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    Birch

    4.2 (319 reviews)
    ModerateNew American, Bars
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    Birch Photos

    BIRCH ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Romantic
    Classy

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    Recommended Reviews - Birch

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    We asked Jeff to surprise us......
    Jesse J.

    Not a smash burger but a smashing successful burger at the least. Sat in the bar, great and engaging service noisy bar vibe perfect for a burger night.

    The spaghetti. No this is not a child's portion.
    Warren D.

    Date of visit: July 29, 2025 Definitely one of the more difficult reviews that I have submitted, and really would be easier I could go 3.5! First, the good: Easy to make a reservation through OpenTable (nothing throws a bigger wrench in my Type A plans than waiting 30 minutes for a table!), and unlike many establishments, they do actually read the comments you place in the reservation and there was a nice touch for our friend's birthday with a card signed by the staff. Also the decor is lovely with soft wood, large windows, and crisp table linens. Staff are all in traditional black, sans name tags, they have worked hard to define their brand through their look and their outdoor seating overlooks the fashionable Denim Park. The focaccia is hands down the best item on the menu; the bread is served warm (as all bread should be served) and the ricotta that comes with it is so buttery I thought it was butter! But the top is very difficult to cut through, even with the extra knife they brought. I say sanitize your hands and rip the damn thing, it will just be easier! On the not so good side: The menu is limited and overpriced for the volume of the dishes, such as the $14 ice cream that was barely enough for a single person. Don't get me wrong, it was very good, but all three of us could have had ice cream from Purple Door for less than the price of this one dish. The spaghetti entree was half a portion for about $20 and I did not care for the tomatoes served in the dish. The lemon pasta with corn was much better but is is VERY zesty, so consider that if that isn't your thing. It can be very hard to hear and staff appears to be trained not to bend down, which had us repeating ourselves often or asking staff to repeat themselves.

    Stuffed ravioli
    Emily M.

    Birch has long been my favorite spot in Milwaukee! We love to sit in the bar area when we're in the mood for a burger (best burger in town IMO). However, we also love the dining room, especially the chef's counter, where we sat this time. Watching the chefs work and call out orders is like watching a well orchestrated concert. You will be highly entertained by the precision in plating, but also how they work efficiently to ensure diners are getting the highest quality experience. The Birch menu is perfect for splitting multiple items. We usually start with the focaccia w/ whipped ricotta and one of the pastas (the stuffed ravioli rotates seasonally and is ALWAYS divine). This time we also got the crab pasta and the beet salad, which was bursting with so many flavors- a must get if you like beets. We ended with the brick chicken, which they split on two plate for us, and the blonde brownie. Always fabulous!

    Fazzoletti
    Emmy L.

    Easy to get a last minute reservation for a Thursday night dinner. We were here to celebrate an accomplishment, and our server arranged for us to have a special walleye appetizer on the house. This was a very nice touch. He was extremely attentive and kept our waters full plus he immediately came to wipe up a small spill barely moments after he saw it happened. Food: The food was divine. We ordered lamb ribs as a starter, they were perfectly tender and well seasoned. They arrived shortly after we ordered them, along with a small wipe for our fingers. The pasta was fresh, delicious, and well complemented by the sauce and herbs. The pork chop is a very generous portion and perfectly prepared - "amazing" is the exact word my partner described it as. Drinks: Short but creative cocktail list with a good number of options that include mezcal. Our first course of drinks we ordered one from the menu that was well liked by my partner and I tried to order a gin fizz - my drink of choice - but was instead offered a Tom Collin's. This was good enough, but I would hope to have more variety of cocktails to accommodate an egg white drink. Our second order of drinks was a ramp martini and a manhattan. The martini was very garlicky as to be expected from a ramp based drink - unique flavor profile. I would have liked to see more N/A cocktail options. Ambiance: Well appointed restaurant that was bustling on a Thursday night. Ample natural light and healthy looking plants.

    beef tartare with a farm egg crepe & yuzu kosho aioli
    Danielle P.

