Milwaukee’s dining scene is buzzing. With fresh flavors, new vibes and bold ideas, it’s the perfect time to eat your way through the city. We’ve combed every neighborhood, from the streets of the Third Ward to riverside patios and airport terminals, to bring you the most exciting new doors that have opened and a few that are just about to. Here’s your personal guide to what’s hot now and what’s next in MKE.
Now Open
Ruby’s Bagels
Washington Heights
Milwaukee’s first bagel pop-up is now a full-fledged bakery. Started by Daniela Ruby Varela and powered by family, Ruby’s serves hand-rolled bagels with a perfect crust and soft interior. Flavors range from classic everything to guava jam topped creations inspired by Ruby’s Cuban roots. From dream to dough, it’s a true local success story.
Café Benelux
Historic Third Ward
The rooftop at Café Benelux just got a major glow-up. Now operating year-round under the new Lux Skyhaus enclosure, this Third Ward favorite lets you brunch with sunshine in July or sip cocktails under heat lamps in January. It’s the same mussels and frites favorite you love, now with a serious rooftop upgrade.
Osaka Ramen & Hibachi
Brookfield
Osaka’s Brookfield debut brings sizzling hibachi tables and steaming ramen bowls to a high-traffic corner of Bluemound Road. Owned by the team behind Osaka Watertown and Osaka Pewaukee, this location mixes theatrical flair with flavorful Japanese cuisine. With a sleek dining room and lively grill-side seating, it’s built for everything from weeknight dinners to special celebrations.
Dream Lounge Social
Harambee
Tucked along King Drive, Dream Lounge Social brings upscale cocktails, velvet seating and late-night energy to the Harambee neighborhood. Known for its signature cocktail flights and occasional DJ sets, this Black-owned lounge aims to offer a high-end but inclusive space where style meets community.
Poppy Bakery
East Side
Poppy’s tiny storefront packs a punch, turning out wood-fired sourdough loaves, laminated pastries and savory hand pies that regularly sell out. With a seasonal menu and lines out the door on weekends, this East Side bakery has quickly become a go-to for carb-loving locals.
Mother’s
Bay View
Opened in the historic White House building, Mother’s is led by a former Ardent sous chef and blends comfort food with a modern twist. Shareable small plates like Madeira mushrooms and beet carpaccio take center stage, paired with creative cocktails in a space that feels part supper club, part neighborhood kitchen.
Purslane
East Side
Located in the former Ardent space, Purslane is a celebration of vegetable-forward cooking with Mediterranean flair. Dishes like charred leek risotto and beet tart reflect a seasonal approach, with a cozy, minimalist interior that encourages lingering over a glass of wine and a good conversation.
Haven Café
Yankee Hill
Haven Café blends coffeehouse calm with a touch of cocktail bar energy. By day, it’s a quiet space for lattes and pastries. By night, the vibe shifts with espresso martinis and curated wines. The airy interior, warm service and all-day versatility make it a favorite in the Yankee Hill neighborhood.
Mitchell Market
Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport
Mitchell Market offers a curated taste of Wisconsin inside Concourse D. Travelers can grab cheese curds, fresh bakery items and local favorites from a rotating lineup of vendors. It’s part of a broader airport upgrade aiming to highlight Milwaukee’s culinary identity to visitors in transit.
Coming Soon
Uppa Yard
Water Street
Family owned and top rated, Uppa Yard has been bringing the real taste of Jamaican cooking to Milwaukee for more than 15 years. Their new downtown location serves up homestyle jerk chicken, curry goat and fried plantains with recipes passed down for generations. It’s a warm and welcoming space where your mouth will dance and your belly will leave happy.
Summer of ’85
Bronzeville
This retro cocktail bar and restaurant promises a neon-soaked celebration of 1980s pop culture. With VHS tapes lining the walls, themed drinks, arcade games and a food menu that riffs on comfort classics, it’s shaping up to be a one-of-a-kind hangout spot in Bronzeville.
The Bartolotta Restaurants' New Space
Downtown
The Bartolotta Restaurants is redeveloping the former Rumpus Room into a new dining concept expected to lean into the group’s signature mix of fine dining and approachable hospitality. While the name and menu are still under wraps, this high-profile transformation is one to watch.
Bebe Zito Ice Cream
3rd Street Market Hall, Downtown
Minneapolis-based Bebe Zito is bringing its wild ice cream creations and comfort food to Milwaukee. Known for flavors like cereal milk and toasted marshmallow, they’ll also offer burgers and crispy chicken sandwiches. The move marks the brand’s first expansion outside Minnesota.
Your Office
East Town
Work hard, play harder. Your Office is where the 9 to 5 meets the 5 to 9. This East Town newcomer feels like your favorite suburban dive, only with sharper sandwiches, better cocktails and just the right amount of chaos. Come for the old fashioneds, stay for the bar dice, and bring your work crew or your Tinder date. There’s a seat for everyone here.
Banderas
Walker’s Point
From the team behind Sorella and Tavolino comes Banderas, a Latin American tavern focused on agave-forward cocktails and small plates. Expect dishes like empanadas and tortas in a lively space designed to feel like a neighborhood cantina with a culinary twist.
Nadi Plates
East Side
From festivals and food trucks to a new home inside Crossroads Collective, Nadi Plates (pronounced naughty plates) is leveling up. This woman-owned favorite serves bold Italian inspired bowls, scratch-made sauces and a rotating cast of globally influenced small plates. Add an espresso bar and a few sweet surprises and it’s your new go-to for lunch, dinner or somewhere in between.
JoSa on the River
Milwaukee RiverWalk, Downtown
Taking over the former Pier 106 space, JoSa will pair American fusion cuisine with one of the most picturesque patios on the RiverWalk. With a glass-lined dining room, private event space and plans for seasonal outdoor seating, it’s aiming to become a go-to destination for skyline views and fresh flavors.
Milwaukee’s culinary scene is full of personality, momentum and local spirit. Bagels with guava jam, rooftops pouring Belgian beer and coworking cafés that go until 2 a.m. are just a taste of what’s new across the city.
Now is the time to explore Milwaukee's innovative culinary culture, plan your visit and map your stay in Milwaukee.
