Diners' Choice: Neighbourhood gem restaurants in Wisconsin

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighbourhood gems 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!

Villa Dolce

4.9

4.9 (654)

$30 and under

Italian

Middleton

About the restaurant

A modern Italian cafe in the heart of downtown historic Middleton. With a contemporary vibe this fusion Italian gem features unique topping gourmet pizzas, handmade pasta and famous Gelato.

Top review

Jeffrey

Dined on Apr 26, 2025

A Middleton Gem. Wonderful food. The burrata board is wonderful as are all the pastas.

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Popular dish

Meat Lovers

Santino's Little Italy

4.9

4.9 (210)

$30 and under

Italian

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

Santino's Little Italy, tucked away in a quiet neighborhood with rich history echoing years gone by in the City of Milwaukee. The building housing the restaurant is over 130 years old and has been beautifully remodeled by talented designers and carpenters. The vibe has an old school Brooklyn New York feeling and is the perfect place to make wonderful memories with friends and family.

The menu features delicious gourmet pizzas / house-made pastas / salads / appetizers / deserts along with delicious Italian wine / cocktails and are professionally served to you by our attentive staff. Our amazing Neapolitan Style Pizza is hand made with the finest and freshest ingredients and cooked in a 6,000-pound Italian woodfired oven. With humility and gratitude our pizza was ranked nationally as the 46th best pizza in North America and we are very proud to serve many happy diners here in Milwaukee.

Reservations are highly recommended as space is limited. We look forward to serving you.

Top review

NikoVIP

Dined on May 4, 2025

The Best pizza in town. The best costumer service. The Best hosts. ❤️ My favorite place 🍸

MOXIE Food + Drink

4.8

4.8 (1328)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Whitefish Bay

About the restaurant

Inspired American comfort food, cocktails and wine. Dining room, patio and curbside. Serving dinner 5-9 Tuesday through Saturday, and Sunday Brunch 10-2.
Reservations or order online: www.eatatmoxie.com.
Our Reservation Policies:
- We do not take PATIO reservations. Patio seating is first come, first served.
- Maximum reservation/table size in our DINING ROOM is 6 guests.
- All guests must arrive within 15 minutes of reservation time.
- Payment with one check is required for parties of 6 or more.
- A 20% gratuity may be added to parties of 6 or more.

Top review

BonnieVIP

Dined 6 days ago

The thing that ended a nice dinner were the two “to go” boxes. Both boxes had greasy finger prints on the boxes. I had a piece of salmon to take home. I fear this may have been the source of grease for finger print on both boxes. Kind of an uck moment.

Transfer Pizzeria Cafe

4.8

4.8 (254)

$31 to $50

Pizzeria

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

You are cordially invited to visit Transfer Pizzeria Café, located in the Harbor District on the corner of 1st and Mitchell Streets. Established in 2008, the namesake is Transfer Pharmacy, a classic cornerstone drugstore from a bygone era that for decades supplied a thriving community with goods and services as evidenced by the stained glass windows still in place. The pharmacy was appropriately named for the constant activity that took place just outside - the boarding, departures, and transfers of the countless daily commuters of the time. The tradition of a reliable cornerstone establishment continues today, as Transfer Pizzeria delivers a unique dose of delicious pizza, drink, atmosphere, and friendly service.

We keep an active wait-list and gladly accommodate walk-ins as part of both our lunch and dinner service.

Top review

Wesley

Dined 2 days ago

Service was excellent! I appreciate the free dessert they offered my mom from Mother’s Day. Great drink choices from alcohol to N/A. One of the best pizza places in Milwaukee and restaurants.

The Inn

4.7

4.7 (51)

$31 to $50

American

Hartland

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Top review

Mike

Dined 2 days ago

First visit beautiful decor, nice options, delicious food.

Harry's Bar and Grill

4.6

4.6 (748)

$30 and under

American

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

Welcome to Harry's Bar and Grill! Chic and contemporary with a modern American menu, Harry's Bar and Grill is located on Milwaukee’s East side, close to Lake Michigan.

WELCOME to Harry's Bar and Grill!

Chic and contemporary with a modern American menu, Harry's Bar and Grill is located on Milwaukee’s East side, close to Lake Michigan.

Harry's Bar and Grill is always keeping things fresh. Stop in soon to see our new look. Harry's Bar & Grill successfully combines neighborhood charm with big city sophistication. Friendly service and a menu diverse enough to satisfy any lunch or dinner craving. Appetizers, specialty burgers, salads, entrees and nightly specialty served up 7 days a week!

Top review

SusanVIP

Dined on May 3, 2025

Harry’s never disappoints. Friendly staff and the food is delicious. It’s my husbands and my “go to” restaurant.

Sorella

4.6

4.6 (1191)

$30 and under

Italian

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

Old school meets new school, East Coast meets Midwest, with a Southern-style Italian restaurant landing right in the middle of it all. Delivering distinctly Italian cuisine that’s easy to pronounce and even easier to share, guests will enjoy seasonally inspired dishes throughout the year. Sorella serves healthy foods with elegant flavors, which are often made with locally sourced products.

Top review

melissa

Dined 3 days ago

Always amazing food! Great spot in Bayview for pizza and pasta!

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4.6

4.6 (148)

$30 and under

Tex-Mex

Mequon

About the restaurant

Where you're always on vacation!

The Highland House located in Mequon, Wisconsin has earned the reputation as the place to go on the North Shore for any and all occasions. The food is a blend of California, Caribbean and Mexican influences. It’s a casual and fun atmosphere with a colorful and unique décor. Voted Milwaukee’s Best Margaritas and known for great food at a great price.

For reservations please visit highlandhouse.com

Top review

Carrie

Dined on May 5, 2025

We had a great time hanging out at Highland House on Cinco de Mayo. We came from Missing Links across the street where we warmed up our swing for the upcoming season. Highland House was an easy choice for Margarita’s and tacos.

Union House Cedarburg

4.4

4.4 (186)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

Cedarburg

About the restaurant

Union House, located in the heart of downtown Cedarburg, offers a unique blend of city vibes and small-town charm. As a tapas restaurant, we specialize in shareable plates perfect for any occasion. Our award-winning craft cocktails add a touch of sophistication, whether you're dining inside our beautifully preserved historic building or enjoying the outdoor atmosphere on our cozy patio. The warm, welcoming setting makes it an ideal spot for hosting gatherings, offering both a vibrant social environment and a relaxing retreat. Experience exceptional dining with a personal touch in every detail.

Top review

BobbieVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Great service and the new menu is great. Try the portobello mushrooms . . . Very good.

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Popular dish

Baked Goat Cheese

Experience

Let's Celebrate with Bubbles!

Experience

Union House Cedarburg's Unlimited Tapas

The Explorium Brewpub Third Ward

4.2

4.2 (113)

$30 and under

American

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

We are a locally owned brewery and restaurant offering 24 taps of house-made beer in a comfortable family-friendly environment with two locations in the Milwaukee area. People love our comfortable environment, friendly staff, and expansive outside bar and patio. Stop in and see what we’re all about!

Top review

cathyVIP

Dined on Apr 3, 2025

Visited Explorium Brewpub in Third Ward for first time and service was amazing. It’s not all that common to get service like we experienced. They were friendly, checked on us often, and went above and beyond to make sure we had a great experience.

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