The Top Restaurants In Milwaukee

From its infamous Bloody Mary burgers to dining in the only Harley Davidson Museum in the world, Milwaukee has a thriving dining scene which combines high quality food with surprising decors and settings. These ten restaurants reflect Milwaukee’s heritage and represent some of the best food options on offer in this friendly, laid-back city.
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Sanford Restaurant

A well-respected restaurant in the heart of Milwaukee, Sanford has been guaranteeing its guests luxurious dining experiences since 1989. The founder himself, Sandy D’Amato, has even cooked for Julia Child and the Dalai Lama. The menu veers towards ‘modern ethnic’; offering dishes that fuse and play with diverse cooking traditions. The unique four-course and seven-course menus take the guest on a journey around the world, although all ingredients are selected from local and artisan sources. An upscale restaurant with a homey, impeccable ambiance and service, Sanford usually gets very busy at weekends.

Braise

It is safe to say that David Swanson, the owner of Braise, revolutionized the conventional ‘eat fresh’ idea. His ultimate goal is to ‘reconnect people with food’ by creating an authentic farm-to-table dining experience that very quickly earned local and regional acclaim. Established in 2011, Braise is an exclusive, environmentally minded restaurant and allows its guest to sample sophisticated, healthy dishes at affordable prices. The menu, with its daily variations, offers tangible proof of the restaurant’s philosophy: creative and fun, with a selection of bites, and small and large plates on offer.

Odd Duck

Odd Duck is an original tapas bar and restaurant, and the queen of small plate cuisine in Milwaukee’s Bay View area. The French, Asian and Mediterranean-inspired menu is seasonal, which means that it often changes; yet, some dishes have earned a permanent status, including the simple home-made pickles or cured ham plates. The drinks menu is similarly eclectic and wallet-friendly, listing over 30 types of beers, a solid selection of wines and house cocktails. With an urban-rustic interior, Odd Duck is a trendy spot for Milwaukee’s hip crowd.

Sobelmans Pub and Grill

The picture of Sobelmans’ Bloody Masterpiece (described as a ‘Fully-Loaded, Cheeseburger-Bloody Mary’) traveled around the world and was featured on such websites as the Huffington Post, instantly making Sobelmans one of the most famous dining establishments in the city. The restaurant is one of the city’s favorite burger joints, voted Milwaukee’s Best Burgers & Bloodies on several occasions. Portions are generous, as are the options: appetizers, sandwiches and the famed burgers count among the most popular choices, with the preferred pick being the mysterious Bomb. The venue’s laid-back charm makes it a great spot for casual, no-frills dining.

Harbor House

Part of the renowned Bartolotta restaurants, Harbor House was recognized as Milwaukee’s ‘best view’ and seafood restaurant on numerous occasions. With stunning views of Lake Michigan and the city, Harbor House is understandably one of their most popular ventures. Set in a New England-style interior with attentive service and reasonable prices, the menu showcases excellent fish and seafood dishes, but the steaks are not to be missed either. A charming venue, Harbor House is best visited after a stroll around the nearby Milwaukee Art Museum.

Emperor of China

Sliced Peking Duck served with fresh cucumber, green onions, cilantro and roasted wheaten chinese pancakes with Hoysin sauce

The Emperor of China is Milwaukee’s place-to-be for Chinese cuisine. The menu boats a remarkable assortment of dishes ranging from typical duck, chicken, beef, pork and seafood options to veggie and rice dishes with diverse provenance. Both the menu and the interior retain close links to Chinese culture; The Emperor of China is, moreover, a family-run business which has been in operation since 1986 and is located on Milwaukee’s well-known Brady Street, lined with premium shops, cafes and restaurants.

Motor Restaurant

Motor Restaurant is located in the world’s only Harley Davidson Museum. With 450 motorcycles on display, Motor specializes in solid, all-American classics, such as ribs and burgers – the Stuffed Motor Burger is a must try – in addition to great beers from the local Lakefront Brewery. Changing its specials on a monthly basis, the restaurant overlooks the Milwaukee riverfront and reflects the values and legendary style of the Harley Davidson estate.

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Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

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