Mel's Milwaukee
Food Scene
Amazing, authentic mexican food. Kitschy cute place. Wonderful Staff. Great weekend brunch too!
100 locals recommend
Café Corazón
3129 N Bremen StAmazing, authentic mexican food. Kitschy cute place. Wonderful Staff. Great weekend brunch too!
Just a short walk from our home is the most fantastic brunch place featuring crafted cocktails and wonderful food creations! Husband & wife teamed up to create exciting food and boutique with extraordinary items. But go early ~ Wolfe’s closes at 3!
32 locals recommend
Uncle Wolfie's Breakfast Tavern
234 E Vine StJust a short walk from our home is the most fantastic brunch place featuring crafted cocktails and wonderful food creations! Husband & wife teamed up to create exciting food and boutique with extraordinary items. But go early ~ Wolfe’s closes at 3!
Best fish fry in Milwaukee and it’s walking distance!
You can’t ask for more than beer battered perch, a polka band and a fine locally~crafted beer to round out your evening! Don't miss their patio on the river (small sign at long end of hall). Great place to start your river walk!
224 locals recommend
Lakefront Brewery
1872 N Commerce StBest fish fry in Milwaukee and it’s walking distance!
You can’t ask for more than beer battered perch, a polka band and a fine locally~crafted beer to round out your evening! Don't miss their patio on the river (small sign at long end of hall). Great place to start your river walk!
Blue’s Egg has breakfast & lunch specials that change daily ~ Guinness braised short ribs Benedict, Double-decker crispy hash browns stuffed with pulled ham & smoked cheddar, and more... their food is an orgasm for your mouth!
60 locals recommend
Blue's Egg
317 N 76th StBlue’s Egg has breakfast & lunch specials that change daily ~ Guinness braised short ribs Benedict, Double-decker crispy hash browns stuffed with pulled ham & smoked cheddar, and more... their food is an orgasm for your mouth!
The owner Andrea could not be more helpful and friendly. Gluten free options that actually taste good for pizza! Hard to find! Wings and other apps are super yummy. Dim light, cute bar, and cool vibe. I love hanging out at Riverwest Pizza!
30 locals recommend
Riverwest Pizza
930 E Wright StThe owner Andrea could not be more helpful and friendly. Gluten free options that actually taste good for pizza! Hard to find! Wings and other apps are super yummy. Dim light, cute bar, and cool vibe. I love hanging out at Riverwest Pizza!
Prepare yourself to experience a full on party-in-your-mouth experience at Centro. Seriously. The food is that amazing.
Cozy atmosphere, italian fare (lots of GF options) and wow-factor cocktails. My favorite date night restaurant.
46 locals recommend
Centro Cafe
808 E Center StPrepare yourself to experience a full on party-in-your-mouth experience at Centro. Seriously. The food is that amazing.
Cozy atmosphere, italian fare (lots of GF options) and wow-factor cocktails. My favorite date night restaurant.
Still one of Milwaukee's better kept secrets. Gourmet bar food in West Allis, close to Miller Stadium. So, you walk in and choose your food from a deli style cooler, the chef is behind it doing his thing and can give suggestions. The old crusty guy can cook, he knows his shit and I have gone with his advise on more than one occasion. Every cut steak you can think off, lobster, scallops, giant shrimp, crab, stuffed - not stuffed, it goes on and on. No menu, no listed prices but if you ask they will tell you. DO ASK UNLESS YOU ARE ON EXPENSE ACCOUNT. Expensive & Worth it!
Completely casual - the walls and ceilings are covered in sports memorabilia. There will be a game on one of several TV's if s game is being played. No need to dress any special way - whatever you have on will be fine. Definitely check out the cool vintage pinball machine at the end of the bar and maybe bet the bartender for shots if they aren't busy.
4th Base Restaurant
5117 W National AveStill one of Milwaukee's better kept secrets. Gourmet bar food in West Allis, close to Miller Stadium. So, you walk in and choose your food from a deli style cooler, the chef is behind it doing his thing and can give suggestions. The old crusty guy can cook, he knows his shit and I have gone with his advise on more than one occasion. Every cut steak you can think off, lobster, scallops, giant shrimp, crab, stuffed - not stuffed, it goes on and on. No menu, no listed prices but if you ask they will tell you. DO ASK UNLESS YOU ARE ON EXPENSE ACCOUNT. Expensive & Worth it!
