Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Wisconsin

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

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

Fat Belly

5.0

5 (84)

$31 to $50

Asian

Sister Bay

About the restaurant

Sushi, Ramen, Poke and more!
Fat Belly offers classic Asian cuisine with a twist. The only restaurant in Northern Door County that you'll find these flavors.
Come dine with us in our newly remodeled indoor or outdoor dining rooms. We offer a great selection of beer, wine and sake.

Top review

MaxineVIP

Dined 7 days ago

We had a ahi tuna bowl which was fantastic. Sushi rolls very very good! Love their food!

Villa Dolce

4.9

4.9 (658)

$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

Cathy

Dined on Jun 25, 2025

Exceptional experience in every category, as usual.

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Popular dish

Meat Lovers

Buckley's Restaurant & Bar

4.8

4.8 (420)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

Buckley's is a cozy neighborhood spot in the heart of Milwaukee's East Town. Located two blocks from Lake Michigan and the Calatrava, Buckley’s is an ideal all occasion restaurant in downtown Milwaukee. An ever-evolving menu showcases seasonal ingredients from local farmers and purveyors. To compliment your dining experience, peruse the thoughtfully curated 200 bottle wine list or select a beverage from an extensive cocktail program that has consistently been recognized as one of the best in the city. Customize your dining experience to meet your needs whether you choose to enjoy a four course meal or simply grab a burger at the bar. However you choose to enjoy a visit to Buckley’s, do not forget to order a signature house-made dessert. You won’t regret it.

At this family owned and operated restaurant, guests are treated like family. Come see for yourself!

Top review

Jeff

Dined 2 days ago

Buckley's was delightful in every respect. We're new to Milwaukee, and I expect we will become "regulars" there.

Santino's Little Italy

4.8

4.8 (246)

$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

SusanVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Wonderful place to enjoy a delicious, casual meal. Great food, drinks and friendly staff.

The Knick

4.7

4.7 (2213)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

Come enjoy an upbeat, contemporary dining experience at one of Milwaukee's favorite restaurants. The Knick offers an exciting menu and great nightly specials. A big city feel with friendly service, we offer an unique specialty drink menu and feature over 60 different vodkas from around the world. Enjoy our homemade desserts or a "Great Maltini" as a nightcap after a night on the town. End your weekend with our fabulous brunch and indulge with our signature "Queen Mary".

Top review

CathyVIP

Dined on Jun 19, 2025

Our server Connor was knowledgeable and attentive The food was delicious so we will return soon!

Mangiare

4.7

4.7 (380)

$31 to $50

Italian

Green Bay

About the restaurant

The Mangiare Story
We trace our roots to Republic Chophouse, Green Bay area’s premier steakhouse and standard bearer of fine dining in northeast Wisconsin. Located just down the street from each other and under the same local ownership, Mangiare and Republic are sister restaurants that offer the best dining experiences north of Chicago.

We use only the freshest and most authentic ingredients for the offerings on our Mangiare menu. Featuring balsamic and oils sourced directly from Italy and breads from specialty bakeries, our chefs create intensely satisfying dishes that match the level of service which sets us apart.

Our attention to detail and commitment to excellence holds true regardless of whether your taste for the evening is classic Italian fare in a family-friendly atmosphere at Mangiare or steak in the unpretentious, yet fine dining environment of Republic.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Top review

Samantha

Dined on Jun 13, 2025

The food was excellent! Our service was impeccable.

Sorella

4.6

4.6 (1217)

$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

Chip

Dined 4 days ago

Second visit here with colleagues on a business trip. Really great food and a fantastic ambiance. There is a reason we chose to come back!

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4.6

4.6 (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!

Butcher & Barrel

4.4

4.4 (432)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Racine

About the restaurant

Fine dining in a modern tavern. High quality seasonal ingredients prepared from scratch including prime steaks, fresh seafood and delicious comfort food items. An excellent selection of craft beers, select wines, and hand crafted cocktails to accompany your meal. Butcher & Barrel brings fantastic food, drink and high quality service - without the stuffy fine-dining experience. Located in the heart of downtown Racine, on Main Street, just blocks from Lake Michigan and the Racine harbor.

Top review

Janice

Dined on Jun 27, 2025

It was our first visit to their new location on Main Street. We were favorably impressed with the atmosphere, service and overall dining experience. We shared the pear and spinach salad and the Halibut with risotto. The cuisine was scrumptious. The presentation eye appealing. We look forward to returning soon.

The Explorium Brewpub Third Ward

4.4

4.4 (116)

$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

Elizabeth

Dined 2 days ago

Absolutely great GF beer and food, with utter food safety confidence.

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