Stevens Point dining guide: supper clubs, pizza, iconic eats

Stevens Point is Wisconsin's hidden food crossroads — a small city where 1857-vintage breweries, a 178-year-old farmers market, classic white-tablecloth supper clubs, and cult-favorite soft-serve stands all sit within a 15-minute drive of each other. For road-tripping families, that means one itinerary can deliver a prime-rib dinner beside a 1903 railroad car, a butter-burger-and-custard lunch, and a 12-inch cone devoured on a summer picnic bench.

This guide covers the dining spots that define Portage County, organized by what your family actually wants next — a sit-down supper, a slice with the kids, or a dairy-farm dessert stop.

Central Wisconsin's food identity rests on four pillars: Point beer, Polish heritage, dairy (cheese curds above all), and the Friday fish fry. Stevens Point is the commercial hub of Wisconsin's Polonia, the home of the state's oldest continuously operating farmers market (running since 1847 on Mathias Mitchell Public Square), and sits on the "Grain Circle Trail" linking four craft breweries. Every restaurant below was verified open in 2026; addresses and hours were cross-checked against the businesses' own sites.

Iconic Wisconsin supper clubs

Wisconsin supper clubs are a regional institution — slow, steak-centric family restaurants built around relish trays, brandy old-fashioneds, and Friday fish fry. Stevens Point's scene has thinned over the past decade (Bernard's Country Inn and Old 10 Bistro both closed), but the survivors are some of the best in the state.

Sky Club Supper Club — 2202 Post Rd, Plover, WI 54467 | (715) 341-4000 — is the crown jewel and has been voted Wisconsin's #1 supper club. Opened in 1935 and owned by the Freund family since 1961 (now third generation), Sky Club is the reputed home of the first refrigerated salad bar in the United States, invented on-site in 1950. The 16,000-square-foot space holds five dining rooms, a TK Chang art gallery room, and a bar pouring the famous house-bottled "Shifty's Old Fashioned." Expect hand-cut steaks, brown-butter walleye, and homemade cheesecake; entrees run $25–$55. Open Tue–Thu and Sun 4:00–8:30, Fri–Sat until 9:00, closed Monday.

Michele's Restaurant — 513 Division St, Stevens Point, WI 54481 | (715) 341-3363 — is Stevens Point's in-city supper club standard-bearer, opened in 1980 by the Klasinski family and still run by them. Parmesan-garlic filet, aged Angus ribeye, Saturday prime rib, and lager-battered walleye lead the menu, and it's one of the only central-Wisconsin spots serving fresh oysters. Voted Portage County's best steak, seafood, prime rib, and fine dining. Slightly dressier than a classic supper club; Wed–Sat 4:00 PM to close, reservations recommended, $$$.

Silver Coach Restaurant — 38 Park Ridge Dr, Stevens Point, WI 54481 | (715) 341-6588 — is literally built inside a 1903 Barney & Smith railroad sleeper car (the "Glen Flora," originally on the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railway). Chef-owners Rob and Brenda Tuszka have run it since 2001; the Cajun-inflected menu features signature crawfish balls, shrimp Miguel, Steak Diane, pecan-crusted salmon, and an herb-garden patio. Romantic and intimate — best for older, well-behaved kids. Dinner Tue–Sat, $$$.

Pinewood Supper Club — 147801 Half Moon Lake Dr, Mosinee, WI 54455 | (715) 693-3180 — delivers the Northwoods lakefront fantasy: stone fireplace, pine plank floors, a marble wrap-around bar, and picture windows over Half Moon Lake. The crab-stuffed salmon is the house signature. Ranked #2 supper club in Wisconsin by VisitWausau, and unlike many of its peers, it has an explicit kids' menu. Tue–Sat 5–10 PM, Sun 4–9, closed Monday. $$.

Simpson's Restaurant — 222 S Main St, Waupaca, WI 54981 | (715) 258-2330 — has been a downtown Waupaca landmark since 1932, making it one of the longest continuously operating supper clubs in the state. Best bloody mary in town, old-fashioneds garnished with marinated mushrooms, and a from-scratch kitchen turning out prime rib, surf-and-turf, and a classic fish fry. Open seven days a week; $$$.

