52 restaurants for your bucket list in 2020

There’s nothing like housemade pasta, and Chef Adam Pawlak and his team execute theirs well, tossing out a variety of shapes from simple pappardelle to shells and handmade ravioli. There’s consistency in favorites like campanelle with pesto, as well as the fantastic, fresh-tasting burrata caprese salad (which makes a meal in and of itself). Even the simplest dishes, like angel hair pasta with tomato, parsley, garlic butter and parmesan are a treat.

Recommended: Campanelle with pesto; bucatini; burrata salad; specials [More dishes to try]

Egg & Flour

This ultra fun 1980s themed snack bar which serves up a scrumptious menu of elevated (and sometimes shareable) bites moved into its bigger, bolder new digs earlier this year; unfortunately, COVID-19 has prevented all of us from enjoying them to their fullest extent. But, as the Snack Boys web site says: "Apocalypse can't kill your vibe." You can still bring a piece of awesome home with you via carry-out or delivery.

Recommended: Roasted cauliflower, Thursday night pizza; the rare (but delicious) dilly wings; pho
[More dishes to try]

Snack Boys

From wild game to inventive vegetable dishes and gluten-free options; you’ll find it all at Lazy Susan, a casual Bay View spot with a homey, eclectic feel. Menus during COVID-19 change weekly. But watch for items like Korean fried chicken featuring crisp, gluten-free breaded juicy chicken served up with delicious sides like spam mac and cheese and housemade kimchi. Sign up for their newsletter for updates and weekly offerings.

Recommended: Watch for the "dinner for two" offerings; they make a great date night for just $50 [More dishes to try]

Lazy Susan

There’s little more delightful than a trip Damascus Gate, where Syrian fare is both showcased and celebrated. There’s vibrant, lemony hummus and hand-rolled stuffed grape leaves with tangy pomegranate molasses. And don’t miss the fatayer (handmade pies); the spinach is deliciously nuanced and the cheese pies are both tasty and beautiful, flecked with black sesame seeds. Foods are also presented as both individual dishes and platters, allowing you to sample your way through numerous dishes in a single trip. [Read the compelling story of Damascus Gate].

Recommended: Fatayer; kefta; grape leaves; specials [More dishes to try]

Damascus Gate

Korean fare is a rarity in Milwaukee, but you can find beautiful, well executed modern Korean fare in a comfortable environment at Char’d, which offers a compelling menu of shareable tapas and flavorful entrees. A visit on any night is certain to introduce you to something new.

Recommended: Korean chicken wings, beef galbi; yukgae jang

Char'd

Although new to the scene, Ca’Lucchenzo is a restaurant which has demonstrated a commitment to both attentive service and a menu that pays homage to the regional dishes of Italy with dishes including antipasti, housemade pastas and seasonally appropriate entrees. If there’s Sardinian gnocchi on the menu, be sure to order it; an early iteration of the unique pasta was served with lamb ragu, bitter greens, anchovy breadcrumbs and pecorino. And it was fantastic. Reservations required for dine-in.

Recommended: Braised veal & pork meatball with tomato sugo; fonduta arancino; pasta [More dishes to try]

Ca'Lucchenzo

Inventive globally inspired shared plates are the hallmark at this classic Milwaukee restaurant where the menu showcases dishes from Italy and Mexico to Indonesia and Peru. It’s the perfect place to visit with a group of friends who love to try a variety of items. Be sure to order at least one dish that falls outside your comfort zone. And if osso bucco is on the menu, be sure to order it; it’s excellent.

Recommended: Goat cheese curds; Columbian empanadas; seasonal risotto [More dishes to try]

La Merenda

Who doesn't love a good tasting menu with beautifully prepared, imaginative fare? That's exactly what you'll get when you dine at EsterEv, the tiny little restaurant-within-a-restaurant at DanDan where Chefs Daniel Jacobs and Dan Van Rite pull out the stops with creative fine dining dishes. Despite the caliber of the dishes served, the beauty of Ester Ev is that it remains a comfortable spot with little to no pretense. It’s something reflected in not only the atmosphere and mood, but also the pricing. A meal at EsterEv feels grand, but it's also one of the best finer dining deals in the city at less than $100 per person. 

