The 2026 Milwaukee CityTinhas officially arrived, and this year it comes with a fresh twist. Curated by me, the limited-edition tin celebrates the city’s vibrant food scene by spotlighting nearly 20 woman-owned restaurants, alongside a number of the iconic Milwaukee favorites that fans have come to expect.
From brand-new gems like Purslane, Joy Ice Cream Social and Ni Burmese to longtime staples, the 2026 collection reflects both the heritage and the future of dining in Milwaukee.
What's in the tin?
Those who know me know I’m always up to something, and this year that “something” was a big one. I spent more than eight months working with CityTins owners Tara Laatsch and Christin Cilento to hand-pick the lineup for Milwaukee’s 2026 tin.
My goal? To highlight the incredible contributions of woman-owned restaurants, businesses that not only enrich our dining landscape, but also drive economic growth, prioritize community and help build a more equitable Milwaukee.
Why highlight woman-owned restaurants? Because these businesses are game-changers. They push for gender parity in commerce, bring fresh perspectives to the table and often put community and social responsibility at the heart of what they do. Supporting them helps create a stronger, more equitable Milwaukee.
And here’s the best part: every time you redeem a Milwaukee CityTin coaster, you’re not just saving money, you’re directly supporting local restaurants and empowering women entrepreneurs. Check out the full list of restaurants online.
What else is in there?
As usual, each tin is packed with a variety of delicious ways to dine your way through the city. Inside, you’ll find 26 coaster gift cards. Each is worth $10 off your tab of $30 or more at participating restaurants. That’s $260 in local eats for just $30.
But that’s not all. This year’s tin also comes with two special bonus coasters:
- A beautiful cover inspired by the mural designed by local artist Emma Daisy for Margaux Brasserie
- 26 artfully designed coaster gift cards, each good for $10 off your tab of $30+ at participating restaurants ($260 value for just $30!)
- A bonus coaster good for 20% off my book, "Wisconsin Field to Fork," at Boswell Book Company (another great gift! *wink).
- A second bonus coaster good for 3 free months when you join the OnMilwaukee Squad membership program (it gives you access to monthly events like First Bites dining excursions, Tavern Tours and Urban Spelunking fun!)
Simply bring your coaster to the featured venue, spend $30 or more (pre-tax/gratuity), and hand it to your server when the check arrives. You’ll receive $10 off your bill ($5 off for takeout). No blackout dates. No fine-print gimmicks. Just real savings at some of the city’s best spots.
And if you’re ever stuck deciding where to eat, each tin includes a handy Dinner Spinner to help you settle on the perfect choice.
When & where to get yours
The 2026 Milwaukee CityTin is available to order online now for $30 each.
You’ll also find them for sale at the Shorewood Feast on Saturday, Sept. 13. CityTins will be one of the vendors selling their goods along Oakland Avenue from noon to 9 p.m.
The brand new Milwaukee tins – along with tins for Madison, Lake Country, Fox Cities, Ozaukee County and more – will also begin hitting local shops the first week of October, just in time for holiday gifting. Each coaster is valid for the entire 2026 calendar year, giving you 12 full months of delicious dining adventures.
Why it matters
Since launching in 2009, CityTins has encouraged diners to explore locally owned restaurants while raising more than $500,000 for schools and nonprofits. Over the years, the tins have become a cult-favorite gift for food lovers, real estate clients and fundraising supporters alike.
This year’s Milwaukee edition takes that mission a step further by shining a spotlight on woman-owned restaurants, supporting the entrepreneurs whose vision, creativity and leadership continue to shape Milwaukee’s food scene. With every coaster you redeem, you’re not just saving money, you’re investing in a stronger, more inclusive community.
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.
