UW Milwaukee, Brady Street and Prospect Avenue. Colectivo Prospect, Beans and Barley, Wolski's Tavern since 1908 and Hi Hat Lounge.
Sanford on North Jackson Street has anchored Milwaukee fine dining since 1989, with a tasting menu chef Justin Aprahamian has run since 2012.
Signature: Surprise tasting menu, Tuna Fauxnaise
Order: The Surprise menu, a multi-course tasting that changes with the season and the kitchen's mood.
Tip: Reservations open four weeks out and the dining room is small; book before the JBA semifinalist announcements each spring.
Birch on East Pleasant Street on the Lower East Side cooks New American plates from a wood-fired hearth, with Wisconsin produce and Lake Michigan fish leading the seasonal menu now.
Signature: Wood-fired hearth dishes, Whole roasted fish
Order: Whatever the hearth is roasting whole that night, plus a sourdough loaf.
Tip: Sunday Birch Roast is a single-set family-style menu; book on Resy two weeks ahead.
Buckatabon on North Farwell Avenue is a Lowlands Group Wisconsin supper club, serving Old Fashioneds, fish fry and broasted chicken in a Northwoods room.
Signature: Brandy Old Fashioned, Friday fish fry
Order: A brandy Old Fashioned at the bar and the Friday perch fry with rye bread.
Tip: Friday and Saturday book on Resy a week out; weekday dinners take walk-ins easily.
Kawa on North Farwell Avenue on the East Side serves tonkotsu and miso ramen alongside a sushi counter; UW Milwaukee students fill the room weeknights.
Signature: Tonkotsu ramen, Spicy tuna
Order: Tonkotsu ramen with extra chashu and the spicy tuna roll.
Tip: Walk-in only; arrive before 18:30 weekends or expect a 45-minute wait.
Hue on South Kinnickinnic Avenue in Bay View runs a Vietnamese menu of pho, banh xeo and bun cha for two decades, the Bui family's first Milwaukee opening.
Signature: Pho, Banh xeo
Order: A bowl of beef pho with extra brisket and a banh xeo to share.
Tip: Cash and card both; weekday lunch is the best window before students arrive.
Comet Cafe on North Farwell Avenue runs a 24-hour-style diner with meatloaf, vegan mac and cheese and a long beer list for UW Milwaukee weekend nights here.
Signature: Meatloaf, Vegan mac and cheese
Order: Meatloaf with mashed potatoes and the vegan mac and cheese for the table.
Tip: Kitchen runs late on weekends; the bar takes pre-show walk-ins from the Pabst Theater.
Beans and Barley on East North Avenue is a grocery, deli and all-day cafe with a long vegetarian menu of burritos, stir-fries and grain bowls since 1973 here.
Signature: Burritos, Vegan stir-fry
Order: Veggie burrito with brown rice and the daily black-bean soup.
Tip: The deli counter does excellent take-out sandwiches; grocery is open later than the kitchen.
Crossroads Collective food hall on North Farwell Avenue runs eight vendors including Frida Mexican, Heaven's Table BBQ and a craft cocktail bar in East Side.
Signature: Frida Mexican, Heaven's Table BBQ
Order: Frida tacos al pastor and Heaven's Table brisket sandwich.
Tip: Walk-in food hall with order-at-counter; lots of seating in winter, patio in summer.