Swingin' Door Exchange is an irish restaurant in Downtown, Milwaukee.
Swingin' Door Exchange on East Michigan Street downtown is an Irish pub in the 1873 Mackie Building with reubens, shepherd's pie and cocktails since 1985.
Signature dishes: Reuben sandwich, Shepherd's pie
Must order: Reuben sandwich with corned beef and Swiss and a pint of Guinness.
Tip: Cash-friendly; downtown lunch line peaks 12:00 to 13:30 weekdays.
Address: 219 E Michigan St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Transfer Pizzeria on West Mitchell Street in Walker's Point runs wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas in a converted transit garage with Italian wines on tap.
Signature: Wood-fired pizza, Calamari
Order: Pizza Bianca with truffle oil and a glass of Chianti.
Tip: Lunch walk-ins easy; weekend dinner books on OpenTable two weeks out.
Cafe Hollander on State Street in Wauwatosa Village is a Lowlands Group Belgian cafe with frites, croque madame and a long Belgian beer list since 2009 open.
Signature: Belgian frites, Croque madame
Order: Croque madame with Belgian frites and Andalouse sauce.
Tip: Brunch is bottomless mimosas on weekends; the patio fills mid-afternoon in warm weather.
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.
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.
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.
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.
