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Cafe at The Pfister, Milwaukee, WI

Cafe at The Pfister

4.5
4.5
253 Reviews
$30 and under
American
Café at The Pfister features a casual full dining area available for breakfast and lunch, as well as a barista counter and patisserie in downtown Milwaukee. We proudly brew Starbucks® Coffee on the go and serve freshly baked-in-house pastries. Whether a quick meeting over coffee, a power breakfast, or a business luncheon, we offer a varied menu from Starbucks® favorites and traditional breakfast items to homemade soups, seasonal salads, a multitude of fresh sandwiches, as well as delicious gluten free and heart-healthy options.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 9 times today

Additional information

  • Neighborhood

    Milwaukee

  • Parking details

    Hotel Parking

  • Additional

    Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

What 253 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Wisconsin

    Great for brunch

  • Milwaukee

    Great for brunch

  • Milwaukee

    Good for business meals

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  1. SuzanneB

    Milwaukee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I wish I could give more than five stars! My Belgian waffle & his blueberry pancakes were delicious, the service was amazing!! We'll be back!
  2. Jane

    Milwaukee

    26 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on March 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    I am never disappointed in this restaurant. The food is consistently good and the waitstaff pleasant, efficient and attentive. This has become one of my favorite places for lunch. My dining companion has not been here in several years and he was impressed with the food and staff. He had the Chicken Wrap that he said was very good. I had the Soup and Salad on the Pick 2 menu both very good. Have not had a bad soup here ever.
  3. DonnaB

    Milwaukee

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always friendly and efficient service. Highly recommend Senator's Tuna upgrade to melt with avacado. Delicious!!
  4. OpenTable Diner

    Milwaukee

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It was my first time having breakfast here. The food was great! My server Najmal did an awesome job taking care of my table. I will definitely be back again.
  5. Goldi

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Lovely lunch there. Food delicious and service good. Will lunch there again.
  6. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    25 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on March 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great server and the food is always very good. Loved the vegan bowl!
  7. LynnD

    Chicago

    63 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    63 reviews

    Dined on February 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delicious! Thank you
  8. JohnH

    Milwaukee

    7 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on February 18, 2023

    overall3food4service2ambience5
    The food was much too slow coming out of the kitchen. The server was fine but can only be as good as the kitchen.
  9. SharonA

    Chicago

    27 reviews

    3.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on January 22, 2023

    overall3food3service2ambience4
    Food was good. Service very slow
  10. KellyM

    Milwaukee

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 21, 2023

    overall2food3service2ambience3
    It was ok, but wasn’t as nice as I expected. Mushroom soup was very good.
  11. PatriciaM

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 18, 2023

    overall4food2service5ambience5
    Have recently eaten at the Pfister and the food was outstanding. This time met a friend who has never eaten here and we both were disappointed. I had the sliders. The rolls were soggy, the ham chewy. My friend had the tuna sandwich which was also soggy and tasteless. Hoping this was a one of experience because the staff and venue makes for a very pleasant lunch venue.
  12. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    19 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on January 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great menu, great food, fairly reasonable prices.
  13. Laurel

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 8, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    We have been going to the Pfister Cafe about once a month since our son started at UWM this fall. The staff is amazing and has accommodated us each time as we keep bringing other family members and friends back with us. Kali and Ava are amazing hostesses and our servers, Sam, Carrie, and Kaitlin have been fantastic. We also appreciate the cooks as our breakfast and lunches have been delicious. Thank you!
  14. Basketqueenz

    Milwaukee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    Delicious food and friendly and attentive service!
  15. VisitorfromEP

    Milwaukee

    17 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on December 30, 2022

    overall2food2service2ambience3
    Lunch special. Blue cheese and and onion tenderloin sliders. Came with no blue cheese and took 15 minutes to see waitress again to get fixed. Tuna salad sandwich had very little salad. Very disappointed and won’t go back
  16. Anne

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 30, 2022

    overall3food3service5ambience3
    Lunch with friends did not get off to a good start as once one of our party was seated (out of view of the entrance), the hostess could not "find" the reservation as the others arrived and they were told it would be a 25 minute wait. Fortunately, someone thought to step into the cafe and look around - and voila! - located the our table. Service was excellent. The food was good though for my salad I'd requested that the dressing be served on the side. Dressing was served on the side, but there was also plenty on the salad already, so the spinach was wilted (looked like cooked spinach) and was not appealing. Would I recommend the Cafe? Probably not. I might suggest it if someone was in the area and/or wanted to see the Pfister and would note that somethings could be improved.
  17. RobertD

    Milwaukee

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Good choices excellent. Server excellent!
  18. OpenTable Diner

    Milwaukee

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 24, 2022

    overall3food2service4ambience3
    The Pfister is lovely, and we love the atmosphere, and the server was pleasant and attentive overall. But the food could be better. We came in for holiday brunch on Saturday. We were a little bit disappointed that there is only a lunch menu. The hummus appetizer was not great. Also I ordered a gluten-free sandwich, but was accidentally given regular bread, which happens. The server kindly had the order remade on gluten-free bread, though it is not the best brand, very dry and sugary. Something like Udi’s would be better. We were also in the corner and an employee was walking by multiple times with masks and spray bottles while we were eating, which took away from the experience.
  19. MichelleP

