James Beard-Recognized Dining

Milwaukee has been honored with many James Beard award-winners and nominees throughout the years. Dane Baldwin, chef and co-owner of The Diplomat on Brady Street, was named Best Chef Midwest in 2022. Although his menu changes seasonally, it’s an always-approachable mix of small and full-size plates. But don’t think twice if trout is on the menu, and don’t ever forget to save room for the peanut butter pie. 

Solly’s Grille, which has perfected the Wisconsin art of the butter burger since first serving it way back in 1936. Solly’s was named one of five America’s Classics winners in 2022 for its slightly messy masterpiece, a ground sirloin patty topped with stewed onions and the burger’s namesake – an overly generous amount of Wisconsin butter.

Kyle Knall of Birch was a semifinalist for the national Outstanding Chef award in both 2022 and 2024. Beard bestowed Odd Duck earned recognition as a semifinalist for national Outstanding Restaurant in 2022, and its chefs Samuel Ek and Ross Bachhuber were semifinalists for Best Chef Midwest in 2024. Karen Bell of Bavette La Boucherie was a finalist for Best Chef Midwest in 2022, while Dan Jacobs and Dan Van Rite of EsterEv and Gregory León of Amilinda were semifinalists that same year. Jacobs and Van Rite of EsterEv advanced to become finalists for Best Chef Midwest in 2024.

Baldwin is the fourth Milwaukee chef to earn Beard’s title of best in the Midwest, and all four still delight Milwaukee’s diners with either their work or legacies. Justin Aprahamian won the award in 2014 as chef and owner of Sanford, one of the city’s best-loved and longest-operating restaurants. He bought Sanford in 2012 from Sandy D’Amato, who opened it in 1989 and won Best Chef: Midwest himself in 1996. The seasonal menu, described as modern ethnic, remains true to its tradition of locally sourced artisan ingredients.

Adam Siegel’s Best Chef Midwest award came in 2008, and he recently opened Lupi & Iris to enhance downtown’s fine-dining scene. It was a 2023 semifinalist for national Best New Restaurant. The seafood and pasta creations draw inspiration from the French and Italian Riviera, with ingredients sourced locally and from the coasts as well as Europe.

Raise a Glass

Beer may always be foundational to Milwaukee's bar scene, but we also know a thing about spirits, and the Beard Foundation knows we know. Goodkind was a semifinalist for the Outstanding Bar Program award in 2022. Co-owner Katie Rose is the driving force behind Goodkind’s expertise at pairing the perfect cocktail with chef and co-owner Paul Zerkel’s seasonal Americana cuisine.

Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge opened its doors way back in 1938 and has gained a national reputation for its classic combination of atmosphere and mixology. Among its many honors through the years was Beard semifinal recognition for Outstanding Bar Program in 2013 and 2019.