# Things to Do (and Eat) in Ellison Bay

_Updated July 2026 · https://www.doorcountyguide.com/best/ellison-bay/_

> Ellison Bay is a small village near the top of the Door County peninsula, past Sister Bay and before Gills Rock, and its short list holds up well: a bluff-top overlook, a scratch-made breakfast counter, a wood-fired pizzeria, and a farm-to-table splurge dinner. It's a quick, honest stop rather than a full day's destination.

Ellison Bay sits near the top of the peninsula, past Sister Bay and before you reach Gills Rock and the ferry to Washington Island. It's a small village, and this list reflects that: a handful of genuinely good stops rather than a list stretched past what the village actually offers.

Here's what's actually here:

1. Ellison Bluff County Park is a short walk from the parking area to a railed overlook — an easy add if you're passing through, any time of year.
2. Blue Bear is the village's scratch-made breakfast and brunch spot, in the building that was the Viking Grill for decades.
3. Della Porta is wood-fired Neapolitan pizza for dinner, sharing that same Highway 42 building with Blue Bear.
4. Osteria Tre Tassi is the special-occasion dinner, a farm-to-table restaurant worth booking ahead for.

## 1. Ellison Bluff County Park — The lookout
*Ellison Bay*

Ellison Bluff County Park works well as your first or last stop in Ellison Bay if you're headed to or from Gills Rock and the ferry — pull off, take the short walk to the overlook, and get back on the road. Check whether a vehicle admission sticker is required before you go; county park fee policies vary and we'd rather you confirm than guess.

For the fuller picture of the view and the best timing to see it, see our [fall colors guide](/guides/fall-colors/).

[Full details](https://www.doorcountyguide.com/places/ellison-bluff-park/)

## 2. Blue Bear Ellison Bay — The breakfast spot
*Ellison Bay · $$*

Blue Bear is Ellison Bay's scratch-made breakfast and brunch spot, in the building that was the Viking Grill for decades — carrot cake pancakes, beignets, specialty coffee, and a full bar with a house Bloody Mary. It runs mornings into early afternoon, then the same room turns into Della Porta for dinner.

Start your day here if you're up at this end of the peninsula.

[Full details](https://www.doorcountyguide.com/places/blue-bear-ellison-bay/)

## 3. Della Porta — The pizza dinner
*Ellison Bay · $$*

Della Porta is the dinner half of that same Highway 42 building — a Southern Italian trattoria and wood-fired Neapolitan pizzeria run by a chef from Naples. The Boscaiola pizza (wild mushrooms, provolone, smoked mozzarella, truffle oil) is the standout, with rotating specials like Sunday Sicilian fried chicken and Thursday ramen night.

It's the casual dinner option in the village. Hours shift by season, so confirm before you drive up.

[Full details](https://www.doorcountyguide.com/places/della-porta/)

## 4. Osteria Tre Tassi — The special-occasion dinner
*Ellison Bay · $$$*

Osteria Tre Tassi is the fine-dining anchor at this end of the peninsula — the pick if you want a dressier Italian dinner without driving back down toward Sister Bay or Fish Creek. It took over the historic farmhouse building in 2024 and grows much of its own produce on site. Book ahead, especially for a summer weekend; it fills up.

Full details on the menu and what makes it worth the reservation are in our [restaurants pillar](/best/restaurants/).

[Full details](https://www.doorcountyguide.com/places/osteria-tre-tassi/)

## What this list is (and isn't)

This is a short list because Ellison Bay is a small village, not because we're holding stops back. For the fuller story on any one of these, see our [fish boil guide](/best/fish-boils/), our [restaurants pillar](/best/restaurants/), and our [where to stay guide](/guides/where-to-stay/) — each covers ground that doesn't need repeating here.

## Brad's take

If you're just passing through on the way to Gills Rock or the ferry, the bluff overlook is the easy five-minute stop. If you're spending time at this end of the peninsula, Blue Bear covers breakfast, Della Porta covers a casual pizza dinner, and Osteria Tre Tassi covers the dressier option — book Osteria Tre Tassi ahead if it's a summer weekend.