10 Casual Restaurants In Milwaukee, Wisconsin

casual restaurants in milwaukee
Hannah
Hannah 
Published
| 5 min read

Perched on the western shore of Lake Michigan, the metropolis of Milwaukee is a peaceful, picturesque getaway in the Midwest. This city is the largest in the state of Wisconsin, and it is packed with fantastic museums, fun-filled family activities, and an absolute bounty of brilliant restaurants. After a busy day of exploring exciting attractions like Harley-Davidson Museum or the Milwaukee Art Museum, and meandering past the memorials and shops in the scenic Lakefront area, enjoy a delicious meal at one of the city’s delectable casual restaurants. Of course, while you’re here in “Brew City,” you have to try some of the amazing local beverages. Both Miller and Pabst Blue Ribbon beers got their start in the city, and Milwaukee is now home to an inventive craft beer scene. The list below has a roundup of some of the 10 best places to eat and drink while in town. Read on to find about the fantastic casual restaurants in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

1. Morel

Ricotta gnudi with morels, ramps, fiddleheads, asparagus and mint.

Posted by Morel on Friday, 10 May 2019

Morel is a fantastic farm-to-table establishment that partners with local farms, purveyors, foragers, and artisans to create amazing seasonal menus. Under the direction of Wisconsin chef Jonathan Manyo, this elegant restaurant serves delicious dishes inspired by local ingredients and has a drinks list filled with inventive cocktails. The food menus change daily to include the freshest ingredients of the season, and there is always delicious local craft beer available to complement your meal.

Morel

Address: 430 S 2nd St, Milwaukee, WI 53204, USA

Website: Morel

Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 5 pm - 9 pm; Fri - Sat: 5 pm - 10 pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

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2. Birch & Butcher

$5 Double Chaz Happy Hour weekdays at the bar! #mkefoodies #mkehappyhour #birchandbutcher #slowfoodmke @thenorthendapartments @ec_milwaukee @visitmilwaukee

Posted by Birch + Butcher on Monday, 8 April 2019

At this beautiful casual restaurant, local ingredients invigorate seasonal menus filled with shareable dishes. Birch & Butcher is home to Milwaukee’s only open-hearth fire, and whether the dish is seared, roasted, grilled, or smoked, the meat and vegetables always burst with bold flavor. The dishes here are inspired takes on Midwestern classics, and even the beers are local and the wine list brims with domestic options. Birch & Butter hosts a daily happy hour, and a sumptuous brunch every weekend.

Birch & Butcher

Address: 459 E Pleasant St, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA

Website: Birch & Butcher

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 7:30 am - 9 pm; Fri - Sat: 7:30 am - 10 pm; Sun: 7:30 am - 2 pm

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3. Odd Duck

Hamachi crudo with yuzu granita #newdishwhodis #onmytable #mkefoodies #hamachi #crudo #eatmunchies #eat414

Posted by Odd Duck on Monday, 20 May 2019

For unbelievably tasty, fresh food and drinks made with the best local ingredients, look no further than Odd Duck. This casual restaurant in Milwaukee’s beautiful Bay Area serves up a menu of brilliant multinational small plates and shareable dishes, and the bar is open until 12 am daily. The seasons inspire the menus here, and there are always vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options available. Whatever flavors your taste buds fancy, you’re sure to find a fantastic dish that will satisfy.

Odd Duck

Address: 2352 S Kinnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207, USA

Website: Odd Duck

Opening hours: 3 pm - 12 am (daily)

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4. Tess

Posted by Tess on Wednesday, 17 January 2018

This stylish bistro serves wonderful seasonal dishes that sizzle with sumptuous flavor. Tess crafts tasty American dishes with local meats and fresh produce, and has an extensive menu of local beers and wines from around the world. A staple of Milwaukee’s East Side since 2002, this restaurant has a great dinner menu and a gorgeous garden patio.

Tess

Address: 2499 N Bartlett Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA

Website: Tess

Opening hours: Sun, Tue - Thu: 5 pm - 9 pm; Fri - Sat: 5 pm - 10 pm (closed on Mon)

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5. The Noble

Posted by The Noble on Monday, 11 February 2019

The Noble is a casual restaurant with a rotating menu of seasonal dishes and a friendly ambiance. This quirky, laid-back restaurant is always updating its menu with delicious offerings that make the most out of seasonal ingredients, and it has fare to satisfy both meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. In addition to the fantastic dinner menu, the drinks menu is extensive and creative, and the beers here only cost a dollar! Dinner is served Tuesday through Saturday, and The Noble offers a terrific brunch service on Mondays.