Recommended: Be sure to order the optional beverage pairings. 

EsterEv

The draw of this Walker’s Point spot has always been about its cozy welcoming vibe as much as the food it offers. But, even during COVID-19, as they've reduced their hours to weekend brunch only, you'll find curbside comfort in their well executed dishes.

Recommended: The Hot Mess; be sure to order a mimosa (or a kit for carry-out) [More dishes to try]

The National Cafe

Looking for a pizza spot that does things a bit differently? That’s Wy’East where you’ll find pies made with a chewy slow-fermented crust and just enough liberally doppled charring. The toppings are of great quality, with flavor combinations that show a true attention to detail. When you order carrry-out, ask them not to pre-cut the pizza (cutting it yourself ensures a warmer pie with a better crust).

Recommended: The Hot Marmot, seasonal specials [More dishes to try]

Wy'East Pizza

Vegan or not, it’s worth your while to spend some time with the menu at Strange Town where an eclectic collection of vinyl sets the stage for an evening of nibbling. Offerings change frequently, but you can count on seasonal, fresh takes on globally inspired fare, plus a great list of natural wines and low ABV cocktails.

Recommended: Hummus with roasted mushrooms and house pickles; sea vegetable salad [More dishes to try]

Strange Town

Long known for having one of the best lake views in the city, Harbor House is also a beautiful spot to enjoy a bit of pampering. If you love seafood, you'll enjoy their menu of fresh, well sourced offerings including staples like salmon, scallops and lobster tails. Reservations required for both patio and dine-in service.

Recommended: Oysters, lobster roll, Neptune's skate wing [More dishes to try]

Harbor House

You’ll find classic wood-smoked meats (brisket, pork shoulder, hot links and more) and southern inspired sides at this quaint spot on Milwaukee’s near South Side. Trying it out for the first time? Share a platter of three meats and three sides with a friend for just $34. 

Recommended: Milwaukee rib, hickory butter shrimp (when available) [More dishes to try]

Iron Grate BBQ Co.

Head to this newer spot in Germantown and you'll be greeted by creative, yet casual dishes that combine an eye for flavor with a commitment to local and seasonal. Precinct’s menu includes fun, accessible favorites like burgers, housemade pizzas and flatbreads with a rotating cast of shareable plates, salads and entrees. [Read more].

Recommended: The Drive By Burger; bison carpaccio; fish and chips [More dishes to try]

Prec1nct Tap + Table

Take the short drive to Thiensville and you’ll be rewarded with a fragrant meal featuring the varied flavors of Nepal, a country with a rich culinary history not explored by many local venues. If you’re a first-timer, it’s worthwhile to try the Nepali thali, a flavorful tour of numerous Nepalese dishes. [Read more].

Recommended: The (nontraditional) Friday night fish fry; bandel roganjosh; shan noodles

the cheel

This tiny (tiny!) spot on the West Side is serving up some exceptional food that maintains a solid nod to tradition, but presents itself in a beautiful way. From fragrant housemade mole and ultra fresh guacamole to comforting burritos and well executed tacos, the food is consistently fresh and well presented and delivered with top notch service.

Recommended: Azteca guacamole; chicken enmolades; camarones a la diabla [More dishes to try]

Tavo's Signature Cuisine

Venture to Kin in the Wauwatosa Village and you’ll be greeted with a menu filled with excellent Thai staples like drunken noodles and panang curry. But it gets even more fun when you dig a bit deeper, trying dishes like khaosoy, a curry from Northern Thailand that’s pretty difficult (if not impossible) to find elsewhere in the city. And you can’t go wrong with their fresh, beautifully presented sushi.

