Where to Eat in Lake Geneva: The Best Restaurants and Bars

April 14, 2018 Deane Carmody

Take a long deep breath and kiss your stresses good-bye: this lovely, year-round resort town offers a laid-back atmosphere that lets you slowly unwind. Beach buffs can don their swimsuits and head for one of several beaches on seven-mile-long Geneva Lake, which also offers a plethora of water sports. Leisurely cruises on restored historic yachts and replicas of paddle wheel steamers carry passengers past stately lakefront summer mansions, including some Victorian estates. Landlubbers can take a self-guided hike around the perimeter of the lake, which stretches some 21 miles. Laid-back, however, doesn't mean there isn't plenty to do. Choose from museums, a water park for younger kids, the world's largest refracting telescope at Yerkes Observatory, entertainment at the Belfry Music Theatre or greyhound racing. Winter is even quieter but no less filled with fun. Head to The Mountain Top, a popular family ski spot, or choose from horseback riding, skating, ice boating, hayrides or sleigh rides. Whatever time of year you go, Lake Geneva will charm you.
Things to do in Lake Geneva

1. Egg Harbor Cafe

827 W Main St, Lake Geneva, WI 53147-1804 Takeout, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible American, Cafe, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch SGD 8 - SGD 16 +1 262-248-1207
Excellent
65%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 674 reviews

Egg Harbor Cafe

Reviewed By Catherine C

Great service, friendly employees! The food was good, coffee was great! Parking on street so that can be hard to find a spot. Open just for breakfast and lunch.

2. Simple

525 Broad St, Lake Geneva, WI 53147-1419 Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible American, Cafe, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch SGD 13 - SGD 20 +1 262-248-3556
Excellent
67%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 799 reviews

Simple

New breakfast and lunch restaurant. Locally grown food.

Reviewed By Tammy M - Chicago, Illinois

Great place to have breakfast! Or lunch! Everything is well prepared and the whole menu is very healthy and you are eating high quality products! It’s cute inside, decor is great! Our server was very friendly and nice. Everything reasonably priced. Would go again.

3. The Next Door Pub

411 Interchange N, Lake Geneva, WI 53147-8917 Delivery, Takeout, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Free Off-Street Parking, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Discover American, Bar, Pizza, Pub, Italian, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner, Late Night SGD 13 - SGD 20 +1 262-248-9551
Excellent
63%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 524 reviews

The Next Door Pub

Go "Next Door" for the flavors of the Lake Geneva neighborhood. With great food, pleasant service, and friendly atmosphere, you'll find Next Door Pub to be a regular destination when you visit Lake Geneva. Our pizza is a local favorite, made from scratch from crust to sauce to bring out the best flavors. Choose your own toppings or take their suggestions like the Pub's Famous Garbage Pizza! Conveniently located near Hwy. 12, Next Door Pub is only about 5 Blocks from Geneva Lake and many of the area golf courses. For a casual, relaxed pub scene, Next Door Pub is what you're looking for. "HANDS DOWN BEST PIZZA IN TOWN"

Reviewed By FoxRiverRunner - Salem, Wisconsin

If you like GREAT thin crust pizza, look no further than Next Door Pub. Their pizza is worth the wait, and even though I know they have lots of other items on the menu, I can't seem to make the switch. All I need is a shaker of parmesan and a Next Door Pub pizza and I'm good. They do have live music some Saturdays as well. I'm there for the pizza, and maybe a beer, but definitely the pizza!

4. Joni's Diner

111 Wells St, Lake Geneva, WI 53147-2066 Takeout, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible American, Diner, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch +1 262-348-9565
Excellent
66%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 231 reviews

Joni's Diner

Reviewed By djb60060 - Mundelein, Illinois

Joni’s is a “for real” old fashioned diner in looks and feel. A very pleasant experience with lots of old style counter seating (on gleaming stools at a spotless counter) and an adequate number of Formica-topped tables.
The menu is traditional breakfast/diner lunch, with the major exception of their Corned Beef Hash, an interesting and delicious take on traditional hash—using pulled corned beef and small amounts of cabbage and green pepper in addition to the usual potatoes and onions. Great stuff (says this fussy hash guy ).
My wife loved the pancakes, feeling they were much better than most breakfast places.
Just delicious fun!

5. Medusa Grill and Bistro

501 Broad St, Lake Geneva, WI 53147-1419 Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wheelchair Accessible American, Mediterranean, Vegetarian Friendly Dinner, Late Night SGD 41 - SGD 66 +1 262-249-8644
Excellent
68%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 251 reviews

Medusa Grill and Bistro

Reviewed By TJP7301 - Hudsonville, Michigan

My wife had pork marsala while I had two appetizers. Calamari and octopus.

The food was cooked perfectly. A wonderful sautéed green mixture accompany meal which is hard to describe but extremely delicious. My calamari also had a wonderful garlic accompanied by a tomato purée.

A good selection of house wines from Europe

Great service from Riley

6. Geneva ChopHouse

7036 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva, WI 53147-5105 Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Valet Parking, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Outdoor Seating, Private Dining, Highchairs Available, Wine and Beer, Accepts Credit Cards American, Steakhouse, Gluten Free Options, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options Dinner, Brunch, Late Night SGD 66 - SGD 98 +1 262-249-4788
Excellent
65%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 358 reviews

Geneva ChopHouse

It all starts with a steak. Hand-selected, custom-seasoned, and prepared to perfection in an open-hearth grill. Then, wine. Cultivated in one of the world's premier winemaking regions, and strategically chosen to complement the cut. Welcome to Geneva ChopHouse, where we've mastered the art of steak and wine. From cabernet and filet to sirloin and syrah, each pairing is a masterpiece, expertly crafted to satisfy the palate. Of course, there's more to the story. Stellar seafood, chops and top-notch cocktails round out the menu, along with family-style sides and delectable desserts. It all comes together with the best Lake Geneva vibes in an upscale steakhouse atmosphere.

