10 Best Wisconsin Restaurants

Wisconsin is famous for dishes like beer cheese soup, bratwurst, fried cheese curds, and the butter burger. The state's food identity is inextricably linked to its nickname, "America's Dairyland," and the German and Scandinavian heritage of its settlers. What sets Wisconsin's food apart is the supper club, a unique, destination-style restaurant that originated in the state, known for serving strong cocktails like the Brandy Old Fashioned, relish trays, and hearty American fare. The state's dairy industry provides key ingredients that are central to its cuisine, including the fresh cheddar cheese curds that are battered and fried to a squeaky texture, and the copious amounts of butter used to create the signature butter burger.

The average cost of a meal in Wisconsin at a budget restaurant is between $15 and $25 for one person. A three-course meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant costs between $60 and $100. Meals at high-end or fine dining establishments like Sanford or L'Etoile start at $95 per person, while a meal at The Immigrant Restaurant can exceed $250 with pairings.

Wisconsin is the home of the national fast-food chain Culver's, which is a statewide favorite for its ButterBurgers and fresh frozen custard. Another popular regional chain is Kopp's Frozen Custard, a Milwaukee institution. These local and regional chains are an integral part of the state's casual dining landscape.

• Culver's: A Wisconsin-born chain famous for its ButterBurgers, where the crown of the bun is lightly buttered and toasted, and its dense, creamy frozen custard.
• Kopp's Frozen Custard: A Milwaukee-area institution known for its jumbo burgers and its daily rotating "Flavor of the Day" frozen custard.
• Gilles Frozen Custard: The oldest operating custard stand in Milwaukee, serving its classic frozen custard, burgers, and hot dogs since 1938.
• Leon's Frozen Custard: Another historic Milwaukee custard stand, famous for its retro drive-in atmosphere and its classic vanilla, chocolate, and butter pecan custard.
• Cousins Subs: A Wisconsin-based chain that specializes in deli-style submarine sandwiches, both hot and cold, served on freshly baked bread.
• Rocky Rococo Pizza and Pasta: A Wisconsin chain known for its thick, square-cut pan-style pizza sold by the slice.
• A&W Restaurants: While a national brand, A&W has deep roots in Wisconsin and is popular for its root beer floats and drive-in service.
• George Webb Restaurants: A chain of 24-hour diners concentrated in the Milwaukee area, known for its burgers, breakfast, and chili.

The Wisconsin dining scene continues to grow, with new establishments opening that highlight both local and international flavors. Recent additions include La Sirena, a Door County restaurant from a Michelin-starred chef, and Ruby's Bagels, a popular Milwaukee pop-up that opened its first bakery. These new establishments bring fresh energy to the state.

• La Sirena: A new restaurant in Ephraim from Michelin-starred chef Carlos Salgado. La Sirena offers a dinner menu that celebrates Mexican and American ingredients with handmade tortillas. Located at 9996 Pioneer Ln, Ephraim, WI 54211.
• Savor BBQ: After starting as a food truck, Savor BBQ has opened a permanent location in Sister Bay. The new spot serves barbecue for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Located at 10635 N Bay Shore Dr, Sister Bay, WI 54234.
• Fenwick’s Pub and Patio: A new bar and restaurant in Mequon with an English pub theme. The space features multiple large screens and a fun atmosphere. Located at 6300 W Mequon Rd, Mequon, WI 53092.
• Ruby’s Bagels: A former pop-up that opened its first full bakery in Milwaukee's Washington Heights neighborhood. Ruby's serves hand-rolled bagels with classic and Cuban-inspired flavors. Located at 5513 W North Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53208.
• Osaka Ramen & Hibachi: A new Japanese restaurant in Brookfield that features hibachi tables and ramen bowls. The sleek dining room offers both grill-side seating and traditional tables. Located at 920 S Moorland Rd Ste 300, Brookfield, WI 53005.

Wisconsin's main cities, Milwaukee and Madison, have several popular restaurants in their downtown and central neighborhoods such as Sanford, L'Etoile, and Mader's. The list below shows the best restaurants to try in Wisconsin's key downtown locations.

