Essential Milwaukee Restaurants

1

Morel

We have dined at Morel many times, and have never left disappointed. Chef & Owner Jonathan Manyo excels both as a culinarian and in sourcing freshly grown, seasonal ingredients and it shows in every dish. Morel’s menu rotates seasonally and highlights both Wisconsin cuisine made with local ingredients and some special offerings from across the country. And yes, you can find morel mushrooms in their tasty Mushroom Fricassee dish and others when the season is right.

Best Dish The Lamb Carpaccio and House Smoked Ham Biscuit

2

La Merenda

125 E National Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53204

We get asked a lot what our favorite restaurant is, which is a big question for a local foodie- but La Merenda always comes to mind as one. The Walker’s Point restaurant offers a selection of tapas from around the world. We’ve brought many a guest from out of town, and they have always left extremely impressed. La Merenda also boasts a beautiful patio complete with a fireplace, outdoor bar, and garden; making it a summertime favorite for many.

Best Dish It's tough to pick just one, but we find the Sambal Goreng Udang (Indonesia) shrimp dish to be a unique favorite. Do not skip dessert, the tres leches might be our favorite in the city.

3

Goodkind

2457 S Wentworth Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207

While La Merenda is a favorite in the summer, we find that Goodkind gives those warm cozy vibes during a cold Wisconsin winter. At Goodkind, we especially enjoy their Tuesday burger nights where we have had some of our favorite burger creations. We recommend keeping your party small (2-4 people) as the majority of seating is around their beautiful centerpiece bar.

Best Dish Welcome to Goodkind, home of the Goodburger (Tuesdays only, toppings vary weekly)

4

The Vanguard

2659 S Kinnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207

The Vanguard, home to the largest variety of house-made sausage in town, can easily be considered a Milwaukee institution. The Vanguard opened in Bay View in 2014, setting out to elevate the long held local tradition of beer and brats. The menu is innovative, and has something to offer everyone- from a Thai Breaker sausage with peanut sauce to The Milwaukeean, a sausage with a triple-threat of cheese toppings - cheese curds, cheddar cheese, and cheez whiz.

Best Dish All of the sausages are delicious, but don't pass up on the Baked Potato Balls topped with sour cream, cheez whiz, bacon and chives.

5

Bavette La Boucherie

217 N Broadway, Milwaukee, WI 53202

Setting aside the fact that it’s just incredibly bad-ass to be a female butcher and owner to one of the most popular restaurants in the city, everything Chef Karen Bell offers on the menu at Bavette is done with pure excellence. If seated at the bar, you get a front row to all the meat-carving action and more. The menu specializes in a range of dishes from charcuterie to sandwiches to large plates, and you can also shop at their cozy storefront for some delicious take home options.

Best Dish We know it's a boucherie, but the Roasted Beets salad with goat cheese labneh, nduja vinaigrette, citrus, crispy sweet potato & pomegranate is out of this world.

6

DanDan / EsterEv

360 E Erie St, Milwaukee, WI 53202

Some may be skeptical of an Asian restaurant run by two white guys named Dan, but we think DanDan expertly provides a fun twist on a unique type of American Asian cuisine. DanDan’s menu offerings include dim sum, dumplings, noodle dishes and house specialties like the walnut shrimp and General Tso’s cauliflower. And if you ever have a chance to attend one of their Dim Sum brunches, take it. The Dan’s also run a tasting menu on the weekends, a special section of the restaurant they have affectionately named EsterEv, a combination of their great-grandmothers Ester and Evelyn who the Dan’s accredit their passion for cooking.

Best Dish General Tso's Cauliflower

7

Ca’Lucchenzo

6030 W North Ave, Wauwatosa, WI 53213

We love Italian food. Like a lot. And Ca’Lucchenzo, located on North Ave in Tosa, has the top spot of our Best Dish: Italian list. Ca’Lucchenzo specializes in housemade pasta, empowered by the owner’s experience cooking with various chefs in Italy. They also boast a well-curated wine list from their extensive wine studies and experience overseas.

Best Dish Any bolognese or ragu with their housemade pasta. But if they ever bring back their aged prosciutto and stracchino cheese with focaccia app, here's a tip: run, don't walk.