Two Lakes Supper Club — 9915 Two Lakes Rd, Almond, WI 54909 | (715) 366-2479 — is a four-generation Jagielo family operation running since 1949. Known for its signature "Drunken Chicken," shrimp pizza, and Italian-American plates at gentler prices than most supper clubs. Open spring through fall only — call or check Facebook before driving out. A great casual, kid-friendly option in the supper-club category.

Additional worthwhile supper clubs within an hour of Stevens Point include The Palms in Weston (home of America's first round bar, hand-built in 1936 from a single oak), Belvedere Supper Club in Marshfield (complimentary dessert with every meal; Kids Club rewards program), Buck-A-Neer in Stratford (massive salad bar and a famously gigantic 2½-pound Masterpiece Burger), Richards in Wausau, and Lake Aire Supper Club in Wisconsin Rapids.

The family-friendly casual restaurants

The Wooden Chair — 1059 Main St, Stevens Point | (715) 341-1133 — is the city's unrivaled breakfast destination, housed in an 1891 First National Bank building and filled with mismatched antique chairs. Omelets, house pancakes, pork-carnitas benedict, and a Turkey BLT called "The Spindle" lead the menu; vegan and gluten-free options are extensive. Currently ranked #3 of 117 Stevens Point restaurants on Tripadvisor (Google 4.7, 1,200+ reviews). Wed–Sun 8 AM–2 PM, closed Mon–Tue, $$.

Cozy Kitchen — 1338 3rd St, Stevens Point | (715) 344-8620 — is the oldest established restaurant in Stevens Point (1946) and the easiest place to sample the city's Polish heritage. Expect homemade pierogi, golumpki (cabbage rolls), czarnina, dumpling soup on Wednesdays, all-day breakfast, and a Friday fish fry. Classic counter-and-booth diner, kids' menu, $. Tue–Sat 7 AM–2 PM (Fri dinner until 7 PM).

Rock 'N' Roll Cafe — 2801 Stanley St, Stevens Point | (715) 544-6612 — is a 1950s-themed family diner the kids will remember: vinyl booths, classic car décor, "Superstar Skillets" named after mid-century celebrities, and complimentary scones or cinnamon rolls with every meal. All-day breakfast, Friday fish fry. Mon–Sat 7 AM–3 PM, $$.

Guu's on Main — 1140 Main St, Stevens Point | (715) 344-3200 — is the downtown bar-and-grill families choose when they want a beer with dinner. The signature Guu's Curds use Feltz Dairy curds in Nashville hot, truffle-parmesan, and garlic-ranch preparations; 38+ taps feature local Point, O'so, and Central Waters beers. Kids are welcome, high chairs available, outdoor patio, root beer floats pulled from Point Soda taps. $$.

Polito's Pizza — 960 Main St, Stevens Point | (715) 341-9980 — slings 20-inch New York "big slices" that captivate kids on sight. Mac-and-cheese pizza, BBQ steak-fry slices, gluten-free options, a pinball machine in the corner. Open until 3 AM Fri–Sat — a classic college-town late-night stop that's kid-friendly during normal hours. $.

Topper's Pizza (249 Division St) and Rocky Rococo's (135 Division St N) are both Wisconsin-founded chains beloved for late-night slices, Topperstix, and kids' menus — easy, cheap dinners near UWSP campus.

El Mezcal — 5741 Windy Dr, Suite E, Stevens Point | family-owned for 16+ years — is the family Mexican standard: carne asada street tacos, chili rellenos, monster burritos, kids' menu, horchata, and a generous patio. $$, Google 4.5. Mi Pueblo in Plover (190 Crossroads Dr) is the Plover counterpart for families getting off I-39.

Tokyo Steak House — 1617 Academy Ave, Stevens Point | (715) 344-8444 — delivers the flaming-onion-volcano hibachi show kids love. Dedicated kids' menu; $$–$$$. BroKogi Korean Fusion (108 Division St) is a newer fast-casual option (opened September 2023) recently named one of the best Korean restaurants in the U.S., serving bulgogi boxes and Korean fried chicken.

Note: Father Fats Public House (945 Clark St) is technically a small-plates/cocktail spot that accepts kids and keeps high chairs, but it's really an adults' date-night experience — skip it with young children.

Iconic local experiences worth the detour

Three spots define Stevens Point's food identity and belong on any family itinerary.

