Food n' Focus - Food, Travel, Photography

  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Salad
    • Soup and Stews
    • View All Recipes
  • Travel
  • Services
  • Press
  • About
  • Contact

Get our seasonal cookbook FREE! when you sign up for email updates

Home / feat. Travel / Best Date Ideas in Milwaukee
Best Date Ideas in Milwaukee

Best Date Ideas in Milwaukee

With all of the traveling that I do it dawned on me that I haven’t taken the time to talk about my hometown! My husband and I don’t often go out when we’re home because we prefer to stay in, cook dinner together and enjoy a nice bottle of wine. Recently I decided that we were going to enjoy a few date nights and days right here in Milwaukee. What I learned is that there are a lot of really amazing places to dine and fun things to do here and I don’t always need to rush out of town to enjoy myself. Today I’m sharing with you some of the best date ideas for Milwaukee so that if you live here or if you come for a visit you will have a good idea of how to plan your time with your honey!

The Traditional Date

Let’s start by talking about some traditional date ideas….dinner and drinks on a Friday night in Milwaukee can present you with a lot of options. Here’s what I suggest: pretend you’re in Europe for the night and stop by Fauntelroy for a French inspired meal. Their French onion soup is rich and delicious, the cheese plate will pair perfectly with any of their wine selections and the Steak Frites will make you feel like you’re sitting on a sidewalk in Paris with a view of the Eiffel Tower. The restaurant itself is cozy and perfectly decorated like a bistro in France. They even offer a great happy hour during the week where you can try their Grand Royale burger at a discount!

Fauntelroy Milwaukee

Follow up your meal with drinks at Café Benelux around the corner in the Third Ward. This hot spot is also one of my favorite brunch locations in the city. This restaurant is perfect if you love a unique beer because they offer a huge selection of Belgian beers on tap or in bottles to meet every flavor profile. Their patio is also really great in the summer because it’s on the rooftop and you can people watch with ease. In the winter they transform the rooftop with Lux Domes that look like igloos and are perfect for parties of 8 with fun food and beverage packages.

Cafe Benelux Milwaukee

The Afternoon Lunch Date

Milwaukee offers a variety of fun activities around the city from museums to a variety of other cool things to do as a couple. I recently had the chance to visit the Harley-Davidson Museum where I learned all about the past, present and future of these iconic bikes. If you’re an extreme enthusiast you can even sit on a live bike, fire up the engine and learn how to shift through the gears on the bike.

Harley Davidson Museum

Harley Davidson Museum Milwaukee

My favorite afternoon attraction is the Milwaukee Art Museum. The museum was recently renovated and features over 31,000 works of art dating back to 1888. Some notable pieces come from Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol and Paul Gauguin. They also feature a constant flow of special exhibits including the most recent collection of European Masterworks. Also notable of the art museum is the Burke Brise Soleil which is a movable wing that sits atop of the building. The wings open and close based on wind speed and certainly creates a unique attraction in the Milwaukee skyline.

Discovery World Milwaukee

Right next door to the art museum is Discovery World, perfect for your inner-child. This fun-house of sorts features Les Paul’s House of Sound, an aquarium and a virtual reality exhibit! If you’re looking for more of an experience on your day-date, check out Discovery World.

Before or after your museum visit you can stop by the Milwaukee Public Market and grab a bit to eat. The market is one of my favorite lunch spots in the Third Ward and features a variety of food vendors, artisan goods, and they even offer cooking classes. Some of my favorite lunch spots include Margarita Paradise for tacos, St. Paul Fish Company for the best lobster roll around and Thief Wine Shop for a glass of wine. You can even take some goods home including candies, spices and cheese from Wisconsin.

