By Jennifer Sullivan
Milwaukee is undergoing a bit of a culinary renaissance, and it’s not just about bratwurst anymore (though, I’ll never turn one down). If you’ve been off the radar, the city’s food scene now boasts innovative chefs turning out dishes that rival any major metropolis. Whether you’re looking for something unexpected or a meal from a chef who’s been quietly collecting accolades, here are five spots you can’t miss.
The Best Restaurants in Milwaukee
1. Third Coast Provisions
Yes, you can get great seafood in Milwaukee, and Third Coast Provisions is proof. Chef Andrew Miller’s take on seafood is both indulgent and thoughtful, with a focus on sustainable sourcing. Think scallops, lobster, and oysters, all in a space that feels more chic than you’d expect for a Midwest town. It’s a bit of coastal life right in the heart of the city.
2. Ardent
You’ll find Ardent quietly tucked away in Milwaukee’s East Side, where Chef Justin Carlisle is crafting a tasting menu that’s all about seasonal ingredients and Midwest flavors—reinvented. The dining room is small, and that’s intentional. Carlisle, a multi-time James Beard nominee, keeps the focus on the food, not the hype. The menu changes often, so don’t get too attached to anything (except maybe the notion that you’ll want to come back).
3. Sanford
One of Milwaukee’s classic fine dining spots, Sanford stays relevant under the guidance of Chef Justin Aprahamian. He won a James Beard Award, but don’t let that fool you into thinking this is all pretension. The menu takes a fine-tuned approach to contemporary American cuisine, all while making you feel like you’re dining somewhere that gets you. It’s the kind of place where a meal feels personal and never stuffy.
4. Goodkind
Goodkind in Bay View feels like that neighborhood restaurant that somehow flies under the radar for tourists but is adored by locals. It’s chef-driven but unpretentious, with Chef Paul Zerkel and his team delivering hearty dishes meant to be shared. Expect farm-to-table plates that don’t need a buzzword to be cool. Just real food, done right, with a wine list that makes lingering inevitable.
5. Bavette La Boucherie
Bavette La Boucherie is part butcher shop, part restaurant, and all about great meat. Chef Karen Bell has created a space where you can either grab a sandwich or sit down for a full meal, with every dish emphasizing quality. If you like the idea of knowing where your food comes from without being lectured about it, this is your spot. Bonus: there’s always something interesting on the charcuterie board.
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By Jennifer Sullivan
It was my ex-boyfriend, not my father, who took me for my first ride. I was sixteen, and it was love at first throttle—the speed, the noise, the way the world blurred as you tore through it. That boyfriend is long gone, but the love of motorcycles? That stuck. So, here I was, decades later, in Milwaukee—the birthplace of Harley-Davidson—not to chase ghosts, but to feel the weight of history rumbling beneath my feet.