Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic, the past year was filled with an impressive slate of restaurant openings.
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 2020.
What are you craving?
American / New American
Breakfast / Cafe
BBQ / Soul Food
Burgers / Pub fare
Dessert
Indian
Italian / Pizza
Latin American
Mexican / Tacos
Pasta
Sandwiches
Seafood / Sushi
American / New American
Birch
459 E. Pleasant St., (414) 323-7372
birchonpleasant.com
Serving: Fresh local fare prepared in a wood-fired hearth
[Read more]
Blackwood Brothers Restaurant & Social Club **CLOSED**
3001 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., (414) 312-8116
blackwoodbrothersmke.com
Serving: Globally inspired comfort food, vegan, vegetarian
[Read more]
Buttermint Finer Dining & Cocktails
4195 N. Oakland Ave., (414) 488-2587
buttermintrestaurant.com
Serving: Modern continental fare
[Read more]
Central Standard Crafthouse & Kitchen
320 E. Clybourn St., (414) 455-8870
thecentralstandard.com
Serving: Seasonal snacks, salads and entrees
[Read more]
The Cluckery **CLOSED**
10944 N. Port Washington Rd., Mequon, (414) 231-8730
cluckery.com
Serving: Chicken tenders, sides
Fool's Errand **CLOSED**
Serving: Comfort food staples
[Read more]
Good City Tosa
11200 W. Burleigh St., Wauwatosa, (414) 539-4343
goodcitybrewing.com
Serving: Globally inspired, beer-friendly fare
[Read more]
Hop Harvest & Vine Public House
2205 Silvernail Rd., Pewaukee,
hopharvestvine.com
Serving: Seasonal fare, organic
[Read more]
Milk Can Diner **CLOSED**
5636 Broad St., Greendale, (608) 729-6671
milkcandiner.com
Serving: Diner style breakfast, lunch, dinner
[Read more]
Reunion
6610 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis, (414) 946-6006
reunionrestaurant.com
Serving: American comfort food
[Read more]
Taste of Lindsay Heights
1617 W. North Ave., (414) 264-2326
tasteoflindsayheights.com
Serving: Carry-out dishes from local food entrepreneurs
[Read more]
Tupelo Honey
511 N. Broadway, (414) 207-4604
tupelohoneycafe.com
Serving: Southern fare
[Read more]
Whiskey Haze **CLOSED**
5513 W. North Ave., (414) 763-2095
whiskeyhazemke.com
Serving: Whiskey-friendly fare
[Read more]
Breakfast / Cafe
Better Together Cafe
1301 N Chicago Ave, South Milwaukee
bettertogether.cafe
Serving: Coffee, shakes
[Read more]
Canela Cafe
2621 N. Downer Ave., (414) 226-6749
canelacafemke.com
Serving: Breakfast, brunch
[Read more]
The Daily Bird
818 E. Center St., (631) 438-7505
instagram.com/thedailybirdmke
Serving: Coffee, pastries
[Read more]
Donut Monster - Third Ward
316 N. Milwaukee St.
donutmonstermke.com
Serving: Doughnuts, breakfast sandwiches
[Read more]
Fiddleheads
4334 N. Oakland Ave., Shorewood, (414) 763-3827
790 N. Water St., (414) 210-4509
fiddleheadscoffee.com
Serving: Coffee, breakfast, lunch
[Read more]
Fresh Baked Cafe
18900 W. Bluemound Rd., (262) 879-8002
890 Elm Grove Rd., Elm Grove, (262) 289-9309
freshbakedcafe.com
Serving: Housemade bakery, soups, sandwiches
[Read more]
Honey Berry Pancakes & Cafe
17915 W. Bluemound Rd, Brookfield, (262) 333-0333
4900 S. 76th St., Greenfield, (414) 946-0333
honeyberrycafe.com
Serving: breakfast, brunch
North Shore Boulangerie - Mequon
11124 Industrial Dr., Mequon, (262) 518-0021
northshoreboulangerie.com
Serving: Bakery, breads, pastries, soups
[Read more]
