The Best Breakfast Restaurants in Milwaukee

Open since 1915, Jack Pandl’s is a most beloved institution in the city of Milwaukee. Located in the Whitefish Bay neighborhood just a few feet away from Big Bay Park, it’s a hard-to-miss landmark in a mostly residential area. Owner John Pandl’s grandparents started the restaurant as a place to manage spillover from the old Pabst Whitefish Bay Resort. It’s an American restaurant with a German slant and the menu offers a diverse range of items, including burgers, steaks, schnitzels and rouladen. Locals love to come for their Sunday breakfast, which includes their Famous German Pancake, Grilled Ham Steak and a Fresh Spinach Quiche.

Timmer’s Resort is one of the most iconic restaurants in all of Milwaukee. Located in the West Bend neighborhood, it is a generationally historic spot that promises one-of-a-kind experiences to guests and families visiting the resort. Open for nearly 150 years, it features a beautiful lodge with fireplaces in every dining room as well as gorgeous views of Big Cedar Lake and the surrounding pines and native foliage. The eatery features cuisine from Chef Audra Grueneberg with a focus on American, Seafood and Prime Rib. The brunch menu offers made-to-order omelets, a toast bar, bacon, sausage, breakfast potatoes, smoked salmon and a petite dessert bar.

The Red Oak offers made-from-scratch items that showcase the richness of Wisconsin life. They stock the kitchens with good from local farms, dairies and orchards and offer a wide selection of Wisconsin breweries and distilleries at the bar. Located just minutes from I-94 in Kenosha, it’s the perfect spot to get a little bit out of the city without having to travel too far. Grab a seat on the patio and enjoy their magnificent Sunday brunch! Choose from items like the Farmhouse Breakfast, Red Oak Omelet, Beef Tips and Eggs and French Toast with a Strawberry Crumble.

Located on Okauchee Lake, Weissgerber’s Golden Mast is Wisconsin’s Premier Lakeside Restaurant. It’s casual yet elegant place that serves Steak, Seafood and Contemporary German food in a beautiful dining room with comfy booths and original woodwork. Plus, diners can enjoy the lakeside setting and lovely views overlooking the Boat Launch. Sunday Brunch is a big deal here! It features a welcome course, Family Style Buffet, Chef’s Station and Dessert Extravaganza. You can also order a la carte from the breakfast menu and enjoy Sunday drinks like a Sea Breeze or Mimosa.

Chef and owner Michael Feker is the driving personality behind Il Mito. He set out to create a local restaurant like those found in Italy, where you can sip a glass of wine and enjoy wonderful, rustic Italian cuisine. The food here uses the freshest, highest-quality ingredients and amazing, complex flavor combinations. The menu is vast and varied, with items like roasted tomato soup, seafood appetizers, a variety of salads, pizzas and entrees to choose from.

Firefly Tosa, located on Harwood Avenue in Wauwatosa, prides itself on using fresh, seasonal ingredients to create delicious and innovative menu items. The New American food is a modern twist on classic comfort food and libations with focus on superior taste and creativity. Come in to sample their specialties, like the Wild Mushroom Flatbread, the Beet salad, Spanish Stuffed Peppers, Baked French Toast, Buttermilk Pancakes and more.

MOXIE Food and Drink is the North Shore’s premier upscale-casual restaurant, located in the Whitefish Bay Neighborhood. It boasts a very familiar and cozy atmosphere with a romantic tone set by the deep, rich color palette, wood furnishings and out-of-the-ordinary, yet complementary, art pieces. The restaurant prides itself on its service as much as its wonderful food - and many locals think they have the best breakfast in Milwaukee. Choose from items like Bourbon Peach Short-Rib Sliders, the Moxie Burger, Grilled Portabella and Moxie Benedicts.

