Michael’s guidebook
Great Restaurants
If they're on this list, you can bet I eat or frequent these establishments regularly and love them!
Everything other than major attractions is WITHIN A FEW BLOCKS (1/4 mile)!
Undergoing format change - now La Dama - awesome fusion dishes - highly recommended!!!
12 locals recommend
Crazy Water
839 S 2nd StUndergoing format change - now La Dama - awesome fusion dishes - highly recommended!!!
The closest coffee shop, bar and restaurant - love everything on the menu.
24 locals recommend
Fuel Cafe 5th St
630 S 5th StThe closest coffee shop, bar and restaurant - love everything on the menu.
At the Iron Horse Hotel at the end of the street to the north. Amazing high end dinners and amazing patio for a cocktail.
Smyth
500 W Florida StAt the Iron Horse Hotel at the end of the street to the north. Amazing high end dinners and amazing patio for a cocktail.
One of my mainstay Mexican restaurants. Sounds funny - but try "Mexican Pizza"
12 locals recommend
Botanas Restaurant
816 S 5th StOne of my mainstay Mexican restaurants. Sounds funny - but try "Mexican Pizza"
Farm to table - menu changes all the time - make reservations - it's an awesome experience.
25 locals recommend
Morel
430 S 2nd StFarm to table - menu changes all the time - make reservations - it's an awesome experience.
Same owner/chef as La Merenda - really cool atmosphere (old Fire House) good Bloody Mary's, brunch and lunch.
22 locals recommend
Engine Company No. 3
217 W National AveSame owner/chef as La Merenda - really cool atmosphere (old Fire House) good Bloody Mary's, brunch and lunch.
Tapas style - really unique mix of flavors and types of cuisine. Best with a intimate couple or group to share food.
38 locals recommend
La Merenda
125 East National AvenueTapas style - really unique mix of flavors and types of cuisine. Best with a intimate couple or group to share food.
Greasy spoon restaurant and awesome classic Milwaukee tavern. Love the breakfast/brunch.
8 locals recommend
O'Lydias
338 S 1st StGreasy spoon restaurant and awesome classic Milwaukee tavern. Love the breakfast/brunch.
Awesome Bloody Mary's - the place to watch sports - their food will shock you in how good it is for a sports bar. Great classic pizza.
24 locals recommend
Steny's Tavern & Grill
800 S 2nd StAwesome Bloody Mary's - the place to watch sports - their food will shock you in how good it is for a sports bar. Great classic pizza.
Meraki
939 S 2nd StUnique fusion restaurant - haven't ever had a bad meal!
Every sandwich on a fresh baked baguette - amazing cold salami sandwich, brie and tomato, and great Philly cheesesteak.
Boo Boo's Sandwich Shop
405 S 2nd StEvery sandwich on a fresh baked baguette - amazing cold salami sandwich, brie and tomato, and great Philly cheesesteak.
Motor Bar and Restaurant
400 W Canal StCOFFEE - great breakfast, lunch. Closest option during Covid-19 for quality coffee, latte, cappuccino, etc.
23 locals recommend
The National Cafe
839 W National AveCOFFEE - great breakfast, lunch. Closest option during Covid-19 for quality coffee, latte, cappuccino, etc.
We have lots of Mexican restaurants, this small family owned one doesn't disappoint.
La Casa de Alberto
624 W National AveWe have lots of Mexican restaurants, this small family owned one doesn't disappoint.
The most dive of dive Mexican restaurants/bars - worth a visit and a taco eaten off a paper plate.
21 locals recommend
Conejito's Place
539 W Virginia StThe most dive of dive Mexican restaurants/bars - worth a visit and a taco eaten off a paper plate.
Your go-to pizza place, both thin and deep dish pizzas are amazing (even the gluten-free crust option). ***Have the Eggplant Fries!!!***
8 locals recommend
Fixture Pizza Pub
623 S 2nd StYour go-to pizza place, both thin and deep dish pizzas are amazing (even the gluten-free crust option). ***Have the Eggplant Fries!!!***
OMG - seriously, try the fried cheese curds (local favorite) and a Brussel Sprout Grinder.
