4. Restaurants

Ishnala

S 2011 Ishnala Rd, Wisconsin Dells, WI, 53965
  • (608) 253-1771
  • Store is closed

Ishnala Menu

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Visit below restaurant in Wisconsin Dells for healthy meals suggestion.

Applebee’s ( 340 State Hwy 13 )

Visit below restaurant in Wisconsin Dells for healthy meals suggestion.

Applebee’s ( 340 State Hwy 13 )

Visit below restaurant in Wisconsin Dells for healthy meals suggestion.

Applebee’s ( 340 State Hwy 13 )

  • Wendy G.

    On a weekend trip up to the area from Chicago, we heard about this supper club. A couple of us had never had the pleasure of experiencing a true Wisconsin Supper Club....can you believe it?! While waiting for our table we experienced a beautiful sunset over the lake while enjoying drinks and apps on the deck. As it got a little chillier outside, we stepped into the lobby to wait.....the hostess and staff were so gracious and helpful; not only to us, but also the heaps of people still coming in at 8pm. The food was scrumptious and the staff well informed and delightful. What an amazing experience.....definitely worth the long wait!!

    (5)

  • Sara K.

    Show up early, people! For real! We arrived just before 5 pm on a Saturday only to find that there was already a half-hour wait. Stepping onto the property of this place is like going back in time to 1950s camping movies. Mirror Lake is right there in front of you; Rat Pack music is being piped in through speakers; and the supper club itself looms out from behind the trees. We were seated at a very corner table and while the sun was in our eyes a bit as it was setting, we had great views of the lake. My father ordered a beer and I ordered an old fashioned to start. I was asked if I wanted whiskey or brandy (I opted for whiskey) and whether I wanted the drink "sweet" or "sour". Having never been asked this before, I didn't know what to answer, and so the waitress brought me a sweet old fashioned. My god, I took one sip and spit it out. It was like drinking a Shirley Temple. I ordered a glass of wine instead and, incredibly, neither the old fashioned nor the wine showed up on my bill! Is this place kind of a rip-off? Maybe. They try to upsell you on adding extra lobster tails to your dish, and asparagus as a side instead of green beans is an "upgrade." But the food was actually better than I was expecting, and I polished off my prime rib and baked potato. We split the mousse for dessert and while it was a lot of sugar, it was nothing compared to that old fashioned. Props to our waitress, Anya, for the superior service. Who knew places like this existed still?

    (4)

  • Alexandra J.

    We've come here over the years and while the place looks the same, it's actually quaint because it is a reminder of what things looked like in the recent past. The location is amazingly beautiful. The surrounding lake isn't very large but the pine trees and the sunsets are so pretty, aromatic and calming for a nice romantic dinner or quiet evening with your spouse, friends or family (very family friendly place). The service is top notch. Friendly, attentive, efficient and just enough chatting to make you like them all. The food is the best part. The steaks are lean when they should be and marbled if that's how they are supposed to be served. Large portions, great flavor and despite what others say about the price, it's a great deal for the quality of food and the taste. The prime rib rivals Lawry's and the seafood is also highest quality. Great beef broth in the French onion soup (with gooey portions of cheese). Sweet and crispy sweet potato bake (the nut topping and brown sugar are just enough and not over powering). Not one complaint - love the place and I hope the family never sells. Too many places like this are gone. Spread the word and let's keep them in business.

    (5)

  • Lauren K.

    Ishnala was the epitome of perfection, ranging from its stunning view of the lake and the forest to the mouth-watering food. Ishnala is one experience that I most definitely will not be forgetting about anytime in the near future. I could not have asked for a better experience than what my fiancé and I received. The beauty of Ishnala itself as well its surroundings almost made me forget where I was....perhaps I do sound cliché, but Ishnala's entire ambience was flawless. The wooden architecture of the restaurant set against the backdrop of the woody pines, reflective lake and the sunset was absolutely astounding anf tranquil as could be. I could continue raving about the scenery itself for several more hours, but you're going to have to trust me and see it for yourself. Because Ishnala doesn't take reservations we arrived and had to wait for about 45 minutes to be seated which I had absolutely no problem with because we were able to walk down the steps to the beachfront where I enjoyed a nice little splish splash. We then went to one of the bar areas (yes they have more than one bar area!) for some drinks during our wait. I ordered a cocktail (but I cannot remember its name) and my fiancé got a scotch...and boy, did the bartender hook up that scotch by filling it about 3/5 of the way. The bartender we had was a little rude, but we didn't let it bother us because everything else about Ishnala was perfect. After waiting for the time previously stated we were able to sit fairly close to the window. By the time we got sat it was dark inside and that made for quite the romantic dinner. We're greeted almost right away by our waitress, Christie, who was an absolute pleasure to have. She was wonderfully sweet and enthusiastic, and not to mention prompt with bring out all of our food and drinks despite have many other tables. Now for the food. Oh my goodness - I can't even describe it without craving it again. We started off with the duck strips which are similar to chicken tenders only way better and more tender and juicy. We then got a salad prior to our entree (and we substituted Cesar salad for an anddditional cost) and the salad was awesome. I'd have eaten the whole thing (because it's actually large) had I not wanted to save room for my entree. So for my entree I got what is typically referred to as the Surf and Turf which consists of a filet (medium well of course) and two lobster rolls! I'd never had lobster before so I'm extremely happy that I tried them here because they were the most amazing thing I'd ever tasted, especially when dipped in melted butter. Omggggggg, yummy! If I could only eat one thing for the rest of my life it'd be their lobster, hands down. Now, my fiancé got the seafood platter which was equally as good - it came with scallops, lobster, shrimp and salmon and all on an actually fish-shaped platter...tell me that's not awesome. Both of our entrees were about $50 or so, but remember it's all about the experience. The food was rich and melted in your mouth so you can't complain about that. And do forget about dessert - I'd recommend getting the flourless chocolate made with ganache and chocolate mousse. They have other options but this was wonderful! Please, please, please go here because you will not regret it! This is a wonderful business, but more than that it's a wonderfully ambient place to relax and enjoy some time we'll spent with your significant other, your family or friends.

    (5)

  • Liza B.

    I was shocked by this restaurant. Inside, there is a "trophy wall" full of the heads of animals, and also the (obviously fake) head of a Native American. People do not belong mounted like animals on trophy walls. It was racist and offensive. When we spoke to the manager, he said it had been there for 60 years, and that Native Americans come there all the time and aren't offended. Age doesn't make it ok, and neither does the fact that some people ignore it. If we had not been a party including 4 children under 10, who had already waited for 30-45 minutes for a table, AND ordered, we would have left. The good was good, but the racist display needs to come down.

    (1)

  • Isaac A.

    I've been meaning to eat here since hearing how great it was. It's a little bit of a drive but not too bad. When we checked in, the server gave us the beeper but after waiting 45 minutes on the deck, I decided to get an update. They said they paged us... We were right by the bar... Anyways, they sat us at possibly the worst table (obstructed lake view). There were only 2 tables that could be obstructed. Anyways, our waitress was really nice. I got a full rack of ribs and it was pretty decent. Everything was highly priced and didn't meet that expectation of price in my opinion. I overheard many clients state they've been coming there for years and it's so great. I guess everyone goes there to talk about how often they go there. If you want ribs, Wally's is the place in the Dells until I'm proven otherwise. I might try again but probably stick with the bar, it looks like much more fun!

    (3)

  • Justin G.

    We loved everything about this place! Great views, great wine, and nice steaks. Even the onions and mushrooms were a tasty complement to the steak! I wish we'd had room for dessert.

    (5)

  • Rick W.

