Guidebook for Milwaukee
Food Scene
Best ramen in the city. There is often a long wait as they do not take reservations.
20 locals recommend
Red Light Ramen
1749 N Farwell AveBest ramen in the city. There is often a long wait as they do not take reservations.
We think it is the second best burger (after Sobelman’s) but many think it’s the best. The cheese curds are definitely the best of the city. Beware of flying peanuts.
21 locals recommend
AJ Bombers
1247 N Water StWe think it is the second best burger (after Sobelman’s) but many think it’s the best. The cheese curds are definitely the best of the city. Beware of flying peanuts.
Buckley's Restaurant & Bar
801 N Cass StBeautiful restaurant with upscale food. Delicious!
Café At The Plaza
1007 N Cass StSolid diner food, we recommend breakfast there.
Best ramen in the city. There is often a long wait as they do not take reservations.
6 locals recommend
Real Chili
419 E Wells StBest ramen in the city. There is often a long wait as they do not take reservations.
Comet Cafe
1947 N Farwell AveWe think it is the best homestyle cooking in the city.
Sobelmans @ Marquette
1601 W Wells StBar that is famous for its hamburgers and giant Bloody Marys.
One of the best small plate restaurants in the city. We think the mac and cheese is outstanding (get it with veggies).
56 locals recommend
Balzac
1716 N Arlington PlOne of the best small plate restaurants in the city. We think the mac and cheese is outstanding (get it with veggies).
Transfer Pizzeria Café
101 W Mitchell StWe think it is the best Pizza in the city.
The first small plate restaurant in the city and arguably still the best.
38 locals recommend
La Merenda
125 East National AvenueThe first small plate restaurant in the city and arguably still the best.
This is an old school Wisconsin supper club. We think it is by far the best steak in the city and the best we have ever had. That said, be careful. While the restaurant is safe, it is off the beaten path and you should not walk around the neighborhood after dark
22 locals recommend
Five O'Clock Steakhouse
2416 W State StThis is an old school Wisconsin supper club. We think it is by far the best steak in the city and the best we have ever had. That said, be careful. While the restaurant is safe, it is off the beaten path and you should not walk around the neighborhood after dark
Thai-namite
932 E Brady StSolid mix of Thai food and sushi.
Mediterranean food and hookah bar. Food is good and the atmosphere is definitely interesting.
47 locals recommend
Casablanca
728 E Brady StMediterranean food and hookah bar. Food is good and the atmosphere is definitely interesting.
Famous for their massive wine list -- and the pizza is really good too.
44 locals recommend
Pizza Man Milwaukee
2060 N Downer AveFamous for their massive wine list -- and the pizza is really good too.
Milwaukee based coffee shop. There are a couple locations close to apartment. We think the one off the lake is the best. The food is better than you would expect for a coffee shop.
101 locals recommend
Colectivo Coffee Lakefront
1701 N Lincoln Memorial DrMilwaukee based coffee shop. There are a couple locations close to apartment. We think the one off the lake is the best. The food is better than you would expect for a coffee shop.
One of Milwaukee’s oldest coffee shops. Their coffee and service is OK but it attracts an interesting mix of people. Open very late.
34 locals recommend
Rochambo Coffee & Tea House
1317 E Brady StOne of Milwaukee’s oldest coffee shops. Their coffee and service is OK but it attracts an interesting mix of people. Open very late.
Pleasant Kafe and Wine Bar
1600 N Jackson StCoffee shop that serves some light food and wine too.
Starbucks
2551 N Downer AveIt is your standard Starbucks.
Shopping
Find any type of food here you would like. Indoor deli type market.
267 locals recommend
Milwaukee Public Market
Find any type of food here you would like. Indoor deli type market.
Drinks & Nightlife
Mi-Key's
Upscale, very busy with professionals Fri/Sat.
Taylor's
795 N Jefferson StJust down the street, great place for Fri/Sat.
The Belmont Tavern
784 N Jefferson StGreat local bar. More of an upscale hangout.
Probably the most popular bar in the city with 20 and 30 year olds.