13 locals recommend
Camino
434 S 2nd StOMG - seriously, try the fried cheese curds (local favorite) and a Brussel Sprout Grinder.
5 Permanent Food Trucks - tacos, awesome burgers, arepas, fried chicken sandwiches - don't miss this. One block away!
28 locals recommend
Zócalo Food Park
636 S 6th St5 Permanent Food Trucks - tacos, awesome burgers, arepas, fried chicken sandwiches - don't miss this. One block away!
Groceries / Market
Cermak Fresh Market
1541 Miller Park WaySupermarket, Beer/Wine - Limited health/beauty
Metro Market
1123 N Van Buren StFull supermarket, liquor, pharmacy and health/beauty.
An awesome diner that converted to a Grocery due to Covid-19. Worth checking out.
7 locals recommend
The King & I Thai Restaurant
830 North Old World 3rd StreetAn awesome diner that converted to a Grocery due to Covid-19. Worth checking out.
Mobil
605 S 1st StGas & Large Convenience Store
Martha's Vineyard
601 S 1st StFull Liquor Store
Cool Tours / Shops / Brew Pubs
Great Lakes Distillery
616 W Virginia StOne of only two urban creameries in the United States. Stop here and pick up classic fresh Wisconsin cheese curds!
13 locals recommend
Clock Shadow Creamery
138 W Bruce StOne of only two urban creameries in the United States. Stop here and pick up classic fresh Wisconsin cheese curds!
Indulgence Chocolatiers
211 S 2nd StPurple Door Ice Cream
205 S 2nd StBroken Bat Brewery
135 E Pittsburgh AveBrew Pub
Indeed Brewing Company
530 S 2nd StBrew Pub
MobCraft Beer Brewery and Taproom
505 S 5th StCrowdsourced Brewery - as seen on Shark Tank
Urban Harvest Brewing Co
1024 S 5th StBrew Pub - 1 block away
Mix of shops and restaurants, heart of third ward neighborhood just to the north.
267 locals recommend
Milwaukee Public Market
Mix of shops and restaurants, heart of third ward neighborhood just to the north.
Antiques / Art
Antiques On Pierce
1512 W Pierce StClinton Street Antiques
1110 S 1st StAntique Addicts
835 W National AveFarm Girl Art and Antiques
803 S 5th StVar Gallery and Studios
643 S 2nd StMajor Attractions
Some of the big things not to miss.
Every weekend during the summer there is a music or ethnic festival going on.
83 locals recommend
Summerfest
639 E Summerfest PlEvery weekend during the summer there is a music or ethnic festival going on.
Milwaukee Art Museum
700 N Art Museum Drkee
Harley-Davidson Museum
400 W Canal StMitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory (The Domes)
524 S Layton BlvdKnown as the Domes.
Miller Park
1 Brewers WayYou can eat at TGIF all year round and tour the stadium.
Bradford Beach
2400 N Lincoln Memorial DrGreat Beach with sand volleyball and concessions.
Marquette University
1250 W Wisconsin AveUniversity of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Home of the bucks and entertainment district with public plaza and numerous restaurants and bars.
132 locals recommend
fiserv forum
Home of the bucks and entertainment district with public plaza and numerous restaurants and bars.
Wisconsin Center
400 W Wisconsin AveConvention Center.
Milwaukee Public Museum
800 W Wells StOther Entertainment
The Laughing Tap
706 S 5th StComedy Club - right next door!
Dining with the Divas, Drag Bingo and more at this favorite Drag Queen themed bar and restaurant.
11 locals recommend
Hamburger Mary's Milwaukee
730-734 S 5th StDining with the Divas, Drag Bingo and more at this favorite Drag Queen themed bar and restaurant.
Caroline's
401 S 2nd StJazz Club - live entertainment
NorthSouth Club
230 E Pittsburgh AveAxe Throwing & Shuffle Board - bar/entertainment
Milwaukee Kayak Company
318 S Water StKayak our three rivers.
Potawatomi Hotel & Casino
1721 W Canal StFull casino: Bingo, slots, table games, sports book