12 Best Restaurants In Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA

1. The Nucleus

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

One of the local favorites when it comes to classic American food in Eau Claire is The Nucleus, or The Nuke as they call it. This hip restaurant is a great spot for your brunch cravings. Start your dining experience with bites of their famous omelets, such as Peppered Bacon and Real Housewives of EC. There’s also the morning or mid-day sandwiches, a carbs menu, a protein selection, and a vegan menu. Never leave without trying one of their signature crepes too!

The Nucleus

Address: 405 Water St, Eau Claire, WI 54703, United States

Website: The Nucleus

Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 8am - 2pm (closed on Mon & Tue)

2. Houligans Steak & Seafood Pub

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Keep your dining experience simple, sumptuous, and oh-so-delicious by trying the menu at Houligans Steak & Seafood Pub. This (yes, you guessed it!) steak and seafood house in Eau Claire keeps its menu simple and straight to the point. Get your hands on their bestsellers, including the Alaskan halibut, cheese curds, the smoked prime rib sandwiches, and the mighty wagyu New York strip. Prepare to get your hands messy as you try some of the best and juiciest steaks in the city.

Houligans Steak & Seafood Pub

Address: 415 S Barstow St, Eau Claire, WI 54701, United States

Website: Houligans Steak & Seafood Pub

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 4pm - 9pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

3. Mona Lisa’s

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

For years now, Mona Lisa’s has been considered as the standard for the ultimate gastronomic experience and is one of the best places to eat in Eau Claire. Located in the historic Water Street business district, Mona Lisa’s is furnished with jewel-toned furniture, framed artwork and the patio features a fireplace. The menu in Mona Lisa’s normally changes depending on what is fresh in the garden. Even though the dining options changes regularly, the menu is consistently extensive. Speciality pizzas, seafood and steaks are the restaurant’s strengths. As for the wine, wine aficionados will take pleasure in looking through the intricate wine list as they search for the perfect pairing.

Mona Lisa’s

Address: 428 Water St, Eau Claire, WI 54703, USA

Website: Mona Lisa’s

Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday 4:00pm-10:00pm, Monday-Sunday Closed

Average price for two people: from 11 USD

4. Randy’s Family Restaurant

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

If you are looking for a restaurant which will present you with a complimentary cup of its special homemade vanilla pudding as soon as you sit down, Randy’s Family Restaurant does just that. Randy’s Family Restaurant focuses on American-style dining and delicious food that tastes just like grandma’s. Most locals prefer Randy’s Family Restaurant thanks to its extensive menu which includes hash browns, hot roast beef sandwich, pies, chicken dumpling soup, omelettes and crispy chicken honey mustard salad. All of the dishes in Randy’s Family Restaurant are homemade and come in massive portions, which likely played a bit part in why Randy’s is one of the most preferred restaurants in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA.

Randy’s Family Restaurant

Address: 1132 W MacArthur Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Website: Randy’s Family Restaurant

Opening hours: Monday-Thursday, Saturday 6:00am-9:00pm, Friday 6:00am-10:00pm, Sunday Closed

Average price for two people: from 10 USD

5. The Classic Garage

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Situated at the heart of Eau Claire, The Classic Garage is a classic American diner with a 1950s automotive-themed interior that will make you feel like you have stepped into an episode of “Happy Days.” The menu at The Classic Garage is full of traditional diner fare made with local ingredients, including burgers, chicken wings, shakes, malts, homemade soups, salads, and the best chicken salad sandwich that you will ever find in this area. While you are here, try out the grilled red onions, cheddar and swiss on toasted wheatberry bread, you won’t regret it.

The Classic Garage

Address: 2111 3rd St, Eau Claire, WI 54703

Website: The Classic Garage

Opening hours: Monday-Sunday 11:00am-8:00pm

Average price for two people: 11-30 USD

6. The Informalist

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

The Informalist is a posh restaurant serving delicious seasonal meals inside The Lismore Hotel located at the heart of Eau Claire. The menu which consists of bold flavours at affordable prices will blow your mind. You should expect a variety of fresh ingredients from regional farms, sustainable seafood, and delectable wood-fired pizza. Given its spacious nature, The Informalist can accommodate large events both in the dining room and in a private area. There is also an outdoor patio seating area where you can enjoy the sunshine in downtown Eau Claire. The Informalist is vegetarian and vegan-friendly.

The Informalist

Address: 205 S Barstow St, Eau Claire, WI 54701

Website: The Informalist

Opening hours: Monday-Friday 6:00am-11:00pm, Saturday-Sunday 8:00am-11:00pm

Average price for two people: 11-30 USD

7. Stella Blues

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Once you enter the doors of Stella Blues, you will have the illusion of New Orleans, Louisiana. The restaurant features the largest selection of mojitos, martinis and margaritas in the city, as well as a selection of 21 beers on tap. The dining room is an elegant yet rustic space filled with golden-scarlet lighting and decorated with framed posters, photographs, and antiques on the walls. As for their meals, the way Stella Blues prepares their food can be compared to few, if any, in the Eau Claire area. Whenever you are here, you should try out the blackened catfish, shrimp creole and jambalaya. For entertainment, there is always live jazz music at the European-style outdoor patio that’s open to guests during the day and night.

