Bars and Restaurants
Milwaukee’s bar and restaurant scene is on a roll, with new spots opening across the city and longtime favorites expanding into fresh spaces.
Āya
This restaurant will offer an elevated Mediterranean dining experience, focusing on the flavors and cherished traditions of the Middle East. Āya will feature charcoal-style dishes, fine, carefully sourced meats and a range of mezze inspired by the region’s rich culinary heritage.
Cassis
This French bistro hasn't even opened yet, and it's already landed on Bon Appétit's list of nine must-visit restaurants across the country. Set to open on January 5, Cassis comes from husband-wife duo Meghan and Kyle Knall, the team behind Birch. Located in the Historic Third Ward, Cassis brings the energy of a classic Parisian bistro to town with all-day dining, seasonal plates, fine wine and chilled seafood, making it one of the most anticipated restaurant openings of 2026.
Il Ponte
Il Ponte is set to be a Mediterranean concept, offering a menu built around thoughtful ingredients, seasonal dishes and comforting favorites. The restaurant will bring a fresh take to familiar flavors with a warm and inviting feel.
JoSa on the River
Taking over the former Pier 106 space, JoSa will pair American fusion dishes with a scenic patio along the RiverWalk. With a glass-lined dining room, private event space and plans for seasonal outdoor seating, it is poised to become a favorite for skyline views and fresh flavors.
Nadi Plates
A local favorite will soon have a home inside the old Crossroads Collective building. A beloved food truck-turned-restaurant, Nadi Plates is leveling up with bold Italian-inspired bowls, scratch-made sauces and globally influenced small plates. Add an espresso bar and sweet treats, and it becomes an easy choice for lunch, dinner or a quick stop in between.
R1ver Pizza
Ian’s Pizza is bringing its creative slices to the R1VER development in the Harbor District and to Bay View, adding two new spots for late-night bites and crowd-pleasing comfort food.
Uppa Yard
Family-owned and widely loved, Uppa Yard has shared authentic Jamaican cooking with Milwaukee for more than 15 years. The new downtown location will serve the same delicious homestyle jerk chicken, curry goat and fried plantains as their original location in Bronzeville, with recipes passed down through generations.
Entertainment
Showstopping festivals and venues on the horizon in 2026 include:
Freshwater Food & Wine Festival
The Freshwater Food and Wine Festival, announced by Revolve Experience Marketing, is coming to Milwaukee September 21-23 with a festival that highlights the city’s food culture. The event pairs elevated tastings with live cooking demonstrations, chef challenges and sommelier-led pairings, designed for both casual foodies and serious wine lovers alike.
Landmark Credit Union Live
A new indoor concert venue is coming to Milwaukee in 2026. Opening in the Deer District, the 4,500-capacity Landmark Credit Union Live will bring national touring acts and community events to the heart of downtown. With a growing lineup already announced, expect artists like Miguel, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, and Boys Like Girls.
Other Major Upcoming Restorations and Developments
Milwaukee never stops evolving, and the excitement coming our way in 2026 and beyond is giving us plenty to look forward to.
The Marc Hotel
A new, independent 175-room hotel is set to open downtown in January 2026. The Marc is located in the west wing of the historic Hilton Milwaukee, with its own entrance on North 6th Street and direct access to the Baird Center, making it a convenient option for travelers, convention attendees and visitors looking to stay in the heart of the city.
Frank Lloyd Wright Burnham Block Home Restoration
Milwaukee will have something special to look forward to in 2026 as the restoration of a rare Frank Lloyd Wright Burnham Block home is moving ahead. The nearly $800,000 project will breathe new life into one of the city’s architectural gems and open the door for fresh programming, tours and renewed attention to the historic block. The project promises a polished and thoughtfully restored space that showcases Wright’s vision and adds another reason to explore the west side’s growing cultural landscape.
South Shore Cruise Dock
Cruising into the new year, the South Shore Cruise Dock is under construction at Port Milwaukee. The long-anticipated deep-water dock broke ground in fall 2025 and is expected to be operational in time for the 2026 cruise season, which will bring more than 60 cruise ships to Milwaukee. Once completed, this project will offer large Seawaymax vessels a proper port-of-call and give visitors an incredible first impression of the Good Land.
Projects Underway
Even with so much arriving in 2026, several major projects are already taking shape.
Bronzeville Center for the Arts
The Bronzeville Center for the Arts is moving closer to opening its $55 million African American art and culture museum, with demolition complete and plans underway to transform the former state DNR building into a center for art, community and cultural education.
Milwaukee Public Museum
The future home of the Milwaukee Public Museum is taking shape. Located just blocks from the Deer District, the $240 million Nature & Culture Museum of Wisconsin is reimagining the state’s largest natural history museum. With five stories, tons of natural light and a nature-inspired design that reflects forms found across Wisconsin, the museum will invite visitors to explore beginning in early 2027.
Moss Universal Park
Moss Universal Park is pushing inclusivity forward, with plans for what is billed as the country’s first fully universal park. Designed as a place where people of all ages and abilities can play, the 18-acre park will include a fully accessible playground, three inclusive sports fields and a challenge course. Located in Wauwatosa, the project will be completed in phases over the next few years.
Moxy Hotel
Deer District is adding another hotel to its growing footprint. The Moxy Hotel will join the district as a second Marriott property, offering an upbeat and lively counterpoint to The Trade Hotel and a convenient home base for visitors attending events at Fiserv Forum and the Landmark Credit Union Live. With groundbreaking anticipated in late 2026, the nine-story, 162-room hotel is slated to open in 2027.
Events
If you thought your 2025 calendar was booked, think again. 2026 is bringing back the classics and adding new events to your radar.
- U.S. Olympic Team Trials Speed Skating Long Track (January 2-5)
- AdeptiCon (May 24-30)
- USA Triathlon National Championships (August 7-9)
- AVCA First Serve (August 21-23)
- Milwaukee Mile 250 (August 28-30)
- Freshwater Food & Wine Festival (September 21-23)
Major Anniversaries
2026 comes with two big birthdays to celebrate: the United States of America’s 250th and Milwaukee’s 180th.
- United States of America’s 250th Anniversary
- Milwaukee’s 180th Anniversary
- Wisconsin State Fair’s 175th Anniversary
- Mader's 125th Anniversary
- Five O'Clock Steakhouse's 80th Anniversary
- Juneteenth Day Festival’s 55th Anniversary
- Saz’s 50th Anniversary
- German Fest’s 45th Anniversary
- Irish Fest’s 45th Anniversary
- Shaker's Cigar Bar's 40th Anniversary
- Doors Open Milwaukee’s 15th Anniversary
Want to explore more? Get to know the 414 like a local by checking out our blog, then plan your visit and be one of the first to experience these new and upcoming landmarks, restaurants and milestones for the city of Milwaukee.
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