This story is part of the Best of the Burbs feature from the April issue of Milwaukee Magazine. To read our complete guide to the best that the suburbs of Milwaukee have to offer, order your copy today!
Written by Ally Waters, Anne Kristenson, Chris Dorsoner, Archer Parker, Laura Bings, Kristen Hansen, Ashley Abramson, Gina Cashew, Chelsea Mamero and Rich Rovito
1. red cloud
4488 N. OAKLAND AVE., SHOREWOOD
Standard bar fare isn’t the way this 6-year-old spins. Cloud Red is Cloud 9 of fresh food from scratch, some with heavy, healthy plants, while others are a complete rest. Diners—who place their orders in the bustling pub—hit the jackpot with dishes ranging from pulled pork nachos to pot potato and Indian cucumber. And weekly specials, including seasonal soups and flatbreads, are often great.
2. Brandywine
W61 N480 WASHINGTON AVE., CEDARBURG
Named after a type of heirloom tomato, this chef-owned venture is especially skilled with handcrafted pasta, but you can’t go wrong with a seasonal dish small or large, especially if it’s seared fresh beef or fish. The restored 1862 storefront is filled with historic Cedarburg charm, while the paintings have the allure of the big city.
3. Crave Cafe
3592 N. OAKLAND AVE., SHOREWOOD
This small counter service eatery focuses mostly on burgers – and what burgers are. Weighing in at a respectable third of a pound, the pancake is perhaps at its best filled with Korean BBQ glaze, American cheese, spicy mayonnaise, kimchi, and cabbage salad. But then there’s the Crave Burger, which is topped with a layer of melted Swiss cheese, caramelized onions, arugula, and white truffle. The crispy fries are also excellent.
4. Daily Taco and Cantina
105 W Fristad Street, Tenesville
The owners of Nepalese restaurant The Cheel (currently closed) opened this wonderful tribute to tortillas in late 2020. Whether you order a taco, burrito, bowl, etc., it is the protein options that give it flair, especially the lamb (stew) served With a consomme dipping. They also serve five types of salsa – which makes eating the chips and sauce a real treat – along with delicious, fresh margaritas.
5. Cafe 1505
1505 W Micon Road, Micon
Tucked inside the East Towne Square Mall, this long breakfast and brunch venue serves large omelettes, quiche, and specialty pies, as well as ace sandwiches and soup of the day. Don’t miss baked goods like these sticky cinnamon rolls and sun cakes.
6. Lannon Sunflower Farm
W204 N8525 LANNON RD., MENOMONEE FALLS
Here is a fun pilgrimage to be made this summer: Head to Lannon Sunflower Farm As for the sunflowers you choose yourself. Just strolling across the towering sea of Helianthuses is a treat. Customers can pick up up to twelve for $20, cash only, and must bring their own shears and containers. The season usually runs from late July/early August to early fall.
7. Larry Market
8737 N. DEERWOOD DR., BROWN DEER
Sure, many supermarkets put more effort into their cheese sections, but nowhere is Larry’s. Not only is the handmade cheese counter in this friendly, intimate store filled with wheels of small-batch dairy gods from near and far, but everything is so neatly named (with sampling encouraged!), you know it was created by someone. Love and knowledge of cheese at an expert level. And you’ll find everything you need to create a distinct charcuterie board that will satisfy even the most discerning of flavours.
8. Phi
East Town Square Mall, 1505 West Micon Road, Micon
Faye was around 31 years old, but he’s always current. The stock is organized with very distinct eyes, which means that each piece is on-trend. In addition, the sales team is very helpful, as is having your own designer.
9. Bayside Garden Center
400 E. BROWN DEER RD., BAYSIDE
Need a vacation? Wander the greenhouses at Bayside Garden Center, where they have an unparalleled selection of houseplants. Whether you’re looking for familiar favorites or exotic species, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better selection of greenery in the Milwaukee area. In addition, the staff is friendly and knowledgeable.
10. Fifth major
174 Main Street, Tenesville
For luxury second-hand clothing by Capital-L, Fifth-Main is the place to be. Prices are exorbitant, but these are collectibles, not old used clothes! (Think of Oscar de la Renta, Alexander McQueen, and Givenchy.) The items are so beautiful that they’re worth a visit even if just to look and dream up.
11. Winky
629 AH. Silver Spring Doctor. Whitefish Bay
The big box store may have a larger selection, but the whimsy and nostalgia of Winkie in downtown Whitefish Bay is enough to make a trip. Downstairs, analyze aisles of toys, games, sports equipment, and school and art supplies for children of all ages (gift wrapping is always free). Upstairs in Hallmark, you’ll find a large selection of greeting cards and keepsakes.
