Diners' Choice: Best Food restaurants in Milwaukee

OpenTable

Updated 05 October 2026

Looking for restaurants with the best overall cuisine in Milwaukee? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit.

CavasMKE

5.0

5 (136)

$30 and under

Spanish

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

CAVAS is a hidden gem in Milwaukee, offering an intimate dining experience inspired by the vibrant flavors of Spain. Chef Ana crafts exquisite dishes that are both authentic and innovative, using fresh, seasonal ingredients. Step into a cozy, candlelit space filled with the aroma of sizzling garlic and herbs. Begin your evening with a selection of tapas, each bursting with flavor and showcasing Chef Ana's culinary artistry. Indulge in the signature paella, a fragrant blend of saffron-infused rice, seafood, and vegetables, or savor the melt-in-your-mouth empanadas, baked to golden perfection. Each dish reflects Chef Ana's passion for her heritage and love for food. CAVAS is more than just a restaurant; it's an experience. The intimate setting fosters community, allowing you to connect with friends and family over delicious food and warm hospitality. Whether celebrating a special occasion or enjoying a memorable night out, CAVAS promises to delight your senses.

Top review

NancyGold

Dined on 17 Oct 2026

When stepping into Cava, it feels like returning to Ana and Peter's kitchen. The hospitality is like a warm hug! And the food! Incomparable dishes: A melange of mushrooms to start, followed by a mixte of paella - chicken and shrimp. Desserts were apple with almond creme and flan like no other! Truly, dining at Cava is extraordinarily special and unique. We look forward to our next visit!

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Experience

Chef Ana's Pre-Fixe Menu Experience

Transfer Pizzeria Cafe

4.9

4.9 (326)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

You are cordially invited to visit Transfer Pizzeria Café, located in the Harbor District on the corner of 1st and Mitchell Streets. Established in 2008, the namesake is Transfer Pharmacy, a classic cornerstone drugstore from a bygone era that for decades supplied a thriving community with goods and services as evidenced by the stained glass windows still in place. The pharmacy was appropriately named for the constant activity that took place just outside - the boarding, departures, and transfers of the countless daily commuters of the time. The tradition of a reliable cornerstone establishment continues today, as Transfer Pizzeria delivers a unique dose of delicious pizza, drink, atmosphere, and friendly service.

We keep an active wait-list and gladly accommodate walk-ins as part of both our lunch and dinner service.

Top review

Marianne

Dined on 8 Oct 2026

The perfect Thursday night. A great trio provides the music. Everyone is friendly. The cocktails and wine are great and reasonably priced. An ample fresh salad for two and a great selection of pizza, especially black garlic and Hot rod.

Flourchild

4.6

4.6 (248)

$30 and under

American

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

Scratch-made Pizza. Craft Beer and Cocktails. Retro Digs. Make Love. Eat Pizza.

Top review

Erik

Dined 2 days ago

The staff was so wonderful- greeting us, serving us, and John made it extra special for our kids!! Really unique menu options and such a cool and relaxed atmosphere!!

High Stakes by Bartolotta

4.9

4.9 (71)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

A Bold, new Steakhouse Experience coming to Downtown Milwaukee

High Stakes by Bartolotta is inspired by Chef Paul Bartolotta's apprenticeships throughout Europe, his award-winning career in Las Vegas, and his most recent travels in London. Now, we’re bringing that energy home to Milwaukee — all in, with a full house and flush with luxury. A place to see and be seen, where anyone can walk in and feel lucky.

Valet is available Tuesday through Thursday from 5 - 9 PM and Friday through Saturday from 5 - 10 PM.

Top review

Rio

Dined 5 days ago

Anna and Nadia made our dining experience at High Stakes truly exceptional! Their outstanding hospitality, warm personalities, and genuine attentiveness made us feel incredibly welcome and well taken care of. They went above and beyond to make the evening memorable. Zach, the bartender, was absolutely spectacular as well! Between the amazing service, great atmosphere, and wonderful team, High Stakes is a fantastic restaurant. We can’t say enough good things about Anna and Nadia! they are true assets to the restaurant and a big reason we’ll be coming back!

Nakama

4.9

4.9 (122)

$50 and over

Japanese

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

Nakama is...
... the culmination of a combined 75 years of hospitality experience, with half of that time spent collaborating and working alongside each other in countless venues, events, pop-ups and even cities.
...a fellowship of dreamers and doers, with heads in the clouds yet feet firmly in trenches, working every hour of every day to build that dream for our guests.
...an Omakase Bar, a HandRoll Bar, an homage to the Japanese Listening Bar.

And We CAN’T WAIT, for you to find your way to our dinner party.

