Milwaukee sure loves brunch. A leisurely morning spent over indulgent dishes and a perfectly acceptable breakfast cocktail – what’s not to love? But the most popular places – you know, the same five or six brunch spots that top every best-of list — can come with one major downside: a long wait.
Those spots have deservedly earned their flowers, but they’re not the only brunch restaurants in town. If you’re tired of standing in line for a table or just want to skip the weekend rush, you may want to explore the city’s underrated brunch gems.
They offer more than just great food – they serve up cozy atmospheres, unique twists on classic dishes and a sense of community that makes you feel like you’ve found your own undiscovered corner of the city.
Whether you’re a local looking to discover a new weekend hangout or going with guests who might appreciate seeing the city more than sitting on a wait list, these underrated Milwaukee brunch spots are worth seeking out.
Beerline Cafe
2076 N. Commerce St.
Talk about tucked away. This pretty east-side cafe lies just below the Humboldt Bridge, with not much else nearby but some apartments and the Milwaukee River. But what a sweet retreat.
It’s a peppy and polished place, with dramatic greenery cascading from the ceiling, soaking in the rays streaming through wall-to-wall windows. Folks stop in after strolling the RiverWalk or a bike ride along the Beerline Trail for fresh coffee, hot Rishi tea and super smart vegetarian and vegan spins on traditional brunch favorites.
The savory crepes are fun and filling (try the Spartichoke if you’ve ever tried to justify downing spinach-artichoke dip for breakfast), the sandwiches and wraps aren’t afterthoughts (the vegan tzatziki on the deeply spiced Ethiopian lentil wrap is pure magic), and the entrees prove healthful food can be comforting (hello, Buffalo mac and cheese and the much-loved chickpea chorizo tacos!).
Check back often for the cafe’s rotating specials, which, on a recent visit, included the “Crunch Wrap Extreme,” a clever take on a Taco Bell fave made with a giant tortilla wrapping two tostadas, chickpea chorizo, vegan nacho cheese, cashew crema and more.
Beerline also serves fresh juices and smoothies, if you’re taking your brunch to go. And if you’re interested in a celebratory sipper during brunch, you have to try the cafe’s signature mimosa made with strawberry turmeric lemonade.
The dining room is on the small side, so if you’re going with a group, you may want to wait for warmer days, when the cafe opens seating on its lovely, peaceful patio.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday to Friday; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
More information: (414) 265-5644, beerlinecafe.com
Black Sheep
216 S. Second St.
What could be more “Milwaukee brunch” than a pancake-battered cheese curd? A pancake-battered cheese curd atop a Bloody Mary, maybe? Black Sheep doesn’t go quite that far (yet) but gets kudos for taking its curds to the next level. The crackly, white cheddar Clock Shadow Creamery curds are topped with powdered sugar and served with a side of maple syrup – an unexpectedly delightful mashup of sweet and savory that’s the dunkable definition of brunch.
Black Sheep serves them outside of brunch hours, too, but they shine best in the morning. And though this buzzy Walker’s Point wine bar is a happy hour and dinnertime favorite, I may like it best during the daytime.
For brunch, its across-the-street neighbor, Toast, gets a lot of attention, but the weekend wait there can be a bit much. Black Sheep isn’t exactly a forgotten brunch spot, either, but it does have the distinction of being one of the few Milwaukee-area restaurants that offer brunch reservations no matter your party size. That’s a game changer for those of us who may get … ahem … a tad bit hangry waiting for a table.
Weekend brunches feature standout dishes like the hangover burger with bacon, sausage gravy and a sunny side-up egg; sourdough toast served with poached apples, cardamom honey and whipped ricotta; and creamy risotto with roasted red pepper puree, bacon, eggs and hollandaise.
And if you’re sipping, the bar’s cocktails and mocktails are crafty, bright and refreshing. Boilermakers are a blast (catch me with a Ford v Ferrari: Montucky cold snack beer with a 50/50 shot of Campari and Fernet), and coffee drinks are made with locally roasted Valentine Coffee.
And here’s a little secret: If you can’t make it in for weekend brunch, many of the favorites – like avocado toast, chicken and waffles, and the breakfast sandwich on an everything bagel – are available on the lunch menu during the week.
Brunch hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; Lunch: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday
More information: (414) 223-0903, blacksheepmke.com
Cafe La Crème Brûlée
3431 E. Plankinton Ave., Cudahy
It’s tough to keep from smiling in this sun-drenched gem on the north side of Cudahy. The café is charming inside and out, nestled in a building originally built by Miller Brewing in 1894 as a tavern and rooming house.
