
La Merenda
A vibrant tapas bar serving globally inspired small plates in a colorful, renovated space with an outdoor bar. Perfect for sharing.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

La Merenda

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A vibrant tapas bar serving globally inspired small plates in a colorful, renovated space with an outdoor bar. Perfect for sharing.
"The food here was spectacular from start to finish. Every single dish was seasoned and cooked to perfection!"
Book Ahead for Busy Times
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for weekend evenings. Plan your visit in advance.
Share & Explore Flavors
Order multiple dishes to share with your group and experience a wide array of global tastes.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Eclectic / Fusion Tapas
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Globally Inspired Small Plates
Embark on a culinary journey with diverse small plates from Spain, Indonesia, Colombia, and Italy.

Unique Dish Creations
Experience culinary artistry with dishes like belly pork and polenta or coconut mashed potatoes.

Moody Yet Unpretentious Atmosphere
Enjoy a unique ambiance, perfect for special occasions or a relaxed casual dining experience.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Ahead for Busy Times
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for weekend evenings. Plan your visit in advance.
Share & Explore Flavors
Order multiple dishes to share with your group and experience a wide array of global tastes.
Seek Server Recommendations
Don't hesitate to ask your server for their favorite dishes or personalized recommendations.
Explore Diverse Wine List
Discover unique wine selections from regions not commonly found in Milwaukee.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Ahead for Busy Times
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for weekend evenings. Plan your visit in advance.
Share & Explore Flavors
Order multiple dishes to share with your group and experience a wide array of global tastes.
Seek Server Recommendations
Don't hesitate to ask your server for their favorite dishes or personalized recommendations.
Explore Diverse Wine List
Discover unique wine selections from regions not commonly found in Milwaukee.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Diners rave about La Merenda's spectacular, globally inspired small plates, with every dish seasoned to perfection. The restaurant's moody yet unpretentious atmosphere, coupled with prompt and attentive service, makes it a standout experience. While most reviews are overwhelmingly positive, some minor critiques occasionally mention dishes like Argentinian beef being served undercooked initially.
"A different lunch experience. The menu is international tapas which allows you to try multiple unique dishes. Loved the belly pork with polenta and the dish with coconut mashed potatoes (sounds strange but was delicious). I’d love to go back one evening when it’s busy."
Sarah
"Visited Milwaukee for our anniversary and this restaurant was recommended online, as well by a local server from our lunch spot. Everything was delicious! The octopus was our favorite and we are still talking about our meal! Also appreciated that it had a moody atmosphere without feeling pretentious. Casual clothing is OK :)"
Lori Black
"Nice Tapas restaurant. Recommended by a client. Each dish was unique and tasted great. My favorite was the beef empanada. We didn't take a picture of every dish because we were enjoying the food too much! See photos of the first round.
Unassuming on the store front. Back patio had fresh flowers. Neat little place"
Larry Manz
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
La Merenda offers a diverse range of globally inspired small plates and tapas from countries like Spain, Indonesia, Colombia, and Italy.
Yes, it's highly recommended to make reservations, especially for busy evenings and weekends, to ensure you get a table.
Absolutely! La Merenda specializes in small plates, making it ideal for sharing and sampling a variety of flavors with your dining companions.
Yes, La Merenda offers vegetarian options and mentions a secret vegetarian menu that can be requested. Gluten-free options are also noted.
The restaurant boasts a moody yet unpretentious atmosphere, described as colorful and lively, suitable for both special occasions and casual nights out.
Yes, La Merenda features a cool, shady patio and an outdoor bar, which is especially enjoyable when the weather is nice.
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The 22 Best Restaurants In Milwaukee - Milwaukee
This Walker’s Point restaurant has dishes from all around the globe, with top-notch ingredients sourced from local farms. The menu rotates extremely often, but you’ll find things like Roman pork belly with polenta, where the tender pork comes from Maple Creek Farms, or saucy butter chicken using birds from Alden Hills. The wine list is what makes it a date night staple, though: they have a bunch of pours from regions you won’t typically find in Milwaukee.
15 Best Restaurants in Milwaukee
If you’re ever indecisive about what you want to eat for dinner, La Merenda is the answer (especially if you like to share). One of the initial restaurants to open in the trendy Walker’s Point neighborhood, it was a key source of attraction for hungry suburbanites. With small plates from around the world, its tapas is as varied as its guests and furnishings: No two items are the same.
