Walleye are one of the most popular fish to eat in the United States, especially in the Upper Midwest. And, no wonder! Its flaky texture and mild flavor make it delectable on the plate. Door County offers many restaurants that serve walleye. Walleye are a popular choice, especially for Door County’s legendary fish fries. Here are some of the best restaurants to eat walleye in Door County.
7 Best Restaurants for Walleye in Door County
Donny’s Glidden Lodge Restaurant
The most elegant place to eat walleye in Door County is Donny’s Glidden Lodge. Donny’s Glidden Lodge Restaurant offers pan-fried walleye nightly. In addition, they serve blackened yellowfin tuna, jumbo shrimp, and lobster.
For those who prefer other menu options, lamb and beef dishes round out the offerings at Donny’s Glidden Lodge.
With a dramatic setting right on the shores of Lake Michigan, Donny’s Glidden Lodge Restaurant offers an unforgettable dining experience. The building and grounds of this classic Door County supper club are timeless and classy. It seems that not much has changed over the decades at this supper club, and that’s a good thing. Just like Lake Michigan itself, it seems that Donny’s Glidden Lodge has always been there, and that it will be the same the next time you come, whether that’s in a month or in a decade.
People tend to dress a little nicer at Donny’s Glidden Lodge, and given its location next to the Glidden Lodge Beach Resort, it caters to many out-of-towners.
We like to go here when we are looking for a more upscale experience.
Website
Phone: (920) 746 9460
Address: 4670 Glidden Drive, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Map
Nightingale Supper Club
Another popular place to eat walleye in Door County is the Nightingale Supper Club in Sturgeon Bay.
The Nightingale Supper Club serves fish fries on Wednesdays and Fridays. Patrons can choose from perch, walleye, cod, and locally caught whitefish. Rye bread, coleslaw, and one additional side complement the fish.
The Nightingale is where Door County locals go to celebrate a birthday or an anniversary. To a Door County local, the Nightingale is the fancy place to eat. And, its decor does have a certain retro upscale feel to it.
However, the dress is comfortable. The ladies pair a sweater with jeans, and the men don their nicest hoodies. Yes, there’s such a thing as a “nice hoodie” for locals in North East Wisconsin.
Despite being full of locals, there’s still a place for you at the Nightingale. Get a reservation, show up early to sit at the bar, top off your dinner with an ice cream drink, and you’ll be an honorary citizen of Sturgeon Bay.
Check out our review of Nightingale Supper Club to find out more about this Door County institution!
Website
Address: 1541 Egg Harbor Rd, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Phone: +19207435593
Map
The Mill Supper Club
A classic restaurant for eating walleye in the Mill Supper Club, just north of Sturgeon Bay.
Right on the way to the Northern Peninsula, The Mill is a Door County institution. Steeped in the traditions of Northeast Wisconsin, their menu has a German specialties section, and this is a favorite spot for Friday night fish fries.
Their Friday night fish fry offers cod, shrimp, perch, scallops, whitefish, and walleye. Cole slaw, potato, and rye bread is served along with the fish.
Customers appreciate the cool old barback and the bright, clean atmosphere in the dining area.
The Mill Supper Club is Hello Door County’s pick for Friday night fish fry in Door County.
We go to The Mill Supper Club for fish fry when we are looking for a classic experience close to Sturgeon Bay.
Website
Phone: 920-743-5044
Address: 4128 State Highway 42, WI-57, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Map
Sister Bay Bowl
Sister Bay Bowl is a fun place to eat walleye.
Sister Bay Bowl offers fish fries twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays. Perch, whitefish, walleye, and shrimp are available and are served with coleslaw and choice of potato.
Billing itself “Your Go-To Bowling Hub and Supper Club,” Sister Bay Bowl is a third-generation family institution in Northern Door County. You can spend an entire afternoon and evening at Sister Bay Bowl. Bowl a few rounds in the late afternoon, have dinner in the supper club, and stay into the evening for their frequent live music concerts. The Sister Bay Bowl epitomizes the supper club quality of being a destination rather than a stop along the way in one’s evening.
Website
Phone: 920-854-2841
Address: 10640 N Bay Shore Dr, Sister Bay, WI 54234
Map
Alexander’s
A slightly more upscale place to eat walleye is Alexander’s in Fish Creek.
Alexander’s offers seafood every night, but they lay special emphasis on it on Friday evenings. Perch, salmon, whitefish, walleye, and shrimp are their Friday evening specials.
A contemporary take on the supper club experience, Alexander’s of Door County is one of the most highly rated restaurants on the Peninsula. The decor is more clean and modern than most supper clubs, and the menu quite a bit more adventurous. However, the central element of a supper club endures at Alexander’s. This is a place to linger.
Website
Phone: +19208683532
Address: 3667 WI-42, Fish Creek, WI 54212
Map
The Shoreline Restaurant
The Shoreline Restaurant offers walleye in a dramatic setting right over the bay of Green Bay.
The Shoreline’s emphasis is on well-prepared, locally caught fish. Naturally, this means that they will offer an excellent fish fry. Their fish fry is on Wednesday nights.
The Shoreline is the last stop before Washington Island in Gills Rock, near Ellison Bay. The peninsula’s restaurant scene goes out with a bang here, with a restaurant that boasts a view as alluring as its food.
Water views are surprisingly rare at Door County restaurants, but The Shoreline has a great one. This alone is worth dining at The Shoreline.
Address: 12747 WI-42, Ellison Bay, WI 54210
Phone: 920-854-2950
Website
Harbor Fish Market & Grille
The Harbor Fish Market & Grille offers locally caught, fresh lake perch, walleye, and whitefish for their Friday night fish fry.
Besides these fried options, they also offer sea bass, ahi tuna, scallops, shrimp, and lobster. For those who do not like fish, they also offer several pork and beef items on their menu.
Other Types of Fish Served in Door County
Other kinds of fish besides walleye are served in Door County restaurants. Here are some of them:
- Perch
- Whitefish
- Lawyers (Burbot)
- Cod
- Grouper
Frequently Asked Questions
Everyone’s tastes are different, but many people find walleye delectable due to its mild taste and flaky texture.
Walleye are not commercially fished in Door County. Most walleye served in restaurants in the United States are caught in Canada. If you want to eat fish locally caught in Door County, you will need to eat whitefish, lawyers, or perch.
Some are open year-round, and some are not. Restaurant schedules can vary widely in Door County. It’s best to call ahead, even if their website or Google profile says that they are open.
