The editors don’t do all the curation of Best of Milwaukee. Here are our readers’ picks for Cream City’s finest.
Food & Drink
Fine Dining
★ Lupi & Iris – “From the moment you arrive, you are treated special,” Mike P.
★ Morel
★ Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro
Burgers
★ Kopp’s
★ Oscar’s Pub & Grill
★ Nite Owl
Italian
★ Tenuta’s
★ Ristorante Bartolotta dal 1993
★ Ca’Lucchenzo
Fish Fry
★ Kegel’s Inn – “The best perch! Love the outdoors dining area also,” Cheryl M.
★ The Brick
★ Von Trier
Kid Friendly Restaurant
★ 3rd Street Market Hall
★ Organ Piper Pizza
★ Don’s TV & Repair
Food Truck
★ Sweet Smoke “Great BBQ and they even think of the meatless folks by offering a vegetarian option,” Jamie K.
★ The Fatty Patty
★ Anytime Arepa
Catering
★ Tall Guy and a Grill
★ Shully’s
★ Saz’s
N/A Cocktails
★ Boone & Crocket
★ Saffron Modern Indian Dining
★ PufferFish at Hotel Metro
Fancy-Ish Bar
★ The Bar at Saint Kate-The Arts Hotel “The vibe is second to none,” Will B.
★ Draft & Vessel
★ Camp Bar
Brewery Taproom
★ Lakefront
★ Ope!
★ Eagle Park
New Restaurant
Pizza
★ San Giorgio Pizzeria Napoletana “Brings me back to my visits to Italy,” Mary R.
★ Zaffiro’s
★ Lisa’s
Sushi
★ Kin by Rice N Roll
★ Hungry Sumo
★ RuYi at Potawatomi Casino Hotel
Sandwiches
★ Hen’s Deli – “They’re so cute and the food is amazing,” Jacob B.
★ West Allis Cheese & Sausage
★ Swinging Door Exchange
Pet Friendly Establishment
★ Riley’s Social House
★ Ope! Brewing
★ Black Husky Brewing
Bakery
★ Rocket Baby
★ Peter Sciortino
★ Poppy
Supermarket
★ Sendik’s
★ Outpost
★ Woodman’s
Specialty Food Store
★ Glorioso’s Italian Market – “Feels authentic from the moment you step inside,” ANNE S.
★ Pan-Asia Supermarket
★ Larry’s Market
Cocktails
★ At Random – “Classic ice cream drinks,” Joe W.
★ Bryant’s
★ Lost Whale
Neighborhood Bar
★ The Mothership
★ Wolski’s
★ Burnhearts
Beer Garden
Breakfast/Brunch
★ Mad Rooster – “Very large variety, every dish tastes delicious, and service is the best,” Hershay J.
★ Uncle Wolfie’s Breakfast Tavern
★ Café at the Plaza
Tacos
★ Guadalajara – “Finally found a spot that reminds me of my family cooking from
El Paso, Texas,” Andrew N.
★ Café Corazón
★ Lazo’s Taco Shack
Korean
★ Back Street BBQ & Hotpot
★ Soban Korean Eatery
★ Stone Bowl Grill
Vegetarian/Vegan
★ Strange Town
★ Twisted Plants
★ Heirloom MKE
Patio Dining
★ The Bridgewater – “The river, the drinks, the lobster roll,” Mandy R.
★ Harbor House
★ Barnacle Bud’s
Gluten-Free Baked Goods
★ Molly’s Gluten-Free Bakery – “Molly’s was the only gluten-free bakery for a long time. They have some competition now but they are still the BEST,” Mary Z.
★ The Bread Pedalers
★ The Bake Sale
Coffee Roaster
★ Colectivo – “Great light roasts,” MERLE S.
★ Stone Creek
★ Valentine
Wine
★ Voyager
★ Waterford Wine & Spirits
★ 2A Wine Merchants
Sports Bar
★ Steny’s – “Put a bloody in my hand and call it a day,” Brittany M.
★ Leff’s Lucky Town
★ Highbury Pub
Bottle Shop
★ Ray’s Wine & Spirits – “So many events, fabulous selection & knowledgeable staff,” Beth J.
★ Discount Liquor
★ Otto’s Wine & Spirits
Culture & Recreation
Local Band
★ De La Buena
★ Ladybird
★ Chicken Wire Empire
Record Store
★ Lilliput Records
★ Rushmor Records
★ Record Head
Neighborhood Festival
★ TosaFest
★ Bay View Bash
★ Brady Street Festival
Art Gallery
★ MIAD – “Great art from a teaching environment,” Erna R.
