Milwaukee is one of the best places to taste some of the best food that Wisconsin has to offer. You'll find a wide variety of offerings available, much of which centers on seafood due to the city's location on Lake Michigan.

That's just the beginning, however, as you'll also find fine dining experiences, dinners that double as charity donations, and even some of the best contemporary Korean fare in the state. Check out 10 places where locals love to eat in Milwaukee.

  • 1

    Lazy Susan MKE

    Try casual fine dining

    Lazy Susan MKE
    • Food

    At Lazy Susan MKE, you'll find an eclectic mix of offerings on a rotating menu with a casual fine dining environment focused on bringing family meals back to prominence. They use local ingredients to the extent that they're active members of Braise RSA. You'll even find several vegan and vegetarian options here along with gluten free dishes.

    Of course, the meat eaters can find satisfaction too with their pristinely prepared meats and New American fare. You'll find the restaurant in northern Bay View.

    Location: 2378 S Howell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207, USA

    Open: Wednesday–Friday from 5 pm to 8 pm (closed Saturday–Tuesday)

    Phone: +1 414-988-7086

    Map
  • 2

    Barnacle Bud's

    Enjoy seafood outside

    Barnacle Bud's
    • Food

    At Barnacle Bud's, you'll find some of the best fresh seafood in town that you can enjoy in an outdoor dining area right by the water. Located right on the banks of the Kinnickinnic River, this restaurant is one of the best places in Milwaukee to find oysters and all sorts of fresh seafood along with BBQ specials as well.

    Their drink selection is also fairly robust making it a popular spot for late night dinners by the relaxing sounds of the river.

    Location: 1955 S Hilbert St, Milwaukee, WI 53207, USA

    Open: Daily from 11 am to 9 pm

    Phone: +1 414-481-9974

    Map
  • 3

    St Paul Fish Company

    Find city centre seafood

    St Paul Fish Company
    • Food

    St. Paul Fish Company is a staple of Milwaukee thanks to its absolutely delicious seafood supplied by local fishermen and suppliers and prepared with impressive expertise. The seafood dishes here are certainly impressive, but that's just the beginning of its offerings as you'll also find an oyster bar and ice bar.

    Additionally, there's a retail fish case if you're looking for ingredients useful for some home cooking. It's located conveniently within the Milwaukee Public Market city centre, so you'll probably walk past it when visiting the city's top spots.

    Location: 400 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA

    Open: Daily from 11 am to 8 pm

    Phone: +1 414-220-8383

    Map

    photo by Dori (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified

  • 4

    Story Hill BKC

    Taste the upper midwest

    Story Hill BKC
    • Food

    At Story Hill BKC, you'll find a dedicated team who excel in delivering the best that the Upper Midwest of the United States has to offer with pristine American fare. They use only the best and freshest local ingredients for their dishes, which are known not only for their taste but for their elegant presentations as well.

    Don't forget to check out their cocktail menu as well for delicious combinations. Alternatively, you can simply check out the massive wine list. You'll find Story Hill BKC across the street north of Mitchell Boulevard Park.

    Location: 5100 W Bluemound Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53208, USA

    Open: Tuesday–Friday from 11 am to 9 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 9 am to 2 pm (closed on Mondays)

    Phone: +1 414-539-4424

    Map
  • 5

    Conway's Smokin' Bar and Grill

    Try an Irish bar

    Conway's Smokin' Bar and Grill
    • Food

    Conway's Smokin' Bar and Grill is a hidden gem in Milwaukee offering smoked meats and a wide range of drinks emanating the Irish pub experience. This restaurant is known for blending in to the surrounding buildings, so keep an eye out when you get close, or you just might walk right past it.

    Once you make it inside, you'll find dark panelled walls, a pinball machine, a pool table, and other games you might expect from an Irish pub. Even so, the food and drinks are where the place truly shines with both local and imported craft brews. You'll find the restaurant in the centre of Avenues West.

