Looking for a magical way to celebrate a winter birthday, anniversary or other special event? Or maybe you’re just looking to make winter memories in the Lake Geneva area? One way to ensure a memorable meal is to reserve a space in a dining igloo! Several bars and restaurants in the Lake Geneva area offer the cozy indoor-outdoor spaces, with options ranging from classic dining igloos to frosted barrels to oversized snow globes! Because the spaces range in size, you find the right option for everything from an intimate dinner for two to a meal with the whole family.
Advanced reservations are highly recommended, as the igloo experiences can be very popular, especially around the busy holiday season. Most of the igloo experiences charge a fee for the reservation, in addition to the price of food and drink. Note that many of the igloo experiences feature their own dedicated menus, which are more limited than the main menu of the bar or restaurant itself. To help you choose the perfect dining igloo for you, we’ve included all of the relevant details.
Igloo Experience at Grand Geneva
Classic dining igloos situated on the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa’s outdoor terrace and arranged around the fire pit overlook the (hopefully) snowy landscape of the golf course. The heated igloos seat up to 6 people comfortably, and are open daily serving food and drinks. Hours are 3-9:30 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, 4-10 p.m. on Fridays and noon to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and holidays. Igloo reservations are $75 per igloo on weekdays and $100 per igloo on Saturdays and holidays, and the price is nonrefundable. The igloo dining menu consists of small bites only, including a charcuterie board, a hummus trio, mini lobster rolls and a fancy s’mores board. A variety of seasonal drinks like hot cider and hot chocolate are available, as well as artisan-crafted cocktails, wine, beer and bubbly.
Lake Lawn Resort’s Dining Igloo Experience
Through March 30, Delavan’s Lake Lawn Resort is offering three locations on its property to enjoy lakeside igloo dining: The Winter Lakeside Igloo Experience, the Lakeside Patio Igloo Experience and the Poolside Patio Igloo Experience. The Winter Lakeside Igloos comfortably seat up to 6 people, and serve the full menu of the resort’s fine dining restaurant 1878 on the Lake. Reservations are available from 4-8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays; there is a $75 fee.
At the resort’s more casual restaurant, The Lookout Bar & Eatery, the Lakeside Patio Igloo experience also seats up to 6 people and charges a $100 reservation fee to secure a 90-minute stay, while the Poolside Patio Igloo experience charges a $75 reservation fee with a reduced rate of $45 on select days and times. For both patio experiences at the Lookout Bar & Eatery, a special igloo menu is available that features appetizers like a charcuterie board, nachos and a giant pretzel, as well as entrées like bourbon apple pork chops and a prime filet. The patio igloo reservations are available from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays.
Snow Globe Experience at Lodge Geneva National (formerly The Ridge)
On Lake Como, head to Lodge Geneva National (formerly The Ridge) an elevated dining Snow Globe Experience on the resort’s outdoor patio, overlooking the resort grounds and the lake in the distance. Lodge Geneva National describes the snow globes as “part stargazing observatory, part gondola carriage, part secluded conclave for making memories with friends and family.” These substantial structures seat up to 8 people comfortably and feature an overhead infrared heater and an under-bench, forced-air heating system. The Snow Globes are available daily from 4-8 p.m. Reservations require a $100 food and beverage minimum per igloo Sundays through Thursdays and a $150 food and beverage minimum per igloo on Fridays and Saturdays. Reservations secure a 90-minute stay in the Snow Globe. A special, snow-globe-only menu is offered, which includes shareables like a charcuterie board, spinach & artichoke dip and a Bavarian pretzel, as well as pizzas and seasonal cocktails and mocktails.
Private Frosted Barrel Dining at Magpie’s Den & Pen, Lake Geneva
Enjoy a fun, seasonal dining experience at Magpie’s Den & Pen in Lake Geneva by reserving one of their new, private frosted barrels, with seating for up to 4 people. Savor an upscale, 5-course prix fixe menu on select Friday nights or order off of the traditional Magpie’s menu the rest of the week. Frosted barrel reservations are available anytime Magpie’s is open. Pricing varies; contact Magpie’s for more information.
Igloo Dining at Mars Resort
One of the Lake Geneva area’s favorite supper clubs, Mars Resort offers private igloo dining overlooking Lake Como. Mars Resort’s igloos seat up to 6 people, and they are available starting at 4 p.m. for dinner reservations on Fridays and Saturday only, with limited Sunday availability during holiday weekends. Reservations secure a 90-minute stay in the igloo, and a minimum spend of at least $100 per igloo is required. A special igloo menu is offered, with “igloo platters” served family-style. (Mars’ Famous Barbecue Ribs are one of the options on the igloo menu.) Igloo reservations are limited and the experience is very popular, so Mars recommends you book your reservation well in advance of your planned dining date. No deposit is required, but a $50 fee is charged to any reservations cancelled less than 48 hours prior to dining.
Maxwell Mansion Igloos
This vintage-themed boutique hotel in Lake Geneva offers igloo dining in one of its two terrace igloos. These are a great option for larger groups, as they seat up to 15 people each. Igloo reservations are available daily from 4-8 p.m. and cost $150 for Sunday-Thursday reservations and $250 for Friday, Saturday and holiday reservations, securing a 90-minute stay. All reservations include a $50 credit at the bar. No outside food or drink allowed; contact Maxwell Mansion for menu details. (Note that the cancelation policies at Maxwell Mansion are stricter than many other igloo rentals: For igloo bookings made at least two days in advance, you may cancel within the first 24 hours of making the reservations without penalty. If you cancel more than 14 days prior to your igloo reservation, you may either pay a $50 cancellation fee or receive a credit for your full deposit for a future Igloo booking within the same season. If you cancel within 14 days of your igloo reservation, your deposit is non-refundable.)
Pier 290’s Lakeside Igloos
Williams Bay’s Pier 290 is a popular spot to sip a cocktail and admire the beauty of the lake during the summer, and thanks to their Lakeside Igloos, that experience can continue year-round! Lakeside Igloos seat up to 6 people. The restaurant provides a small space heater and some blankets but guests are encouraged to bundle up and bring additional blankets. Reservations are $45 per igloo for lunch and $75 per igloo for dinner, and secure a 1 hour, 45 minute stay. Book your igloo for 10 a.m. on a Saturday or Sunday and receive a free bottle of champagne and carafes of juice for mimosas! No deposit is required but Pier 290 requests that cancelations be made more than 24 hours in advance. Reservation time slots are available from noon to 8:15 p.m. on Tuesdays through Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The full Pier 290 menu is available in the Lakeside Igloos.
