Belgian$$bay-view
Cafe Centraal on South Kinnickinnic Avenue in Bay View is the Lowlands Group Belgian cafe with mussels and frites, croque monsieur and a deep Trappist list.
Signature: Mussels and frites, Croque monsieur
Order: Moules-frites with white wine broth and a pour of Westvleteren if it's on the list.
Tip: Sister Hollander rooms run the same menu; this is the original Lowlands location.
New American$$bay-view
Blue Jacket on East National Avenue in Walker's Point is a nautical-themed gastropub with a strong burger, Friday fish fry and a long cocktail program here.
Signature: Burger, Fish fry
Order: The Blue Jacket burger with smoked cheddar and a Friday cod fish fry.
Tip: Patio fills in summer; book on Resy for weekend evenings.
American BBQ$$third-ward
Smoke Shack on North Milwaukee Street in the Third Ward serves Memphis-Texas barbecue with smoked brisket, pulled pork and house-made sauces in a warehouse.
Signature: Brisket, Pulled pork
Order: Brisket plate with collard greens and mac and cheese.
Tip: Walk-in only; brisket sells out by 21:00 on weekends.
Chinese$$$third-ward
DanDan in the Third Ward, by chefs Dan Jacobs and Dan Van Rite, runs modern Chinese-American small plates with dan dan noodles and a long mezcal list.
Signature: Dan dan noodles, Hot pot dumplings
Order: Dan dan noodles with Sichuan peppercorn and pork dumplings.
Tip: Walk-in counter and dining room; reservations on Resy for weekend evenings.
Brunch$$wauwatosa
Blue's Egg on North 76th Street in Wauwatosa is a breakfast room from chef Joe Muench, with stuffed hash browns and lemon ricotta hotcakes drawing big queues.
Signature: Stuffed hash browns, Lemon ricotta hotcakes
Order: Stuffed hash browns with chorizo and a lemon ricotta hotcakes side.
Tip: Walk-in only; arrive before 09:00 weekends or expect a 45-minute wait.
Brunch$$wauwatosa
Miss Molly's Cafe on West Center Street in Wauwatosa runs an all-day American breakfast room with a pastry case, eggs Benedict and a long espresso list daily.
Signature: Pastry of the day, Eggs Benedict
Order: Pastry of the day with an espresso and the classic eggs Benedict.
Tip: Brunch is bottomless mimosa; reservations on OpenTable for parties of four or more.