As far as Wisconsin supper clubs go, Ishnala Supper Club is the cream of the crop and belle of the old fashioned cocktail ball.
Quietly located on Mirror Lake in Lake Delton, just minutes from Wisconsin Dells, Ishnala Supper Club has been making memories for guests for the last 70 years with its signature cocktails, impeccable guest service, incredible food and sweeping lake views. A true bucket list item, Ishnala has offered unique dining experiences for generations, whether you are celebrating a special occasion or everyday life – one that will likely stay with you for years to come.
Set back about a mile along a winding road in the Wisconsin woods, visitors will arrive at a gorgeous setting and bygone-era log structure perfectly perched among the pines. Guests may be be greeted by Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin tunes wafting softly over the outside speakers. Plan to spend a few hours here as Ishnala does not take reservations and its wait can, at times, be one to two hours or more, depending on the season and day of the week. The wait is well worth it and half of the fun!
Put the phone on silent and wander the extensive grounds with ample outdoor seating, take a walk on the Ishnala or Mirror Lake State Park trails, put your feet in the sand at the private beach in an Adirondack chair and enjoy the sunset over the glass water. If you really want to add to the fun, arrive in style by kayak or canoe. Rentals are available at Mirror Lake Boat Rentals for a nominal fee. You can put your name on the table list, and then head back out and enjoy the lake and views of Ishnala from the water.
Ishnala Supper Club has four unique bars, each with its own personality to enjoy the signature and award-winning Brandy Old Fashioned cocktail, including the new outdoor Tomahawk deck bar overlooking the beach. Ishnala offers specialty cocktails from martinis and mules to the homemade Totem Pole Bloody Mary recipe and the Wiscollins, an all-Wisconsin-made Tom Collins with Wollersheim Garden Gate Gin. A nice selection of craft beers and wines, including specialty red, white and rosé bottles created exclusively for Ishnala by Wollersheim Winery in Prairie du Sac, are also on the menu.
There is no bad seat in the house at Ishnala Supper Club as all tables have a view of Mirror Lake’s calm waters. Candlelit tables set the mood for a calming and unforgettable experience. Once seated, start with a classic supper club staple like shrimp cocktail, garlicky and buttery oven-baked escargot, lightly breaded duck strips, gooey baked French onion soup and thin-sliced prime rib spears. Ishnala keeps the dinner entrée menu simple with choices for every palate but focuses heavily on seafood and steaks. The eatery is well-known for its 40-day-aged prime rib as well as the filet mignon, New York strip and hand-cut and broiled ribeye. Make it a combination with jumbo fried shrimp or the delectable butterflied prawn shrimp broiled in the shell and served with drawn butter. Seafood options like salmon, scallops and twin lobster tails are also available. Additional traditional options include chicken Oscar, dry-rub and slow-roasted BBQ baby back ribs, mouthwatering rack of lamb and fan-favorite roast Wisconsin duck with an orange cognac sauce and brandy cherry sauce. Linger a little longer into the night for an after-dinner drink and enjoy the beautifully lit landscape with twinkling lights and tiki torches.
Ishnala’s staff and customer service is second to none. From bus runners, kitchen staff, bartenders (who likely make thousands of old fashioned cocktails every night), serving staff and management, Ishnala is an impressively well-oiled operation. Ishnala might mean “by itself alone” by the Winnebago people, but the entire experience feels like a big Wisconsin hug – warm and inviting to all.
Ishnala Supper Club is open seasonally from May to October. The last day of the 2023 season is Oct. 22. Hours are Monday to Friday with bar opening at 3:30 p.m. and dining at 4 p.m.; Saturday to Sunday, bar opens at 2:30 p.m. and dining at 3:10 p.m. For more information, visit www.ishnala.com.
S2011 Ishnala Rd.
Lake Delton, WI 53940