    This is not just a restaurant - it's a bucket-list experience that you need to have. I grew up in WI with "supperclubs" and have missed them as I moved around the country. Now we're back in WI and Ishnala reminds me why I missed home. If you're tired of chain restaurants, go here. Established in 1955, you might be a little wary of the age, but the restaurant has been meticulously maintained. So, when I walked in, it felt to me like time stopped around 1970, when I was just a little kid. There are no big TVs on the walls, and it's gorgeous inside. If atmosphere is your thing, this place has it. One of the things that adds to its character is the stuffed bear and wolf display near the entrance. I'm not sure if they're real or fake (I suspect they're fake), but it definitely adds to the experience. When you drive up, you're driving in through a state park, so it's a 5-minute drive through the park, a heavily-wooded, beautiful area until you get to the restaurant, which is situated on the edge of Mirror Lake. When we got out, we heard Frank Sinatra music playing on outdoor speakers, and that really sets the stage. You feel like you're going to dinner with the cast from Mad Men (though this was with my wife and her parents). As you walk toward the restaurant, it looks like a big log cabin in the woods. It's very pretty. They don't take reservations, but we got there early and were seated immediately. Even at 5:30, the place was already pretty busy, but we were able to get a table with an amazing view of the lake. Actually, most of the tables offer that, because of the way the place is designed, with multiple levels of tables, and the entire back wall is really just one big window. This is one of those rare restaurants where you really just want to walk around and explore, which is what I did - I got up and walked outside on the deck and then back into the bar area, and took some really nice pictures. Our waitress, Lisa, was great. She walked us through the specials and gave us quite a few options. Now, I am an exceptionally picky eater, and very hard to please - I do not like "foo foo" food. This place had several great options for someone like me - food I can pronounce and understand what I'm getting. But, for the foo-foo eaters out there, there were some good options for that kind of person too. Ishnala is pretty expensive though - the bill for the four of us was about $200, not including the tip, so bring your wallet. The food was outstanding. I love shrimp, and had a fried shrimp & filet combination. This is probably the best shrimp I've had outside of Florida, and equal to anything I've eaten there. It's far superior to anything you'll get in, say, an Outback. It's very large and prepared perfectly. The filet was well-aged and was very flavorful. My wife's mom had the biggest rack of ribs I've ever seen, my wife had the roasted duck, and her dad had a seafood platter. No one had a single complaint about anything. Lisa recommended a wine that my wife ordered and really liked, and the rolls came out to us very warm, and obviously fresh. Lisa brought out a platter of dessert options, which all looked delicious, but we'd had enough to eat already. They're only open from about 4:30pm on, and only from May to November 1st. Overall - great experience, great food, a little pricey. It was a little out of the way for us, being an hour drive from Madison, but worth it. Highly recommend!

    (5)

  • Jim R.

    Really great classic supper club hidden away in the woods near Wisconsin Dells. I'd seen the sign for years and we finally decided to stop on our way down to Madison from Minneapolis. It's a bit tricky to find but they've done a good job with signage. You will take a bunch of turns down small country road then head down what feels like a path into a campgrounds (which it is), pass by the tacky tee-pee archway and arrive at this gem of a restaurant. You will feel like you are a thousand miles into the wilderness when in fact you are very near the roaring interstate. The wood framed, lodge-style restaurant is literally perced above a secluded private lake with large picture windows and a wonderful view. We were luck to get right in and started with some classic old-school cocktails (Old Fashioned of course in this part of the world), then on to steaks and shrimp and potatoes and salad. You will definitely leave here feeling full. Definitely a place to stop and dream about the good old days.

    (4)

  • Chef Scott A.

    Enjoyed a wonderful dinner with some great friends this evening. Started off with some fresh cheese spread with crackers and breadsticks followed by french onion soup. The soup had the traditional melted cheese on top but the flavor was very muted and rather bland. The onions were not caramelized and the broth tasted very watery. The next course of bleu cheese wedge salad was wonderful, with some fresh rolls and cinnamon buns. The dressing was the perfect addition to the salad. Next was the dinner which was delivered in a timely fashion. I ordered the Prime rib, which was cooked to a perfect medium, served with a little aujus, accompanied by 4 large grilled prawns which were served up freshly melted butter, kept hot table-side. I asked for a baked potato on the side and it too was perfectly cooked and served up pipping hot. The server recommended 19 crimes red wine which was the perfect pairing for the dinner. I finished off the dinner with a special toasted coconut ice cream drink with caramel and whiskey. It was outstanding!!!! Simply one of the best meals I've had, and enjoyed it with Sid Cook and his lovely wife Lisa. The atmosphere, views and conversation made for a perfect evening.

    (5)

  • Robert Z.

    This place is just the best in all areas,ambience,beautiful location,great food and service [kudos to Paige]...Its one of those places you must try!

    (5)

  • Kevin K.

    My wife and I came up for a short mini-moon after getting married this past weekend. I wanted a romantic place to enjoy a good meal and this place delivered. Being that the Dells aren't in full swing yet we had no wait at the restaurant. The service was outstanding! We sat at a corner table with an incredible view. The waitress was extremely friendly, even showing us that the seat we were in had made the cover of a Wisconsin Supper Clubs book. We started with the bruschetta. It was really good. Perfectly portioned, not too messy and really tasty! Next came a delicious house salad. We each went with a steak for dinner. The 24oz ribeye for me and the 7 oz blue cheese encrusted filet mignon for her. Both steaks were cooked to perfection. The sides (sweet potato mash and cheesy potatos) were awesome too but we ended up not getting through them since we were so full from the main course. We'll have to save room for dessert next time we visit because well definitely be coming back.

    (5)

  • Laurence K.

    Wow what a great find. Being a "Supperclubbie" ( Basically A Foodie who loves Supper Clubs ) I have been to my fair share . While on a trip for a wedding, we decided to stay at the Dells . So naturally I look for a supper club to try for dinner that we haven't been to before . Ishnala is where we end up. A stones throw off the main drag, you arrive at what seems the end of the road. But there it is, far back in the woods, at the rivers edge. So onward we go up and around the winding drive like your going over the river and through the woods to grandmothers house, Hah! We spot the parking lot and behind the lot is this very cool old log cabin structure that is Ishnala. We park and walk down the path and while walking we hear Dean Martin playing on a loud speaker by the path. Pretty cool I must say . We enter the door and step back into time it's like 1950 here, the sun is starting to set and you see a bank of windows overlooking mirror lake. Quite an amazing view. We are greeted by the friendly hostesses and ask if we may sit at the bars for a cocktail before dinner. She asks "how long would you like"? I say how's 20 minutes or so ? She says great .we sit at the end of this really cool canoe shaped bar that overlooks the water below .We both ,of course, order Old Fashioneds The bartender asks whisky it Brandy? Well Brandy of course, after all we are in Wisconsin I mean it is there signature cocktail! She takes two rocks glasses and muddles a cherry and orange slice adds bitter, simple then brandy adds ice and delivers then to us. They loom delicious and.... They are Actually the best one I've ever had , except for my own of course !, we sit and enjoy our drinks the bar is completely full with guests .A gentleman sits at the piano snd starts to play. What a wonderful spot! We enjoy our drinks , I have a second one, and we're paged , our table is ready The hostess takes us to our table , right by the window overlooking the water . It's like your on a bluff looking down at the view . Simply amazing! Our server approaches and welcomes us asks if we're ok with drinks and tells us the specials . Jim orders filet mignon and s baked potato With a wedge with blue cheese to start. I order the same salad and twin lobster tails . We get a little cheese and crackers along with rolls with our salads. The salad is nice size with bacon tomatoes and blu cheese chunks in the dressing. Im pleasantly surprised when I take my first bite . A very good dressing I must say not the typical mayo based dressing but definitely homemade probably with a little sour cream involved In the making . While eating our salads we notice the piano player talking with some tables he says he has been playing here since 1966 can you believe it I said aren't you tired? Ba da dum dump. Entrees come both look wonderful Jim's steak was good could of used a little seasoning my lobster was also very good. We had a side of asparagus which was a huge portion and was quite fresh and tasty and sautéed mushrooms which were outstanding . The meal the view the server and bartender made a memorable meal. We will definitely come back !

    (5)

  • Ed F.

    Summer 2015 update Visited with just the family (wife and I with our 2 teenage boys and younger daughter who ordered a kid's meal). Location is still one of the best Service has gotten much better Food quality is good. But prices have gone up much quicker - total bill (only 1 drink), $215. Comparing prices with finer dining establishments in the Chicago area, entree prices are 15-20% higher. That's quite a premium, so I stick with my previous recommendation - have a few drinks and head elsewhere for dinner.

    (3)

  • Meg B.

    A classic! The views from the back porch make this an ideal place for summer evening relaxation -- then onto a tasty supper club meal!

    (5)

  • Isaac T.

    Great find! One of the more unique locations. It's a must see. Excellent staff and food. Had the New York strip. Perfect medium. Nice selections of drinks and deserts. Was a little pricey but was worth the experience.

    (5)

  • Ted T.

    Ishnala - always amazing - one our all time favorite supper clubs in Wisconsin - featured in Ron Faiola's Wisconsin Supper Club book. Tonight we entertained our special guest from New York's A Jaffe - she was thoroughly entertained and loved the ambiance and delicious food. First we visited the Arrowhead bar for a cocktail - Old Fashioned and "Little Beers" - Jenni's hospitality was delightful at the bar. Onya was our server, she was amazingly attentive and efficient is serving us during the evening. The ladies had the sea scallops and filet - I had the massive 20 ounce ribeye. House salads and wedge salad - pin wheel cinnamon rolls - all delicious. After dinner drinks served up by Frank in the all new Tee Pee bar downstairs was fun. Thanks Jami, Jenni, Onya, and Frank for serving up a fun and delicious evening

    (5)

  • Jimmy K.