The Noble

Address: 704 S 2nd St, Milwaukee, WI 53205, USA

Website: The Noble

Opening hours: Mon: 11 am - 3 pm; Tue - Sat: 5 pm - 11 pm (closed on Sun)

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6. Goodkind

GK Burger night is back y'all! This time with the weather really turning towards the warmth and the @bucks steamrolling...

Posted by Goodkind on Tuesday, 14 May 2019

Nestled near the shores of Lake Michigan in the Bay View neighborhood, Goodkind is a wonderful bar and restaurant that takes good food and drink seriously. This upscale, casual restaurant is renowned for its amazing rotisserie meats and mouthwatering cocktails, and the kitchen is open until 1 a.m. daily serving an appetizing selection of large and small, shareable plates. Whatever you order, you’re sure to find a perfect drink pairing from the assortment of artisanal cocktails, draft beers, and a wide selection of wines! You also won’t want to miss the delectable brunch service on Sundays.

Goodkind

Address: 2457 S Wentworth Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207, USA

Website: Goodkind

Opening hours: 4 pm - 2 am (daily); Sun brunch: 10 am - 2 pm

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7. Calderone Club

Eq it-na pizza-margherita sep2005 sml
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Valerio Capello used under CC BY-SA 3.0

A fabulous option for a fresh and flavorful Italian meal, the Calderone Club has an extensive menu of mouthwatering, hand-crafted dishes. This charming restaurant is renowned for its made-from-scratch pasta and Neapolitan-style thin-crust pizzas, as well as its award-winning meatballs. Pair any of the old-style dishes with a wine off of the expansive drink list, and make sure to save room for a traditional dessert like tiramisu, cannoli, or gelato!

Calderone Club

Address: 842 N Old World 3rd St, Milwaukee, WI 53203, USA

Website: Calderone Club

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11 am - 3 pm, 5 pm - 11 pm; Fri - Sat: 11 am - 12 am (closed on Sun)

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8. Story Hill BKC

Posted by Story Hill BKC on Friday, 17 May 2019

Story Hill BKC is a casual American restaurant that serves classic Midwestern favorites made from locally sourced ingredients. With a wide selection of tasty dishes, artisan, hand-made cocktails, and wonderful weekend brunch, there is a lot to love at this restaurant. Story Hill BKC also has an awesome happy hour deal and delectable dessert offerings.

Story Hill BKC

Address: 5100 W Bluemound Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53208, USA

Website: Story Hill BKC

Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 11 am - 9 pm; Sat: 9 am - 9 pm; Sun: 9 am - 2 pm (closed on Mon)

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9. The Knick

Hey there, martinis...

Posted by The Knick on Tuesday, 5 February 2019

Set in a vibrant restaurant overlooking Lake Michigan, The Knick is flavorful, delicious, and fresh. The wide-ranging menu features mouthwatering appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, and entrees, and there are tasty specials offered daily. Whether you stop by for dinner during the week or treat yourself to brunch on Sunday, the Knick always impresses with its delicious dishes and lip-smacking cocktails and craft beers.

The Knick

Address: 1030 E Juneau Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA

Website: The Knick

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 11 am - 12 am; Sat - Sun: 9 am - 12 am

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10. Screaming Tuna

Pic of the year right here. ?????#Repost @lovelyatotheb ・・・ This. View. And I’m not talking about the city. #sushi #milwaukee #foodie #views #mke #414 #friyay

Posted by Screaming Tuna Sushi & Asian Bistro on Sunday, 19 May 2019

Set in a bright and airy restaurant overlooking the water, Screaming Tuna is refreshing, delicious, and committed to sustainable agriculture. This Asian-inspired bistro has a tantalizing menu of fresh sushi selections and seafood entrees, as well as vegetarian options, delectable desserts, and an astounding variety of sakes that will complement whatever you decide to order. The weekend brunch menu is also exceptional.

Screaming Tuna

Address: 106 W Seeboth St, Milwaukee, WI 53204, USA

Website: Screaming Tuna

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11 am - 2:30 pm, 4:30 pm - 10 pm; Fri: 11 am - 2:30 pm, 4:30 pm - 11 pm; Sat: 10:30 am - 11 pm; Sun: 10:30 am - 10 pm

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The mouthwatering flavors of Milwaukee

The Milwaukee food scene is characterized by a commitment to fresh ingredients and boundless creativity. These 10 casual restaurants provide delicious meals packed with an amazing flavor, inspired by local ingredients and cultures around the world. Whether you’re in the mood for paninis or sashimi, you can always count on finding a delicious meal in this Midwestern city. Enjoy these 10 casual restaurants next time you visit Milwaukee, Wisconsin!

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Hannah is a freelance writer, list making aficionado, and world traveler currently based in Germany. She is an avid explorer, and believes in creating new experiences to put on her bucket list to...Read more

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