As a child you could find me in south suburban Cudahy, Wisconsin, perched on a barstool in my grandma’s tavern, watching factory guys eat cannibal sandwiches at 9 a.m. Those mornings—warm, unvarnished, unmistakably Milwaukee—were my first glimpse of how this city feeds people, in every sense. I left for Chicago because that’s what you do when you’re restless. But when I moved back a few years ago, Milwaukee’s food scene was what hooked me. Not just the comfort classics, but the surprising mix of neighborhood gems, flavors from around the world, and fine-dining rooms with Midwestern soul. Here’s a go-to list of the best restaurants in town—places that feel like coming home, no matter where you live.
1033 Omakase
Milwaukee’s first true omakase-only sushi bar fits 10…..