    Beautiful place. Always enjoyable. Excellent scenery. Food is high quality without being over-priced. This is the best kept secret in the dells. Perched up on mirror lake with every table having a panoramic view of the lake. Perfect place for a romantic date night.

    (5)

  • Lance B.

    Was driving with a co-worker/friend on I-90 with and ran across Ishnala and decided to stop in - and OMG am I glad we did!!! It was an amazing meal!!! After enjoying a fantastic cosmo and pimento cheese with wonderful rolls, we decided to forgo an appetizer and enjoy a wedge salad (healthier, right?). My friend got a rack of ribs, a lobster tail and a baked potato than I got a filet with port reduction sauce with crumbled feta, split prawns, green beans and the sweet potato. I was highly enjoying my meal (salad to write home about, steak cooked perfectly, and the feta/reduction sauce divine, sweet potatoes to cry for), and not thinking anything could get better in life when all of a sudden it happened...my friend said i needed to try the ribs and plopped about 4 ribs on my plate. One bite and I almost died - LITERALLY THE BEST RIBS EVER! Indulging in this unexpected treat made my stupendous steak seem mediocre, seriously the best I ever had (and I've had many). Then when we felt we couldn't take any more we uncovered the cinnamon roles in the bottom of the bread basket and then it was lights out! After awaking after passing out due to the sheer deliciousness of the meal we had just went through, we had the pleasure of meeting the owner who provided us a wonderful gift to take with and commemorate the evening - what a gentleman. Needless to say, next year when my family selects the area to do our annual camping weekend, I may have to recommend the camp ground next to Ishnala and will have to leave them all when eating pudgy pies or hot dogs for another amazing meal here - it was unforgettable and unbelievably good, not to mention the terrific service which capped it all off to boot! Stop, eat, enjoy!

    (5)

  • Greg D.

    The view was impressive! The food was good, not superb for the price you pay. Service was friendly and good. Like the special Ishnala steak knife. You are paying for experience not gourmet or fine dining food so just keep that in mind.

    (4)

  • Spencer H.

    This place was one of the best finds that my trip to Wisconsin Dells had to offer. There were plenty of signs on the way to Wisconsin Dells promoting this fine dining establishment so we decided to check it out. This place is pretty close to Ho Chunk Casino so it is not right next to the downtown of Wisconsin Dells. When you pull into the entrance of this place it looks like you are pulling into a summer camp that you would see in movies. It has a big sign over head at the entrance that you drive under. There was a scene from the movie Public Enemies that was filmed here. From the entrance to the restaurant it seemed to be about a mile. There were so many trees & it was very nice just driving up to the restaurant. We walked in & there was a 45 minute wait to be seated but we went & sat out on the patio. This restaurant is located right on a lake. The view of the lake from the patio was awesome. It made waiting for the table very enjoyable. The food here was fantastic. We had seafood & you could taste the freshness of all the food. Our server was very nice & friendly as well. Overall this is my new favorite restaurant to visit when I am in Wisconsin Dells.

    (5)

  • Eric B.

    When you come to Ishnala, you are coming to a landmark and quintessential Wisconson supper club experience. That's what we had on this visit. It was 1.5 hour wait for a table. I've never waited this long for a table - but I think the wait was related to us arriving early enough to catch sunset on the deck and a Badger game that let out at 3pm in Madison. The wait for our table was just fine with us as we enjoyed drinks on the expansive and eclectic deck. We ordered the must have supper club cocktail - Whisky Old Fashioneds made with Wisconsin's own Kessler's whiskey. We were also woo'ed by the Bloody Mary, which comes with it's own cheese and sausage skewer topped with a shrimp. Dinners include a nice salad. You can upgrade to a specialty salad, which I did. I just felt the need for a wedge. Companion had the tenderloin medallions with a mushroom reduction sauce and blue cheese crumbles. I had a very satisfying NY strip - properly cooked to a medium rare. There will be luck tomorrow. Ishnala is a seasonal supper club that has slowly expanded it's season over the years. It now closes for the winter Nov. 1st. If you are in the greater Wisconsin Dells area this is one of the best attractions. You will have a great meal and a great authentic Wisconsin experience.

    (5)

  • Chuck I.

    You can just bury me here! Great setting. Beautiful grounds. Wonderful dinner choices, prepared perfectly. Awesome drinks! They muddle their old fashioneds here. We will be back.

    (5)

  • Maryanna M.

    Had a amazing dinner. Food was excellent. Cannot say one thing.bad. Our service was wonderful. Definitely experience for yourself

    (5)

  • Barb N.

    Exactly where I imagine Don Draper would eat if he vacationed in WI. Went for filet and broiled shrimp. With wedge salad and mushroom. And an ice cream drink. Love me a great supper club meal.

    (4)

  • Sean C.

    WATCH OUT!!! PAY CASH FOR YOUR MEAL.If paying with a Debit/Credit Card for your bill they tack on a 20% gratuity fee (in addition to whatever tip you set on table or write in on receipt) and there is NO WARNING!! There is nothing listed on the menu, there is nothing listed on the bill/receipt stating this will be done. Myself and 4 family members recently went there for a meal and I paid separately from the rest. Myself and my one family member had this happen to us. We were shocked when we checked our online bank accounts and found that it happened. We both complained. I did not receive a response but had bill adjusted to what I wrote in for a tip and my other family member received a response but the manager was rude and was not apologetic and tried to blame the bank stating they do that (not true for my family member visited the bank and they stated they never heard of such a thing). So WATCH OUT!! Besides this horrible experience, the decor is extremely outdated and cheesy, the chairs in the bar area that were made out of wicker/bamboo were very wobbly and ready to break at any moment (not an exaggeration). Male bartender hit the female bartender in the face with a drink menu when she accidentally broke a glass (she made the drink correctly...the second time he made it and it was horrible). My scallops were not properly cleaned for I bit into a piece of sand twice and they were not pan seared. The good is that the view of the lake is beautiful, the cheese curds were best I ever had....delicious.

    (1)

  • Patrick H.

    Holy Mother of God! I'm sitting here trying to think of where to start. How about the parking lot. Walking up to the restaurant after dark WILL make you feel like you're in some slasher flick set in a summer camp. Lighting is very sporadic but intense and there's always some Deano or Sinatraesque type music being pumped through the places' PA system. Creepy. The interior is dated, but let's be honest with ourselves. This place exists to make Chicagoans feel like they're in the Northwoods (the prices reflect this too). So yeah, you're going to have a lot of knotty pine and animal mounts. Deal with it. This place was so over-crowded a group of 6 couldn't even find room at the bar while we waited. The drinks? Well around for my brother (whisky manhattan) and myself (black russian) ran me $18 without tip. Not geared towards Chicago, huh? The food was pretty *expletive deleted* bad. I had the duck. Crispy skin? Not here, chief. Moist, fatty, delicious duck morsels? Strike two. Good au gratin potatoes? Ok, I'll give Ishnala that one. Other than that, our relish tray was just packaged breadsticks and a "home-made" version of port wine cheese spread. The stuff you can get at your grocer is just as good. I also shared some overcooked escargots, nothing special there either. "But what about the views?", you ask. Like I said, it was dark and I was too busy trying to spot the hockey mask clad psycho killer hidding in the bushes.

    (1)

  • Paul C.

    Average food, above average price. Nice view, quaint decor but not exceptional. My steak was good, prawns were prepared ahead of time and chewy, the cheese baked potatoes were really dry. The Cosmo came out of a juice box or Cosmo in a can..... Not good. Sent it back but they didn't take it off the bill. I called them on it and they made it right. The server, Austin, was delightful and tried really hard. The problem is, when you drop 150 bucks for 2 people and get way average food, it never makes you feel good. Bottom line is we won't go back again this year and we are locals. Better places to eat in the Dells for same price. Say no more.

    (3)

  • Timothy L.

    We called ahead to make sure the restaurant would be open by the time we got to town after our 3 hour drive from Chicago. The hostess assured us we needed no reservations and they seat until 9:30. My family and I arrived at 9:25 and were told they were closed. I told hostess that I had just called an hour ago and all I got was a no effort "oh sorry about that." I've never been so embarrassed or disappointed at a "fine dining" restaurant. Skip this place and go to Del Bar instead.

    (1)

  • Nina I.

    Worst. Fine. Dining. EVER! First of all.. can this place be renovated? It smells like dust (not literally - it means the clientele is ancient - literally). Second off they need more male servers and third of all the food needs to be rethought. So overall this whole place SUCKS. I don't recommend it. I can eat at a 5 star and Michelin rated restaurant for twice as cheap and LITERALLY 10 TIMES BETTER than this crappy place. When a place hasn't been renovated in a long time and looks and smells funky - I wonder what the kitchen looks like... probably dirty and smelly. I had shrimp... the batter for the shrimp didn't look appetizing. And sure enough the shrimp wasn't worth it. They don't have outdoor seating. Their bartenders are rude. They have an UGLY view of the lake. Thank goodness my waitress was lovely otherwise I would have just walked out - the food was NOT worth it. I've been told the owner doesn't really care about this place and if I lived in Wisconsin I would make sure NO BODY gives this place business. It's one place I wish I didn't visit on my vacation!