Recommended: Khaosoy, crab fried rice; sushi [More dishes to try]

Kin by Rice N Roll

It’s been over a decade since the Buckley family established their restaurant on MIlwaukee’s lower East Side; but you’d barely know it thanks to a menu that’s kept up with the times in terms of both a great cocktail program and food menu doppled with both solid American classics and globally inspired dishes. On top of it all, the newly expanded restaurant is beautiful.

Recommended: Truffle fried artichokes; nightly specials [More dishes to try]

Buckley's

If you haven’t found reason to visit Saint Kate, Milwaukee’s first Arts Hotel, allow the draw of delicious pizza to inspire a trip. Proof pizzas are made with a nod to the Neapolitan style featuring a soft chewy crust with a crisp exterior and a crust dappled with char. The toppings are fresh and the pies affordable. Be sure to order your pie unsliced if you opt for carry-out.

Recommended: Wisconsin burrata with tomato jam and Tuscan bread; the Genoa pizza [More dishes to try]

Proof Pizza

Uncle Wolfie’s Breakfast Tavern is a can’t miss spot for both breakfast and lunch. Guests will find a mix of dishes that strike both familiar and creative notes, including creative omelettes, Benedicts and a host of tasty salads and sandwiches. Uncle Wolfie's is also offering temporary carry-out dinner service Thursday through Saturday.

Recommended: The BELTCH; Hamburger with cheese [More dishes to try]

Uncle Wolfie's Breakfast Tavern

If you love the comfortable vibe of a classic Wisconsin supper club, you might just find your happy place at Bass Bay Brewhouse, a casual spot that comes complete with a picturesque lakeside view. It’s a great spot for brunch or dinner, particularly in the summer months when you can take a seat on the covered porch-like patio. Their fish fry is also exceptional, but get there early or expect a wait.

Recommended: Burgers; prime rib; fried chicken [More dishes to try]

Bass Bay Brewhouse

There’s no shortage of pizza on the Milwaukee scene. So why make a trek to San Giorgio? It’s simple: you’ll find well executed authentic Neapolitan style pies, antipasti and even spit-roasted Italian style chicken, if you’re so inclined. San Giorgio also claims the honor of being the singular Vera Pizza Napoletana certified pizza restaurant in Milwaukee. That means every bite of that chewy, wood-fired oven blasted crust is derived from a long tradition of Italian expertise.

Recommended: The flawlessly simple margherita or the rich quattro formaggio featuring smoked provola, fresh fior di latte mozzarella, fontina, gorgonzola, fresh garlic and extra virgin olive oil [More dishes to try]

San Giorgio Pizzeria Napoletana

From delicious specials like tender grilled octopus to menu standards like Peruvian anticuchos and lomo saltado, there's always something new to enjoy at C-Viche, a restaurant that aspires to showcase the wonders of Ibero-American fare.

Recommended: Ceviche; inventive tacos, lomo saltado, a pisco sour from the bar [More dishes to try]

C-Viche

If you love seafood, Third Coast Provisions delivers some of the city's best in an environment that's as beautiful as the food. One could make a meal of raw oysters or crudo, including tuna with chiles, avocado and coconut or perfectly sweet halibut with refreshing lemon, dill and creme fraiche. You'll also find well-executed seasonal presentations of fish including salmon, halibut and walleye as well as dishes like the prerequisite surf 'n turf featuring filet mignon and your choice of crab oscar, shrimp, scallops or lobster.

Recommended: Blue ribbon corn bread; crudo; lobster potholes; seasonal fish dishes [More dishes to try]

Third Coast Provisions

You don’t have to be vegan to enjoy dishes at Celesta, which caters to humanity’s innate desire to consume beautiful, comforting fare. On the ever-changing menu you’ll find vegan standards like macaroni & cheese as well as globally influenced plates, fried seitan and ramen.

Recommended: Macaroni & cheese; lasagna; housemade soups; daily specials [More dishes to try]

Celesta

Both Southern and soul food are filled with heart. And you'll find fewer restaurants with a bigger heart than The Tandem, a venue that has proven its commitment to community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The restaurant is currently CLOSED for dining. However, they're busy helping others. Early on in the pandemic, they served up free community meals; currently they are hosting a one-on-one after school tutoring program, complete with meals for students.

