It’s as important as ever to support the amazing local restaurants we have in our beautiful city. And there’s no better way to do so than committing to patronize them throughout the year. I’ve composed a list of 52 amazing restaurants to guide you on your journey. Try just one of these every week and you’ll have visited them all by the end of 2025. View the full list OR download an abbreviated printable PDF file for your fridge or wallet.
Heirloom
2378 S. Howell Ave., (262) 229-1157
heirloommke.com
American
$$
[Read more]
What started off as a beloved food truck has quickly become a Bay View destination. Heirloom offers a cozy eclectic dining room, a menu filled with delicious options and a full bar with local brews, a curated wine list and a collection of whimsically-named cocktails.
But the magic of Heirloom lies – at least in part – with their dedication to supporting local farms and other small businesses. It’s a practice that’s not only reflected in the quality of their seasonally inspired menu, but the overall vibe that fills the restaurant space and emanates from the people who work there.
Among the soul-filling options there are appetizers like hand-pulled burrata salad and steamed mussels, casual options like well-executed burgers and chicken sandwiches and entrees like grilled shrimp polenta and porcini-dusted Bavette steak. Vegetarian and vegan options are also notable and include dishes like seasonal vegetable risotto and cauliflower steak.
Be sure to ask about the dessert menu, which changes frequently. Reservations are recommended.
Recommended: Fried cheese curds, hot dipped chicken sandwich, octopus, braised shortribs
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
