5 Milwaukee Rooftop Patios to Visit This Summer

Delicious food, warm summer breezes, city views and good company make for an unforgettable outing. Visit these rooftops in Milwaukee to take patio dining to the next level (literally).

The Outsider

Located on the roof of the Kimpton Journeyman Hotel in the stylish Historic Third Ward, The Outsider is a chic indoor/outdoor space with a one-of-a-kind view of Milwaukee’s skyline. Get cozy on cabana-style seating while you enjoy cleverly crafted cocktails and tasty, sharable bar bites. On summer weekends, you just might find an afternoon barbecue or shuffleboard tournament in full swing, and fire pits will help keep the party going long after the sun goes down.

Red Lion Pub

This refined alehouse has brought the best of the UK across the pond to Milwaukee. Surrounded by greenery, the rooftop patio is the perfect place for a few pints, classic pub fare and a quick game of poolball — imagine pool played with soccer balls (or, as the Brits would say, footballs). British Brunch is served every Saturday and Sunday, so stop in for a full English breakfast, bangers and all.

Braise Restaurant

Enjoy fresh, seasonal fare at Braise, which features ingredients from over 40 Wisconsin farms. Chef/owner Dave Swanson has been nominated several times for the James Beard Award’s Best Chef Midwest. The rooftop garden, where chefs grow vegetables and herbs, also serves as patio space during the warmer months. From baking their own bread to butchering their own meat, everything at Braise is hand-crafted, local and of course, delicious.

Café Benelux

Inspired by the grand cafes of the Lowlands Region of Europe, Cafe Benelux serves up European favorites like frites, mussels and waffles. A whole book is required to list the extensive selection of beers, but don’t be intimidated — all Benelux staff take “bier classes” and are happy to make recommendations. As if the menu weren’t enough to make Benelux a top brunch spot, the rooftop patio certainly seals the deal. It’s the ideal place to take in some summer sun and enjoy one of the inventive bloody marys Milwaukee is known for. 

And the fun doesn’t stop in the winter. When the air gets crisp, you and your group can still enjoy Cafe Benelux’s patio by dining in their magical heated domes that twinkle under the night sky.

Pizza Man

Serving up classic Milwaukee-style thin-crust pizza since 1970, Pizza Man offers inventive specialty pies and an impressive wine list that’s been recognized by Wine Spectator every year since 1989.

Have you ever tried cream cheese on a pizza before? Trust us, it’s a game changer. At the East Side location, you can share a few slices while watching the excitement of Downer Avenue below from the beautiful second-floor atrium and elevated patio.

Keep the fun going and explore more of Milwaukee by visiting these breweries!