Seafood cooking styles and techniques vary across different regions, with many restaurants having specialized recipes for seafood. This also applies to Milwaukee, which has a unique seafood cuisine that is wonderful in its own right.
If you’re in Milwaukee, figuring out which seafood restaurants to visit can be challenging if you don’t have information or recommendations from anyone. We’ve got you covered if you fall into this category.
Check out some of the best seafood restaurants in Milwaukee. But first, we need to show you how we made our selection.
How We Chose the Best
We selected the best restaurants in this list by using the following factors:
Quality
Since we’re talking about food, quality was at the top of our list as it’s one of the most critical factors. Apart from making sure that the restaurants on this list have tasty food, we also considered the freshness of the food and if the restaurant sourced it locally. Poor quality food can adversely affect your health, so we avoided putting those restaurants on this list.
Variety
Even though a restaurant has good-tasting food, you will get bored of it, especially if you visit the restaurant often. So, we checked restaurants that have several recipes or delicacies on their menu so you can mix it up and try new things. Having a wide choice of options can make your dining experience far better.
Hygiene
We look around the restaurant setup to see how clean the floors, tables, and restrooms are. We also check the staff who attend to us and the servers to see if they take proper precautions. If these restaurant areas are clean, then there is a very high chance that the kitchen is immaculate too and that you aren’t putting your health at any risk.
Entertainment
Some restaurants have live music or screens for games, which is always a welcome addition for some people. Apart from enjoying the food, enjoying the background music or catching up with the game can be exciting if you’re dining in.
Review from Locals
Apart from visiting the restaurant ourselves to check out their offerings, we also asked the locals about their restaurant reviews. They might have other information about the restaurant we might not know from our limited visits, and we always see this as an essential step.
Best Seafood Restaurants in Milwaukee
Check out the restaurants we decided are the best in Milwaukee from the above factors.
1. St. Paul Fish Company
- Opening Hours: Hours vary by day and season; check the official website before visiting.
- Address: 400 N. Water St.
- Phone: 414-220-8383
- Website: www.stpaulfish.com
- Price: $$
St. Paul Fish company has universal love from any local review or anyone we asked. You will find St. Paul fish company inside the Milwaukee public market, so you can take advantage of the parking spots and explore the remaining Historic Third Ward from the restaurant. One thing that stands out in this restaurant is the freshness of their seafood and fish. The restaurant is in two parts – a seafood counter where you can buy fresh seafood to take home, an oyster bar, and dining areas with the wait staff.
If you visit during summer, they often set up an outdoor oyster bar with extra seating. Apart from the daily oyster bar’s large section, you also have many choices, including the Lobster Roll, sandwiches, or the Jamaican jerk swordfish. As appetizers, we suggest starting your dining experience with the St. Paul bouillabaisse, smoked salmon on a stick, fried surf clams, etc.
Pros
- Fresh and quality tasting food
- Inexpensive food with great servings
- Great outside bar with a tropical theme
- Extensive collection of food
- Great service and waitstaff
Cons
- Wait time to get meals may be long, especially if the restaurant is full.
- Because of the location (in the public market), there may be many people.
2. Harbor House
- Opening Hours: Hours vary by day; check the official reservation page before visiting.
- Address: 550 N. Harbor Drive
- Phone: 414-395-4900
- Website: www.bartolottas.com
- Price: $$$
Harbor House is one of the pioneer Milwaukee seafood restaurants. It boasts of one of the best views in Milwaukee, giving you an excellent look at Lake Michigan in the city and overlooking the Milwaukee Art Museum.
The dining in Harbor place is ideal for group dining or a date night with your significant other. Their seafood has brunch, lunch, or dinner menus, each of which the chefs have carefully selected to give you the best experience.
It also has a great bar with small plate specials and a fantastic happy hour. You can pair your meal with a drink from their selection if you’re in the mood. If you visit this restaurant during the summer months, you’ll be amazed by the outdoor patio that gives a great view while you enjoy your visit. If you are reading this in the summer, a visit is necessary.
Pros
- Great tasting food at a reasonable cost
- Perfect location to grab a meal after a visit to the Milwaukee Art museum due to its proximity
- Friendly, attentive, and accommodating staff
- The gorgeous setting outside and the restaurant give great views of the beauty.
- No stress valet parking
Cons
- Reservations are recommended for popular dining times.
- It is more expensive than many casual seafood spots.
3. Barnacle Bud’s
- Opening Hours: Hours can vary by season and weather; check the official website or social pages before visiting.
- Address: 1955 S Hilbert St, Milwaukee
- Phone: (414) 481-9974
- Website: www.barnaclebuds.com
- Price: $$
This is a convenient spot just about 15 minutes away and situated along the Milwaukee River among warehouses if you’re coming from downtown. Its unique location makes it great for lunch or dinner after having a fun day on a boat or downtown Milwaukee. You will find the casual setting exciting as it isn’t a fancy place that you need to dress up for.
