Milwaukee Magazine | City Guide 2024

EAT, DRINK, SHOP

City Guide

THE TOP 10 RESTAURANTS

IN MILWAUKEE

Experience one of these exceptional spots and get a taste of what makes our dining scene so special. 12

MILWAUKEE’S

BEST BARS

With a bar to suit every mood (upscale, retro, Polynesian-themed or craft beer curated), this compendium is your field guide to imbibing. 31

EXPLORE THE CITY

Experience the uniqueness of Milwaukee’s neighborhoods, whether it’s Bay View’s resale shops or Bronzeville’s diverse cultural rebirth. 47

Vier

Memorable

THE HOTTEST SPOTS

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SUMMER IS A special time here in Milwaukee. The city is in bloom, literally and figuratively, with festivals, outdoor dining, beach volleyball and so much more. There is a ton of fun to be had, but without a plan, it can be overwhelming. The team at Milwaukee Magazine put together this guide to help visitors and residents alike navigate all the options and optimize their summertime experience. You’ll find our picks for must-try restaurants, bars and lounges for any occasion. There’s also a feature on the great neighborhoods that comprise our city.

1345 N. Jefferson St., #307, Milwaukee, WI 53202

Each page of City Guide is packed with inspiration for where to go and what to do. But even so, one booklet cannot contain all of what Milwaukee has to offer this season. No worries – we’ve got you covered at milwaukeemag.com, where you can find information on festivals, outdoor concerts, weekly events and much more. We’ve got the game plan for your enjoyment of this great city. Now go forth and explore!

The Top

By Ann Christenson

Photos by Kevin J. Miyazaki/PLATE

10 Milwaukee Restaurants

The food scene here is so dynamic, it wasn’t easy to limit this list to 10. But these establishments in particular rise to the top. Whether their focus is French, farm-to-table or a chef’s personal culinary journey, each one makes the experience feel so custom that you couldn’t imagine being anywhere else but Milwaukee.

Lupi & Iris

The place to go if you crave a sophisticated, big-city kind of dining experience. Co-owner/chef Adam Siegel has had a long career in fine dining and focuses here on the cuisines of the Mediterranean coastlines of France and Italy. His menu is refined and elegant, emphasizing fresh, high-quality ingredients prepared with minimal fuss. Star dishes include the tarte au chèvre, corzetti pasta with creamy walnut sauce, wood oven-roasted veal chop and braised Mediterranean sea bass.

$17-$62. 777 N. Van Buren St., 414-293-9090

Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro

This upscale French delight in historic Lake Park Pavilion has become one of Milwaukee’s tried-and-true establishments. The menu is beautifully traditional, weighted on the side of decadent. Best bets include steamed mussels, foie gras with red wine-poached pears, steak frites and Dover sole meunière filleted tableside. If you can get a table near the east windows, you might catch the moonlight gently illuminating Lake Michigan.

$29-$64. 3133 E. Newberry Blvd., 414-962-6300

Odd Duck

This Walker’s Point hub for small plates is always coming up with inventive dishes – international flavors from Malaysian lamb to Vietnamese seafood stew. The bar program is especially strong, with as much thought put into the selection of wines and craft cocktails as the food. Whether serving at the table or bar, the well-trained waitstaff delivers this singular dining experience with charisma and style. $13-$26. 939 S. Second St., 414-763-5881

The often-changing, farm-totable menu served at this buzzy restaurant near Downtown was named one of The New York Times’ Top 50 Restaurants in America in 2023. Birch’s owner/executive chef Kyle Knall puts everything into his food: imagination, seasonality, care. His Contramar-inspired fish – which incorporates different seasoning rubs and comes with house-made tortillas for buildyour-own tacos – is a marvelous dish. That’s among many hits on a menu that includes handmade pasta, wood-roasted pork and a burger (served only at the bar). $19-$41. 459 E. Pleasant St., 414-323-7372

Ca’Lucchenzo

Great dining isn’t just a plate of delicious food. Service, ambiance and value are important, too. This Wauwatosa Italian spot has it all. You cannot miss with any of the handmade pastas – they change often and consistently hit the right balance of innovative and accessible. The focaccia is also carb perfection. Ca’Lucchenzo mixes up the vibe for seating, offering intimate tables, a friendly bar, active pasta counter and cozy patio.

