The Driftless Cafe, nestled in the heart of Viroqua, WI, has quickly garnered acclaim as a hidden gem among American restaurants. Known for its farm-to-table philosophy, this eatery offers a diverse menu that emphasizes high-quality, seasonal ingredients. Customers rave about dishes like the flavorful wild rice arancini and the daily-changing salads, all showcasing the freshness of local produce. The inviting atmosphere complements the friendly service, with reviewers highlighting the owner’s thoughtful touches, such as complimentary charcuterie boards.
Pizza lovers will not be disappointed, as one delighted patron described their slice as one of the best they've had in the Midwest. Meanwhile, hearty options like beef tenderloin and cabbage soup add to the appeal, further emphasizing the restaurant's commitment to exceptional food and dining experiences. Visitors are particularly impressed by the generous portion sizes and reasonable prices, making The Driftless Cafe a must-stop destination for anyone traveling through the area.
With its charming decor and accommodating staff, this cafe not only serves delicious meals but also invites guests to savor a true taste of Wisconsin’s culinary heritage. As one reviewer aptly put it, The Driftless Cafe is a jewel worth seeking out.
Amenities and More
From the business
Identifies as women-owned
Service options
Takeaway
Dine-in
Delivery
Highlights
Fast service
Great beer selection
Great cocktails
Great coffee
Great dessert
Great wine list
Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Coffee
Comfort food
Food
Happy-hour drinks
Healthy options
Organic dishes
Small plates
Spirits
Vegan options
Vegetarian options
Wine
Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Catering
Dessert
Seating
Table service
Amenities
Bar on site
Gender-neutral toilets
Toilet
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Romantic
Trendy
Upmarket
Crowd
Family friendly
Groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Tourists
Transgender safe space
Planning
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Payments
Cheques
Credit cards
Debit cards
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs
Kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Parking
Photos
Reviews For The Driftless Cafe
Christina Motel
Jun 27,2025
Hidden gem usually in rural areas Only have bar food fries burgers fired foods..But this place farm to table high qauilty..picked up a very larger order for a work group. Great service The owner was a kind thrown in Charcuterie Board. Everyone was so happy for the extra bonus.. I got wild rice aracini so good
Dave McGowan
May 23,2025
Wow! One of the best slices of pizza I've had in the Midwest. Crust perfect, toppings great, flavor fabulous! Beef & cabbage soup was also great! Fast, friendly service. Nice, casual decor. Highly recommend!
Melba CastilloJung
May 8,2025
Daily changes to the menu based on what’s available- we always try to come to the Driftless Cafe when we are in the area. Every single salad we’ve had has been memorable- the greens have so much flavor. The use of seasonal ingredients is always interesting and never disappoints. The pizza is really good too.
Neal Silbert
Apr 6,2025
What an amazing restaurant, delightful in both food and service! Viroqua is a nice western Wisconsin town and driftless really brings out the amazing character. Parking is easily available on the street. They are most famous for their beef tenderloin, which I am told is fairly regular on the menu. That said, the menu changes daily and is a great experience. Driftless seems to edge into the supper club domain being a little bit away from the big cities, strong emphasis on meats and fish nice salads and a very interesting drinks menu. For those not into alcohol, they had some very interesting and a beers, and even an in a stout, which I really want to encourage. Their mock tails are quite delicious. Our table loved the pear cider parentheses (with alcohol). Our waiter was very kind and accommodating, and especially helpful with any food accommodations or small changes . One of our friends had a delicious salad and added some extra protein, the sliced and cooked beef looked mouthwatering with a savory looking sauce. I think a few forks found their way into that side dish just because it was so irresistible. The driftless Cafe is well worth the time to get there a jewel in western Wisconsin and part of what makes our restaurant heritage scattered across the state amazing.
paul jaecks
Apr 2,2025
We stopped here as we were passing by the town, and we were hungry. Everything about this place is great. Our server was polite, professional, and best, which was friendly. The food portions were much larger than the wife and I expected, and the flavor was amazing. The price isn't any different from any cafe I've been in. This is definitely a stopping place next time we are down here. We had Italian beef with truffle fries and a double cheeseburger and chips.
Megan Connolly
Mar 28,2025
We thoroughly enjoyed the trout dip with fresh bread, an amazingly flavorful summer salad (including mint which was a fun surprise!!) And the Pigs and Figs pizza with figs, local bacon, blue cheese... slam dunk delicious!!
Charles George
Mar 17,2025
Fantastic food. We stopped in on our way back to La Crosse from Madison for lunch. I had their double smash Cheeseburger and my wife had their grilled cheese with rhubarb jam. My burger was a very good size and you could just taste the absolute freshness of the ingredients. And despite me trying to get my wife to try grilled cheese with jam for years, Driftless succeeded where I failed. But thanks to them she admits just how good it can be. Overall great value for the money, very satisfied, and will stop on our next run through I'm sure.
sleepyinil
Mar 15,2025
Amazing restaurant in an unlikely location. Good drinks, good service, and good food. Very interesting menu which changes daily and huge portions. The wait staff was very knowledgeable about the menu and made good recommendations.
Reviews For The Driftless Cafe