Belfre Kitchen, located in the Delafield steeple building erected in 1868, is one of the staple restaurants in the Delafield neighborhood. The atmosphere is warm and inviting with a clean, bright design and beautiful outdoor patio. Diners get to enjoy an ever-changing Contemporary American menu that offers both simplicity and sophistication. The Brunch menu is one of the favorites in town. They have a long list of Brunch cocktails and you can even order a flight to try a few different ones if you like! Choose from items like the Eggs Benedict, Vegetable Hash, Poached Pear Salad or the signature Belfre Brunch Burger.

Another popular restaurant by Celebrity Chef Michael Feker, Zesti serves Global, International and mediterranean cuisine in the Lake Country area. Feker brings his global travels and experience combined with his passion for food and culinary artistry and the result s amazing. Come here to enjoy the casual atmosphere, cocktails and gourmet flavor infusions from around the world. Brunch items include heaping plates like the Wisconsin, a black Angus beef burger grilled to your liking, or the Spain, an omelet of roasted pepper, prosciutto and sun-dried tomatoes with manchego cheese.

Take a step back in time at Joey Gerard’s in the village of Greendale. This casual, elegant American, Steak and Seafood restaurant puts a modern spin on the traditional supper club. The result is a restaurant that is part Hollywood and part Wisconsin, with comfort food and drinks at their finest. They open late here but locals with erratic schedules love to have an afternoon breakfast here, with delicious options like the Steak Sandwich, Char Burger and Patty Melt to choose from.

Nestled in the heart of “Lake Country,” just 30 minutes west of downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s Oldest Restaurant continues its long tradition of fine dining and exceptional hospitality. It’s one of the best places in town to dine, whether you’re sampling a few small plates with friends or ordering one of the awesome contemporary American entrees. They also feature a long list of brews, wines by the bottle and glass and cocktails to enjoy. Try one of their signature dishes, like the Gulf Shrimp and Manchego Grits or the Brie en Croute, off the Bistro Menu.

Cafe Manna was the first 100% vegetarian restaurant in Milwaukee and locals have been happily enjoying the plant-based cuisine for over 10 years! Owner Robin Kasch opened the restaurant to provide Milwaukee residents with a healthy alternative to some of the heavier foods available in the city. Located in Brookfield, they have a commitment to bringing you fresh, delicious food with ingredients that are mostly grown organically. The Brunch menu features a wide range of delicious options, including a crab cake Benedict, Butternut Squash Ratatouille, Raw Thai Rolls and more.

Motor is the restaurant at the Harley-Davidson Museum and offers guests riverfront dining and Midwestern friendliness along with an awesome menu. The kitchen takes diners on a culinary road trip of great American food and drink here in downtown Milwaukee. Diners can enjoy the museum first or just come for the food. The focus is on American cuisine that takes a little like life on the road. Try specials like the Chorizo Burger, Biscuits and Gravy, the Motor Veggie Scramble and more to start your day off right.

Butcher & Barrel Gastropub is a steakhouse that specializes in American Comfort Food, including chicken, beef, pork and seafood entrees. Located in a 120-year old restored building in Racine, they are open daily for fine dining and hand-crafted cocktails. It has a modern supper club vibe and you will feel whisked away by the classic setting. Try some of their delicious specialties like the Roasted Beet Salad and Salt and Pepper Calamari for brunch.

Engine Company No. 3 is a casual dining spot located on National Avenue that local think has the best breakfast in Milwaukee. The menu here focuses on bold international flavors and aromas and Chef Sandroni works closely with Wisconsin farmers and food producers to obtain sustainable local ingredients. Housed in an old firehouse building, the aged wood floors and exposed brick walls give it a lovely ambiance. They serve breakfast daily and includes Pastrami Hash, Fried Pariser Sausage and French Toast, among other menu items.

Harry’s Bar and Grill, located on Milwaukee’s East side, close to Lake Michigan, is a chic and contemporary American restaurant. They recently underwent a renovation and have a bold new look, with an interior that successfully combines small neighborhood charm with big city sophistication. Harry’s features friendly service and a diverse menu, including appetizers, specialty burgers, salads and entrees. For breakfast, try one of the many omelets or choose from the selection of eggs Benedicts.