Can we agree, first and foremost, that everybody’s favorite meal of the day is breakfast? Okay, good. So, if you find yourself in our hometown and are looking for the best breakfast in Milwaukee – this list has you covered!
Some of our favorite Milwaukee breakfast restaurants have your traditional favorites, but if you are looking for a more modern brunch, Milwaukee has that too.
Few things are better than pairing a plate of gourmet morning grub with a favorite cocktail at any time of the day, and below are all the best Milwaukee brunch spots around town to make it happen.
1. Wicked Hop
Known for the city’s best bloody mary, a key ingredient to the best Milwaukee Brunch. Wicked Hop is a happening hotspot for all your weekend breakfast needs. It even, thankfully, extends to Mini Brunch Monday, which really helps to soften the blow of any workweek blues.
Aside from their famous favorite beverage, they have a variety of tasty breakfasts for feasting. Get an I Dream of Doughnuts starter because what goes better with a morning cup of joe than a Nutella dipping sauce? Then move on to the main event, with The Benedict Cumberbatch or a Fat Boy Burrito.
They also have lunch and dinner menus full of pub grub classics and a few food-themed events like Friday Fish Fry and Taco Tuesday, plus a lot of live music. The facade itself is historical, and the ambiance inside has a casual and laid-back bar feel, with a bi-level layout, exposed brick, and many big screens around.
If you end up sleeping in and miss breakfast, don’t worry. They are one of the best lunch spots in Milwaukee.
2. Mimosa
Mimosa is commonly called the best brunch in Milwaukee. Everything cooked here is fresh and local, from the eggs to the maple syrup to the beer. They serve up all the morning favorites but with a modern twist. There are two locations, and both boast extensive eats to enjoy and chic country decor.
The mimosa potatoes with a variety of different toppings are a mainstay of the menu. Omelets, sandwiches, skillets, benedicts, and crepes can all be found here, but the fresh blueberry pancakes are particularly fantastic. The potatoes are chopped daily, they’re 100% plastic-free, the coffee is fair trade, and the orange juice is fresh-squeezed.
Breakfast foods are served every morning, and on We Care Wednesdays, 10% of the profits are even donated to a local charity. It’s so fun to know you’re helping to give back just by eating a lovely meal.
They don’t take reservations, but you can go online and join their waitlist in advance. Only available for parties under 4.
3. Uncle Wolfie’s Breakfast Tavern
For a mouthwatering weekday Milwaukee breakfast, Uncle Wolfie’s Breakfast Tavern has the most delightful dishes. The ambiance is decidedly hip and trendy, and they have some seriously elevated plates of contemporary American fares.
Some are surprising, like the Bananas Foster Oatmeal and Sweet Potato Pie French Toasts, and others are comforting classics done right, such as the Johnny Cakes and Smoked Salmon Sandwich.
They have a whole selection of craft cocktails that pair well with the plates, such as the super tasty Rishi C ai. They also offer an a la carte menu so you can mix and match some sides or make up your own meal. Plus, you can put an egg on anything for an extra $1.50!
4. Cafe Benelux
Cafe Benelux features foods and brews from Belgium and the Netherlands. It’s set in the heart of the Third Ward in Milwaukee. The entire menu is made from scratch with organic ingredients sourced locally, and all the regional favorites are accounted for. They have the most popular weekend brunch in Milwaukee; otherwise, the menu offers lunch and dinner options like Mussels and Frites and a Shareable Charcuterie.
For that beautiful balance of breakfast and lunch, there are plenty of perfect plates to pick from, but the Short Rib Fajita Hash is really something special. The bier list is famously extensive, plus there are well-curated boozy breakfast beverages, such as their inventive variety of bloody marys.
Perhaps the most impressive fixture here is the rooftop patio. It provides a spectacular vista looking out over the city, especially with the sunset as a breathing bac. It’s a cool and unique cultural celebration of European fares and one of Milwaukee’s best spots for brunch. They serve a weekend brunch and a weekday brunch Monday to Friday from 8 am – 11 am.
Related: Top Things to do in Milwaukee
5. Tupelo Honey
The most recent place I went out to eat for breakfast in Milwaukee was Tupelo Honey. They had me at chicken & waffles. Tupelo Honey serves made-from-scratch Southern food, so if you are looking for a hearty Southern breakfast in Milwaukee, this is the spot.
