Courtyard Cafe — Restaurant in Wisconsin Dells

These recent negative reviews got me laughing, I really hope my review can set the record straight with this place. In terms of location, this cafe is stunning, extremely clean on the inside and out and even the windows. Such a cute courtyard with hobby shops around it, and In my opinion, the pinnacle of the yard is this cafe. Menu has decently diverse options and extremely affordable and delicious appetizers. The haystack onion rings come in a huge serving size for only 7.50. My girlfriend got the brunch burger. I got the pretzel bites, onion rings, a burger and 3 super delicious chocolate chip pancakes for around $40. Amazing deal and with the location and how nice and caring staff was I’d pay more. What encouraged me to write this review was that me and the girlfriend got carried away window shopping at the other places in the courtyard. We didn’t really check to see when the cafe closed but ended up walking in 3 mins before close. In shock of our bad manners we both wanted to walk away and not be the cause of several people needing to stay after their shift, but I was assured that it was an extremely slow day due to a memorial being held in the yard and as my hostess said “we want you to eat”. I swallowed my pride as this meal would serve as fuel to our 2 hour drive back to Milwaukee and although I would usually reject the kind gesture and not sit down at a place 3 mins to close, I did. I tipped 50%, I left full and happy and grateful to the restaurant to let us get a meal in before our travels. And appreciated dearly the owner that came up to us at the end of the meal to assure us once again that we weren’t a bother. 5 stars isn’t enough for the experience...

I was really looking forward to dining here, especially after reading so many great reviews. Unfortunately, my experience was the complete opposite of what I expected.

When I walked in, I wasn’t greeted or acknowledged — I just stood there awkwardly until I finally added our name to the waitlist. That set the tone for the visit.

Our server, Heather, was friendly enough but recommended a wrap that ended up being incredibly disappointing. It was supposed to be grilled chicken, but it tasted boiled and bland — absolutely no seasoning or flavor. It honestly might’ve been the worst wrap I’ve ever had.

My son’s pancake was another letdown. It came topped with black residue from the cast iron, but the grease from it soaked into the pancake, making it soggy and unappetizing. The pancake itself tasted nothing like it was made fresh or from scratch — definitely not the homemade quality I expected. We love breakfast as a family, but this was just… sad.

The menu might be geared toward a “healthier” style, which I respect, but healthy doesn’t have to mean flavorless or underwhelming. Overall, I left feeling disappointed, misled by the reviews, and like I wasted money.

Overhyped &...

A Hidden Gem in the Heart of the Dells!

We absolutely love Courtyard Café! It’s perfectly located right on the main strip, so it’s easy to park and explore the shops before or after your meal. The café itself is super cute, clean, and welcoming. You can tell a lot of thought and care goes into everything—from the decor to the menu.

One of the biggest highlights for our family is the number of gluten- and dairy-free options. Our sons were recently put on a gluten-free diet, and finding a place like this was huge for us. We learned from our waitress that the owner is gluten- and dairy-free herself, so the menu reflects that—tons of delicious options without compromising taste.

We first came here back in November and made it a priority to return during our July trip. The breakfast nachos are a family favorite, but honestly, everything we’ve tried has been great. They offer both breakfast and lunch, plus coffee, lattes, and even an ice cream bar for dessert.

Highly recommend if you’re in the Dells—especially if you’re looking for allergy-friendly food that doesn’t feel like...