    Birch has become a favorite spot for my husband I. We've had 2 phenomenal experiences sitting at the 'chef's counter' and ordering their tasting menu. The vibe in the restaurant is energizing and exciting - we really enjoy watching the kitchen work seamlessly, it always sparks fun conversation throughout our dining experience. The staff is so professional and informative, they really do a nice job tagging in and supporting each other to ensure that their dinner service runs like a well-oiled machine. We kicked off this visit with espresso martinis which let me tell you, I don't normally go for something like this, but we were headed to a concert and it felt appropriate. They were SO good. We opted for tequila and I highly recommend going this route vs. vodka. They have an espresso machine behind the bar so they know how to make them right here :). The tasting menu is incredibly generous and fairly priced for the quality and amount of food you receive. It is a 7-course meal that leaves you satisfied and feeling like you've gotten to taste everything on the menu. We decided after doing dinner here the first time that this is the only way we will ever order here! Some highlights from the tasting menu for us were the beef tartare with a farm egg crepe & yuzu kosho aioli, Autumn Frost Squash Soup (the flavors!!!), the hot-smoked steelhead troute with a smoked hot ham hock broth & sweet turnips, and the slow-cooked beef-filled pasta. The flavors are just bursting with every dish and the presentation is beautiful. Truly such a gem of a spot and they know how to make your experience memorable - don't walk, run to Birch! And do the tasting menu!

    NY Strip
    Jill B.

    Dinner date at Birch did not disappoint! We started winter citrus salad and garlic focaccia with house-made ricotta, then moved on to the brick chicken and contramar-inspired fish, which was so, so good. Wrapped it all up with the goat's milk cheesecake. The meal was paced perfectly and each dish was plated beautifully. All of the contrasts in textures and vibrant colors...every bite was incredible. The open kitchen provided a chance to see the action - it was impressive. We appreciated the spiritless beverage options - the grapefruit spritz was great. Our server was so helpful and attentive, all of the staff were very friendly, and the vibes were super chill. Can't wait to go back!

    Dry aged NY Strip
    Courtney G.

    I came here for a girls' night, and it was delicious! We ordered the garlic focaccia for the table, which was good with the butter on the side. It was nice and flavorful. For my entree, I was in the mood for steak, so I ordered the dry-aged New York strip, which came with chimichurri on top. It was cooked perfectly and was very flavorful. An oil and green purse on the bottom was nicely paired with the meat. The food came out quickly and the service was great.

    Ricotta Roe Tart
    Karen C.

    I came here on a weeknight to celebrate my birthday & it was a lovely time! The vibes were great and the restaurant was very comfortable. The staff were attentive and very nice. Drinks: O' Mama: this drink was so clear that looks clear water with a rosemary sprig! However the taste of the cocktail was well balanced and tasty. Birch Manhattan: a nice fall drink. Food: Ricotta Roe Tomato Bites: wow! So creamy and umami bite to start off the meal. What a nice surprise! Ricotta Filled Pasta: This was so delicious. The pasta was perfectly cooked and the chanterelles gave such an umami bite! Contramar- Inspired Fish: loved this inspired dish from the Mexico City Restaurant Contramar. The fish was cooked well and I loved the acidity of the dish. The freshly made tortillas had a great texture and went well with the fish. Brick Chicken: this perfectly seasoned crispy chicken dish was great! The peaches were so sweet and I loved the sweet and salty bites.

    Signage
    George K.

    I went to Birch for dinner with my wife for her birthday. We were seated right away and the host brought her a happy birthday card signed by all the staff which was a lovely gesture. Birch has a modern vibe. For food we shared a few dishes: Birch Manhattan: A nice boozy fall drink. A great take on a classic drink. Ricotta roe tomato bite: Packed with flavor and a great start to a wonderful meal. The roe and tomato paired well with the creamy ricotta and added a burst of brightness to this amuse. Ricotta filled pasta: Pasta was very tender and cooked to perfection. The richness of the ricotta paired well with the very sweet corn. Loved the inclusion of chantrelles. I would come back to eat this dish over and over again. Brick chicken: So good, very crispy skin on this chicken with just the right salt levels. I really enjoyed the bean salad which brought a lot of freshness to the dish Overall I really enjoyed my meal at Birch. All the food was great and the service was top notched. I can't wait to go back again.

