The Freighthouse Restaurant
A historic railroad depot transformed into a fine dining gem, serving prime steaks and fresh seafood with a cozy atmosphere.
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The Freighthouse Restaurant
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A historic railroad depot transformed into a fine dining gem, serving prime steaks and fresh seafood with a cozy atmosphere.
Reservations & Timing
Consider reservations for larger groups; arrive early or be prepared for a wait, especially on weekends.
Cocktail & Wine Selection
Explore a well-curated cocktail and wine list to complement your dining experience.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
American
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Historic Ambiance with Railroad Charm
Dine in a beautifully restored 1880 freight house, steeped in history with unique railroad memorabilia and cozy dining rooms.
Melt-in-Your-Mouth Prime Rib
Indulge in a signature prime rib that's naturally aged, hand-cut, and famously enormous, a true feast for the senses.
Fresh Seafood and Steak Delights
Enjoy top-quality, fresh seafood specials like halibut and king crab legs alongside perfectly cooked, prime beef steaks.
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Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Reservations & Timing
Consider reservations for larger groups; arrive early or be prepared for a wait, especially on weekends.
Cocktail & Wine Selection
Explore a well-curated cocktail and wine list to complement your dining experience.
Seating Preferences
Request first-level seating for a more intimate atmosphere or for special occasions.
Post-Dinner Stroll
Enjoy a leisurely walk at nearby Riverside Park for relaxation after your meal.
Tips
from all over the internet
Reservations & Timing
Consider reservations for larger groups; arrive early or be prepared for a wait, especially on weekends.
Cocktail & Wine Selection
Explore a well-curated cocktail and wine list to complement your dining experience.
Seating Preferences
Request first-level seating for a more intimate atmosphere or for special occasions.
Post-Dinner Stroll
Enjoy a leisurely walk at nearby Riverside Park for relaxation after your meal.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
The Freighthouse Restaurant offers a unique dining experience in a historic setting, with many praising its signature prime rib, fresh seafood, and attentive service. However, some diners have noted inconsistencies in food preparation, such as overcooked steaks and under-seasoned vegetables, with occasional concerns about value for money.
"January 2025:
Stopped by for a team dinner. First time here so I asked the waiter for a recommendation. He suggested the prime rib which sounded good to me.
You start by going to the salad 🥗 bar which had a lot of options. When my entree came, I was amazed at the size of the beef. I ordered a medium rare cut but it came out closer to rare. I didn't send it back because I was okay eating it.
Service was friendly and attentive. Great place to eat in La Crosse."
Ken Wong
"Went for a family reunion dinner gathering as an early Father’s Day celebration because one family member suggested it. Probably considered one of the higher-end restaurants in La Crosse area. Ambience and decor was dark, not warm or inviting. Plenty of parking and not a very long wait to get it, although we did have a reservation. Food presentation was decent but the quality left much to be desired. I ordered the Sirloin steak and Scallops combo—the scallops were fine, but the steak was dry and extremely tough because it was overcooked (I had requested medium well) and probably sitting for a bit. Another family had their filet undercooked. The worse part was the asparagus—they were nice and tender, perfectly cooked but had grains of sand so clearly were not washed or rinsed thoroughly. This wasn’t just one spear that had sand grains but every spear on my plate and especially at the heads of the spears. Another family member had the same issue with their asparagus so whoever cooked the batch must have been in a hurry. This is an absolute disappointment for a higher-end restaurant for something so basic.
The only reason this wasn’t rated one star was because of the good service of the waitress. Our server was very friendly and even though there were 9 of us which we assumed would automatically result in the 20% tip being added to the check, that did not happen. We of course made sure to tip her well. Frankly all their staff were very friendly. Unfortunately the food quality will deter me from returning the next time I am in town."
Good Capitalist
"Cute place with a great atmosphere. Very cozy and intimate feeling. Stopped in for dinner on a Monday night at around 7:15pm - got seated quickly in a comfy two person booth on the corner.
Wine was great and priced affordably. Service was prompt and courteous, although slightly awkward - we were asked about dessert just as our entrees arrived and then asked again after we had 2 bites down.
Both of us had steaks; the peppercorn strip was overcooked, tough and underseasoned. Filet was cooked perfectly but woefully underseasoned. The side of asparagus was cooked very poorly - wilty tops and woody stems. Not worth the up charge.
I’m sure the place has its moments but it feels like charm is the leading quality here. The food wasn’t too remarkable. Especially when the total before tip was $130 for two steaks and a few glasses of wine."
