28 Best Burgers in Door County, Ranked
Door County may be best known for fish boils, cherry pie and supper clubs, but the peninsula also has an unusually deep burger scene. You will find old-school tavern burgers, modern smash burgers, flame-broiled drive-in classics and upscale creations worth planning dinner around.
To build this ranking, we reviewed recommendations from several Door County Facebook discussions, current restaurant menus and recent feedback on Google, Yelp, Tripadvisor and other review platforms. Repeated local recommendations carried extra weight, but we also considered ingredient quality, preparation, originality, value and consistency.
All restaurants were confirmed as operating as of July 2026, although several are seasonal. Hours and menus can change quickly in Door County, so check with the restaurant before making a special trip.
Planning a longer visit? Start with our complete Door County family travel guide, then explore our guides to Sturgeon Bay, Fish Creek, Sister Bay, Egg Harbor and Washington Island.
Here are the best burgers in Door County, ranked from No. 28 to No. 1.
🍔 28 Best Burgers in Door County, Ranked
Tap a burger pin to see what to order — from Sturgeon Bay taverns to a ferry ride to Washington Island.
28. PC Junction
7898 County Road A, Baileys Harbor
PC Junction is best known as the Door County restaurant where meals arrive aboard a model train. That experience makes it one of the peninsula’s most popular restaurants for families, but the burgers are better than the novelty setting might suggest.
These are straightforward, kid-friendly burgers rather than culinary showpieces. Order one if your family wants a casual lunch with plenty of entertainment built into the meal.
What to order: A classic cheeseburger delivered by train.
Best for: Families with younger children.
27. Not Licked Yet Frozen Custard
4054 Highway 42, Fish Creek
Most people visit Not Licked Yet for frozen custard, but several Door County diners specifically praised its burgers. The family-owned seasonal stand has operated since 1982 and serves its burgers on fresh-baked buns.
It is an especially convenient stop before or after visiting Peninsula State Park. The setting includes outdoor seating, a playground and enough custard choices to ensure nobody skips dessert.
What to order: A cheeseburger followed by the frozen custard flavor of the day.
Best for: Burgers, custard and outdoor family time.
26. Wally’s Weenie Wagon “The Restaurant”
6313 Highway 57, Jacksonport
After building a food truck following, Wally’s Weenie Wagon now has a permanent, year-round restaurant in Jacksonport.
The menu is still centered on Chicago favorites—including Vienna Beef hot dogs, Italian beef and gyro—but it also includes flame-broiled burgers and fresh-cut fries. One new Facebook nomination is not enough to send Wally’s into the top tier yet, but its permanent location makes it eligible for the main ranking.
What to order: A flame-broiled cheeseburger with fresh-cut fries.
Best for: A quick burger near Jacksonport, Cave Point and Whitefish Dunes.
25. Baileys Harbor Cornerstone Pub
8123 Highway 57, Baileys Harbor
Cornerstone Pub appeared several times in the community recommendations. Its dependable pub burgers, waterfront location and year-round schedule make it a useful option on the quieter Lake Michigan side of the peninsula.
The burgers are traditional rather than trendy, but that is part of the appeal. Cornerstone is the kind of place where a cheeseburger, fries and a cold Wisconsin beer make a complete meal.
What to order: The house cheeseburger with your favorite Wisconsin cheese.
Best for: A reliable year-round Baileys Harbor lunch.
24. Institute Saloon
4599 Highway 57, Sturgeon Bay
Dating to 1897, Institute Saloon is one of Door County’s genuine rural taverns. A local Facebook commenter made the most important burger argument in its favor: the patties are never frozen.
This is an unfussy Wisconsin bar burger served in an establishment where food, drinks and conversation matter more than elaborate presentation. It is a worthwhile detour for travelers who prefer neighborhood taverns to heavily visited tourist restaurants.
What to order: A fresh cheeseburger with fried onions.
Best for: A local tavern experience away from the busiest villages.
23. Boathouse on the Bay
10716 N. Bay Shore Drive, Sister Bay
The view is the first thing you notice at Boathouse on the Bay, but its burgers have their own following. One Facebook commenter singled out the Cajun burger as the best they had eaten in Door County.
The biggest advantage is the combination of a satisfying burger and one of Sister Bay’s best waterfront dining locations. Time your meal around sunset and the setting becomes almost as memorable as the food.
What to order: The Cajun burger, when available.
Best for: A burger with a Sister Bay sunset.
22. Brick Lot Pub & Grill
253 N. Third Avenue, Sturgeon Bay
Brick Lot Pub & Grill builds its burgers with beef from local favorite Marchant’s Meats. The menu includes choices such as the Brick Lot Special, Cheesehead, Smokehouse Burger and Spice Girl.
