18 Scrumptious Restaurants That Define Wisconsin

There are just some classic Wisconsin restaurants that every local is familiar with, whether they've eaten there or not. We're lucky to live in a state with access to so much fresh food, and we've had an amazing foodie revolution over the past few years that has brought some amazing dining experiences.

The restaurants that are most iconic and define Wisconsin are a mix of nostalgic ones that remind us of where we grew up and new places that serve the food we grow right here.

No list is perfect, of course, but here's a Wisconsin dining bucket list of sorts -- in no particular order. It's easy to see why people adore these classic Wisconsin restaurants.

1. Mader's - Milwaukee

The list has to start with German food at a place that's been doing it for more than a century. They've served presidents and probably half your family. You'll find it at 1041 N Old World 3rd St, Milwaukee, WI 53203. To learn more about one of the most delicious restaurants in Wisconsin, visit Mader's website here.

2. Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant - Sister Bay

Even if you've never eaten here, all Wisconsinites are familiar with the restaurant with the goats on the roof. For nearly six decades Al Johnson's has been a recognizable part of the Door County food scene. Serving authentic Swedish meals on dishes actually from Sweden, Al Johnson's is an experience and a trip back to your childhood all rolled into one. Address: 10698 N Bay Shore Dr, Sister Bay, WI 54234. To learn more, visit their website here.

3. Frank's Diner - Kenosha

Frank's Diner serves no frills comfort food that's as simple as it is delicious. The hearty fare has been feeding folks in Kenosha since 1926 and folks still line up for it. It's located at 508 58th St, Kenosha, WI 53140. To learn more, visit their website here.

4. Wild Tomato - Fish Creek

A newer addition to the Door County food scene, Wild Tomato has quickly made it onto many people's "must visit" lists when they head here on vacation. With a long list of interesting specialty pizzas that come out of their wood oven, it's easy to understand why this place has a special place in people's hearts after such a short time. Address: 4023 WI-42, Fish Creek, WI 54212. Click here to learn more about this spectacular restaurant.

5. MACS Mac and Cheese - various locations

Also a newbie on the scene, MACS has several locations throughout Wisconsin. Opened by Dells locals, MACs takes the best of comfort food and jazzes it up. The result is a truly memorable meal that's like nothing else around.

It's a great place for families, but has enough to satisfy more sophisticated palates, as well. Definitely a "must-stop" in the Wisconsin Dells. To learn more about each location's hours and menu, visit their website here.

6. Graze - Madison

Graze is all that's good about the restaurant revolution in Wisconsin. Farm-to-table dining, Capitol views and a killer beer and drinks list, Graze is standard Wisconsin dining elevated to an impeccable level. It's located at 1 S Pinckney St #107, Madison, WI 53703. Click here to learn more.

7. 1919 Kitchen and Tap - Green Bay

Part sports bar, part gastropub and located inside Lambeau Field, this place embodies pretty much everything we love here in Wisconsin. Named in honor of the year the Packers were founded, this place is a Packer fan's dream. You'll find it at Lambeau Field, 1st Floor Atrium, 1265 Lombardi Ave, Green Bay, WI 54304. To learn more, visit their website here.

8. Elegant Farmer - Mukwonago

Inexorably tied in our heads with their famous apple pie in a paper bag, fall in Wisconsin means a trip to the orchard and an Elegant Farmer pie. Long before anyone was talking about farm-to-table dining, Elegant Farmer was producing and selling products made straight from the local land. It's iconic and nostalgic, and you'll find it at 1545 Main St, Mukwonago, WI 53149. To learn more, visit their website here.

9. Delta Diner - Delta

As iconic as Frank's Diner but located on the opposite end of the state, Delta is all about greasy spoon comfort food. And its parking lot is as likely to be packed with snowmobiles as it is Harley Davidsons. It's definitely one of the best places to eat in Wisconsin. You'll find it at 14385 County Highway H, Delta, WI 54856. To learn more, visit their website here.