The Lafayette Place
1978 N. Farwell Ave.
lafayetteplacemke.com
Serving: Plant based breakfast, lunch dishes
[Read more]
Sam's Place Jazz Cafe
3338 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., (414) 837-5127
samsplacejazz.com
Serving: Breakfast, lunch
[Read more]
Urbal Tea Cafe
3060 S. 13th St., (414) 231-3970
urbalhealth.com
Serving: Tea, coffee, breakfast and lunch items
[Read more]
Vendetta Coffee Bar
7613 W. State St., Wauwatosa
vendettacoffeebar.com
Serving: Italian espresso, coffee, pastries, charcuterie
[Read more]
BBQ / Soul Food
Daddy’s on Blue Mound
6108 W. Bluemound Rd., (414) 434-1354
facebook.com/daddysonbluemound
Serving: Breakfast, soul food
[Read more]
Heaven's Table BBQ
5507 W. North Ave.
heavenstablebbq.com
Serving: Smoked meats and sides
[Read more]
Pat's Rib Place
Milwaukee Public Market
400 N. Water St., (414) 336-1111
patsribplace.net
Serving: Smoked meats and sides
[Read more]
Q
2730 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., (414) 810-4096
milwaukeeq.com
Serving: Soul food, seafood, BBQ
[Read more]
Smoke Creek **CLOSED**
10166 S. 27th St., Oak Creek, (414) 246-2094
facebook.com/SmokeCreekBBQ
Serving: BBQ, burgers
Smoke on the Water
N50 W35016 Wisconsin Ave., Okauchee Lake, (262) 468-5012
joessmokeonthewater.com
Serving: BBQ, sandwiches, entrees
[Read more]
Burgers / Pub fare
Badger Burger Co.
12455 W Capitol Dr., (262) 649-3664
badgerburgercompany.com
Serving: Burgers, sides
Big Boy
N116 W15841 Main St., Germantown, (262) 293-3098
wibigboy.com
Serving: Burgers, sandwiches, entrees
[Read more]
The Brown Bottle (reopening) **CLOSED**
Serving: Flatbreads, burgers, fish fry
[Read more]
Crafty Cow - East Tosa
6519 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa, (414) 897-7453
craftycowwi.com
Serving: Burgers, sandwiches, fried chicken
[Read more]
Drunken Cobra
6818 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa, (414) 837-4997
facebook.com/drunkencobra
Serving: Poutine, sandwiches, plant-based pub fare, fish fry
[Read more]
Magoo’s on the Mound
5841 W. Bluemound Rd., (414) 837-6125
magoos.biz
Serving: Appetizers, sandwiches, fish fry
[Read more]
Milk Can Hamburgers & Frozen Custard
S73 W16770 W. Janesville Rd., Muskego, (262) 649-9209
milkcanhamburgers.com
Serving: Burgers, custard
[Read more]
MooSa’s **CLOSED**
405 N. 27th St., (414) 763-1079
moosaburger.com
Serving: Burgers, custard, fried chicken
[Read more]
On Tap
1203 N. 10th St., (414) 810-3351
ontapmilwaukee.com
Serving: Beer friendly gastropub fare
[Read more]
Saint Bibiana
1327 E. Brady St., (414) 988-4629
saintbibiana.com
Serving: burgers, sandwiches, breakfast items
[Read more]
Whiskey Haze **CLOSED**
5513 W. North Ave., (414) 763-2095
whiskeyhazemke.com
Serving: Creative pub fare
[Read more]
WurstBar
1239 E. Brady St., (414) 763-2180
wurstbarmke.com
Serving: Casual German pub fare, sausages, doner kebabs
[Read more]
Dessert
The Bake Sale
6923 W. Becher St., West Allis, (414) 543-4230
bakesalewestallis.com
Serving: Pies, cookies, breads and more
[Read more]
Better Together Cafe
1301 N Chicago Ave, South Milwaukee
bettertogether.cafe
Serving: Shakes, coffee shakes
[Read more]
Mullen’s Dairy Bar
120 E. Wisconsin Ave., Oconomowoc, (262) 354-0119
Mullensdairybar.com
Serving: Ice cream
[Read more]
Pete's Pops - West Allis
1977 S. 71st St., West Allis, (414) 897-0310
petespops.net
Serving: Creatively flavored pops
[Read more]
