There’s a subtle (but important) difference between “eating” and “dining.” Eating is something you do every day; it can be amazing, but it’s not always an event. Dining is special; it’s part incredible meal and part exceptional experience. There are hundreds of fantastic restaurants in Milwaukee, but some just go above and beyond when it comes to creating a memorable experience that will stick with you long after the happy food coma fades. These unique places to eat in Wisconsin were chosen both for their food (or drinks) and for their fantastic overall dining experience. Here are a handful of iconic Milwaukee restaurants you can’t skip: 

1. SafeHouse
Yelp / SafeHouse
SafeHouse, 779 N Front St, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA
Yelp / SafeHouse
If you're anything like us, you can't help but daydream of being a super suave secret agent after seeing a spy movie. If you want a taste of espionage life without the danger of dodging bullets from double agents, leaping between rooftops to chase down bad guys, and diving out of the way of fiery explosions, SafeHouse is about to become your new favorite spot. You can't help but feel like a badass at this spy-themed restaurant in Milwaukee.

You'll need to give the secret password to get in (no, we're not kidding... but if you don't know it, the doorman will determine if you are friend or foe through a series of hilarious requests) and the entrance is hidden in an unassuming alleyway. We're not going to spoil the fun, but we can tell you that the food is delicious and the snazzy cocktails are definitely worth the adventure! Further details for your secret mission can be decoded on the official website, but you didn't hear it from us. Now please excuse us while we go sneak around the house, humming our own theme song.
2. Mader’s Restaurant / The Knight’s Bar
Yelp / Mader’s
1041 N Old World 3rd St, Milwaukee, WI 53203, USA
Facebook / Mader’s Restaurant
Mader's is a classic Bavarian restaurant in Milwaukee all about traditional Old World comfort food. They've been around since 1902 and make the best handmade pretzels you will ever taste! The restaurant is styled as an authentic German eatery, down to the outfits worn by the servers and staff, but the truly unforgettable part of Mader's is found in The Knight's Bar. You'll be dining in the company of an unbelievable collection of Medieval Art worth more than $4 million! This place is as much of a museum as it is a restaurant and some of their amazing artifacts and suits of armor dating back to the 1200s.
3. Ardent
Yelp / Rick R.
Ardent, 1751 N Farwell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA
Facebook / Ardent
Ardent's contemporary culinary style is equal parts meal and magic! While some restaurants can go a little overboard with cooking chemistry, Ardent hits just the right balance between playing with their food and dishes that are still recognizable as ACTUAL food. The menu at is masterfully designed by Chef Justin Carlisle, who has earned a nod from the James Beard Foundation with the nomination for Best Chef: Midwest. That said, this is an incredibly popular spot that's hard to get into, so you'll need to make a reservation far in advance to experience an amazing meal here. Anyone always on the lookout for the best places to eat in Milwaukee will be unable to forgive themselves for passing on this one.
4. Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge
Yelp / John D.
1579 S 9th St, Milwaukee, WI 53204, USA
Yelp / Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge
This lounge is one of the oldest restaurants in Milwaukee - it's been around since 1938! Bryant's is actually famous for NOT having a menu... instead, they have an incredibly talented team of bartenders who will mix up the perfect drink to fit your mood and preferences!
5. Lakefront Brewery
Yelp / Ryan M.
1872 N Commerce St, Milwaukee, WI 53212, USA
Yelp / Paul J.
It's impossible not to love this awesome local Milwaukee brewery (especially for Friday Fish Fry!) and it's fun community atmosphere! The pub fare at this beer hall is top-notch, and it's served with a side of live Polka music. Grab some buddies for some delicious brews, take a tour, and chow down at Lakefront Brewery!
6. AJ Bombers
Yelp / Therese M.
1247 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA
Yelp / Doug T.
Before anything else, know this: if you have a nut allergy, AJ Bombers is NOT the spot for you. When you take a seat at this fun, funky restaurant, you will be given a bowl of peanuts, which you can crack open yourself and can toss the shells wherever you like. There's so much to see in AJ Bombers that you could dine here a million times and still find something new each visit! It's upbeat, casual, and delicious, but can we take a second to marvel at this epic Bloody Mary!? It's practically a meal on its own! Anyone looking for the best burgers in Milwaukee won't want to pass this one up.
7. Purple Door Ice Cream
Yelp / Eric T.
205 S 2nd St, Milwaukee, WI 53204, USA
Yelp / Matt H.
You don’t truly know ice cream until you’ve tasted Purple Door. It will absolutely ruin your taste for all others. This artisan ice cream is handmade in small batches using local ingredients and a LOT of creativity. Initially, you could only find Purple Door Ice Cream in pints at local businesses, but business has been booming since they opened up shop over on 2nd Street. You’ll find classic flavors right alongside flavors you (almost) can’t believe, like Butternut Squash, Raspberry Green Tea, Chai & Pink Peppercorn, Juniper Lime with Gin, and Olive Oil. Don’t knock ‘em ‘til you’ve tried ‘em… they are quite tasty! For the best ice cream in Wisconsin, Purple Door is the place to be.
8. Clock Shadow Creamery
Yelp / Clock Shadow Creamery
138 W Bruce St, Milwaukee, WI 53204, USA
Yelp / Clock Shadow Creamery
Wisconsin has plenty of incredible cheesemakers, but they’re often located out on dairy farms. Clock Shadow Creamery, however, is right here in Milwaukee and in one of the first (and few) urban cheese factories! You can take tours to learn about the cheese making process, sample fresh cheese, and take a few home with you from their epic cheese shop. Some of their most popular cheeses are Chevre, Quark, Ricotta and, of course, the freshest cheese curds in Milwaukee.
9. Odd Duck
Yelp / Ed K.
2352 S Kinnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207, USA
Yelp / Robyn S.
Odd Duck is quirky and one of those unique places to eat in Milwaukee that serves up truly tasty small plates and tapas. The menu is always changing and offer unique dishes that draw inspiration from flavors and culinary cultures across the globe! There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options for non-carnivores (try the Eggplant Fries!), but this restaurant is TINY, so you will definitely want to look into reservations ahead of time to make sure you snag a table.
10. Comet Cafe
Yelp / Jen K.
1947 N Farwell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA
Yelp / Marie R.
When your group is a mix of vegetarian/vegans and carnivores, it can be hard to find a restaurant that accommodates both dietary styles to the highest degree, but Comet Cafe is the best around! Comet Cafe is all about comfort food - both with and without meat and just about the best comfort food in Milwaukee - that will absolutely blow your mind. This delicious restaurant is a Milwaukee favorite; in fact, it even took home OnMilwaukee’s Reader’s Choice award for "Best Cafe in the City!" The sandwiches will make your taste buds do a happy dance, but our favorite part? Saturday is Bacon Night. If you come in for dinner, you get a free basket of bacon! Our dreams have finally come true! They have out-of-this-world cupcakes too!