    Milwaukee

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 21, 2022

    overall3food2service3ambience3
    There was an earwig in a piece of lettuce. We sent it back and they replaced the burger in less than 5 minutes. The server said they’d take the drinks off the bill. She did not. I didn’t say anything. It was in poor form and it was my department Christmas luncheon.
  20. CathyN

    Chicago

    9 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on December 19, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    I will never go to the Cafe at Pfister again The service , attitude & food were poor
  21. Abbas

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 18, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    We were seated in a small area just off the main dining area. As soon as we were seated, we noticed gnats flying around the table, toward our mouth and around our heads. We quickly noticed the gnats were all over the walls. When the waitress came back to check on orders, I expressed my concern, and she told me they were aware of the problem and the pest people were coming back. The food took longer than expected and when it did arrive most of my order was cold. This didn't matter much because it was difficult to enjoy anything while fighting off the pests. We ordered drinks from the bar, and they didn't come until after most of us had finished eating. We asked for the check and took our drinks to the lounge to escape the pests however there was no seating, so we left. This was a lunch to celebrate my son's graduation and it was the worst dining experience I have ever had.
  22. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 15, 2022

    overall4food5service3ambience5
    All good, but was charged $3 for avocado on the tuna sandwich when there was only a $1 up charge for cheese and avocado to make the sandwich a “melt”. Pointed it out to server who agreed it didn’t make sense, and said she would point it out to her manager. But no effort to adjust the bill or make it right.
  23. OpenTable Diner

    Palm Springs

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 15, 2022

    overall3food1service3ambience3
    Terrible food
  24. JulieN

    Milwaukee

    9 reviews

    4.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on December 10, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Staff was very friendly to our excited young kids. Food was good. While the staff was good with kids the service was a little slower than ideal. Still very good experience.
  25. Elaine

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 9, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Lunch was good, but we were hoping for dessert too. The only options were Starbuck’s type bakery at the coffee bar.
  26. JasonP

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 4, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Great food good service the wait for the food after ordering was kind of long for a burger and a salad but both were really delicious.
  27. Gracie92

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 4, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Lovely service and the food was good. Easy to get in if you have a reservation! I loved the eggs benedict.
  28. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    37 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    37 reviews

    Dined on December 1, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    EXCELLENT service and food value! Thank you!! Will be back again soon!
  29. Woody

    Milwaukee

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on November 27, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great server! Hosts were wonderful. Food was terrific.
  30. MichaelN

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 27, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Really really really reaaaaallllly good food! I ate like a king here. Highly recommended!!!
  31. Annabelle

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 27, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    There was a nice selection on the menu. The food was good and the server was exceptional. You can expect that, being inside the Pfister Hotel, the prices are on the higher side but not terrible. The hotel lobby was stunningly decorated for the Christmas holiday and definitely worth visiting if you're not already staying at the hotel.
  32. gbtrekker

    Milwaukee

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on November 26, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Delicious breakfast! Friendly, helpful, efficient staff. Free coffee refills. Comfortable dining area.
  33. JamesW

    Milwaukee

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Sam was the perfect waitress. She was courteous, pleasant and efficient! Couldn’t have been any better
  34. MickeyS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 18, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always friendly and welcoming staff. Had a business/working lunch and our server Carrie was pleasant, efficient, and non-intrusive. Everyone enjoyed their food as well.
  35. GenOlove

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 2, 2022

    overall3food4service3ambience3
    Asian salad was great. BLT was great. Service was okay, but could use polish. Too informal, not super timely, but we'll intended. Overall, not special enough for the Pfister.
  36. DiningDuo

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 2, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Both the food and service were great. Anytime I'm downtown, I'll definitely go there.
  37. nalu

    Chicago

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on October 27, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This cafe has old world charm and new world food options. My friends were surprised that they could order a smoothie! I love the healthy options. Beautiful setting. Been going here for decades and it just keeps getting better!
  38. Carl

    Los Angeles

    3 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 24, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience1
    Table was so close to the open kitchen that the clatter of plates disturbed any idea of a quiet dinner.
  39. AnneF

    Milwaukee

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 4, 2022

    overall3food2service1ambience3
    My salad had no dressing on it and i had to wait about 10 minutes to get the dressing. It took a long time to get our meal. The waitress never checked in with us to see how everything was and if we needed anything. We had to ask to refill our drinks and we had to ask for the desert. Then we waited a long time for the desert and it was wrong. The client that we will entertaining would always choose to go there but I don't think I would choose it for myself again
  40. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 2, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The waitress was very sweet and had a great smile very helpful filled up our coffees almost instantly and she was overall amazing

FAQs

Cafe at The Pfister offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (414) 390-3878.

Cafe at The Pfister is rated 4.5 stars by 253 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 9 times today
Google Map for Cafe at The Pfister

424 E Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202

Additional information

  • Neighborhood

    Milwaukee

  • Hours of operation

    Breakfast Daily 6:00 am–11:00 am Lunch Daily 11:00 am–2:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    American

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking details

    Hotel Parking

  • Payment options

    MasterCard, Visa

  • Additional

    Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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