‘Midwest Living’ Calls The Stone Barn One Of The Region’s Best
locals have long enjoyed ‘za from this Nelson stop, located about an hour outside of Eau Claire
Just in time for its seasonal reopening, The Stone Barn (S685 County Road KK, Nelson) has received a nod from longtime lifestyle magazine, Midwest Living.
The print and digital mag published a roundup of the ‘very best’ pizza stops in the Midwest, with only one listed per state. In Wisconsin, the title went to The Stone Barn.
When the Wisco weather’s right, not much beats an outdoor meal with friends and family. The somewhat recent rise in popularity of regional “pizza farms” plays into that experience well.
“All over the region you can find rural properties where visitors can lounge outside, perhaps BYOB or listen to live music, and nosh on pizzas pulled from outdoor ovens,” Midwest Living’s Hannah Agran wrote. “An icon of the genre is The Stone Barn in Wisconsin.”
About an hour’s drive outside of Eau Claire, The Stone Barn grew from a “summer gig” into a thriving seasonal business for the Smith family. The Nelson-based pizza farm has welcomed visitors for tasty pies – Midwest Living recommended trying out the Alaskan pizza – live music and events for years.
Its roots, however, can be traced back to the late 1800s. The Stone Barn, originally sat on a 1,000-acre stretch owned by the Olson family, was built in 1896.
Nearly a century later, The Stone Barn was restored and revitalized – including the iconic barn’s rebuild, which had collapsed in the 1980s – by Pam and Dave Taylor and opened as a restaurant in 2006.
Matt and Marcy Smith purchased the business in 2014, after about two years working there as a seasonal job (off-season work for the two former educators).
The 2026 season will officially kick off on Friday, May 1; it also marks The Stone Barn’s 20-year anniversary as a restaurant. According to the business’s website, visitors will note interior and exterior updates, new menu additions and a new bar.
Mark your calendars now for an evening out at The Stone Barn and get a taste of what locals – and Midwest Living – are raving about.
Read Midwest Living's article, "These Legendary Pizza Shops Represent the Very Best of the Midwest–See the Full List", online • The Stone Barn's (S685 County Road KK, Nelson) 2026 season launches at at 5pm on Friday, May 1 • View The Stone Barn's events calendar and schedule online