★ Latino Arts
★ Var
Playground
★ Humboldt Park
★ Northwestern Mutual Community Park
★ Fox River Park (Waukesha)
Staycation Hotel
★ The Pfister – “It’s beautiful, it’s haunted, it’s German. What’s not to love,” Kirsten W.
★ Saint Kate-The Arts Hotel
★ Potawatomi Casino Hotel
Local Musician
★ Trapper Schoepp
★ Brett Newski
★ Wave Chapelle
Local Social Media Follow
★ Charlie Berens – “He’s “outside the box” and a true Wisconsinite, also supports local causes,” Bette L.
★ Dan Shafer
★ Kristin Brey
Ethnic Festival
★ Bastille Days
★ Irish Fest
★ German Fest
Beach
★ Atwater Park – “Friendly, child playground, great beach walking, sea glass to be found,” Erna R.
★ Bradford
★ Grant Park
Dog Park
Music Club
★ Cactus Club
★ Shank Hall
★ X-Ray Arcade
Sports Broadcast Team
★ Brewers TV “Sophia Minnaert is superb,” Nan B.
★ Brewers Radio
★ Packers Radio
Museum
★ Milwaukee Art Museum
★ Milwaukee Public Museum
★ Discovery World
Hiking
★ Seven Bridges
★ Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
★ Kettle Moraine State Forest
Indoor Play Place
★ Nugget Nation “Awesome play place, toys and owner,” Ricky H.
★ Taxi and Tide
★ The Little Village Play Cafe
Shopping & Services
Women’s Clothing
★ Faye’s – “Been shopping here for 27 years and I still wear a few items from way, way back! Because trendy is not the same as chic,” Mithra B.
★ The Navy Knot
★ The District Row
Vintage Shop
★ All Goods -“Amazing store with a great selection,” Dell M.
★ To Hell and Back
★ Plume
Game Store
★ Board Game Barrister
★ Old Guard Games
★ Beyond the Board
Florist
★ Sendik’s Floral
★ 414loral
★ The Flower Lady
Hair Salon
★ Neroli – “They are the only ones who can get my blonde right,” Denise L.
★ Tease Salon
★ Civilian Beauty, Grooming & Education
Day Spa
★ Neroli – “Amazing ambiance, attention to detail and guest treatments,” Angela Y.
★ WELL Spa + Salon at The Pfister
★ Float Milwaukee
Home Remodeler
★ Kowalske Kitchen & Bath
★ J&J Contractors
★ Upgrade Kitchen & Bath
Furniture
★ BILTRITE Furniture – Leather – Mattresses
★ Steinhafels
★ Penny Mustard
Men’s Clothing
★ Harleys
★ MODA3
★ The Flannel Fox
Jeweler
★ Kesslers
★ Cival
★ A Trio Jewelry
Sports/Outdoors Store
★ MKE Outdoor Indoor Exchange – “Great gear, great clothing, great prices and great humans,” Mary K.
★ Burghardt Sporting Goods
★ Sherper’s
Pet Supply
★ Bark N Scratch Outpost
★ The Feed Bag Pet Supply
★ Pet World
Barbershop
★ Gee’s Clippers
★ Groom
★ Stag Barbershop
Esthetician
★ Illume
★ High Brow
★ SKN BAR RX
Vintage Clothing
Landscaper
★ David J. Frank – “Attention to detail, long-term employees who know their stuff,” Beth J.
★ MJR Services
★ Breezy Hill Nursery
Pool/Hot Tub/ Sauna
★ Bachmanns Pools, Spas & Saunas – “Service is amazing and they have high quality products,” Doug J.
★ Baker Pool & Fitness
★ Aqua-Fun Pools & Spas
Shoes
★ Stan’s Shoes – “Because I care about my feet,” Barbara C.
★ Shōō
★ Rogan’s
Gift Store
★ GoodLand Home & Goods – “Thoughtfully crafted goods, carefully curated – and fun to visit, even without a wish list,“ Elisabeth S.
★ Sendik’s Home
★ URSA
Bike Shop
★ Wheel & Sprocket – “Been around a long time and reliable,” LAN K.
★ Ben’s Cycle
★ Truly Spoken Cycles
Veterinarian
★ Shorewood Animal Hospital
★ Community Veterinary Clinic
★ Pet World
Mani/Pedi
★ Nail Bar Milwaukee – “The best options of services and the space is
so relaxing,“Audrey P.
★ Neroli
★ Nula La Nail Studio
Gym
★ Wisconsin Athletic Club
★ Vita Fitness & Physical Therapy
★ Elite Sports Clubs
Interior Design
★ Stone House Collective – “Not only is the design magical every time but the amazing team they have to make things seamless makes it even better,” Cassidy F.
★ Fringe
★ Amy Carman Design
Esthetician
★ SKN BAR Rx
★ High Brow
★ Illume
Financial Planning
