Location: Milwaukee
Top Restaurants in Milwaukee
Most Popular Restaurants in Milwaukee
Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is perhaps best known for its famous breweries and the Major League Brewers, but there's more to the city than beer and baseball. Milwaukee is rich in historical and cultural attractions, making it the perfect place for a weekend of exploring. Check out the newly expanded Milwaukee Art Museum or the Mitchell Park Horticultural Society, which hosts an annual show of the same flora and fauna seen in Georgia O'Keefe's paintings. Those interested in the city's history can visit the grand Pabst Mansion, former home of one of the city's famous beer barons, or the Milwaukee Public Museum, to see what life was like in Old Milwaukee. If the kids are along, don't miss the Milwaukee County Zoo or the Betty Brinn Children's Museum. Of course a trip to the "Genuine American City" would not be complete without a tour of the Miller Brewing Company and a Brewers game at Miller Park.
Things to do in Milwaukee
1. Glorioso's Italian Market
Overall Ratings
5 based on 531 reviews
Glorioso’s Italian Market is a family-owned business located on Brady Street since 1946. Purveyors of old-world Italian specialties in the heart of Milwaukee's East Side. Fresh, handmade sausages, mouthwatering deli creations and piping hot pizza are just a few of our specialties. Browse our aisles of cheese, wine and pasta. Linger over the amazing selection of olive oils, fresh and frozen pastas, and delicious bakery creations. With a vast array of olives, cheeses, wines, imported meats and delectable sandwiches, along with pastries, cookies, and gelato, Glorioso’s is the perfect stop for a great meal.Glorioso’s has been tantalizing the public’s taste buds with rare Mediterranean treats for over 6 decades. Upon stepping over the threshold, you can see that, four generations later, this is one store that has kept its old world charm. As you walk through the store, you will see family photos scattered throughout. If you stay long enough, you’re bound to run into Joe, Ted or Eddie, the founding brothers, ready to fill you in on the history behind each photograph: from pictures when they got out of the service in WWII, to the first truck they bought for the store, to the TV commercials that feature cameos of two more family members.But if the looks alone aren’t enough, just inhale deeply and you will catch the aroma of one of the many secret family recipes wafting from the back deli. It could be Nonno Felice’s sausage recipe, made fresh daily. Or it could be the house marinara sauce simmering on the stove. Or the Trio’s pizza baking to perfection in the oven.Glorioso’s won the award for Small Business of the Year in 2007, and has had numerous articles written about us in the Milwaukee Journal and the Shepherd Express. We won “Milwaukee’s Best Deli - 2011" from OnMilwaukee and our new store has received several awards for its innovative design. Bring the family over, we'd love to meet you!
Reviewed By James B - Midland, Texas
If I lived in Milwaukee, I'd live close to Glorioso's, and I'd probably weigh 300 pounds. Besides being a marvelous market, they have one of the best Italian Deli's I have ever seen. Their Italian Roast Beef Sandwich is simply amazing. They also have a...MoreThanks James, although we're sad you don't live closer, we look forward to your next visit!
2. Sanford Restaurant
Overall Ratings
5 based on 355 reviews
Reviewed By DAJensen - Cedarburg, Wisconsin
Sanfords is a fine dining restaurant offering tasting menus at different price points with optional wine pairings as well as offerings off the menu.
We dined on a weeknight to celebrate my husband's birthday. We each opted for the surprise menu ($89) and they very easily accommodated one as vegetarian. We also ordered the wine pairings and were very happy with the food, wine and service.
Where Sanfords is starting to suffer is in the decor. There water stains on the ceiling and stains all over the carpet. What was once an elegant venue has become dirty and dated.
3. St. Paul Fish Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 719 reviews
Milwaukee Public Market.
Reviewed By LauriePoll - Colgate, Wisconsin
My husband had the oysters which he loved. Last time I had the lobster roll which was great but this time opted for the crab cake appetizer. It was awesome. Best I've had outside of Maryland. Beautiful fresh fish counter with a huge selection. Great value.
4. Blue's Egg
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 853 reviews
Blue's takes a fine dining approach to classic American brunch, all week long. Old World ingredients and techniques inspire modern breakfast and lunch dishes. Blue's is available for private events in the evening.
