The Cookery Restaurant & Wine Bar in Fish Creek, WI

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Telephone:	+1 920-868-3634
Website:	www.cookeryfishcreek.com
Address:	4135 Hwy 42, Fish Creek, WI, 54212
Categories:	Bakeries American (New) Wine Bars

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Bussiness info

Takes Reservations	No
Delivery	No
Take-out	Yes
Accepts Credit Cards	Yes
Good For	Lunch
Parking	Street
Bike Parking	Yes
Wheelchair Accessible	Yes
Good for Kids	Yes
Good for Groups	Yes
Attire	Casual
Ambience	Casual

Noise Level	Average
Good For Dancing	No
Alcohol	Beer & Wine Only
Happy Hour	Yes
Best Nights	Sat
Coat Check	No
Smoking	No
Outdoor Seating	Yes
Wi-Fi	No
Has TV	No
Waiter Service	Yes
Caters	No

Today

Today	–
Local time (Fish Creek)	10:25 AM Friday, June 13, 2025

Business hours

Monday	–
Tuesday	–
Wednesday	–
Thursday	–
Friday	–
Saturday	–
Sunday	–

Description

Specialties

Family run restaurant offering American casual fare with an emphasis on local ingredients. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily. The water view wine bar features weekly lively music and happy hour daily, 3 – 6 p.m. Vegetarian and gluten free selections are available.

House made jams, sauces and pie filling as well as home made bakery items are sold in the lobby.

History

Established in 1977.

It all began thirty eight years ago when Dick and Carol Skare honeymooned in Door County. It was May of 1977 and they found Fish Creek to be a sleepy lake side town. One shopkeeper, Hazel Elliott, took the time to find out that Dick and Carol were aspiring restaurateurs who met while working side by side at a supper club near Minneapolis. She arranged for them to look at a small, twenty seat restaurant in downtown Fish Creek. Two short months later, on the weekend of July 4, 1977, Dick and Carol opened the doors of The Cookery.

In May 2008, The Cookery began another chapter when a devastating fire caused the restaurant to close its doors for the season. The restaurant re-opened in June 2009 with expanded outdoor seating and a new addition, a second floor water view wine bar.

Meet the Business Owner

The Skare Family S.

Business Owner

Dick and Carol opened the doors of The Cookery in July 1977. Dick and Carol’s goal for their restaurant was to create a welcoming, casual environment where customers could enjoy great food that is prepared from start to finish in the restaurant’s kitchen. The restaurant’s recipes were rooted in Carol’s experience of learning to cook on her mother’s apron strings on a small family farm in rural Minnesota.

Today, Dick and Carol are extremely proud to have their daughters, Courtney and Karin, involved in the daily operation of the business. Courtney and Karin share Dick and Carol’s passion for food, which was engrained at a young age. Throughout the years and today, the Skares have continued to maintain their original values, to incorporate fresh ingredients focusing on local products from Door County and to bring delicious, homemade food to their customers.

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20 reviews of The Cookery Restaurant & Wine Bar

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Foodie A.

Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL

Fresh and delicious lunch. Started off with the eggplant fries which came with mild horseradish dipping sauce. The eggplant fries are fresh and light. I tried them as It sounded deLish. Light batter and fresh eggplant. My friend had the fish chowder. Yummy with lots of layers of flavor. Drinks were coffee and apple cherry cider. The alcoholic cider is out of this world superb. Glass is $ 8. Lunch sandwiches consumed: turkey club and a salmon sandwich. The layers of flavor are remarkable. It’s a party in your mouth and fills your spirits with warmth. Everything is homemade! The potato salad is creamy with fresh red potatoes, herbs and some spice. The HOMEMADE APPLESAUCE is to die for. I could eat a bowl of just applesauce with granola. They sell jars of applesauce. They close tomorrow for a five month break. So, if you have a hint of wonder about this restaurant, today is your last day until April 2016 :). Both lunch plates were fantastic. Everything is freshly made. Do you love vegetables are you gluten free? Visit here and eat here for your whole vacation. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, late night bites, dessert. One of my top spots for healthy eating.
The service is perfect! Kind, attentive and friendly. A smile in every bite, sip and lick smack.
Parking on street
They had a pumpkin carving contest today as it is Halloween 2015.

Patricia J.

Place rating: 5
Brookfield, WI

YUMMY!!! That’s what I think of the Door County Cherry Pancakes — especially dipped in a little bit of the real maple syrup!
I also like their nice, big booths which accommodated 6 of us without feeling squished!

Jen M.

Place rating: 5
Milwaukee, WI

I’ve had two great experiences here for brunches on Sunday mornings in June and September of 2015. In June I was with a group of 5 and in September a group of 6. In September we had a little bit of a wait for a table but it wasn’t too bad. The Cookery is spacious, especially compared to so many eateries in Door County which are often tiny. Thats why I bring larger groups here. The service is excellent: very competent, professional and patient. The menu is fun, hearty and true to the locale. I was inspired to try some brave new things: A cherry Mimosa and Biscuits and Chowder: Yup, fish for breakfast, technically. It was DELICIOUS. All my dining companions were happy as well. Cheers to the Cookery.