Milwaukee Public Market

The Sunday Brunch Date

Brunch is something that I don’t do often enough but am always a sucker for a fancy Bloody Mary! I don’t eat eggs so it really limits my breakfast fare but I love that brunch combines lunch favorites with a breakfast spin. Smoke Shack is a great place for a Sunday Brunch Date, also located in the Third Ward. While I love their lunch and dinner plates, they really spice it up with their Sunday blue brunch featuring live music! I love to go here because it reminds me of being in Memphis or Kansas City. If you head here on a brunch date you must try their Biscuits and Gravy with pulled pork or their amazing Fried Chicken ‘n’ Poblano Waffles! And don’t forget the classic Bloody Mary with smoked sausage and cheese to top it off. Brunch is a great way to get out of the house on a Sunday for some time together over tasty food and conversation about the week ahead.

Smoke Shack Third Ward Chicken and Waffles

The Double-Date

The only thing better than a date with your bae is a date with 2 other friends for a classic double-date! More often than not my husband and I double-date on the weekends because it’s a great chance to catch up with friends. A great place for your next double date is Onesto, also in the Third Ward. (Do you see a trend here?!) Since I’m a fan of all things Italian, and because I really feel like Italian’s know how to have fun, Onesto is a great spot to enjoy some tasty pasta, sharable appetizers and a delicious bottle of wine. Their menu features these delicious ‘jars’ with spreadable things like tapenade or fig and gorgonzola cheese. They also offer a great selection of meats and cheeses priced per person served on board with things like olives and nuts.

Onesto Milwaukee Menu

For dinner I suggest the Bolognese or their Acorn Squash Risotto. Both offer a burst of flavor in every bite and who can honestly pass up risotto?! The pasta served with the bolognese is freshly made in house and is complemented by freshly grated Parmesan. And of course, you cannot pass up one of their indulgent Italian desserts!

Onesto Milwaukee Spaghetti

Onesto offers a great atmosphere for a double-date, and will make you feel like you’re in Italy.

The Fancy Date

This is probably one of my favorite kind of dates! It’s not too often that I get to get all dressed up for a hot night out on the town with my husband. Our all-time favorite fancy date destination is Harbor House, located right near the art museum. Harbor House offers amazing views of Lake Michigan and the art museum and features a delicious fresh seafood menu. They also serve up some of the tastiest crab cakes that I’ve ever tasted.

Harbor House Milwaukee interior

Harbor House offers an amazing happy hour with great deals on wine, cocktails and oysters if you’re interested. I always like to show up early for my reservation and sit at the bar for a glass of wine in an intimate setting. After I enjoy my crab cake appetizer I always go for the Grilled Shrimp and Filet entree and I always ask for the French beans that they prepare so perfectly. And it wouldn’t be a meal at Harbor House without dessert; they make the BEST Key Lime Pie. No joke, I wish I had the recipe because it seriously is more amazing than their crab cakes!

Harbor House Milwaukee

Harbor House also offers a great lunch menu as well as brunch. For $45 you can get all you can eat seafood, omelettes and desserts as well as a Bloody Mary Bar! You can check out all of their menus online. Plus check out their other events happening throughout the year including their annual Lobsterpalooza!

Another great fancy date option is Morel, a farm-to-table restaurant located in Walker’s Point. If you prefer something a little more unique you can enjoy a meal at Morel where they offer unique dishes with lamb, trout and duck. They also offer a great wine list and cocktails with catchy names.

Of course there are plenty of other ideas and options out there for your next date but I hope that you take some of my suggestions into consideration! New restaurants are always popping up around the city but these are some of my favorite spots for date-night/day.

Special thanks to Visit Milwaukee, Harbor House, Cafe Benelux and Hospitality Democracy for helping with this post!

Share this:

  • Tweet

feat. Travel// Travel2 Comments

Subscribe

« How to Frost Cupcakes with a Ziploc Bag
Creamy Paprika Chicken Stroganoff »

Comments

  1. Debbie Kohler says

    February 5, 2020 at 2:08 pm

    Very nice article April! I have eaten at Harbor House when Matt was home once, very nice. I would really like to eat at Onesto, and I know Jon would love the Smoke Shack!

    Reply
    • Food n' Focus says

      February 13, 2020 at 8:09 am

      Thank you! Harbor House is one of my favorite spots in the city!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Want more delicious recipes?

CUISINE: Recipes for the Season

Download free when you sign up for email updates

Welcome to Food n’ Focus!

