Remove Ads

Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant and Butik

10698 N Bay Shore Dr, Sister Bay, Wisconsin 54234 USA

581 Reviews
$$
$$$$
Reasonable
Closed Now
Opens Sun 7a
  • Independent
  • Credit Cards
    Accepted
  • Wheelchair
    Accessible
  • Public
    Restrooms
  • Wifi
Add to Trip
Remove Ads

Learn more about this business on Yelp.

“authentic swedish cuisine with goats on the roof!”

Al Johnson’s is an authentic Swedish family owned restaurant where you can find goats grazing the sod roof. It's quite a sight, and it's made this place one of the most famous restaurants in Door County. Inside the casual, carpeted dining room, young ladies in Scandinavian garb dish out limpa bread and Swedish meatballs. The menu consists of a variety of Swedish fare, from pancakes with lingonberries to Swedish meatballs, whitefish, sandwiches, salads, and a variety of hot and cold plates. The story about how goats came to be on the sod roof of Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant has floated around Door County for decades. Here’s how local writer Norbert Blei recounted the tale a few years back: “Wink Larson was a man who understood tradition. Every year, in celebration of Al Johnson’s birthday, he would bring Al a gift. Not an ordinary gift, of course. But something memorable. One year it was a burro; another year a sheep; once a baby pig; and the single gift which would change Al’s life, the village of Sister Bay, and the entire history of Door County tourism—the birthday Wink walked into the restaurant with a goat named Oscar, ribbons tied to its horns and a note: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AL. I was not an eyewitness. But I can see the grin on Wink’s face…sense the commotion in the restaurant. And hear Al’s laughter.  The rest—is history.” —Norbert Blei

Read More >
Photo of Jennifer R.

Reviewed by
Jennifer R.

What's a trip to Door County without a stop at Al Johnson's for breakfast? The morning we stopped in it was raining so unfortunately we didn't see the goats but we did easily find a parking space... Read more

Photo of Annette W.

Reviewed by
Annette W.

Be prepared for street parking and a long wait. Food was great: Swedish meatballs, Swedish pancakes, veggie hash, French toast. Homemade pickled herring was very different from store bought! Our... Read more

Photo of Stephanie R.

Reviewed by
Stephanie R.

We tried stopping in on a Sunday for breakfast about a month ago and the wait was about an hour, so we left. Found ourselves nearby on a Monday and stopped again and got right in. We both had the... Read more

Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant and Butik

10698 N Bay Shore Dr
Sister Bay, Wisconsin
54234 USA
Remove Ads

Hours

Closed Now
  • Sun - Sat: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm

Problem with this listing? Let us know.

Remove Ads
  • Parking
  • Pets Allowed
  • Restrooms
  • Wifi
  • Wheelchair Accessible
  • Credit Cards Accepted
Reservations
Does not take
  • Breakfast
  • Brunch
  • Dine In
  • Dinner
  • Drinks
  • Lunch
  • Outdoor Seating
  • Takeout
  • Waitstaff
See More Details (25)

Parking, Dining

Remove Ads

Nearby Hotels

Ephraim, Wisconsin
FastBook

Click to discover a
great deal!

Fish Creek, Wisconsin
FastBook

Click to discover a
great deal!

Sister Bay, Wisconsin
Egg Harbor, Wisconsin
Remove Ads

Related Trip Guides

Remove Ads
1841