Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Wisconsin

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies 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 (67)

$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

KathyVIP

Dined on Nov 22, 2024

The Japanese hot chicken is awesome! Great menu selections.

Bavette

4.9

4.9 (338)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

What started out as a butcher shop concept, has evolved and changed over the years to become a full-service restaurant, which was solidified with the restaurant's move to a larger space in 2022. At Bavette, the consumer will enjoy complete transparency of its food moving from farm to plate. Although the butcher shop has been phased out, the restaurant still works with the same farms, and uses the same high quality meats on its menu, which consists of a daily changing menu consisting of salads, sandwiches, small plates, pates, cheese, and charcuterie boards. The restaurant truly is a farm-to-table restaurant, sourcing not only the meat but most of its produce from nearby farms. In addition to the highly seasonal menu, there is a small store featuring chef-curated retail items, such as Wisconsin cheeses, local charcuterie, artisanal jams, pickles, salts, vinegar, and oil. Going along with the thoughtful menu is a select and unique offering of craft beers, wines, and cocktails.

Top review

Jason

Dined on Jan 4, 2025

Try the lamb larb—outstanding. Bavette never fails to impress.

EsterEv

4.8

4.8 (145)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

Located in Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood, EsterEv offers a 6-course chef's tasting experience, which evokes globally inspired nostalgic flavors from grandma's kitchen. Presented by James Beard Best Chef Midwest nominees Dan Jacobs and Dan Van Rite.

Top review

KatherineVIP

Dined 7 days ago

We had the tasting menu, and enjoyed wine pairing. All was exquisite and delicious.

Discover more

Experience

EsterEv Tasting Menu

Experience

EsterEv Tasting Menu at the Bar

Sultan

4.8

4.8 (21)

$31 to $50

Pakistani

Madison

About the restaurant

Small plates Pakistani restaurant serving modern takes on South Asian cuisine showcasing Wisconsin and Midwest ingredients. No tipping restaurant that pays all staff a living wage and profit share.

Top review

L.B.

Dined 5 days ago

We chose Sultan because of their values and menu. We were not disappointed. The food was delicious and the service was stellar. We will absolutely be back!

Discover more

Experience

Decolonize Tasting Menu

Experience

Gulab Valentine's Dinner

The Melting Pot - Madison

4.6

4.6 (657)

$31 to $50

Fondue

Middleton

About the restaurant

At The Melting Pot, fun is cooked up fondue style, creating an out of the ordinary dining experience.
You'll discover all the ingredients for a perfect evening, including attentive service, private tables, & an atmosphere of casual elegance. In addition to the cheese & chocolate fondues which have made The Melting Pot famous, they offer a fine selection of beef, chicken, seafood, vegetarian & gluten free entrees, as well as an exceptional wine list & a full bar. You may enjoy a romantic evening for two, a special occasion with forty of your closest friends, a dining experience to impress your boss, or a night out with the family. Whatever the occasion, an evening at The Melting Pot is always a celebration. Reservations are highly recommended. We do our best to ensure every guest receives the highest level of service. As such, we are unable to hold your reservation longer than 10 minutes past your selected time. If you are running behind schedule, please just give us a ring!

Top review

Benson

Dined 4 days ago

This is a favorite place for a family member's birthday. Every time we go, I'm struck by how much we all enjoy the experience. We typically get an alpine cheese and a cheddar cheese, some salads (the strawberry almond is delicious), one oil entree and one broth entree, and sometimes add on a chocolate fondue. Note: you don't really need to buy a full portion for each person if you're eating more than one course. There are 6 dipping sauces to choose from. My favorites are the plum-ginger, the blue cheese, and the curry -- which unexpectedly also mix together really well! Many in my family also love the green goddess, and one loves the teriyaki. They had some delicious cocktails for dry January as well. It's increasingly rare to find a quiet, cozy restaurant like this, so that's a distinct advantage as well. Once, we were initially seated in the bar area, which was not nearly as cozy as the main area -- brighter and with a giant picture window looking at the bleary parking lot -- so we asked to be moved to the regular, cozier area and were happy.

Discover more

Experience

Endless Entrée 4-Course Experience

Experience

Valentine's Days - February 13th-15th

Experience

February is for Romance 2/1 - 2/28

Iron Duck

4.6

4.6 (185)

$30 and under

American

Green Bay

About the restaurant

Iron Duck was created with the idea of providing a space for the community which
is welcoming and accommodating. Our goal is to provide phenomenal comfort food with
an emphasis on local and cultural cuisine and unparalleled service. Set in one of the most unique buildings in Wisconsin, our aim is to provide an experience that you will never forget.