Belts' Soft Serve — 2140 Division St, Stevens Point | (715) 344-0049 — is the summer institution. Open since 1981 by Don and Joyce Belt (now third-generation family ownership), it's famously "Home of the Large Cone" — a 10–12-inch, two-pound tower of soft-serve. Scotcharoo flurries, homemade peanut butter cups, Pointer Flurries with cookie dough and brownies, and Door County cherries in season. Cash only, seasonal early-March through mid-October, 11 AM–10 PM daily. Opening day is a local holiday — some fans camp overnight.

Stevens Point Brewery — 2617 Water St, Stevens Point | (715) 344-9310 — has been brewing on the same site since 1857, making it one of the oldest continuously operating breweries in the United States. Thirty-minute walking tours (~$7) run daily except Sunday. The taproom opened Spring 2024 and welcomes all ages — 36 taps, a kid-friendly outdoor "Point Patio" beer garden with games, carry-in food allowed. Tour stairs mean no strollers on the walk itself, but the tap room and patio are fully family-accessible.

Feltz Family Farm & Dairy Store — 5796 Porter Dr, Stevens Point | (715) 344-1293 — is the agritourism stop that will sell your kids on Wisconsin dairy. The Feltz family milks 600 Holsteins using robotic milkers families can watch through viewing windows, plus an on-site cheese plant (windows there, too) and a "cow carousel" play feature. Deep-fried curds made in-house, 16 ice cream flavors, 250+ cheeses, and ~95% Wisconsin-made inventory. Mon–Sat 9 AM–5:30 PM.

O'so Brewing Company — 1800 Plover Rd, Plover | (715) 254-2163 — is the family brewpub of the region. Founded 2007, it moved into an expansive taphouse in 2021 and added a full kitchen, O'so Amore Pizzeria, which locals routinely call the best pizza in the county. Half-pound char-grilled burgers, live music most weekends, 2023 Portage County Best Brewpub winner. $$. Central Waters Brewing in nearby Amherst is better known for barrel-aged beers and hosts rotating food trucks on weekends; under-21s are welcome with a parent.

Ruby Coffee Roasters — flagship café at 1410 Third St, Stevens Point (daily 7 AM–3 PM); original rural café at 9489 First St, Nelsonville — earned back-to-back Food & Wine "Wisconsin's Best Roaster" honors in 2018 and 2019. A serious specialty-coffee stop with breakfast and lunch menus and baked goods. Main Grain Bakery (1009 1st St) is the complementary downtown pick, famous for Asiago-thyme sourdough and banh mi sandwiches; featured on Wisconsin Foodie with Chef Luke Zahm.

Stevens Point Area Farmers' Market — Mathias Mitchell Public Square, 820 Main St — has been running continuously since 1847, making it the oldest farmers market in Wisconsin. Saturdays 7 AM–noon (May–October) with roughly 55 weekly vendors; winter market moves indoors to 941 Michigan Ave (Saturdays 8 AM–noon, November–April) with rotating hot-breakfast vendors like Slap Bang Bagel and Naughty Eggrolls. Free morning entertainment for families.

How to build a perfect day

Based on the geography, one very feasible Stevens Point food day for a family on a road trip looks like this: breakfast at The Wooden Chair or Cozy Kitchen downtown; a mid-morning stroll through the Farmers' Market at Mathias Mitchell Square; an early lunch and pizza slices at Polito's or O'so Amore Pizzeria; an afternoon stop at Feltz Family Farm to watch the robotic milkers and eat fresh curds; a late-afternoon Large Cone at Belts' Soft Serve (May–October); and a proper Wisconsin supper at Sky Club in Plover or Michele's downtown, timed for a Friday fish fry or Saturday prime rib. If you have a second day, drive east to Ruby Coffee in Nelsonville for breakfast and loop through Central Waters Brewing in Amherst.

Key takeaways for road-tripping families

Stevens Point rewards families who plan around three realities. First, the iconic places are seasonal or limited-hours: Belts' closes in mid-October, Two Lakes Supper Club closes in winter, and most supper clubs don't serve before 4 PM or on Mondays. Second, the city punches above its weight on heritage dining — a 1903 railroad-car restaurant, an 1857 brewery, an 1847 farmers market, and a 1946 Polish diner all operate within a few square miles. Third, for families trying to sample Wisconsin's defining food traditions in one trip, Stevens Point offers the full stack in a walkable downtown plus a short rural drive: a classic supper club, a Friday fish fry, cheese curds from the cow, Point beer from the source, and a soft-serve cone big enough to share. Reservations are strongly recommended at all six major supper clubs, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.