    (1)

  • Pat C.

    After reading some of the negative reviews I felt more solidly that I have give a five star rating. This is a fairly expensive supper club in a VERY touristy area, and we have always felt it is an oasis of beauty in an area of pretty wildly loud and tacky (but fun too) tourist attractions. To answer some complaints - yes, it's old - 60 yrs old and thankfully retains that look of an older era - ok, I'm old too, I was first here as a child 50 years ago. And probably would not come back if it was completely remodeled. We stop here probably once every 2-3 years. Yes, the menu is not ever-changing or new and imaginative but we find it solidly good. The surroundings are beautiful on the lake and we always take a walk after eating around the building to see the lake and garden. As for service, as they are only open in summer, the servers are mostly college students and many come back for several years. We have always felt we had good service and enjoyed the servers a lot. Bottom line is be informed, you are looking at an older restaurant in the woods on a lake - it looks like that but does not smell bad as some said. Many but not all of the customers are older, it's not really a family restaurant for young kids. The food is very good but not trendy. The service has always been excellent for us. It can get crowded but that and the fact that its survived 60 years only say its good!

    (5)

  • Sandi M.

    Ishnala supper club is spectacular. It's one of the best restaurants in Wisconsin Dells. It is expensive, but definitely worth it. I come to Ishnala every year with my family and always have the most wonderful time. The Old Fashion is great and the filet was very tender. Nothing can top the pecan rolls you get as a start in the bread basket. I highly recommend this place. But I warn the cheap and inexperienced restaurant goers this isn't the place for you.

    (5)

  • Brett W.

    Two very good friends of ours had their reception at this scenic and very neat place. The view of the Lake is really peaceful and it's a wonderful place to go and have a peaceful drink and dinner. Great view, great food, well worth the effort to find it in a wooded area of The Dells.

    (5)

  • Don C.

    Gorgeous property, great food, beautiful view, good drinks. Driving there is part of the overall experience. Once you arrive, you realize you have stepped back a bit in time... Old School Wisconsin Supper Club style of the 40s-70s. It's busy, and you will probably wait a bit... so find a seat at the bar or the patio and soak up the view...

    (5)

  • Ryan L.

    My family has gone to Ishnalas for years during their annual trip to the Dells. Being new to the family, I heard nothing but RAVE reviews. However, I found the experience to be eye opening (in a bad way, FYI) and have dined at less expensive Wisconsin supper clubs with better quality food and a better atmosphere. The establishment is pretty dated, but I guess it's designed that way to attract an older crowd and Chicagoans that enjoy breathing musty air and looking at dirty water outside the windows. Me? I kept searching for the dismembered body parts of savagely murdered teenaged camp counselors and places to hide if I were to encounter a crazed killer donning a hockey mask! The decor needs a complete overhaul, but then again, that might cause them to increase their prices to be even more absurdly high than they already are. For starters, we ordered drinks from the bar. We are more than willing to pay a decent penny for a drink if it's mixed right. However, the bar tender was obviously a novice and had limited experiences with his mail-in mixology degree. I ordered a chocolate martini which was boring in design and entirely too strong. My partner ordered a fruity martini of some sort which wreaked of Pine Sol. For the meal, my partner and I shared an appetizer of cheese curds. They were very tasty and we gobbled them up pretty quick. As we scanned the menu, we were shocked that the chicken dishes on their menu were limited, so we both ordered chicken fettuccine alfredo. Before I continue...this meal was $27 a pop. $27 a pop! If you didn't see it before...it cost $27! I thought that was outrageously high for a bed of buttery pasta with no flavor paired with a few chicken breast slices (not even a whole chicken breast). The meal was served with bizarre side options (beans, au gratin potatoes, steak fries, or baked potatoes). Who needs more starch?! How odd! They must not bank much on their entrees because they fill you up with their home made cheese spread (nothing to write home about), salad, bread basket, and get this...cinnamon rolls! Who knew salad should be paired with a potential dessert! The wait staff was friendly and attentive but not enough to be a saving grace for the entire dining experience at a dated, overpriced, stanky supper club that rapes your for every cent you own. I would recommend visiting The Cheese Factory in downtown Wisconsin Dells.

    (1)

  • E F.

    Okay, I read the reviews.We were at ishnalas the last or second to last day they were open for the year .Oct. 31. Been here several times thru the years.Now in our fifties It is quite a blast from the past and outdated even for us, but we do still like it. The overlook of the lake is beautiful and staff is nice.The piano player is another blast from the past but we had fun with him. Pretty sure there is no heat as the window seats were cold. Drinks although good were also from when martinis were in those tiny martini glasses and old fashions are in manhatten glasses. high prices for what you get. Our group of eight had a good time .We were possibly the livelyist group in the place .No age jokes intended. Food was very good. prices are higher there for the same thing elsewhere,but we still enjoyed. I don't think I would actually recommend it to younger people though based on the old feel of the place. It's nostalgic to hear Sinatra or Martin as you walk in but it might be time to start drawing a younger crowd. I would still come if Lady Gaga was singing in the parking lot. We'll probably come again as you get to know what items are the best for the buck.Desserts are always good. To the bad review from Chicago: Maybe they should visit the Galena territory instead.huh!

    (4)

  • G M.

    I haven't been to Ishnala in a couple of years. You never really understand the impact on those with physical limitations until you take someone with physical limitations to an establishment like Ishnala. How they have gotten away with the lack of accessibility is beyond me. Yes, there are plenty of handicap parking stalls, but that's about where it end. There is a BUMPY path that runs along side of the building, yet to get to the path you have a VERY steep decline. We were with someone that uses a walker and she had great difficulty navigating to simply get to the front door. We were going to have a drink at the bar, yet there is NO WAY for those with limitations to get to the bar, much less the more desirable window front tables. Also, the restrooms are not accessible and she had great difficulty navigating through a very narrow door with her walker. The service was great; appetizers were good and for the most part the food was acceptable. My filet (ordered medium) was cooked beyond recognition. Granted, I could have sent it back, but by the time our food came I was ready to eat and leave. We split one appetizer and one dessert. Two gin and tonics and two glasses of merlot (total of 4 drinks for the table). Our bill was close to 300.00, including tip. Pricey for mediocre food. Will I return? Nope. Until they address their total lack of concern for those with limited mobility, I will avoid giving them my business. The American's with Disabilities Act exists for a reason----Ishnala should get with the program.

    (2)

  • Lani W.

    Ishnala is an oasis of old world charm perched on the edge of Mirror Lake. All the glitter of The Dells feels like a world away from this timeless lake side retreat. We arrived around 6PM on a Monday night and all the "lakeside" tables were already occupied. This wasn't really a problem as we were seated on an elevated tier with a great view. We could have eated at the delightful boat shaped bar and had a great view as well. The wine list was right in line with med to upper scale restaurants. We had a nice bottle of Malbec for under $30.00. With all the crackers and bread offered, we didn't feel the need for apps. My husband ordered the prime rib, rare and I had the WI duck. Both came just as ordered and were more food than we could finish. The only negatives were the upgrades to the Ceasar salad, tasted like bottled dressing; the upgrade to asparagus delivered overcooked; the sauteed Portobellos were in a thick beec gravy that went well with my husband's steak but not my duck. These sides felt like holdovers from the 60s to me. The dessert tray look tantalizing but in reality I didn't feel that they were homemade. If they were, they need a new pastry chef. The overall experience was a good one and I would go back . I would just make different choices based on experience.

    (4)

  • William C.

    Good food, a little high in price but a location to really enjoy. Always a nice evening when we can get here. The duck is very good. Always fun to talk to the staff.

    (4)

  • J P.

