Karl Ratzsch's
Serving classic and contemporary German cuisine since 1904, Karl Ratzsch's is a favorite Milwaukee restaurant. Dinner entrees are under $40, kid's meals under $7, and lunch and early dinner entrees under $20. Specialties include the Goose and Duck Combination and Trudy's Sampler (sauerbraten and wiener schnitzel). A traditional Wisconsin "Friday NIght Fish Fry" is served weekly. Valet parking is available during dinner. Reservations and business casual dress are recommended; the restaurant is closed on Sundays. Explore busy water and Milwaukee streets that are a block away. Go ice skating during winter at nearby Red Arrow Park. Hike, fish or rent bikes or skates at Veteran's Park a mile away on Lake Michigan.
Karl Ratzsch's
320 East Mason St.
(414) 276-2720
karlratzsch.com
Mader's
Less than a mile from Karl Ratzsch's and another staple of fine dining in Milwaukee is Mader's, founded in 1902. Presidents Kennedy, Ford and Reagan ate there, and Mader's dining area has more than $3 million worth of art, armor and antiques. Dinner is under $50; lunch and Sunday brunch are under $20. Specialties include the pork shank and Mader's Sampler (wiener schnitzel, sauerbraten and kassler-rippchen). Their gift shop includes America's largest Hummel store, and it also sells authentic German beer steins, glassware and more. Reservations and business casual dress are recommended, and the restaurant has free valet parking. A block from Mader's is the Bradley Center arena, where the Milwaukee Bucks and Admirals games are held along with multiple other sporting and entertainment events. Nearby is the Milwaukee Riverwalk, three miles of continuous walkway near pubs, cafes, shops, water taxis and the Edelweiss cruise boats. Riverwalk connects to the Henry Aaron State Trail and Lakeshore State Park.
Mader's
1041 North Third St.
(414) 271-3377
madersrestaurant.com
maders.com
Historic Turner Restaurant
Historic Turner Restaurant is a block from Mader's, but it has a more casual atmosphere. With a mostly American menu, Turner's also has German food including the sausage platter with Milwaukee's Usinger's smoked beef and link kielbasa sausages. Entrees range from $10 to $25. The decor is unmistakably German, and the restaurant is set within historic Turner Hall, founded in 1883 by the Milwaukee Turners. Turner is German for "gymnast," and they still operate a gymnasium within the building. At one time Milwaukee was known as the "German Athens of America" because of Turner Hall. Turner's is directly across the street from the Bradley Center and is extremely popular to eat at before events there.
Turner's
1034 North 4th St.
(414) 276-4844
historicturner.com
Kegel's Inn
Serving German and American food since 1924, Kegel's Inn is family owned and operated. Dinner entrees are under $35, German entrees under $20 and lunch items under $15. Try the house specialt,y half boneless roast duck, or stop in for the very popular Friday Night fish fry. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends, although Kegel's is closed on Sundays. Kegel's is by Miller Park where the Milwaukee Brewers play, and two miles from Wisconsin State Fair Park. Also nearby is the Pettit National Ice Center, the largest ice center in America, used for Olympic training and open year-round for public skating.
Kegel's Inn
5901 W. National Ave.
(414) 257-9999
kegelsinn.com
Bavarian Inn
Eat in a cozy atmosphere complete with a fireplace at the Bavarian Inn. Dinner entrees are under $20, kid's meals are under $5 and lunch and brunch under $15. Try one of the various types of schnitzels or go on Friday for the fish fry. The Bavarian Inn is located near the sprawling Lincoln Park that is 312 acres and has places to swim, a playground for kids and areas to play tennis, golf or baseball.
Bavarian Inn
700 West Lexington Blvd.
Glendale, WI
(414) 964-0300
bavarianinnmilw.com
