Over 60 restaurants opened in Milwaukee and the surrounding area in 2023. Some occupy spaces vacated by other restaurants; others have sprung up in food halls or more unexpected places. All have added something unique to the plucky local food scene.
We’ve organized this list of new eateries by type of cuisine so that you can reference it based on your current cravings. We hope you’ll consider supporting as many of these new ventures as you can. We’re certain you’ll find at least a few new favorites among them.
For more new restaurants, check out the list of spots that opened in 2022.
What are you craving?
American / New American
Asian / Asian Fusion
Burgers / Pub fare
Cafes
Dessert / Bakeries / Snacks
Greek
Indian
Italian / Pizza
Latin American / Mexican
Levantine / Middle Eastern
American / New American
1033
**CLOSED**
Serving: Small plates, charcuterie, seafood
[Read more]
Buffalo Boss
540 N. 27th St., (414) 779-2677
buffaloboss.com/milwaukee
Serving: Wings, tenders, sandwiches
[Read more]
Craft @The Trade, Autograph Collection
420 W. Juneau Ave., (414) 644-0080
thetradehotel.com/dining/craft/
Serving: Modern American fare (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
[Read more]
Cream City Social Eatery
432 E. Center St., (414) 763-5668
facebook.com/p/Cream-City-Social-Eatery
Serving: Sandwiches, pasta, entrees
[Read more]
Delicious Bites
6538 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa, (414) 909-3372
thedeliciousbites.com
Serving: Salads, sandwiches, desserts for carry-out, delivery
[Read more]
Dog Haus Biergarten
7055 S. Ballpark Dr., Franklin, (414) 285-4840
doghaus.com/location/ballpark-commons-biergarten
Serving: Creative hot dogs, burgers, chicken sandwiches
[Read more]
The Edison
322 N. Broadway, (414) 269-6306
edisonmke.com
Serving: Coal-fired butcher cuts, seafood, American dishes
[Read more]
Heirloom
2378 S. Howell Ave., (262) 229-1157
heirloommke.com
Serving: American sandwiches, entrees
[Read more]
Hot Dish Pantry
Closing after service on Sept. 28
4125 S. Howell Ave., (414) 231-3305
hotdishpantry.com
Serving: Comfort food with a global twist
[Read more]
The Jackson Grill (reopened under new ownership)
3736 W. Mitchell St., (414) 212-8626
facebook.com
Serving: Steaks, chops, seafood
[Read more]
Jackson's Soul Food Redefined
4519 W. Center St., (414) 231-3008
jacksonssoulfoodmke.com
Serving: chicken, catfish, fried ribs, sides
J. Leinenkugel’s Barrel Yard @ American Family Field
1 Brewers Way, (414) 902-4201
barrelyardmke.com
Serving: Comfort food, brewpub fare
[Read more]
Nute's Cafe @ Crossroads Collective
2238 N. Farwell Ave.
facebook.com/NutesCafe
Serving: Salads, sandwiches, bowls
[Read more]
Pop
124 W. National Ave., (414) 808-2028
popwalkerspoint.com
Serving: Snacks, drinks, brunch
[Read more]
Potawatomi Marketplace
Potawatomi Casino Hotel, 1721 W. Canal St.
paysbig.com/restaurants/marketplace
Serving: Multi-vendor eatery featuring Burger Co., Project Pizza Co. and Mini & Wow (desserts), Taco Spot, The Guilded Cleaver (sandwiches), Queen of Ramen and Small Bar (beer, wine, cocktails)
[Read more]
Red Circle Inn (reopened under new ownership)
N44 W33013 Watertown Plank Rd., (262) 367-4883
redcircleinn.com
Serving: Supper club style fare
[Read more]
Rock & Brews
Potawatomi Casino Hotel
1721 W. Canal St., (800) 729-7244
rockandbrews.com/potawatomi-hotel-and-casino
Serving: American fare with a twist
[Read more]
Ruby J’s
4734 W. Lisbon Ave., (414) 635-0131
eatrubyjs.com
Serving: American fare, soul food
Smokin' Jack's BBQ @ 3rd Street Market Hall
275 W. Wisconsin Ave.
3rdstmarkethall.com/smokin-jacks-bbq
Serving: BBQ, sandwiches, sides
[Read more]
Street Eatz
Potawatomi Casino Hotel, 1721 W. Canal St.