• Sanford: Located on Milwaukee's East Side, Sanford is a James Beard Award-winning restaurant known for its refined, modern American tasting menus and its long-standing reputation for excellence.
• L'Etoile: At the heart of Madison's Capitol Square, L'Etoile is a pioneering farm-to-table restaurant from a James Beard Award-winning chef, famous for its elegant, multi-course tasting menus that celebrate Wisconsin's seasonal bounty.
• Mader’s: Milwaukee's Mader's is a highly sought-after historic restaurant on Old World Third Street, specializing in authentic German cuisine and featuring a museum-quality collection of medieval artifacts.
• Graze: This Madison restaurant, also on Capitol Square, specializes in approachable, farm-to-table comfort food and offers stunning views of the State Capitol building.

Yes, there are lunch spots in Wisconsin worth trying, including the historic Solly's Grille, the quirky Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant, and the popular Graze. Solly's Grille in Milwaukee is a James Beard "America's Classics" award winner and the definitive spot to try a Wisconsin butter burger at its simple lunch counter. Al Johnson's in Door County offers a unique lunch of Swedish pancakes and meatballs in a log cabin where goats graze on the sod roof. For a more modern lunch, Graze in Madison serves high-quality, farm-to-table burgers and salads with a view of the State Capitol.

Yes, there are good places for dinner in Wisconsin, such as the legendary Ishnala Supper Club, the acclaimed Sanford, and the farm-focused Twisted Willow. Ishnala Supper Club in the Wisconsin Dells provides a quintessential Wisconsin dinner experience with its classic menu of prime rib and Brandy Old Fashioneds in a stunning, secluded location on Mirror Lake. Sanford in Milwaukee offers a premier fine dining dinner with its James Beard Award-winning, multi-course tasting menu of modern American cuisine. For a true farm-to-table dinner, Twisted Willow in Port Washington serves a seasonal menu of American dishes made with ingredients grown on its own dedicated five-acre farm.

Wisconsin has a number of vegan restaurants, including The Green Owl Cafe, Strange Town, and The Cheel. The Green Owl Cafe in Madison is one of the city's first vegetarian restaurants and offers a large menu with many vegan comfort food options. Strange Town in Milwaukee is a plant-based restaurant and wine bar with a focus on globally inspired small plates and natural wines. The Cheel in Thiensville serves a menu of Nepalese cuisine with a dedicated selection of vegan entrees and appetizers. In Milwaukee, Alem Ethiopian Village offers a variety of traditional vegetarian and vegan stews served with injera bread.

Restaurants in Wisconsin that serve gluten-free food include dedicated establishments like The Ladle, Ishnala Supper Club, and Graze. The Ladle in Milwaukee is a 100% gluten-free cafe that specializes in soups, salads, and sandwiches. For dining out, many of the state's supper clubs, like Ishnala Supper Club, can accommodate gluten-free needs with their menus of grilled steaks and fish. In Madison, Graze offers a menu with clearly marked gluten-free items. Wild Tomato in Door County provides gluten-free crust for its wood-fired pizzas.

Wisconsin's most famous cuisines are German and Supper Club fare. The state's culinary identity is a direct reflection of its strong European heritage and its status as a leading dairy producer. Listed below are the most common and popular cuisines in Wisconsin.

• German: The large wave of German immigrants in the 19th century established a deep and lasting culinary tradition, especially in Milwaukee. This cuisine is characterized by hearty dishes like bratwurst, schnitzel, and sauerbraten, often accompanied by potato pancakes, red cabbage, and a wide selection of German beers.
• Supper Club: The Wisconsin supper club is a unique, destination-style restaurant that is a cultural institution in the state. The cuisine is classic American steakhouse fare, featuring prime rib, steaks, and pan-fried fish. The experience is defined by rituals like starting with a relish tray and a Brandy Old Fashioned cocktail.
• Dairy-Centric / Comfort Food: As "America's Dairyland," Wisconsin's cuisine is heavily influenced by its dairy products. This is most evident in the popularity of fried cheese curds, beer cheese soup, and the butter burger, a hamburger with a generous pat of butter on the bun. Frozen custard is also a beloved local specialty.
• Farm-to-Table: With its rich agricultural landscape, Wisconsin has a strong farm-to-table movement. Restaurants like L'Etoile and Graze in Madison have been pioneers in this area, building their menus around ingredients sourced directly from local farmers and food artisans.
• Scandinavian: The heritage of Scandinavian settlers is particularly evident in areas like Door County. This is showcased in dishes like Swedish pancakes with lingonberries, Swedish meatballs, and pickled herring, famously served at restaurants like Al Johnson's.
• Pizzeria: From the thin, cracker-crust "tavern-style" pizza popular in Milwaukee to the wood-fired pies of Door County's Wild Tomato, pizza is a beloved and distinct part of the state's food culture.