Lauren P.

Place rating: 4
Boston, MA

Unique take on traditional American fare. Reasonably priced. Cheese curds excellent in the land of great cheese curds. Quick service.

Tanya K.

Place rating: 5
Milwaukee, WI

Excellent lunch with my mom. Had sandwiches and beer. Sat on the upper deck and had a great view of the lake. If definitely stop back here again when in the area!

Cody L.

Place rating: 5
Oshkosh, WI

These Five Stars are for the lodging experience. We have stayed at their Hanson Cottage the last two years for our anniversary and will continue to.
It’s a clean cottage, updates amenities and just steps from the restaurant door. Just off the Main Street in Fish Creek but still quiet.
It has a nice deck, grill and very clean. Stay here if you get the chance. You will come back for years as we have.

I R.

Place rating: 4
Oak Brook, IL

We had a great time @TheCookery. What more could you ask for? Great service, delicious eats and a nice view. A must try is the #CherryLemonade. The tartness of the cherries complements well with the lemonade. I also had the fish tacos. The perch tasted so fresh and sriracha mayo was a delectable addition.

Teal R.

Place rating: 4
Chicago, IL

Walked in on a busy Saturday evening and found a spot on the upstairs porch.
The waiter was absolutely great and very helpful during the ordering process. My boyfriend had the walleye and I had a cup of the chowder and I believe Fish Creek or signature salad. The chowder is fabulous and I wish I would gotten a bowl of chowder and a half salad. Great selections of wine and beer and reasonable prices all around.
Will definitely visit again when I am back!

Matt M.

Place rating: 5
Stevens Point, WI

Great food, nice outdoor seating. Wait staff were not overly friendly but did his job, so maybe he was having an off day. The little rolls they served prior to the meal were so tasty. We all enjoyed the smoked whitefish spread with mini toast. Our daughter has the crab and shrimp cakes and didn’t have enough good to say. She loved them and talked about them a few days later, saying they were the highlight for the food department of our trip. My husband enjoyed his burger, as did our other daughter. I had fish tacos. To me they were over priced for the serving size but were tasty. The glasses water were served in were fun too! We would definitely come back again.

Kate T.

Place rating: 4
Champaign, IL

I ate here for breakfast twice and dinner once. The worst part about this place was the service. Neither servers were very friendly. However, they did abide nicely to my multiple food allergies. I was able to have eggs, hashbrowns, and gluten-free toast for breakfast and it was good. Usually hashbrowns are greasy but these tasted fresh. For dinner I had whitefish and a baked potato. It was also tasty and again, they abided nicely with my food allergies and restrictions.
The best thing about this place? They have the Door County body polish in their bathrooms. Love that stuff.

Jessica F.

Place rating: 3
Milwaukee, WI

Meh. Kind of underwhelming. My pork chop was tasty, but nothing to write home about. Service was prompt and friendly. Cherry ginger soda was delish. My house salad was served on a hot plate wilting the lettuce immediately. My husband had the pesto burger which was strangely bland and overcooked. Pulled pork nachos had good flavor. Nothing was terrible, but nothing was a dish that made me want to come right back.

Dave M.

Place rating: 4
Downers Grove, IL

We enjoyed The Cookery and had 2 dinners and a breakfast there. The salads were delectable, the nachos not terribly Mexican but delicious nonetheless, with pulled pork, jalapeños, and good cheeses. Eggs, bacon, pancakes, and breakfast potatoes all passed muster. The Cookery is a handsome restaurant with tables and large woody booths — very comfortable and easy on the eyes. Servers were friendly and skillful but maybe a bit harried, no surprise there, since it’s a busy place. The dessert trio is a pleasant adventure, as is the chocolate cherry bar which is available at the register. Being non-drinkers, we did not investigate the wine bar. You can certainly rely on The Cookery for an excellent meal!

Richard R.

Place rating: 5
Barrington, IL

We were on our way to another place when we saw The Cookery and decided to stop when we saw the nice patio with outdoor seating in front.
Boy, were we glad we did: Great food, good service, terrific ambiance.
This place is a Door County gem!
Regardless of what you have to eat, be sure to try their homemade cherry jam. It is incredibly good. We bought a jar to take home!

Michael F.

Place rating: 5
Saint Paul, MN

I had the Biscuits and Whitefish Chowder and other at my table had the Pesto Omlet and the Farmer’s Breakfast. Everyone was full and very pleased with their meal. The coffee is top drawer and the staff was always quick to offer refills.
My son had a chocolate chip pancake with bacon and a glass of cherry juice (recommended). He had a mat and markers to color before the food and we are always happy to find a place with higher quality food that is also kid friendly.
The service and food was excellent and the shop had lots of great jams and sauces to take home.

Darren S.