paysbig.com/restaurants/street-eatz
Serving: Tacos, BBQ, brats
[Read more]
Sweetgreen
300 E. Buffalo St., Milwaukee, (414) 250-0205
20330 W. Lord St., Brookfield, (262) 500-4257
sweetgreen.com
Serving: Healthful salads, bowls
[Read more]
Sully’s Sandwiches
**CLOSED**
Serving: Sandwiches, sides
[Read more]
Yummy Bowl @ 3rd Street Market Hall
**CLOSED**
Serving: Comfort foods in a bowl (think: chicken & waffles, jambalaya)
[Read more]
Vault @ The River Center
111 E. Kilbourn Ave., 2nd floor, (262) 333-3052
rivercentermarketmke.com/vault
Serving: Snacks, flatbreads, raw bar
[Read more]
Asian / Asian Fusion
Mochinut
5735 N. Bayshore Dr., Glendale,
mochinut.com
Serving: Mochi doughnuts, Korean hot dogs, boba tea
[Read more]
Mochi Ring
7488 W. State St., Wauwatosa, (414) 763-0114
mochiringdonut.com
Serving: Mochi doughnuts, Korean hot dogs, boba tea
Mom’s Kitchen
2177 Silvernail Rd., Pewaukee, (262) 300-7577
mom-kitchen.com
Serving: Thai fare, sushi
Ninja Japanese Steakhouse
**CLOSED**
[Read more]
Pho Spot @ 3rd Street Market Hall
275 W. Wisconsin Ave.
facebook.com/PhoSpotMKE
Serving: Pho, Vietnamese dishes
[Read more]
PufferFish @ Hotel Metro
411 E. Mason St., 6th floor, (414) 272-1937
pufferfishmke.business.site
Serving: Cocktails, Hawaiian fare
[Read more]
Sushi Yuki
2349 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., (715) 803-2697 (ext. 2)
Serving: Sushi, select Japanese fare
[Read more]
TsaoCaa
2224 N. Farwell Ave., (414) 539-3177
tsaocaamke.com
Serving: Boba tea, Korean fried chicken, Hong Kong bubble waffles
[Read more]
Cafes
4 Corners Café @ North Avenue Market
**CLOSED**
Serving: Coffee, panini, ice cream
Cream City Coffee Co.
Potawatomi Casino Hotel, 1721 W. Canal St.
paysbig.com/restaurants/cream-city-coffee
Serving: Coffee, tea, pastries, sandwiches
Fairgrounds Craft Coffee and Tea
13320 Watertown Plank Rd., Elm Grove, (262) 289-9312
fairgrounds.cafe
Serving: Coffee, tea, breakfast and lunch items
[Read more]
Fiddleheads
8807 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa, (414) 210-4795
fiddleheadscoffee.com
Serving: Coffee, tea, breakfast and lunch items
[Read more]
Gray Jett Cafe
1617 W. Wells St., (414) 465-2283
instagram.com/gjemke
Serving: Vegetarian, vegan fare (breakfast and lunch)
Kwench Juice Cafe
8816 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa, (414) 485-7222
kwenchtosa.com
Serving: Freshly pressed juices, smoothies, snacks
[Read more]
Plant Joy @ North Avenue Market
**CLOSED**
Serving: Plant-based sandwiches
[Read more]
River Center Market
111 E. Kilbourn Ave., (262) 333-3052
rivercentermarketmke.com
Serving: Breakfast and lunch options at vendor stalls including: Knockbox Coffee, Toro Tacos & Bowls and On Rye.