From Roku TV's Chef Jason Morimoto, comes this Lower East Side escape. With a finely focused menu of nigiri, temaki (handrolls), otsumami (small plates), complimented by an equally refined selection of the best in our beverage program.

Top review

Samuel

Dined 1 day ago

With a cozy ambiance, wonderful staff, and fish from Japan, Chef Jason has curated an elegant experience in Milwaukee.

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4.9

4.9 (1442)

$50 and over

American

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

A hyper-seasonal New American Restaurant celebrating Wisconsin farmers & food producers and cooking over an open fire.

Top review

DonGold

Dined 5 days ago

There is a very short menu, but we did not have a problem finding something each of us would like. We split an appetizer of smoked eggplant, for which I admit to being reluctant to try. However, it was deliciously complex with a variety if ingredients that stood out on their own but blended extremely well in the overall dish. The walleye and the pork chop were both very good, and the lemon citrus dessert was a perfect finish. Service was attentive, but not interupting our business discussions. Overall a very good experience.

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4.9

4.9 (651)

$31 to $50

Italian

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

It’s been over four years since guests last tasted the Sicilian dishes from longtime Milwaukee restaurant Giovanni’s. But all of that changes with Safina: a new casual Italian concept that comes to the historic building at 785 N. Jefferson St.

Focusing on comforting dishes with roots in Sicily and the southern regions of Italy, Safina's goal is to keep the menu familiar and accessible. The restaurant also features a full bar and second-level seating, complete with wood and marble finishes that highlight the rustic, modern Italian ambiance.

Top review

JonGold

Dined on 17 Oct 2026

Finally discovered Safina after dining in Milwaukee theater district for the last 5 years. Everything was top notch from prompt attentive service, accommodating vegetarian options, and delicious meals. Will definitely return.

Santino's Little Italy

4.8

4.8 (554)

$30 and under

Italian

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

Santino's Little Italy, tucked away in a quiet neighborhood with rich history echoing years gone by in the City of Milwaukee. The building housing the restaurant is over 130 years old and has been beautifully remodeled by talented designers and carpenters. The vibe has an old school Brooklyn New York feeling and is the perfect place to make wonderful memories with friends and family.

The menu features delicious gourmet pizzas / house-made pastas / salads / appetizers / deserts along with delicious Italian wine / cocktails and are professionally served to you by our attentive staff. Our amazing Neapolitan Style Pizza is hand made with the finest and freshest ingredients and cooked in a 6,000-pound Italian woodfired oven. With humility and gratitude our pizza was ranked nationally as the 46th best pizza in North America and we are very proud to serve many happy diners here in Milwaukee.

Reservations are highly recommended as space is limited. We look forward to serving you.

Top review

Lisa

Dined 3 days ago

Our book club met for our monthly dinner and discussion. It was a great experience. Food was excellent, atmosphere is quaint Italian neighborhood joint and service was great. We will be back!

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4.9

4.9 (892)

$50 and over

American

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

A modern American restaurant that's dedicated to source consciousness, Morel's menu finds inspiration from Chef Jonathan Manyo’s roots: Wisconsin. Morel explores natural flavors, colors, and textures from local farms, purveyors, foragers, and artisans. For eight years, Jonathan has remained dedicated to featuring a menu comprised of nearly 100% Wisconsin-sourced ingredients.

Top review

Ruth

Dined 3 days ago

The food and service was amazing, highly recommend

Ristorante Bartolotta dal 1993

4.9

4.9 (3414)

$50 and over

Italian

Wauwatosa

About the restaurant

Nestled in an historic brewery building in the Village of Wauwatosa, Ristorante Bartolotta dal 1993 is the flagship restaurant in The Bartolotta Restaurants portfolio. Conceived by The Bartolotta Restaurants co-founders, restaurateur Joe Bartolotta and his brother, Chef Paul Bartolotta, it is acclaimed for its handmade pasta and authentic Italian cuisine in a cozy, intimate setting. Executive Chef Juan Urbieta presents the popular “Un Viaggio in Italia” menu series, highlighting a different city or region of Italy with a four-course, customizable menu that takes guests on a journey of Italy and changes monthly.The restaurant was recently awarded the coveted Marchio Ospitalità Italiana certification of excellence by the Italian Union of Chamber of Commerce. This prestigious award honors a restaurant for its commitment to “Made in Italy” quality and authenticity. Reservations are recommended, and we have a 15-minute grace period, so please call us if you are running late.

Top review

Nicole

Dined 1 day ago

Zoe, Anna and our host were all impeccable! The dinner was fantastic and we thought the portion sizes were perfect.

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