$26-$39. 6030 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa, 414-312-8968

Goodkind

Since opening in 2014, this unpretentious Bay View destination hasn’t wavered from delivering an unfussy but epicurean experience – simple European farmhouse cuisine, cocktails and neighborhood vibes. You can’t go wrong with longtime menu favorites like the champagnebattered oyster mushrooms, rotisserie chicken and spicy crab pasta. There are always interesting specials (a killer Tuesday night burger), and the desserts – like the mini gateau Basque – hit just right.

$22-$38. 2457 S. Wentworth Ave., 414-763-4706

Since co-owner/executive chef Dane Baldwin won a James Beard Award in 2022, The Diplomat has been better than ever. Baldwin has elevated what he does – uncluttered, techniquedriven shareable plates, whether that’s a burger or a trout filet. The restaurant Baldwin and his spouse Anna (if you have her as

a server, lucky you!) have built is a testament to passion, hard work and Midwest humility. This is the premier spot on Brady Street for foodies.

$7-$38 815 E. Brady St., 414-800-5816

Bavette La Boucherie

If this hip Third Ward restaurant/butcher shop were an article of clothing, it would be a sleek leather jacket. Bavette occupies a beautiful storefront on the Third Ward’s Broadway, with an open kitchen and exposed beams and brick. While you people-watch, dig into owner/chef Karen Bell’s eclectic menu influenced by her time running a restaurant in Spain. Here are a few standouts: roasted carrot salad, burger with beef tallow fries, Cuban sandwich and butcher-cut steak.

$17-$36. 217 N. Broadway, 414-273-3375

Sanford

You have two menu choices here – four courses or seven surprise courses – the options therein vary.

Co-owner/chef Justin Aprahamian is influenced by the seasons and Wisconsin ingredients and often offers them in new, unexpected ways. That doesn’t mean there aren’t Sanford classics. These include the Roquefort tart, fennel-crusted tenderloin and The Drive In hot fudge toffee nut ball. This quiet, intimate dining room is also one of the city’s most refined.

Two menus: $95 and $125. 1547 N. Jackson St., 414-276-9608

Lebnani House

From the time this friendly spot in Greenfield opened in 2022, it has impressed with its extensive exploration of Levantine cuisine – a fusion of culinary traditions that spans the Middle East. Diners can choose from various salads, hot and cold mezze (small plates), fukhara (clay pot casseroles), mushawi (grilled meats) and main dishes. From the Armenian beef flatbread to the pots of hot, saucy stew to the char-grilled meat kebabs and colossal prawns, Lebnani is one of those rare places that seems to do everything well.

$19-$25 5051 S. 27th St., Greenfield, 414-488-8033

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• See Die Alpenkracher perform for the first time in the

• Explore the rich tradition of fairytales and folklore from Germany and Austria in the Culture

• Trace your roots, connecting to your heritage and family history.

• Enjoy the Dachshund Derby and costume contest, which brings whimsy and fun for all dog-lovers!

• Watch the world-record STIHL lumberjack competition With such a diverse range of

The Sausagiest place in America

MILWAUKEE ’ S BEST BARS

We don’t like to boast, but when it comes to bars, we’ll make an exception. This is a city that knows its way around a tavern or two. With so many great ones, choosing the best of the best is a challenge. What follows is a carefully curated, highly subjective list of favorites.

By Chris Drosner

BEST BARS

With specialties from tiki to craft beer to cocktails to High Life, these are our picks for Milwaukee’s very best bars.

Bryant’s

At this retro bucket-list lounge – MKE’s oldest – the menu is all in the bartenders’ heads. You describe what flavors you’d like, and they weave it into a cocktail.

1579 S. Ninth St.

Von Trier

The Old World charm is undeniable at this East Side institution. Think boots of German draft beer, classic cocktails and plates of sausages, kraut and pretzels.

2235 N. Farwell Ave.

Draft & Vessel

Draft & Vessel pulled off the unlikely twice: Creating from scratch the warm, cozy feeling of a really good, lived-in bar. Craft beer takes center stage here, but

there’s something for everyone.

4417 N. Oakland Ave., Shorewood; 7479 Harwood Ave., Wauwatosa

The Tin Widow

The bartenders at this hip and eclectic Walker’s Point cocktail joint are chatty and know their way around the impressive selection of whiskeys and spirits.

