I think it’s safe to say that we’re all going to immediately think about cheese when we think Wisconsin… I mean, c’mon. They are America’s dairyland after all! Some friends and I hit the road over Memorial weekend to see what Milwaukee was all about, and afterward discovered that we had ate/drank more than we did anything else! There are just too many great spots here to grab a beer, some fantastic German food or, the obvious, cheese. Here’s a few awesome places that we tried and ended up loving!

On The Bus

The Milwaukee Public Market is one of my favorites that I’ve been to, mainly because they have oh so many choices for fantastic food! If you’re especially looking for something vegan, you have to check out On The Bus! They’ve got sandwiches, ice cream… but their acai bowls are where it’s at!! I tried the Berry Banana Bowl, which was filled to the brim with different fruits and granola, and man was it refreshing! (Well, maybe not in the cold Wisconsin weather but you know what I mean!)

Thief Wine Shop & Bar

Before you leave the public market, you NEED to grab a wine flight here! If you’re feeling extra fancy, grab yourself a charcuterie board while you’re at it. We came in on a whim and told them to surprise us. I’m not really picky with my wines (I love them all too much!) and even after telling the bartender to surprise me, I loved every one that I tried!

Once you’re finished sipping on some wine, head over to their shop, where they have wines organized by country!

Wisconsin Cheese Mart

Are you really gonna come to Wisconsin and not have some of the best cheese in the state? If you’re looking for a central hub of all of the best Wisconsin cheeses, this place is your go-to. There is an endless variety to choose from, but if you want to test some out, head up to the bar and order yourself one of their delicious cheese boards! Grab yourself a local Milwaukee beer to go with it and you’ve got the perfect pair.

Mader’s

You may or may not have already known this, but Milwaukee has some fantastic German spots… one being Mader’s. This is the perfect spot to go to right after a Bucks game, as it sits just right down the street. We were drawn in by the exterior of the building… it looked like a cool, medieval castle! Try one of their beer flights, or if you’re really feeling adventurous, order the sampler platter to try all kinds of different German bites.

Barnacle Bud’s

This place totally came as a surprise to us…. We had just finished a long day of exploring, and were searching around on our phones for somewhere that sounded good. We wanted to try at least one seafood place by the water, and Barnacle Bud’s sounded interesting enough. Turns out that it went way above our expectations! I never thought I could have such a fantastic lobster roll in Wisconsin, but it was so good!

MACS – Macaroni and Cheese Shop

Here we go again…. more cheese!! We actually did not even know about this place until a friend recommended it to us. After waiting for the crazy crowds to die down at the zoo, we drove just a little bit down the street to stop at MACS. And no, this is nothing even close to your average mac and cheese! Have you ever imagined biting in to Philly cheese steak or buffalo mac? If so, you’ll be in absolute heaven here.

Lakefront Brewery

Milwaukee is known for its booming beer culture, so obviously we had to check out one of the most popular local breweries here! If the idea of sipping on some cold brews, munching on cheese curds and relaxing right by the water sounds good to you, then this is your place. Plus, if you come at the right time, you’ll spot a polka band playing inside of the brewery!

Oscar’s Frozen Custard

If you love chains like Frisch’s Big Boy or Steak n’ Shake, Wisconsin has a local restaurant that feels very similar! Not only do they have some freaking fantastic ice cream, but it’s also a great place to grab some chili cheese fries, chicken tenders, or whatever comfort food that you’re craving! This was another place we discovered on a whim… We had never heard of it until driving past it near our hotel thinking, “Look how cute that place is!”