Completely casual - the walls and ceilings are covered in sports memorabilia. There will be a game on one of several TV's if s game is being played. No need to dress any special way - whatever you have on will be fine. Definitely check out the cool vintage pinball machine at the end of the bar and maybe bet the bartender for shots if they aren't busy.
Drinks & Nightlife
Best Tiki Bar hands down. Don't leave without trying the Mai Tai - it's the original from Trader Vic. YUM!
39 locals recommend
The Foundation Bar
2718 N Bremen StBest Tiki Bar hands down. Don't leave without trying the Mai Tai - it's the original from Trader Vic. YUM!
Outdoor beer garden with live music and disc golf. Dog park nearby. Jungle gym for kids. Also serves some german fare: brats, pretzels. Walk along the river too.... borrow our bikes and ride up via the oak leaf 🍁 trail !
35 locals recommend
Estabrook Beer Garden
4600 Estabrook ParkwayOutdoor beer garden with live music and disc golf. Dog park nearby. Jungle gym for kids. Also serves some german fare: brats, pretzels. Walk along the river too.... borrow our bikes and ride up via the oak leaf 🍁 trail !
Flashback to the 80’s for retro dance party on Friday nights. I promise it will make you feel young again!
18 locals recommend
Mad Planet
533 E Center StFlashback to the 80’s for retro dance party on Friday nights. I promise it will make you feel young again!
If you love jazz, this is your spot. Dark, warm interior with craft cocktails to delight your palette while your ears revel with delight from the sophisticated musical stylings of gifted musicians. Awesome bar to grace if you’re solo for the evening as well.
27 locals recommend
The Jazz Estate
2423 N Murray AveIf you love jazz, this is your spot. Dark, warm interior with craft cocktails to delight your palette while your ears revel with delight from the sophisticated musical stylings of gifted musicians. Awesome bar to grace if you’re solo for the evening as well.
This place is essentially what you'd get if you combined every Millennial/Instagram-influenced trend into one downtown, upscale wine bar. It's got a long, serpentine bar made of marble and floor-to-ceiling windows of the busy street below, lit by unique light fixtures. No food or craft beers to be found but some lovely cocktails offered besides the champagne. Class abounds.
Giggly at Saint Kate
139 E Kilbourn AveThis place is essentially what you'd get if you combined every Millennial/Instagram-influenced trend into one downtown, upscale wine bar. It's got a long, serpentine bar made of marble and floor-to-ceiling windows of the busy street below, lit by unique light fixtures. No food or craft beers to be found but some lovely cocktails offered besides the champagne. Class abounds.
This is one of my favorite arcades of all time! The staff are friendly, the daily deals are fantastic, and they keep track of the establishments high scores, which keeps me coming back day after day because... competition. Pros: amazing drink and token deals (eg, free tokens and $2 pizza slices on Fridays, 10 cent tokens on Thursdays, and FREE Skee-Ball on Wednesday's). No admission fees. No drink requirements. You could come on Wednesdays and early on Fridays and play free games -- easy. P.S. No kids allowed :(
25 locals recommend
Up-Down MKE
615 E Brady StThis is one of my favorite arcades of all time! The staff are friendly, the daily deals are fantastic, and they keep track of the establishments high scores, which keeps me coming back day after day because... competition. Pros: amazing drink and token deals (eg, free tokens and $2 pizza slices on Fridays, 10 cent tokens on Thursdays, and FREE Skee-Ball on Wednesday's). No admission fees. No drink requirements. You could come on Wednesdays and early on Fridays and play free games -- easy. P.S. No kids allowed :(
Koz's is completely vintage (ie: guessing there have been no updates since they began business in 1978). Unlike more modern bowling alleys, Koz's has human pin setters (I'm not sure why I find this so completely throw-back-thursday delightful, but I do).
Those same pin-setters also roll your ball back to you. You'll want to keep an eye on the track (and your fingers) as you grab a ball to bowl, they roll those balls back quickly!
