Shopping
- Crank Daddy's on the East Side has bikes for sale, bike maintenance, and even bike shipping services. Located on Farwell Avenue, just off the Oak Leaf Bike trail; see
 photo album page.
- Laacke & Joys: an outdoor outfitter right on the Milwaukee River by the Cherry Street bridge since 1961.
- MilwaukeeBellyDance: learn to bellydance, attend events and workshops... a fun way to stay in shape!
- ReThreads: get cash for your clothes and then get new (old) ones at this shop in riverwest.
- Go fly a kite at Gift of Wings in Veteran's Park at the Lakefront. Participate in the annual Family Kite Festival.
 You can smell the aroma in the air on Old World Third Street and get hard-to-find spices at The Spice House. Also, order online.
- Stop by Usinger's Famous Sausage on Old World Third Street and sample one of the food products that made Milwaukee famous; see photo album page.
- As long as you are on Old World Third Street, stop by the corner of Highland Avenue at Wisconsin Cheese Mart for some parmesan, romano, asiago, and others; see photo album page.
- Burke Candy: A candy factory and store in Riverwest offering fudge, toffee, turtles, and more. Web site offers online shopping.
- Anodyne Coffee Company: Order coffees from around the world; Anodyne is in the Brewed Awakenings cafe on Brady Street; see photo album page.
- Planet Bead has the world on a string on North Milwaukee Street.
- Cory the Bike Fixer fixes your bike on The East Side.
- Moxy: women's and men's apparel & accessories
- Starship offers Fine Urban Wearables on North Farwell.
- Buy quality souvenirs and clothing with Milwaukee logos and beer flavor at Brew City. This is the best stop to get the genuine, original Milwaukee designs of t-shirts and souvenirs. Visit the shops in town or order online.
- George Watts has specialized in tableware for more than a century; its store on North Jefferson Street now extends to the Internet with online ordering available at this site; see photo album page.
- Broadway Paper: handmade and imported papers, and more, in the Historic Third Ward.
- The Petullo Collection in the Third Ward exhibits self-taught and outsider art in their galleries.
- Rubin's Furniture: has a store in the Third Ward; stylish furniture for home and office.
- Moda3: snow, steet, and skate wear, in the Historic Third Ward.
- Light Ideas Gallery: in the Marshall Building in the Third Ward, this gallery offers artwork by member artists and events.
- Gallery 218: in an eponymous suite number in the Marshall Building in the Third Ward, this gallery offers artwork by member artists and events.
- Katie Gingrass Gallery: a very popular stop on Gallery Nights, this is a contemporary art and fine craft gallery in the Historic Third Ward.
- Miss Groove: Accessories and gifts--"a friendly neighborhood boutique located on Historic Brady Street..."
- Buy books, attend readings, and enjoy the great Harry W. Schwarz Bookshop's throughout the metro area.
- Woodland Pattern Book Center, in Riverwest, is a center for book sales as well as author readings, workshops, and other literary and cultural events; see photo album page.
- You won't find no genetically-mixed up frankenfoods at Outpost Natural Foods, a cooperative which has been an institution in the Milwaukee area for many years.
- The Shops of Grand Avenue: Restored historic buildings support a variety of uses, including hotels, education, the YMCA, business offices, and retail stores; see photo album page.
- Wild Flour Bakery & Cafe:
offers deli items, breads, soups, pastries, and pies.
- Soup Ladle: soup downstairs of the 770 N. Jefferson St building; also a location in fashionable Cudahy.
- Soups On!: combination art gallery and soup, hotdog, sandwich spot in the Third Ward.
- Red Star Yeast: Milwaukee's own yeast company--get baking tips, recipes, and yeast information. I use Red Star yeast all the time for making dough for homemade pizza.
- Palermo's Pizza: made in the Menomonee Valley.
- Narada: Milwaukee's instrumental, jazz, and world music recording label, part of EMI/Virgin Music Group.
- Milwaukee Electric Tool: Founded in 1924, this company produces tools whose name is synonymous with toughness, durability, and reliability.
Downtown / Eastside Grocery Shopping
Downtown Milwauke residents are fortunuate to have a selection of grocery stores to choose from. Many cities have no food stores in the downtown area, particularly ones with economical prices.
