Fiddler’s Green

For an offbeat, eclectic vibe, visit Fiddler’s Green. Though they offer only beer and wine, the selections are delicious and well thought out. Enjoy tasty homemade appetizers and munchies like hummus and pita and panini sandwiches in the Mermaid Lounge or Secret Garden some of creatively decorated rooms in this surprisingly large space. Live music played by local musicians in «jam sessions» add to the hippy-​salon atmosphere. You’ll come in for a quick drink but will end up staying all night, making new friends and digging on the Island Life.

Very chill little Island eatery with occasional live music. The owner, Kate, is very relaxed and welcoming. We stop by every time we’re on the Island for a glass of wine or their Friday night «sushi».

The food was truly amazing and well price. It has charm shooting out the wazoo. If you like life, food, and charm with local brews this place is for you.

Quirky, eclectic place with great (interesting) food. I would give it 5 stars but you never know if they will be open or not. You can have plans and go there only to find them closed to go to the fair or to the play or something. We stopped for a beer after a bike ride at 4:30 and had to beg to be let in, promised to sit on the deck!
In the end, don’t plan on it being open, call first.

Awesome place and Guinness on tap!!!

My brother recommended that we eat at Fiddler’s Green when we went to the Island this month. He was right on. We went on a Saturday night so were able to enjoy the jam session of local musicians. The food was wonderful. Everyone in our party had the Salmon Wellington with Gorgonzola cream sauce and walnuts, except for me. We had called in advance and since I have a nut allergy the very accommodating proprietor made mine without the nuts. We started with a salad that had dried cherries and cheese mixed with the greens, dressed with a light tasty vinaigrette The salmon dish was delicious, fresh tasting and moist. For dessert we had cherry cobbler that made me want to lick my plate.
The red wine we had was reasonable and very drinkable, The Stump Jump Vintage 2011. After dessert we had a glass of port, again very enjoyable. When we return to Washington Island we will go to Fiddler’s Green again, hopefully for more than one meal.

Descriptive phrase: unique and relaxing island eatery.
We happened upon Fiddler’s Green after riding our bikes away from the nearby Schoolhouse Beach. From the front it looks like a ramshackle bait shop (it’s an old house). We were starving, though, and so we stopped.
Inside it’s much nicer. There’s a large first room with a boat for a bar, plenty of seating, board games, and a little stage. A tiny hall-​room leads to a garage-​turned-​seating area, followed by a hidden outdoor garden eating space. A woman welcomed us and informed us that it was cash or check only. We took a seat in the garden.
Service was very friendly and attentive. I actually liked the old cloth napkins, which went well with the overall feel. Drink prices were not that bad (especially on an island, see menu photos I took), though we didn’t partake.
The menu was sort of a checklist (again, see menu photo). I did the Panini Builder ($ 8.50) with roast beef, Swiss, and roasted red peppers and spicy corn chips. Katie got a gyro ($ 8.50) with regular corn chips. It was all served in baskets like an old lunch shop. No frills here, but that’s okay with me.
My panini was fine. Tasty peppers and melted Swiss cheese with a respectable amount of roast beef. Nothing standout, but good. Unfortunately the only meat option is roast beef, because it wouldn’t have been my first choice.
The gyro was also good but not amazing. Both were enough to fill us up. The chips were nothing special; essentially tortilla chips from the store.
Fiddler’s Green is a nice, quiet stop to have lunch at, especially considering it’s location in the middle of Lake Michigan.

OK, here’s the deal: You’re on a remote island about as far north as you can go without getting left for dead in the woods. You must adjust your expectations accordingly. The best thing about The Green is the atmosphere. I could spend an entire day here. From the décor, to the games, to the drinks. Nothing like several Black Velvets (hard cider and Guinness) to get the day/​night off to the right pace. Good paninis, great salad, mediocre everything else. Don’t have the Greek Pastitsio… terrible (dry, tasteless). The salmon was extremely dry (it’s frozen). They should serve it marinated and smothered in the great soy glaze that they serve it with. The pizza is satisfactory… if not good. But the place is fun. And there’s not a lot of stuff to do (with any (real) class) on the island. They seem to always have music… which is a great touch. Just go, hang out, don’t worry about the clock, and let is all sink in.

We liked the ambience, owner and great music but this all comes at a high price. $ 6 pints. Yikes!

The building housing Fiddler’s Green used to be my favorite shop as a girl. Later, I met Kate (the owner) in her capacity as a (wonderful) hairstylist on the island. When I heard she’d bought the building and was making it into a pub of sorts, I was thrilled! I don’t get in here as often as I would like while on the island, but it’s always great when I do.
Apparently the only place to get a Guinness on island (true or not?), the food is delicious and the company always entertaining and they have wi-​fi, which is an island rarity. Plus, there’s a salon in the back!

This is an Island secret… They serve delicious lunches and full supper club dinners here. All while you are entertained by local talent: Be it Milwaukee’s Doc Westrin and his band of wandering Island musicians and comedy, the local Island borne Julian and his visiting guest stars. Or the most popular show on the Island… Trivia night with the young, effervescent, multi-​talented hostess, Nancy. Funnier than a knot of Toads, this hostess keeps the crowds in stitches as she constantly comes up with facts that stump even the best of players. The setting is great! Several rooms inside and out that fit the bill for any mood or group size. The owner Kate, is always at hand with her Irish brogue, making sure that the customers are content and having the best of times. We stop here whenever we visit Washington Island… it’s a treasure!