Door County Guide

Updated July 2026

Why Are There Goats on the Roof at Al Johnson's?

The short answerAl Johnson's Swedish Restaurant in Sister Bay has kept live goats grazing on its sod roof since the 1970s, a quirk that started almost by accident and has become one of the most photographed sights in Door County. The goats are on the roof seasonally, roughly spring through fall, weather and management permitting, and you don't need a reservation or purchase to walk up and look — just good timing and a little patience.

Of all the things Door County is known for, the goats grazing on top of Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant in Sister Bay might be the most photographed and least explained. Here's the short version: it's a real sod roof, they're real goats, and the whole thing began as a low-key idea decades ago that turned into a beloved, enduring bit of roadside charm.

A few practical things to know before you go looking for them:

  1. The goats are up there seasonally — generally spring through fall — not year-round, and exact timing depends on weather and the restaurant's own management of the herd.
  2. There's no fee and no reservation needed to see them; you can walk up to the viewing area anytime the restaurant is open and the goats are out.
  3. They don't always cooperate. Goats graze, rest, and move around on their own schedule, so there's no guaranteed viewing window.
  4. The restaurant itself serves Swedish food and is a destination in its own right, goats aside.

Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant & Butik

The goat-viewing experience

Al Johnson's sod roof is the main event for a lot of first-time visitors to Sister Bay, and the goats are usually out there grazing on it sometime between spring and fall. There's a viewing area right off the parking lot where you can watch without needing to buy anything or go inside.

It's more charming in person than in photos — there's something genuinely funny about watching a goat calmly graze two stories above a parking lot full of tourists taking pictures. Pair it with a meal inside if you're in the mood for Swedish food; the restaurant doesn't lean on the goats alone to be worth a stop.

The honest version

We haven't independently verified the exact story behind how the tradition started or the current details of how the herd is managed season to season, so treat the history here as the well-known general version rather than a fact we've confirmed ourselves. What we can say with confidence: it's a real, living tradition that's been part of Al Johnson's for decades, and it's more charming to see in person than any photo captures.

Brad's tips

Go later in the morning or in the afternoon for the best odds of an active goat or two — they're not out there every single minute the restaurant's open. Bring a camera, but don't build your whole day around it; if the goats happen to be resting out of view when you swing by, the restaurant and its food menu are still worth the stop on their own.