What are the best restaurants in Milwaukee?

Casual Spots

• ‍Swinging Door - Old prohibition-era bar in the Grain Exchange building. Mostly bar food but better than you'd expect. Ribs, burgers, and their spicy vermouth carrots are surprisingly good. It's a Milwaukee thing, and out-of-towners always ask about it after they go.‍
• Nessun Dorma - Neighborhood Italian in Riverwest. They make their own pasta, do really good paninis. Cozy. Not fancy but consistently solid.‍
• Don's TV & Repair / Don's Grocery & Liquor - Speakeasy-style diner in Walker's Point. Famous for burgers and boozy shakes. The whole setup is quirky (it's literally designed like an old TV repair shop), but the food is nostalgic comfort food done well. High energy, very Milwaukee without being touristy.\
• La Masa - Fusion empanadas. They do creative combinations, like Wisconsin Corn, Cheese Curd & Bacon, and Mushroom Truffle. These are all Einberger favorites. It's counter service, so it's fast and casual, but the food is way better than you'd expect from the format. Good if you want something quick but interesting. They're also on the food delivery apps.

Nice Dinner Spots

• ‍Sanford - This is the best restaurant in Milwaukee. If you're doing one nice meal while you're here, go here. It's fine dining without being pretentious about it. Chef Sandy D'Amato has been running this place for decades, and it shows. The menu changes seasonally, and everything is executed at a level you don't see anywhere else in the city.‍
• DanDan (Third Ward) - Dan Jacobs (the owner) was on the last season of Top Chef and almost won. Southeast Asian focused. The DanDan noodles are what everyone orders and they're insanely good, with Sichuan peppercorns, ground pork, chili oil. The dumplings are also always solid. It's upscale-ish but not stuffy.‍
• OddDuck - Small plates with a seasonal menu that changes constantly. Chef Melissa Buchholz sources locally and does creative stuff without being weird for the sake of being weird. Good for groups because you can try a bunch of things. Consistently one of the best restaurants in Milwaukee.‍
• Hotel Madrid - Spanish tapas downtown. Good wine list, great for groups because tapas are built for sharing. The patatas bravas and jamón ibérico are standouts. It's a nice dinner that doesn't feel formal.‍
• La Merenda - Global tapas. I love tapas, so I'm biased, but this place is consistently good. Small plates from all over... Mediterranean, Asian, Latin American. Works for a nicer dinner without the stuffy restaurant vibe.

Seafood

• ‍Lupi & Iris - Seafood-focused with a rotating menu based on what's fresh. Chef Adam Siegel (same guy behind Bartolotta's restaurants) knows what he's doing. Small space, reservations recommended. The crudo is always excellent.‍
• Harbor House - Seafood and oysters right on the water. More of a scene than Lupi & Iris—bigger space, louder, good for groups. The oyster selection is solid, and the fish is always fresh. Go here if you want waterfront views with your meal.

Drinks

• ‍blu at the Pfister - Rooftop lounge at the Pfister Hotel downtown. Good cocktails, great views of the city. It can be tough to get in if there's a private event, but if you can get up there, it's worth it.‍
• The Outsider (Third Ward) - Rooftop bar with really good cocktails. Less touristy than blu, more neighborhood vibe. The drink menu is creative without being annoying about it. Good spot if you just want a well-made drink. Especially good if you're spending the night at the Journeyman, since it's the hotel's bar.

Obligatory Steakhouses

• ‍Five O'Clock Steakhouse - This is the Wisconsin supper club experience. Old-school tableside service, relish tray, the whole thing. They've been doing it since 1946 and nothing has changed. The steaks are dry-aged in-house, and they know what they're doing. If you want traditional Milwaukee steakhouse culture, this is it.‍
• Carnevor - Modern steakhouse downtown in the Historic Third Ward. High-end vibe. Dry-aged beef, good wine list, contemporary atmosphere. If you want a great steak but the supper club thing isn't your vibe, go here.