Diners' Choice: Best Value restaurants in Milwaukee

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best value restaurants in Milwaukee? 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!

Screaming Tuna - Mequon

4.9

4.9 (56)

$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

DeborahVIP

Dined on Jun 4, 2025

Great food and love Sushi Master winner Jason! A sleeper in Mequon.

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Experience

Weekend At J's: An Omakase Experience

Transfer Pizzeria Cafe

4.8

4.8 (256)

$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

Denise

Dined on May 24, 2025

We love the garlic bread and pizza, the service was spot on. All 4 of us enjoyed our Saturday night out.

Santino's Little Italy

4.9

4.9 (232)

$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

Jeffrey

Dined today

Top notch! From the service to the setting and the amazing quality of scratch Italian food. It was a visit that was well worth it. Looking forward to returning!

Morel

4.9

4.9 (765)

$50 and over

American

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

A modern American restaurant that's dedicated to source consciousness, Morel's menu finds inspiration from Chef Jonathan Manyo’s roots: Wisconsin. Morel explores natural flavors, colors, and textures from local farms, purveyors, foragers, and artisans. For eight years, Jonathan has remained dedicated to featuring a menu comprised of nearly 100% Wisconsin-sourced ingredients.

Top review

JulieVIP

Dined 2 days ago

The food was fabulous!! Service was great too. Morels were amazing!!

Safina

4.9

4.9 (417)

$31 to $50

Italian

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

It’s been over four years since guests last tasted the Sicilian dishes from longtime Milwaukee restaurant Giovanni’s. But all of that changes with Safina: a new casual Italian concept that comes to the historic building at 785 N. Jefferson St.

Focusing on comforting dishes with roots in Sicily and the southern regions of Italy, Safina's goal is to keep the menu familiar and accessible. The restaurant also features a full bar and second-level seating, complete with wood and marble finishes that highlight the rustic, modern Italian ambiance.

Top review

WilliamVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Amazing food! The pistachio pasta and the frutta de mare pasta were incredible!!

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4.8

4.8 (2791)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

La Merenda is a bar and grill located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that specializes in serving globally inspired cuisine, local beers and wine. The restaurant offers a casual dining with upscale flavors.

La Merenda has an emphasis on using locally sourced ingredients as much as possible, so the menu is constantly being updated with new dishes based on available ingredients. The main menu at La Merenda offers a selection of snacks, seafood and meat entr�es. Menu selections include such dishes as Wisconsin farmers� salad, seasonal gnocchi, veal stracotto, Sambal Goreng Udang with Gulf shrimp and pork and shrimp tostadas.

Top review

ChristineVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Absolutely DELICIOUS meal! We shared several small plates and had a hard time deciding on our favorite. Our server, Brandon, suggested a ginger flavored cocktail that was outstanding. The Indonesian shrimp, Japanese trout, and Moroccan goat are all calling us for a return visit soon again! The rhubarb cheesecake was a perfect final touch to the meal.

Ward's House of Prime Milwaukee

4.7

4.7 (1854)

$31 to $50

Prime Rib

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

At Ward's House of Prime we are known for our Prime Rib, especially our big cuts. Our Wall of Fame features eaters from 40oz to 360oz. Can you beat the champion? We offer a variety of steaks, seafood and pastas for you to enjoy.

For reservations of groups of 5 or more please call us at 414-223-0135 to make your reservation.

We offer carryout. Menus can be found at our website. Order by phone, 414-223-0135.

Top review

John

Dined on Jun 3, 2025

Great food and great service. I would recommend it to anyone who loves prime ribs

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)

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.

ParkSide 23

4.9

4.9 (46)

$30 and under

Farm-to-table

Brookfield

About the restaurant

Gather around the supper table at ParkSide 23 and enjoy a truly one-of-a-kind farm-to-table experience. Choose from a menu full of fresh, innovative dishes made with locally sourced ingredients from Wisconsin farms & businesses you love. Wash it down with one of our locally brewed beers, hand-crafted cocktails or a smooth glass of wine.

PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVE. RESERVATIONS ARE FOR MAIN DINING ROOM

Top review

EdwardVIP

Dined 3 days ago

High energy dining establishment. Great service and excellent food. Never rushed between courses. Vegetables were very fresh and very tasty. Highly recommended

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