BY: RYAN CASTELAZ, DISCOURSE COFFEE WORKSHOP
FIND MORE OF THE BEST OF MILWAUKEE 2024 HERE
Editor’s Note: This year, Milwaukee Magazine asked several notable Milwaukeeans for their takes on the Best of Milwaukee. Many responded with much more great stuff than we could publish in our print issue, so we just had to share more of their picks here! Ryan Castelaz is founder and creative director of coffee and beverage company Discourse Coffee Workshop.
Best Trend: Multi Use Spaces
Restaurant & bar owners are getting craftier about how to fully utilize their spaces, exploring the potential for a single space to host multiple concepts. I believe this is the future of hospitality real estate, and have been thrilled to see some incredible examples here in Milwaukee.
EsterEv formerly living in the back of DanDan and Nite Wolf opening its doors when Uncle Wolfie’s Breakfast Tavern closes are two such examples. At Discourse, we cross-utilize all of our spaces, with Discourse Downtown becoming Agency, a sit-down cocktail lounge, Discourse at Radio Milwaukee becoming The Green Room, a casual corner bar for live music and dancing, and our new space at the Dubbel Dutch featuring both a permanent home for Agency, and Novel Tea & Pastry, an innovative bake shop and contemporary tea room.
Best Trend, Part Two: Accessible Luxury
High end gastronomic experiences do not need to be relegated to white tablecloths and tasting menus that cost half a paycheck. From the whimsical expanding hand towels and ornate headdresses at Room Service, to Crenn, the exploding balls of joy at my own Discourse Coffee, to the beef tongue reuben at local legend Bavette to the astoundingly delicious $86 tasting menu at Birch, Milwaukee is full of little luxuries that don’t need to be planned for months in advance.
Best Rooftop Bar: Pufferfish
411 E. MASON ST.
Most rooftop bars ride off the views, but under the thoughtful direction of Milwaukee bartending legend JC Cunningham, Pufferfish offers so much more. A thoughtful collection of modern spins on tiki classics, a killer soundtrack, guest bartenders from some of the greatest bars around the country, and Milwaukee’s best patio come together to make Pufferfish one of the best spots to kickback in Downtown Milwaukee.
Best Restaurant: Birch
459 E. PLEASANT ST.
Birch is not just my favorite restaurant in Milwaukee, it is one of my favorite restaurants on Earth. Period. Chef Kyle Knall pays fitting tribute to the incredible bounty provided by local farmers and foragers and lets the produce and protein speak first, deftly applying licks of acidity that scream from the plate. Bright, beautiful and so different from the rest of the city’s fine dining scene, Birch is a welcome respite for when you’re feeling a touch less meat and potatoes.
Best Hidden Gem: Café at the Plaza
1007 N. CASS ST.
I’ve spent more time in this room than anywhere else in the city, and it isn’t close. Cafe at the Plaza is art deco charm personified. The food always hits the spot, the service is quick and kind, and the vibes are always just right. Snag a seat at the horseshoe breakfast bar and cozy up to your neighbors, the conversations are always great.
