Discover the Best New Restaurants in Milwaukee

by The OpenTable Team

Updated October 23, 2019

Wisconsin’s largest city, Milwaukee features pristine lake views, stellar food, and tons of great brews all wrapped with a hearty dose of Midwestern kindness. Small enough to easily get around and feel safe, the city still feels big enough to discover something new every time. Home of the Harley-Davidson, the legendary motorcycle city also served as the setting for the hit 70's TV show, Happy Days. Check out the lovely downtown lakefront, visit the War Memorial Center or spend a few hours in the excellent Milwaukee Art Museum. When you work up an appetite, refuel with some great eats in this dining and drinking destination. But where are the smartest, savviest diners eating out? If you want to check out the latest offerings from this culinary capital, here’s our Tastemaker List of the best new restaurants in Milwaukee.

Holla

4.7

4.7 (189)

$30 and under

Global, International

Manitowoc

About the restaurant

Holla, located in downtown Manitowoc, is a cozy restaurant serving local fare with global flair. The menu features entrees with international themes, using flavors and recipes from all around the world. But they also focus on using ingredients sourced from local farmers and growers whenever possible. This farm-to-table model means they update the menu often, so diners can sample all kinds of new flavors and explore new creations regularly. Sample items include dishes like smoked pork belly, a Jamaican jerk shrimp and cod served with purple cabbage and cannellini bean, and a blueberry Mason jar cheesecake dessert.

Top review

BrianO

Dined on Mar 25, 2023

The appetizers and the sausage pizza were absolutely delicious!

Don's TV & Repair

4.5

4.5 (1211)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

Don’s Diner, located on 1st Street in the Harbor View neighborhood, takes the old-school cool diner and brings it into modern times. It’s a contemporary diner with delicious American, Breakfast and Comfort Food and cocktails to please even the pickiest drinkers. The interior features both old and new, from clean subway tile walls and modern bar stools to marble-topped tables reminiscent of those found in old soda shops. Listen to playlists of 1940s and 1950s music while you dine on menu favorites like Corned Beef Hash, Fritattas, Burgers and more.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Jan 1, 2023

Don's is a fun experience. The food is very good and rather unique. Service was great. One complaint was the music volume was too high and made brunch conversation difficult. And what is brunch without chatting! Oh and I really dislike the fact that they add 19% tip and the servers have to explain that the 19% is the pooled tip. Ownership is basically forcing the wait staff to beg for anything additional. Puts the servers in a bad place and makes me a bit angry that I am forced to supplement the owners payroll across the board. Neither point of contention will keep me from returning.

ARIA - The Restaurant at Saint Kate

4.5

4.5 (524)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

Aria Cafe and Bar, located on Kilbourn Avenue, is one of the best new restaurants in Milwaukee for Contemporary American dining. This all-day restaurant and meeting place offers a locally-inspired, seasonal menu steeped in the culinary traditions of the American midwest. Tucked into the Saint Kate Hotel, it has an approachable, homey American theme in a setting that celebrates visual art. Expansive windows offer views of the city while you dine on simple, classic fare like steak and fries and mini lobster BLTs.

Top review

BCinNBvip

Dined 3 days ago

I always enjoy dinner at Aria and yesterday's dinner was no exception. Such great food & atmosphere... always a treat that I look forward to... and I'll be back soon and often!

Blue Bat Kitchen & Tequilaria

4.5

4.5 (730)

$30 and under

Unspecified

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

Blue Bat Kitchen and Tequilaria, located on Water Street in the former Water Buffalo Restaurant, features fresh, upscale street food in a relaxed and casual environment. As Milwaukee’s first Tequilaria, they are proud to offer an all-day happy hour, too! The restaurant is immediately warm and welcoming and makes a great place to gather with a beautiful waterfront view. It’s an open and bright space and also features a revamped garden level bar area with riverside views. With bowls, tacos, snacks, salads and over 150 different kinds of tequilas, it’s just the kind of place Milwaukee needs!

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 1 day ago

Expecting a completely different menu based on what we had been told(street tacos). We decided to stay and we all enjoyed the entrees we had ordered. A little pricier tha tacos but good

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