Best of Milwaukee 2019: Dining

New Restaurant

Uncle Wolfie’s Breakfast Tavern

Since its opening in late 2018, this nest for daytime dining inside an immaculately restored old Cream City building in Brewers Hill has been a magnet, particularly for weekend brunchers. Understandably so, since Wolfie’s slam-dunks it with cool digs, good grub, cocktails and high-octane Anodyne coffee.

234 E. Vine St.; unclewolfies.com

Quick Lunch

Milwaukee Public Market

The Third Ward market offers so much in one place, perfect when you’re not sure what you’re in the mood for – enchiladas or an acai bowl, Thai curry or fried oysters, panini or chili and lots more. There’s also free one-hour parking in the adjacent lot, which helps make a visit a quick in-and-out.

400 N. Water St.; milwaukeepublicmarket.org

Business Lunch & Splurge

Harbor House

The low-decibel, white-tablecloth dining room of this Bartolotta-run, New England-inspired seafood house is where some of the city’s most pressing business is done, against the backdrop of Lake Michigan waves. Our readers also named Harbor House their pick for Best Splurge. The market- price whole Maine lobster and $250 tin of Russe Osetra caviar definitely qualify as such.

550 N. Harbor Dr.; bartolottas.com/harbor-house

Pub Food / Gastropub

Café Hollander

Lowlands Group’s mastery of ambiance is 100% illustrated by the Hollanders, which have airy, light-filled interiors comfortable for lingering, crowd-enticing outdoor spaces, large Belgian craft beer lists and pub food  menus (mussels and frites, burgers, brunch all day) that appeal to the hoi polloi. That’s magic.

Multiple locations; cafehollander.com

Bakery

Peter Sciortino Bakery

Sound the collective oohs and aahs for cream-filled cannoli, tiramisu and fresh breads and rolls (the rolls are classic, tender-but-mighty support for the sauciest Italian sausage), the baking aroma from which filters down Brady Street in the morning.

1101 E. Brady St.; petersciortinosbakery.com

Dessert

Le Rêve Patisserie & Cafe

Ogling the dessert case is part of the dining experience at this enchanting French bistro, where it’s virtually impossible to choose poorly. The chocolate-caramel tart, Paris-Brest (a wheel-shaped ring of choux pastry), citron tart and opera torte are just a few of the tantalizing tours de force.

7610 Harwood Ave., Wauwatosa; lerevecafe.com

Late-Night Eats

Oakland Gyros

A stop at OGs is a staple of any late night on the East Side. Warm and friendly scents of succulent lamb waft around the cozy, brightly colored, shacklike counter space, and a visitor will usually need to wait in a bustling line before a smiling face takes your order. The food arrives so quickly, there’s barely time to question the small picture of a famous Oakland Gyros fan, Ludacris, among the numerous award plaques on a wall. Grab a booth across from the older couple decked out in Harley gear and adjacent the group of tipsy college students, and dig in. The gyro sandwiches, hefty and delicious, are a hunger killer to any midnight appetite. — John Quinnies

2867 N. Oakland Ave.; 530 W. Layton Ave.

Photos courtesy of: Chris Kessler; Visit Milwaukee; Lowlands Group; Olivia Medrow, Oakland Gyros

We Beg To Differ

Steakhouse

Barbecue

Reader’s Pick
Smoke Shack

[alert type=white ]This local spot takes the dry-rub, slowsmoke approach, offering five regional sauces on the side. It also does a lot of things: baby-back and spare ribs, brisket, chicken, pulled pork, hot links and lots of sides.[/alert]

Tacos

Sandwich Shop

Ann Christenson’s Pick
Boo Boo’s

[alert type=white ]Crusty, tender bread makes these sandwiches soar. (It’s similar to the bread served at sister and Walker’s Point neighbor Soup Brothers). I love fun, delicious flavor combos like the Happy Pappy with pork loin, sweet peppers and spicy mango sauce.

[/alert]

Editor’s Pick

Burger

Oscar’s Pub & Grill

Owner Oscar Castenada’s burgers have a touch of familiarity – the juicy, thick beef patty and a tender but robust bun with a glossy top dome. Before opening his own place in 2011, Castenada worked at Sobelman’s, leaving with seriously sharpened burger-making skills. The half-pound burgers he serves these days are consistently excellent.

1712 W. Pierce St.; oscarsonpierce.com

Readers’ Choice Winners & Runners-up

More Best of Milwaukee 2019

Here it is: The cream of Cream City. You chose the winners in dozens of categories, and we added a few that we couldn’t help but chime in on.

“Best of Milwaukee 2019” appears in the September 2019 issue of Milwaukee Magazine.

Find it on newsstands beginning September 2, or buy a copy online.

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