Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Wisconsin

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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!

Butcher & Barrel Gastropub

4.6

4.6 (420)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Racine

About the restaurant

Fine dining in a modern Pub. High quality seasonal ingredients prepared from scratch including prime steaks, fresh seafood and delicious comfort food items. An excellent selection of craft beers, select wines, and hand crafted cocktails to accompany your meal. Butcher & Barrel brings fantastic food, drink and high quality service - without the stuffy fine-dining experience. A restored 120 year old building located in the heart of downtown Racine, just blocks from Lake Michigan.

Top review

Tom

Dined on Jan 4, 2025

Went for our anniversary. Best steak I've had in a very long time!

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.

Liberty Station - Madison

4.6

4.6 (558)

$30 and under

Barbecue

Madison

About the restaurant

Liberty Station - Madison offers BBQ and American comfort food in Madison.

Top review

shari

Dined on Dec 28, 2024

Awesome service, food and conversation. Very helpful servers and managers. Quick and great food. Highly recommend,

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Popular dish

Brisket Quesadilla

Bennett's Chop & Railhouse - Hudson

4.5

4.5 (190)

$30 and under

Steak

Hudson

About the restaurant

Welcome to Bennett's Chop & Railhouse - Hudson!

Top review

Patti

Dined on Dec 6, 2024

It was a busy night because of the holiday event but Bennett’s was great - as always! Keep up the great work and we will see you again soon!

Stone Porch Alehouse

4.5

4.5 (68)

$30 and under

American

Verona

About the restaurant

Stone Porch is named after it's huge stone wrap around porch but we don't let that vibe end there. Comfort food, refreshing cocktails to warm up the insides and a great team looking to make your visit memorable. Our head chef, Jacob Goldsberry, believes that from scratch is always best and that brings an authenticity to each dish that will remind you of home.

Top review

Joe

Dined on Jan 3, 2025

Food was great as always and our server Carson was very good.

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 5 days ago

Best restaurant in Milwaukee for taste and unique food. Noise level high which makes it hard to have a quiet conversation . Still would highly recommend.

Palette Bar and Grill

4.4

4.4 (502)

$30 and under

American

Madison

About the restaurant

Palette provides a colorful dining experience with an American inspired menu featuring in-house cut steaks and 21-day aged 100% black Angus beef.

As we inherited a space as historical as the former Mautz Paint Company warehouse, we had to do it justice. We kept our building’s architectural features intact while updating the space with contemporary design elements and nostalgic touches. We wanted to keep the space faithful to its roots; filled with hues of colors and textures reminiscing of times when the East Washington corridor was a booming industrial area in the city.

Our menu features steak cuts made in-house, chef’s masterpieces, artisan salads and soups, along with a unique beer and hand-crafted cocktail selection.

Top review

Abby

Dined on Dec 21, 2024

The Palette Bar and Grill was an overall wonderful experience with fast and friendly service, fun drinks, and delicious food. I went early evening on a Saturday and it was nice and quiet with several seats available at the bar and many open tables in the dining room. It was a very nice date night experience and I would definitely recommend.

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4.4

4.4 (277)

$30 and under

Bavarian

Glendale

About the restaurant

In 2016 the Bavarian Bierhaus re-opened the space once occupied by the Bavarian Inn. It features a bierhall, a 15 bbl brewery, and multiple indoor and outdoor event spaces. The Bierhaus will continue the tradition of being home to diverse regional events and festivals. We welcome you, and invite you to support your friends, neighbors and community by signing up for our emails, following us on Facebook, checking our website and downloading our Bavarian Bierhaus app for upcoming events.

Top review

Roger

Dined on Dec 29, 2024

Family was in town, including daughter who is a Wisconsin native, and it was a perfect place to gather young (grandsons) and old (grandparents). Highly recommended.

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Popular dish

Wiener Schnitzel

Smoke Shack

4.3

4.3 (447)

$30 and under

American

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

We're obsessed with the craft of smoked meat. Our certified humanely-raised meats are dry rubbed, slow smoked, and sauced by you. In some cases, we began smoking your meat yesterday to ensure you get the perfect quality barbecue. We smoke our meats in small batches, all-day, every-day. In some cases, we sell out when items are in high demand, but sit back, savor a bourbon or two, and try something new. We're certain that you'll enjoy our variety!

Top review

Christine

Dined on Nov 30, 2024

Our waited today was top notch. He was informative, calm, cool and knowledgeable. He made it a great experience. I had the seitan and my boyfriend has the pulled pork. Both were amazing and cooked perfectly. Great work, team!

The Explorium Brewpub Greendale

4.3

4.3 (208)

$30 and under

American

Milwaukee

About the restaurant

Hip brewpub with a spacious patio pouring craft beer plus wine & spirits alongside American fare.

Top review

Jennifer VIP

Dined on Dec 29, 2024

Always a great time at the Explorium. Dinner with my best friend made it even better.