Looking to dig into some farm-fresh eats in Manitowoc? There are plenty of spots where you can enjoy local ingredients, fresh flavors, and mouthwatering dishes crafted with care. Whether you’re craving a juicy grass-fed burger or a sweet treat, these farm-to-table restaurants are sure to have something to satisfy your taste buds.
Brick’s Downtown Bar & Grill
Head to Brick’s Downtown Bar & Grill for a delicious meal. This place is serious about local ingredients — from their flatbreads made with freshly baked naan to the house-made bourbon cheese dip on their best-selling burger. The Bricks & Mortar burger, with its crispy haystack onions and BBQ aioli, is a must-try.
Courthouse Pub
For a farm-to-table restaurant with a slightly more upscale vibe, Courthouse Pub is the place to be. This local hotspot switches up its menu twice a year to incorporate seasonal produce for the freshest flavors around. Many of the ingredients are sourced from local farmers, like their award-winning cheese curds made with Henning’s cheese and hydroponically-grown herbs from Grow It Forward. Forget what you think you know about pub grub — this joint takes it to the next level.
Harmony Café & Juicery
Health-conscious foodies will fall head over heels for Harmony Café & Juicery. This laid-back eatery supports Grow It Forward’s mission to provide people in need with dignified access to good food. They serve all-day breakfast and lunch, featuring ingredients grown in their hydroponic farms. Think Roasted Root Hash Burrito or a fresh Turkey Cucumber Dill Sandwich — both perfect for a midday pick-me-up. Don’t forget to pair your meal with a cup of locally sourced coffee or fresh, unpasteurized Hipp Juice.
Wisconsin Café
The Wisconsin Café is a relaxed farm-to-table restaurant tucked inside the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center. Every meal is prepared with ingredients grown right here in Wisconsin, with flavorful menu items that change with the seasons. Savor vibrant dishes like maple sweet potato pancakes, cherry BBQ flatbreads, and grass-fed burgers. Afterward, stroll through the interactive exhibits to see how these fresh ingredients make it from farm to plate.
Pine River Dairy
Cheese lovers won’t want to miss a trip to Pine River Dairy. There’s a reason why you’ll find these products in so many farm-to-table restaurants and specialty shops around town! This family-owned spot has been producing top-notch dairy deliciousness for over 80 years, offering everything from freshly made butter to the freshest cheese curds around. With 250+ cheese varieties to choose from, you’ll never run out of new flavors to sample.
Cedar Crest Ice Cream Plant & Parlor
Grab a sweet treat at Cedar Crest Plant & Ice Cream Parlor, known for hand-dipped ice cream whipped up in the factory next door. The popular dessert spot is open seasonally from March to October, serving everything from ice cream cones and sundaes to shakes and malts. Expect ice cream done the old-fashioned way — slowly pasteurized in small batches for optimal taste. With over 36 flavors to choose from in the parlor at a given time, why settle for just one? Grab an ice cream flight and try a few.
Beerntsen’s Confectionary
An ode to the flavors of yesteryear, Beerntsen’s Confectionary still makes its candies and hand-dipped chocolates using the same methods and equipment it started with over 50 years ago. Load up on nostalgic candies to bring home, and be sure to order a sundae — you’ll get a taste of why the locals can’t get enough of this homemade ice cream. Keep it classic with a banana split, or try the Wisconsin Beauty, a three-flavor tribute to the state’s love for all things sweet.
From farm-to-table restaurants with grass-fed beef to decadent dairy treats made locally, Manitowoc is your go-to destination for homegrown goodness!