If you visit on a Sunday, check whether their Bloody Mary bar is running. We suggest starting your meal with a tasty appetizer like crab cakes or freshly shucked oysters when they’re available.
They have a nice variety of seafood sandwiches, and we recommend you try at least one from the crab cake sandwich, trooper Reuben, a grouper, or lobster roll. If you want to mix with non-seafood options, they also have sausages, chickens, and burgers.
Pros
- The vibe of the restaurant is upbeat
- Welcoming and helpful staff
- Nice view of the water where you can watch the boats
- Great patio to catch fresh air and enjoy your meal
- Generous food portions
Cons
- You might experience a little difficulty locating the restaurant
- Check where you park carefully, as you may get towed
4. Milwaukee Sail Loft
- Opening Hours: Hours vary by day; check the official website before visiting.
- Address: 649 E. Erie St., Milwaukee
- Phone: 414-223-0100
- Website: www.milwaukeesailloft.com
- Price: $$
You will find this restaurant at the end of Erie, tucked behind some of the parking lots for the Summerfest grounds in a still street in the Historic Third Ward. Even though the restaurant is nondescript from the front, you will be pleased to know that the dining areas overlook an area of Lake Michigan with a patio area in an excellent spot for outdoor eating.
However, if you don’t feel like eating outdoors, there is plenty of space inside and even a bar which still gives some great views.
The menu of Milwaukee Sail loft caters to different age groups and individuals – you will find what suits you. We tried their excellent salads and soups, and we recommend you do the same. The Milwaukee Sail Loft also has many creative sandwiches, making the menu diverse and fun.
You will find a great pick and selection of food on any day of the week that you decide to check out this restaurant.
Pros
- Quick and efficient staff
- Quality and fresh seafood
- Great prices at a top-notch location
- A varied menu that gives you a lot of choices
- Friendly atmosphere
Cons
- You may have to wait for a while to get seats
- The hygiene could be better
5. Twisted Fisherman Crab Shack
- Opening Hours: Hours vary by day and season; check the official website before visiting.
- Address: 1200 W. Canal St., Milwaukee
- Phone: 414-384-2722
- Website: thetwistedfisherman.com
- Price: $$
Twisted Fisherman Crab Shack is another casual seafood option in Milwaukee with a fun riverfront feel. It is a good place to visit when you want crab, shrimp, fish, and other seafood dishes in a more relaxed setting rather than a formal dining room.
The restaurant is especially useful for groups because the menu has plenty of shareable seafood options and casual plates. If you enjoy seafood boils, baskets, and waterfront dining, this is one of the Milwaukee seafood spots worth keeping on your list.
Pros
- Relaxed seafood shack atmosphere
- Good option for crab, shrimp, and seafood boils
- Riverfront location
- Works well for casual meals with friends or family
- Plenty of seafood-focused choices
Cons
- Hours and seasonal availability can change
- Popular times can be busy, especially during warm weather
6. Lowcountry Milwaukee
- Opening Hours: Hours vary by day; check the official website before visiting.
- Address: 1114 N. Water St., Milwaukee
- Phone: 414-252-0015
- Website: www.lowcountrychicago.com/milwaukee
- Price: $$
Lowcountry Milwaukee is a solid choice if you want a seafood boil experience in the city. The restaurant focuses on Cajun-style seafood boils with options such as shrimp, crab, mussels, clams, lobster tails, and sides that can be mixed with different sauces and spice levels.
This is the kind of place to visit when you want a hands-on seafood meal rather than a traditional plated dinner. It is also a good option for groups because everyone can choose their seafood, seasoning, and heat level.
Pros
- Great option for seafood boils
- Customizable sauces and spice levels
- Good for groups and casual dining
- Central location on Water Street
- Plenty of shellfish options
Cons
- The hands-on boil style may not suit everyone
- Shellfish-heavy menu can be limiting for some diners
Read More:
Seafood in Milwaukee: FAQs
Check out some of the most popular questions about seafood restaurants in Milwaukee.
How would you describe a seafood restaurant?
A seafood restaurant is a restaurant that focuses on seafood dishes and seafood cuisines like shellfish and fish. Seafood restaurants may use fresh, frozen, wild-caught, farm-raised, local, or imported seafood depending on the dish and availability.
Does Milwaukee have good seafood?
Yes, Milwaukee restaurants have excellent seafood. We’ve gathered some of the best seafood restaurants in Milwaukee above in no particular order.
What is the seafood capital of the world?
Calabash, NC, is widely known by the nickname “Seafood Capital of the World.” It is less than 30 miles up the coast from Myrtle Beach, SC, and has since established itself as a famous destination for seafood.
Is Wisconsin known for seafood?
Wisconsin is especially known for Friday fish fries, freshwater fish, and supper club-style seafood dishes. Milwaukee also has restaurants serving oysters, lobster, crab, shrimp, and other seafood options.
Conclusion
You’ll have a swell time at any of the restaurants listed above as they are the best out of the seafood restaurants in Milwaukee. If you only have time to check out one of the restaurants, we suggest you go to St. Paul’s as that is our personal best.