Guidebook for Milwaukee
Food Scene
Balzac
1716 N Arlington PlThis is a great place to share plates and in a walk-able area!
Colectivo is a great place if you would like good, independently-owned coffee. This location is right on the lake and is great in summertime (before or after paddleboats or the Art Museum) but there are closer locations on Prospect or Humboldt Ave.
101 locals recommend
Colectivo Coffee Lakefront
1701 N Lincoln Memorial DrColectivo is a great place if you would like good, independently-owned coffee. This location is right on the lake and is great in summertime (before or after paddleboats or the Art Museum) but there are closer locations on Prospect or Humboldt Ave.
Unique and tasty farm-to-table food! Great for brunch of dinner. Their menu changes - so definitely check online before going. This place is walking distance from the house and I highly recommend!
14 locals recommend
Wolf Peach
1818 N Hubbard StUnique and tasty farm-to-table food! Great for brunch of dinner. Their menu changes - so definitely check online before going. This place is walking distance from the house and I highly recommend!
Cozy, dimly lit place that is great for small groups/intimate conversations.
21 locals recommend
Buckley's Restaurant & Bar
801 N Cass StCozy, dimly lit place that is great for small groups/intimate conversations.
This is a great spot for casual dining in the Third Ward, right on the river.
Water Buffalo Restaurant
249 N Water StThis is a great spot for casual dining in the Third Ward, right on the river.
This is definitely on the pricier side, but is great for any occasion that deserves a delicious dining experience.
8 locals recommend
Bacchus - A Bartolotta Restaurant
925 E Wells StThis is definitely on the pricier side, but is great for any occasion that deserves a delicious dining experience.
I love this neighborhood and Bel Air has some great tacos and atmosphere. Tuesday has great specials, but the wait can be lengthy and they don't accept reservations.
66 locals recommend
BelAir Cantina
1935 N Water StI love this neighborhood and Bel Air has some great tacos and atmosphere. Tuesday has great specials, but the wait can be lengthy and they don't accept reservations.
My favorite brunch in Milwaukee! This spot is located in Bay View, so it's the furthest away of my recommendations. But you won't be disappointed by their food or bloody mary's!
54 locals recommend
Centraal Grand Café and Tappery
2306 S Kinnickinnic AveMy favorite brunch in Milwaukee! This spot is located in Bay View, so it's the furthest away of my recommendations. But you won't be disappointed by their food or bloody mary's!
Great Cuban tapas place if you're looking to break out of traditional American food that mostly dominates the area! Note: you order at the bar, so this isn't necessarily the best spot if you're looking for a full-service, sit-down meal.
11 locals recommend
Cubanitas
728 N Milwaukee StGreat Cuban tapas place if you're looking to break out of traditional American food that mostly dominates the area! Note: you order at the bar, so this isn't necessarily the best spot if you're looking for a full-service, sit-down meal.
Great bar, great beer cheese soup, great downtown location!
6 locals recommend
The Rumpus Room - A Bartolotta Gastropub
1030 N Water StGreat bar, great beer cheese soup, great downtown location!
Great indoor market with sundry shops for flowers, desserts, cheese, wine, and full food. In winter, there is also an ice bar!
267 locals recommend
Milwaukee Public Market
Great indoor market with sundry shops for flowers, desserts, cheese, wine, and full food. In winter, there is also an ice bar!
This is a great place to visit in summer. They have a great rooftop patio with excellent views and delicious food! Weather permitting, this is a great spot for a group to spend a good amount of time hanging out, talking, eating and drinking!
50 locals recommend
Café Benelux
346 N BroadwayThis is a great place to visit in summer. They have a great rooftop patio with excellent views and delicious food! Weather permitting, this is a great spot for a group to spend a good amount of time hanging out, talking, eating and drinking!
Sobelman's Chicago
1900 W St Paul AveGo for the burgers and famous bloody mary's!
This spot is an old school super club. Get a true taste of Wisconsin tradition by enjoying the social club routine (start at the bar for a drink, order there, then escorted to your table). To die for steaks!
22 locals recommend
Five O'Clock Steakhouse
2416 W State StThis spot is an old school super club. Get a true taste of Wisconsin tradition by enjoying the social club routine (start at the bar for a drink, order there, then escorted to your table). To die for steaks!
Drinks & Nightlife
This is a good spot on Brady St. for great specialty cocktails and nice bartenders. It's nothing fancy, but it's great for a drink.
Malone's on Brady
1329 E Brady StThis is a good spot on Brady St. for great specialty cocktails and nice bartenders. It's nothing fancy, but it's great for a drink.
This is walking distance from the house. They give really entertaining tours and have great cheese curds! It's a quintessential Milwaukee activity!
224 locals recommend
Lakefront Brewery
1872 N Commerce StThis is walking distance from the house. They give really entertaining tours and have great cheese curds! It's a quintessential Milwaukee activity!
This is a very "Wisconsin" bar that give you two steins for one. They have great brats and bar food. This is a perfect place to stop before a sporting event at the Bradley Center or to do trivia on Thursday nights.
17 locals recommend
Milwaukee Brat House
4022 N Oakland AveThis is a very "Wisconsin" bar that give you two steins for one. They have great brats and bar food. This is a perfect place to stop before a sporting event at the Bradley Center or to do trivia on Thursday nights.
Primarily a futbol bar, Nomad is a good place to catch hard-to-find sports events.
41 locals recommend
Nomad World Pub
1401 E Brady StPrimarily a futbol bar, Nomad is a good place to catch hard-to-find sports events.
This is a dive-bar in Riverwest. If you like rough-around-the-edges, try this spot in a less-gentrified, more diverse neighborhood.
6 locals recommend
High Dive
701 E Center StThis is a dive-bar in Riverwest. If you like rough-around-the-edges, try this spot in a less-gentrified, more diverse neighborhood.
Arts & Culture
Designed by famous architect Santiago Calatrava, Milwaukee has a surprisingly impressive art museum and collection.
398 locals recommend
Milwaukee Art Museum
700 N Art Museum DrDesigned by famous architect Santiago Calatrava, Milwaukee has a surprisingly impressive art museum and collection.
See the history of this American staple/Milwaukee company!
208 locals recommend
Harley-Davidson Museum
400 W Canal StSee the history of this American staple/Milwaukee company!
Essentials
This store is close and has healthy food at decent prices!
40 locals recommend
Fresh Thyme Farmers Market
470 E Pleasant StThis store is close and has healthy food at decent prices!
Metro Market
1123 N Van Buren StEntertainment & Activities
It is so fun to rent a kayak in summer and cruise up the Milwaukee river. This company is super friendly, relaxed, and informal. The process is easy and it's a great way to see the city!
20 locals recommend
Milwaukee Kayak Company
318 S Water StIt is so fun to rent a kayak in summer and cruise up the Milwaukee river. This company is super friendly, relaxed, and informal. The process is easy and it's a great way to see the city!
The Pabst Theater
144 E Wells StLive music! Check their line-up!
The Riverside Theater
116 W Wisconsin AveGreat for concerts and events!
Our version of a beach. You can get cocktails there, play volleyball, and capitalize on the 4 minutes of sun we get every year!
163 locals recommend
Bradford Beach
2400 N Lincoln Memorial DrOur version of a beach. You can get cocktails there, play volleyball, and capitalize on the 4 minutes of sun we get every year!