703 S. Second St.

Burnhearts

There’s cool, and then there’s effortless cool. The cozy, intimate Burnhearts is the latter, and the tap list is killer and curated.

2599 S. Logan Ave.

Elsa’s on the Park

Uncommonly attentive service, a sleek timeless vibe and great burgers make Elsa’s ideal for a late-night bite. But the generous cocktails also make it a great destination for imbibing.

833 N. Jefferson St.

The Sugar Maple

Artwork and craft tipples are given equal footing in this sleek Bay View taproom that’s a pillar of Milwaukee’s beer community.

441 E. Lincoln Ave.

The Vault

The highlight of this swanky, modern cocktail lounge Downtown is the three-season terrace 50 feet above the Milwaukee River.

111 E. Kilbourn Ave.

Foundation

This dark, Polynesian-themed rum retreat was named one of the 10 best tiki bars by an international tiki travel guide.

2718 N. Bremen St.

The Outsider

Beyond being nine floors above the Third Ward, with boffo rooftop skyline views and an urbane atmosphere, The Outsider dials in strong food and drink menus.

Kimpton Journeyman Hotel, 310 E. Chicago St.

Wolski’s

A quintessential Milwaukee bar. Day drinkers and regulars mix with students, young professionals and tourists lured by the promise of the legendary “I Closed Wolski’s” bumper sticker.

1836 N. Pulaski St.

BEST HAPPY HOURS

Whether you’re ending a day or starting a night, save some coin on sips and snacks.

Camino

2-for-1 domestic tallboys, $1 off cocktails and half-price pierogi. Weekdays 2-5 p.m.

434 S. Second St.;

7211 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis

Nessun Dorma

$3 select beers, $3 rail drinks, $5 select wines. Tues-Sat 4-6 p.m.; Sun 4 p.m.-close.

2778 N. Weil St.

The Knick

$6 signature martinis, small plates, cosmopolitans, half price tap beer, $5 rail drinks and house wine. Weekdays 3-6 p.m. Half-price appetizers Mondays 6-10 p.m.

1030 E. Juneau Ave.

Voyager Wine Bar

House wine: $16 carafes, $7 glasses. Other wine, glass pours and cocktails: $10. Monday all day, Tues-Sun 2-5 p.m.

422 E. Lincoln Ave.

Saint Bibiana

$5 burgers, $4 taps and hard seltzers, and $3 domestic beers and baskets of fries.

Tues-Fri 4-6 p.m.

1327 E. Brady St.

WINE DEALS

Where (and when) to find half-price wine specials:

SUNDAY

Goodkind: Half-price on all bottles and liter carafes. 2457 S. Wentworth Ave.

MONDAY

Rare Steakhouse: Half-price on all bottles. 833 E. Michigan St.

TUESDAY

The Sofie: Half-price bottles, $5 glasses. 777 N. Jefferson St.

WEDNESDAY

Pizza Man: Half-price bottles under $100. 11500 W. Burleigh St., Wauwatosa

Jake’s Restaurant: Half-price bottled wines up to $100. $50 off wine priced over $100. 21445 Gumina Rd., Brookfield

Tre Rivali: Half-price select bottles 5-9 p.m. 200 N. Broadway

THURSDAY

Dorsia: Half-price bottles 6 p.m.-close. 1307 E. Brady St.

HERE’S WHAT’S BREWING

Milwaukee is still filled with beer barons – today at the helm of the city’s many fantastic craft breweries! Here are eight of our favorites.

1840 Brewing

This name references the opening of Milwaukee’s first commercial brewery, generations before anyone could imagine the hazy IPAs they’re known for.

342 E. Ward St.

Eagle Park Brewing

Founded by a pair of musician brothers in 2017, Eagle Park made its reputation with hazy IPAs, slushy

sours and pastry stouts, but it also makes a heck of a lager.

823 E. Hamilton St.; S64 W15640 Commerce Center Pkwy., Muskego

Lion’s Tail Brewing

Milwaukeeans love to drink outside, and this brewery’s open-air pavilion delivers one of the area’s best al fresco beer experiences. The beer is a

well-executed blend of classic and contemporary styles.

