A Door County supper club tradition since 1913.
A supper club is a beloved Midwest dining tradition — a place where the evening is meant to be savored. Guests typically start with cocktails at the bar, then move to the dining room for a leisurely, full-service dinner. It's about the entire experience: unhurried conversation, classic comfort dishes, and the warm hospitality of a place that's been feeding families for generations.
At Nightingale, we've kept that tradition alive through every decade since 1913. We pour the drinks strong and serve the portions generous. Come as you are, a supper club is a place for everybody.
Nightingale Cafe opens its doors in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin — anchoring what would become a Door County dining institution for generations of families and visitors.
Nightingale Cafe transforms into the Nightingale Supper Club. Adding a large dance/banquet hall.
A devastating fire tested the restaurant and the community. The Nightingale was rebuilt and reopened — its regulars never went far.
A significant renovation modernized the dining room and bar, updating the space while keeping the warmth and character that regulars had come to expect.
John and Farrah Heikkila became the 7th owners in Nightingale's history in August 2021, completing a full remodel and committing to the same traditions that have made this place a Door County landmark.
In August 2021, John and Farrah Heikkila became the 7th owners in Nightingale's 110+ year history. They came into the business with respect for the supper club tradition and a commitment to honoring what has made Nightingale special across every ownership — the food, the people, and the unhurried pace of a proper Wisconsin evening out.
The 2021 remodel refreshed the space while keeping its soul intact. The goal was never to reinvent Nightingale — it was to make sure the next generation of guests gets to experience the same thing the last several generations did.
Chef — 40+ Years at Nightingale
Marcia has been behind the line at Nightingale for over four decades. She's the institutional memory of this kitchen, the keeper of recipes, the enforcer of standards, and the reason regulars keep coming back for the same dishes year after year. A Door County treasure.
Front of House Manager
Jana runs the front of house with the warmth and efficiency that makes a great supper club dinner feel effortless. She knows the regulars by name, keeps the floor running smoothly on the busiest of nights, and sets the tone for the kind of welcome every guest deserves.
Owners since August 2021
John and Farrah became the 7th owners of Nightingale in August 2021. Their approach is simple: get out of the way of what works, invest in the people who make it work, and make sure every guest leaves feeling like they had the evening they came for.