12. Ozaukee Intercity Trail
Deposits from Milwaukee to Sheboygan
From 1907 to 1951, the Interurban Electric Railway ran from Milwaukee to Sheboygan. Now part of it is a 30-mile car-free paved bike path, and its pit stops include the Inventors Brewpub in Port Washington, with poutine, burgers, and home-brewed beer.
13. Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
1111 E. BROWN DEER RD., BAYSIDE
Hugging the shores of Lake Michigan in a residential neighborhood, this 185-acre park includes 6 miles of hiking trails through wetlands, forests, and meadows. Birders flock here — pun intended — using binoculars, looking for the 238 species documented on Earth since 1974.
15. Linden Sculpture Garden
2145 W. Brown Deer Street, River Hills
If an open-air art museum is your utopia, lace up the hiking boot of this 40-acre park – the former home of Page and Harry Bradley – with 50 works by sculptors such as Mark de Sovero and Alexander Archipenko. The first Sunday of every month (except in winter) features guided tours.
16. Hounds and Tap
W175 N5645 TECHNOLOGY DR., MENOMONEE FALLS
Puppies and people roam freely at this indoor/outdoor dog pub and pub. It generates community, pampering humans with bar service, TVs, WiFi, food trucks, dogs with pools, play equipment, fresh water and 5,500 square feet of outdoors. The business also provides daycare, surfing, and dog grooming services.
17. Mary Nohl House
7328 N. BEACH DR., FOX POINT
Making a pilgrimage to see Mary Nohl’s home on the quiet Beach Road in Fox Point has long been a rite of passage for Milwaukee-area art lovers. The reclusive and prolific artist has created such an amazing art world (some life-size sculpture) in her courtyard and lakeside house – a world of concrete and found objects that Noah has dubbed her “The Witch of Fox Point”. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the John Michael Kohler Center for the Arts continues work to preserve the important site, but the property is not open to the public. The best way to see Nohl’s work is to pay a visit to the Art Preserve at the John Michael Kohler Center for the Arts in Sheboygan.
18. Fox Point Community Gathering
7040 N. SANTA MONICA BLVD., FOX POINT
Are you looking for a place to relax on a hot summer day? Grab your foldable chair and head to the Fox Point pool. Roll lanes are available for those wanting some exercise, and plenty of space to relax and enjoy the water. For just $10, you get a full day of relaxation.
19. Garage
N85 W15920 Appleton Ave. Menomune’s fall
There’s no better way to spend a rainy afternoon with two 10-year-olds than indulging in an all-day roundtrip to Gare Nelson Menomoney Falls Trail. At your free disposal more than 175 games from galaga to dance dance revolution To a great selection of ultra-modern and antique pinball tables. When you and your kids need a break, plenty of dining options are just a short ride before you stop for a drink at night. The game has begun!
Oscar-winning British actor (2015 .) spies bridge) Mark Rylance – then known as Mark Waters – attended Milwaukee University School in River Hills during his father’s time as an English teacher.
In 1944, the then rural community of Germantown hosted Camp Rockfield, a two-year home for 500 German prisoners of war.
20. Three vaults
Menomuni Falls
Best beer selection here.
21. Katherine Kearney Carpenter Park
micon
Just try not to cry on the rainbow bridge at the dog park.
22. Workroom
Shorewood
Fabric stars in this home decor store.
23. Scouts Wine Dealers
Shorewood
Belly up to the bar for a snack.
22. Ali Bistro
Menomuni Falls
Frozen Cinnamon Rolls – Oh my!
23. Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Reserve
Grafton
A short long walk takes you magically to the Oregon coast.
24. Cream Pig
Cedarburg
Homemade sausage and frozen custard holy alliance.
25. Pastiche Bistro & Wine Bar
Brown Abbey
Snail and cassoulet, oh no no.
26. Olson House
Shorewood
Scandi home decor items that you won’t find anywhere else.
27. Glacier Hills County Park
HUBERTUS
Stunning view of Lake Friess, a large pond left behind by a receding glacier.
28. Foxtown Brewing
micon
Don’t miss the beer cave tour.
29. Kletzsch Park
Glendale
waterfall = natural image.
30. Johnny Manhattan
HUBERTUS
It’s all about steaks.
31. St. Paul Fish Company.
micon
Lobster roll rock.
32. Tommaso
Cedarburg
Thin crust pizza featuring cheese applied under the sauce.
33. Zarleti
micon
Wood-roasted pizza with garlic cream sauce Bono.
34. Cocoa Tree Candy
micon
salted. caramel; Bonbons.
