Best Fine Dining in Waukesha

"Miraculously, Buckley’s nearly tripled its seating capacity this year without losing its cozy feel. (The last phase, a new bar and a third dining room in the original building, opened in August.) To go with the new digs, a new chef: Van Luu, who’s making remarkable plates, like a beet appetizer that tastes incredibly like a pastrami sandwich, minus the meat. Luu can make a strip steak entrée look elegant, with its arrangement of king trumpet mushrooms, cippolini onions, peas and carrots, in dreamy pan juices with split peas cooked like risotto."

"Open until midnight most days, Buckley's is the perfect place to stop for a late night dessert in East Town. The treats are homemade by the owner's wife."

"Bacchus is a sleek, upscale New American spot boasting breathtaking views of Lake Michigan and a menu of contemporary American cuisine and fine wines. Hailed as the city’s best fine dining experience, Bacchus is set in a sleek, stylish space in the Cudahy Tower in downtown Milwaukee and serves a menu of contemporary, globally-inspired cuisine created with fresh seasonal ingredients and accompanied by an award-winning wine list. Signature dishes on the menu include appetizers of Yellowfin Tuna Tartare, Fava Bean Risotto, and Charred Spanish Octopus, and entrées like Sea Scallops, Organic Scottish Salmon, and Miso-Glazed Halibut."

"For dinner we walked back up the river to the SafeHouse, a spy-themed restaurant that was recommended by several people. There’s a secret entrance hidden off an alley (look for a sign that reads International Exports), and a password is required before the doorman will let you in. We didn’t know the password."

"One of the newcomers to downtown Milwaukee’s growing list of steakhouses, Rare Steakhouse, with its wood-paneled walls and tufted-leather booths, has a sibling eatery in Madison (also called Rare). The meat mania includes a prime rib cart at lunch, and a 34-ounce Wagyu tomahawk steak at dinner, as well as rich sides like foie-gras butter. Rare sources only from the top two percent of beef purveyors, and it shows, from an eight-ounce wet-aged filet to a 28-ounce double bone-in Frenched filet."

"One of the top steakhouses in Milwaukee offers an exceptional menu for lunch on Michigan Street. The menu at Rare Steakhouse features “rare” meats, like the A5 Wagyu and specialty ..."

"Created by Wisconsin natives for Wisconsin diners, Rare features USDA Prime steaks aged in-house, amazing wines and truly remarkable service."

"Dream Dance Steak is an award-winning steakhouse in Milwaukee that offers a variety of delicious steaks, tasty seafood dishes, and seasonal innovations, along with appetizers, salads and sides, all of which are prepared using locally sourced and the finest quality ingredients. The elegant, smoke-free steakhouse is perfect for a special date night and serves a refined menu boasting three-course dining options and a 600-bottle wine list to pair with every dish. The upscale steakhouse boasts walls adorned with Native American art and cozy, intimate ambiance in which to savor some of the best steaks and fine wines in the state."

"This tiny (tiny!) spot on the West Side is serving up some exceptional food that maintains a solid nod to tradition, but presents itself in a beautiful way. From fragrant housemade mole and ultra fresh guacamole to comforting burritos and well executed tacos, the food is consistently fresh and well presented and delivered with top notch service. Recommended: Azteca guacamole; chicken enmolades; camarones a la diabla [More dishes to try]"

"Sweet Diner is located right in the middle of the Historic Third Ward, a short walk or drive from any part of downtown. The restaurant concept is pretty simple: take a classic diner, upgrade the ambiance and the menu, and provide customers with an exceptional experience for breakfast or lunch. Make the Third Ward your next stop for awesome diner favorites in a swanky environment at Sweet Diner."

"This stylish new spot reminds us that “life is sweet” with a tempting array of breakfast, lunch, and brunch dishes available seven days a week. Updated versions of diner classics pair with a sleek, modern interior that just begs for a #brunchstagram post."

"This mobile mini-donut bar (yes, that actually exists!) makes balls of dough into perfectly shaped mini-donuts right before your hungry eyes. Check out their festival and farmer's market schedule on their website."

" But these little cakes have more than just good flavor going for them. Your eyes will thank you as you gaze upon each delicately decorated cake donut, making any flavor look delectable. With a daily rotating menu, there’s literally no end to Holey Moley’s selection."

"This Instagram worthy donut shop has a variety of options for all kinds of diets!. From vegan to gluten free, you’re never going to miss out on a flavorful bite of tasty donut deliciousness."

"America’s favorite all-day, everyday stop for coffee, espresso, breakfast sandwiches and donuts. Order your Dunkin’ faves via the drive-thru or order ahead of time with the Dunkin’ mobile app for a fast grab and go experience."

"This is a Milwaukee brunch staple offering breakfast and lunch items with generous portions. The Korean BBQ Breakfast Bowl is a favorite, as are the seasonally-inspired egg dishes and Apple Crumb French Toast."

"Farwell Ave., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the cafe and breakfast and brunch spot, which offers sandwiches and more, 4.5 stars out of 392 reviews."