25 Best Places to Visit in Milwaukee on a Date
La Merenda is a vibrant spot on National Avenue that serves globally inspired small plates and tapas, local beers and casual wines in a relaxed and friendly environment. Located in a brightly decorated renovated woodworking shop in Milwaukee's historic Walker's Point, the laid-back eatery boasts eclectic décor to reflect the multi-cultural menu with restored and stained antique tables and chairs, a concrete, walnut base and Italian ceramic tile bar, a cool, shady patio and outdoor bar with a fireplace. Celebrating the Italian custom of gathering to share food and drink amongst friends and family, the eatery serves a menu of small plates from around the world such as Spanish Patatas Bravas, Indonesian Sambal Goreng Udang, authentic Colombian empanadas, and Italian antipasti.
Rated: Top 22 Best Restaurants in Milwaukee
Well before small plates and internationally inspired cuisine was popular, La Merenda quietly opened in the Walker’s Point neighborhood and has been pleasing customers with stellar food ever since. The restaurant features a lively bar in the front of the house and a spacious, comfortable dining room in the back. With a great cocktail and wine list, if there is one restaurant in Milwaukee to order up a bottle of wine, relax, and take ample time trying a variety of tapas-style plates, it would be La Marenda.
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I’ve heard they have a secret vegetarian menu that one can request, definitely want to check that out.La Merenda – Small plates, tapas restaurant. I’ve been here many times, everyone loves it and for good reason, everything is delicious. They are very local focused and the food always tastes amazing.Maxies – Serving southern food and oysters…AND…they just so happen to have locations in Ithaca (where I went to grad school) and here in Milwaukee (where I now live) and I’ve been to both!
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Do NOT make the mistake of passing this spot by; La Merenda doesn’t look like much from the outside, but this colorful tapas bar has tons of unique, globally-inspired small plates packed with flavor hiding inside!. There’s a little bit of everything offered on La Merenda’s menu: Colombian Empanadas, rich Italian Lamb Brosato, Spanish Patatas Bravas, Indian Butter Chicken, French Crepes… we could go on and on. It really is one of the most diverse (and delicious) menus in Milwaukee!.
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La Merenda: A casual tapas bar and restaurant that focuses on regional and international cuisine, La Merenda offers a perfect space for friends to gather and share plates and bottles of wines. The name, “La Merenda”, translates to “early snack”, an Italian tradition of an evening social gathering of friends and family, during which drinks and food are shared. Wine is sold by the glass and by the bottle, including house wines all listed at $5 a glass.
Best of Milwaukee 2020 Winners: Dining Out
Saz’s State House offers carryout and delivery options so guests can still enjoy the rich offerings on the menu. Besides the entrées featuring the award-winning baby back ribs (served with their signature sauce, as well as house-made slaw or mac and cheese) and barbecue wings, clients can order half or full rack ribs a la carte to complement other dishes. Other favorites include cheese curds, burgers, Tex-Mex and a large variety of cocktails.
Top Restaurants in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Located right in the heart of Milwaukee, this Tapas restaurant lets you savor all the unique flavors of the city. La Merenda is a Colorful spot with an outdoor bar & a menu of globally inspired small plates, local beers & wine in 125 E National Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53204, recommended by Milwaukee's top chefs and various culinary sites. Give us a ring at (414) 389-0125 and dine at one of the best local restaurants in the area!
Best Dish MKE - Best Desserts in Milwaukee
We've mentioned La Merenda on many of our lists, including Essential Milwaukee, Best Bites, and our Tapas list, and we know just by talking with all of you that it is a unanimous favorite. The good thing about La Merenda is that with their generous selection of globe-trotting small plates, you're never going to have a bad meal. You're also never going to want to skip out on dessert.
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With small plates and a seasonal menu, La Merenda sources local ingredients and offers a casual, eclectic environment. Nowhere else can you travel the globe in one meal, hitting Italy, Wisconsin, Spain, Colombia, Mexico, Poland, Peru, Indonesia, India, Spain, Vietnam, Argentina, France, and Malaysia in one menu. Go with a group, and try as much as you can.
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La Merendatakes diners on a global culinary journey with its diverse selection of small plates inspired by various cuisines. Located in a refurbished Cream City brick building, the restaurant’s warm ambiance perfectly complements its vibrant dishes. Popular choices include the Moroccan lamb meatballs, the Argentine empanadas, and the Italian risotto.