The space is cozy – ideal for a low-key morning meetup with a friend or two, though not quite big enough to sit down with a large group. With dark wooden accents and lush greenery adding character, the dining area strikes a perfect balance between modernity and comfort. The atmosphere is clean, bright, and inviting — perfect for unwinding.
The menu doesn’t reinvent the concept of brunch, but it executes the classics beautifully. Hearty breakfast skillets come sizzling over crackly potatoes, omelets are light and stuffed with gooey cheese, and pancakes – as big as dinner plates – are soft, fluffy and lightly crisped at the edges. If you’re in the mood for lunch, Café La Crème Brûlée also offers burgers, salads and sandwiches.
The coffee is piping hot and the always-friendly service keeps it coming quickly. There’s an air of happiness that takes over the whole space. I get the feeling there are loads of daily regulars, and I sure hope they’re not angry that I’ve blown up their sacred morning getaway.
With its fairly diminutive dining room, Café La Crème Brûlée fills fast on weekends, so keep in mind there may be a slight wait during peak hours (and note that the limited street parking can be hard to come by, too).
Hours: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily
More information: (414) 312-8893, cafelecreme.com
Catrina Cafe
606 S. Fifth St.
You can’t miss this cheery cafe in a quiet nook of Milwaukee’s Walker’s Point neighborhood. Outside, a striking mural of La Catrina – the Día de los Muertos icon with her face intricately painted like a skull – sets the tone for what’s inside: a lively restaurant full of personality and color.
Catrina Cafe took over the space that formerly housed Snifters Tapas & Spirits in 2024, mixing the feel-good vibe of a Mexican cantina with the cozy atmosphere of a laid-back brunch spot. Guests gather at the bar with house-made micheladas or loaded Bloody Marys while tucking into stuffed strawberry crepes and chori burgers topped with cheese, chorizo and avocado. Or they slip into a table in the café’s spacious dining area for hazelnut lattes made with Colectivo coffee, pancakes, breakfast burritos or omelets filled with al pastor pork with pineapple, grilled onions and Oaxaca cheese.
It’s a space for everybody, perfect for anything from casual breakfasts to celebratory gatherings.
The menu is massive, much of it focused on Mexican-inspired fare, with classics like chilaquiles, molletes and enfrijoladas. But American breakfast classics like skillets, chicken and waffles (bathed in chorizo gravy) and Denver omelets are there, too.
On a recent visit, I made a valiant effort to polish off the Torta Chilaquil, a knife-and-fork sandwich with classic chilaquiles ingredients like salsa-soaked tortilla chips and savory steak and eggs packed between a puffy telera roll. Messy, yes, but delicious just the same.
Going with a group? Don’t miss the mimosa tower, which features six different mimosas and shots for just $30 – a fun spectacle that comes complete with a sparkler at the top.
Hours: Brunch is served from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, with the menu switching over to dinner fare from 4 to 9 p.m.
More information: (414) 249-3770, catrinacafemke.com
County Clare Irish Inn & Pub
1234 N. Astor St.
If you’re craving a more traditional, cozy brunch spot, look no further than County Clare. This Irish pub and inn – tucked in the heart of Milwaukee’s lower east side — is as charming as it is unpretentious.
The decor is old-school, with floral carpets, emerald walls and Irish sayings etched along the ceiling. The vibe is more bed-and-breakfast than trendy brunch spot, with pleasant service and an air of comfort throughout the sunny dining room. Diners stream in from the neighborhood – or maybe from the 29-room inn upstairs. It’s cordial and quiet, quaint and comfortable.
The food is, too. The menu tilts Irish, of course, with highlights like Reuben rolls, corned beef hash and shepherd’s pie there to help sop up that extra pint of Guinness or glass of Irish whiskey downed the night before.
I’m a fan of the corned beef Benedict, made with house-roasted corned beef and a dreamy tomato-horseradish hollandaise that I happily drag my side of potatoes through to nab every last bit. But if you’re feeling something sweeter, the French toast with whiskey maple syrup might suit you best.
Or go all out with the full Irish breakfast, a sampling of traditional classics like fried Irish bangers (sausages), black and white pudding (blood sausage and pork sausage), grilled Irish bacon, two eggs your way, baked beans, brown bread and more.
The Bloody Marys here are a must-try, made with Clamato and your choice of spice level. The Bloody Maire, a variation finished with a splash of Guinness and whiskey, adds a nice touch of warmth.
Brunch hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
More information: (414) 272-5273, countyclare-inn.com
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Best brunch in Milwaukee? 5 underrated spots worth your attention
Reporting by Rachel Bernhard, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