    We have a lake house in the area and have been to Ishnala once or twice a season for many years. Because it's always been pricey, we have generally saved it for special occasions or a family treat. The food has never been excellent, although there are several dishes that are pretty good. My favorite is the filet medallions. I seldom eat steak but I'll make an exception for this at Ishnala. Aside from that, while nothing food-wise has ever been particularly awful, it's just not worth the prices that they charge. I'd have to agree with the others who have said that the prices appear targeted to the Chicago and Milwaukee area people who vacation in the area. I tend to doubt that they have many local regulars. Now the reason for my current review - in August, we went to Ishnala to celebrate a milestone birthday for one of my family members. We had a round or two of drinks, appetizers, entrees and several sides. At the end of the meal, no one felt much like dessert but the waiter, noticing that it was a birthday celebration, asks us if we want a piece of cake for the birthday boy. Sure, why not? She even brings the slice of cake out with a candle on top and 6 forks so we can all have a small taste. Sounds good, right? Imagine our surprise when the bill arrives and my mom, who's decided to pick up the tab, sees an $8.00 charge for the piece of "birthday" cake! Well, mom's old school on stuff like that and decides to challenge the $8 charge. After all, it was offered seemingly as a freebie, as is not uncommon at restaurants when a celebration is obvious - and especially when patrons have already run up a pretty nice tab. Now I realize it's only 8 bucks but the odyssey gets worse. The server absolutely "could not" remove the charge for the cake and told my mom she'd have to take it up with the "manager." Turns out, this was the rude, aloof blonde chick that had seated us at the very beginning of our visit. And now she's all preachy with my mom about how they can't give away a piece of cake because they "have to make a profit!" Yeah, she actually went there! Now we're all kind of disgusted and mom's not having any of it. She demands to talk to someone higher and we learn that Rude Blonde Chick is the owner's daughter! She's made her decree and that's final! Nice customer relations, Ishnala. Mom paid it, begrudgingly, but our family has written off Ishnala for good. These aren't good restauranteurs. They're simply milking their unique venue for every penny, which is also pretty obvious by the well-worn infrastructure and tired decor. Bottom line, the site is unique and charming, hence the two stars, but if you want service and value stay away. If you want to check it out for the views, which are undoubtedly outstanding, go early enough to have a drink on the deck or in the bar and then head somewhere else for dinner where your business is appreciated and the overall food quality is more commensurate with the prices.

    (2)

  • Lyn W.

    Wow!!! This place needs a better sign. Drive slow or you'll miss the sign! We started by sitting out back and had one of the best bloody Mary's I've had! The place has an awesome retro feel. A previous reviewer talked about the place smelling like dust???? It smelled just fine to us!! The food was fantastic!! Sure, a little pricey but you're getting a lot for your money. We had bone in ribeye and lobster. Dessert wAs amazing as well. Don't miss it!

    (5)

  • Tina S.

    Spectacular supper club atmosphere! The food is absolutely delicious and the steaks are heaven on a plate. The staff are very kind and helpful. The view of the lake is breathtaking! If you go here you will not regret it! Although, it is expensive, so if you are not looking to spend a lot I wouldn't recommend this place to you. I have gone here with my family the past two years and we always have a wonderful and memorable experience! We love Ishnala for its great vibe and food!

    (5)

  • Daniel C.

    Five stars is rarely so deserved. Expensive, but worth it. Get the Prime Rib and Shrimp. Wow, what a great dinner with a view in the Dells.

    (5)

  • Jay N.

    First let me say that you are going to drive for a bit, but it is worth it. It is a winding drive through the woods and you end up in the pine trees on the shores of mirror lake. The view is astounding! Try to go around sunset if you can. The restaurant it self is an old lodge built in the 50s. It is on the hillside set on stilts. It has back decks and balconies that you can sit and enjoy a cocktail and look out over the lake. For that matter every seat in the place including the bar look out over the lake. Hey guys this place could take "date night" to a new level. The decor is dark woods and polish with an underlying Indian theme. Did I mention there are multiple huge pine trees growing through the dining room and out the roof? The service has always been outstanding. I can remember coming here as a kid. Your water glass will never be a half inch down. On my last visit I had the 16 ounce prime rib which is one of their specialties. It was cooked to perfection as always. My baby had the scallops and they melted in your mouth! (yes I stole a few) The Au gratin potatoes had a layer of melted cheese that was caramelized on top. For an appetizer we had the french onion soup and bruschetta, both of which were delicious. You also get a basket of crackers and bread sticks with an unreal cheese spread. Sadly enough no room for dessert. This is a must visit place at the dells. Prices aren't insane for what you get. You may be waiting in the bar for a bit on a busy. They don't take reservations.

    (5)

  • M M.

    Another great visit to Ishnala; nothing beats the retro vibe coupled with the beautiful setting. I've been coming here for years, and have never been disappointed.

    (5)

  • Patti S.

    Go early and often! The finest food prepared to perfection! It is magical and enchanted! Great history to the place and unspoiled and uncommercialized - thank God! Just had prime rib and lobster and salmon. Great service! We stop whenever we can. Love this place called ISHNALA

    (5)

  • Eric O.

    The location is beautiful. The interior and the menu are throwbacks to the 1950's, as are the portions. The steaks were fantastic. The sides were mostly fantastic. There's not a whole lot not to like about this place. My wife and I went there recently and we arrived to a reasonably busy restaurant, despite it being rather early in the dinner rush and during the Dells "off-season." I can only imagine how busy this place is around 6:30PM at the height of summer. We were seated immediately, although there was a 45-minute wait for a window seat, which some patrons were complaining about. My opinion? Don't bother. The window seat is nice, but there's basically nowhere in the restaurant that doesn't have a decent view, and during the evening, those window seats can be blindingly bright. Service was attentive - we got our drinks orders in immediately, and our food orders in not long after. We were greeted by the old-school WI tradition of a basket of crackers and breadsticks - small, plastic-wrapped commercial varieties, not artisanal homemade wafers or anything - which ordinarily I'd probably complain about slightly but it sort of fit. There was also a vibrantly yellow homemade cheese spread served with them; nothing incredibly fancy but tasty and very Wisconsin-traditional. The roll basket arrived and while somewhat spartan, it contained very tasty rolls - two standard dinner rolls and two warm cinnamon rolls. A nice touch. The salads were a mixed bag - the were clearly just iceberg lettuce and a few shavings of carrot and such, but the dressings were good. The homemade blue cheese was chunky and didn't skimp on said cheese, and my wife's vinegar and oil was actual olive oil and balsamic vinegar - a welcome improvement on the last few supper clubs' "white vinegar and vegetable oil" token for people not ordering creamy-whatever dressing. I had a 10oz prime rib, my wife had a filet mignon. They were both excellent cuts of meat, tender and juicy, and my prime rib had almost zero extraneous gristle or fat. They were both served with a sort of lackluster "au jus" which is traditional, I guess, but I was hoping for something a little more flavorful. I neglected to ask if there was horseradish available. Nonetheless, the meat didn't need much, as it was quite well-flavored by itself. My wife's choice of potato was a standard restaurant french fry, which was really neither too exciting nor disappointing, but my au gratin potatoes were a real winner - chunks of potatoes immersed in a sea of lava-hot cheddar cheese sauce. Two meals plus 2 glasses of wine came to roughly a hundred bucks. So it's not cheap. And at a few points I did feel a bit like the server was in a rush to clear our table. With the location and the and the food there's very little here not to like.

    (4)

  • Fran R.

    This is a great place. I am not big on writing so I likely will not give it all the props it deserves. The drive is very nice. My boyfriend and I went here on our last nite to the dells on a Wednesday evening around 8:30. So it was not that busy. Also, on the bad side of going so late you do not get to enjoy the beauty of Lake Mirror. Just like a supper club they offered coctails at the bar prior to seating us. but we just wanted to be seated. Our server Tina was very nice. The special of the evening was fillet and shrimp. We oppted for the prime rib and shrimp with Potato au gratin and a caesar salad. Frist they give you breadsticks,chrackers and home made cheese spread . The salad was very good with homemade dressing an a nice sizes.ade bread and butter. Our dinner was $33.00 each and well worth it. The prime rib and the shrimp were to die for. The pototos were also made to order and very good. I saved about 1/2 of my dinner to take to my room as we were going out after and I did not want to be to full. My boyfriend ate every bit of his food. This is one of the best mealsl for the money I have had in a very long time. The place is out of this world started up around 1954. They have trees growing thru the building. You need to look them up to see just how Beautiful this place is. Will be back !

    (5)

  • Chester R.

    went there this weekend on a saturday night......it's a beautiful setting for sure.....but, the restaraunt itself is really old.....kind of dated....the interior was a bit rundown too. the sangria was really good......the apps were also pretty good....but the entrees were mediocre at best. i ordered a strip steak cooked medium and it came out well.....so i sent it back...and the chef argued and told me that it was medium. dark grey through the middle is not medium. the duck was ho-hum, and the chicken oscar was ok. nothing different than a chain. so after that it was pretty much down hill from there. this place is WAY overpriced. you are paying for the view of mirror lake......thats about it. i would go for a drink or two, maybe an app, but i would not pay to eat there again. nina l below pretty much sums it up perfectly too.

    (1)

  • Luthien N.

