Milwaukee eats off three currents: German brewing, Wisconsin dairy and the Polish, Italian and Serbian immigrant kitchens that filled the South Side and Bay View. Friday fish fry is the city's social meal, served at supper clubs, parish halls and Lakefront Brewery's hall on Commerce Street with perch, cod or walleye, rye bread, coleslaw and a brandy Old Fashioned on the bar. The butter burger, popularised at Solly's Grille since 1936 and stewarded at Sobelman's, lays a pat of butter on a fresh griddled patty. Frozen custard from Leon's on South 27th Street since 1942 and Kopp's at Brookfield and Glendale is dense from slow churning. Wisconsin Old Fashioneds use brandy not whiskey, muddled with cherries and oranges, and supper clubs from Five O'Clock Steakhouse to Jake's keep the ritual. Usinger's bratwurst from Old World Third Street since 1880 ride hard rolls at Summerfest stalls; cheese curds, kringle from National Bakery and the Wisconsin State Fair cream puff round the city's calendar.

Where to eat in Milwaukee

All 27 restaurants

  1. Sanford

    Order The Surprise menu, a multi-course tasting that changes with the season and the kitchen's mood.

  2. Birch

    Order Whatever the hearth is roasting whole that night, plus a sourdough loaf.

  3. Morel

    Order Whatever pasta the kitchen is rolling that week and the trout if it's running.

  4. Amilinda

    Order The salt-cod bacalhau and whichever Iberian pork cut is on the menu that night.

  5. Buckatabon Tavern and Supper Club

    Order A brandy Old Fashioned at the bar and the Friday perch fry with rye bread.

  6. Three Brothers Bar and Restaurant

    Order The cheese burek, slow-baked in a layered phyllo round, and the roasted lamb when available.

Fine dining

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Food festivals coming up in Milwaukee

All Milwaukee food festivals

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Getting there and around Milwaukee

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Signature dishes in Milwaukee

All 15 dishes
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Where to eat by neighborhood

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Map of Milwaukee

Every restaurant, cafe, market and bar we cover in Milwaukee, pinned. Click a pin for the page.

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When to come hungry in Milwaukee

Peak food season
June to September for Summerfest, German Fest, Polish Fest, Festa Italiana and Wisconsin State Fair cream puffs. Cherry harvest from Door County in early July, sweet corn late July, apples September. Paczki Day on Fat Tuesday February or March. Lakefront fish fry runs every Friday year-round; supper clubs peak fall and winter.
Local dining hours
Lunch 11:30-14:00. Dinner 17:00-21:30, last seating often 21:00. Supper clubs run 17:00-22:00; Friday fish fry starts at 16:30. Walker's Point and the East Side push kitchens to 23:00 weekends. Sunday brunch peaks 09:00-14:00 across the East Side, Bay View and Wauwatosa.
Tipping
Tip 18 to 22 percent on the pre-tax total at sit-down restaurants. Counters and bars get $1 to $2 per drink or 18 to 20 percent. Tasting menus at Sanford and EsterEv may include service; check the bill before adding more. Supper club bars run cash-friendly with light tips on the brandy pour.

Milwaukee food, FAQ

What food is Milwaukee known for?

Milwaukee's signature dishes include Wisconsin Friday fish fry, Butter burger, Wisconsin cheese curds, Wisconsin frozen custard, Wisconsin Old Fashioned. See our signature dishes chapter for where to eat each.

What are the best food neighborhoods in Milwaukee?

TableJourney editors map Milwaukee by district. Downtown, Third Ward, Walker's Point, East Side are among the strongest for food, each with its own guide.

Where should I eat fine dining in Milwaukee?

Editor picks in Milwaukee include Sanford, EsterEv, Mr. B's, A Bartolotta Steakhouse, plus the full fine dining chapter on TableJourney.

Are there food tours in Milwaukee?

TableJourney covers 6 editor-picked food tours in Milwaukee, with what each shows you and how much to budget.

Does Milwaukee have good vegetarian or vegan food?

TableJourney's Milwaukee dietary chapter covers vegan, vegetarian, gluten_free, halal, kosher venues, each editor-picked with what to order and how to ask.