Best Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in Milwaukee

We took our family to Buckley's for an after Christmas fine dining experience. It was wonderful! We were guided to our table upon entry to this beautiful spot. The decor is lovely: black and white upholstery on chairs and bolsters. Bluish-green walls and white trimmed woodwork. It is a very lovely place. We had the best waitress who was very conversational and friendly. She was a sommelier, as well and was very knowledgeable discussing wines with our two sons who really know wines. They picked out two bottles during the evening that were perfect for my tastes. She was also very attentive and moved the meal at a perfect speed. Our food was wonderful. We had a few starters--sourdough bread with chive butter and fried artichoke hearts. Very tasty and different. The entrees were the perfect size--not too much food. My son's steak was just right, my scallops dish was just what I wanted, my husband's salmon was delicious. Our other sons loved their meals, too. And desserts were fabulous!

To be honest, I was unsure what to expect. Several (about 5) years ago the experience had not been pleasant. So decided to try again; I’m very glad I did - it was an awesome experience. The drinks, their specials, were superb. The waitress was knowledgeable about the menu, great recommendations. The meal came quickly, everything that should have been hot was, I had a beet salad with feta cheese that was to die for. We splurged on a very nice bottle of wine, my wife’s roasted chicken she said was delicious and while there were two lobster selections, the waitress helped me make a good decision - the result was fantastic, both in size, appearance & taste. Admittedly we spent more than I intended, however it was worth every dollar! Oh I should mention the small but nice raw bar; I have some familiarity with oysters and the NB selection was excellent. I rarely leave this long or detailed review, however, we will definitely return to the Milwaukee Harbor House and strongly recommend it to anyone who wants a great restaurant experience!!

Tre Rivila exceeded all expectations during my recent visit! From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere was welcoming and elegant. Our server, Mimi, was absolutely phenomenal. She was attentive, friendly, and made excellent recommendations that truly elevated our dining experience. The food was exceptional—perfectly prepared and bursting with flavor. Thank you, Tre Rivila, and a special shoutout to Mimi for her outstanding service. We’ll definitely be back and highly recommend this gem to anyone looking for an unforgettable dining experience!

12/24/24: Lauren was great, as usual, and Ryan the GN gets his sleeves rolled up and helps it all work. Since moving from el país vasco this is as close as I’ll get to going back to northern basque coast. Worth every penny including the 18% inclusive tariff. Josh & Julie Ugalde Mequon, WI

I’ve dined here several times before and it was nice to introduce it to my friends after an afternoon Holiday Pops Concert. We started our meal with the Crab Dip and Sweet & Spicy Shrimp. Both Apps were a big hit with our group. The Shrimp was indeed spicy in a good way. The Crab Dip is served with Lavosh Crackers and it is a perfect match. The rich flavor and texture of the Dish is seasoned just right to be served with this barely salted cracker. Perfect pairing is a good description. Our entree choices included a Black & Blue Burger, Turkey Avocado Sandwich, a Rueben, and a Cuban Sandwich which everyone enjoyed their choices and remarked how good they were. Two of us chose the Bone In Pork Chop which was delicious. It is served with German Potato Salad, Broccolini, Red Cabbage and Apple Slaw and Whole Grain Beer Mustard. The meat was tender and the accompaniments had just the right amount of acidity to highlight the Pork Chop. The German Potato Salad was perfect and reminded me of my childhood when we would eat it around the Holidays. We were extremely pleased with our meals. There is an extensive Bar Menu and those who made selections were pleased. This is a great place to meet for lunch and or dinner. I’ve also enjoyed The Happy Hour Menu when the Apps are half priced. Needless to say, I look forward to our next visit.