Reviewed By Jeff M - Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Blue's egg is always busy so expect a wait no matter when you go. The menu has many unique and delicious offerings, so get on your adventurous side. The Stuffed browns are an excellent choice and my favorite if the Hopple Poppel bowl.(scrambled eggs, cream, zesty sausage, bacon, caramelized onion, shredded potatoes, spinach, hollandaise, toast) . Whatever you order, I suspect will be a pleasant surprise
5. La Merenda
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 326 reviews
Reviewed By JodiDanTravel - Valparaiso, Indiana
I have dined in several tapas restaurants across the U.S and La Merenda is certainly in my top 5 favorites! The uniqueness (and deliciousness) of the dishes make La Merenda that much better. There is a wonderful mix of dishes from various countries...super fun! If you are in Milwaukee, I would highly recommend eating dinner. Just make sure you have reservations, especially on a Friday or Saturday night...it's popular with both locals and travelers. I'm pretty sure I'll be dreaming about their goat cheese dish...
6. Story Hill BKC
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 146 reviews
BOTTLE: A wine shop with interesting and hard-to-find wines, growlers of draft beer to go, and regional and artisanal liquors. An restaurant and bar with an award-winning wine list with unbeatable prices. Kitchen: A unique restaurant cooking food inspired by Upper Midwest ingredients and global technique for weekday lunch, weekend brunch and a share-plate dinner. Cocktail: A cocktail bar featuring eight craft cocktails on tap and evolving creations based on our shop's selection of artisanal spirits. Happy Hour, Tue-Sat, 2-6 p.m. Available on Mondays for private parties and events. We feature a private dining room that accommodates parties of 8 to 14.
Reviewed By Fondue4two - Rochester, NY
We were looking for lunch on Saturday and called ahead for a spot on their waiting list. Arrived to a standing room only brunch crowd. Waited another 30 mins for a table - browsed the in-restaurant liquor store to kill time. We really liked the fun and funky decor.
Once seated the friendly servers did a good job. The breakfast sausage wrap was very tasty but the highlight was the huge and delicious Crepe Monsieur which two of us split. Excellent!
Would love to come back for dinner when back in town.
7. Mo's A Place For Steaks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 251 reviews
Mo’s...A Place for Steaks has an ambience others strive for. A sexy yet sophisticated feel, combined with great food & unmatched service create a customized dining experience. It’s not just the wet-aged steaks that arrive beautifully cut, cooked & plated, or the extensive wine list: Mo’s is a luxury that feels luxurious. Settle deep into a leather chair, listen to tunes playing on the baby grand or relax while sipping a martini & think just how good it feels to be you!Culinary delights don’t end with the steaks – you’ll find a wide selection of delicious entrées, appetizers, sides & desserts.
Reviewed By Richard K - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
We had some time before a show we were seeing next door at the Riverside Theater, and came in for some drinks and food prior to that. Although the place was packed, within 10 minutes they found us an excellent table in the front window of the bar side, where we could both talk and 'people watch' on this cold and snowy evening. The drinks were perfectly mixed, (hers an Old Fashioned and mine a Bourbon Manhattan, in large rocks glasses, for $12 each). We don't drink much anymore, but they were so good we each had two. Rather than go with large meals, we decided on soup, salad and an appetizer each, but to share. We both had Lobster bisque, ($7 per cup, $11 per bowl). It was poured table side, a nice presentation and had both the perfect creamy consistency and and abundance of pieces of lobster to further enhance the flavor. For salad, my wife chose the wedge at $9 and I the Caesar, at $8. Although I was pleased with the anchovies on it, the dressing was rather thin, and I didn't find it to be anything but average. My wife's wedge was dressed with blue cheese and complimented with bacon bits. She found it to be very good, if rather pedestrian in presentation. For our appetizers, she chose the prime crostini with bernaise and horseradish sauce ($18), while I selected the crab cake with pepper sauce ($17). We shared so we could have sort of a rustic surf and turf. The crostini bread was appropriately dry and hard, and the steak slice on top, lightly seared so that it was almost a carpaccio, was melt-in-your-mouth good. However the sauce was hardly present--just a very thin drizzle of minimal size. The crab cake was near perfection, and complimented greatly by the pepper sauce it nested on. There was no trace of filler or stuffing, just pure, white, lump crab meat. To bring the meal together, our server Danielle, was on top of everything and did an outstanding job so that we could both relax and enjoy our repast, but still make it to the show on time. We hadn't been to Mo's in years, but plan to return again and often.