8

Odd Duck

939 S 2nd St, Milwaukee, WI 53204

Odd Duck became a local phenomena when it opened its doors in a cozy little spot in the heart of Bay View in 2012. The problem? No one could ever get a table! Since then, they’ve moved to a bigger location in Walker’s Point that is adorned with plants and you guessed it- all kinds of duck decor. Odd Duck is known for shared plates, inspired by various types of cuisines from across the world. Their menu rotates often, but you’ll always find a collection of both Animal and Vegetable options, as well as a unique cocktail list. Don’t miss out on their charcuterie, because it may be the best presentation and variety of options in town.

Best Dish Most variations of their Crispy Fried Oyster Mushrooms or the chili crisp devilled egg

9

Ristorante Bartolotta dal 1993

7616 W State St, Wauwatosa, WI 53213

Bartolotta restaurants are an institution in Milwaukee, and their Italian offering, Ristorante Bartolotta, is arguably the best. Not to mention, the original (they opened in Tosa in 1993-hence the name). Just recently they were awarded the prestigious and coveted Marchio Ospitalità Italiana certification of excellence; one of the highest honors a restaurant can receive for its commitment to “Made in Italy” quality and authenticity. Bartolotta has moved to more of a tasting menu concept in recent years, offering a pre-fixe of 4 courses: Antipasti, Primi, Secondi and Dolci. The menu focuses on one region of Italy and moves on with the seasons, or maybe with whatever inspires the chef next. That being said- don’t visit without your appetite!

Best Dish The pasta!

10

Le Rêve Patisserie & Cafe

7610 Harwood Ave, Wauwatosa, WI 53213

Milwaukee doesn’t offer a lot in the way of French cuisine, but if you’re feeling très faim for an assortment of delectable and rich French offerings, La Rêve is your place. With offerings from savory crêpes to moules to les boeufs, to an impressive bakery full of sweets, you really can’t go wrong. The soups, salads and appetizers such as foie gras and liver mousse tartine are also worth a mention. No matter which service you choose- weekend brunch, lunch, or dinner, you’ll find something delicious- and chances are you won’t leave without being tempted into dessert or something from their gorgeous display of bakery options.

Best Dish Feuilletine cookies (a crispy chocolate cookie made from thin sweetened crêpes)

11

KIN by Rice and Roll

7484 W State St, Wauwatosa, WI 53213

Okay, so Milwaukee might not be the town you think of when you think of great sushi. And you may not find the high grade sushi fish you’d find on the coast; but Kin by Rice and Roll makes the best of it with their signature and unique rolls and appetizing nigiri. Like many Asian restaurants in town, Kin by Rice and Roll offers a fusion of Asian cuisine, focusing on both Japanese and Thai. While we’d recommend Kin for satisfying sushi (especially if you’re looking for nigiri), it’s really their Thai menu that shines. From your staple Thai dishes to unique eats like the Khaosoy, a Thai northern curry with crispy egg noodle, Kin provides a quality to all dishes that make it a standout.

Best Dish The Tom Kha Soup

12

Story Hill BKC

5100 W Bluemound Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53208

Story Hill is a cozy little place located in West Milwaukee in the neighborhood that inspired their namesake (the BKC stands for Bottle, Kitchen, Cup). For a long time, we only knew Story Hill as a fantastic brunch spot that offered a variety of savory crepes and delicious twists on specialties such as Shakshouka and the frittata. When we finally went to dinner at Story Hill, we realized this was so much more than just a brunch place with a cute wine shop attached (even though that alone was enough to put this spot on the map). Story Hill’s dinner service offers expertly crafted dishes from the pork chop schnitzel to a cedar plank steelhead trout on an everything potato waffle. And while it might not be a spot you would think to order a burger, it’s worth it, we promise.

Best Dish Pork Chop Schnitzel

13

La Masa

1300 E Brady St, Milwaukee, WI 53202

La Masa specializes in Argentine inspired empanadas, and is a great option for anyone looking for something a little different- and something that doesn’t break the bank. Empanada options range from a classic Argentine Beef to a Thai Chicken Peanut to one of our favorite bites in the city, the Wisco Corn empanada. Most popular is the La Masa trio, your option of any 3 empanadas accompanied with their Signature Jicama Slaw. There’s something for everyone at La Masa, and their three sauce options, the Chimichurri, Ají Amarillo Aioli or the Creamy Garlic & Lime, elevate the experience even more.

