The Top Restaurants In Racine, Wisconsin

Asiana Asian Cuisine Restaurant is the place to go for some of the finest Korean, Indian and Japanese food in Racine, far beyond your basic egg rolls and fried rice. Treat your taste buds to entrées such as the bulgogi, a stir-fry dish made with marinated, sliced beef and vegetables, pan-fried salmon with teriyaki, or, if you’re looking for a gastronomic adventure, the escargot.

With its combination of glamour and down-to-earth, Midwestern affability, The HobNob‘s dining experience is more than equal to one in Milwaukee or Chicago, Illinois, but without the hefty price tag. Find a spot in one of the 1950s supper club’s swanky leather booths to enjoy surf and turf and a cocktail while gazing out the windows; the sweeping view of Lake Michigan is reason enough to pay a visit. Don’t miss the extensive wine list or the playful ice cream drinks in flavors such a Chocolate Grasshopper, Golden Cadillac and Brandy Alexander.

The food of chef Javier Ortega of Javier’s Cuisine is a culinary adventure. Having worked in French, Italian, Asian and Mexican restaurants, the Guanajuanto native is able to skillfully meld the techniques and tastes of each locale’s foods into his own unique genre of cuisine. His repertoire includes creations such as pollo y camarón en chipotle, broiled chicken in a spicy cream sauce topped with shrimp and pico de gallo salsa and baked chicken pasta, made with sautéed chicken, mushrooms and shell pasta topped with creamy tomato sauce and baked with cheese.

With no bright, flashy signs announcing its presence, you’ll have to keep your eyes peeled if you intend to dine at Racine’s best-kept foodie secret, Olde Madrid. The humble and intimate Spanish restaurant’s tapas-style dining is vastly different to any other culinary experience you’ll find in the city. Within the warm, festive interior, you’ll find small plates of beef stew, almond meatballs, roasted chicken and cherries or large portions of paella, saffron rice with meat and/or seafood. Wash down with sangria or your favorite Spanish wine. On Monday nights, you can even partake in a Spanish cooking class with Chef Manny.

Sebastian’s Fine Food & Spirits French and Asian-inspired menu features dishes such as okinamiyaki pancakes, or Japanese-style vegetable cakes with sautéed spinach, red peppers and Sriracha mayonnaise and curry-rubbed duck breast grilled, sliced and served over local greens with an apricot-fig vinaigrette. Don’t miss the highly recommended lemon-panko crusted walleye with basil-infused Basmati rice either. The interior of the restaurant is just as captivating as the menu, evoking the snugness of a cabin with rich, hardwood floors and a roaring fireplace.

Wells Brothers Restaurant’s pizza in Racine is Wisconsin’s answer to Illinois’ deep-dish pies. Founded in 1921 by Italian brothers James and Dominic Wells, the pizzeria has racked up both a dedicated local following and a mass of national awards. Its pie’s paper-thin crust and delicate balance of toppings has earned the restaurant a spot on the ‘Top 10 Best Pizzerias in America’ list among its many accolades.

Step into the intimate Yardarm Bar & Grill, its rustic interior, bedecked with nautical flags and colored glass globes, for traditional European pub fare and some of the area’s best fish fry, from walleye and perch to mahi-mahi and sesame tuna. Other menu options include rack of applewood-smoked baby back pork ribs and garden veggie burger with japaleño mustard. No matter what you decide on, a side of Yardarm’s famous sand-dollar chips is a must. Mark your calendar on Wednesdays and some Saturdays to see local artists perform, since everything pairs well with live music.