Long List of New Restaurants in Door County for 2023

Door County’s restaurant scene is in an era of turnover and innovation that does not appear to be slowing down. By our count, 27 restaurants, cafés and eateries have changed hands or opened anew since our last New Business Issue came out in May 2022. 

How dramatic is that? Well, in 2017, our list included only 12. That list shows just how tenuous the restaurant industry can be, as eight of those establishments have either closed or changed hands since the list came out. 

BAILEYS HARBOR

The Candy Bar, 8113 Hwy 47
Coffee, ice cream and more treats in the Lakeshore Adventures building. 

Morning Glory Breakfast Bus, 8037 Hwy 57
The third location for Morning Glory, which has been serving classic American diner fare from its flagship location south of Sturgeon Bay on Highway 57. Part of Chives’ new food-truck court.

Sway, 2434 Cty F
Sway is not new, but its home is. Brewer Matt Sampson acquired the space that was once home to Heirloom Cafe and Door County Brewing Co. to expand his easygoing beer project in 2023.

Taqueria La Brisita, 2434 Cty F
A new, casual Mexican-food concept from the folks behind Lost Tuk Tuk in Ephraim will operate out of Sway’s taproom beginning in late May.

The Thirsty Cow Taphouse, 7899 Cty A
Door County’s first self-pour taphouse and eatery has opened in the bar that was long home to the Peninsula Pub. 

The former Peninsula Pub – and the future Thirsty Cow Taphouse. Photo by Rachel Lukas.

EGG HARBOR 

Burton’s on the Green, 7670 Horseshoe Bay Road
The Alpine Resort opened this casual dining spot in the golf course clubhouse during the fall of 2022 to offer Egg Harbor a new, year-round eatery serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Cupola Cafe, 7836 Hwy 42
A freshly reimagined space in the Cupola House from the owners of Daughters & Co. will offer a small food menu and coffee drinks using beans from Isley Coffee Roasters. Reopening in late May.

Mixed MEADia, 7740 Hwy 42
Door County’s first meadery from winemaker Allan Hyland. The project operates out of Hatch Distillery and offers Wisconsin-grown meads, ciders and wines.

Allan Hyland. Photo by Rachel Lukas.

ELLISON BAY

Della Porta Trattoria Napoletana, 12029 Hwy 42
Authentic southern Italian cuisine from the owners of Blue Bear, the restaurant that opened in 2022 in the former Viking Grill space. 

EPHRAIM

Fresh Take 42
Serving comfort food with a twist.

Sergio’s Taco Truck, various locations
Mexican street food from tacos to tortas, burritos and elote.

FISH CREEK

Backbone Food Truck, 10170 Shore Road
Food truck serving specialty fries and sausages. Located at Nicolet Beach in Peninsula State Park.

Kettle Black, 4158 Main St.
Serving Door County traditional fish boils, Cajun shrimp/lobster boils with BBQ ribs and baked chicken.

The Beach Bowl, Founders Square
Açai berry bowls and smoothie shop.

Welcker’s Lounge, 4192 Main St.
Speakeasy-inspired, family-owned restaurant featuring delectable bites and libations in the Whistling Swan building. 

MAPLEWOOD

Sierra’s Pub & Grill, 1599 Hwy 42
Bingo, music, food and drinks in what was Johnny G’s Pub and Grill.

SISTER BAY

Dovetail Grill, 10282 Hwy 57
American food, a full bar and an extensive craft-beer and wine selection located at Dovetail Campground and gas station. 

(From left) Linda Hedeen-Wurster and Terry Wurster. Submitted.

KOKOS Ice Cream, 2363 Mill Road
Plant-based ice cream across from the Sister Bay beach. 

Solago, 10961 N. Bay Shore Dr.
From the Wild Restaurant Group, Solago will serve authentic Mexican food and a wide-ranging selection of tequilas in the renovated space previously occupied by JJ’s La Puerta. Slated to open after Memorial Day.

STURGEON BAY

A’Boat Time, 26 E. Oak St.
House-made breakfast and lunch, daily specials and outside seating in the Oak Street spot that was previously home to Hot Tamales. 

Pinky Promise Coffee Shop, 60 S. Madison Ave.
Craft coffee shop offering a variety of hand-crafted coffee drinks, made from fresh coffee beans roasted in-house. 

Sweet Buns Bakery & Cafe, 846 Egg Harbor Road
This new bakery opened May 14 in the space that has long been the home of Wanda Jean’s restaurant, which was sold earlier this year. 

OTHER

Carjacks Patty Wagon, Sturgeon Bay, Little Sturgeon and Algoma
Food truck serving American classics such as smash burgers, grilled cheese and milkshakes.

Specialty Food

EGG HARBOR

Daughters & Co., 7838 Hwy 42
This small-production wine, beer and spirits shop opened in the Cupola House building in the summer of 2022 and focuses on classical and emerging styles from producers throughout Europe and the United States.

Ryan Ibsen and daughter Olive inside Daughters and Co., located in the Cupola Collective in Egg Harbor. Photo by Laura Quackenboss/xoME Studio.

SISTER BAY

Cultured, 2570 Cty Q
A new brick-and-mortar location for Mattea Fisher’s naturally leavened bread and other fermented goods crafted using organic ingredients. The location on the corner of Highway 57 and County Q was previously home to Blackbird Bake Shop.

STURGEON BAY

Clario Farmstand Pasta, 19 N. 3rd Ave.
Fresh, frozen pasta made with ingredients from the farm.

New Owners

BAILEYS HARBOR

Harbor Fish Market & Grille
Owners Scott and Sarah Bennett purchased the longtime Baileys Harbor staple mid-season in 2022. 

Scott and Sarah Bennett bought the Harbor Fish Market in the summer of 2022. Photo by D.A. Fitzgerald.

EGG HARBOR

Bley’s Bar
Al Bloeser took the reins of the bar at the center of bustling West Jacksonport last year. 

STURGEON BAY

Bluefront Café
After five years learning the ropes, Adriana Zampano purchased the much-loved west-side eatery in 2022. 

Activities

Evergreen Miniature Golf, 3865 Hwy 42, Fish Creek
Eco-fueled mini-golf course with high-quality greens and challenging shots nestled into tall pines next door to the Fish Creek gas station. 100% wheelchair accessible.

Maxwelton Braes Golf Course, 7670 Hwy 57, Baileys Harbor
New owner Mark Murphy, president of the Green Bay Packers, purchased the historical Baileys Harbor golf course in the winter of 2023.

Studio

xoMe Studio, 7838 Hwy 42, Egg Harbor
Laura Quackenboss’ lifestyle and wedding photography studio opened in the Cupola House building in the summer of 2022.

Check out new services, shopping and more for 2023 here>>