Best Dish Wisco Corn Empanada

14

Birch

459 E Pleasant St, Milwaukee, WI 53202

Birch was recently named one of the New York Time’s 50 Best Restaurants in America, which is a pretty big deal, and they were the only Wisconsin restaurant to make the list. Offering contemporary farm-to-table, Chef Kyle Knall was also a James Beard nominee for “outstanding chef” in 2022. So it’s no surprise that every dish at Birch is crafted with excellence. Some may say that Birch is the type of restaurant that belongs in a bigger city, but we’re happy that they choose to call Milwaukee home.

Best Dish Charred Beef Tartare

15

Five O’Clock Steakhouse

2416 W State St, Milwaukee, WI 53233

This timeless Milwaukee Supper Club opened in 1946 as family-owned Coerper’s Five O’Clock Club, and has remained Milwaukee’s most loved steakhouse ever since. Five O’Clock specializes in carmelized, charred steaks earning them the title of “One of America’s Best Steakhouses” by several media outlets. This, along with the time-warp charm, excellent service, a traditional relish tray, and a delicious shrimp scampi appetizer makes Five O’Clock a must do for both locals and visitors.

Best Dish Bone-In Filet Mignon

16

St. Paul Fish Company

Milwaukee Public Market, 400 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI 53202

If you want seafood in Milwaukee, you head to St. Paul’s. Whether it be their location in the famous Public Market in the Third Ward, or their larger restaurant in Mequon, both locations offer a large variety of seafood options. Most know St. Paul for their famous Maine Lobster Roll, a sandwich filled to the brim with cold lobster on a butter brioche roll that could rival even the best in Boston. St. Paul offers a variety of catches that can be ordered as sandwiches, po boys, appetizers, salads, grilled fish dinners and more. And of course, it’s Milwaukee, so don’t miss out on their 6 options for a traditional fish fry.

Best Dish Maine Lobster Roll

17

Riley’s Social House & Sandwich Co.

411 E Menomonee St, Milwaukee, WI 53202

If you need some puppy time, Riley’s Social House downtown is almost always filled with happy, excited dogs. The pets adorn a green, yellow or red tag to reflect approachability, and fun is had by all; owners Jess and John (who named the restaurant after their beloved furbaby) make sure of that. But we don’t have a dog, and while this is a fun bonus, we go to Riley’s for the food. Specializing in super tender sous vide beef and chicken on a carefully selected soft house roll, Riley’s sandwiches are the best in the city. Riley’s has 25 innovative sandwich options, along with specialties like sous vide wings and tacos. With such a cared-for menu of options, ordering at Riley’s is essentially foolproof.

Best Dish The Steak Kensington (Oakland Style) - medium rare beef tenderloin, house made garlic spread, mozz, roasted mushroom and onion on the house roll

18

Kegel’s Inn

5901 W National Ave, West Allis, WI 53214

In 1924, John Kegel opened a “soda shop parlor” in West Allis. 100 years later, after dealing with struggles such as prohibition and anti-German sentiment during the war, Kegels is a full service restaurant that offers authentic German cuisine and one of the best fish fries in town. Immediately upon entering the wood-paneled restaurant you will be surrounded by authentic German decor, a sign that you are in for a good, traditional German meal. Kegel’s regular menu offers dishes such as currywurst, schnitzels, sausages and more; but we first came to know them for their popular Friday fish fry that comes with hands-down the best potato pancake in town.

Best Dish Fish Fry/Potato Pancake

19

Uncle Wolfie’s Breakfast Tavern

234 E Vine St, Milwaukee, WI 53212

Milwaukee is a brunch town, so we’d be remiss to not mention one of the best brunches in the city as an essential Milwaukee spot. Uncle Wolfie’s is open during daytime hours only, concentrating on what they do best: expertly crafted breakfast and lunch foods including salads, an out of this world burger, and the most inventive and delicious omelets you’ll find. You can be confident that no matter what you order, it is going to be crafted with quality and oodles of flavor. Uncle Wolfie’s recently opened an alternate restaurant for dinner service in the Uncle Wolfie’s space; Nite Wolf opened officially in 2024 and focuses on specialty ramen.