Are you hungry yet? Our mouths are watering! There are many unbelievably awesome iconic restaurants in Milwaukee, but you definitely need to add these ones to your foodie bucket list as soon as humanly possible.

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More to Explore

Iconic Milwaukee Restaurants

Tori Jane | October 04, 2022

What are some truly iconic Milwaukee restaurants?  

You know, maybe Milwaukee isn’t known for being a huge mecca for foodies, but perhaps it should be. There’s a long laundry list of excellent Milwaukee restaurants – and restaurants in Wisconsin in general – that could be called “iconic” thanks to their fame and overall excellent ratings time after time. A few examples of iconic Milwaukee eateries include the legendary Five O'clock Steakhouse, which is known for its expert service and gourmet steaks, and if you’re looking for something a little lower-key, you can’t go wrong with the long-time Milwaukee classic known as Kopp’s Frozen Custard (oh, and if you’re looking for the best cheese curds in the universe, you have to go to the old Lakefront Brewery...we don’t make the rules).  

What are some of the best restaurants in Milwaukee?  

The list of the best restaurants in Milwaukee is long and all-inclusive, with a little bit of everything on it for every palate. One of the most amazing restaurants in Milwaukee at the time of this writing is a little place called Ardent, which is very small, intimate, and relatively new, though it’s already known as THE spot to go if you want to impress your date. For lovers of Italian food, there’s the deliciously delectable Sorella, and for classic German fare, head to the Wunderbar Mader’s Restaurant, which has more than a century of history in this fantastic city.  

Where are some unique places to eat in Milwaukee?  

So, with the gourmet and the delicious out of the way (okay, there’s more delicious coming), how about some unique places to eat in Milwaukee? If you’re a fan of sausage, you can’t miss a visit to Vanguard, which serves up everything you can imagine from bratwursts to Italian sausage and everything in between. We also love Amilinda, which serves up goodies from Spain, Portugal, and the Basque Region. Finally, you need to try the Odd Duck, which celebrates having a diverse menu with lots of things to try from all over the world on board.  

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