This one is for the Sweet Tooths! Not everyone orders dessert, and sometimes you are just too darn full to do it. So if you're feeling something sweet, it's worth targeting a restaurant that you know will deliver a decadent treat that is worth the calories.
There are a couple of variables to consider when ranking which restaurants offer the best desserts in the city. Are the dessert options unique? Does the restaurant have a pastry or dessert chef? Is dessert more of an afterthought rather than an integral part of the restaurant's menu? Does their dessert menu rotate? A rotating menu means they need to consistently offer delicious desserts, which can be harder to pinpoint than that tried and true favorite you know will always be there. Below are the spots that we recommend if you are in search of this promise.
11/15/24
939 S 2nd St, Milwaukee, WI 53204
Odd Duck has gained national attention from publications like USA Today, who named them as one of their 2024 Best Restaurants of the Year. Their rotating small plates are inventive, with a presentation that says Michelin but an atmosphere that is all down-to-earth charm (and ducks, so many ducks). Sometimes we'll go for a cheese plate, sometimes a few plates. And sometimes, we go just for dessert and dessert cocktails. The combo is key, and neither ever disappoint. Odd Duck is not shy when it comes to off-the-beaten-path ingredients, utilizing flavors like ube and pandan, or a sweet corn ice cream with miso caramel. Because their dishes are always rotating, you won't find a menu on their website. Your best bet is to assume it will be seasonal, and check Instagram for their latest kitchen concoctions.
Multiple Locations
Kopp's Frozen Custard, which has 3 locations in the surrounding Milwaukee area, is well known for their gigantic burgers served fresh off the grill. Still, it's the custard that brings in the crowds, and you can almost always count on a line. Speak to any local and they'll tell you that custard is a way of life here, surpassing ice cream as the favorite cold, creamy dessert. If you're wondering how it's different, it really just comes down to adding additional egg yolk to the recipe; but it makes a world of difference. Kopp's offers not one but two flavors of the day, in addition to both a shake and sundae of the month, a good tactic that keeps Milwaukeeans coming back for more. Tip: Sign up for Kopp's Flavor Alert at https://kopps.com/flavor-alerts and never miss out on your choice flavors.
5051 S 27th St, Greenfield, WI 53221
You might be surprised to see a Lebanese restaurant at the top of our dessert list, but you shouldn't be. When it comes to dessert, it seems that Phyllo dough is an under-utilized ingredient in many parts of the world. At the same time, it is key to the desserts of some cultures, and brings us prevalent favorites like Baklava. With such large entrees and to-die-for hummus at Lebnani House, it was a twist of fate that we ended up ordering dessert at all as it was comped due to a longer wait and some order mix-ups. But thank the sugar gods for those service blunders that night, because this was how we discovered the Ice Cream Othmaliya- baked shredded phyllo dough with a vanilla ice cream center, drizzled in a berry simple syrup and garnished with pistachio. As if the satisfying textures and a balance in sweetness were not enough, this dish was also quite pleasing to the eye.
20107 N Lord St, Brookfield, WI 53045
Speaking of stunning displays of sweetness, Margaux Brasserie recently opened in The Corners of Brookfield, and typically where there's French cuisine, there is some next-level dessert. We were first drawn to Margaux for their Fifteen-Layer Crepe Cake that dominated their Google photos page, because it is honestly a site to behold. But of course, there are just too many intriguing options after an already rich meal, so we could only order one (first world problems, anyone?). We ended up pivoting to their newer dessert offering, a Banana Foster Napoleon. A layered puff pastry with rum caramel, whipped cinnamon mascarpone, banana and walnut streusel, the Napoleon is dangerously sweet for those who don't typically do dessert, but the texture and rich flavors are there to hook you all the same. When we do go back, we'll try the Crepe Cake and let you know if it beats out Napoleon after all. Either way, they both earn full marks for presentation.
125 E National Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53204
We've mentioned La Merenda on many of our lists, including Essential Milwaukee, Best Bites, and our Tapas list, and we know just by talking with all of you that it is a unanimous favorite. The good thing about La Merenda is that with their generous selection of globe-trotting small plates, you're never going to have a bad meal. You're also never going to want to skip out on dessert. That is because of this sweet spongy slice that consists of 3 forms of milk and drizzled with a fresh strawberry compote sauce. "But Tres Leches isn't unique to La Merenda" you might argue. To which we might reply: "But have you had this one?"
815 E Brady St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Ok James Beard Award-winning Chef Dane Baldwin, we can see why people are paying attention. Our guess is, the critics knew to order dessert - this dessert. This circular pie is comprised of more than just your regular peanut butter pie; it boasts an Italian buttercream, candied peanuts and beautifully brûléed bananas, all atop a buttery graham cracker crust. This doesn't look like your average slice of pie, and it doesn't taste it either (and let's face it, regular pie is already pretty darn good).
2569 S Kinnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207
Did someone say average pie? Not if they were talking about Honey Pie they didn't. We've been strong proponents of this restaurant's namesake dessert for years now, ever since we took our first bite of their Banana Cream pie. Since then, we've ordered many a slice, especially on 3.14 pie day (some traditions just aren't worth breaking!) While their Salted Honey Pie is delicious and a fan favorite, we have to recommend their cream pies to any first timer. Hot tip: if you find yourself there when they are serving the Key-Lime Coconut Cream pie, ORDER IT.
801 N Cass St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
It wouldn't be a complete dessert list without mentioning Buckley's famous Carrot Cake. Offered year round, this popular cake is frosted with cream cheese buttercream, topped with pineapple and walnuts, and the perfect level of density and moistness (there's really not a way to get around that word when describing desserts, is there?). You can also purchase the whole cake (16 slices) from their Cake House for a whopping $90, or a half or a dozen cupcakes for special occasions.