8520 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa

Lakefront Brewery

One of Milwaukee’s OG craft brewers turns 37 this year, but it’s still one of the best. Think lagers and big barrel-aged beers as you peruse the tap list at the riverside Beer Hall. And don’t miss the fried curds!

1872 N. Commerce St.

Third Space Brewing

The dean of the city’s 2016-17 craft brewery boom has a versatile beer portfolio anchored by one of Wisconsin’s best hoppy

beers, Happy Place pale ale. The taproom has a fantastic patio.

1505 W. St. Paul Ave.

Supermoon Beer

This unaffected space feels very much like a cozy home. Most of the beers are funky and fruity, built from a library of wild ales barrel-aging in the basement.

3145 S. Howell Ave.

Vennture Brew

Sometimes you just want a beer in the morning, and this brewery’s dual model of roasting beans and brewing beer delivers it. Try The Heights saison or Bruv, a Berliner weiss, alongside a pour-over.

5519 W. North Ave.; 2970 N. Brookfield Rd., Brookfield

Pilot Project Brewing

This isn’t just one brewery; it’s a brewery incubator that produces the beer, kombucha, hard seltzer and cocktails served in its bright, airy taproom.

1128 N. Ninth St.

CHAGALL S H GALL DEAD SOULS

Sobakevich Eating His Dinner, from "Dead Souls", 1923-1927, UWM Art Collection

June 7 – September 8,2024 I

This JMM originally curated exhibit explores 96 Chagall etchings completed for Nikolai Gogal’s satirical epic.

In collaboration with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Art Collection and Emile H. Mathis Art Gallery.

TAP THE POSSIBILITIES IN MILWAUKEE’ S NORTH SHORE

The Bavarian Bierhaus

Brown Deer Golf Course

7 Glendale Hotels

Sprecher Brewery

Atwater Beach

Kletzsch Park

Solly’s Grille

BAYSHORE

Doctors Park

The Famous Old Heidelberg Park

Schlitz Audubon Nature Center

Kopps Frozen Custard & Jumbo Burgers

Estabrook Beer Garden

Lynden Sculpture Garden

ACX Entertainment Located less than 5 miles north of Downtown Milwaukee

Learn More & Tap The Possibilities at & So Much More!

By MILWAUKEE MAGAZINE STAFF

theCity ⁄

Navigate Milwaukee’s many neighborhoods with this guide. From clothes shopping to cultural institutions, we’ll help you find an awesome experience.

Photo by KEVIN J. MIYAZAKI

Art History

Milwaukee Art Museum

With a winged addition designed by world-renowned architect Santiago Calatrava, MAM is a local landmark. Inside, you’ll find a vast collection. 700 N. Art Museum Dr.

Milwaukee Public Museum

This natural history museum is one of the oldest in the United States. Collection highlights include one of the largest dinosaur skulls ever found. 800 W. Wells St.

Villa Terrace

A unique museum modeled after a Florentine villa, with beautiful grounds and views of Lake Michigan. 2220 N. Terrace Ave.

Charles Allis

Housed in a 1911 building that Charles and Sarah Allis commissioned as a place to live and display their extensive art collection, this gem of a museum features rotating exhibitions. 1801 N. Prospect Ave.

PHOTO:

Third Ward

Must-Visit

The Milwaukee Public Market

Have a glass of wine, do your grocery shopping, pick up Wisconsin-made food items, enjoy a meal, and grab some T-shirts for gifts. 400 N. Water St.

Once a warehouse district, the Third Ward has emerged in recent years as one of the toniest neighborhoods in the city, with a bustling commercial strip, boutiques, riverfront dining and condos.

FOR THE CULTURE VULTURE

If gallery-hopping is your thing, this is the place to be. Start at Tory Folliard (233 N. Milwaukee St.), a gallery that represents Wisconsin-based artists. The Marshall Building (207 E. Buffalo St.) houses galleries on every floor. Don’t miss Portrait Society (Suite 526), which often features outsider artists. MARN is located in a large, airy space (191 N. Broadway) and is home to a gallery, a comfortable cafe and a gift shop that carries one-of-a-kind objects made by local artists.

