Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Wisconsin

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Wisconsin? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

EsterEv

4.9

4.9 (191)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

Located in Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood, EsterEv offers a 6-course chef's tasting experience, which evokes globally inspired nostalgic flavors from grandma's kitchen. Presented by James Beard Best Chef Midwest nominees Dan Jacobs and Dan Van Rite.

Top review

Jeff

Dined on May 2, 2025

EsterEv was fantastic! A great mix of casual atmosphere and next level food! Had the 8 course tasting menu and we let our server decide what the dishes would be. She picked some great ones. We left fulfilled but not stuffed and can’t wait to go back again soon!

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Guest Chef Dinner with Amanda Turner ($140)

Bistro 67

4.9

4.9 (54)

$31 to $50

American

Williams Bay

About the restaurant

Experience the charm of Bistro 67, a French American bistro located at The Belfry House. Join us indoors or on our patio for an exquisite dining experience, where our chef crafts elevated comfort classics. Pair your meal with a signature cocktail or a choice from our award-winning wine collection. Visit Bistro 67 and indulge in a blend of culinary artistry and ambiance.

Top review

Conny

Dined on Jun 6, 2025

Delicious food. Artful presentation. We enjoyed the experience very much.

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Experience

Dinner Indoors

Experience

Breakfast at The Belfry House

Experience

Dinner on the Patio

I.d.

4.8

4.8 (1776)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Delafield

About the restaurant

A modern American kitchen located in the heart of Lake Country. Small plates, featuring locally sourced ingredients, and craft cocktails headline this farm-to-table restaurant. Choose from the artfully curated wine selection or let the sommelier on staff make expert recommendations. The Sunday brunch menu boasts one-of-a-kind dishes and breakfast classics. Private space for every event--from intimate dinners to large gatherings.

Top review

LaurenVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Great service and amazing food, will definitely be back!

Amilinda

4.8

4.8 (354)

$31 to $50

Spanish

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

Amilinda is a celebrated Milwaukee restaurant known for its vibrant blend of Spanish and Portuguese-inspired cuisine. Owner and executive chef Gregory León leads the kitchen with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients and innovative flavor combinations. His culinary talent has earned him three James Beard Award nominations, highlighting his influence and expertise in the culinary world. Amilinda continues to be a standout dining experience with the reputation as a top dinning destination that attracts locals and visitors alike.

Located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee, just blocks away from the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Pfister Hotel, Amilinda offers a cozy and inviting space with rustic decor, reflecting its Iberian Peninsula influences. The warm, intimate atmosphere complements the creative dishes from the kitchen, making it a destination for memorable meals.

Top review

NancyVIP

Dined on Jun 14, 2025

A place not to miss. Food, Service, and Vibe are excellent.

Screaming Tuna - Mequon

4.8

4.8 (58)

$30 and under

Sushi

Mequon

About the restaurant

Home of Chef Jason Morimoto, Winner of Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto's Sushi Master Season 2. The Lil' Tuna is the long awaited baby sister to Screaming Tuna Milwaukee. Located in the Mequon Public Market, & serving surprises from proper omakase to ramen & sushi tacos, it's the perfect size sushi bar to put a little extra love into every bite. And when you're done hanging out with the chefs you can peruse the stellar lineup market neighbors: Good City Brewing. Boca Rica. Purple Door Ice Cream. Lakeside Cookie Co. Santorini Grill. Mad Rush Pizza. Aloha Poke.

Top review

VincentVIP

Dined on Jun 14, 2025

First time eating at the Mequon location. It was a terrific experience. A great Fathers Day for me and my family.

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Experience

Weekend At J's: An Omakase Experience

Birch - Milwaukee

4.8

4.8 (1093)

$50 and over

American

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

A hyper-seasonal New American Restaurant celebrating Wisconsin farmers & food producers and cooking over an open fire.

Top review

Ashley

Dined 4 days ago

Delightful food, service, and atmosphere. I went here for a going away dinner and I’m so sad I haven’t made it out here sooner. I hope to be back when I come back to town!

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Experience

June French Bistro Pop-Up

Experience

July Pepe's Oyster Bar

Experience

July French Bistro Pop-Up

The Melting Pot - Brookfield

4.7

4.7 (1003)

$31 to $50

Fondue

Brookfield

About the restaurant

At The Melting Pot, fun is cooked up fondue style, creating an out of the ordinary dining experience. You'll discover all the ingredients for a perfect evening, including attentive service, private tables, & an atmosphere of casual elegance. In addition to the cheese & chocolate fondues which have made The Melting Pot famous, they offer a fine selection of beef, chicken, seafood, vegetarian & gluten free entrees, as well as an exceptional wine list & a full bar. You may enjoy a romantic evening for two, a special occasion with fifty of your closest friends, a dining experience to impress your boss, or a night out with the family. Whatever the occasion, an evening at The Melting Pot is always a celebration. Reservations are highly recommended. We do our best to ensure every guest receives the highest level of service. As such, we are unable to hold your reservation longer than 10 minutes past your selected time. If you are running behind schedule, please just give us a ring!

Top review

Holly

Dined 6 days ago

Always good food. Seemed a bit short staffed. Overall good!

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Popular dish

Pure Chocolate Fondue

Experience

Forever Fondue® Endless Entrée 6/15-7/31

Experience

Perfect Night Out package for Two - $219

Sultan

4.7

4.7 (43)

$31 to $50

Pakistani

Madison

About the restaurant

Small plates Pakistani restaurant serving modern takes on South Asian cuisine showcasing Wisconsin and Midwest ingredients. No tipping restaurant that pays all staff a living wage and profit share.

Top review

Jean

Dined 4 days ago

The Lab Night is such a treat! $35 for 5-6 courses of... something. They are small dishes, served family style, but you can ask for seconds of favorite dishes at the end. There's no advance menu, but never fear - the options are always great! This time there were some dishes I could not eat (due to allergies) but one had a substitution and I just asked for more of one of my earlier favorites to replace the other. Besides, the naan is absolutely magical and even if you just loaded up on that, it would be a great night.

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Experience

Seven Deadly Sins Tasting Menu

Third Coast Provisions

4.5

4.5 (1395)

$50 and over

Seafood

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

Third Coast Provisions is a modern American restaurant & oyster bar featuring Chef Andrew Miller's seafood driven cuisine that is inspired by Midwestern sensibility. In addition, we focus on utilizing produce and meats from local purveyors that showcase the best that Wisconsin has to offer.

Top review

ChristineVIP

Dined on Jun 2, 2025

Fantastic food and a warm, welcoming staff who were all Gracious and accommodating.

SafeHouse

4.2

4.2 (749)

$30 and under

American

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

Offering refuge to spies national and international since 1966, SafeHouse is Milwaukee's best-kept secret. This iconic, hidden restaurant & bar is a blast for agents of all ages. Spies must find the red door and pass a fun clearance test if they do not know the password required for entry. Once behind the red door, spies will find authentic espionage artifacts, pop culture references, a disappearing booth, a secret exit, and more. Enjoy a fun night out in Milwaukee, or a covert daytime mission for the family at this kid-friendly, spy hideout. SafeHouse offers venue space for agents looking to celebrate special occasions, birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and group events. Grab your fellow spies to enjoy award-winning cheese curds, solve recon duties, and learn about SafeHouse's history. Find the red door if you accept this mission, Agent!

Top review

Toni

Dined 4 days ago

My first time going. It was a great experience. The food was delicious. Our server was awesome.. He did a awesome job recommending the cheese curbs first time having them.

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