Hi! I’m April: food and travel lover, wine enthusiast, ice cream obsessed and the vision behind the Food n’ Focus! I just returned from a year in Europe and am sharing all of my adventures and recipes right here! Read More…

Top Posts

  • Tiramisu Brownies
    Tiramisu Brownies
  • Garlic & Herb Beef Tenderloin | Hamilton Beach
    Garlic & Herb Beef Tenderloin | Hamilton Beach
  • Authentic Halal Cart-Style Chicken and Rice With White Sauce
    Authentic Halal Cart-Style Chicken and Rice With White Sauce
  • Lambeau Horse Collar
    Lambeau Horse Collar
  • Tomato Wedge Salad
    Tomato Wedge Salad

Instagram

foodnfocus

Food 🍝 Travel ✈️ Photography 📷
#california #foodblogger #travel
🌐 Current location: USA 🇺🇸
👇🏻For recipes & travel guides, click this link:

April | Food & Travel Blogger
You can turn hummus into a meal with this deliciou You can turn hummus into a meal with this delicious Mediterranean Hummus Plate! I love making this when I'm looking for a meatless meal or it's a great appetizer for guests. Tap the link in my bio for more info -> @foodnfocus⁣
⁣
⁣
#droolclub #f52gram #thekitchn #sweetmagazine #tastespotting #forkfeed #foodgawker #kitchenbowl #bhgfood #buzzfeast #DinnerIdeas #Dinner_Time #Dinners #DinnerTonight #DinnerTable #FoodPhotographyProps #FoodPhotography101 #PhotographyFood #VegetarianEats #VegetarianMeals #VegetarianRecipe
Does anyone else ❤ when old products make a come Does anyone else ❤ when old products make a comeback in the market?! Well good news, @doritos 3D Crunch from @fritolay ARE BACK! I used to love these crunchy little chips and was excited to get my hands on a bag of the Chili Cheese Nacho flavor. They are just as god as I remember them!⁣
⁣
The good news is that you can find both new flavors at your local Kroger for a limited time! Be sure to pick up a bag (or two) of Chili Cheese Nacho or Spicy Ranch⁣ while they last! #doritos3DKroger #sponsored ⁣
⁣
#Influencer #foodblogfeed ⁣
#buzzfeedtasty #mycommontable #tastemade #digitalinfluencer #thekitchn #eattheworld #heresmyfood #myopenkitchen #thechalkboardeats #tortillachips
The endless poppy fields in France were one of my The endless poppy fields in France were one of my favorite things to photograph. I have already been planning my post-pandemic return to this amazing country and seeking out these vibrant flowers will be high on my list! ✈ 🌎#frenchcountryside #postcardsfromtheworld #goexplore #wanderlust #travelbug #wonderfulplaces #Globetrotter #NextDestination #LetsTravel #HappyTraveller #TravelTips #TheBestDestinations #TravelInspiration #TravelJunkie #WorldExplorer
I decided to 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 put some I decided to 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 put some pictures on my wall after 8 months in my townhouse. After much deliberation I decided to go with a Paris theme including this shot. If I can't travel to Paris right now, I might as well sit on my couch and daydream about it! #daydream #travelfrance #Paris #covid2021 #super_france #arcdetriomphe #parisfrance #travelfrance #frencharchitecture #parisianstyle #travelbloggerlife #artistsoninstagram
I know that a lot of us are turning our attention I know that a lot of us are turning our attention to salad, but it's still January and soup is still in season! My absolute favorite soup is Chicken Tortilla and I've got the perfect recipe on the blog! This soup uses rotisserie chicken making it super easy to prepare. Don't forget all of the delicious toppings: tortilla strips, cheese and avocado! 🥑🧀🥘 Tap the link in my bio for more info -> @foodnfocus
Was your new year's resolution to eat more salad? Was your new year's resolution to eat more salad? 🥗 I've got plenty of tasty salad recipes over on the blog including this Coconut Kale Chicken Salad that's loaded with delicious chicken, roasted sweet potatoes and quinoa, perfect for lunch. Want more salad inspiration? Head on over to the blog ➡ https://foodnfocus.com/category/salad
𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲! Have you all taken the time to write down your resolutions for 2021? ::𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘴:: I'm hoping that 2021 brings less pandemics, new adventures, more wine and blue skies ahead! I'm guessing more of us are on the same page with these requests. ⁣
⁣
What are some of your new year's resolutions for yourself?⁣
Tell me below 👇👇

