Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Wisconsin

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots 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 favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Birch - Milwaukee

4.8

4.8 (1089)

$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

Danielle

Dined 3 days ago

From start to finish, each dish was amazing. Unique flavors, top notch presentation, and delicious seasonal offerings. Cocktails were delicious and unique. Went for my birthday, which I stated at time of reservation, and they went above and beyond to make it special. One of my top three meals ever.

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Experience

John Markus Dinner

Experience

June French Bistro Pop-Up

Experience

July Pepe's Oyster Bar

Central Standard Crafthouse and Kitchen

4.8

4.8 (357)

$30 and under

American

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

WE DO NOT OFFER FOOD SERVICE OR RESERVATIONS ON OUR ROOFTOP PATIO, WHICH IS "FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED". We highly encourage you to make a reservation in the main dining room and then head up for a cocktail or two after! For groups larger than 4, please call the restaurant (414) 455-8870.

Located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee, Central Standard Distillery's Crafthouse & Kitchen is an experience like none other. Enjoy culinary creations from our scratch kitchen or stop by for a few of our award winning cocktails at the bar or lounge created with Central Standard spirits.

Exec. Chef David Sapp
Sous Chef Noah Shirikian

Top review

Linda

Dined on Jun 4, 2025

First time dining here and really enjoyed the options, quality and service.

Van Acre

4.8

4.8 (517)

$31 to $50

American

Wausau

About the restaurant

Van Acre, A Wausau Experience.

A community with deep roots and a story to tell, Wausau is the kind of place to discover and make your own. This goes for anyone who wanders these parts from near or far. Whether you’re from here or took a road that led here. Whether you’re here for the moment or for a lifetime. Van Acre is a restaurant and bar that echoes this spirit.

Located within the one of a kind Hilton Garden Inn Wausau, our heart for homegrown hospitality comes to life with authentic food and drink, a captivating space and passionate team. Our menu is inspired by the region with seasonal rustic fare served alongside classic and creative cocktails, craft brews and a curated wine list.

No matter what your journey, we invite you to savor all that is put on your table and enjoy each other’s company along the way.

Top review

Robert

Dined on Jun 4, 2025

It was our 35th anniversary. A beautiful experience to celebrate it here while we were on a work trip for my wife.

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4.7

4.7 (1236)

$31 to $50

Chinese

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

DanDan Milwaukee has a Chinese soul with a Midwestern sensibility. Flavorful, respectful, playful and seasonal, it’s an homage to the foods of our childhood.

Top review

Erica

Dined on Jun 3, 2025

Great! Food was great and so was service. Would return

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Experience

Dim Sum Brunch with Erasmo Casiano

Experience

Dim Sum Brunch with Eva Chin

Experience

Taste of China- Chinese Muslim Cuisine

Highland House

4.7

4.7 (152)

$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

Lola

Dined on May 29, 2025

The food was absolutely delicious! The special burger rolls were so tasty! I always love their chips and salsa but the queso was also super amazing! Overall great experience and our server Maddie was very helpful and nice!

The Explorium Brewpub Greendale

4.6

4.6 (218)

$30 and under

American

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

Hip brewpub with a spacious patio pouring craft beer plus wine & spirits alongside American fare.

Top review

Tahnee

Dined on Jun 7, 2025

Our server was amazing. He was very helpful and friendly. Loved all the gluten-free options. My new favorite restaurant. Definitely will be back!

Orchard

4.6

4.6 (22)

$30 and under

Gastro Pub

Verona

About the restaurant

Orchard is a stylish yet inviting restaurant that celebrates the best of Wisconsin’s culinary heritage with a fresh, global twist. Rooted in an actual organic orchard growing English and French cider apples, Orchard crafts exceptional wine-like ciders and European-style apple brandies. The kitchen, led by Chef Ian Hutchins—newly arrived from Vancouver—emphasizes locally sourced ingredients, complemented by thoughtfully curated ciders, craft beers, wines, and cocktails from sustainable producers. With over 30 years of experience in the organic community, we partner with local farmers and growers to bring the freshest, highest-quality ingredients to every dish. The Orchard experience is both exciting and approachable, offering a warm Midwest welcome alongside internationally acclaimed ciders, innovative plates, and inspired cocktails.

Top review

Vicky

Dined on Jun 4, 2025

Food was yummy. Service was quick, pleasant, and didn't make me feel rushed. Atmosphere was relaxing. Already recommended it to a few people!

The Explorium Brewpub Third Ward

4.5

4.5 (114)

$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

Kimberly

Dined on May 30, 2025

Katie was great and whole scene was just what we wanted!

Motor at the Harley-Davidson Museum

4.3

4.3 (483)

$30 and under

American

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

At the heart of the 20-acre Harley-Davidson Museum campus, MOTOR Bar & Restaurant is a destination for connection, community, and conversation. MOTOR offers bold and spirited food and beverage with a focus on local products, genuine hospitality, and memory-making events that will keep guests coming back all year long.

Our desirable location in Milwaukee on the Menomonee River, combined with the iconic history of Harley-Davidson, fosters a unique and inviting space for people to gather and connect beyond the plate.

Top review

donna

Dined on Jun 3, 2025

Food was great and plentiful and the service was very good.

Corner House on the Lake

3.7

3.7 (16)

$31 to $50

American

Racine

About the restaurant

Premier Prime Rib Restaurant of Southeastern Wisconsin.

Albert Kopulos and Gigi Falbo opened the Corner House Supper Club on August 14th, 1945. Albert ran the Corner House until his passing on February 11th 2001. At that time his son's John and George continued to run the Corner House for about 17 years. After numerous attempts to purchase the Corner House over a 20 year period, in October 2017 the Kopulos brothers called me and said they were ready to retire. After many months of negotiating we closed the deal on March 28th, 2018. And I am very proud to say I am the new owner of a Racine staple. My intention is very simple: to carry on the tradition of Racine finest and only Supper Club. With the Corner House staff/team already in place, we thrive to improve on every dinning experience.

So whether you're a new or long time patron of the Corner House or just passing through on business, we will treat you with the highest standards.

Top review

NicholasVIP

Dined 6 days ago

The service from the host to our server was fantastic, efficient thoughtful enjoyable. The fuod was incredible the best prime rib and all the sides, superb! A wonderful experience especially from upstairs looking out at beautiful Lake Michigan! Bravo!

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