Recommended: Consider taking the money you would ordinarily spend on a night out at a restaurrant and donating it to support their work. [Click here to donate directly]

The Tandem

Want choices? You’ve got them, plus a liberal dose of community, at Zócalo Food Park. Relax with a drink from the tavern while enjoying dishes (from tacos and burgers to bagels, sushi and ice cream) from the food park’s collection of food trucks. It’s a casual dining experience unlike any other in the city.

Recommended: Burger from Foxfire, vegetarian tacos from Mazorca, Ruby's rosemary sea salt bagels [More dishes to try]

Zócalo Food Park

An evolution of Crazy Water, La Dama Mexican Kitchen showcases an ever-changing menu of beautifully presented regional Mexican cuisine that showcases the talents of longtime Chef Emanuel Corona. [Read more]. Reservations recommended for dine-in. Carry-out also available.

Recommended: Mole, salmon encrustado [More dishes to try]

La Dama

As West Side restaurants go, Story Hill remains among the best. Its Midwestern fare -- smattered with jolts of inspiration, both domestic and global -- is accessible without inciting boredom. Don't neglect their can't-miss weekend brunch. Reservations are strongly recommended.

Recommended: Chicken meatball; Story Hill steak; brunch specials [More dishes to try]

Story Hill BKC

There are few spots more qualified to give you a taste of Old World Europe, more specifically Serbia, than Three Brothers. And a trip to dine there is both a cultural pursuit and a pleasure. Delve into classic Serbian dishes like flakey delicious burek (allow about an hour for preparation); goulash served with traditional Serbian dumplings; cevapcici (sausages); or roasted lamb. Save room for a house-made dessert. 

Recommended: Burek; sarma; musaka; suckling pig [More dishes to try]

Three Brothers

The Original is as comfortable as a neighborhood spot should be with approachable fare that goes the extra mile. Dishes seamlessly blend Midwestern sensibilities with distinctly Southern flair resulting in dishes like po'boys, fried chicken and more. The warm hospitable atmosphere is reason enough to go back again and again. 

Recommended: Seasonal pork chop; craft cocktails [More dishes to try]

The Original

Somali fare is comforting by nature, but at this humble little fast casual spot you’ll find it in spades. Among the remarkably affordable options you’ll find nibble-worthy sambusas, pastries filled with well seasoned meats or veggies, and platters of lightly seasoned tender goat cooked with onions, raisins and potato and served over basmati rice that’s heady with the aroma of spices … cinnamon, cumin, coriander and cardamom. Be sure to make liberal use of the bright, green chili-heavy basbaas cagaar, a sauce that I swear tastes good on just about anything.

Recommended: lamb platter with rice, hummus  [More dishes to try]

Blue Star Cafe

Beautiful, well-prepared sushi (including creatively executed maki) and ultra-consistent bowls of comforting ramen are both good bets at Kawa. Don’t be alarmed if they’re out of a dish when you visit; their kitchen orders prudently to ensure that items are as fresh as possible.

Recommended: If you like your ramen spicy, try the Hellfire Ramen kit. [More dishes to try]

Kawa Ramen & Sushi

Milwaukee’s BBQ game has gotten stronger over the past few years. Among the newest spots to tackle the art of smoked meats is Heaven’s Table, a catering business turned brick and mortar thanks to the Crossroads Collective food hall. Meats are hickory smoked and served up sans sauce with sides including fried corn, macaroni and cheese and some of the best cornbread I’ve had in the North.

Recommended: Cheddar jalapeno cornbread, brisket, Texas cut beef ribs (when available) [More dishes to try]

Heaven's Table BBQ

In an age where new and shiny is king, there are still standards that deserve attention. Among them is Sanford, a staple fine dining spot that (quite literally) helped to put Milwaukee on the national dining map with its menu of globally inspired New American fare. In an age when tasting menus have fallen to the wayside and safe curbside takeout is king, Sanford is still setting itself apart with an ever-changing menu of well-executed, yet notably more casual, take-out with friendly curbside service to match. If you've never tried Sanford before, it's a great time to make an introduction, while also ensuring that this iconic restaurant carries on for another 30 years.