Place rating: 5
Madison, WI

I grew up eating breakfasts at the Cookery and have seen it change and grow with me over the last 20 years and can honestly say it is one of my «go to» places in Fish Creek.
Breakfast: Elegant and unique dishes based on locally sourced products. Everything is delightful– the cinnamon roles and pumpkin bread are smashing.
Lunch: A nice variety from light and fresh to savory and hearty. Haven’t had something I did not like.
Dinner: Rich and succulent plates combining variations of other plates as well as bringing new things into the mix. I love the baked Brie and the the small plates you can mix and match.
Add on nice wines, Wisconsin craft beers, and live music with an atmosphere that is lively and charming with inside/outside seating and boom, you have one of my favorite places to eat in the world!

Bryon S.

Place rating: 5
Madison, WI

First time to Door County for my wife and I. We ate dinner here on recommendation. Parked a cross the street and walked in, went right upstairs for happy hour in the wine bar. There were two tables left to sit at and luckily one was open by the window. We could look out at the water.
We ordered a couple glasses of wine and the whitefish spread right away. I do have to admit though, service was a little slow. Took a little bit for anyone to acknowledge us. BUT… I was okay with it and we were not in a rush at all. We were enjoying the scenery and the inside of the restaurant. Very nice and clean.
The whitefish spread was really smokey flavored and tasty. My wife ordered the scallops for dinner with polenta cakes on a bed of spinach. I ordered a half order of perch. Came with fries and carrots. I think I should of ordered the eggplant fries for an up charge though I think they should have these fries come with the perch to begin with. Elevate the meal a little bit.
Both dishes were really good though. I was actually gearing up for dessert. Especially since they had a cherry cobbler listed. I ordered that and my wife ordered the carrot cake. My wife doesn’t like carrot cake normally because of raisins but this didn’t have them. It had pineapple and coconut in it. Amazing!!! Both desserts were delicious. Best decision.
Definitely would come back. Our waiter was slightly forgetful but was apologetic and corrected any mistakes. He was very nice and made sure we were taken care of. No problem.

Sudipto G.

Place rating: 4
Portland, OR

Had gone to Door county to catch the fall colors, and had my usual sunday brunch at this place. Pretty nice location in Fish Creek right by the harbor, and very nice atmosphere instead. They had a killer looking brunch menu but we got in 15 mins too late :(:(They wouldn’t extend the brunch hours which is fair so we had to go with the lunch menu instead. Got the eggplant fries to start off proeceedings and they were awesome. I got the grilled salmon sandwich for lunch and it was pretty decent, nothing extraordinary but very fresh fish. If I’m ever back would stop by for their brunch menu!

David R.

Place rating: 4
Park Ridge, IL

This is one of the classier restaurants of all the towns along Highway 42 in Door County. That adjective is relative, of course: do not expect white tablecloths and sterling silverware. But what you can expect is a really good meal with warm service in an attractive setting – especially if you can sit on the patio on a lovely late-summer evening.
The Cookery does not take reservations, but if you call ahead they will put your name on the waiting list with your estimated time of arrival. It sounds pretty similar to a reservation to me, but okay.
The interior is handsome, but as I mentioned, take a patio seat if the weather is agreeable to your particular taste. Peruse the short but encouraging beer and cider list and choose something local. Spend some time reading the restaurant’s story and ethos. They use many local vendors for a variety of products; perhaps you will have visited some of them already on your trip like we had.
I started with the whitefish chowder, very good. The house salad was decent, but less interesting than the menu description made it sound. My shrimp & linguine entrée, though, was a knockout: wild shrimp sauteed with garlic, pimenton, and red pepper, finished with dry sherry, tossed with whole wheat linguine and garnished with parmesan (the real stuff, not powdery grocery store junk). It was perfectly cooked and absolutely delicious.
There were some mighty tough choices on that menu, and if I ever come back through here I may stop in for the stuffed pork chop or the pulled pork sandwich, or one of the fish favorites. Desserts were tempting, but we had an ice cream date elsewhere (shhh).

Kevin K.

Place rating: 5
Charlotte, NC

My favorite restaurant in Door County. Pulled pork sandwich is awesome, and that is coming from a 20-year NC resident. I wish I could take a few jars of the pickled onions home with me! My wife really enjoyed the BLT. The cherry lemonade is great.
Great outdoor seating and beautiful landscaping in the summer months. The Cookery is a frequent visit when we are in town.

Dylan M.

Place rating: 5
Libertyville, IL

The Cookery is one of those restaurants I look forward to coming back to when I return to Door Co. The landscaping around the establishment is gorgeous. It’s has outdoor seating on the first and second floor. I enjoy the upstairs balcony and the view of the water! They use organic ingredients from local farms for their creative and tasty menu options. The service has always been top notch! I always go for lunch and although they don’t take reservations I have called when I am on way and they have put my name on the list. In my opinion this is one of the best restaurants by far in door county!

The Cookery Restaurant & Wine Bar

Fish Creek, United States