News Summary
Milwaukee is undergoing a remarkable transformation in its dining and drinking landscape, highlighted by Explorium Hospitality Group’s recent acquisitions and rebranding of former Good City Brewing locations. The revamped Explorium Brewpub and the newly opened Wayfinder enhance the city’s culinary offerings, while new establishments like Explorium Distilled promise to cater to diverse tastes. As the Deer District and surrounding neighborhoods evolve, Milwaukee’s commitment to quality dining experiences is stronger than ever, with exciting options on the horizon.
Milwaukee has welcomed a revitalization in its dining and drinking scene with the recent acquisition and rebranding of former Good City Brewing locations by the Explorium Hospitality Group. In January 2025, operators Joan and Mike Doble undertook the transformation of the three Good City Brewing sites to better align with their existing hospitality portfolio.
The initial closure took place at the Mequon location, followed by an extensive rebranding of the Wauwatosa taproom. This space has been reimagined as the Explorium Brewpub, now featuring an updated atmosphere, new menu items, and an innovative taplist, emphasizing a strong commitment to quality craft beer.
Additionally, the East Side has seen the opening of a new establishment named Wayfinder. This venue showcases an array of small plates, craft cocktails, and diverse beer options, including a stunning rooftop tiki bar that adds a vibrant social space to the area’s dining options.
Located adjacent to the Fiserv Forum, the Deer District location has been rebranded as Explorium Distilled and just recently reopened after delays linked to the Milwaukee Bucks season. Situated at 333 W. Juneau Ave., this new venue offers indoor seating along with a dog-friendly patio, providing a welcoming environment for both patrons and their pets.
Explorium Distilled’s menu is a nod to the previous offerings of Good City, as it retains many of the popular taco selections, including pollo verde, spicy pollo, soy chorizo, al pastor, and birria. Alongside these favorites, visitors can also enjoy a variety of flatbreads, hearty salads, and main dishes such as blackened chicken pasta and a Thai peanut bowl. The menu has been designed to cater to diverse dietary needs, featuring gluten-free options.
During the transition period, Joan Doble expressed appreciation for the hard work and dedication of their staff, acknowledging the challenges faced in this rapid transformation process.
The Deer District is experiencing other significant restaurant changes. The MECCA Sports Bar and Grill has closed its doors, with plans for Tom’s Watch Bar to take its place. Meanwhile, Mini Stacked MKE may be relocating to a sit-down location at 905 W. National Ave. New dining concepts are also in the works in Milwaukee. Jack DeDecker and Swarpana Chakranarayan are set to launch Jasher’s Organic Tea House at 2680 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., offering a curated selection of teas alongside traditional masala chai.
Meanwhile, the food scene is continuing to expand with multiple new ventures, including Top Tier Luxe Kitchen, which is slated to open at 9207 W. Capitol Dr. on Sept. 15, providing soul food with options for carryout and delivery. Another addition is Minneapolis-based Bebe Zito, expected to open on Aug. 29 in the 3rd Street Market Hall, serving burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, and ice cream. A proposal for Vick’s on Van Buren aims to occupy the former Victor’s location at 1230 N. Van Buren St., focusing on food, drinks, and entertainment.
Mark Cannon and Clyde Boyd are also in the process of establishing Taste Social Lounge at 4923 W. Villard Ave., which will offer an upscale dining experience with steak, seafood, and craft cocktails. However, not all establishments have thrived; Biersal Tavern has permanently closed after just over a year in operation.
As Milwaukee’s culinary landscape shifts, a plethora of new establishments are set to open in early 2025, including SereniTea, Mr. Taco, El Caporal, Haraz Coffee House, Ruby’s Bagels, and Haven Cafe. In addition to local dining options, Afternoon Tea at The Pfister Hotel remains a highly recommended experience for families, encouraging parents to make reservations for this luxurious outing.
The ongoing revitalization of the dining scene in Milwaukee promises a diverse and exciting array of choices for residents and visitors alike, demonstrating a strong commitment to community and culinary excellence.
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HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- Urban Milwaukee: Tea House Proposed for Bay View
- Wikipedia: Milwaukee
- TMJ4: Milwaukee’s Rochambo Coffee Confronts Cost Increases
- Google Search: Milwaukee dining scene
- MKE with Kids: Afternoon Tea at The Pfister
- Google Scholar: Milwaukee restaurants
- Jsonline: New Milwaukee Bars and Restaurants
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Milwaukee food scene
- Jsonline: Ni Burmese Restaurant Opening in Bay View
- Google News: Milwaukee restaurants
Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
