Milwaukee Date Ideas

Tre Rivali Restaurant is a vibrant, bustling café and lounge serving Mediterranean-inspired cuisine in the heart of Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward District. The restaurant features five separate dining spaces, including a casual café, a laid-back bar, and lounge, the main dining room overlooking a wood-fired grill and oven, an intimate private dining room, and a seasonal, sidewalk patio on Broadway with tables and chairs to watch the world go by. Celebrating the rich design history of Milwaukee’s Third Ward, the restaurant features fixtures and finishes from a vintage industrial warehouse against a backdrop of contemporary décor such as a glassed-in production kitchen and a custom wood-burning oven and grill. The menu features a variety of Mediterranean cuisine prepared with locally sourced ingredients from surrounding farms and producers. Tre Rivali Restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch, seven days a week.

200 N Broadway, Milwaukee, WI 53202, Phone: 414-291-3971

Tucked away in the historic Pfister Hotel in downtown Milwaukee, Mason Street Grill is a classic American Grill serving succulent wood-grilled steaks, delectable ocean-fresh seafood dishes, and creatively prepared entrées for lunch and dinner. Renowned as one of the Milwaukee’s culinary gems, guests are welcomed with a warm ambiance, gracious hospitality and service, high-quality cuisine and libations, convivial 'Happy Hours', and live music six days a week. Mason Street Grill also offers private dining and caters for intimate parties of eight to large functions of up to 60 with three private dining rooms. Mason Street Grill is open for lunch, Monday through Friday, and dinner only on Saturday and Sunday.

424 E Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202, Phone: 414-298-3131

Conveniently located next to Milwaukee Brewing Company in the thriving neighborhood of Walker’s Point, The Central Standard Craft Distillery features 1600 square feet of distillery space, an inviting tasting room, and a beautiful bar. The aged barn-decorated tasting room has contemporary décor and a modern bar which offers samples of the five spirits the distillery currently produces, namely Wisconsin Rye Vodka, New American Gin, Oat Whiskey, Bourbon, and Anodyne Coffee Vodka - a collaboration with neighbor Anodyne Coffee Roasting Company. The drinks menu features custom cocktails created by bartender and mixologist Dan Moore and a food truck parked right outside accommodates hungry patrons. Guests can also enjoy distillery tours, Bloody Mary buffet Sundays, trivia night, and various special events throughout the year. Central Standard Craft Distillery is open

613 S 2nd St #609, Milwaukee, WI 53204, Phone: 414-455-8870

Who’s on Third is a buzzing sports-centric pub with large screen televisions and a projection screen that offers a comfortable spot to watch sport while eating classic pub and craft beers. This traditional neighborhood pub focuses on local and domestic craft beers and home cooked, all-American cuisine such as grass-fed burgers and golden fries, beer-battered, deep-fried cheese curds, fresh salads and wraps, and other pub-style fare. The bar has an old-school feel with brown maple floors, olive green walls, hanging ceiling lights and walls adorned with historical paintings of different Milwaukee landmarks, and four flat-screen televisions on the walls. The drinks menu features mainly local beers, Spotted Cow, cider beer, a small wine selection and mixed drinks, as well as Dogfish Head Brewery’s 90 Minute IPA on tap. Who’s on Third? is open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week.

1007 N Old World 3rd St, Milwaukee, WI 53203, Phone: 414-897-8373

Bacchus is a sleek, upscale New American spot boasting breathtaking views of Lake Michigan and a menu of contemporary American cuisine and fine wines. Hailed as the city’s best fine dining experience, Bacchus is set in a sleek, stylish space in the Cudahy Tower in downtown Milwaukee and serves a menu of contemporary, globally-inspired cuisine created with fresh seasonal ingredients and accompanied by an award-winning wine list. Signature dishes on the menu include appetizers of Yellowfin Tuna Tartare, Fava Bean Risotto, and Charred Spanish Octopus, and entrées like Sea Scallops, Organic Scottish Salmon, and Miso-Glazed Halibut. The restaurant features several private dining spaces for romantic interludes or private functions, including a glass-enclosed conservatory and is open for dinner only, Monday through Saturday.

925 E Wells St, Milwaukee, WI 53202, Phone: 414-765-1166

Comet Cafe has been showcased on the popular Food Network series Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, serving up hearty comfort fare at its Milwaukee location since 1995. The cozy cafe is known for its eclectic crowds and scrumptious homestyle meals, including classic bacon-wrapped meatloaf, tuna macaroni casserole, and bone-in pork chops stuffed with Swiss cheese, mushrooms, and caramelized onions. A plethora of old-school sandwich options are served up, ranging from pulled pork sandwiches and tuna melts to signature Cubanos and banh mis. Extensive vegan options make the restaurant a great choice for diners with alternative diets, ranging from plant-based gyros and salisbury steak platters to dairy-free mac and cheese.

1947 N Farwell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202, Phone: 414-273-7677

Formerly housing a family grocery store dating back 80 years, Sanford was transformed into a modern restaurant with a European-style storefront that serves a seasonally driven menu of locally sourced cuisine and an award-winning wine list. Decorated to exude a warm, homey ambiance, the restaurant is committed to serving delicious cuisine prepared with regional ingredients, including a daily menu and an ever-changing four-course seasonal menu. Signature dishes include Citrus Seared Alaskan Halibut, Grilled Wild Sturgeon, Chargrilled Loin of Elk, Grilled Scallops, and Salmon Bourguignon and accompanied by a list of fine wines from around the world, handcrafted cocktails, and craft beers. Sanford is open for dinner only, Monday through Saturday.

1547 N Jackson St, Milwaukee, WI 53202, Phone: 414-276-9608

Centro is a cozy Italian-inspired café-style eatery in the heart of Riverwest with modern décor and an open kitchen that serves fresh homemade fare, warm-from-the-oven flatbreads, and handcrafted cocktails. The café features hardwood floors, stucco walls, ceilings with beautiful plasterwork, and snug banquettes, and serves a comfortable menu to match of Italian classics and seasonal dishes such as house-made pasta and sauces, wood-fired pizzas, fresh seafood and salads, and mouthwatering desserts. The bustling open kitchen is the beating heart of the restaurant and provides an enticing glow, while intimate dining spaces include a laid-back lounge and bar, lovely patio and sidewalk seating. The delicious cuisine is accompanied by an exclusively Italian wine list that offers rich and varied selections of wines from small producers and family vineyards, as well as creative Amari cocktails and a rotating selection of beers from Wisconsin micro-breweries. Centro is open for dinner only, Monday through Saturday.

808 E Center St, Milwaukee, WI 53212, Phone: 414-455-3751

Set in a historic park pavilion overlooking Lake Michigan, Bartolotta's Lake Park Bistro is a quaint bistro that serves award-winning French-inspired cuisine and an extensive, acclaimed wine list. A premier dining destination for more than 20 years, Bartolotta's Lake Park Bistro features beautiful decorative elements of a fancy French farmhouse with copper finishes and tasseled lampshades and the warmly lit dining room boasts breathtaking views of Lake Michigan. Signature dishes include Tartare de Boeuf, Coquilles St-Jacques with seared George's Bank sea scallops, Moules Marinieres steamed in white wine, Escargots Bourguignon with traditional Burgundy snails, Foie Gras Poele, and Gnocchi Parisienne. An acclaimed wine list offers the perfect bottle for every dish, and decadent desserts provide a sweet end to an unforgettable meal. Bartolotta's Lake Park Bistro is open for dinner only, seven days a week.

3133 E Newberry Blvd, Milwaukee, WI 53211, Phone: 414-962-6300