there’s nothing so great as a home-cooked meal in a cozy atmosphere with great history. In alphabetical order, here are some of the best nostalgic restaurants in Wisconsin.

1. Al Johnson's (Sister Bay)
Yelp/Sydney T
Facebook.com/AlJohnsons
This restaurant not only serves up some of the most authentic Swedish food in the state, but it's been a Door County icon for almost six decades. Comfort foods for breakfast, served all day. Located at 10698 N Bay Shore Dr, Sister Bay, WI 54234. To learn more, visit the official website for Al Johnson's in Sister Bay.
2. Ardy and Ed's (Oshkosh)
Facebook/ardyandeds
Facebook/ardyandeds
Originally an A&W, Ardy and Ed's still serves Chicago-style hot dogs, root beer and the kind of nostalgia other places spend a lot of money to replicate. Located at 2413 S Main St, Oshkosh, WI 54902. For more information, visit the official website for Ardy and Ed's Drive In.
3. Aunt Ozie's (Loganville)
Yelp/Gregory G
Facebook.com/AuntOziesCafe
This Amish restaurant is well-known for its bakery and hearty home-style fare. Located at 200 Main St, Loganville, WI 53943. For more information, visit Aunt Ozie's website.
4. Dorf Haus (Sauk City)
Yelp/Ted T.
Yelp/Millie M.
In Wisconsin, there's nothing so comforting and nostalgic as the German food our Omas used to make, which is exactly what Dof Haus serves. Located at 8931 County Hwy Y, Sauk City, WI 53583. Visit the Dorf Haus Supper Club Facebook page to learn more.
5. Edytka's (Wisconsin Dells)
Yelp/Eric G.
Yelp/Eric G.
The setting is no-frills and you'll get your food on a styrofoam plate, but the pierogis are homemade and the dining room feels like home. Located at 221 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965. To learn more, visit the Facebook page for Edytka's Polish Restaurant.
6. Garmisch USA (Cable)
Facebook.com/GarmischUSAResort
acebook.com/GarmischUSAResort
This cozy resort way up north conjures bits of Bavaria, but also Switzerland, Ireland and more. The lodge is welcoming and the food reminds you of the stuff you had at grandma's house. Located at 23040 Garmisch Rd, Cable, WI 54821. For more information, visit the official website for Garmisch USA.
7. Glarner Stube (New Glarus)
Facebook/Glarnerstube
Facebook/glarnerstube
New Glarus was settled by immigrants that left Switzerland due to overcrowding. It's as authentic as you can get here in the States and the gooey fondue is the perfect antidote to a cold Wisconsin day. Located at 518 1st St, New Glarus, WI 53574. Visit Glarner Stube's Facebook page to learn more.
8. Gus's Drive-In (East Troy)
Facebook/GussDriveIn

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Facebook/GussDriveIn
This seasonal drive-in features Wisconsin's favorite frozen custard, classic car nights, and the change to pretend you live in the 1950s. Located at 3131 Main St, East Troy, WI 53120. For more information, visit the official website for Gus's Drive-In.
9. Mader's (Milwaukee)
Yelp/Brad K.
Yelp/Cynthia S.
For more than 100 years Mader's has been an iconic part of downtown Milwaukee, serving the best in authentic German food to celebrities and residents alike. Located at 1041 N Old World 3rd St, Milwaukee, WI 53203. To learn more, visit the official website for Mader's Restaurant in Milwaukee.
10. Red Circle Inn (Nashotah)
Facebook/Red-Circle-Inn-and-Bistro
Facebook/Red-Circle-Inn-and-Bistro
The oldest restaurant in the state, Red Circle Inn has been around since Wisconsin has been a state. Located at N44W33013 Watertown Plank Rd, Nashotah, WI 53058. Visit the official website for Red Circle Inn to learn more.
11. Norske Nook (DeForest, Rice Lake, Hayward and Osseo)
Facebook.com/norse.nook
Facebook.com/norse.nook
Since 1973, these restaurants have been serving Norwegian food and bakery to help folks remember their roots. Visit Norske Nook's website to learn more.
12. Paul's Pel'meni (Madison)
Facebook/PaulsPelmeni
Facebook/PaulsPelmeni
The ethnic, immigrant theme continues with this Russian counter-stop where you connect with your neighbors and basically eat communally. Located at 203 W Gorham St, Madison, WI 53703. Visit the website for Paul's Pel'meni to learn more.
13. Three Brothers (Milwaukee)
Yelp/Brian L.
Facebook/Three Brothers
Not only can you find some of the only Serbian food around, but the storefront is vintage, the owner is a James Beard winner, and the food is meant to be shared. Located at 2414 S St Clair St, Milwaukee, WI 53207. To learn more, visit the Facebook page for Three Brothers Restaurant in Wisconsin.
14. Wilson's (Ephraim)
Facebook//Wilsons-Restaurant-Ice-Cream-Parlor
Facebook//Wilsons-Restaurant-Ice-Cream-Parlor
Since 1906 this ice cream parlor and restaurant has been a staple of Door County life. Open seasonally, Wilson's is the kind of place that will always remind you of childhood vacations. Located at 26147 WI-71, Wilton, WI 54670. To learn more, visit the official website for Wilson's Restaurant and Ice Cream Parlor.
15. Winzer Stube (Hudson)
Facebook.com/germandining
Facebook.com/germandining
Editor's Note: Unfortunately since the time of publication, this restaurant has since closed.
The wood dining room and exposed beams make you feel cozy, while the food is filling and delicious. Located at 516 2nd St, Hudson, WI 54016. Visit Winzer Stube's website to learn more.

Have you been to any of these nostalgic restaurants in Wisconsin? Which one is your favorite? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

If you’re on the lookout for more down-home goodness, check out these marvelous Mom & Pop restaurants in Wisconsin.

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nostalgic restaurants in Wisconsin

Elisa Regulski | September 17, 2020

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Featured Addresses
Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant & Butik, 10698 N Bay Shore Dr, Sister Bay, WI 54234, USA
Ardy & Ed's Drive In, 2413 S Main St, Oshkosh, WI 54902, USA
200 Main St, Loganville, WI 53943, USA
8931 County Hwy Y, Sauk City, WI 53583, USA
221 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965, USA
23040 Garmisch Rd, Cable, WI 54821, USA
Glarner Stube, 518 1st St, New Glarus, WI 53574, USA
3131 Main St, East Troy, WI 53120, USA
Mader's Restaurant, 1041 N Doctor M.L.K. Jr Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53203, USA
Red Circle Inn and Bistro, N44W33013 Watertown Plank Rd, Nashotah, WI 53058, USA
13804 W 7th St, Osseo, WI 54758, USA
414 W Gilman St, Madison, WI 53703, USA
Three Brothers, 2414 S St Clair St, Milwaukee, WI 53207, USA
Wilson's Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor, 9990 Water St S, Ephraim, WI 54211, USA
516 2nd St, Hudson, WI 54016, USA