Reviewed By David M - Madison

Reserved well ahead of time on open table requesting a special table for our anniversary and I am happy to report that no other follow up was needed. We were given a great table complete with rose petals. Our server, Gabriel, provided expert service and a thorough review of the menu which led to selections that we greatly enjoyed. Foie Gras, seasonal salads, tenderloin, scallops and a small portion of wagyu beef were all amazing. My wife enjoyed being able to order a very small piece of the wagyu to suit the amount of food she wanted to have. Our server was assisted by Juan, also on the mark at every moment of the meal. I should also mention that the tapenade serve with the bread at the beginning was superb.

7. Baker House

327 Wrigley Dr, Lake Geneva, WI 53147-2034 Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Private Dining, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wheelchair Accessible American, Gluten Free Options, Vegetarian Friendly Brunch, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Late Night, Drinks SGD 16 - SGD 33 +1 262-248-4700
Excellent
64%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
4%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 462 reviews

Baker House

Indulge Yourself at Lake Geneva's newest, most luxurious Inn on the lake. 13 Fireplaces, Decadent Furnishings, Interactive History, Live Entertainment, Over the Top Fun! EXPERIENCE Small Plate Dining & Chef Special Entrees, while lounging Fireside Scrumptious Brunch Buffet on SUNDAYS from 10am to 2pm. The Five Star Luxury suites are now open and reservations can be made by telephone or our website. SunDowner celebration nightly from Memorial Day to Labor Day!Check back with us soon for our upcoming Murder Mystery Dinner at MaxWell's Mansion!

Reviewed By DDPage33 - Chicago, Illinois

We have stayed at the Baker House before, but never for the Sunday brunch. I can tell you we should have gone to brunch. The food was amazing, made to order omelets, cheese potato casserole, crab cakes, chocolate fondue, french toast, bacon, sausage, smoked salmon, bread pudding, and home made dessert tray. You also received mimosas and coffee. We had that meal and we were set for a late dinner in the afternoon. One thing I would say is you can feel a little tight in there, we sat in a living room, but there are other places with better tables, one is in the corner under the turret for 5-6 people and I would say that's the best table. The other tables are scattered around the downstairs, the other place I'd recommend is on the window encased porch with views of the lake. It is a little on the higher side of price, but worth it and come hungry. Then it is close to the trail for the Lake to walk off the meal. The wait staff was very quick to refill our drinks and remove our plates and gave us a tour of where everything was to begin our culinary journey.

8. Barrique Wine and Brew Bar

835 Wrigley Dr, Lake Geneva, WI 53147-2005 Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol American, Bar, Wine Bar, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options, Vegan Options Lunch, Dinner, Drinks +1 262-248-1948
Excellent
56%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 140 reviews

Barrique Wine and Brew Bar

Reviewed By Loonyteach

Cute little place. We we there after 2 on a Saturday, and there was only one table left after we sat down. I had a flight of wine. The waitress was amazing. She asked if I wanted a taste of one before I chose it. She didn't like the wine. She brought me a taste, and I hated it. Thank goodness she offered. She earned huge points for that! I then ordered the margarita flat bread. Delicious! My husband ordered the lobster tacos with high hopes that were deflated. No flavor at all. It was neat that they were served in two corn tortillas. I'm going to do that at home. The service was great. She was quite knowledgeable. Beer selection is lacking. The Southern Tier Cinnamon Rolls Beer was insanely good but is really a breakfast beer if there is such a thing. Most of their beers are pretty local. We do want to go back. My experience was great. My hubby's was just okay.

9. Oakfire

831 Wrigley Dr, Lake Geneva, WI 53147-2005 Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar American, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner, Late Night, Drinks +1 262-812-8007
Excellent
47%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 293 reviews

Oakfire

Oakfire is a Neapolitan Pizzeria located in downtown Lake Geneva in a new 2 story building that has the most magnificent views of Geneva Lake. You'll find a variety of pizzas, salads, and paninos all made with top quality ingredients, including San Marzano tomatoes and imported cheeses. The pizzas are cooked in 90 seconds in a wood burning oven that was imported from Italy.

Reviewed By Doug J - Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, United States

We went there when they first opened and weren't impressed. The service was very good. The food was okay. Went back for dinner last night. Calamari was presented nicely, but unfortunately was overcooked and tough. The micro greens and sauce for the squid were delicious. Next came the Bosco. The pizza was tasty and the texture was fairly crisp and tender for the first slice, but as the pizza rested it became more and more soggy and tough. If this is what pizza is like in Italy, I'll stick with the pasta.The service was great.

10. Tuscan Tavern & Grill

430 Broad St, Lake Geneva, WI 53147-1814 Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Private Dining, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar Italian, American, Bar, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner, Late Night 262-248-0888
Excellent
51%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
4%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 510 reviews

Tuscan Tavern & Grill

Reviewed By Monarch132 - Chicago, Illinois

We came for dinner on a Thursday night. I love salmon, and this dish was really talked up, so I decided to try it. I could have used a smaller portion for half the price. I ordered it with a BBQ "glaze" which wasn't really a glaze but rather spooned on. It seemed overdone, because you could not cut it with a fork. If you really like garlic, I recommend the garlic mashed potato (not a friend to date night though). I was not offered choices on the sides, so you might want to check that out when ordering. I could have gotten a different potato and vegetable if I read the menu better. My husband got the ($17) lasagna and took some home. It was good, but again, smaller portion for less money would have been fine with us. The service was a little slow, even though it was not crowded and the table location could have been better. We would try somewhere else next time.

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