This Wisconsin Restaurant Is So Famous, People Drive Miles And Wait Hours Just To Get A Table
Ishnala Supper Club sits deep in the Wisconsin woods, surrounded by trees and quiet water views that make you forget about the drive it took to get there.
It’s been around for more than 70 years, and it still feels like one of those places everyone should visit at least once. Most people don’t just stop by for dinner.
They plan the trip, arrive early, grab a drink, and take in the view of Mirror Lake before their name gets called. It’s classic Wisconsin dining with a rhythm that hasn’t really changed in decades.
Perched Right Over Mirror Lake
Most restaurants sit beside water. This one practically floats on it. The building sits inside Mirror Lake State Park, just minutes from Wisconsin Dells, with towering pines pressing in from every side.
Every window frames a postcard view. You can watch the water shimmer while you eat, and when the sun starts to set, the whole dining room glows gold. It feels more like a lakeside cabin than a busy restaurant.
Prime Rib And Roast Duck Take Center Stage
The menu at Ishnala sticks to what supper clubs do best. Big plates, rich flavors, and portions that actually fill you up. Regulars come back again and again for the prime rib, which arrives tender and perfectly seasoned.
But the real star might be the roast Wisconsin duck. It’s a house specialty that’s been on the menu for decades, and people still talk about it long after they leave. Steaks and seafood round out the offerings.
No Reservations Means Long Waits
You can’t call ahead and save yourself a spot. Ishnala doesn’t take reservations, so everyone waits their turn. On busy nights, that can stretch to a couple of hours or more.
But the property is designed for it. There are multiple bars scattered around the grounds, and plenty of space to wander.
You get a buzzer, and when your table is ready, it goes off. Most people don’t mind the wait once they settle in with a drink.
Built With Flagstone And Living Trees
Walk inside and you’ll notice the floors right away. They’re made from tons of local flagstone, laid out in rough, natural patterns. It gives the whole place a grounded, earthy feel.
Then you’ll spot the Norway pines growing right through the roof. They weren’t cut down when the building went up. Instead, the structure was built around them. Every table is angled so diners can see the lake, no matter where they sit.
From Sacred Ground To Supper Club
The land where Ishnala stands wasn’t always a restaurant. It was once a ceremonial ground for the Ho-Chunk people, a place with deep cultural meaning. In 1953, the Hoffman Brothers turned it into a supper club.
Years later, Bob Prosser started working there as a busboy. He worked his way up through the kitchen and the dining room, eventually becoming the owner. His story is part of what makes this place feel so rooted in the community.
Featured By Tourism Groups Statewide
Ishnala doesn’t need to advertise much. Word gets around on its own. Tourism groups across Wisconsin regularly feature it as one of the best supper clubs in the state, the kind of place worth building a trip around.
Local and regional outlets have written about it for years, highlighting everything from the setting to the food. It’s become a symbol of what makes Wisconsin dining special, and visitors treat it like a must-see landmark as much as a restaurant.
Four Bars Turn Waiting Into An Event
Most places have one bar. Ishnala has four. Each one has its own personality, and the Arrowhead Bar is shaped exactly like its name suggests. It’s quirky, fun, and totally on brand for a place like this.
Guests treat the wait like a mini bar crawl, hopping from one spot to the next while their buzzer stays quiet. By the time your table is ready, you’ve already had a full evening, and dinner feels like the bonus round.