It is important to share that we are not exempt from impact of this pandemic. With recent increased COVID activity in the Dubuque community, we feel it is responsible to suspend operations of our food & beverage outlets at this time and have temporarily closed Caroline’s Restaurant and Riverboat Lounge. Our customers and guests deserve diligence as we adjust protocols to keep safety in the forefront of our operations. We continue to monitor the ways in which COVID is affecting our community and our business.
It's perfectly fitting that our guests can look out the East windows of Caroline's Restaurant and see the ice harbor, where the Fischer family business started more than 150 years ago.”
On occasion, upon finding the drivers passed out in the ice wagon, Caroline would drive the team of horses back to the warehouse herself with her own horse and buggy in tow. The many taverns to which they delivered would offer drinks to the drivers in an effort to persuade them to leave a little extra ice. Caroline is said to have followed her ice delivery men around town in her own horse and buggy to be sure they were doing their work properly. She eventually bought out her partners, invested in downtown and riverfront property, and brought her family into the business that still exists today. A young widow at 31 with 5 children to care for, Caroline was a hard worker. When Louis died in 1875 from pneumonia contracted after a fall into the Mississippi River while cutting ice, Caroline took over his ice business, becoming one of Iowa's first businesswomen. Caroline's husband, Louis Fischer, was a partner in the Fischer ice business. "Caroline (Rhomberg) Fischer, our great-great-grandmother, was the inspiration for naming our restaurant. According to family archives, Caroline Fischer was considered a driving force in the community and a businesswoman much ahead of her time. History: Named for the great-great-grandmother of the owners of Hotel Julien Dubuque, Caroline's Restaurant boasts a rich history in Dubuque.
We pride ourselves on hand-selecting premier, locally-sourced beef, pork, and chicken. Philosophy: To demonstrate our commitment to our community and given our area’s outstanding produce, we strive to craft menu selections featuring locally grown products from throughout America’s heartland. Cozy up in an intimate booth or gather with your group in one of our luxurious private dining rooms and enjoy a dining experience that is a true testament to the one-of-a-kind woman who started it all. Our experienced team is happy to offer pairing suggestions from our extensive wine list, signature craft cocktails, and seasonal dessert menu to perfectly complement your dining selections. Honoring our namesake’s intrepid nature, Caroline’s cuisine features bold and balanced flavors crafted with the avant-garde technique. Our a la carte menu, curated by award-winning Executive Chef Jason Culbertson, is changed seasonally to highlight the Midwest’s best ingredients from area farmers and growers.