Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Welcome to
the Neighborhood
Our favorite spots — coffee, food, drinks, parks, and everything in between. All close to home.
We've lived in this neighborhood long enough to know the difference between the places worth your time and the ones that look good on Instagram. Everything on this list is genuinely loved. Welcome — enjoy exploring!
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Coffee
Idyll Coffee Roasters
Host Favorite
Steps from the front door on North Ave. In-house roasted coffee in a beautifully converted building with soaring windows and tons of plants. Opens at 6am on weekdays — our personal favorite.
Coffee shop by day, taproom by night — and they do both exceptionally well. Opens at 5am on weekdays. Also serves THC drinks if that's your thing.
Minimalist and welcoming in the heart of Tosa Village. Great espresso and a chill, work-friendly vibe.
Stunning old-world Austrian bar interior with stained glass windows. House-made syrups and house-roasted beans — a genuinely beautiful space.
Valentine Coffee Roasters
Vliet St
A beloved Milwaukee roaster with a warm, community-focused neighborhood shop on Vliet. House-made syrups, smooth espresso, opens at 6am daily.
Colectivo Coffee
68th St
The standout here is the big, beautiful outdoor patio — great snacks and a relaxed vibe, with garage doors that open up to the street in warm weather.
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Breakfast & Brunch
Rocket Baby Bakery
Host Favorite
Our favorite bakery on North Ave. Parisian-style pastries, morning buns, incredible sourdough, and coffee. The almond croissant sells out fast — order ahead online. Adorable pocket park right next door.
Ted's Ice Cream & Restaurant
End of our block
A true neighborhood greasy spoon — fast, friendly, generous portions, and prices that won't make you flinch. The regulars are half the charm. Closed Mondays. (They also do ice cream!)
A North Ave institution. Fresh, made-to-order everything and a legendary Friday fish fry.
Modern diner where the owner cooks everything himself. Massive omelettes and burritos. Closed Tuesdays.
One of the best donut shops in the Milwaukee area, right on North Ave. Get there early for full selection — they go fast. Also does breakfast pizza. Closed Mondays.
A Milwaukee cult favorite. Wood-fired bagels with creative toppings and spreads. Fri–Sun only, 8am–1pm — plan accordingly. Absolutely worth it.
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Quick Eats & Casual Dining
Near North Ave
Creative burgers and fried chicken in a fun retro space. Try the ramen chicken.
A cozy, colorful taqueria on North Ave with excellent margaritas and flavorful tacos. Great enclosed patio, fun for a weeknight out. Closed Sundays.
Tiki-themed bar with big cocktails, gluten-free options, and really fun food. Great for groups.
The Neighborhood Draft
Vliet St
"Cheers"-style neighborhood bar with legendary smoked wings and Kobe beef sliders. A local secret worth knowing.
Charles E. Fromage
Vliet St
Tiny, intimate wine and cheese bar with incredible housemade charcuterie and expertly crafted cocktails. Tue–Sat evenings. Reservations strongly recommended.
Pipsqueak Wine
Hidden Gem
A charming little wine bar right on North Ave with a lovely outdoor patio — perfect for a glass of natural wine and a small plate of charcuterie. Perfect 5-star rating and completely deserved. Closed Mon & Sun.
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Tosa Village Dining
Downtown Wauwatosa — 10 min walk or 5 min drive
Le Rêve Pâtisserie & Café
Special Occasion
A genuine French bistro right in the heart of Tosa Village. Think escargot, steak au poivre, crêpes, and some of the most beautiful pastries you'll find outside of Paris. Perfect for a special dinner or leisurely Saturday brunch. Closed Tue & Sun.
A love letter to the Wisconsin supper club tradition. Prime rib, fish fry, the best Old Fashioned in town. Weekend brunch is a fan favorite. Cozy, unpretentious, always packed for a reason.
A Tosa Village staple with Belgian-inspired food and an enormous beer list. Great upstairs views of the village. Works equally well for brunch or a long dinner.
A wine bar with a self-pour wine machine, cozy lounge seating, a fireplace, and charcuterie boards. Great low-key date night or girls' night spot.
Classic, affordable Tosa bar and grill with a great patio for warm evenings. Excellent tap selection and the fried pickles — the "Leffrickes" — are their calling card.
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Pizza
Maggio's Wood Fired Pizza
North Ave
Our neighborhood spot, right on North Ave. Light, fresh Neapolitan-style pies with a perfectly charred crust. Small, charming, consistently excellent, and very affordable. Closed Mondays.
Wy'East Pizza
Best in MKE
Widely considered the best pizza in Milwaukee. Sourdough-fermented crust, high-quality toppings, and creative seasonal pies. A short drive on Vliet St. Wed–Sun evenings only. Don't skip the hot marmot.
A Milwaukee institution. Classic cracker-thin, tavern-style crust with a sauce perfected over decades. Old-world Italian atmosphere, enormous portions, and a full Italian menu alongside. Truly timeless. Closed Tuesdays.