Best Dish The Spamelette

20

Cafe India

2201 S Kinnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207

As foodies, we obviously like to expand our horizons and experience all the restaurants Milwaukee has to offer. But when it comes to Indian, we struggle to expand because we already know where to get delicious Indian cusine. Cafe India has a full service restaurant in the heart of Bay View, and a second counter service offering in Walker’s Point. Both are delicious, and when polling friends on their favorite bites in the city, many have said the same thing: The Chicken Tikka Masala at Cafe India. Sometimes, you just gotta trust the masses, right?

Best Dish Chicken Tikka Masala with garlic naan

21

Kopp’s / Leon’s Frozen Custard

Multiple Locations

If you’ve checked out our “Iconic Milwaukee” list, or know anything about Milwaukee at all, you know that we are a custard town. It’s part of who we are, and when it comes to custard, there are two spots that every Milwaukeean knows to go: Leon’s Frozen Custard and Kopp’s. While Leon’s in South Milwaukee is the original custard spot, opening their drive-in shop in 1942, Kopp’s offers a competitively good custard and great burger at their multiple locations surrounding Milwaukee. We find that the custard at Leon’s has a slight edge with a rich and smooth texture, but we’re always impressed with Kopp’s flavor-of-the day offerings and are big fans of their burger.

Best Dish The custard, of course!

22

Zaffiro’s Pizza

1724 N Farwell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202

Zaffiro’s may not be home to the very first Milwaukee style thin-crust pizza, but it is home to the best. What started as bar food served at the Zaffiro family’s tap room in the 1950s has since become an iconic Milwaukee establishment. Zaffiro’s has kept people coming back for more for almost 70 years for its soda cracker-like crust and addictive sweet tomato sauce. It is also important to note that while many of the Marcus movie theaters do offer Zaffiro’s while you catch a flick, it is not the same as the Farwell location’s pies, so make sure you check out the original while you are here.

Best Dish Milwaukee style thin-crust pizza (tip: limit your toppings to 2 or 3)

23

La Casa de Alberto

624 W National Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53204

Milwaukee has A LOT of Mexican restaurants, especially in the Walker’s Point area. But for us, Casa de Alberto stands out from the rest for a few reasons. Casa de Alberto is known for their mole, and once you’ve tried it, it’s perfectly understandable why. The owner’s mother’s Chicken Mole recipe is super satisfying, with the right amount of chili that gives it the perfect balance of savory, spicy and sweet. The other reason? The rice and beans are out of this world.

Best Dish Chicken enchiladas with Mole

24

Harbor House

550 N Harbor Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53202

Harbor House, run by Bartolotta restaurants, is owner to the most coveted location in the city: nestled between the art museum and Discovery World right on Lake Michigan- and you can’t ask for a better view than that. With their name and location, it’s probably not a surprise that Harbor House’s menu focuses on fresh seafood, and we have been wowed by entrees from both their dinner and brunch menu.

Best Dish Salmon Rillettes for brunch, Alaskan Black Cod for dinner

25

Onesto

221 N Broadway, Milwaukee, WI 53202

Italian for “honest,” Onesto puts a contemporary twist on Italian cuisine that’s fresh and flavorful. Onesto is also located in what might be considered the most popular spot for out-of-towners seeking the quintessential tourist experience, Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward. The menu changes with the seasons, but on our most recent visit we were blown away by the Duck Confit Raviolo, a single large pasta filled with runny egg yolk. For your appetizer, order the Wagyu Beef Carpaccio- you won’t be disappointed.

Best Dish Duck Confit Raviolo with brown butter cream and cherry agrodolce

26

Steny’s Tavern & Grill

800 S 2nd St, Milwaukee, WI 53204

Looking for a good sports bar in town? Steny’s motto is “You Should Be Here”, and they aren’t wrong. If you are looking for delicious wings, nachos, pizzas and sandwiches during your favorite game, you don’t need to look any further. Steny’s also conveniently offers free shuttles to major events downtown including Bucks games, Fiserv concerts, Summerfest and more. This Walker’s Point Sports Bar is also home to the best bloody mary mix in town- don’t be fooled by its simple appearance.

Best Dish The wings (always available) and the Pan Seared Cod Dinner made with brown butter, lemon and white wine emulsion (available Friday's only)