8 date night restaurants downtown Milwaukee
This Milwaukee restaurant located in the Fifth Ward was inspired by an Italian custom of early evening socializing and gathering to share food and drink. The menu consists of small plates from around the world such as Italy, Indonesia, Mexico, Spain, Japan, Argentina, Canada, and more!. Can’t decide on which cuisine you’ll want for date night?
Best Outdoor Restaurants in Milwaukee, WI
La Merenda serves seasonal dishes inspired by international cuisine that are made up of mostly locally sourced ingredients. This tapas hotspot is a favorite because of its cute little patio that feels as if it's a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It's quiet and cozy and feels more like a garden than a patio.
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I find experiences to be the best type of dates, so trying a new cuisine with your date is sure to give you great memories!. La Merenda is an amazing tapas restaurant, serving you up a unique cultural experience. Order a few dishes to share and have loads to talk about with all the amazing flavors and drinks you’re trying!
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The Vibe: Like a secret garden, the patio is behind the dining room in this neighborhood’s industrial corridor. Walled off from the street noise, it’s a romantic oasis, too. On the Menu: With a tapas-style menu that changes daily (based on what’s in season), options at lunch and dinner represent global eclecticism.
A sweet so long to Dining Month: Our favorite desserts
The BEST dessert in Milwaukee is hands down the Irish Car Bomb Cake at La Merenda. This delectable cake is soaked – literally – in Guinness, Bailey's Irish Creme and a few other amazingly tasty things, all topped with a cream cheese frosting that ALSO has Bailey's in it. It is heaven on a plate.
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THIS WALKER’S POINT alfresco space comes alive during these short, precious months. The build-out for this space includes a pergola-shaded dining area and seating that offers more rays. There’s also an eightstool outdoor bar and a lounge area, next to a fireplace, for socializing and imbibing.
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Location: Walker’s PointThis beloved small plates restaurant with tons of gluten-free options. The global flavors and thoughtful service make it a great choice for a celebratory dinner or night out. The gf tag on their menu means the dish itself is prepared without wheat or gluten.
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125 E National AveMilwaukee, WI 53204(414) 389-0125 Visit Website Open in Google Maps. With a name that literally translates to “early snack” in Italian, this dining spot is one of the top Milwaukee restaurants that serve incredible global plates in a laid-back space.
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La Merenda is a tapas bar and restaurant located in an historic area of Milwaukee called Walker’s Point. This restaurant will give you a regional and international taste with local brews to South American wines. They buy and serve locally raised organic foods.
Spending a Weekend in Milwaukee
While we didn’t have a chance to eat at La Merenda, this came from the same person who recommended Odd Duck so I definitely trust it!. You can also check out this post on Instagram for some crowd-sourced recommendations!
Milwaukee restaurants for that first date or anniversary
La Merenda — The casual small-plates restaurant is as good for a first date as it is for groups. Local ingredients plus La Merenda’s versions of global dishes help keep the restaurant perpetually popular.
❤️ Tapas Restaurant in Milwaukee Wisconsin June 10, 2022 at
❤️ Share on Facebook - Tweet - RedditRated: 4.5 Stars $$.Address:125 E National Ave Milwaukee, WI 53204. Phone:(414) 389-0125Specialties: Tapas Bars ⏩ Tapas Small Plates ⏩. ⭐ Reviews - ⭐ Write A Review
Highest-rated Fine Dining Restaurants in Milwaukee by Diners
- Rating: 4.4/5 (760 reviews)- Price level: $$- Address: 125 East National Ave. Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Categories: Tapas Bars, Tapas/Small Plates- Read more on Yelp
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The food you find at La Merenda is like nothing you've seen before, and yet, we're loving it. This restaurant is located at 125 E National Ave.La Merenda Facebook
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125 E National Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53204Phone: 414-389-0125 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by La Merenda Milwaukee (@lamerenda125)
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I hear La Merenda | Bar & International Tapas ~ Milwaukee, Wisconsin is just outstanding a couple of blocks from my building and yet to try it.
La Merenda: A Culinary Journey Through Eclectic Tapas
Experience the vibrant flavors of La Merenda in Milwaukee – an eclectic tapas bar offering global cuisine in a lively setting.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit