Door County has been called “the Cape Cod of the Midwest.” And, having long ago lived on Cape Cod, I can see the resemblance. The peninsula (Wisconsin’s thumb on the map) juts out into Lake Michigan. The lake is so large I kept thinking I was at the seaside and getting Cape Cod flashbacks. Unlike the Cape, big red barns and dairy farms dot Door County. This is awfully picturesque, even if you don’t consume the products the cows produce.

 

I found plenty of good food in my exploration of vegan Door County. Vegan awareness was fairly high, with some restaurants marking plant-based dishes on the menus. Here are some of the best places I went.

Grasse’s Grill

This breakfast and lunch place in Sister Bay was my favorite restaurant during this trip to Door County.

They offer lots of vegetarian options, many of which can be made vegan. I ordered the South by Southwest, a taco salad, with the optional house-made black been veggie burger on top. Those were some beautiful lettuce leaves! And no wonder. Grasse’s Grill is big into local sourcing, with a board posted up front to let customers know where key ingredients originated. They also serve a veggie wrap, veggie burgers done a bunch of different ways, a veggie bowl and “hippie tacos” with corn tortillas, cauliflower and sweet potato hash.

Wild Tomato Wood-Fired Pizza and Grille

My favorite dinner spot in Door County is Wild Tomato. They have two locations – Sister Bay and Fish Creek. I’ve been to both, but the Sister Bay one is especially good for sitting outside and watching the beach.

Pizza, of course, is the star at Wild Tomato. Their pizza toppings run from typically delicious things, like kalamata olives and caramelized onions to…wait, am I hallucinating? Vegan cheese and vegan sausage in the far reaches of Wisconsin?! Yes, dear readers, it’s true. They make their vegan cheese from tapioca.

The grilled veggie and hummus plate is a good starter, and a way to pack in a few more vegetables. They also make a Portobello chimichurri, which is marinated and grilled Portobello mushrooms topped with avocado chimichurri.

Bistro at Liberty Square

The bistro bills itself as pet-friendly, but I found it people-friendly, too. The guy behind the bar was easy to talk to and very welcoming. The Bistro at Liberty Square is a casual place with several solid vegan options. I tried the hummus, the Portobello burger and a made-to-order pizza with extra tomato sauce. Even sharing with another vegan, we over-ordered. But I’m happy to say that pizza held up and made a good snack a few days later.

Inn at Cedar Crossing

The inn gets extra points in my exploration of vegan Door County because I had to stop and deliberate, do I want a falafel burger or a kale salad with black bean chili?

The 19^th century Inn at Cedar Crossing also gets history points and ambiance points — think exposed brick walls and old-fashioned wood chairs. And it’s close to the newly expanded Door County Candy Company. Did you know Zotz are vegan?

Wilson’s Restaurant and Ice Cream Parlour

Wilson’s has one good vegan option – a veggie wrap doused with vinaigrette – and tons of nostalgic character.

This old-fashioned diner opened in 1906. Personal jukeboxes on the table play hits by artists like Perry Como and Vaughn Monroe. Vegans with a sweet tooth can try a huge frosty house-made root beer or a scoop of sorbet.

Fred & Fuzzy’s Waterfront Grill

Vegan choices at Fred & Fuzzy’s are also limited, but the scenery is gorgeous. Sit at an umbrella table on the shore of Lake Michigan watching kids swim or a paddleboarder hugging the shore.

The veggie burger isn’t quite vegan, but they offer their version of Door County’s ubiquitous hummus appetizer and Portobello mushroom sandwich.

And if all else fails? Cherries. Door County produces Montmercy tart cherries. My favorite ways to consume Door County cherries are as juice or covered in dark chocolate.