Diners' Choice: Great for outdoor dining restaurants in Wisconsin

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are great for outdoor dining 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 (83)

$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

Katie

Dined 4 days ago

Best meal we’ve had our whole trip between Chicago, Green Bay and Door County. My daughter insists we go back before we leave!

La Merenda

4.8

4.8 (2796)

$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

Mary Lou

Dined 3 days ago

Variety of interesting options. Fun cocktails. Outstanding service!

The Waterfront Restaurant and Tavern

4.6

4.6 (1251)

$31 to $50

American

La Crosse

About the restaurant

We are currently open for dine-in, take-out, and curbside delivery.
The Waterfront Restaurant and Tavern has been changing the dining experience in La Crosse since 2006. By offering supreme product and hospitality, we have become a favorite of locals and a travel destination all in the same. Our menus highlight seasonal American cuisine that includes certified angus beef and fresh day-boat seafood. With a focus on the freshest foods of each season, our culinary team allows the ingredients to speak for themselves. Every detail is appreciated in everything we do – enjoy the results of hard work and high standards. Our current menus can be found by visiting www.thewaterfrontlacrosse.com
Thank you for supporting local businesses!

Top review

Lisa

Dined 7 days ago

My cocktail was delicious., a raspbery lemon vodka martini. Our waitress was swamped so we had more than one person wait on us. The food was also delicious. A must-see restaurant to visit when you are in the area. The view of the Mississippi added to the upscale atmosphere.

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Popular dish

Fresh Oysters

Popular dish

Petite Tenderloin Filet

Cafe Calamari

4.6

4.6 (1105)

$31 to $50

Italian

Williams Bay

About the restaurant

Café Calamari is a fine dining establishment serving upscale Italian fare in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. Guests can enjoy a view of Geneva Lake in an elegant seating area where professional staff members offer an extensive menu of authentic Italian Cuisine.

At Café Calamari, you can start with an appetizer of Tuscan Ribs or flash-fried Calamari. Move on to a main course of Honey Pear Pork Chop, Sicilian Encrusted Filet, or grilled Chilean Sea Bass. Vegetarians can enjoy our Pasta Alesandria, Bruschetta Al Pomodoro and more at Café Calamari. Every day, the chef highlights a different special, so be sure to stop by often to see what new specials and drinks we have to offer!

Top review

BillVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Tanya, as always, was outstanding! Superb way to enjoy our 49th wedding anniversary! Thank you CC!

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!

Union House Cedarburg

4.6

4.6 (193)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

Cedarburg

About the restaurant

Union House, located in the heart of downtown Cedarburg, offers a unique blend of city vibes and small-town charm. As a tapas restaurant, we specialize in shareable plates perfect for any occasion. Our award-winning craft cocktails add a touch of sophistication, whether you're dining inside our beautifully preserved historic building or enjoying the outdoor atmosphere on our cozy patio. The warm, welcoming setting makes it an ideal spot for hosting gatherings, offering both a vibrant social environment and a relaxing retreat. Experience exceptional dining with a personal touch in every detail.

Top review

Gene

Dined on Jun 22, 2025

The restaurant offers an excellent dining experience, combining delicious food, a welcoming atmosphere, and attentive service—a winning formula for success. While the portion sizes were somewhat modest, the outstanding flavor and quality of the dishes more than made up for it.

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Popular dish

Baked Goat Cheese

Experience

Let's Celebrate with Bubbles!

Experience

Union House Cedarburg's Unlimited Tapas

Boat House Pub & Eatery

4.5

4.5 (118)

$30 and under

Seafood

Kenosha

About the restaurant

Ahoy, mateys! Ready for an unforgettable dining experience? Set sail for flavor at The Boat House, Kenosha's premier lakefront restaurant. Be mesmerized by stunning water views as you savor a menu crafted by Executive Chef Melissa Bailey.

Voted Kenosha's Best Seafood Restaurant for 2024 - Dive into a culinary adventure of mouthwatering entrees, sensational seafood, legendary fish fry, freshly shucked oysters, crisp salads, juicy grilled burgers, crispy flatbreads, delicious wraps & sandwiches, and unbeatable pub grub to hit the spot!