The Brick Lot earns its place through variety and consistency. It is an easy downtown choice for a group that wants burgers, barbecue, broasted chicken and Friday fish fry under one roof.
What to order: The Brick Lot Special.
Best for: Local beef and a broad pub menu.
21. Door County Sandbox
1023 Egg Harbor Road, Sturgeon Bay
Door County Sandbox combines a full restaurant with axe throwing, virtual golf and other indoor entertainment. Its smash burgers were mentioned repeatedly enough in the Facebook discussions to prove that the food is more than an afterthought.
Recent customer feedback frequently describes the burgers as juicy and generously portioned. It is particularly useful on a rainy day when your family wants dinner and an activity in the same building.
What to order: The Sandbox Burger or a double smash burger.
Best for: Burgers paired with indoor entertainment.
20. Valmy Happy Hour
4418 Whitefish Bay Road, Sturgeon Bay
The kind of affordable rural tavern that can be overlooked by visitors concentrating on Door County’s waterfront villages. Local diners, however, continue to recommend its burgers.
The restaurant carries an approximately 4.6-star rating across 270 Google reviews, with customers repeatedly praising its honest prices, friendly tavern atmosphere and satisfying burgers. It is an especially convenient stop while traveling between Sturgeon Bay, Jacksonport and Cave Point.
What to order: A classic cheeseburger with fries.
Best for: An affordable local burger away from the tourist crowds.
19. Door County Fire Company
Aloha Burger
38 S. Third Avenue, Sturgeon Bay
Located inside Sturgeon Bay’s original fire station, Door County Fire Company offers one of the county’s largest specialty-burger menus.
The Siren piles onion rings, bacon, cheddar and barbecue sauce onto its burger, while the Black & Bleu adds Cajun seasoning, mushrooms, bacon and bleu cheese. The massive DCFC uses two patties, two slices of cheese and bacon.
What to order: The Siren.
Best for: Big specialty burgers and a family-friendly setting.
18. The Thirsty Cow Taphouse
The Pizza Burger: hand-pattied burger with homemade pizza sauce, pepperoni, shredded cheese blend, along with a sprinkle of parmesan
7899 County Road A, Baileys Harbor
The Thirsty Cow Taphouse is Door County’s only self-pour taphouse, offering 25 taps of Wisconsin beer, cider and other drinks.
Its burger received enthusiastic community support, including one commenter who argued that searching for Door County’s best burger points directly to The Thirsty Cow. The self-pour system also lets diners sample several small pours instead of committing to one full beer.
What to order: The house burger with a flight of Wisconsin beer samples.
Best for: Burger-and-beer enthusiasts.
17. The Shoreline Restaurant
12747 Highway 42, Gills Rock
Perched near the northern tip of the mainland, The Shoreline Restaurant combines Green Bay views with a casual, seasonal menu.
Facebook commenters specifically called attention to its smash burgers. The burger is best enjoyed outside, where the waterfront setting and slower pace make Gills Rock feel far removed from the summer crowds farther south.
What to order: One of the seasonal smash burgers.
Best for: A scenic burger near the famous curvy road.
16. West Side Commons
26 E. Oak Street, Sturgeon Bay
West Side Commons is a newer Sturgeon Bay restaurant devoted to elevated burgers and comfort food. Its burgers and fries use the restaurant’s own Meat Maker seasoning, and gluten-free buns and celiac-safe fryers make the menu unusually accommodating.
The standout S’all Good Holmes burger combines Angus beef, bacon, a fried egg, pepper jack and sausage gravy. The Philly Burger is another early favorite.
What to order: S’all Good Holmes.
Best for: Creative burgers and thoughtful gluten-free options.
15. Wilson’s Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor
9990 Highway 42, Ephraim
Wilson’s has served Ephraim since 1906. Its flame-broiled burgers, homemade root beer, jukeboxes and enormous ice-cream creations deliver the complete old-fashioned soda-fountain experience.
The burger itself is a classic rather than a smash-burger trend piece. The combination of flame-broiled beef, root beer and an Eagle Harbor sunset is what makes Wilson’s an essential Door County stop.
What to order: A flame-broiled cheeseburger with homemade root beer.
Best for: Door County nostalgia and dessert after dinner.
14. Sip
10326 N. Water Street, Ephraim
Sip is known for coffee, brunch and its colorful retail space, but its current menu includes an excellent double smash burger.
The standard version combines two patties, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles and Sip sauce on brioche. The Cowboy adds bacon and barbecue sauce, while a rotating Smash Burger of the Week gives regulars something new to try.
What to order: The Cowboy Smash Burger.
Best for: A modern smash burger with coffee or cocktails.