Top review

Heather

Dined on Dec 20, 2024

We always enjoy the food, service, and atmosphere. Having Celiacs on the family, it is also nice to come to a place that has so many Gluten free offerings.

Amilinda

4.5

4.5 (297)

$31 to $50

Spanish

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

Amilinda is a celebrated Milwaukee restaurant known for its vibrant blend of Spanish and Portuguese-inspired cuisine. Owner and executive chef Gregory León leads the kitchen with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients and innovative flavor combinations. His culinary talent has earned him three James Beard Award nominations, highlighting his influence and expertise in the culinary world. Amilinda continues to be a standout dining experience with the reputation as a top dinning destination that attracts locals and visitors alike.

Located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee, just blocks away from the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Pfister Hotel, Amilinda offers a cozy and inviting space with rustic decor, reflecting its Iberian Peninsula influences. The warm, intimate atmosphere complements the creative dishes from the kitchen, making it a destination for memorable meals.

Top review

robVIP

Dined 7 days ago

The food at Amilinda is always new and fresh yet leaving you wanting more.

Eldr + Rime

4.5

4.5 (800)

$31 to $50

American

Wauwatosa

About the restaurant

VOTED BEST NEW RESTAURANT BY MILWAUKEE MAGAZINE'S READER'S CHOICE

With our appreciation for modern American cuisine and a motivation driven by locally sourced and seasonal ingredients, we invite you to share our food and admire the simplicity in culinary art. Our name, which translates to Fire+Ice, offers inspiration in all that we do.

Spend some time together, share something new, and enjoy the opportunity to connect. Eldr+Rime is about gathering at the table and sharing a meal with the people that are important in your lives.

For parties of more than six guests, please call the restaurant at (414) 867-9200.

Dinner Monday through Saturday evenings
Brunch Saturdays and Sundays 9a-2p starting
Happy Hour featuring half priced oysters offered Tuesday through Friday 4p-6p in our bar area.

Top review

LauraVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Great service and ambience. Food was ok. I ordered lamb chops & potato’s. My food was lukewarm warm. Potatoes were sent back and when they came out the second time they were a bit soggy due to the sauce they put on it. The 2nd night I went back and sat at the bar. Orders bacon cheeseburger and fries. My raspberry lemon drop was delicious .

Discover more

Popular dish

Ahi Tuna Tartare

Odd Duck

4.4

4.4 (16)

$50 and over

International

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

Odd Duck offers a world-cuisine shareable menu that changes often based on what is in season and the whims of the chef team, supported by an exceptionally curated selection of craft cocktails, wine, beer & n/a options for beverages. We offer options for all types of diners - vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores - and are exceptionally accommodating of dietary restrictions & allergies. A winner of countless awards, one of USA Today's Best Restaurants in America 2024, and a multiple James Beard Award semi-finalist, Odd Duck is a lovely casual dining option for the adventurous and a great place to celebrate any special occasion.

Reservations always recommended, but the same menu is served in the bar area to walk-in guests.

Top review

Michael

Dined 6 days ago

Always a terrific experience at Odd Duck. The oysters and hamachi crudo were spot on!

SafeHouse

4.2

4.2 (685)

$30 and under

American

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

Offering refuge to spies national and international since 1966, SafeHouse is Milwaukee's best-kept secret. This iconic, hidden restaurant & bar is a blast for agents of all ages. Spies must find the red door and pass a fun clearance test if they do not know the password required for entry. Once behind the red door, spies will find authentic espionage artifacts, pop culture references, a disappearing booth, a secret exit, and more. Enjoy a fun night out in Milwaukee, or a covert daytime mission for the family at this kid-friendly, spy hideout. SafeHouse offers venue space for agents looking to celebrate special occasions, birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and group events. Grab your fellow spies to enjoy award-winning cheese curds, solve recon duties, and learn about SafeHouse's history. Find the red door if you accept this mission, Agent!

Top review

Tammy

Dined on Jan 7, 2025

Great hidden secret. Glad we got the opportunity to experience it.

Explore Diners' Choice best of Wisconsin

Explore more Diners' Choice lists