The places worth your time in the Dells and Lake Delton, with what each one is best for and what to know before you go. Filter by what's open, what you're craving and who's coming.
Hand-picked, not paid. We only list places that rate well with visitors, with a few well-known exceptions. We've been means we've been ourselves.
Getting around: the Dells in 9 areas, with drive times from our homes.
Downtown (about 10 minutes): Broadway, the riverfront and the boat docks
North of downtown (5 to 15 minutes): River Road, the Upper Dells and the countryside near our homes
Hwy 13 and north Parkway (about 12 minutes): Hwy 13 by I-90/94 and the top of the Parkway
The Parkway (15 to 20 minutes): The Hwy 12 strip: Noah's Ark, Mt. Olympus, the Ducks
Lake Delton (15 to 20 minutes): The village, the lake, Wilderness and County A
Kalahari and Great Wolf (20 to 25 minutes): The south end of the Parkway by I-90/94 exit 92 and the outlets
Mirror Lake and Ho-Chunk (20 to 25 minutes): Mirror Lake State Park, Ishnala and the casino
Baraboo and Devil's Lake (30 to 40 minutes): Devil's Lake, Circus World and downtown Baraboo
Further out (30 minutes or more): Worth the drive: Mauston, Reedsburg, Portage and beyond
Tap the to save places and share your list. Hours change by season, so check before you go. Something out of date? Let me know.
Area:
Showing 78 of 78
Breakfast and brunch (5)
Researched
BJ's Restaurant
The Parkway
Family-run diner for over 40 years, best known for homestyle breakfasts like pancakes, biscuits and gravy and French toast.
Hwy 13 and north Parkway · $$ · Seasonal, late February to November
Family-run lumberjack-themed restaurant serving an all-you-can-eat logging camp breakfast family style, known for homemade buttermilk donuts sold by the dozen.
Serves:
Breakfast
Best for:
A big family breakfast before a full day out
Know before you go:
Breakfast is served family style as an all-you-can-eat meal, so plan for one set menu.
Local roaster's riverside cafe on the Parkway with house-roasted coffee, scratch pastries and a breakfast menu, plus a deck facing the Wisconsin River and dam.
Serves:
Breakfast, Lunch
Best for:
Lattes and breakfast with a river view
Know before you go:
Ordering ahead is possible through the Bella Goose Coffee app.
From public reviews: Reviewers often mention the river and dam views from the deck, and that lines and waits can get long at peak times.
Restaurant in a restored 19th-century mansion overlooking Mirror Lake, serving prime rib, steaks and seafood, with themed dining rooms and a speakeasy.
Serves:
Lunch, Dinner
Best for:
A dinner in a historic setting
Know before you go:
Weekend brunch runs 10 am to 2 pm; weekday service starts at 3:30 pm.
Bar and grill at Christmas Mountain Village with build-your-own half-pound burgers, a Friday fish fry and prime rib on Saturdays, overlooking the ski hill.
Old-fashioned style downtown ice cream parlor and bakery with scooped ice cream, sundaes and shakes, plus pastries, donuts, coffee and an all-day brunch menu.
Serves:
Breakfast, Lunch
Best for:
Sundaes and baked goods downtown
Know before you go:
Hours are shorter outside summer, so check before a weekday visit.