    Location: 2127 W Wells St, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA

    Open: Wednesday–Saturday from 4 pm to 10 pm

    Phone: +1 414-344-1262

    Map
  • 6

    Char'd

    Enjoy Korean fare

    Char'd
    • Food

    Char'd is a casual Korean restaurant known for its small plates that pack a powerful punch with bursts of flavour and elevated presentations. The restaurant markets themselves as New Korean meaning they've taken age old Korean traditions and merged them with modern techniques to create the ultimate in Korean cuisine.

    It's all the authenticity you could ever want without anything feeling dated. While small plates are certainly popular here, you can still find satisfaction if you're looking for standard meal-sized offerings. Char'd is located just east of the confluence of the Milwaukee and Menomonee Rivers.

    Location: 222 E Erie St, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA

    Open: Wednesday–Monday from 4 pm to 8.30 pm (closed on Tuesdays)

    Phone: +1 414-885-2611

    Map
  • 7

    Tusk

    Eat for a good cause

    Tusk
    • Food

    Tusk is a local restaurant that not only offers delicious New American fare, but it also works to raise money to preserve the magnificent elephant from harm. A large part of the revenue from the restaurant goes directly to Tusk Trust, an organisation dedicated to protecting wildlife in Africa including African elephants.

    When the restaurant isn't working to combat illegal wildlife trade, however, it's working to prepare delicious meals for its patrons. You'll find standard American fare elevated with items like steaks, ribs, fried chicken, and even some oddities like a ramen bowl. You'll find Tusk about halfway between Uptown and Washington Heights.

    Location: 5513 W North Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53208, USA

    Open: Thursday–Sunday from 4 pm to 8 pm (closed Monday–Wednesday)

    Phone: +1 414-763-2095

    Map
  • 8

    Uncle Wolfie's Breakfast Tavern

    Relax with comfort food

    Uncle Wolfie's Breakfast Tavern
    • Food

    Uncle Wolfie's Breakfast Tavern is home to a wide selection of sweet and savoury options including pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, and more. The breakfast classics are crafted with unmatched attention to detail, and you can add an egg to anything you like for that extra burst of flavour.

    The restaurant is open for dinner as well most days, but the same breakfast favourites are still available. You'll even find an extensive drink menu. You'll find this rustic restaurant on the western edge of the Milwaukee River in the Brewer's Hill area.

    Location: 234 E Vine St, Milwaukee, WI 53212, USA

    Open: Wednesday from 10 am to 3 pm, Thursday–Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm and 4 pm to 8.30 pm, Sunday from 9 am to 3 pm

    Phone: +1 414-763-3021

    Map
  • 9

    Odd Duck

    Taste an ever-changing menu

    • Food

    Odd Duck is a unique restaurant located in the Bay View area that offers small plates covering several styles of cuisine including American and Spanish. The duck breast and short rib bourguignon are popular, and the Spanish chorizo is one of the most beloved items on their menu.

    You'll find an extensive drink list as well. If you're looking for vegan and gluten-free options, Odd Duck has a wide selection of these as well, so dietary restrictions won't get in the way of your enjoyment.

    Location: 2352 S Kinnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207, USA

    Open: Tuesday–Sunday from 4 pm to 8 pm (closed on Mondays)

    Phone: +1 414-763-5881

    Map
  • 10

    Soup Brothers

    Get a bowl of delicious soup

    • Food

    Soup Brothers is a staple of the Milwaukee restaurant scene offering 4 different soups along with paired sandwiches to enjoy. The fire-roasted red pepper bisque is a local favourite thanks to its satisfying kick, but you can also enjoy options like chicken vegetable with rice and cheddar and Bermuda onion.

    Of course, their sandwiches are impressive as well, with options for salami or turkey. You'll find Soup Brothers less than a mile south of where the Menomonee and Milwaukee Rivers meet.

    Location: 209 W Florida St, Milwaukee, WI 53204, USA

    Open: Monday–Thursday from 11 am to 6 pm, Friday–Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm (closed on Sundays)

    Phone: +1 414-885-1532

    Map