There are few dining traditions as genuinely Wisconsin as a supper club. Wisconsin supper clubs are a cultural institution, the kind of place where Friday fish fry meets a proper Old Fashioned, where the relish tray arrives before you even open the menu, and where slowing down for a long, leisurely meal is not just accepted, it’s the whole point. Whether you’ve grown up making Saturday night reservations at a wood-paneled dining room or you’re discovering this beloved tradition for the first time, the supper clubs in and around Baraboo are some of the finest examples of why this state takes its dining heritage so seriously.

Baraboo itself gives you plenty of reasons to linger in the area long after the last bite of prime rib. This corner of the Driftless Region is one of Wisconsin’s most rewarding destinations, packed with outdoor adventure at Devils Lake State Park, the sandstone bluffs and hiking trails that draw visitors from across the Midwest, the Alexander Naile International Crane Foundation, the International Crane Foundation, quirky local shops, and the rich circus history that put this town on the map. Whether you’re kayaking the Baraboo River, exploring Parfrey’s Glen, or simply driving the scenic county roads, the region has a way of turning a weekend trip into a favorite annual tradition.

After a full day exploring and a long, satisfying supper club dinner, you deserve a place to stay that matches the experience. Ringling House Bed and Breakfast in Baraboo brings together the warmth of genuine hospitality, a remarkable connection to the Ringling Brothers Circus history, and the kind of comfortable, memorable stay that a hotel simply cannot replicate. You’ll start each morning sharing breakfast at the historic Ringling family dining table, and if you’re traveling with a four-legged companion, the pet-friendly cottage has you covered. When it comes to a bed and breakfast near Devils Lake, Ringling House isn’t just convenient, it’s the best part of the trip.

What is a Wisconsin Supper Club? And a Few of Our Favorites

If you’ve never been to a Wisconsin supper club, the concept can sound simple until you actually sit down at one, and then it all makes sense. A supper club is a full-service, often family-owned restaurant that blurs the line between a classic American steakhouse and a neighborhood gathering place. Most have been operating for decades. The bar is as important as the kitchen, and the cocktail of choice is almost always an Old Fashioned made with brandy, not whiskey, which is a Wisconsin distinction that locals will be happy to defend. The relish tray is the unofficial mascot of the whole supper club experience: a little tray of pickles, olives, carrots, celery, and sometimes a scoop of cottage cheese that arrives at your table before anything else. It’s humble, it’s charming, and it’s one of those things that makes a Wisconsin supper club feel unlike anywhere else on earth.

Right here in Baraboo, Zeman’s Old Highway House on West Pine Street is the closest thing to a hometown supper club you’re going to find. It’s known for a popular Friday fish fry, prime rib on Saturdays, and some of the best burgers in the area, and the atmosphere has that easy, welcoming energy where you feel like a regular by the end of your first visit. It’s a natural first stop if you’re staying in town, and a solid reason to skip a chain dinner entirely.

Ishnala Supper Club, situated within Mirror Lake State Park near Wisconsin Dells, has been operating since 1953 and is consistently voted one of the top Wisconsin supper clubs. The restaurant overlooks the shores of Mirror Lake, with menu highlights that include rack of lamb, roast Wisconsin duck, and an excellent selection of USDA-aged steaks. Giant Norway pines grow right through the roof of the dining room, which is either the most Wisconsin thing you’ve ever heard or the most Wisconsin thing you’ve ever seen, depending on whether you’ve been. Ishnala does not take reservations, so plan to arrive early, grab a brandy Old Fashioned at the bar, and let the evening take its time.

Just a short drive away, Del-Bar in Lake Delton is one of Wisconsin’s most celebrated supper clubs and has been welcoming guests since 1943. The Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired architecture alone makes it worth the visit, and the prime rib and seafood menu has earned a loyal following for generations. If you’re trying to understand what the best supper clubs in Wisconsin look like at their most refined, Del-Bar is the benchmark.

For something with serious local character and a German twist, Dorf Haus sits on County Highway Y in the village of Roxbury, about three miles southeast of Sauk City, and has been in the same family for over 65 years. The menu leans into its heritage with dishes like Jaeger Schnitzel, Rouladen, and pork shank alongside the classic Wisconsin fish fry, and the whole place is decorated with old-world antiques and stained glass that make it feel like a proper destination rather than just a dinner stop.

Green Acres in Sauk City has built its identity as “The Place for Steaks” in the Sauk Prairie area, and it earns that reputation with slow-roasted prime rib, a Friday fish fry that draws regulars from across the region, and a history that stretches back to the late 1800s, when the building served as a stagecoach stop and general store. Everything is made from scratch, and the Old Fashioneds are consistently praised as some of the best in the area. It’s the kind of supper club that makes you want to linger over dessert and a second cocktail.

Out near Portage, Cimaroli’s Supper Club mixes a classic Wisconsin supper club experience with a renovated dining room, live music on select nights, and handcrafted Old Fashioneds. It’s ranked number one on TripAdvisor among Portage restaurants, and the flat iron steak served on a sizzling platter has become the dish people specifically come back for. It sits between Portage and the Dells on State Road 127, making it an easy detour on a weekend drive through the region.

If you can only do one evening out at one of these Wisconsin supper clubs, make it Ishnala on a warm night when you can enjoy the grounds before dinner, or Green Acres on a Friday when the fish fry is running. Either way, go early, be patient, and bring your appetite.

Stay at a Bed and Breakfast near Devils Lake

A great supper club dinner deserves a great night’s sleep, and in Baraboo, that means Ringling House. This bed and breakfast near Devils Lake is one of those rare lodging experiences that sticks with you, not because of anything flashy, but because of how thoughtfully everything comes together. The historic home is filled with authentic Ringling Brothers Circus memorabilia, displayed in a way that feels like staying in a living museum rather than a themed tourist attraction. There’s real history here, and the hosts share it with genuine enthusiasm.
Mornings at Ringling House are a highlight in their own right. Breakfast is served at the original Ringling family dining table, a detail that sounds small until you’re actually sitting there with a warm cup of coffee, a beautifully prepared meal, and good conversation. For travelers with pets, the private cottage offers a comfortable and welcoming option that’s hard to find at most properties in the area. If you’re planning a trip to explore the Driftless Region, catch a fish fry at Dorf Haus, or finally make that reservation at Del-Bar, let Ringling House be the place you come back to at the end of the evening. It’s the kind of bed and breakfast near Devils Lake that makes the whole trip feel complete.