- Roundy's operates a Metro Market at 1123 North Van Buren (corner of N Van Buren and Juneau Ave; see photo album page). This has a wide selection of fresh fruit and "high end" other items (and prices). Roundy's also has a Pick N Save nearby with more affordable prices at 605 East Lyon Street in the East Pointe shopping area (Jefferson and Ogden) and at 1100 E. Garfield (on Humboldt just south of North Avenue).
- Milwaukee Public Market offers specialty foods from Wisconsin at 400 N. Water Street just on the north end of the Third Ward; see photo album page.
- Glorioso Brothers Grocery, 1020 East Brady. A genuine Italian neighborhood grocery store; see photo album page.
- Koppa's Farwell Foods / Fulbeli Deli at 1940 N. Farwell Avenue.
- Whole Foods on North Avenue, near the near Columbia/St. Mary's Hospital. This chain is nicknamed "Whole Paycheck" in a nod to its prices; see photo album page.
- Sendik's on Downer offers fresh fruits and vegetables as well as meats and other specialty foods.
- While not on the East Side or downtown, the ALDI at 225 E. Capitol Drive is a short distance away, and is a good example of an edited-selection food store that can provide affordable, basic groceries in a smaller-store format. There are also Save-a-Lot grocery stores outside of the downtown area.
- At 709 E. Capitol Drive, there is a Lena's Food Market.
- There are several Walgreens in the downtown area. They sometimes have good sale prices on milk and some food items.
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Restaurants
American
- North Point Custard: visit one of the only restaurants in Milwaukee right on Lake Michigan!
- Rip Tide: at the south end of the Milwaukee River; scenic deck; see photo album page.
- Crazy Water: in Walker's Point: everything from Cajun Grilled Tiger Shrimp with corn pancakes to Potato-Crusted Tilapia with a lemon beurre blanc and vegetable brunoise.
- Bacchus located in the Cudahy Tower at the east end of Wells Street near Lake Michigan serves seafood, handmade pastas, and grilled meats; part of the Bartolotta Restaurant Group.
- Butch's Clock Steak House serves up steaks and seafood just west of the Milwaukee River on Plankinton and Wells.
- Miss Katie's Diner: A genuine classic diner from the 1950-1960 era, offering hamburgers, ribs, milkshakes, etc. Near Marquette University downtown. Past diners have included Bill Clinton and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl.
- Miller Time Pub: Presenting a retail presence in its hometown, this Miller Brewing Company enterprise operated with and located in the Hilton Hotel downtown recalls the old days when breweries owned saloons. This pub features Miller products as well as a lunch and dinner menu.
- Milwaukee Chophouse: at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center.
- Twisted Fork: Farwell and North, right next to the Oriental Theater, on The East Side, in the building with the big, twisted fork on it; see photo album page.
- Coast: all the way east on Wisconsin as far as you can go is Coast, the restaurant in the Miller Pavillion, overlooking O'Donnell Park, the Art Musuem's Calatrava-designed addition, and Lake Michigan; see photo album page.
- Roots Restaurant and Cellar: greenhouse and 1.6 hectacres of organic property growing edible flowers and herbs served in restaurant; organics and seafood; Brewer's Hill; see photo album page.
- Aqua: With its location inside the Comfort Inn and Suites Downtown Lakeshore, Aqua offers "a blue infused night club setting" offering drinks and food. See photo.
- Louise's: offers California-style specialty pizzas, pastas, and foccacia breads; the Milwaukee location is right on Cathedral Square; see photo album page.
- American Serb Hall: This the place for the "famous Friday fish fry." With banquet and conference facilities, this is also the place for political rallies. Past speakers have included Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George Bush, Bill Clinton, Dick Cheney, Hubert Humphrey, Walter Mondale, Tommy Thompson, John Norquist, and others.
- Spies can find sanctuary at the Safe House, a place with a distinctive air of espionage. Tip: look for the door to "International Exports Ltd.," in an alley, across from the historic Pabst Theater, which is near the tower of city hall (see photo album page classified photo for a clue).
- Buck Bradley's Saloon and Eatery boasts the longest bar east of the Mississippi. On Old World Third Street; see photo album page.
- Mo's -- A Place for Steaks: the place for steaks in Milwaukee and for wine. Right downtown on North Plankinton Avenue, up the street from Mo's Irish Pub
- Milwaukee Ale House: Brews, music, events, and food--this microbrewery in a brick and timber warehouse building in the Third Ward has it all. Includes outdoor dining on the river (in summer); see photo album page.