    This place is a little out of the way, but you will be glad for that as soon as you start driving down the winding road through the forest- if it wasn't out of the way, you wouldn't get to look out through a few pine trees to Mirror Lake while you were eating, you wouldn't get to walk down the torch-lit walkway to enter the cozy restaurant, and you certainly wouldn't feel like you had discovered a special and unique secret, one that you won't know how you lived without before. The menu is classic up-scale Wisconsin- two pages of meat or seafood (or both) with potatoes and salad, plus cheese with breadsticks on the table when you get there and the choice of cheesecurds for an appetizer. However, also in classic Wisconsin style, the portions are big and they are delicious and satisfying. The drinks are expensive, but one should come here to enjoy the scenery and the atmosphere over a long meal, so make sure you come when you are prepared to spend some money. Between the atmosphere, very helpful service, and amazing food, you cannot be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Kim K.

    I have been to Ishnala a couple times and each time it has been a nostalgic and sentimental experience. The restaurant is cloistered away in the woods of the Wisconsin Dells, and part of the fun of dining is getting to drive away into this "secret spot." When you enter, you'll likely hear the background music of Dean Martin or Frank Sinatra. This restaurant is almost a throwback to a classic supper club, and you get that comfortable yet classy vibe as soon as you walk in the door. The motif is certainly iconic and different than any other place in the dells, as the restaurant is set in nature AND nature is set in the restaurant! A tree grows throughout the middle of floor, and the many large windows give a panoramic view of the lake and encompassing forest. On top of the ambiance, the food is classic American and gives you a taste of a Wisconsin super club dining experience, from the bread basket and assorted crackers to the prime rib, seafood and baked potatoes. The waiting staff is also well trained, professional and very friendly. I would especially recommend it if you are looking for a sit down restaurant away from the hub bub on the main strip, yet still very much a "Dells" experience.

    (5)

  • Courtney T.

    Wonderful ambiance, delicious food & extremely prompt service. We enjoyed the duck strips, prime rib, prawns & ribs. Lovely view of the lake, very peaceful setting. Expect at least $50 per person & tip!

    (5)

  • Wii M.

    The forest area was nice, the food and beverages are pricey. The people who manage the place aren't the most friendly.

    (3)

  • Igor L.

    This is a classic Wisconsin supper club. Great lake views and old time atmosphere. Food is better quality than the fake steak houses you pay a lot for in the Dells. It's not comparable to the same price food in a big city, but it's a supper club and you come for the total package.

    (5)

  • Sherry G.

    We visited Ishnala at the end of July. We had a large party of 16 and everyone from the hostess, bartender to the wait staff were just great in accommodating us. Since they don't take reservations even for large groups we had some what of a wait in order to get tables to seat our group. However the wait was fine as we sat outside and had drinks and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. The food was very good. We had two wait staff to handle our group and amazingly all food arrived together and not a single mix up with the orders. My husband and I are going back this evening for my birthday dinner. I anticipate it to be every bit the wonderful experience we had a couple of months ago.

    (4)

  • Karla K.

    This has to be my favorite place in the Dells area. Ishnala is a true supper club that retains its historic charm while providing delicious meals. Every seat in the house has a view overlooking Mirror Lake and it is gorgeous. I ordered the filet and shrimp and my boyfriend had the special that night, filet and prawns. Everything was made correctly as we ordered and very savory. The meals also came with freshly made garlic bread, choice of salad a potato side. The server, Sven, was on it and we did not want for anything. I would gladly come here again and again! I like that you get a decent amount of food for what you pay for, versus other high end steak houses that are a la carte and charge $5 for a baked potato. This place takes the cake by far!

    (5)

  • Gina M.

    Love this place. The view is amazing in itself, so to enjoy it with a cocktail and the peaceful surroundings makes it even better. My hubby and I come every time we come to the Dells, at least once a year, and even though the menu is the same, the gorgeous view is the same, and the service (wonderful) is the same, it always makes me feel as if I've stepped back in time, and I like that. I have enough trendy, modern and/or cold chrome in Chicago...I like the warmth of the place, the supper club feel, and the entire attitude of the place. Drinks? Good gin and tonic, tasty Chief Ishnala...Food? Always delicious...prime rib and prawns...oh yes! Dessert? Their chocolate mousse....come on folks, if you've been there, you know supper club in the Dells equals a bit more money then your corner diner, but I have no problem with paying for good food and good service. We consistently have both at Ishnala. Just enjoyed the meal with another couple on Saturday....sigh...miss it already! Be back to dine at Ishnala again next year! :)

    (5)

  • Edward R.

    As good as we expected, and more. Beautiful setting and very good meal. You should plan on a BIG meal.

    (5)

  • James G.

    Wonderful experience, great food, great atmosphere and loved the classic music playing over the speakers it really set the mood and added to the experience. It's a little on the pricy side but the food was wonderful and well worth the price.

    (5)

  • Elaine M.

    We came here for our Anniversary dinner and couldn't have chosen a better place in the Dells. Only open in high season this is most likely the finest dining to be had in the area. Be prepared though, they don't accept reservations. While you wait for your table though, you can enjoy a truly beautiful view of mirror lake from the deck. The night we came the had a special of two lobster tails, a thick cut rib eye steak, mashed sweet potatoes and asparagus for $99 (for two). I can not say just how marvelous the lobster tails were. The very best I have had in a long long time! Too often lobster tails are over cooked and rubbery. These were not! They were cooked to perfection, tender and sweet. The steak was good but not better than other steak dinners I have had recently. My husband really liked the mashed sweet potatoes with pecans but I wasn't impressed. Actually I didn't really care for them. For me they were too sweet. Nice touch that the owner himself checks on every table!

    (5)

  • Margaret H.

    Wow. I was pleasantly surprised at Ishnala. I had seen it and heard about it every time while stopping in the Dells and finally decided to try it. We started off with drinks-- white sangria which was delicious, Chardonnay which was good , and their signature Manhattan which was close to perfectly executed. Then we enjoyed the fresh baked rolls with homemade garlic butter. They were better than average, but nothing spectacular. The salads were also very good. We had the garden with Dijon dressing, Cesar, and the blue cheese wedge. I am a blue cheese wedge salad fanatic and this one was good. The bacon was a little fatty which is a bit of a turn off, but the freshness of the lettuce and dressing were the standouts. Then for the main course we had the fried shrimp, the fried shrimp and steak, and the fishermans platter. I wanted scallops but they had run out so I settled for the fried shrimp. They were fried in a tempura batter and you could tell they were very fresh. They were delicious and the seafood sauce was the perfect amount of spice for me bc I love that medium to hot range of sauces. My guest said the fishermans platter was excellent. The salmon was buttery, the shrimp seasoned well and grilled, the lobster was perfectly cooked and the scallops were seared with lots of flavor. My other guest thought the steak was good, but the seafood stole the show. For desserts we shared the chocolate mousse and vanilla cheesecake with a raspberry sauce. They were both divine. Between the food and the drinks I walked out of this place waddling. A don't miss in the Dell for me now!

    (4)

  • Arthur M.

    We have been to many of the great supper clubs of Wisconsin, and to my mind Ishnala deserves to be on the short list of the very best. The architecture is arresting, an ancient lodge of hardwood perched overlooking the lake. The bar is in the shape of an arrowhead: a fun place to wait for a table and have an old school cocktail or shrimp cocktail. Ishnala is unusual in that the restaurant is owned and operated by the Wisconsin state park system: they do a great job. Service is professional, warm and prompt. The seating is staggered to allow the kitchen to deliver on the quality the price tags suggest: my steak was the perfect temperature and well rested, with a flavorful sear. This means, however, that it is more traditional than chef-driven flavor-wise: my dining partner wished for more aggressive seasoning. There something about being greeted by a giant sign over the wooded road that reads, "Ishnala," and then you enter a parking lot with the big band songs of the forties and fifties drifting from the water. I had a lot of fun and a great meal in this world and would love to go back!

    (5)

  • Rachel S.

    Good food, nice staff, unique atmosphere. The Old Fashioned drinks were the best part... and the view. That's what you're paying for really.

    (4)

  • Linda L.

    We love this place and have been going there for years. We live around the Chicago area and have planned many a trip to the Dells centered around an Ishnala visit. Sitting in the comfortable surroundings, with an outstanding view of Mirror Lake, talking with friends, not being rushed AND wearing jeans - how can you beat that? You start breathing easier just as soon as you pull into the drive and it's quiet and serene on all sides. The food is very good, potatoes au gratin are outstanding. Frank Sinatra playing in the background - it is the ultimate supper club experience and takes me back to my childhood. Love, love this place!

    (5)

  • Dekalb R.