No clue what a Southern breakfast menu would include? Here are some of the items you’ll find on the breakfast menu: chicken & waffles, fried chicken & biscuit, shrimp & grits, their traditional breakfast, which includes eggs & cheese grits, and choice of meat (soy meat option), breakfast bowl with cheese grits.
I highly suggest the chicken & waffles, which they serve in several different ways. I had the Sriracha Honey Fried Chicken & Waffles, and my friend had the Mac-N-Cheese Waffles with Asheville Hot Fried Chicken.
Tupelo honey has an all-day brunch menu served all week, and then a brunch menu served on the weekends. If you are going out for brunch in Milwaukee, I suggest making reservations online.
Tupelo Honey is a new Milwaukee restaurant. They are located in the Third Ward, right across the street from the Milwaukee Public Market. Tupelo Honey has several locations across the USA. You may even have a location in your hometown.
6. Mad Rooster Cafe
Mad Rooster is all about style and flavor. The new kid on the Milwaukee breakfast foodie scene. They’ve already made quite a name for themselves as a neighborhood favorite. Everything is made from scratch, from Greek yogurt to pancakes. They’re focused solely on breakfast fares and also have a separate seasonal menu that offers ever-changing fresh specials.
Frittatas, omelets, crepes, benedicts, waffles, skillets, and scramblers can be cooked to perfection. However, the Mad Rooster specials are where a few fantastic and creative plates can b found. The Shakshuka and the Country Fried Pork Chop with Chorizo Gravy steal the spotlight here.
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7. Brunch
As the name suggests, this charming eatery is always an excellent choice for brunch in Milwaukee. They serve one of the best breakfasts in Milwaukee 7 days a week. It’s the epitome of all the best things about breakfast. The space is bright and super cheery with a modern cafe feel and even ties in some excellent 80s pop culture references.
The menu offers upscale takes on all the classics. Try the famous Brunch Burger or any of the creative culinary concoctions on the Benedicts and Omelets list. The Bacon Flight, which features three different kinds, is such a fun way to begin any day in the city.
If you care to imbibe any libations, they even have house-infused liquors like Pickle Vodka and, as such, make some fantastic craft cocktails, including bloody marys and mimosas.
8. Blue’s Egg
Blue’s Egg is beloved as a mecca for all things brunch in Milwaukee. It’s a community staple within the city and a must-visit. They use traditional old-world recipes with fresh ingredients and techniques from all around the world. It’s globally inspired fare with a distinct art deco atmosphere, and you can get brunch any day of the week here.
You’ll find all the breakfast classics, so there’s something for every palate and preference. Egg basics, buttermilk pancakes, and nourishing grain bowls are on offer, along with more inventive signatures like their Browns and stuffed golden hash browns. The House Made Corned Beef Hash and Crispy Shrimp, Bay Scallop, and Calamari Scramble are just two of their savory specialties.
Every ingredient is regionally supportive and locally sustainable. They’ve been making the hungry masses of Milwaukee happy for over a decade, and we hope they never stop.
9. Miss Katie’s Diner
Set in the heart of downtown Milwaukee Miss Katie’s Diner is a real retro gem of the area. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day, alongside a full bar. It has a charming 1950s theme, complete with 18-foot shuffleboard. They’re well known among Milwaukee foodies for having the very best corned beef hash and Italian sausage offerings.
They make all the classic comfort foods, and some recipes have been passed down in the family for generations. The malts and shakes are all homemade, and there’s a new special every day, each seemingly more delicious and affordable than the next.
Everything from pancakes to skillets to build your own omelets can be enjoyed at this vintage-style American diner. If you are visiting the Marquette campus on the weekend, you’ll probably end up here as it serves up one of the best breakfasts in Milwaukee and is right by campus.
10. Centraal Grand Cafe & Tappery
For adventurous eaters and those who love to travel vicariously through their food, Centraal Grand Cafe & Tappery is a top-notch spot for brunch in Milwaukee. The brunch menu is served every day because who really wants to have to wait for the weekend anyway?
The meals are all made from scratch using fresh local ingredients. It’s such a fun collection of cuisines that it can be quite hard to choose just one. The Birria Chilaquiles and the aptly named Cheesy Gooey Spicy Mess are a couple of the true standouts. They also have some of the best burgers in Milwaukee too!
There are a few tasty vegetarian and vegan options too. There are seventy unique beverages in total, all on tap, from beer and wine to coffee and cocktails, so it’s a great place to try a few different breakfast beverages.