Recommended: Be sure to order a recommended wine or cellared beer pairing to make your meal at home truly special.  [More dishes to try]

Sanford

If you’d like to taste great Chinese fare -- particularly dishes that hail from the Szechuan region -- look no further than Sze Chuan, a West Allis gem serving up an overwhelmingly large menu including cold dishes, noodles, Chinese staples and a selection of dry and stone pot dishes. 

Recommended: Szechuan pork dumplings; mustard greens with tofu skin; grilled curry lamb  [More dishes to try]

Sze Chuan

If comforting shareable dishes -- like fried chicken, risotto and pork belly -- sound good, that’s what you’ll find on the menu at Tofte’s Table. From the beautifully shabby chic interior to the well-executed dishes and welcoming staff, this restaurant makes it well worth the trip to Waukesha. Reservations are required.

Recommended: Grilled octopus; shortribs [More dishes to try]

Tofte's Table

Taqwa's Restaurant is a newcomer to the South Side, but it's well worth your time to check out. Gloss over the menu and you’ll find familiar dishes like hummus, baba ghannouj, falafel and kabobs. But you’ll also find less common offerings, including traditional breakfast items, manakish, fatayer and delicious housemade desserts. [Read more]

Recommended: Taboun bread, manakish, fatayer [More dishes to try]

Taqwa's Bakery & Restaurant

Among a surge of Lao restaurants to debut during the COVID-19 pandemic, Thum offers a distinctive menu of boldly flavored, can't-miss dishes from papaya salad and laab to seasonal curry and Lao BBQ. [Read more]

Recommended: Egg rolls, papaya salad, Lao grilled beef [More dishes to try]

Thum

Enjoy expertly prepared food in charming, restored historic digs at Brandywine where Chef Andrew Wilson prepares memorable, beautifully plated dishes that change with the seasons. Specials are worth your attention, and the seasonal housemade pasta seldom fails to impress.

Recommended: Housemade pasta, roasted chicken [More dishes to try]

brandywinecedarburg.com

Experience the flavor of hearth-fired cooking in comfortably sleek modern digs at Birch + Butcher. In so many cases, the dishes are deceptively simple. But the care and technical expertise employed to suss extraordinary flavor from local and regional ingredients is what makes eating here a joy. 

Recommended: Bread service (truly); bibb salad, barbequed parsnips; coal-roasted aged ribeye [More dishes to try]

Birch + Butcher

A meal from The Diplomat is always a pleasure. Comfortable enough for a weeknight meal, but entirely worthy of a special occasion, the menu (even via carry-out), features  well executed fare from warming soups to memorable salads, pot pies and more. Don’t miss the Diplomac Burger, which features a housemade sesame bun and all the fixin’s.

Recommended: What sounds good to you is likely to be a win.[More dishes to try]

The Diplomat

Restaurants with a friendly, welcoming vibe tend to make the top of everyone’s list. And such it is with Goodkind where the people are as delightful as the fare. And that comes through even with the restaurant's curbside and window-side pick-up, which is executed with care and tastes as delicious as ever. Watch their social media for special menus!

Recommended: Champagne battered oyster mushrooms; sandwiches, pasta dishes; be sure to order a take-away cocktail. [More dishes to try]

Goodkind

If Spanish and Portuguese-inspired fare sounds delicious, set sails for Amilinda. Their digs are quaint and the menu is small and focused, but dishes rotate often, depending on what's fresh and in season, so your tastebuds won’t tire. At any given moment, you could find empanadas, bacalhau (salt cod), housemade sausages or (if you’re lucky) piri piri chicken, a dish that’s always a solid bet.