    We have been to Ishnala multiple times in the last several years. We eat there several time during its open season and it is always 5 star. If you look at the 10.12.14 entry, and the 1.2.15 entry, these are prime reasons why you have to take each review and its ratings with a huge grain of salt. The 10.12.14 entry complains that it was so busy they couldn't get a table, so it gets one star. Really? You penalize a restaurant for being busy, ostensibly because it is so good? Um, ok. The 1.2.15 entry gives it a one star for being closed. Practically every piece of literature on Ishnala plainly states that it is open SEASONALLY and is closed on Nov 1. You visited in January. So it gets one star for being closed seasonally? Um, ok. For the record I have absolutely no affiliation with this restaurant other than being a foodie that loves to eat there. I post this simply because I am tired of stupid posts by people with narcissistic tunnel vision.

    (5)

  • Sue G.

    We encountered loud obnoxious people in the dining room really tacky no one told them to keep it down so they got louder as our meal went on. Finally my husband spoke up and told them to go to the bar if they wanted to be loud. The manager came over and said well at least it wasn't a loud table of children! I said that would not bother me considering children do not know any better, but adults should. My husbands steak was cold. We are locals and we will never be there again. Fine dining my ass.

    (2)

  • Tuan V.

    Beautiful setting. Great food, nice friendly wait staff. Filet and lobster tails were perfect!

    (5)

  • Jaime B.

    Old school rustic charm. The food & service is good, but this place is all about the ambiance. Always allow yourself some extra time to grab a cocktail from the bar and take it outside to the back porch and enjoy the beautiful & peaceful Mirror Lake. It is good for your soul. My absolute favorite restaurant in the area. If you're looking for sleek and modern this is not for you. It's rustic, woodsy, and the architecture is stunning. I feel lucky to eat a great meal in the middle of the forest :)

    (5)

  • Don P.

    I was hoping to be able to write a gushingly star-filled review about how Ishnala is the supper club you train all your life for, that once you eat here, you're spoiled for life, and the old-fashioneds add five years to your life. Well, that's what they've been hammering the Chicago area with as part of an intensive series of radio ads. So I decided that the latter portion of our vacation would be spent in the Dells, and we were finally going to have dinner at Ishnala. So we get there at about a quarter to five and notice lots of cars driving away from the restaurant up the mile-long driveway. Were they closed? Was there an Ebola outbreak? Might we actually get a table? No, no, and no. The hostess said I might be able to get a table for two around 7 pm. That's over two hours, folks, and two hours sitting at their bar waiting for a table would pretty much guarantee that I wouldn't remember being at Ishnala, much less eating a hopefully memorable meal at Ishnala. So we joined the stream of disappointed would-be diners driving back to the Dells... thinking what a madhouse the place must be at opening time. I see lots of other Yelpers saying that Ishnala is a quintessential supper-club experience -- I would note that the quintessential supper-club experience includes being able to get into a place and actually eat a five-star dinner. Luckily for us, there are places nearby where this is possible.

    (1)

  • Brandon S.

    We went on a Friday night around 7pm in July and got seated right away. The view is quite amazing and the ambiance varied between romantic and lake casual. We called ahead to make sure we were not too under dressed and we were informed shorts and t shirts and flip flops are fine just no swim trucks. I ordered the prime rib and prawns($42.00)and it was very good. The prime rib was cooked to perfection and had a nice smoky taste. The prawns were also very good. We also had artichoke dip which my wife really enjoyed along with sweet potatoes, another winner The service was amazing-no issues here If you bring a child they only have chicken tender appetizer- not much else for youngsters I would definitely try if you want a break from the typical Dells chain restaurant

    (5)

  • Amy W.

    Found this place on Yelp....A huge thumbs up! Ishnala means "By Itself Alone" in the language of the Winnebago Indian and that is just what you get when you drive to this restaurant. Hidden back in the woods and overlooking Mirror Lake. Our table had a great view and we were seated right away. Our service was exceptional throughout our meal and the food was even better! Our family of four had a nice relaxing dining experience. They could use a kids menu but we improvised with a couple of appetizers for the young ones. If you are looking for a tranquil place to unwind after a busy day in the Dells, this is your spot.

    (5)

  • Rebecca J.

    Tried to go here but they weren't open. Veery disappointed since it was so hard to find :( it was only 6pm so I'm not sure why they are closed so early on a Friday

    (1)

  • Maren K.

    On top of the amazing view and atmosphere, the food was stellar and the service was phenomenal. They don't take reservations so there usually is a little bit of a wait, but it is easy to kill the time waiting by getting a drink at the bar or going down to the beach. Would highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Matt T.

    My new favorite "special occasion" place! My wife and I visited Ishnala for our anniversary. We arrived around 6:30 on a Saturday night. The place was packed. Wait time was 45-60 minutes BUT there was plenty of bar space attended by professional and fun bartenders. We had appetizers at the bar and they were an sign of what was to come for dinner. For dinner we sat at a table by the windows and had a beautiful view of mirror lake at dusk, OUTSTANDING! We ordered filet special and the twin cold lobster tails. The steak was prepared perfectly and served with a decadent sun-dried tomato sauce. The lobster tails were prepared well and the wife loved them. The staff from the moment we arrived to the moment we left were phenomenal. I would (and have already) recommend to my family and friends. GO. EAT. ENJOY!

    (5)

  • Tanya S.

    That is my favorite place. I visit Ishnala every year at least once and I am so happy now that they open for longer time then before. Starting with the amazing driveway to get there and the amazing history that the restaurant has I have to say there is no other place like this. The view is to die for. But not only the outside of the restaurant is spectacular. You walk in and feel like in a different world. The atmosphere is so different then any other place I have been. The service is more then great and the food...The food is amazing. I had the Twin lobster tails and a filet. The file was cooked to perfection. Loved my first visit for the season and can't wait for my next one. Thank you Ishnala for being great

    (5)

  • Steve M.

    First day open of the new year 2015 and we had a great time and awesome food!

    (4)

  • Luke F.

    Ishnala is an adventure, where amazing food and drinks are the centerpiece. The bar overlooks Mirror Lake and there are short walks around the vast wooded grounds. The only thing I don't like about this place is that they're not open in Winter... omg could you imagine that winter wonderland on a Fish Fry Friday after skiing around the Mirror Lake state park trails all day!? Simply love everything about this place.

    (5)

  • David W.

    Wow fantastic setting, food and our waitress Christie was fantastic. Highly recommend this place as a good old fashioned supper club. Desserts are also very tasty. Prices are high but well worth it.

    (5)

  • Chris B.

    Have been 3 years in a row and love it. I have personally ordered the fisher mans platter every time and love it. Before dinner they bring sweet rolls and dinner rolls. The ceaser salad for an up charge is worth it. Would recommend for everyone, avoid the window during sunset as the reflection off the lake is blinding.

    (5)

  • Emily R.

    This place was AMAZING! We got drinks before hand while we were waiting for our seats and they were great. Too many times I get drinks and they are watered down, but her they were great. The food was phenomenal. I got the top sirloin steak and it was to die for. Cooked to order and the sauce was fantastic. The dessert was great as well.

    (5)

  • Jim T.

    My wife set up an adventure to dine here as I missed the last visit. We kayaked Mirror Lake during the day and was able to see the place from the lake view. From below it looked majestic. We arrived and did not have to wait for a table, if you wanted a window seat there was a wait. We chose to take the next best thing and still had a great view of the lake. Our server Anya could not have been more attentive and gracious. We started off with shrimp for the appetizer which was very good. After looking over the menu there were many delicious choices. My wife had the filet and was delicious, I ordered the prime rib as it is my weakness when I see it on a menu. I was slightly disappointed in its flavor and quality as it left my mouth dry instead of salivating from the flavor (that's why only 4 stars). The salad beforehand was great as was the sides that we ordered.The grounds are beautiful and offer plenty of walking paths to work off the meal. The outside seating is relaxing if you chose to sit outside with cocktails before your meal. In closing I would like to say that I will be back to try other menu choices.

    (4)

  • Jon P.

    We completely enjoyed our visit to Ishnala Supper Club. Because they don't take reservations, we arrived at their opening time of 4:00 and were seated right away. We had our favorite view of the lake and enjoyed a quiet leisurely meal. Our server was attentive and was able to take care of all our requests promptly. They seemed to have plenty of servers so I expect the service was good even after the busy times. The food was excellent and prepared the way we asked. We passed on the dessert which was difficult after viewing the dessert tray but we were completely satisfied after our wonderful meal. A wonderful way to celebrate.

    (5)

  • Angela S.

    This place is a gold mine for foodies like myself. I can't place this restaurant with any supper club, this is fine dinning at it's best. The drive in is beautiful and the walk is just as gorgeous. Beautiful scenery with Mirror Lake as a focal point and the food was excellent. To start off our adventure we had Duck strips and French Onion soup. At that moment we knew we were in for a treat our appetizers were very delicious and it made it hard to choose our main course as we would have loved to sample everything on the menu. A decision had to be made. New York strip with green beans and Chicken Oscar with Bearnaise sauce and a side of sweet potatoes. I'd recommend this place for any special occasion or a place to go for excellent food. The rolls were excellent as well, dinner rolls and cinnamon rolls.

