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Best Small/Shared Plates in Milwaukee

Traditionally, tapas are defined as small Spanish savory dishes, typically served with drinks. The idea of shared plates, also referred to as small plates, originates from this Spanish style of dining. And while Milwaukee doesn't offer a ton of traditional Spanish tapas options, we are always there when it comes to shared plates. In reality, as a foodie couple whose goal is to try all the things, every meal is a "shared plate". But with small plates we love having the option to order even more, and here are our favorite places to indulge.

Updated February 16, 2026 10 picks
The Ranking
1 La Merenda

La Merenda

125 E National Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53204

La Merenda means “early snack” in Italian, and refers to an Italian custom of early evening socializing and gathering to share food and drink amongst friends and family. But La Merenda offers more than just Italian small plates, their tastes range from around the globe. The international variety among other factors makes La Merenda our favorite tapas spot in town. The menu offers options varying from South America to India to Spain to Wisconsin. Favorites include empanadas, seasonal salads and various gnocchi and shrimp dishes. And as if the food wasn’t good enough, La Merenda has a large and gorgeous patio complete with an outdoor bar, fireplace, and a vegetable garden from which they source some of their ingredients.

Best Dish The Tres Leches Cake

2 Odd Duck

Odd Duck

2352 S Kinnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207

Odd Duck in Bay View serves an ever-changing menu of small plates and cocktails inspired by local ingredients, and you can always expect unique and inventive dishes. It may also be the restaurant on the list that is the most difficult to land a reservation at due to its immense popularity. Their menu is divided by Animal, Vegetable, and Cheese & Charcuterie, and we recommend ordering at least 1-2 from each section. You also do not want to miss out on their innovative cocktail menu.

Best Dish This menu really does change too often to say, but right now we're loving the Tempura Oyster Mushrooms and the Korean Steak Ssam.

3 Mother’s

Mother’s

2900 S Kinnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207

Mother’s is one of many on this list that we first experienced via a pop-up, and we were thrilled when Chef Vanessa Rose finally found her roots at the former White House in Bay View. Chef Rose is candid about Mother’s mission: food and LGBTQ+ inclusivity, and the patrons responded in kind. Rose always envisioned the space as more than just a restaurant, but a proud community and arts venue. Mother’s serves adventurous small plates, and does not claim to have a “type” of cuisine. We’ve been wowed by savory dishes and desserts alike, most notably the Madras Curry Carrot Cake, Madeira Mushrooms and the Liang Fen, an Asian-inspired dish made with cantaloupe, mala and pork sung.

Best Dish Liang Fen

4 Purslane

Purslane

1751 N Farwell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202

Purslane has quickly become one of the East Side’s trendiest dining spots, thanks to its refined yet welcoming take on Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors in small plate format. Chef and owner Mary Katsman brings serious credentials, including a James Beard semifinalist nomination at Driftless Cafe, and that experience shines through in the restaurant’s confident, ingredient-driven cooking. Purslane sources from an extensive network of small and family farms in rural Wisconsin, delivering remarkable freshness in dishes like a crisp snap pea served with whipped feta. Now located in the former space of Ardent, Purslane pairs inventive cocktails with artistic, Mediterranean-inspired décor that feels both transportive and homey. High demand often means the second dining room opens to accommodate guests- a testament to its popularity.

Best Dish Check out their specials for maximized fresh ingredients

5 I.d.

I.d.

415 Genesee Street, Delafield, WI 53018

I.d. in Delafield is a Modern American kitchen, and offers a more upscale take on shared plates. The open kitchen concept allows you to watch professionally trained chefs prepare the small plates and desserts, which definitely works to their favor as skipping dessert was not an option as we watched them make the most beautiful desserts right in front of us all night. The menu changes regularly, though we have learned that there are also some favorites that are standard to the menu. We hope it’s some of the menu items we ordered, because every dish blew us away.

Best Dish The Watercress Gnocchi or the Parmesan Shrimp & Grits

6 Movida

Movida

600 S 6th St, Milwaukee, WI 53204

Movida at Hotel Madrid offers the most traditional Spanish tapas on this list, and we became big fans of the “Chef’s Paella for 2” takeout meal during the pandemic. The chorizo, chicken, shrimp, and crab paella came with great sides (including churros for dessert), and an array of sauces. Movida has a charming atmosphere and also recently opened a Southern Spain inspired patio, made for sipping on some sangria (they even offer sangria flights if you can’t make up your mind like we often can’t).

Best Dish MOVIDA Paella

7 La Masa

La Masa

1300 E Brady St, Milwaukee, WI 53202

La Masa Empanada Bar on Brady St., is the best empanada spot in town with a delicious variety that makes it tough to choose just a few. La Masa’s menu is a combination of traditional Latin American recipes and a rotating selection of globally inspired empanadas. The empanadas are made fresh every day using an authentic Latin American inspired dough. And don’t forget to order the empanada trio with the fresh Jicama Slaw side, it adds the perfect balance of freshness to your meal.

Best Dish Wisco Corn Empanada

8 Cavas

Cavas

401 E Erie St, Milwaukee, WI 53202

Cavas is a tiny spot on Erie St. downtown that has just 5 tables and a bar, but you feel right at home as soon as you walk in. Cavas offers up the best empanadas in town, most notably their Empanadas de Choclo, a deconstructed empanada served as nachos with fried dough served on top of roasted sweet corn with house roasted red peppers, chili flakes, white wine and cream cheese paste. All empanadas are served with a delicious chimichurri sauce that we would buy in buckets if available.

Best Dish Empanadas de Choclo

9 Char’d

Char’d

222 E Erie St, Milwaukee, WI 53202

Char’d Bar and Grill is one of the few Korean restaurants in town, though it’s anything but traditional. Referring to themselves as New Korean, Char’d dishes showcase elevated presentations and modern techniques to re-interpret authentic Korean cuisine. The menu offers delicious seasoned charred meats as well as fresh greens in both a shared plate and entree format, though we’ve mainly had the former.

Best Dish Shishito Cauliflower with sesame sauce and chili oil

10 Tofte’s Table

Tofte’s Table

331 Riverfront St, Waukesha, WI 53186

Tofte’s Table in Waukesha offers a mix of comfort food and upscale shared plate options, though in our opinion some of the shared plates are so large that you might be able to get away with just two if you don’t have a huge appetite. Similar to Odd Duck, the menu is divided by Poultry, Steer & Hog, Sea Creatures and Plants so there is something for everyone. We enjoy the upscale yet casual and relaxed vibe of Tofte’s, and love it’s location in the heart of downtown Waukesha near the river.

Best Dish Scallops with lemon basil risotto