Since it first opened in 2007, almost everyone who passes through Oconomowoc has had a hard time resisting Whelan’s Coffee and Ice Cream. The cherished shop is right in the heart of downtown Oconomowoc, sitting at the center of Wisconsin Avenue. It has become a favorite local spot for coffee, serving consistently high quality drinks. However, it offers ice cream and frosty, frozen treats all year long. But what makes Whelan’s so beloved by Lake Country?
Whelan’s is a family owned business, and very evidently so. Every detail of the cozy coffee shop feels like it was hand selected and carefully chosen. The atmosphere feels very intentionally jovial. The store is divided into two sections. The lower portion houses the counter for the baristas, the bakery and ice cream cases, and additional local goods such as Kringle, pottery, and candles.
The second section is up a half flight of stairs that overlooks the first, but provides a bit of seclusion. Several tables are scattered around and a gorgeous fireplace hearth has a few comfy chairs and a couch set in front of it. Board games are in abundance, free for the customers to borrow while they sit upstairs. Many tables are also stocked with a chess set, and many afternoons and late mornings will see people enjoying the games over a cup of coffee.
Whelan’s drinks are the star of the show. Coffee shop staples like lattes and and frappes are always classics, but the store rotates their seasonal drink selection. In March of 2025, some of their specials included the indulgent salted caramel creme brûlée latte and the pistachio chai. Even their freshly brewed coffee has homegrown roots, as it comes from Ancora Coffee Roasters in Madison and is served with a ginger snap cookie.
The real fun can be found in their ice cream. The fresh, home made ice cream can be eaten in a cup or waffle cone, taken home in pints, blended into a malt or shake, or even turned into a root beer float. The possibilities, along with the selection of flavors, are endless. During colder months, the chilly scoops can be enjoyed in front of the fireplace upstairs for the perfect combination of toasty and refreshing.
Breakfast and lunch are also available, with the lunch menu featuring items named after The Wizard of Oz as an homage to Oconomowoc’s connection with the timeless film. Bites such as The Yellow Brick Road (A grilled cheese, of course) or The Wizard (A chicken salad sandwich served on a buttery croissant) are well worth trying.
For those who haven’t tried Whelan’s, there is plenty of good times to be found. Close to the lake and nestled between a number of other great stores, it’s a wonderful destination that anyone can feel right at home in.
