Best Restaurants

2022 Best Restaurants in Milwaukee

eskca is proud to bring you the best grub locales in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. You can see our methodology here.

Find a digital badge to celebrate your awesome accomplishment here, or contact us here if you’d like to request one as a sticker for your restaurant!

1. Blue’s Egg

Blue’s Egg

Try the: Eggs Benedict

Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in Milwaukee

“Taking traditional old world ingredients and infusing fresh products and made-from-scratch techniques, France, Italy, England, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Scandinavia, Northern Africa and just a smattering of Asia are all represented on the Blue’s Egg menu.”

2. Mad Rooster Cafe

Mad Rooster Cafe

Try the: Chicken and Waffle

Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in Milwaukee

“Only the bold are truly ready. Welcome to where every bite is prepared with mad style and mad flavor. Welcome to mad rooster café.

From our homemade greek yogurt made with organic milk to the pancakes made from scratch, you’ll know you’ve found your neighborhood favorite. Whether it’s our own signature blend of fresh-brewed coffee or our fresh squeezed orange juice, the mad flavor will bring your senses to life! Smoothies made with all-natural fruit and vegetable puree and greek yogurt; baby red potatoes roasted with extra virgin Greek olive oil + seasoned to perfection.

Every bite in every corner of the restaurant will remind you why you came.”

3. St Paul Fish Company

St Paul Fish Company

Try the: Lobster Roll

Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in Milwaukee

“St. Paul Fish Co. is famous for having the freshest seafood at the best price! Whether it’s Lake Perch or MahiMahi, Tilapia or Chilean Sea Bass, we have it all! Not only that, but we will cook it for you too! Try our Lobster Dinner, a Fish Fry (served seven days a week!), a delicious grilled fish dinner, or any one of our mouth-watering soups, salads, or sandwiches.”

4. SweetDiner

SweetDiner

Try the: Avocado Toast

Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in Milwaukee

“Nestled in the heart of Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward, Sweetdiner serves up American brunch and lunch classics in a vibrant and cozy setting.”

5. AJ Bombers

AJ Bombers

Try the: Milwaukee Burger

Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in Milwaukee

“Life is supposed to be fun! With burgers, beer, booze, and bombs of peanuts, AJ Bombers is the most fun place to leave your stamp and enjoy some grub. It’s just as fun to hang here with your friends or bring the kids for a fun family meal and we’ve won multiple “Best Burger” awards… so you know it’s going to be good.”

6. Smoke Shack

Smoke Shack

Try the: Pulled Pork

Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in Milwaukee

“We’re obsessed with the craft of smoked meat. Our certified humanely-raised meats are dry rubbed, slow smoked, and sauced by you. In some cases, we began smoking your meat yesterday to ensure you get the perfect quality barbecue.

We smoke our meats in small batches, all-day, every-day. In some cases, we sell out when items are in high demand, but sit back, savor a bourbon or two, and try something new. We’re certain that you’ll enjoy our variety!”

7. Odd Duck

Odd Duck

Try the: Short Rib

Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in Milwaukee

“Odd duck is located in the bay view area of milwaukee, serving an ever-changing small plate and shareable menu inspired by local ingredients and world cuisine with dining options for vegetarians, vegans & omnivores alike.”

8. Sobelman’s Pub & Grill

Sobelman’s Pub & Grill

Try the: Fried Chicken Sandwich

Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in Milwaukee

“Dave and Melanie met in 1993 at a restaurant where Melanie was Dave’s waitress. For him, it was love at first sight, and within 1½ years they were married and started a family.

Six years and two daughters later, the owner of that restaurant offered to sell the couple another business that he owned. It was one of Milwaukee’s original Schlitz taverns at 1900 W. St. Paul Ave, and we now call it Sobelman’s Pub & Grill.

Dave and Melanie, with high school educations and no culinary skills, were determined to make the most of a pub-and-grill cuisine (mainly burgers), offering the cleanest environment, friendliest service and most pleasant, cozy atmosphere possible. The result has certainly taken the pub-and-grill experience up a notch!”

9. Maxie’s

Maxie’s

Try the: Chicken Fried Chicken

Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in Milwaukee

“Maxie’s Southern inspiration includes the “Low Country” cooking of the Carolinas, Creole and Cajun cooking of Louisiana, traditional slow-smoked Southern barbeque, and Southern comfort cooking of all kinds. We feature a raw bar serving fresh oysters and shrimp flown in 5 days a week from some of the best fish purveyors on the east coast. Our bar offers a hand picked selection of quality wines, micro-brewed and imported beers, and top-shelf liquors.”

10. Oscar’s Pub & Grill

Oscar's Pub & Grill

Try the: Big Gringo Burger

“We specialize in gourmet burgers. They are fresh, unique and super flavorful. We also have an extensive tap beer and bottled beer selection for a relatively small pub. Our fare besides our incredibly awesome burgers is also worth trying! We have savory appetizers such as frickle chips (just come and find out), cheese nuggets and loaded nachos. We also have amazing sandwiches like the Cuban Frankie, a pulled pork sandwich on ciabatta bread. Can’t go wrong with our menu and chill atmosphere.”