13. Ember at The Landmark
4929 Landmark Drive, Egg Harbor
One Facebook commenter described the burger at Ember as one of their favorites and praised the fries just as strongly. The current Ember menu explains why.
The Ember Burger uses chuck sirloin with bacon jam, comeback sauce and a brioche bun. Depending on the seasonal version, it may also include cheddar, fig-and-sweet-onion jam or arugula. The restaurant’s bluff-top views over Green Bay make it one of the ranking’s best date-night choices.
What to order: The Ember Burger with fries.
Best for: An elevated burger and sunset dinner.
12. Barringer’s Restaurant
1 N. Spruce Street, Fish Creek
The Prime Truffle Burger at Barringer’s is one of Door County’s strongest upscale burgers. It pairs prime beef with truffle aioli, mushroom duxelles and fries.
Recent reviewers repeatedly praise its juiciness and the balance between the earthy mushrooms and rich truffle flavor. It costs more than a standard tavern burger, but the beef, preparation and polished dining room justify the upgrade.
What to order: The Prime Truffle Burger.
Best for: An upscale Fish Creek lunch or date night.
11. Hill Street
4149 Main Street, Fish Creek
Hill Street describes itself as a sometimes-cozy, sometimes-raucous downtown bar serving casual food with a touch of refinement.
Its burger earned several Facebook nominations, with the Kurgan Burger receiving a specific shoutout. Hill Street’s year-round schedule, outdoor bar and late-night energy also make it one of Fish Creek’s livelier burger destinations.
What to order: The Kurgan Burger, when available.
Best for: A burger before live music or a night in Fish Creek.
10. Coyote Roadhouse
3026 County Road E, Baileys Harbor
Located on Kangaroo Lake, Coyote Roadhouse is a classic Wisconsin roadhouse with a surprisingly devoted burger following.
Current choices include the Western with barbecue sauce, bacon and smoked cheddar; the Bleu Burger; and the Ham Burger with ham and smoked cheddar. The lakefront deck and year-round schedule make Coyote a dependable destination in every season.
What to order: The Bleu Burger or Western Burger.
Best for: A hearty burger beside Kangaroo Lake.
9. Greystone Castle
8 N. Madison Avenue, Sturgeon Bay
Greystone Castle offers something almost nobody else in Door County can match: traditional beef burgers alongside elk, buffalo, venison and wild-boar burgers.
For the classic experience, order the Greystone Special, a one-third-pound beef patty with bacon, American cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion. Adventurous diners can take a walk on the wild side with one of the pure wild-game patties.
What to order: The Greystone Special or buffalo burger.
Best for: Wild-game burgers and old-school Sturgeon Bay character.
8. One Star Burgers & Dogs
10440 Orchard Drive, Sister Bay
One Star Burgers & Dogs keeps its concept focused: burgers, hot dogs and frozen treats served in a casual roadside setting.
The One Star Burger is a double cheeseburger with grilled onions, pickles, lettuce and One Star sauce. The Patio Burger pays tribute to the drive-in that formerly occupied the location, while the Spicy One adds salsa verde and serrano peppers.
What to order: The One Star Burger.
Best for: A straightforward roadside double cheeseburger.
7. Husby’s Food & Spirits
10641 N. Bay Shore Drive, Sister Bay
Husby’s appeared repeatedly throughout the Facebook discussions. It is also highlighted in our Sister Bay guide as a longtime local sports-bar favorite.
The Huz stacks two patties with mushrooms, onions and cheddar. The Bay combines a brat patty with a beef patty, while the Chopped Bacon Bleu uses cherrywood bacon and Wisconsin aged bleu cheese. An Impossible Burger provides one of the county’s better-known plant-based alternatives.
What to order: The Huz.
Best for: A substantial pub burger in downtown Sister Bay.
6. Birmingham’s Bar and Cottages
4709 Bay Shore Drive, Sturgeon Bay
Birmingham’s serves one of the most distinctive burgers in Door County. Its hand-formed patties arrive on white bread instead of a bun.
That choice sounds unconventional until you eat one. The soft bread absorbs the burger juices and creates an experience closer to something made in a Wisconsin home kitchen than a modern restaurant creation. The third-generation waterfront establishment has built a loyal following around exactly that kind of tradition.
What to order: A hand-formed cheeseburger on white bread.
Best for: A uniquely old-school Door County burger.
5. Bayside Tavern
The Brat Burger
4160 Main Street, Fish Creek
Bayside Tavern has occupied the heart of Fish Creek since 1975, and it received more Facebook nominations than nearly any restaurant in the county.
The hand-pattied burger is available in several forms, but the Brat Burger is the most Wisconsin option: a beef patty topped with a brat patty and cheese. Recent Yelp feedback continues to praise both the classic hamburger and the brat burger, although summer crowds can produce a wait.
