Working-class quirky neighborhood north of downtown along the Milwaukee River. Riverwest Co-op, Cafe Corazon, Foundation Tiki Bar, Riverwest Filling Station and Beerline Cafe.
Centro Cafe on East Center Street in Riverwest is a small Italian room run by Peter Sandroni since 2009, with hand-rolled pastas at neighborhood prices.
Signature: Pasta Bolognese, Eggplant parmesan
Order: Pasta Bolognese with hand-rolled tagliatelle and a side of eggplant parm.
Tip: Cash only at the original; Centro Cafe in Bay View takes cards. Walk-in policy at both.
Lakefront Brewery on North Commerce Street, Russ Klisch's 1987 brewery, runs the city's defining Friday fish fry with a polka band and free brewery tours.
Signature: Friday fish fry, Cheese curds
Order: All-you-can-eat perch fish fry with the polka band on Friday night.
Tip: Friday fry fills by 17:30; reservations recommended on the brewery site for groups of 6 or more.