DO SOME SHOPPING

This area is home to many independent shops and boutiques. Among the highlights is Mod Gen (211 N. Broadway), a great place for gifts, plants, home goods and more. Lela (321 N. Broadway) carries women’s fashion, plus a selection of vintage clothing. For a curated selection of designer clothes, visit The District Row (249 N. Water St.). Pick up a sweatshirt at Unfinished Legacy (201 N. Water St.), a Milwaukee-based streetwear brand. And for rugged-cool menswear, check out Milworks (143 N. Broadway).

Bay View

TRENDY & HIP

South of Downtown, this hopping neighborhood has plenty of personality. Kinnickinnic Avenue (aka KK) serves as its main street, a long stretch full of delicious dining, classic cocktail lounges and quirky shops.

Neighborhood Highlights:

If it’s Saturday morning, head straight for the South Shore Farmers Market (2900 S. Shore Dr.), where you’ll find prepared food in addition to produce. The park is also home to a lively beer garden that opens at 11 a.m. on the weekends and is a great place for lunch and people-watching.

After lunch, spend some time perusing the many vintage stores along KK, including Ormson Supply (2866 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.), Plume (3001) and Goodland Antiques (3391).

Must-Visit

Avalon Atmospheric Theater

This movie theater is a unique gem, with a bar, food service and a ceiling decorated to look like the night sky, with twinkling stars. 2473 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.

COZY & HAPPENING

One of the oldest neighborhoods in Milwaukee, this spot south of Downtown is marked by the local landmark Allen-Bradley Clock Tower looming over streets full of galleries, a host of great restaurants and coffee shops.

Must-Visit

Boswell Book Co. This independent seller has a passionate staff and wide selection. Check out the schedule of live author talks. 2559 N. Downer Ave.

Must-Visit

Zócalo Food Park

Find diverse, delicious local food vendors, a welcoming bar and outdoor dining in the warm months. 636 S. Sixth St.

East Side

The East Side is a nightlife and shopping hub with a diverse mix of students, young professionals and homeowners. Brady Street is known for its bar scene, while Downer Avenue is replete with restaurants and shops.

Bronzeville

VIBRANT GROWING&

This near-north neighborhood is a burgeoning cultural hot spot. You’ll find thriving businesses and destinations including America’s Black Holocaust Museum (401 W. North Ave.), Pepperpot Jamaican Food (2215 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.) and Dead Bird Brewing (1726 Dr. William Finlayson St.).

Riverwest

Bronzeville

Collective

A collection of over 30 small vendors selling crafts, clothes and more. 339 W. North Ave.

QUIRKY DIVERSE&

On Center Street, you’ll find repurposed storefronts serving as galleries, bookstores, studios and more. Check the schedule at the Jazz Gallery Center for the Arts (926 E. Center St.), where there are frequent musical performances as well as gallery shows.

Woodland Pattern

This poet- and artist-run nonprofit book center is also a gallery and performance space, putting on hundreds of literary events throughout the year.

720 E. Locust

STROLL ALONG THE RIVERWALK

Take in the architecture and public art of the Historic Third Ward and Downtown Milwaukee while waving to boaters as you stroll along the RiverWalk. Start at Trestle Park (501 E. Erie St.), then head northwest for 1 mile, where you’ll find the Bronze Fonz.

FUN STUFF FOR KIDS

Discovery World

Lay on a bed of nails, dance with a robot dinosaur, race mini go-karts and stare down piranhas – the exhibits are weird in the best way! 500 N. Harbor Dr.

Betty Brinn Children’s Museum

Build your own toys at the Be a Maker space, or play on the museum’s kid-size railroad. Kids under 4 will love Pocket Park, a mini playground designed just for them. 929 E. Wisconsin Ave.

The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum

Milwaukee is home to the largest collection of bobbleheads anywhere on earth, all on display in this quirky museum. 170 S. First St.

The ultimate sports betting experience has arrived.

The all-new Potawatomi Sportsbook features dozens of self-service kiosks, seating for over 200, a high-class bar, VIP deck, unforgettable food from The Kitchen, a broadcast booth and video wall that’s over 2,000 square feet!

MILWAUKEE SUMMER SAVINGS PASS

Sign up for a FREE Milwaukee Summer Savings Pass and unlock a slew of awesome freebies and discounts offered by more than 50 local businesses, including some of the area’s most popular summertime hot spots. Just flash the pass on your mobile device at a participating partner to sweeten your summer!

Grab your pass today