    Veggie appatizer
    Ray Z.

    Went for the happy hour and was not disappointed one bit. The veggie appetizer was delicious and fun, my girlfriend who prefers fresh veggies over them cooked was so happy. Service was prompt and the manager was always doing rounds making sure everyone was pleased which was a nice thing to see. We got in right when the happy hour started and the bar was about half full and the dining area was pretty empty but got quite busy as the night continued. Gorgeous inside and love seeing the food being prepared. My burger was outstanding and the potato salad was remarkable and I hate potato salad usually. My girlfriend was very pleased with her chicken dish and I loved her side dish of a salad w roasted carrots, but again she kind of ate around the cooked veggies but loved everything else. Eclectic menu so if you're with a picky eater, you may want to preface them to look at the menu before hand.

    David H.

    So much to love about this place! Me and 3 friends made a reservation for a Friday night and had no problems being sat. Not a guarantee at all popular spot on a weekend! We all did the tasting menu and I myself did the wine pairing. Arturo did an amazing job preparing us for our orders and describing the dishes. The attention to detail from him was top tier. One of our party had a shellfish allergy and they were easily able to adjust their tasting menu to our friend's allergy. Each dish was better than the last, so fresh and so intentional with each plate's ingredients and composition. The sommeliers went above and beyond talking about the wine's origin and why it was paired with each dish. It's so nice to have a destination place like this in MKE. Thanks Arturo et al!

    Ember-roasted leeks vinaigrette
    Michael B.

    We got reservations for a Friday at 6:30. It was pretty busy. There's limited chef visiting bar spots. You can see that area if you stand up or go to the bathroom as well. I'd rather have a table. There's a bar on the side if you get there early. The hostesses were very pleasant and had fancy dinner vibes. Closer to 4.5 than 4 rating. We did the $86 tasting menu. This rotates but looked better than the regular menu. Both more list the ingredients than say what the dish is. It was nice you could decide if you wanted the tasting menu on the spot. They let me sub a chicken item from the menu since I don't eat lamb. The server did do the wrong wine for one course, then gave some extra. We waited for a beer for 20 minutes. The beer was super cold. 8/10 Super tasty cucumber sandwich cake with a bit of cream cheese taste and the caviar makes it taste like lox. The ham thing tastes like a breakfast sausage. 10/10 spaghetti squash tostada starts with a great ricotta and some salty bitterness from the kale. Meanwhile Theres some umami from something, 6/10 leak and walleye. First it's dilly then salty then sweet then salty again. The leaks are okay. 3/10 The hot smoked trout is very smokey. I'm guessing smoke was added. The sauce is cream, probably celery root, the nuts add texture but in general didn't make sense and not tasty. Too sweet. 8/10 The chicken under a bridge had an amazing dry rub. A tiny bit salty for me but no one else. I could eat that whole chicken. Honestly, the way the salad explored vinaigrette and citrus was super eye opening. 9/10 BBQ quail. The sweet potato was crazy. Kinda bacon. Kinda bbq. This sounds not like a compliment but it is: the quail is like the best juiciest rotisserie chicken ever. 7/10 Apple crisps. Layers and apples and crisps. Added sour apples to get multiple flavors.

    Trout crudo
    Danielle R.

