The Milwaukee River spine. Mader's German restaurant on Old World Third Street since 1902, Mr B's Bartolotta steakhouse, Carson's Prime Steaks and the Old Fashioned bars off Wisconsin Avenue.
Top-rated food tour in Milwaukee
Milwaukee Food Tour with 5 Local Favorites Tastings & Secret Dish
Order The salt-cod bacalhau and whichever Iberian pork cut is on the menu that night.
Amilinda on East Wisconsin Avenue, Gregory Leon's Spanish-Portuguese room, serves bacalhau, Iberian pork and tapas downtown since 2015 in a small storefront.
Order The sauerbraten with potato dumpling and the schnitzel a la Holstein.
Mader's on Old World Third Street has served German food in Milwaukee since 1902, with sauerbraten, schnitzel and a Knight's Bar of beer steins on the wall.
Order Dry-aged ribeye for two and creamed spinach; a brandy Old Fashioned at the bar before sitting down to dinner.
Carnevor on North Milwaukee Street is a modern downtown steakhouse serving dry-aged Allen Brothers cuts and Japanese Wagyu, with a cocktail bar at the front.
Order Bone-in ribeye and the relish tray; a brandy Old Fashioned at the bar first.
Five O'Clock Steakhouse on West State Street has been a Wisconsin supper club since 1948, with bone-in steaks broiled at 1700 degrees and a relish tray.
Order Charcoal-grilled whole fish for two and the wood-fired focaccia to start.
Lupi and Iris on North Van Buren Street is Adam Siegel's Mediterranean room with views of the lakefront, wood-fired pizzas and Provencal seafood plates.
Order Lake perch fry on Friday and the cedar-plank salmon with lemon-butter.
River Lane Inn on West River Lane in Brown Deer is a North Shore seafood room with Lake Michigan perch and cedar-plank salmon, running since 1981 here.
Order Birria tacos with consomme on the side and a small esquite to share.
Kompali on East Wisconsin Avenue downtown serves a Mexico City taqueria menu of birria, al pastor and esquites alongside mezcal cocktails since 2022.
Order Steak frites with bordelaise and a glass from the bottle shop, opened in the room.
Story Hill BKC on West Bluemound Road runs a bottle shop and wine bar with small plates near American Family Field, with steak frites on the menu.
Order Mac and cheese slice and a steak and fries slice; both go great at 01:00.
Ian's Pizza on Juneau Avenue downtown serves the city's late-night slices with mac and cheese, steak and fries and a rotating roster of weird toppings.
Order Three-way with mild meat, beans, onions, cheese and a side of crackers.
Real Chili on East Wells Street has served Milwaukee three-way chili since 1931, with beans and onions over spaghetti, cinnamon-spiced meat sauce and cheese.
Order Giant Bavarian pretzel with beer cheese and a one-liter stein of Hofbrau Original.
Old German Beer Hall on Old World Third Street downtown is a Hofbrau-style bier hall with one-liter steins, giant pretzels, bratwurst and Bavarian schnitzel.
Order The Barrie Burger with cheese curds and a basket of fries.
AJ Bombers on North Water Street downtown is Joe Sorge's burger bar with airplane-themed peanut delivery, the Barrie Burger and a deep beer list since 2009.
Order Reuben sandwich with corned beef and Swiss and a pint of Guinness.
Swingin' Door Exchange on East Michigan Street downtown is an Irish pub in the 1873 Mackie Building with reubens, shepherd's pie and cocktails since 1985.
Order Full slab of baby-back ribs with garbage salad and a Carson's potato.
Carson's on West Juneau Avenue downtown near Fiserv Forum serves baby-back ribs in barbecue sauce with garbage salad and the Carson's potato since 1977.
Order Fried Wisconsin cheese curds with house buttermilk ranch and the Kil@Wat burger.
Kil@Wat inside the Saint Kate Arts Hotel on East Kilbourn Avenue runs an all-day American gastropub menu with Wisconsin cheese curds, burgers and craft.
Order House lasagne with bechamel and a wood-fired Margherita to share.
Louise's on North Jefferson Street downtown is a casual Italian room with wood-fired pizzas, hand-rolled pastas and Italian wines near the Pabst Theater.