The good news?
You'll likely bowl the best game of your life. Strikes aren't such a rare thing in mini-bowling.
That's ok. You can still make everyone high-five you when you get one.
Beyond that, the bar is dive-tastic, serving simple, strong drinks as any good dive bar should.
22 locals recommend
Koz's Mini Bowling
2078 S 7th StKoz's is completely vintage (ie: guessing there have been no updates since they began business in 1978). Unlike more modern bowling alleys, Koz's has human pin setters (I'm not sure why I find this so completely throw-back-thursday delightful, but I do).
Those same pin-setters also roll your ball back to you. You'll want to keep an eye on the track (and your fingers) as you grab a ball to bowl, they roll those balls back quickly!
The good news?
You'll likely bowl the best game of your life. Strikes aren't such a rare thing in mini-bowling.
That's ok. You can still make everyone high-five you when you get one.
Beyond that, the bar is dive-tastic, serving simple, strong drinks as any good dive bar should.
Shopping
Fischberger's Variety
2445 N Holton StFun variety shop with eclectic offerings.
Walking distance from our home, Vanessa runs this vibrant shop full of upcycled items created with love ❤️ You’ll find items here that don’t exist elsewhere... Vanessa’s creative vision is breathtaking
MADAM CHINO
6301 West Lincoln AvenueWalking distance from our home, Vanessa runs this vibrant shop full of upcycled items created with love ❤️ You’ll find items here that don’t exist elsewhere... Vanessa’s creative vision is breathtaking
Arts & Culture
Designed by Calatrava. Amazing views and stunning art exhibits. Calatrava's design is a delight for the eyes! The wings open at noon and close at eight - quite the sight. First friday of each month, the museum hosts MAM After Dark (http://mam.org/afterdark/) with djs and bands!
398 locals recommend
Milwaukee Art Museum
700 N Art Museum DrDesigned by Calatrava. Amazing views and stunning art exhibits. Calatrava's design is a delight for the eyes! The wings open at noon and close at eight - quite the sight. First friday of each month, the museum hosts MAM After Dark (http://mam.org/afterdark/) with djs and bands!
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh! How I love the small-town charm and big-city quality of the Milwaukee Florentine Opera! You might think, "Give me a break! You're so close to Chicago - you can see all the huge stars at the Lyric." Yes, it's true, but there you're lost in a huge sea of people about 80 yards from the stage.
If you want a more intimate opera experience, the smaller Chicago companies don't hold a candle to the Florentine. The Florentine is like the Lyric's "Mini Me." More intimate, almost as good, and, on occasion, even better. Their symphony is as good as the Lyric's because they use the outstanding Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.
Florentine Opera Company
205 E Burleigh StAhhhhhhhhhhhh! How I love the small-town charm and big-city quality of the Milwaukee Florentine Opera! You might think, "Give me a break! You're so close to Chicago - you can see all the huge stars at the Lyric." Yes, it's true, but there you're lost in a huge sea of people about 80 yards from the stage.
If you want a more intimate opera experience, the smaller Chicago companies don't hold a candle to the Florentine. The Florentine is like the Lyric's "Mini Me." More intimate, almost as good, and, on occasion, even better. Their symphony is as good as the Lyric's because they use the outstanding Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.
The exhibits are extensive and there is a lot to learn all around. Aquarium was a marvelous sight, and one that I did not expect to see in a museum. From underwater tunnels to glass-bottom sea life viewing windows, it seems that they've spared no expense at building this place out.
Plan to spend at least 3 hours. Incredible maker space, VR games, flight and driving simulators, robot tic tac toe, and do not forget the aquarium and water exhibits. We could have stayed much longer! Covered parking is available for $10 or so. Closes 4 pm during the week and 5 pm Saturday & Sunday.
123 locals recommend
Discovery World
500 N Harbor DrThe exhibits are extensive and there is a lot to learn all around. Aquarium was a marvelous sight, and one that I did not expect to see in a museum. From underwater tunnels to glass-bottom sea life viewing windows, it seems that they've spared no expense at building this place out.
