On Tuesday morning, we set off for Milwaukee with minimal plans: visit one art museum and explore two breweries. What followed was a day packed with great food, craft beer, and unforgettable experiences.
Milwaukee Art Museum
Our first stop was the Milwaukee Art Museum, located on the shores of Lake Michigan. While it’s not as grand as the museums in NYC, it offered a pleasant experience. After taking in the exhibits, we headed to lunch at a spot highly recommended by both my sister and a Serious Eater.
Beans & Barley
It’s not always easy to find vegetarian-friendly restaurants in the Midwest, which is why my sister loves Beans & Barley. The dining room is bright and airy, and it’s clear that the lunch crowd is loyal. I ordered a mozzarella sandwich with roasted tomatoes but was mistakenly given the version with fresh tomatoes. Normally, I’m not a fan of fresh tomatoes, but I decided to stick with it since we’d waited a while.
To my surprise, the sandwich was excellent. The mozzarella was well-seasoned and paired perfectly with the crusty roll. My sister opted for the sweet potato and bean burrito, which came with a tangy lime sour cream. In addition to the dining room, Beans & Barley also has a takeaway counter and a market stocked with natural foods and unique items.
Lakefront Brewery
After lunch, we headed to Lakefront Brewery, situated along the Milwaukee River (not a lake, confusingly). We arrived early for the next tour, so we took a stroll across the river and back, soaking in the local scenery.
The $6 tour included four beer tokens, and unlike other brewery tours, it began with a beer instead of ending with one. Co-founder Jim Klisch greeted us at the riverside, handing out a fifth beer token as he explained the brewery’s origins. He and his brother Russ had started Lakefront as a home-brewing project that spiraled into a full-scale operation.
Jim explained that most of their beers adhere to the “Bavarian Purity Law” (Reinheitsgebot), using only malted barley, hops, yeast, and water. Exceptions include flavored beers and their gluten-free options made with rice and sorghum. The tour was brief, as much of beer brewing is simply waiting for fermentation. However, we sampled several beers afterward, with our favorite being the East Side Dark. With five beers under our belts, we headed off to check into our hotel.
Maria’s Pizza
Our dinner stop was Maria’s Pizza, a Milwaukee institution with its funky décor and oversized pies. We ordered the large Cheese Special, topped with mushrooms and onions. The pizza was enormous, as you can see from the photo of me holding it. The crust and sauce had a slightly sweet flavor, which threw me off at first, but after a few bites, I was hooked. Despite our intention to save leftovers, we ended up devouring the entire pizza.
Leon’s Frozen Custard
After dinner, we visited Leon’s Frozen Custard, affectionately nicknamed “Neon Leon’s” thanks to its retro design. The long lines moved quickly, and I ordered cherries on vanilla custard. The custard was incredibly fresh and creamy, made daily with “fresh cream and eggs.” It was the perfect way to cap off a day of indulgence.
Our Verdict
Addresses
Beans & Barley — 1901 E. North Ave, Milwaukee, WI
Lakefront Brewery — 1872 N Commerce St, Milwaukee, WI
Maria’s Pizzaria — 5025 W Forest Home Ave, Milwaukee, WI
Leon’s Frozen Custard — 3131 S 27th St, Milwaukee, WI
