If there's one thing in the Northwoods that's great it's the food. Since the COVID Scamdemic we're lost some really great places that have closed...but they're being replaced by new establishments that are also very good.
I'll give you my top recommendations and the places we locals haunt.
Breakfast
Hands down Era has the best breakfasts up here. They're in the same building that Perkins used to be in, right on Hwy. 51, next to BP gas station in Arbor Vitae.
​
They offer some really unique breakfast entrees based on traditional breakfast foods like pancakes, waffles, omelettes, French Toast, crepes, etc. MENU
​
Portions are large.
​
They're also open for lunch and dinner.
​
I haven't read one bad customer review about Era either.
NORTHERN CAFE & MOTEL
Where the locals head for breakfast.
It's a small, quaint place that only seats 30 people but everything is homemade from scratch.
Prices are super reasonable and the staff is super friendly.
​
Northern Cafe is only open for breakfast.
​
If you're heading north on Hwy. 51, Northern Cafe & Motel is located on your left after you leave the town of Arbor Vitae.
​
2685 US Highway 51 N, Arbor Vitae, WI,
(715) 356-4170
Lunch
NACHOS MEXICAN GRILL
9750 WI-70 West, Minocqua, WI
(715) 439-4029
​
Nachos is located in the same mall as Trig's grocery store.
​
If you like authentic Mexican food, Nachos is the place to go. It's my fave lunch spot.
​
Family owned, food is definitely GOOD authentic Mexican, large portions at a reasonable price.
​
I usually order the Nachos appetizer and that's enough for me for lunch but their other menu items I've tried were equally as good - and very filling.
​
OTTO'S BEER & BRAT GARDEN
509 Oneida St., Minocqua, WI
(715) 356-6134 509 Oneida St., Minocqua, WI
​
Otto's Brat & Beer Garden is located on the main drag in downtown Minocqua and features authentic German fare. The food is really good. MENU They have a full bar.
​
I like this place in the summer months because they have an outdoor biergarten one can dine in if you don't want to sit inside.
Sometimes I'm just in the mood for something fast... I love Chicago Style hot dogs and Hoggie's has the best!
Hoggie's is kind of like the old fashioned drive in, there's no inside dining. But they do have an outside dining area that's nice.
They also have a drive thru.
Bring your dog and they'll give it a doggie ice cream cone.
All of their ice cream is homemade and flavors rotate on a weekly basis.
​AQUALAND ALE
10450 Main St, Boulder Junction, WI
(715) 385-0380
​
​
​My sister and I love to go to Aqualand Ale for lunch. We usually order the Prime rib sandwich although their brick oven pizza is also very good as are their salads.
​
I do recommend calling ahead to make sure they're open as
their hours seem to fluctuate lately.
Dinner
NORWOOD PINES SUPPER CLUB
715-356-3666
​
​
Fantastic food & service and my brother's and my 'go to' spot for a Friday fish fry - all you can eat!
​
It's a supper club so a bit on the pricier side but well worth it.
However, don't even think of going without a reservation!
There's always a crowd waiting to get in even with a reservation.
​
They do have a full bar.
GUIDE'S INN
5427 Park St Boulder Junction, WI
(715) 385-2233
​
​
​I'm going to have to go out on a limb on this one.
Guide's Inn was owned by my friend, Chef Jimmy. When he died suddenly a couple of years ago, his son took over Guide's Inn.
​But then it announced it was closing.
However, now it appears as though it has reopened???
The Guide's Inn had THE best food in the entire Northwoods. I didn't have the heart to go back after Jimmy's death so don't know if it's at the same par it was before Jimmy's death.
Every menu item was delicious. My favorites were the stuffed Walleye, Veal Oscar and Baby Rack of Lamb. And their French onion soup was to die for. They also served homemade ice cream for dessert that was fantastic.
Guide's Inn was my absolute FAVE Northwoods restaurant so if they have reopened, I highly recommend you give them a try. However, this is a very popular restaurant so reservations are a must. They do have a full bar.
Fingers crossed they've reopened!
Grow Your Vision
Welcome visitors to your site with a short, engaging introduction.
Double click to edit and add your own text.