There might not be anything that can more instantly trigger a memory than food. The taste, the smell and even the feeling of a meal can provide the best wave of nostalgia you’ve ever experienced. Most everyone has childhood memories of gathering together and spending time in the kitchen with our parents, grandparents and assorted family members. There’s just nothing quite like a filling, delicious meal in a cozy, welcoming environment to make us feel cared for and content. These spots may not have the exact recipes you remember, but they do a pretty amazing job of recreating that nostalgic feeling. These folks invite you in to share a meal and a good time and you’ll leave feeling like you’re family.
Please note, Schubert’s Diner and Bakery is temporarily closed.
- Crystal Cafe - Iola
Google/Mary Olsen
I truly love the story of this place as the woman who opened it was looking for a way to provide for her family. Now two more generations of her family run the joint and are still cooking up favorites like their grandma used to make. Lucky for us, they share.
Facebook/CrystalCafe Crystal Cafe is located at 126 N Main St., Iola, WI 54945.
- Al Johnson’s - Sister Bay
Facebook/AlJohnsons
This place does double duty because not only do some of the foods here remind us of stuff we remember eating when we were younger, but many folks have been visiting here for generations, as well. There’s more nostalgia here than you can even comprehend and the food is just so, so good.
Facebook/AlJohnsons Located at 10698 N Bay Shore Dr., Sister Bay.
- Schubert’s Diner and Bakery - Mt. Horeb
Facebook/Schuberts
This is one of those places where you close your eyes and the smell takes you back in time. You’ll find all kind of fresh-baked goodies, including the bread, as well as some European pastries that make you feel like you’re still a kid again.
Facebook/Schubert’s Located at 128 E Main St., Mt Horeb.
- Apple Holler - Sturtevant
TripAdvisor/MikeM
Most folks only tend to think of this spot in the fall, but they’re actually an awesome place to stop for a meal year round and the whole menu reads like it was meant to provide comfort. From fried chicken to grilled cheese and biscuits and gravy, these are hearty, filling meals that you remember from your youth. It’s basically like getting a hug.
Facebook/AppleHoller Located at 5006 S Sylvania Ave., Sturtevant, WI 53177.
- Norske Nook - Osseo, Rice Lake , Hayward and DeForest
Facebook/NorskeNook
These folks have prospered and it’s partly because there actually are grandma’s in the kitchen creating pies and meals that are as full of love as they are of flavor.
Facebook/NorskeNook Located at 13804 7th St., Osseo, WI 54758, 2900 Pioneer Ave., Rice Lake, WI 54868, Hwy. 27 South, Hayward, WI 54843 and Corner of Main and Holum, DeForest, WI 53532.
- Dorest Valley School Restaurant - Wilton
TripAdvisor/Susan M
Run by the folks that run the Trailside Bed and Breakfast next door, not only do you get to dine in a historic schoolhouse, but you feel like you’re been invited into their kitchen as they serve up cozy comfort food. Their motto is “There are no strangers at our house, only friends we haven’t met yet.”
TripAdvisor/JeffG Located at 26147 State Hwy. 71, Wilton, WI 54670.
- Aunt Ozie’s Cafe - Loganville
Facebook/AuntOziesCafe
This Amish restaurant is well-known for its bakery and hearty home-style fare. You’ll leave full and content!
Facebook/AuntOziesCafe Located at 200 Main St., Loganville, WI 53943.
- Sala Modern Sicilian - Milwaukee
Facebook/SalaModernSicilian
Any place that’s hand-making ravioli and other pastas is treating you like family. Using passed-down recipes and fulfilling all the nostalgia you’ve ever had about Italian comfort food. They grow herbs out back and use vegetables from their father’s nearby farm. You can feel the love in every bite.
Facebook/SalaModernSicilian Located at 2613 E Hampshire St., Milwaukee, WI 53211.
- Winzer Stube - Hudson
TripAdvisor/SureStop
If you spent hours in the kitchen with Oma making spaetzle, stuffed cabbage and more, this is the place for you. You’ll find all kinds of German favorites, including dessert, at this wonderful, welcoming spot.
TripAdvisor/JoeN Located at 516 2nd St,. Hudson, WI 54016.
- Schreiner’s - Fond du Lac
Google/JamesTysingerIII
Please note, Schreiner’s is no longer in business. Another iconic spot that generations of folks have been going to, this is home-cooking at it’s finest.
Facebook/Schreiner’s Located at 168 N Pioneer Rd., Fond du Lac, WI 54935.
- Edytka’s Polish Restaurant - Wisconsin Dells
Facebook/EdyykaRestaurant
Don’t let the small store-front or paper plates fool you, the setting may be no frills, but the food is as delicious as you can imagine. You know these are recipes that have been passed down and stood the test of time.
Facebook/EdytkaRestaurant Located at 221 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965.
- Infusino’s Pizzeria & Cafe - Kenosha
Facebook/Infusinos
Opened in 1987, this place takes old family recipes and gives them a fresh and delicious update.
Facebook/Infusinos Located at 6800 39th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53142.
What places do you love to go to when you need a taste of home? Let us know in the comments!
Google/Mary Olsen
Facebook/CrystalCafe
Crystal Cafe is located at 126 N Main St., Iola, WI 54945.
Facebook/AlJohnsons
Located at 10698 N Bay Shore Dr., Sister Bay.
Facebook/Schuberts
Facebook/Schubert’s
Located at 128 E Main St., Mt Horeb.
TripAdvisor/MikeM
Facebook/AppleHoller
Located at 5006 S Sylvania Ave., Sturtevant, WI 53177.
Facebook/NorskeNook
Located at 13804 7th St., Osseo, WI 54758, 2900 Pioneer Ave., Rice Lake, WI 54868, Hwy. 27 South, Hayward, WI 54843 and Corner of Main and Holum, DeForest, WI 53532.
TripAdvisor/Susan M
TripAdvisor/JeffG
Located at 26147 State Hwy. 71, Wilton, WI 54670.
Facebook/AuntOziesCafe
Located at 200 Main St., Loganville, WI 53943.
Facebook/SalaModernSicilian
Located at 2613 E Hampshire St., Milwaukee, WI 53211.
TripAdvisor/SureStop
TripAdvisor/JoeN
Located at 516 2nd St,. Hudson, WI 54016.
Google/JamesTysingerIII
Facebook/Schreiner’s
Located at 168 N Pioneer Rd., Fond du Lac, WI 54935.
Facebook/EdyykaRestaurant
Facebook/EdytkaRestaurant
Located at 221 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965.
Facebook/Infusinos
Located at 6800 39th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53142.
Looking for more delicious Wisconsin food? Check out this list of iconic restaurants that define Wisconsin.
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