James Beard

Fine Dining

Ardent

Ardent was named a semifinalist for the Nation’s Best New Restaurant Award 2014 after being open only 4 months, and chef Justin Carlisle is a multi-year finalist for Best Chef: Midwest. One of Milwaukee’s favorite fine dining establishments, Ardent offers intimate fine dining inspired by the cooking traditions of the Great Lakes.

French

Bartolotta's Lake Park Bistro

One of the best French restaurants in the Midwest and a local stop for preeminent names like Thomas Keller and Jacques Pepin; Executive Chef Adam Siegel won Best Chef: Midwest in 2008. Located in a historic pavilion on a scenic bluff with stunning views of Lake Michigan, Lake Park Bistro offers authentic, rustic French cuisine. Experience the bustling bistro at lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch throughout the year; the annual Black Truffle dinner is a special event not to be missed by foodies.

Café, Deli & Market

Bavette La Boucherie

This artisan restaurant and butcher shop features sustainably-raised meats that are butchered and prepared on-site. Chef-owner Karen Bell is a two-time semifinalist for Best Chef: Midwest.

Farm to Table

Braise

Milwaukee’s first community supported restaurant, Braise’s locally sourced ingredients come from more than 40 Wisconsin farms, and the menu changes daily based on what seasonal items they receive from farmers. Chef and owner David Swanson is a multi-year semifinalist for Best Chef: Midwest.

Retro Cocktail Lounge

Bryant's Cocktail Lounge

America’s first free-standing cocktail lounge, originating in 1939 with a menu of over 450 specialty and classic cocktails. Despite their extensive offerings, there is no menu here – let one of their knowledgeable bartenders guide you to the perfect cocktail. Bryant’s was a 2013 and 2019 Semifinalist for Outstanding Bar Program.

Contemporary American Fusion

Chef Peggy Magister is a James Beard Semifinalist who began her culinary training under Wolfgang Puck and now serves contemporary American Fusion cuisine in her restaurant, Crazy Water, built inside a nineteenth century feed store.

American-Chinese

DanDan

Best Chef Midwest nominee Dan Van Rite paired with another local Dan, Chef Dan Jacobs, to open this playful homage to American-Chinese cuisine.

American

THE DIPLOMAT

This comfortable neighborhood restaurant serves approachable, shareable American cuisine. Chef Dane Baldwin is a 2019 Semifinalist for Best Chef: Midwest.

Intimate Gourmet Dining

EsterEv

Named in honor of the chef's great-grandmothers, this restaurant-within-a-restaurant offers a special ten-course menu served family style, with a single seating on Friday and Saturday nights. Chefs Dan Van Rite and Dan Jacobs are 2019 Semifinalists for Best Chef: Midwest.

Fine Dining

Sanford Restaurant

Original chef & owner Sandy D’Amato was one of 12 chefs personally chosen to cook for Julia Child’s 80th Birthday and the first Milwaukee chef to win Best Chef: Midwest (1996). Current chef and owner, Chef Justin Aprahamian, won the title in 2014. Enjoy a unique dining experience at this highly-regarded restaurant, with a four-course “exploration menu” or put your tastebuds in the chef’s hands with a seven-course “surprise tasting menu.”

Serbian

Three Brothers Restaurant

Awarded as an American Classic (2002), this low-key Serbian restaurant is a beloved neighborhood jewel that has been serving authentic Serbian cuisine since the 1950s.