#winelovers #newyearnewme #celebratetheseason #resolutions2021 #lifegoalsinspirations #celebrate2021 #2021goals #winewisdom #covidkindness
I guess I’ll get on the Top 9 of 2020 bandwagon! I guess I’ll get on the Top 9 of 2020 bandwagon! This year was nothing short of crazy, and in the midst of COVID we sold our home and moved out to California! I’m actually thankful for this move because even without being able to travel this year our move presented a world of new adventures! Here’s to a better 2021 filled with more adventures, less pandemics and getting back to travel! 🥂🎉 #topnine #top9of2020 #newyearseve #celebrating #2021goals #happynewyear2021 #californiadreaming #californian #anniversarycelebration #movetocalifornia #relocation #theamericanclub
The lack of travel this year has me feeling a litt The lack of travel this year has me feeling a little stir crazy so I'm thankful that my move to California has made it easy to take quick trips to some amazing places! I had the chance to visit Sonoma and Napa a couple of weeks ago and I'm talking all about how to spend 24 hours in Napa and Sonoma on the blog today! 🍷🍾 From @domainecarneros to @opusonewinery, you can certainly find something within your taste and budget. Get all of the details on the blog today! #sonoma #winecountry #napacalifornia #wineanddine #covidtravel #californiawinery #winetasting #winesofinstagram #winenight #travelblogger #wineblogger #californiared #foodblogger #foodandwine #winewednesday #sparklingwine
Be honest - How many Christmas cookies have you ea Be honest - How many Christmas cookies have you eaten so far this week? Are you getting tired of them yet? Maybe you should change things up and pair them with your wine for an entirely new experience! I've got The Best Holiday Cookie and Wine Pairings on the blog this week and it'll help you work your way through all of those holiday cookies throughout this month! Get all of the details here 👉 https://foodnfocus.com/desserts/the-best-holiday-cookie-and-wine-pairings
'Tis the season for holiday cookies and all things 'Tis the season for holiday cookies and all things red, white and rose! Today I'm teaming up with my friends at @raleys to bring you the 𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴! Yes, wine goes with cookies, too! So turn up the holiday music, grab your holiday cookies and head on over to the blog for all of the details today! 🍪 🍷🎄 https://foodnfocus.com/desserts/the-best-holiday-cookie-and-wine-pairings
2020 has certainly been a strange year and I'm a l 2020 has certainly been a strange year and I'm a little sad that I won't be able to celebrate Christmas with my family and friends. Sending out Christmas cards was really important to me given the distance I've felt from everyone close to me this year! We had some fresh photos taken of us for our anniversary so I picked out my favorite and partnered up with @minted to create beautiful cards. 🎄🎁
⠀
I love how easy Minted makes it to create Christmas cards, all the way down to the customized envelopes! There's still time to create your own holiday cards and send them out before the end of the month! You'll get 15% off and FREE priority shipping on your order if you use this link: https://bit.ly/3qrH8LS⠀
⠀
Join me in sending out some holiday cheer this year! #MintedHoliday #ShareMyMinted #Ad #christmascards #holidayseason #christmascardphoto #holidayhome
Load More... Follow on Instagram

More Travel

How to Spend 24 Hours in Napa & Sonoma

How to Spend 24 Hours in Napa & Sonoma

Unique Gift Ideas For The Home Chef

Unique Gift Ideas For The Home Chef

Scottish Highlands Whisky Tour

Scottish Highlands Whisky Tour

Le Marais Food Tour in Paris

Le Marais Food Tour in Paris

Krakow Food Tour With Delicious Poland

Krakow Food Tour With Delicious Poland

All Travel

Copyright © 2021 · Food n' Focus