Lalli's Pizza
North Ave
Thin crust, tavern style — no-frills and reliable. A solid neighborhood pizza joint for when you just want a classic pie without the fuss.
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Favorite Takeout
China East
Our Go-To
Our go-to. Cheap, solid Chinese right on North Ave, and the family that runs it is absolutely wonderful. Don't overthink it — just order.
Southeast Asian gem on North Ave. Thai, Vietnamese, Laotian — great curries, pho, and papaya salad. Weekend buffet is a great deal. Closed Mondays.
Hawaiian plate lunch right on North Ave. Kalua pig, beef short ribs, spam musubi, and the best macaroni salad. Closed Mon & Sun.
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Grocery Stores
Metcalfe's Market
Our Pick
Local, beloved grocery in Tosa Village. Beautiful produce, great butcher, and incredibly friendly staff. A little pricey but genuinely wonderful.
Full-service grocery on State St. Good selection and open until 10pm.
Another local favorite up North Ave. Great specialty items and the best fresh flowers in Tosa.
Milwaukee's beloved community-owned co-op, right on State St in Wauwatosa. Excellent local and organic produce, great deli, fresh-squeezed juices, and baked goods. A wonderful alternative to the big chains.
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Liquor Stores
Ray's Wine & Spirits
Best in the State
One of the best liquor stores in Wisconsin, full stop. Incredible selection of craft beer, wine, and spirits. Knowledgeable staff who actually help you. Tasting room upstairs worth checking out.
Convenient corner spot right on North Ave. Good selection, carries mixers and snacks too.
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Pharmacy
Walgreens
68th & State
Your closest full-service pharmacy and drugstore. Open until 11pm on weekdays.
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Parks & Outdoors
Hoyt Park
Host Favorite
A beautiful wooded park along the Menomonee River with miles of walking and biking trails. In the summer, The Landing beer garden is open with pizza, live music, trivia nights, and movie nights — family and dog friendly. The outdoor pool is also a Tosa summer staple. One of our very favorite spots.
Miles of paved and wooded trails along the river. Great for biking, running, or a peaceful walk any time of year.
Washington Elementary Playground
Down the road
Just down the road from us — one of our go-to spots with our toddler. A great playground open to the public on evenings and weekends. We're here multiple times a week!
Rolling grassy hills and wandering trails — a hidden gem right in Wauwatosa that feels like escaping the city without leaving it.
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Treats & Desserts
The cutest ice cream shop in Tosa. Creative flavors, lots of non-dairy options, and a big outdoor seating area. Get the flight. Open Wed–Sun.
Ted's Ice Cream
End of our block
Yes — breakfast AND ice cream. A double threat right at the end of our block.
Yo Mama!
Tosa Village
A fun frozen yogurt shop in Tosa Village with a huge variety of flavors and toppings. Also does bubble tea, slushies, and coffee. Great for an after-dinner treat while exploring the village.
Baskin-Robbins
Tosa Village
A classic. Right in the village near the park. 31 flavors, friendly staff, easy and reliable.
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Milwaukee Breweries Worth the Trip
20–30 minutes away
Lakefront Brewery
Must-Do
Milwaukee's most iconic brewery tour. Funny guides, beer tokens included, riverside patio. The cheese curds are legendary — don't skip them.
Laid-back taproom with great outdoor seating and excellent beer variety. A perfect weekend afternoon spot.
Set inside a stunning renovated church downtown Milwaukee. Fantastic atmosphere and great craft beer.
Rooftop bar, creative rotating taps, and great food. Perfect for a downtown Milwaukee night out.
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Downtown Milwaukee Dining
20–30 minutes away
La Merenda
Walker's Point
Global small plates with big, unexpected flavors. One of the most exciting menus in the city. Reservations strongly recommended.
A Milwaukee institution inside a Victorian-era building. The Friday fish fry is what people plan their week around.
The Wicked Hop
Third Ward
Great brunch spot in the Third Ward. The footlong grilled cheese and Bloody Marys are a must-order.
Southern comfort food done beautifully. Get the fried green tomatoes and the biscuits — non-negotiable.
Birch
Special Occasion
One of Milwaukee's best upscale spots. Wood-fired everything, inventive seasonal vegetables, and an excellent wine list. Dinner only, Tue–Sat. Make a reservation.
Estabrook Beer Garden
Located at 4600 Estabrook Parkway, this is America's first public beer garden since Prohibition. It offers German beers from the Hofbräuhaus and local craft options. It's a family-friendly spot with amenities like playgrounds and trails.
The Landing at
Hoyt Park
Found at 1800 N. Swan Blvd. in Wauwatosa, this beer garden is next to a huge public pool and has a rotating selection of local and imported beers. It also features live music and a variety of food options.
South Shore Terrace
Situated at 2900 S. Shore Dr. in Bay View, this beachside beer garden provides stunning views of Lake Michigan and the Milwaukee skyline. It features a variety of beers and tons of delicious farm-to-table snacks.
Hello, World!