[Read more]
Seven Swans Creperie
808 E. Chambers St.
sevenswanscreperie.com
Serving: Crepes
[Read more]
Valentine Coffee
5835 W. National Ave., West Allis, (414) 928-8677
valentinecoffeeco.com
Serving: Coffee, tea, breakfast and lunch items
[Read more]
Burgers / Pub fare
Archie’s Flat Top
6922 W. Becher St., West Allis, (414) 249-3207
archiesflattop.com
Serving: Smash burgers, sides, Scratch Ice Cream
[Read more]
District Fore
233 E. Chicago St., (414) 533-5555
districtfore.com
Serving: American classics, pizza
[Read more]
The Fatty Patty
1119 S. 108th St., West Allis, (414) 226-6301
the-fatty-patty-west-allis.square.site
Serving: Halal burgers, sides
[Read more]
LP (Local Pub)
1137 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., (414) 249-3336
lp-mke.com
Serving: Lao fare from Thip Kao
[Read more]
Who's on Layton
512 W. Layton Ave., (414) 312-7482
whosonlaytonmke.com
Serving: Classic bar fare
[Read more]
Dessert / Bakeries / Snacks
Bakehouse 23
1309 Milwaukee Ave., South Milwaukee, (414) 304-5151
bakehouse23mke.com
Serving: Nostalgic sweet treats
[Read more]
Joy Ice Cream Social
8334 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa, (414) 373-0172
joyicecreamsocial.com
Serving: Ice cream, coffee, snacks
[Read more]
Lush Popcorn
920 E. Locust St., (414) 215-0052
lushpopcorn.com
Serving: Signature popcorn, lemonade, cocktails, snacks
[Read more]
Mr. Dye's Pies @ 3rd Street Market Hall
275 W. Wisconsin Ave.
3rdstmarkethall.com/mrdyespies
Serving: Pies
[Read more]
Greek
Avli
1818 N. Hubbard St., (414) 395-1300
avli.us
Serving: Regional Greek fare
[Read more]
Indian
Ruta’s Fresh Indian Fare
207 W. Freshwater Way, (414) 509-6802
instagram.com/rutasmke
Serving: Indian bowls & melts
[Read more]
Italian / Pizza
Brick Pizza & Ristorante
7075 S. Ballpark Dr., Franklin, (414) 296-4064
visitbpc.com/EatAndDrink/Brick
Serving: Pizza, Italian fare
[Read more]
Cafe Terraza
**CLOSED**
Serving: Pizza, pasta, sandwiches
[Read more]
Il Cervo @The Trade, Autograph Collection
420 W. Juneau Ave., (414) 279-6660
ilcervorestaurant.com
Serving: Italian fare, pizza (dinner, late night, brunch)
[Read more]
Maggio’s Wood Fired Pizza
7212 W North Ave, Wauwatosa, (414) 485-6993
maggioswoodfiredpizza.com
Serving: Wood-fired pizza
[Read more]
Pizza Man (relocated to Humboldt Ave.)
**CLOSED**
Serving: Pizza, Italian dishes
[Read more]
Safina
785 N. Jefferson St., (414) 488-9578
safinamke.com
Serving: Sicilian family recipes
[Read more]
Latin American / Mexican
Criollo @ 3rd Street Market Hall
275 W. Wisconsin Ave.
3rdstmarkethall.com/criollo
Serving: Peruvian rotisserie chicken, Mexican and South American dishes
[Read more]
La Cocina del Sur Empanada Bar
701 E. Keefe Ave., (414) 810-0108
lacocinamke.com
Serving: South American fare, empanadas
[Read more]
Pupuseria Los Angeles @ North Avenue Market
**CLOSED**
facebook.com/PupuseriaLosAngelesMilwaukee
Serving: Salvadoran pupusas
[Read more]
Romero’s Restaurant & Bar
4171 S. 76th St., Greenfield, (414) 316-9277
romerostacotruck.com
Serving: Mexican fare
[Read more]
Sweet Joy Brazilian Cafe
1208 E. Brady St., (414) 210-3446
sweetjoycafe.com
Serving: Coffee, Brazilian style cafe fare
[Read more]
Travieso @ The Clarke Hotel
314 W. Main St., Waukesha, (262) 899-2520
traviesolatinfusion.com
Serving: Latin fusion
[Read more]
Levantine / Middle Eastern
Kabab House Mediterranean Grill
2345 W Ryan Rd, Oak Creek,
kababhousemke.com
Serving: Kebabs, falafel, hummus, salads
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.
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