Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Wisconsin

OpenTable

Updated July 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 favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Morel

4.9

4.9 (769)

$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

Brett

Dined on Jun 28, 2025

Food was awesome and the staff (including the host, bar, cooking staff and our server) were very knowledgeable and friendly. One of the best dinners we’ve had in a while, definitely going back on our next visit to MKE.

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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Experience

Guest Chef Dinner with Amanda Turner ($140)

Experience

Guest Chef Dinner with Chef Mason Hereford ($140)

Experience

Guest Chef Dinner with Brandon Jew ($140)

Amilinda

4.8

4.8 (361)

$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

Emmett

Dined 3 days ago

Truly the one of the best dining experience I've had. A new to me instant favorite, with a particular appeal to return due to the weekly rotating menu, and trust that the food will always be fresh and delicious. The service was exceptional. Beyond the food and service, the resturant composition creates a relaxed atmosphere but with an obvious attention to detail from floor to ceiling. I was impressed by the character brought to each dish by the ceramic choices and plating. I highly recommend this resturant!

I.d.

4.7

4.7 (1779)

$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

MaryVIP

Dined on Jun 26, 2025

Outstanding food Superb service Enjoyable atmosphere Welcoming hostess

Palette Bar and Grill

4.7

4.7 (528)

$30 and under

American

Madison

About the restaurant

Palette provides a colorful dining experience with an American inspired menu and seasonally rotating cocktail selections with an emphasis on seasonal colors and flavors. With a patio on East Washington directly across from Breese Field we provide a lively pregame destination.

Located in the former Mautz Paint Company warehouse sharing the space with Hotel Indigo. We kept our buildings architectural features intact while updating the space with contemporary design elements and nostalgic touches. We wanted to keep the space faithful to its roots; filled with hues of colors and textures reminiscing of times when the East Washington corridor was a booming industrial area in the city.

Top review

Veronica MVIP

Dined 4 days ago

We dined with our grandson, who attends UW. Maeve, the Server, is exceptionally friendly, helpful, and attentive. She makes dining at Palette a pleasure. Our grandson enjoyed the Steak Wedge Salad and Tiramisu. He thought the salad and the tiramisu were excellent. We all enjoyed the Soft Pretzels, and my husband and I enjoyed the Achiote Pork Nachos. The decor is attractive and relaxing. Palette is one of our favorite places to dine.

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The Melting Pot - Brookfield

4.6

4.6 (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 on Jun 16, 2025

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

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Popular dish

Pure Chocolate Fondue

Popular dish

Yin & Yang Chocolate Fondue

Experience

Down to Fondue Happy Hour

Third Coast Provisions

4.5

4.5 (1396)

$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

MarkVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent food with a great mix of flavors & choices. Was dining solo at the full service bar & had good by the glass wine options as well. Bartender was well versed on the menu & provided great service!

Wayfinder MKE

4.5

4.5 (11)

$30 and under

International

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

Located on Farwell Avenue in Milwaukee's East Side, Wayfinder MKE is a restaurant with a brewery where global flavors meet craft expertise in an upscale yet inviting dining experience. At Wayfinder MKE, we bring a passion for discovery to every plate and pour—blending world-inspired cuisine with expertly crafted beers and cocktails.

Join us on a journey of bold flavors, exceptional drinks, and welcoming hospitality.

Top review

Craig

Dined 3 days ago

Food was great and Elizabeth our server was excellent.

Kanpai - Third Ward

4.2

4.2 (711)

$30 and under

Sushi

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

Kanpai is a local family-owned restaurant that first opened in 2012 and has been maintaining its sparking reputation for serving extraordinary sushi and sake in a sensual, contemporary atmosphere. Kanpai has brought Japanese fusion cuisine to succulent levels and a sushi experience not found elsewhere in town.

Top review

KathyVIP

Dined on May 16, 2025

Wenzt here to celebrate a birthday. Incredible sushi complete with ambiance and great service. I will definitely go back.. and soon!! Highly recommend!

SafeHouse

4.1

4.1 (756)

$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

Ania

Dined 2 days ago

Absolutely interesting and intriguing place. However, at the entrance we were not only asked a password, which was the part of the game i promised to our kids, but also not suggested to do funny spy things to get in. The door was open and lady told us just go…. I ordered a Cobb salad that came with no eggs, no bacon neither blue cheese crumbs…. just lettuce, chicken and….. absolutely dead cherry tomatoes. I am sure for $21 they could do better. Plates, especially one we had salads in (me and my friend) …so plates came in just disgusting- oily and stained both inside and outside. The service is very slow and our waiter constantly asked other waitress to take care of us. Overall… we cane to do a surprise for kids…. but the whole dinner was not exactly what we thought its going to be….. even though the place is very unique and interesting.

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