Plan to spend at least 3 hours. Incredible maker space, VR games, flight and driving simulators, robot tic tac toe, and do not forget the aquarium and water exhibits. We could have stayed much longer! Covered parking is available for $10 or so. Closes 4 pm during the week and 5 pm Saturday & Sunday.
The museum does a great way of showing just how rich the Jewish heritage is and has been over the years through the permanent exhibit alone. Interesting guest exhibits come through- catch them while you can. Very limited parking at the museum, might have better luck on the street itself. Be sure to check for 2-4-1 Groupon deals. Closed Saturday.
6 locals recommend
Jewish Museum Milwaukee
1360 N Prospect AveThe museum does a great way of showing just how rich the Jewish heritage is and has been over the years through the permanent exhibit alone. Interesting guest exhibits come through- catch them while you can. Very limited parking at the museum, might have better luck on the street itself. Be sure to check for 2-4-1 Groupon deals. Closed Saturday.
More bobbleheads than you can imagine - who knew??? Definitely worth a stop for something interesting.
There's one problem here, it's a big one. They have a number one rule, NO TOUCHING THE BOBBLEHEADS. That's like telling someone who is carrying some expensive glasses filled with expensive champagne across an uneven floor "Don't Spill!" It's not realistic. It's like a box of kittens with a rule that you can't pet them. It's vexing. Bobbleheads are just begging to be touched, you know, to bobble. Amazing amounts of adult self control are needed here.
It's in a perfect location right above Stack'd - grab an amazing burger after your hour tour upstairs.
7 locals recommend
National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum
170 S 1st StMore bobbleheads than you can imagine - who knew??? Definitely worth a stop for something interesting.
There's one problem here, it's a big one. They have a number one rule, NO TOUCHING THE BOBBLEHEADS. That's like telling someone who is carrying some expensive glasses filled with expensive champagne across an uneven floor "Don't Spill!" It's not realistic. It's like a box of kittens with a rule that you can't pet them. It's vexing. Bobbleheads are just begging to be touched, you know, to bobble. Amazing amounts of adult self control are needed here.
It's in a perfect location right above Stack'd - grab an amazing burger after your hour tour upstairs.
Coffee
Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. Can't live without it and this is the best place to get it. Plenty of hipsters and booths to work. They've got great wraps too!
18 locals recommend
Fuel Cafe Center Street
818 E Center StCoffee. Coffee. Coffee. Can't live without it and this is the best place to get it. Plenty of hipsters and booths to work. They've got great wraps too!
Colectivo Coffee Lakefront
1701 N Lincoln Memorial DrFood Delivery
D.P. Dough
1515 E North AveQuick fast delivery of custom calzones! What's not to love!
Consistently good food and they also offer a traditional chinese menu. Located in small, odd strip mall, but if you want hot pot in Milwaukee, you should try.
Huan Xi Chinese Restaurant
2428 N Murray AveConsistently good food and they also offer a traditional chinese menu. Located in small, odd strip mall, but if you want hot pot in Milwaukee, you should try.
Bollywood is my all-around favorite Indian restaurant in Milwaukee. For sheer quality and variety of the food, and speedy delivery, plus a great lunch buffet, no other place has them beat.
I get delivery from them all the time and it's always tempting to go a little crazy and order a lot of food because there's so much to choose from and it all makes good leftovers. I like that they have both North and South Indian dishes and that a lot of the food is or can be spicy.
I've never had anything from there that wasn't good. Saag paneer, chicken tikka masala, biryani, dal makhani, and papdi chaat are some of my favorites. The condiments like chutneys and raita are always spot on as well.
Bollywood Grill
1038 N Jackson StBollywood is my all-around favorite Indian restaurant in Milwaukee. For sheer quality and variety of the food, and speedy delivery, plus a great lunch buffet, no other place has them beat.
I get delivery from them all the time and it's always tempting to go a little crazy and order a lot of food because there's so much to choose from and it all makes good leftovers. I like that they have both North and South Indian dishes and that a lot of the food is or can be spicy.
I've never had anything from there that wasn't good. Saag paneer, chicken tikka masala, biryani, dal makhani, and papdi chaat are some of my favorites. The condiments like chutneys and raita are always spot on as well.