10. Pete's Hamburger Stand - Prairie du Chien

People line up down the block for Pete's hamburgers. The seasonal counter-service stand has been serving "fast food" to the people of Prairie du Chien for more than a century. As much a part of the landscape as the Mississippi River is, anyone who's spent time here has a story about Pete's. It's located at 118 W Blackhawk Ave, Prairie du Chien, WI 53821. To learn more, visit their website here.

11. State Street Brats - Madison

Anyone who's spent any time in Madison has found themselves at State Street Brats. Maybe you saw it on a travel show or as B-roll during a sports broadcast. Whatever the reason, State Street Brats is like a Madison right of passage and the list would be incomplete if we ignored them. Address: 603 State St, Madison, WI 53703. To learn more, visit their website here.

12. The River Deck - Hayward

You know you're "up north" when the place doesn't have an actual address - just directions on how to get there. The River Deck serves the best food in Hayward while also dishing out fantastic views. You'll find this delicious eatery 1/2 Mile east of Hayward on County Hwy B on Lake Hayward. Click here to learn more about this iconic Wisconsin restaurant.

13. The Butterfly Club - Beloit

No Wisconsin restaurant list would be complete without at least one supper club. A truly unique experience that defines Wisconsin, supper clubs are as iconic as it gets. The Butterfly Club may just be Wisconsin's oldest supper club. Since 1924, they've been serving up steaks and relish trays and old fashioneds just the way you like them. You'll find this Wisconsin supper club at 5246 E County Road X, Beloit, WI 53511. To learn more, visit their website here

14. Father Fats - Stevens Point

Folks don't expect food of this caliber in Stevens Point, but maybe they should. With Asian, Spanish and southern influences, Father Fats puts out stellar, interesting and unique food and doesn't pretend like folks "not in the city" can't appreciate it. You'll find this scrumptious restaurant at 945 Clark St, Stevens Point, WI 54481. To learn more, visit their website here.

15. Paul Bunyan's Cook Shanty - Wisconsin Dells and Minocqua

It's not an official trip to the Dells until you've had breakfast at Paul Bunyan's. The large sign is as comforting as it is massive - a true sign that vacation has begun and fun awaits. You'll find this iconic Wisconsin restaurant at 411 State Hwy 13, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965. To learn more, visit their website here.

16. The Old Fashioned - Madison

The Old Fashioned is all the amazing, delicious and retro things we love in a good supper club, spiffed up, but also maybe a little toned down. We're talking cocktails, fish fry, cheese curds and more of the things we all associate with Wisconsin paired with a killer bar and beer list, a great Madison location and awesome local ingredients. Address: 23 N Pinckney St #1, Madison, WI 53703. Click here to learn more.

17. Kopps - Milwaukee

Your favorite frozen custard is undoubtedly guided by where you grew up. For many, that place is Kopps. They're also arguably the most famous outside of Milwaukee, since they ship their product outside of state lines, and Oprah has put them on her gift list. Many folks who have left Wisconsin name Kopp's as their first stop when they land back in the state. The milky, silky Swiss Chocolate is perfect any day. Having access to the daily flavor calendar is an exercise in self-control. And we haven't even talked about the burgers bigger than your face and the onion rings we judge all others against. Kopps has three locations around Milwaukee. To learn more about each location's hours and menu, visit their website here.

18. Baumgartner Cheese Store and Tavern - Monroe

The list would be incomplete without a cheese store, and Baumgartner is one of the most iconic places in Wisconsin. Located in the heart of cheese country, it's as much a part of landscape as the cheese makers around them. And they serve you a Limburger sandwich with a breath mint.

You'll find one of the most classic Wisconsin restaurants at 1023 16th Ave, Monroe, WI 53566. Click here to learn more.

Have you been to any of these classic Wisconsin restaurants? What other eateries are on your bucket list? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

Looking for more unique Wisconsin restaurants? Check out our previous article: 15 Unique Restaurants In Wisconsin That Will Give You An Unforgettable Dining Experience.

Know more classic Wisconsin restaurants or other local businesses we should feature? Nominate them in our online form here!