UW Milwaukee, Brady Street and Prospect Avenue. Colectivo Prospect, Beans and Barley, Wolski's Tavern since 1908 and Hi Hat Lounge.
Top-rated food tour in Milwaukee
Milwaukee Food Tour with 5 Local Favorites Tastings & Secret Dish
Order The Surprise menu, a multi-course tasting that changes with the season and the kitchen's mood.
Sanford on North Jackson Street has anchored Milwaukee fine dining since 1989, with a tasting menu chef Justin Aprahamian has run since 2012.
Order Whatever the hearth is roasting whole that night, plus a sourdough loaf.
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.
Order A brandy Old Fashioned at the bar and the Friday perch fry with rye bread.
Buckatabon on North Farwell Avenue is a Lowlands Group Wisconsin supper club, serving Old Fashioneds, fish fry and broasted chicken in a Northwoods room.
Order Tonkotsu ramen with extra chashu and the spicy tuna roll.
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.
Order A bowl of beef pho with extra brisket and a banh xeo to share.
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.
Order Meatloaf with mashed potatoes and the vegan mac and cheese for the table.
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.
Order Veggie burrito with brown rice and the daily black-bean soup.
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.
Order Frida tacos al pastor and Heaven's Table brisket sandwich.
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.