Sweetly Baked
770 N. Jefferson St.
sweetlybaked.com
Serving: CBD and Delta 8 infused baked goods
[Read more]
Indian
Ruta’s Vibrant Indian Cafe **MOVED**
Crossroads Collective, 2238 N. Farwell Ave.
Rutas.in
Serving: Indian cuisine
[Read more]
Italian / Pizza
Brute Pizza
316 N. Milwaukee St.
Brutemke.com
Serving: Pizza, salad
[Read more]
E&F Pizzeria **CLOSED**
Crossroads Collective, 2238 N. Farwell Ave.
greateffingpasta.com/e-f-pizzeria
Serving: Pizza, salad
[Read more]
Flour Girl & Flame
8121 W. National Ave., West Allis, (414) 662-7921
flourgirlandflame.com
Serving: Wood-fired pizza, salads
[Read more]
Lou Malnati’s
4751 S. 76th St., Greenfield, (414) 310-4600
2720 N. Grandview Blvd., Waukesha,(262) 672-6355
loumalnatis.com/wisconsin
Serving: Pizza, pasta
[Read more]
Latin American
Dia y Noche
6601 Northway, Greendale, (414) 246-2002
Diaynochewi.com
Serving: Dual concept cafe and restaurant serving dishes from South America, Central America and the Caribbean
[Read more]
Mexican
Daily Taco + Cantina
105 W. Freistadt Rd., Thiensville, (262) 302-4030
dailytaco.com
[Read more]
Electric Lime Taqueria
**CLOSED - reopening in new location**
Serving: Mexican fare
[Read more]
Hermanas
11320 W. Bluemound Rd., Wauwatosa, (414) 763-8846
eatzrg.com/hermanas
Serving: Mexican inspired fare
Pasta
Egg & Flour Tosa **CLOSED**
Serving: Pasta, salads
[Read more]
Mac Shack
1701 N. Humboldt Ave., (414) 837-4534
macshackonbrady.com
Serving: Mac & cheese with creative add-ins
[Read more]
Sandwiches
Cheba Hut Toasted Subs
2907 N. Oakland Ave., (414) 455-8563
chebahut.com/locations/milwaukee-n-oakland
Serving: Sub sandwiches
[Read more]
Dr. Dawg Tosa
853 N. Mayfair Rd., Wauwatosa, (414) 763-5036
Drdawg.net
Serving: Chicago dogs, burgers
[Read more]
Riley’s Sandwich Co.
4473 N Oakland Ave, Shorewood, (414) 616-1811
rileysandwich.com
Serving: Sandwiches, salads, snacks
[Read more]
Seafood / Sushi
Crab Du Jour
4638 S. 76th St., Greenfield, (414) 667-2722
crabdujourgreenfield.com
Serving: Crab boils, seafood
Crafty Crab
11340 W. Burleigh St., Wauwatosa, (414) 312-8291
Craftycrabwauwatosa.kwickmenu.com
Serving: Crab boils, seafood
[Read more]
Lowcountry Seafood
1114 N. Water St., (414) 252-0015
lowcountrychicago.com/milwaukee-wi
Serving: Seafood boils
[Read more]
Wasabi Sushi Lounge (moved)
95 N. Moorland Rd., Brookfield, (262) 780-0011
wasabisushilounge.com
Serving: Sushi
[Read more]
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.
