Baraboo Restaurants & Cafés
Where to Go for Great Food & Drink Near Devil's Lake State ParkThe town of Baraboo is close to Devil's Lake State Park, so it's convenient to stop in for a meal instead of breaking out the camp stove again. And since the town is pretty easy to navigate, finding Baraboo restaurants isn't difficult. But which one do you choose? Ah, there's the rub. Here's our mini-guide to some of our favorite Baraboo restaurants, and some others you might visit in the greater Devil's Lake area (Merrimac, Lodi, Praire du Sac, Wisconsin Dells).
Baraboo Restaurants
Tumbled Rock Brewery & Kitchen
5 minutes north on County DL | Map
Tumbled Rock is the go-to local venue for good food, beer, and indoor/outdoor ambiance. Built in 2019, Tumbled Rock has a brilliant, modern feel. The two-building layout includes a large patio space for dining, game play, and outdoor concerts, between the restaurant and the brew pub. There’s plenty of parking and the venue can accommodate a lot of folks. Climber-friendly!
Driftless Glen Distillery
8 minutes north, near Circus World on the Baraboo River | Map
Maybe the fanciest join in town? We love stopping in for a drink, but the food menu is usually too rich for our blood.
Gem City Saloon & Eatery
8 minutes north, near Circus World on the Baraboo River | Map
According to our staff pizza expert, Mark Grman, Gem City serves up the best pizza in Baraboo.
BROADWAY DINER
8 minutes north, just before downtown Baraboo | Map
Your quintessential diner transplanted from eastern cities to the Wisconsin heartland. Serving up American classics for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Disco Fries are a guilty pleasure.
JEN'S ALPINE CAFE & SOUP KITCHEN
10 minutes north in downtown Baraboo | Map
Serving up down-home, stick-to-your-ribs Wisconsin cooking since the 1930s, Jen's Alpine Cafe is a Baraboo institution. A family restaurant with a distinctive, historic character, Jen's fills you up for a reasonable price just off the square in downtown Baraboo. The vintage wooden booths might look like repurposed church pews, but they are actually a custom-built original installation from the '30s. Cool.
LITTLE VILLAGE CAFE
10 minutes north in downtown Baraboo | Map
Queen of Baraboo restaurants, Little Village is our favorite place to grab dinner. Founded on King Street in Madison (where the excellent Natt Spil currently resides), Little Village established a strong urban following, but relocated to Baraboo in the late 1990s. Friendly staff, good beer, and excellent food in a restored 1940's diner on the National Historic Register. Outdoor sidewalk dining is gorgeous on balmy summer evenings. Little Village isn't too big, so don't waltz in on a weekend evening expecting to sit down right away if you don't have reservations.
Further Afield
Vintage Brewing Company
20 minutes south in downtown Sauk City | Map
Modern pub fare in a large space with a patio overlooking the Wisconsin River. My kids really like the big fish tank!
HIGH ROCK CAFE
25 minutes north in Wisconsin Dells | Map
Probably the "finest" local dining unless you go all the way to Madison. American fare, well treated, in the heart of downtown Wisconsin Dells. Prepare yourselves for a change of pace as you transition from natural Devil's Lake to the neon and glitz of downtown Wisconsin Dells.
FITZ'S ON THE LAKE
25-40 minutes (ferry) south on Lake Wisconsin in Okee | Map
Semi-secret supper club catering to the Lake Wisconsin crowd. Lakeside dining on a quaint Lake Wisconsin peninsula, always hoppin' on a summer evening. Enjoy steak, fish, ribs, and lighter options on the big picnic tables out on the deck. Awesome.
MERRIMAC FERRY SNACK SHACK
10 minutes southeast in Merrimac | Map
The Snack Shack is on the north side of Lake Wisconsin at the Merrimac Ferry landing, so most people hit it going home after a great day at the Lake. These guys used to do soft-serve, but now feature real ice cream in a great variety of flavors. A great way to kill a few minutes while waiting for your ship to come in.