Stella Blues

Address: 306 E Madison St, Eau Claire, WI 54703, USA

Website: Stella Blues

Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 4:00pm-9:00pm, Sunday closed

Average price for two people: 11-30 USD

8. Tacos Juanita

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

While Tacos Juanita’s appearance may seem unpretentious, the flavour of its dishes will just blow your mind. This place to eat in Eau Claire serves virtually every traditional Mexican dish you can imagine, including soups, salads, quesadillas, tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, burritos, tamales, tortas, enchiladas, soups and desserts like flan and margarita cheesecake. If you can’t decide on what to have, worry less, Tacos Juanita has reasonable prices, you can afford to go a little wild here. However, since everything is made by hand and not mass-produced, you should expect the place to occasionally run out of some of its popular favourites before lunchtime.

Tacos Juanita

Address: 2823 E Hamilton Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Website: Tacos Juanita

Opening hours: Monday-Thursday 11:00am-8:00pm, Friday-Saturday 11:00am-9:00pm, Sunday 8:00am-7:00pm

Average price for two people: under 10 USD

9. Johnny's Italian Steakhouse

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

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At Johnny’s, you will fall in love with the steaks which take the centre stage and are complemented by the gourmet assortment of seafood and Italian cuisine. Apart from delicious food, Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse also features an extensive selection of wine and cocktails. Whether you choose the classic Chanel No. five or the trendy Steak DeBurgo, you are guaranteed to satisfy your cravings. Thanks to the combination of the modern luxuries and the old-fashioned hospitality and service, Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse has successfully brought the Rat Pack era back to the 21st century. So what are you waiting for? Tour the Wine Room and settle in to enjoy Chef Shawn Wamsley’s delicious steaks, Italian specialities, seafood and desserts.

Johnny's Italian Steakhouse

Address: 4751 Owen Ayres Ct, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Website: Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse

Opening hours: Monday- Saturday 6:30am-12:00am, Sunday 6:30am-11:00pm

Average price for two people: 31-60 USD

10. Geno's Pizza

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Geno’s Pizza is one of the most preferred eating-place for locals and tourists alike. At Geno’s Pizza, the menu is made from the freshest ingredients straight out from the farm including premium quality meats, savoury spices, cheeses and zesty toppings which are all served with attention to detail. So whether you are here for the artisan pizza dough, rich toppings, exceptional sauce or the toasted sub bread, Geno’s makes all meals, from scratch. Geno’s Pizza is locally owned and operated with dine-in seating available. So what are you waiting for? Don’t curb your cravings, cure them!

Geno's Pizza

Address: 5110 Fairview Dr, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Website: Geno’s Pizza

Opening hours: Monday- Friday 4:00pm-9:00pm, Saturday-Sunday 11:00am-9:00pm

Average price for two people: 11-30 USD

11. Bijou Bistro

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

If you are looking for the ultimate upscale dining experience in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA then Bijou Bistro should be on your mind. Bijou Bistro focuses on quality and presentation-conscious food. Meals here can be enjoyed two ways - in one of the restaurant’s booths or at a catered event for several hundred. The restaurant’s menu features contemporary European dishes including bacon-wrapped tenderloin, pan-roasted halibut and pumpkin ravioli with sage that will please both meat-eaters and vegetarians. For special occasions, you can choose the Chef’s Table dining experience whereby Chef Draganowski prepares a full course meal at a private table adjacent to the kitchen.

Bijou Bistro

Address: 2629 E Clairemont Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Website: Bijou Bistro

Opening hours: Tuesday-Thursday 5:00pm-9:00pm, Friday-Saturday 5:00pm-10:00pm, Sunday-Monday closed

Average price for two people: 31-60 USD

12. Acoustic Café

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Acoustic Café is one of Eau Claire’s best neighbourhood hangout, known for its support of the local talent. The restaurant is decorated with locally made art pieces, photographs and regional musicians perform live shows daily. The spot is popular among the students from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, whereby they and other locals enjoy the delicious menu that includes the thick chilli, the savoury beer, cheese soup, salads, pastries, and sandwiches. Be it a casual breakfast, lunch, dinner, a quick a coffee or an ice cream treat, all can be found in Acoustic Café. Come and enjoy it all.

Acoustic Café

Address: 505 S Barstow St # A, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Website: Acoustic Café

Opening hours: Monday-Friday 7:30am-10:00pm, Saturday 9:30am-11:00pm, Sunday 9:30am-10:00pm

Average price for two people: under 10 USD

Dining in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA

Food is comfort. Whether you are into snacks, health food or you are for gourmet food all the way, we’ve got something to tickle your palate. Check them out.