    Wow, I had heard great things about this restaurant, and they still blew me away. All around, I would recommend this place. The atmosphere is refined; seating options include a view of the kitchen or in the main dining area. There is also a bar area. Our server was knowledgeable on the menu items and was able to make great recommendations! For starters, we ordered the tomato salad and trout crudo. Both were incredible. The salad was so fresh and all the elements complimented each other well - sweetness from the nectarines, crispness from the tomato, etc. the trout also had a savory broth that it sat atop, and I loved the flavors in that. We also ordered focaccia with whipped ricotta and shishito peppers as well as a ricotta pasta; the focaccia was incredible. It is made with a blend of rye flour which gives it a darker and rich appearance but was still so light and fluffy. Lastly we ordered walleye and chicken for entrees. Both were cooked well and delicious, though not as outstanding as the other dishes we had. Overall, this meal was so incredibly satisfying and I would love to go back at some point. I think this is a wonderful place to celebrate a special occasion!

    Ricotta stuffed pasta

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    Page 1 of 8

    Ask the Community - Birch

    How are the gluten free options?

    The gluten free options are great - and just part of the normal menu. Many of the items on their menu are already gluten free, so you don't have to feel like you're ordering off some separate menu. I personally am "full gluten" but have a few… Read more

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    The Outsider - Watermelon Shuga

    The Outsider

    3.9(230 reviews)
    1.2 miHistoric Third Ward
    $$$

    One of our favorite rooftops in the city!…read more A true Milwaukee gem that we enjoy as transplants! This rooftop is always a hotspot choice to enjoy some time with friends be sure to send someone ahead of time to grab a good seating location as spots fill up quickly. I also think recently they adjusted their pricing to give you a better value which is nice. The bartenders are always super helpful and there are good options for everyone. I will also say their food options and selections have increased tremendously recently.

    On a recent short weekend trip to Milwaukee with my husband, we were staying at this Kimpton hotel…read moreand got to enjoy their wonderful rooftop bar, The Outsider. We were actually given two complementary drink beverages from the hotel staff for a reservation mixup which was appreciated and we took advantage of. It was a very cold Saturday afternoon and there was plenty of snow both on the ground and coming down. But the view could not be beat and the roaring fire definitely kept the covered patio space plenty warm. Our server was extremely kind and attentive. We had eaten a big lunch so we did not partake in any food but both of the cocktails we ordered were delicious. I ordered a tiramisu-inspired coffee cocktail while my husband ordered a pumpkin inspired old-fashioned. The drinks were strong and one was plenty to enjoy before an evening out.

    Photos
    The Outsider - Feelin' Peachy

    Feelin' Peachy

    The Outsider - Tiramisu-Inspired Cocktail and Pumpkin-Inspired Old Fashioned

    Tiramisu-Inspired Cocktail and Pumpkin-Inspired Old Fashioned

    The Outsider - Outside

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    Outside

    The Tin Widow - Tin Window

    The Tin Widow

    4.7(107 reviews)
    1.9 miWalker's Point
    $$

    We stopped in on a whim after dinner out in the deer district. Driving home when I saw the holiday…read moreinflatables and I thought if I can find a parking spot, we are going in. I had heard about the Tin Widow's holiday pop up being one of the best area, the hype was not wrong. From the entrance to the ceiling and walks, this place is the definition of deck the halls. Unless you get here right when they open it early in the holiday season, I would expect a crowd. The drink menu is so fun with holiday themed drinks served in matching glassware. You can even purchase the glass/mug for an additional fee. A lot of the cocktails looked to be batched cocktails which help with the bartender's efficiency. Highly recommend making this place a holiday stop. I'm also curious to stop in after the holidays to experience it without all the holiday decor.

    Stopped in for their Miracle on 2nd St holiday pop-up. We only had to wait about 5-10min for a…read moretable, but it does get busy fast, especially on weekends. They had several seasonal cocktails in special festive cups, which you could also buy to take home. I got the Cheery Cherry Chocosaurus, which was good, but pricey for what it was. Almost all the seasonal drinks were $15 each and didn't seem too big. The venue itself is medium sized, but feels crammed quickly. There's more people let in at a time than there is seating, so you have to move fast to get a seat. I'll likely come back during the summer to try something else.