- The Social: A popular restaurant and nightspot.
- Sanford: Unassuming in appearance as a former family grocery store nestled in a residential neighborhood on the east side, Sanford impresses nonetheless. Dennis Getto described it as "the cutting edge of culinary excellence in Milwaukee."
- Beans & Barley: Established in 1979 as a health food store, now grown to be a popular East Side deli/speciality grocer and cafe. Famous for vegetarian, but also serves non-vegetarian food. Web site lists daily specials; see photo album page.
- Water Street Brewery: A popular restaurant and bar on the street synonymous with nightlife; see photo album page.
- Saz's BBQ: famous for ribs, this restaurant is popular with people before a baseball game or Miller brewery tour. Also has a smaller food stand in the Grand Avenue Mall.
- Pizza Shuttle: An east-side eatery famous for its value-oriented pizza, burgers, subs, pasta, wings, custard, etc., etc. Open late hours and deliveries to east side and downtown; The restaurant is just north of Brady Street on Farwell; see photo album page.
- Gilles Frozen Custard: Check out Milwaukee's oldest custard stand on Bluemound Road.
German
- Stop by Mader's on Old World Third Street and see the hummels, art gallery, and dine at this famous German restaurant founded in 1902. Past diners have included several heads of state (John F. Kennedy, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and Vicente Fox of Mexico); see photo album page.
- Also on Old World Third Street, glimpse Bavarian culture and social life with replica tables and benches from an original Munich beer hall at Old German Beer Hall Milwaukee; see photo album page.
Italian
- Il Mito: just off the roundabout on the south end of the sixth street bridge. Highly rated.
- Osteria del Mondo: in the Knickerbocker Hotel in the downtown east side, offers complete dinner, lunch, and brunch menus.
- Pretend you're rich and try to glimpse celebrities at Mimma's Cafe on Brady Street.
- Buca di Beppo: Enjoy southern Italian food from the old days. Milwaukee's branch of this national franchise is on North Van Buren Street, north of Juneau (just down the street from the fictional address of Laverne and Shirley on Knapp Street, by the way).
- Cafe Vecchio Mondo: On Old World Third Street, the name comes from Italian, meaning "Old World Cafe," offers fine food, drinks, and banquets. See photo.
- Balistreri's: Well-known for pizza and other Italian specialities.
- Italian Conference Center: In the Third Ward, a restaurant open to the public as well as facility that you can rent for your event; see photo album page.
British, Irish
French
- Bartolotta's Lake Park Bistro: inside a historic building in Lake Park, you'll surrender to the great food at an excellent French restaurant; see photo album page.
- Coquette Cafe: In the Third Ward, Coquette Cafe gives up authentic bistro fare in warm, casual surroundings; see photo album page.
- Trocadero: named after the 16ième Parisian arrondissement Metro station, a cafe by day and a bar by night. Very nicely done in a restored building just east of the Van Buren-Holton bridge and just north of Brady Street; see photo album page.
Euro
- Cafe Hollander: serving up dishes from Belgium at its East Side (Downer Avenue) location.
Asian and Pacific
- Sake-Tumi: on North Milwaukee Street.
- Chin's: the Milwaukee store of this chain is on North Oakland Avenue.
- China Gourmet: You'll find an ok buffet lunch on Wells Street down by the river and across from The Rep, downtown.
- Yen Ching Chinese: Mandarin cuisine, on West Good Hope Road.
- Benihana: Milwaukee's branch of this national chain on Plankinton Avenue on the river.
Mexican, Latin American, Caribbean
- Rudy's: right off the river at Highland and Edison
- Cubanitas: traditional Cuban food and drinks; North Milwaukee Street
- La Perla: a highly-rated fine Mexican restaurant featuring flavors from Guadalajara. In Walker's Point.
- Cempazuchi: "comida brava," on Brady Street.
- Botanas: In Walker's Point, patio dining in season; live mariachi music.
African, Middle Eastern
Greek
- Ouzo Cafe: on North Milwaukee Street, serves food until very late.
- Mykono's Restaurant
on Van Buren just north of State serves the best gyros in town, in my opinion.
- Ouzo Cafe: the flavor of Greece on North Milwaukee Street.
- Apollo Cafe: great Greek food, right on Brady Street.
- Grecian Delight: Gyros, right on East North Avenue.
Indian
- Maharaja on North Farwell has a great luncheon buffet. My favorite: the coconut soup!