    (5)

  • Carol O.

    I love this place. It started out as a log cabin trading post in 1826 and has, of course, evolved over time to the place it is today. The setting is beautiful. The restaurant and bar overlook Mirror Lake and it's surrounding bluffs. The road into the restaurant winds and twists through meadows and forests. Most often we go to have a couple cocktails at the bar and enjoy some appies. The bartenders are always pleasant and friendly as well as being very good mixologists. Their Bloody Mary is a work of art. Dinners there are pricey. When we went last week the entrees ranged from the mid $20's to the high $30's. One item - the seafood platter was $49. Our food was quite good, but not 5 star good. Mostly it's the ambience and service that gets this place in my 4 star range.

    (4)

  • Jennifer L.

    Although it's a really nice restaurant, I'm only giving 4-stars based on customer service and waiter. I've been here twice. It's a very nice, white-tablecloth restaurant (steakhouse). It's off the beaten path of the Dells, which is nice to catch a quiet, fancier dinner. It's fairly expensive. But their meat is really good quality, so you pay for what you get here. I had a Filet Mignon, with french onion soup, and a baked potato. All were very tasty. The portion size was nice. I left with half my soup because I'd gotten full. Ohhh the bread. Yummy. Quite delicious. It came out warm and soft and tantalizing. Mmmmm.... They don't really have a "kids-menu", per se, but they offered a 5-ounce prime rib with fries which was perfect. My son (13 year old) enjoyed it. ... The restaurant itself is a really old house, which was then bought and added-onto, and turned into a restaurant. It hangs over Mirror Lake, because the lake is so calm it literaly looks like a mirror. It's very quiet and calm, and beautiful. Very peaceful. The house/restaurant, literally feels like it could almost just fall into the lake at any second... Lord let's hope they get that foundation checked regularly. LOL. It doesn't seem like it's every really been renovated, as everything is super old. The bathroom is still decorated from like the 1930's, with pink tiles, and pink/blue star wallpaper. RIDICULOUSLY old, LOL. But kinda cute. They also have a nice little bar area, where there was a singer, and mini-dance-floor. Our only complaint was that our server was really kind of smug and arrogant. He kept giving us these little cocky smirks. We'd come into the restaurant in shorts and pulled back hair, so we probably didn't look like we belonged there since we looked pretty touristy and yucky... HOWEVER, you should NOT judge people that way. We were still spending good money there, and expect to be treated as such. They have no idea who we are, shorts or not. Much like the rest of the Dells employees, he was some sort of foreigner (Eastern European) who had horrible English. The sad part was, he was even back there joking around with the Manager about us, who was laughing with him. Whatever. Losers. Enjoying your f'ing job as a waiter. I may or may not go back. Although that steak was to die for, they poor service and cocky attitude really kinda rubbed me the wrong way. I'd be willing to find a new steak-place next time. We've done this one twice now. It's worth trying at least once just for the serenity of it. GO WHILE IT'S STILL DAYLIGHT OUT!! You go there for the view, so if you go at night, you'll miss it.

    (4)

  • Susan B.

    How come I've never knew about this place before? Ishnala definitely does not look or feel like it is in the Dells. We actually had to ask if there was a dress code because we were just in shorts and tees (luckily there was not, just no bathing suits). It is a bit pricey but it is worth it to get away from the hussle and bussle of the Dells. The dining room views are really pretty too as you overlook Mirror Lake. The tables do have cloth tablecloths if that gives you an idea whether or not to bring your young kids here (I wouldn't). To start, they bring out a cheddar cheese spread which was absolutely to die for. They also offered a wide assortment of breadsticks/crackers to accompany the spread. I had the chicken marsala portabella and my bf had ribs. Both were very good and very large portions. Both also came with a salad and choice of potato. They also bring out a fresh bread basket with your meal which had these amazing little cinnamon rolls! Our server was also very attentive, bringing refills for our drinks without our asking. We were too full to even look at the dessert tray but I caught a glimpse and I would definitely take 2 of everything! There was a hut at the entrance that said gift shop but it wasn't open, would have been interesting to look inside. The grounds are beautifully landscaped with colorful flowers everywhere, there is also music pumped into the surrounding area and parking lot. If you are feeling adventurous, you can trek down the steep steps to the "beach" area. They had a little area where you could dock your canoe and come up for a bite to eat. If I was in the area again, I would definitely stop by.

    (5)

  • Wayne L.

    Ishnala was my first supper club experience ever and what a great introduction! My girlfriend had been telling me about these supper club places (look it up on wikipedia for some background info) so we decided to go on a day trip to check one out. Ishnala is one of her favorite supper clubs; a place that her grandmother went to on dates 50 years ago, and her mom and dad went to on mysterious dates when she was a kid. Ishnala overlooks Mirror Lake, about 45 minutes outside of Madison. Before going to dinner we spent an afternoon canoeing on the lake, which was a great way to build up an appetite before dinner. After canoeing, we walked from the dock through some trails in the park to Ishnala. Now to the actual supper club experience. (I've uploaded a bunch of pics here so you can see the meal.) Upon entry head to the bar and have a drink or two while waiting for your table. The view overlooking Mirror Lake is stunning. Be careful when ordering their summer cocktails. I ordered a greyhound-like cocktail, and it came to me very pink with a sugar rimmed glass. Also got a nice smirk from the bartender for being a guy ordering such a bright pink drink. Finally the meal. VERY traditional American. As if the menu hadn't changed in the last 50 years. Started with some home-made cheese spread with crackers. Shrimp cocktail appetizer, steak and butterflied shrimp main course. The meal came with lots of butter, though what else would you expect for being in dairy country. The meal ended with a dessert tray with pretty classic desserts. Overall, this was a super fun and unique experience (for someone living in San Francisco). I'd definitely recommend people come here and check it out.

    (5)

  • Manny R.

    Nice place. Food is good & friend staff. The prime was good but try the ribs. If you're in the area, make a trip for dinner. Went there during the evening but I hear the view of the lake is worth an afternoon visit.

    (4)

  • Steve G.

    If my uncles were still alive, and they were with us, this place would have rocked... Unfortunately, they're not, and the place didn't rock. Yes, the place is dated, but that's not the "meh" part... The food was good -- and the filet was delicious -- but the service is just okay. We felt rushed the whole time. We wanted to have a drink in the cool old bar, but after about 15 minutes, the hostess came over and told us our table was ready (gee, I though I was going to tell YOU when we were ready?). After getting seated, the pace really picked up. Our salads arrived just minutes before the entrees, and as soon as we said no to dessert -- just coffee, please -- the check showed up. Obviously, they were in a hurry to get the place closed up. This is supposed to be a Wisconsin supper club, but where's the relish plate on the table? Where's the cozy crowd of regulars at the bar? Why is the famous "teepee" bar closed except on weekends? Prices are high, which only amplifies clumsy service. Probably won't return unless we hear there's some new management here...

    (2)

  • Joseph G.

    Just went for drinks and appetizers. Their Bloody Mary is impressive with a large jumbo shrimp, full pickle, chunk of cheese and bear chaser. Beautiful view of the lake and the restaurant is like going back in time into the 50's-60's.

    (4)

  • Lyle F.

    Terrible customer service! We walk in with a party of 5 and the hostess would not put our name down because 1 in our party was in the parking lot. We asked to speak to a manager and she sarcastically said "oh you want to speak to my father?" I saw him minutes later rolling his eyes and talking junk about about other guests. We checked the overpriced menu and left this tourist trap and ate at Marley's. Thank you rude trust fund baby hostess for your horrible service because we ended up having a great night at a different restaurant. They're lucky they are in a tourist area because they would go out of business fast in a town like Madison!

    (1)

  • Sallie G.

    My husband and I have been coming here once a year ever since we started going to Mirror Lake State Park and staying in the handicapped cabin there. We ate here this past week. We love the ambiance, the history and beautiful setting. Most of all, of course, we love the food! Granted it is pricey but this is an annual event and well worth the expense. The entire experience is good for the soul. We always get the prime rib and prawn combination and it is so wonderful. Service is always attentive and friendly and any drink I've ever had has been good from a simple Gin & Tonic to a fancy Brandy Alexander. Our visit this year was capped off by the extraordinary kindness of the manager as we left. My husband is in a wheelchair and even though the information here says the place is not wheelchair accessible, it actually is. But the path is hilly, winding and somewhat arduous. Well, as we were leaving the manager offered to wheel my husband along that path all the way to the car! I was delighted since it gave me the rare chance to actually walk to the car along the main entrance path lined with lovely flowers. We will be back again next year.

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :4:30 pm - 10:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : No
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : No
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Romantic
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Ishnala

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