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    The Tin Widow - Interior

    Interior

    The Tin Widow
    The Tin Widow

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    Brownstone Social Lounge

    Brownstone Social Lounge

    4.5(27 reviews)
    1.1 miHistoric Third Ward

    5/5 Ambiance- Clean, Hip with an Afrocentric vibe and an awesome DJ!…read more4/5 Food and Drink- Wings and the Brownstone Bourbons were superb! 4/5 Service- Attentive and Welcoming

    I've been enjoying Brownstone Milwaukee for a few years now, and it remains one of the few places…read morewhere I feel completely comfortable at my mature age. Here's the run down: 1. Atmosphere: The space has a stylish lounge feel, with low tables, bar seating, and some really nice wall murals. It's cozy yet lively. It's definitely a vibe! 2. Drinks and Hookah: The bartenders are friendly and knowledgeable. I've ordered from the menu and made a few off menu requests, and they've always delivered. Happy hour prices are reasonable, and their regular pricing feels fair too. As for the hookah I'm not a frequent hookah smoker, but I've had my share of bad experiences elsewhere that left me coughing. Not here! The hookah is smooth, and the flavor options are excellent. 3. Food: I've had both brunch and happy hour bites, and I've enjoyed everything I've tried. The wings, in particular, are very good! 4. Bathrooms: They have two single restrooms that are always clean. Even during busier evenings, I've never found an empty soap or toilet paper dispenser which says a lot about how well they maintain the space. 5. Vibe: The crowd is mature and respectful. I believe the age minimum is 30, which helps keep the crowd calm. The DJs play a mix of R&B and rap. It's age appropriate music so think 90s hits with a sprinkle of early 2000s and newer tracks. If I'm not standing dancing please believe my head is swaying to the beat all night. To sum it up, I have never had a bad experience at Brownstone. Good food, good drinks, good hookah, good DJs, kind bartenders, mature patrons, a great downtown location with street parking and two nearby paid lots and most importantly, an owner who is present and involved. A wonderful spot that consistently gets it right! Oh and to answer your question, of course I'll be back and yes you should check them out too!!!!

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    Brownstone Social Lounge - Blueberry Lemon Drop

    Blueberry Lemon Drop

    Brownstone Social Lounge - Everyone's favorite DJ... DJ L Boogie himself

    Everyone's favorite DJ... DJ L Boogie himself

    Brownstone Social Lounge - Brownstone Bourbon

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    Brownstone Bourbon

    Boone and Crockett - Negroni + Manhattan

    Boone and Crockett

    4.3(223 reviews)
    1.9 miHarbor View
    $$

    Still a big fan of Boone and Crocket…read more I love the masterful mix of taxidermy and chandeliers. I love that they do game nights in style with a big screen and lots of energy. I love that I can slip into a dimly lit booth with my date and enjoy a exquisitely mixed cocktail and maybe even a game of cribbage by candlelight. I truly love it all. I love that they've expanded the food truck offerings and have a small food truck park on their property. You can order from Taco Moto (and maybe others as well, we're just partial to Taco Moto) right from a QR code at your table or booth and they'll text you when your food is ready (which you're welcome to enjoy in Boone & Crocket). It's truly a magical bar on the lakefront with, have I mentioned? Plenty of parking to boot. Get to it!

    Just visited for the first time with a friend for a few drinks on a Friday night. We were there…read morerelatively early so it wasn't crowded yet. I can see the appeal of the place. There are plenty of little nooks and corners to hang out in small or larger groups. I'm sure it's extra good in the warmer months. They have a big patio area. The cocktails on tap were excellent - well balanced and tasty. I tried the Manhattan and the Negroni. They were also pretty reasonable. Service was good. I could really do without all the dead creatures hung everywhere though. It's just not that cool in 2026, even in Wisconsin. Maybe show some respect for animals.

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    Boone and Crockett - Indoor bar

    Indoor bar

    Boone and Crockett
    Boone and Crockett - Indoor bar

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    Indoor bar

    Birch - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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