Related: Best Burger Joints in Milwaukee
11. Sweet Diner
Nestled in the heart of the historic Third Ward, Sweet Diner serves up American brunch favorites. The setting is vibrant and cozy and feels effortlessly cool. The cold, fresh-squeezed juices are healthy and tasty, and all the coffee drinks are made with a local roast.
Try the curated cocktails or craft Wisconsin beers for something with a bigger kick. Free-range meat, organic eggs, and all GMO-free ingredients are used. For savory mains, there are omelets, benedicts, and skillet bowls, and for something sweet, try the pancakes, waffles, crepes, or french toast.
It can get quite busy on the weekends, so it’s best to head over during the week or be prepared for a bit of a (worthwhile) wait. My last visit was a 90-minute wait when we got there at 1 pm on a Saturday.
12. Honeypie
Honeypie makes Midwestern-inspired fares with Wisconsin ingredients. It’s real food made from scratch in traditional styles, from the pickles to the pie crust. They serve breakfast all day long, and the weekends offer a special Milwaukee brunch menu!
The pies are famous here, so it’s a good idea to save some room for a slice. There’s a well-curated beer and cocktail selection, as well. Enjoy some shareable plates to start, like buttermilk biscuits or truffle fries, and then dig into tasty mains such as the Breakfast Casserole or the Short Rib Hash.
You can also substitute tofu for any of the meat, so it’s an excellent place for vegetarians in Milwaukee or vegans in Milwaukee.
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13. Fuel Cafe on 5th
This is an iconic institution for breakfast-based fares in Milwaukee. Fuel Cafe serves its full menu all day, so thankfully, the most important meal of the day isn’t restricted to only morning hours here. Whether it’s the Breakfast Hash or lunch, there’s always something tasty to try on this small but flavorful menu.
The Build Your Own Standard is a classic that never disappoints here, and you can substitute gluten-free bread for a couple of extra bucks. It offers a laid-back environment, hip flair, and a lovely little patio space.
14. Beans & Barley
Set on the east side of the city, Beans & Barley is many things all in one. It’s been an iconic fixture of the neighborhood since 1973. There’s a market for buying local and artisanal groceries and gifts, an all-handmade deli with daily fresh specials, and a cute cafe that offers delicious breakfasts for both vegetarians and carnivores.
The fare is very health-focused, and the space is airy and cheerful. Everything available here is organic and sourced from vendors in the area. The Pesto Scrambler and Breakfast Burrito are both excellent bets for breakfast. There’s a separate weekend brunch menu that’s worth checking out.
Fresh juice and smoothies, coffees and teas, and craft beers are available to quench your thirst.
15. Engine Company 3
Engine Company 3 lives by the motto, eat local and think global. They’re committed to creating locally sourced and sustainable cuisine as ethically as possible. It’s a true farm-to-fork experience. The palette of flavors created takes inspiration from all over the world, so every dish feels like an exciting and fresh escape from the ordinary.
The menu is always changing based on seasonal availability as well. Set in a renovated brick firehouse, the space honors the historical past of the neighborhood while maintaining a cool modern feel. Cajun Shrimp and Polenta, Beef Tenderloin Benedict, Quiche Florentine, and Tres Leches French Toast are some of the most phenomenal and diverse dishes served.
Many of the meals can be prepared gluten-free upon request.
16. Ma Fisher’s
Full disclosure – this is not your fancy, fun brunch place! Some people will give me crap for including Ma Fisher’s on this list but hear me out.
Ma Fisher’s has been a phrase uttered countless times in Milwaukee since 1932. It’s located on the east side and, even today, is a staple of the breakfast scene around town. One of their popular slogans is “Curing Hangovers Since 1932.” If you went to college in Milwaukee, you most likely had an after-bar or day-after-drinking meal at Ma Fisher’s. I know I did, after a fun night out on Milwaukee’s North Ave!
They have an extensive menu that promises to cure any craving and maybe even a hangover. They serve all of the early morning favorites throughout the entire day, which actually means all day, every day since it’s open 24/7.
There’s outdoor seating for al fresco feasting, and they’re pet-friendly as well, so feel free to bring a furry friend along. It’s a kitschy, quaint, and all-around delightfully old-school setting. The beverage list is small and basic, with mimosas and Bloody Marys making the cut.
The Build Your Own Skillet or Omelet options are such a fun feature of this menu, alongside goodies from the griddle, benedicts, and even southern comfort foods like fried chicken and waffles and biscuits and grits.