- Dancing Ganesha at Brady Street and Van Buren offers an intriguing dining experience.
Eclectic
- Swig: experience the small plate concept on North Water Street.
- Sauce: A fancy place in the Third Ward. Lunch and dinner. Live music Thursday evenings.
- It's a micobrewery. It's a movie theater. It's a restaurant. It's a living room. Visit and decide for yourself-- the Rosebud Cinema
Drafthouse.
See also
MKE Dining for a list of
directories of other area restaurants.
| Flavor
Yelp
My reviews of local spots.
Tours
Clubs / Bars
- Lucile's on North Old World Third Street at Highland promises you a good time with two pianos.
- Roman Coin: a neighborhood tavern built in 1890 designed by Otto Schank (who designed the Pabst Theatre); see photo album page.
- The Wicked Hop: Bar & grill in the commission row shops in the Historic Third Ward.
- Art Bar: in Riverwest, a bar with art on the walls and music in the air; see photo album page.
- Blu: This is Milwaukee's top cocktail bar, located on the 23rd floor of the Pfister Hotel in downtown Milwaukee.
- You can dance if you want to--at Fred Astaire Milwaukee in the Historic Third Ward.
- Mo's Irish Pub: downtown on the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and North Plankinton Avenue; see photo album page.
- Three lounge: club on North Milwaukee Street
- Hi Hat: a classic "velvet lounge" for hepcats on Brady Street. Live music.
- The Estate: "hard-core jazz."
- Cush Lounge: a cocktail lounge with live music, near East North Avenue and North Oakland.
- Have a Nice Day Cafe: nouveau retro nostalgic 60-70's dance scene; North Old World Third Street
- Walker's Pint: bar in Walker's Point.
- Club Rain: in Walker's Point.
- Onopa Brewing Company: on Center Street in Riverwest
- Mad Planet: in Riverwest
- Roman's Pub: On South Kinnickinnic in Bay View.
- Cactus Club: bands & DJs, in Bay View
- Terrace Bar: the new, skinny bar nestled right in Water Street
- You can travel around the world, but you won't find a place quite like the Nomad World Pub on Brady Street.
- Directory: clubMilwaukee: coverage of ever-changing nightlife venues with reviews; audio of local music groups and DJ mixes; discussion forum; events calendar
Laughs
- Pat McCurdy: Catch Pat's song parodies and humor at various venues around town and around the region.
- Enjoy impov comedy raised to competitive levels at ComedySportz. This is improvisation organized by team play. It is funny, sometimes surprising, worth a visit if you've never been there. Originated in Milwaukee, franchised nationally.
Unique Lodgings
Seasonal
- Segway Tours: you can ride on a Segway and tour the Milwaukee lakefront
- Milwaukee Coach and Carriage offers horse-drawn carriage rides of the downtown area
- SeaDog Sailing: offers you a chance to sail on Lake Michigan
- Crabby Charters: fish for chinook and coho salmon, and rainbow, brown and lake trout on Lake Michigan on this charter boat; McKinley Marina.
- Blue Max Charters: fish for king salmon and trout aboard the Blue Max.
- Brew City Charters: fish for trophy chinook and coho salmon, rainbow, brown, and lake trout.
- Edelweiss: Enjoy a dinner and a cruise on the Milwaukee River and Lake Michigan.
- Iroquois Boat: Lake & Harbor Cruises
- Riverwalk Boats: See the life along the rivers from a new angle.
- SailMilwaukee: a luxury yacht available for charter
- Enjoy the lakefront bike path by renting a bike or skates in Veteran's Park at the lakefront. Bikes available include multi-person vehicles.
- Ride a Segway around Milwaukee and see the sights and get a tour. These vehicles are easy to learn in a short time, and fun to ride. You'll look like a nerd, though!
- Visit Milwaukee's coolest ice skating rink downtown at Red Arrow Park, at the southeast corner of Water and State Streets; see photo album page
Cheapskates
Free Admission
You can get in free to several museums during specified times if you are a resident of Milwaukee County:
Good Deals
- East Town Women's Shop in the Historic Third Ward offers women's resale fashions and furs.
- Milwaukee Freecycle: helps reduce waste through the re-use of items; connects individuals who are discarding goods with others who are seeking them.
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MKE Fun
caters to motorcyclists; near the Harley-Davidson Museum.
