If you've spent any time on the internet over the past few years, chances are you've come across the viral phenomenon known as “girl dinner.” At its core, it's a no-fuss meal made up of whatever sounds good in the moment or what’s left in the fridge. We’ve all been there: it’s a handful of random snacks, a few favorite savory bites or even a grazing board if you have the time.
 

A girl dinner can be as effortless as cheese and crackers with raw vegetables or as elevated as oysters, caviar and a spread of mezze. It’s charcuterie, dips, olives, crudité, French fries, chicken Caesar salads and crispy chicken nuggets. There are no rules, just a collection of foods you love that are perfect for mixing, matching and grazing. 
 

While the trend started as a lighthearted way to celebrate little-to-no-effort meals, across Milwaukee, you'll find menus filled with snackable bites, shareable plates and appetizer-forward dining that make building your own version of a “girl dinner” something of an art form. Here are just a few of the places that are perfect to graze your way through Milwaukee.

the Bar at Saint Kate–The Arts Hotel

If there's one place in Milwaukee that has fully embraced the girl dinner trend, it’s the Bar at Saint Kate–The Arts Hotel. Located in the Milwaukee Theater District, the Bar serves its own take on the viral meal every day beginning at 4 p.m. For just $30, you’ll get balance with a tinge of the unhinged: French fries, a Caesar salad and a martini of your choosing (espresso, a classic Cosmo or filthy dirty vodka). It's the go-to pre-theater ritual and a playful reminder that sometimes the best meals are the simplest ones. 

Aperitivo

Aperitivo in the Pritzlaff was practically made for girl dinner. Known for its spritzes and shareable small plates, the table quickly fills with bites meant for grazing. Order the hummus trio, marinated olives, warm focaccia and a flatbread or two, then pair it with a refreshing spritz and you’ve got a girl dinner at its best.

Aya

One of Milwaukee’s newest restaurants, Aya takes girl dinner to the next level. Centered on Mediterranean cuisine with bold Middle Eastern flavors, it's the perfect gathering spot for a meal built around snackable and dippable mezze. Every dish is designed for the table to share and savor, with dishes like a seafood tower, scallop ceviche, and the mezze sampler featuring hummus, ghanoush and falafel.

The Conroy - Modern Supper Club

While it's known as a modern supper club, the shareable starters at The Conroy are what make it a girl dinner standout. Grab a seat on the patio, order a round of cocktails and build your spread with oysters, truffle fries, crispy Brussels sprouts, beet salad or, if you're feeling a little fancy, potato chips topped with caviar. 

Avli 

You can create your own version of girl dinner at this modern Greek restaurant in the Brewer's Hill neighborhood. Start with a spread of hummus, tzatziki or smoked salmon tarama, then mix and match mezze like burrata, grilled octopus and skewers. Then, order one of Avli's signature liter spritzes to share with the table.

Momo Mee

In the shadow of the iconic Allen-Bradley Clocktower is a shareable oasis in the Harbor District. Momo Mee is best known for their flavorful, shareable, handcrafted Pan-Asian cuisine. Here, you can get a taste of a wide array of culinary delights–dishes like fresh spring rolls, potstickers, chicken dumplings, spicy wontons and their must-try xiao long bao.

Odd Duck

Small plates, big flavor. That's the philosophy at Odd Duck. Inspired by the joy of sharing, the ever-changing menu features inventive, locally sourced small plates designed to be mixed, matched and passed around the table. With options for omnivores, vegetarians and vegans alike, there’s something for every locavore seeking a feast of bold flavors and new discoveries.

Movida at Hotel Madrid

Unlimited tapas? Say less. At Movida, girl dinner comes with endless possibilities thanks to its $49 all-you-can-eat Spanish tapas, available every evening. For an even better deal, stop by Wednesday through Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. for $1 tapas at the bar, where Movida staples like paella, pan con tomate and patatas bravas build the ultimate girl dinner without breaking the bank. 

La Merenda 

Italian for “early snack,” there may quite possibly be no better place to sample a bunch of snacks than La Merenda. This colorful restaurant is nestled in the heart of historic Walker's Point and offers internationally inspired dishes from all over the world–Italy and Argentina, Spain and  Morocco, Colombia and Wisconsin and beyond. Add a spacious patio and a huge selection of wines, and you have a match made in girl dinner heaven.
 

Girl dinner may be having a moment, but these Milwaukee restaurants have been perfecting the art of shared plates all along.
 

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