Last updated: 2025-05-06
Appleton’s dining scene offers a remarkable blend of culinary sophistication and local flavor. From riverside establishments to intimate dining rooms, the city’s restaurants showcase innovative menus that celebrate Wisconsin’s rich gastronomic traditions.
Discerning diners will discover exceptional experiences ranging from classic steakhouses to modern farm-to-table concepts. Each restaurant reflects Appleton’s unique character, delivering memorable meals that capture the essence of this vibrant Fox Valley community.
Explore Appleton’s finest dining destinations right here!
Featured Fine Dining Spots in Appleton
- Apollon
- Vince Lombardi's Steakhouse
- Carmella's
- Rye Restaurant
- Fratello's Riverfront Restaurant
- The Melting Pot - Appleton
- Author's Kitchen + Bar
- Draft Gastropub
- Ellinor
Apollon
What to Expect
Mediterranean-inspired fine dining with elegant Greek culinary traditions
Description
Apollon offers an elegant Greek-inspired fine dining experience in downtown Appleton, featuring sophisticated Mediterranean cuisine served in a refined, intimate setting. The restaurant showcases carefully crafted dishes with Mediterranean ingredients, presented with artistic plating and attentive tableside service.
Where: Appleton | More Info: Apollon
Author's Kitchen + Bar
What to Expect
Seasonally rotating menu with local ingredient focus
Description
Author's Kitchen + Bar offers an intimate downtown Appleton dining experience with seasonally-driven menus featuring locally sourced ingredients. Their compact dining room emphasizes chef-crafted dishes and a personalized culinary approach, with limited hours focused on breakfast, lunch, and select dinner services.
Where: Appleton | More Info: Author's Kitchen + Bar
Carmella's
What to Expect
Authentic Italian cuisine in intimate bistro setting
Description
Carmella's offers an intimate Italian bistro experience in Appleton, featuring authentic cuisine served in a warm, candlelit dining room. Classic Italian dishes are crafted with carefully sourced ingredients, complemented by an curated wine selection and attentive tableside service.
Where: Appleton | More Info: Carmella's
Draft Gastropub
What to Expect
Chef-inspired dishes paired with extensive craft beverage selection
Description
Draft Gastropub offers an innovative dining experience blending European gastropub concepts with locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant features craft cocktails, premium bourbons, and whiskeys alongside chef-inspired dishes that complement carefully curated craft beer selections. Intimate dining spaces showcase contemporary American cuisine with an emphasis on fresh, high-quality ingredients.
Where: Appleton | More Info: Draft Gastropub
Ellinor
What to Expect
Wood-fired oven as centerpiece of culinary preparation
Description
Nestled in an Appleton neighborhood, this upscale restaurant features an open kitchen centered around a wood-fired oven, crafting locally-sourced dishes. The intimate dining space emphasizes farm-to-table cuisine, with carefully curated ingredients from nearby producers to create innovative, seasonally-inspired plates.
Where: Appleton | More Info: Ellinor
Fratello's Riverfront Restaurant
What to Expect
Riverfront dining with waterfall patio overlooking Fox River
Description
Fratello's Riverfront Restaurant offers a sophisticated dining experience with panoramic Fox River views from its spacious dining room and cascading waterfall patio. The restaurant features an award-winning wine selection paired with chef-inspired cuisine, creating an elegant riverfront atmosphere that showcases contemporary Midwestern culinary craftsmanship.
Where: Appleton | More Info: Fratello's Riverfront Restaurant
Rye Restaurant
What to Expect
Seasonal craft cocktails with house-grown herbs
Description
Rye Restaurant offers a refined urban rustic dining experience in downtown Appleton, featuring seasonally-driven, locally sourced cuisine crafted from scratch. The chef-led kitchen emphasizes fresh ingredients from local farms, with a dynamic menu that changes to showcase seasonal produce and creative plating.
Where: Appleton | More Info: Rye Restaurant
The Melting Pot - Appleton
What to Expect
Interactive tableside fondue dining with four-course experience
Description
An intimate fondue restaurant featuring tableside cheese preparation and a four-course interactive dining experience. Soft-lit dining rooms with private booth seating offer a romantic atmosphere where guests cook their own meals using specialized fondue techniques. Signature experiences include artisan cheese fondues, customizable entrée cooking styles, and decadent chocolate dessert fondues.
Where: Appleton | More Info: The Melting Pot - Appleton
Vince Lombardi's Steakhouse
What to Expect
Football memorabilia from Lombardi estate
Description
Located inside the Hilton Appleton Paper Valley, this elegant steakhouse celebrates NFL legend Vince Lombardi through a sophisticated dining experience. Guests enjoy premium aged steaks and fresh seafood surrounded by rare Packers memorabilia and a curated wine cellar. The Brunswick-style bar and intimate dining rooms offer a refined atmosphere that blends culinary excellence with football history.
Where: Appleton | More Info: Vince Lombardi's Steakhouse
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