Recommended: Seasonal fish dishes; braised meats; piri piri chicken [More dishes to try]

Amilinda

Can one ever tire of Odd Duck? I think not. It’s a delightful spot for food lovers to graze on countless shareable dishes from Korean pancakes and Moroccan kofta to whimsical bites like fried broccoli with "cheese poofs.’ It’s also one of those places where vegetable dishes shine just as brightly as meaty options, so don’t hesitate to order broadly. I’m foregoing recommendations here as the menu is a moving target ; but open-minded diners will find a good many wins here, no matter what they order. 

Recommended: Check out their ever-changing list of scrumptious carry-out options [More dishes to try]

Odd Duck

Why travel 40 minutes for ramen? Why not? When the options are as good as they are at Tochi, you can’t lose. Choose from multiple ramen styles including unctuous traditional tonkotsu, shrimp kimchi shio to solidly creative takes like bacon apple mazeman with goat cheese. You’ll also find udon and rice dishes and playful nibbles like spam buns and brat stickers. And yes, it's as good carried out as it was as dine-in.

Recommended: Tonkotsu; beef mazeman; chicken chorizo udon [More dishes to try]

Tochi

There’s something special about handcrafted noodles and beautifully made dumplings. And you’ll find both at Momo Mee, a newcomer to the rapidly developing Harbor District. Their pan-Asian menu features a smattering of dishes from countries including Korea, India, Japan and China. Amid familiar items like fried rice, steamed buns and ramen, diners will also find more adventurous dishes like Korean Jjampong, Thai gang ped and xiao long bao (soup dumplings).

Recommended: Dan dan noodles; xiao long bao; jjamppong; Japanese garlic eggplant  [More dishes to try]

Momo Mee

Experience a bit of old Milwaukee at Kegel’s Inn, one of the oldest family owned restaurants in town. If you’ve only been to this gem for a Friday night fish fry, it’s time to head back to try something new. If the weather warrants, don't miss the chance to dine in the restaurant's beer garden.

Recommended:  Boneless roast duck, sauerbraten [More dishes to try]

Kegel’s Inn

How Morel manages to fly under the dining radar so adeptly has always been a mystery to me. It’s a place where you’ll find consistently well-executed dishes featuring not only local ingredients, but any number of housemade items from ricotta cheese to pasta, sausage and biscuits. Order with your cravings; I’ve yet to find dishes there that fall very far short of expectation. Reservations required.

Recommended: Lamb (an evolving dish of lamb served three ways); housemade gnudi (when available); save room for dessert. [More dishes to try]

Morel

Bavette is low-key and unassuming, the sort of restaurant which defies expectation at every turn. Take for instance, their seasonal sandwich menu, which might feature a spectacular pork belly bahn mi one day and steak with truffled mushroom duxelle and roasted grapes the next. The same is true for their salads, which are so well constructed they could justifiably suffice as a meal. And the entrees? They’re always changing, and each iteration seems better than the last.  Take advantage of patio dining while you can; or order curbside take home!

Recommended: Charcuterie plates; beef tongue reuben; seasonal dishes [More dishes to try]

Bavette La Boucherie

Hotel Madrid has many faces: from its comfortable, casual bar to its eclectic dining room, complete with an open kitchen. But their well appointed patio has been a particular boon during the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently home to MOVIDA, guests will find a menu of rustic, worldly Spanish fare -- from small shareable plates to full-sized entrees-- a masterfully curated wine list, housemade vermouth and well-made cocktails. Reservations highly recommended. Carry-out also available.

Recommended: Empanadillas; octopus; paella; street noodles; housemade vermouth [More dishes to try]

Movida at Hotel Madrid

Local food takes on a global view at Braise, where cooks get truly creative with seasonal fare, from fresh tomato salads during the summer months to rum glazed parsnips or dirty chai beets in the winter. Meat eaters will find options like housemade merguez sausage, filipino braised pork and the like. Reservations are recommended for dine-in. Carry-out and curbside also available.

Recommended: Seasonal soups; pork buns; meals for two or four [More dishes to try]

Braise