Best Restaurants in Milwaukee (2025)

Chef-owner Dane Baldwin’s intimate spot is a benchmark for thoughtful Midwest cooking with shareable plates and craft cocktails. Praised by local food critics and backed by a James Beard win, it’s the kind of place that feels special without pretense.

A refined East Side institution led by a James Beard Award–winning chef, Sanford offers precise, seasonal tasting menus and gracious service in a serene dining room. It’s frequently cited by regional critics as a defining Milwaukee fine-dining experience.

Centered on a live-fire hearth, Birch channels Wisconsin farms into soulful, modern plates. Named to The New York Times Restaurant List and regularly featured by Eater, it’s a polished but personal snapshot of Milwaukee dining in 2025.

Globally inspired small plates, a lively bar, and warm hospitality make Odd Duck a Walker’s Point favorite. Recognized among USA TODAY’s Restaurants of the Year, it balances creativity with comfort in ways locals rave about.

Family-run since 1956 in a former Schlitz tavern, this Serbian stalwart serves burek, sarma, roast lamb and more with old-world care. A James Beard America’s Classics winner and featured in national roundups in 2025, it’s pure Milwaukee heritage.

Chefs Dan Jacobs and Dan Van Rite channel a globe-trotting sensibility into an eight-course tasting menu in Bay View. Regularly praised by national and local outlets, it’s a thoughtful, celebratory meal that still feels distinctly Milwaukee.

Karen Bell’s woman-owned butcher-shop-turned-restaurant anchors the Third Ward with top-notch charcuterie, sandwiches, and market-driven plates. In 2025 it pivoted to lunch and events, but remains a critic favorite for quality and craft.

A vinyl-spinning, plant-based spot where seasonal produce becomes inventive small plates and pasta specials. Often highlighted by local food writers for its natural wine list and smart flavors, it’s a fresh East Side perspective.

Handmade dumplings and noodles—especially the xiao long bao—draw fans to this Harbor District standout. Frequently recommended by local critics, it delivers regional Asian comfort with care and consistency.

Modern Indian cooking in the Third Ward with polished presentations and a strong cocktail program. Updated menus in 2025 kept the buzz going, and it’s become a go-to for celebratory dinners and date nights.

A Bay View favorite where seasonal cocktails, housemade pastas, and that legendary rotisserie chicken define the mood. Celebrated by local critics, it’s also a rare independent that cooks on Sunday and Monday nights.

Walker’s Point’s longtime small-plates pioneer still shines with a globe-hopping menu—from empanadas to gnocchi—plus a lovely patio. Frequently included in Eater’s guides and praised by local media, it’s a convivial, Milwaukee-only experience.