6 locals recommend
Whiskey Bar Milwaukee
788 N Jackson StProbably the most popular bar in the city with 20 and 30 year olds.
Nomad World Pub
1401 E Brady StGreat local bar. Opens early for soccer games.
Big bar. Packed with a young crowd Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
20 locals recommend
Jack's American Pub
1323 E Brady StBig bar. Packed with a young crowd Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
Leff's Lucky Town
7208 W State StOne of the most popular suburban bars. Busy all day and night.
The Wicked Hop
345 N BroadwayBest Bloody Marys in town.
Started in Shorewood, and now has three locations. All of them are great, and dog friendly.
19 locals recommend
Camp Bar
525 E Menomonee StStarted in Shorewood, and now has three locations. All of them are great, and dog friendly.
Not our personal favorite, but it is a Milwaukee must if you have never done it before. Filled with secret passageways and clues to follow it’s a unique experience. Remember, you must
discover the SECRET password :)
58 locals recommend
SafeHouse
779 N Front StNot our personal favorite, but it is a Milwaukee must if you have never done it before. Filled with secret passageways and clues to follow it’s a unique experience. Remember, you must
discover the SECRET password :)
Definitely the most interesting bar on Brady street. Always full with a mix of people on Fridays and Saturdays. A Milwaukee must!
16 locals recommend
Jo-Cat's Pub
1311 E Brady StDefinitely the most interesting bar on Brady street. Always full with a mix of people on Fridays and Saturdays. A Milwaukee must!
It looks like two bars from the outside and it sort of is but there is only one entrance. Really fun bar, great outside patio in the summer.
33 locals recommend
Hi Hat on Brady
1701 N Arlington PlIt looks like two bars from the outside and it sort of is but there is only one entrance. Really fun bar, great outside patio in the summer.
Turner Hall/Pabst Theatre/The Rave are some examples. Catch a concert or show at one of these theaters. We have a very underrated live show scene in Milwaukee.
66 locals recommend
The Pabst Theater
144 E Wells StTurner Hall/Pabst Theatre/The Rave are some examples. Catch a concert or show at one of these theaters. We have a very underrated live show scene in Milwaukee.
Essentials
Locally-owned traditional Italian specialty grocery store.
58 locals recommend
Glorioso's Italian Market
1011 E Brady StLocally-owned traditional Italian specialty grocery store.
Whole Foods Market
2305 N Prospect AveTypical Whole Foods. Parking is underground.
A mix of Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s. Parking is in front and underground.
40 locals recommend
Fresh Thyme Farmers Market
470 E Pleasant StA mix of Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s. Parking is in front and underground.
A traditional, fairly busy grocery store. Parking in front and underground.
87 locals recommend
Metro Market
1123 N Van Buren StA traditional, fairly busy grocery store. Parking in front and underground.
Arts & Culture
Calatrava design museum. Definitely the artistic highlight of the city.
398 locals recommend
Milwaukee Art Museum
700 N Art Museum DrCalatrava design museum. Definitely the artistic highlight of the city.
If you like Harley’s, motorcycle or industrial design, you will like this museum.
208 locals recommend
Harley-Davidson Museum
400 W Canal StIf you like Harley’s, motorcycle or industrial design, you will like this museum.
Entertainment & Activities
Next door to the Milwaukee Art Museum. Great interactive exhibits for kids.
123 locals recommend
Discovery World
500 N Harbor DrNext door to the Milwaukee Art Museum. Great interactive exhibits for kids.
The first of the new generation of Milwaukee breweries. The tour is very popular, so get a ticket online if you can. Friday night fish fry is always something to see. You will eat family style in a large hall with polka music playing.
224 locals recommend
Lakefront Brewery
1872 N Commerce StThe first of the new generation of Milwaukee breweries. The tour is very popular, so get a ticket online if you can. Friday night fish fry is always something to see. You will eat family style in a large hall with polka music playing.
Sightseeing
Old industrial area that has emerged as the trendiest area in the Milwaukee. Great restaurants, shops and bars. Farmers markets on Saturday mornings outside.
137 locals recommend
Historic Third Ward
Old industrial area that has emerged as the trendiest area in the Milwaukee. Great restaurants, shops and bars. Farmers markets on Saturday mornings outside.