Quench your thirst! Our bar boasts craft cocktails that will surprise and delight, cold beers to refresh, our signature Long Island Iced Teas in over 15 incredible flavors!

Please Note: We kindly request guests to arrive within 15 minutes of their reservation time. To ensure a smooth dining experience for all our guests, reservations may be released if the party hasn't arrived within 15 minutes.

We look forward to welcoming you aboard!

Top review

MaryAnn

Dined on Jun 20, 2025

The service and food was great. Our server checked on us often to make sure we have everything we needed. My husband was totally enjoying his Walleye. We will be back. Your backdrop is the water and boats. We enjoyed it.

Stone Porch Alehouse

4.5

4.5 (88)

$30 and under

American

Verona

About the restaurant

Stone Porch is named after it's huge stone wrap around porch but we don't let that vibe end there. Comfort food, refreshing cocktails to warm up the insides and a great team looking to make your visit memorable. Our head chef, Jacob Goldsberry, believes that from scratch is always best and that brings an authenticity to each dish that will remind you of home.

Top review

Mary

Dined on Jun 8, 2025

Food was great. The main dining room was noisy as they were so busy because it was graduation day. My husband said his brisket was the best he’s had in Madison (and he’s tried everywhere!) unexpectedly delicious.

Avli - Milwaukee

4.5

4.5 (264)

$30 and under

Greek

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

Located in Milwaukee's Brewer's Hill neighborhood, Avli offers contemporary and classic Greek small plates, mains, and desserts as well as approachable Greek wines and inventive cocktails.

Enjoy our inviting bi-level dining room and expansive outdoor patio that’s dog-friendly for dinner and weekend brunch! We look forward to having you in to experience our core philosophies of Philoxenia (hospitality), Meraki (passion) and Kefi (joy).

For parties of 8 or fewer, book online with OpenTable.
For parties of 9-12, please call the restaurant directly at (414) 395-1300.
For parties greater than 12, book with Avli Events by contacting our team here: https://www.avli.us/tripleseat-form-avli or by calling our Events Team at (312) 526-3606.

Top review

Kishen

Dined 4 days ago

Wonderful place to enjoy with family or just being romantic. Location is set really nice with a pretty view of Milwaukee from their hill at night. Their patio is a wonderful place to chill. It’s was birthday celebration for a dear friend of ours. The restaurant pulled out a great service with extra effort, our server Jenni was excellent. Upbeat but very considerate and professional to make sure we were all kept happy and left to celebrate. Testament to Robert the manager there who run a good shift, but makes sure the standard kept the highest standards, but having the respect of his workforce who understand their clients want value and quality. Finally, the food is wonderful. Tasty , well seasoned, and beautifully presented Mediterranean inspired food. There is plenty to choose from, but I enjoyed my Lamb chops especially. I thoroughly recommend that you try this place for a good lunch or night out. Thanks Avli!

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Experience

Bottomless Mimosa Weekend Brunch!

Smoke on the Water BBQ Okauchee

4.4

4.4 (106)

$30 and under

Barbecue

Oconomowoc

About the restaurant

For the last 18 years, Joe Hennes and his wife Ellen have been building a family-oriented meeting place for friends to gather at Sloppy Joe's Saloon and Spoon in Hubertus. In December 2020, they purchased this property, and brought the philosophy of food, fun, and laughter from Washington County to Lake Country. They renamed the property Smoke on the Water to reflect the revamped menu which includes a large selection of home-smoked meat items. Open jams, live music, karaoke and fun events are already a regular part of the experience.

And after a decade of the lower level sitting vacant, they just launched "Below Deck," a brand new state of the art banquet facility and live music venue that accommodates about 250 people.

Whether arriving by land or sea, you'll enjoy Lake Country's best lake-vibe barbecue, cocktails, live music & friends.

Experience Smoke on the Water - where strangers become friends, and friends become family.

Top review

Jackie

Dined on Jun 20, 2025

Third time this week and taking someone else there tonight. Continues to be exceptional and certainly repeatable.

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