Steve L
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
They do not take reservations for tables of less than 10 people. For larger groups, it's advisable to call ahead or consider arriving early.
The restaurant is famous for its melt-in-your-mouth prime rib, fresh seafood specials, and its historic, railroad-themed ambiance.
While the restaurant offers fine dining, there isn't a strict dress code mentioned. Casual or business casual attire is generally appropriate.
The menu offers vegetarian options, including a salad bar with various toppings and sides that can be prepared without meat.
The restaurant is housed in a historic 1880 freight house, featuring cozy dining rooms with railroad memorabilia, antique bars, and fireplaces.
Yes, for a more intimate dining experience or for special occasions, you can request seating on the first level.
Yes, they offer live music entertainment after dinner, particularly on weekends, creating a fun and lively atmosphere.
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The Freighthouse Restaurant (freighthouserestaurant.com) offers fine dining in a national historic building that dates back to 1880; it opened as the Milwaukee Road Freight House and converted into a steakhouse complete with a railroad decor in 1978. Today the restaurant includes a main dining room with a large ceiling, as well as three other dining rooms, complete with antique bars and fireplaces. The menu offers meat and seafood dishes as well as vegetarian options, and seasonally changing offerings.
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The Freight House was built in 1880 and contained the freight offices of the Milwaukee Road and handled all incoming freight. The restaurant opened in October 1978 and has received the Heritage Award by the La Crosse Historical Preservation Society and is a National Historic Site. Their menu is built on steaks and seafood with a fresh salad bar and a choice of side dishes accompanies every entree.
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Located in a former freight house in historic downtown La Crosse, The Freighthouse Restaurant is one of the best places in the city to get a steak. The restaurant only serves Prime beef that’s naturally aged and hand-cut every day. Delicious options include a 20-ounce prime rib, 8-ounce sirloin, 20-ounce porterhouse, and 14-ounce New York pepper steak.
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La Crosse’s must visit.” Freight House was built in 1880 and contained the freight offices of the Milwaukee Road and handled all incoming freight. The building was then used by private businesses starting in 1955, until1978, when renovation began to preserve one of the few remaining 19th Century railroad depots. The Freighthouse opened in… Read more »
So I have to spend a week in La Crosse, WI
The Freight House Restaurant was actually a train station at some point (IIRC) and is probably the best steak in town. Like Piggy's and Yoko's, it's not cheap but it's excellent dining. I haven't been here in a few years cause I've been on a Piggy's kick, but if you're looking for a steak this is where I'd go.
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The contest saw many repeat winners including Freighthouse for Best Overall Restaurant, Best Steak Restaurant, and Best Seafood Restaurant as well as many new nominations and winners. Among these was Riverside Park taking the gold for Best Live Music Venue over last year’s winner, The La Crosse Center.
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107 Vine StLa Crosse, WI 54601(608) 784-6211 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. Since 1978, the Freighthouse Restaurant has been serving traditional American food to La Crosse. It is situated in the historic building where the Milwaukee Road freight house operated.
Freighthouse Restaurant in La Crosse to celebrate 40 years
The downtown restaurant was opened Oct. 28, 1978, by John Rieder, Barney Sweeney, John Senner and John Peterson after they extensively renovated the former Milwaukee Road railroad freighthouse. The building had most recently been used by W.A. Roosevelt Co. for pipe storage.
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Whether you have prime rib from the grill or king crab legs from the pot, there’s a perfect dish for anyone at this restaurant that’s been famous for decades. Don’t miss this cozy supper club when you’re in La Crosse this winter.
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Freighthouse Restaurant is nestled in an old railroad depot. It’s celebrated for its top-notch steak and seafood. The venue combines a cozy atmosphere with live music on the weekends, ideal for couples.
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With an intimate and romantic setting, great food and cocktails, and live music, it’s easy to see why The Freighthouse Restaurant is one of the more popular restaurants in La Crosse.
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Dinner Hours: Bar and Lounge open daily at 4 PM | Sunday – Friday open at 5 PM | Saturday open at 4:30 PM. Reservations accepted. Call 608-784-6211 to reserve.
Highest-rated Steakhouses in La Crosse by Diners
- Rating: 4.0/5 (173 reviews)- Price level: $$$- Address: 107 Vine St. La Crosse, Wisconsin - Categories: Seafood, Steakhouses, Desserts- Read more on Yelp
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Experience culinary excellence at The Freighthouse Restaurant in La Crosse – savor premium steaks and fresh seafood in an elegant setting.
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