8. The Capital Grille
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 324 reviews
Milwaukee has come intoits own. With world-class architecture, a buoyant lakefront, superb art museum and ever-growing fine dining scene. Which is about to become even finer.Enjoy our legendarydry aged steaks, chops and fresh seafood. 5,000 or so award winning wines. And, sublime desserts. All in an atmosphere of relaxed elegance. All just steps from the vibrant RiverWalk, Midwest Airlines Center and U.S. Cellular Arena.The Capital Grille Milwaukee. Because one unforgettable experience deserves another.
Reviewed By ReadRibbet
If you know this upscale chain, the Milwaukee location is an excellent example. The location in downtown Milwaukee is near the Hilton, Hyatt and convention center with nearby parking available. The interior is a great space with a separate bar area. We were there on a Friday night, but it was not very busy so we were seated right away. The service was excellent. The wait staff was very attentive. Wine choices even impressed the wine expert we were with. The food was excellent. Two of us shared a deconstructed bruschetta salad and each of us ordered a half dozen raw oysters (from east coast) as our entrees. Our friends shared a wedge salad and each ordered filets which were well prepared. The dessert was ample enough for sharing. A great meal in a classy atmosphere made for a nice night.
9. Mader's
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Mid-America's most honored German restaurant.<br>Since 1902, this Milwaukee landmark has been serving American Presidents, and celebrities America's finest German cuisine.<br><br>You'll dine surrounded by a $4 million collection of medieval suits of armor, wood carvings, oil paintings, two-handed swords, crossbows and magnificent stained glass. <br><br>Ranked by TripAdvisor, and every publication in our state that ranks dining spots as Wisconsin's best German restaurant.<br><br>Free adjacent parking.
Reviewed By John H
This restaurant was originally called "The Comfort," when a German immigrant named Charles Mader opened it in 1902. It was renamed "Maders" when it relocated to a better location. Other restaurants of the era were also in business, but they have all come & gone, leaving Maders as the oldest restaurant in Milwaukee! This iconic restaurant has what is reportedly two sets of full body armor in the front window! It has two huge dining rooms & a separate room with a beautiful bar that also has extra booths for dining. The decor of the entire the restaurant is "old fashioned" classic Germanic, right down to the service staff, who are dressed in German style clothing. Pretty convincing that you food order is going to be "the real deal." And, it was: from sausage to dumplings, red cabbage to sauerkraut, & all kinds of beer. The food was delicious, & service impeccable! Valet parking available.
10. Lakefront Brewery Beer Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 155 reviews
At Lakefront Brewery Beer Hall, we pride ourselves in our homemade recipes that use the finest ingredients from Wisconsin farms and local entrepreneurs to offer you a genuine taste and experience of Milwaukee. We only take reservations on Friday nights for our fish fry from 4:00PM to 5:30PM. Call ahead for availability. Our fish fry includes a performance by The Brewhaus Polka Kings from 5:30PM to 8:30PM and is family style seating. Visit us any other day of the week to find our daily menu served through counter service. Both our daily and fish fry menus can be found on our website.
Reviewed By MJGso - Troutman, North Carolina
My husband (G) & I went to Lakefront Brewery Beer Hall for a Friday night Fish Fry. Overall, it was very good. We had about a 45 minute wait but it was pretty much worth it. Their brews are very good. I had a River West Stein and G had East Side Dark. You MUST get the cheese curds. They were insanely good. Large, filling portions. I had the perch but wished I had gotten the cod. While the perch was good, I wasn't a fan of the panko. G got the fry combo platter and was pleased. Loved the live polka music. Took me back to my childhood. Overall, I'd recommend this place!