What to order: The Brat Burger or classic cheeseburger with grilled onions.
Best for: A classic Fish Creek tavern burger.
4. The Red Room
66 S. Third Avenue, Sturgeon Bay
With the Red Room, no other burger combines local enthusiasm, value, tradition and consistency quite as convincingly.
The same family has operated this Sturgeon Bay tavern since 1949. Its signature Red Room Special is a fresh, satisfying bar burger commonly served on Texas toast. It is not overloaded with trendy toppings, and it does not need to be.
The Red Room generated more passionate recommendations than any other contender in the Facebook discussions. Commenters repeatedly answered “Red Room Special,” “Red Room, hands down” or simply “RED ROOM!” Current review summaries continue to praise its fresh meat, hot food and remarkably affordable prices.
This is Door County’s definitive old-school bar burger: uncomplicated, locally loved and difficult to improve.
What to order: The Red Room Special with fries and a cold beer.
Best for: Door County’s quintessential local burger experience.
3. Albatross Drive-In
777 Main Road, Washington Island
Reaching Albatross Drive-In requires a ferry ride, but burger fans consistently argue that it is worth the trip.
The seasonal Washington Island landmark specializes in burgers and ice cream, and it was voted Door County’s best burger in 2023. Recent review summaries remain strongly positive, particularly for the Alby Burger, Southwest Burger and mushroom-Swiss burger. The outdoor picnic tables, tiki bar and island atmosphere complete the experience.
If you are making the trip, our Washington Island family guide covers ferry logistics and the island’s best attractions.
What to order: The Alby Burger with cheese curds or onion rings.
Best for: A destination burger and an island day trip.
2. Savor Juicy Burgers
10635 N. Bay Shore Drive, Sister Bay
The team behind Savor’s award-winning barbecue transformed its original Sister Bay restaurant into Savor Juicy Burgers in 2026.
Unlike restaurants using standard frozen patties, Juicy Burgers emphasizes house-ground beef, handmade sausages, fresh produce and house-made sauces. Multiple Facebook commenters called it their new favorite.
This is the strongest modern smash-burger specialist in northern Door County. Its year-round schedule and central Sister Bay location only add to the appeal.
What to order: The signature house-ground smash burger.
Best for: Fresh, modern smash burgers.
1. Mink River Basin
12010 Highway 42, Ellison Bay
Mink River Basin was one of the most frequently repeated answers in the Facebook discussions. Several commenters named it without hesitation, while another called it the best burger they knew of anywhere in Door County.
The menu covers everything from a classic cheeseburger to the Mink River Burger with sautéed onions and mushrooms. The 12 Pepper Butter Bacon Cheeseburger adds bacon, pepper jack and a more aggressive layer of spice.
Mink River also captures something essential about northern Door County: an easygoing tavern atmosphere where visitors and locals can settle in without pretense.
What to order: The Mink River Burger or 12 Pepper Butter Bacon Cheeseburger.
Best for: A northern Door County tavern burger with a loyal local following.
Honorable Mentions
Door County has more good burgers than can reasonably fit into one ranking. These establishments also received recommendations or have burgers worth knowing about:
Julie’s Park Cafe in Fish Creek serves a Door County burger incorporating local cherry flavor.
Papa B’s Food Truck received several emphatic nominations for its smash burger. Because it is a mobile operation with changing locations, it was left out of the brick-and-mortar ranking.
Al Johnson’s, The Hitching Post, Scotty’s Pub & Grub, Stone Hedge Golf Course, Casey’s BBQ, 3rd Street Cafe, The Blue Ox and Sawyer Harbor were also nominated.
Chaudoir’s Dock, located south of Sturgeon Bay, is worth remembering when you want a burger beside the water.
Bristol 45 Diner is outside Door County but can make a convenient burger stop for travelers approaching the peninsula from the south.
Which Burger Is Right for You?
If you want a classic bar burger, begin with the Red Room, Mink River Basin or Bayside Tavern.
For smash burgers, try Savor Juicy Burgers, Sip, One Star or Door County Sandbox.
For a nostalgic family experience, choose Wilson’s, Albatross, PC Junction or Not Licked Yet.
For something upscale, order the burger at Ember or Barringer’s.
For a distinctly Wisconsin creation, try the Brat Burger at Bayside, The Bay at Husby’s or a hand-formed burger on white bread at Birmingham’s.
And if you want the complete Door County experience, take the ferry to Washington Island and eat an Alby Burger outside under the trees.
Door County’s restaurant hours can change with the season. Confirm operating dates before driving long distances, particularly for Albatross, Shoreline, Wilson’s, Not Licked Yet and other seasonal establishments.
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