The Milwaukee Public Market is where locals and visitors meet over lunch, and it is the natural starting point for exploring the Historic Third Ward, the old warehouse district on the south side of downtown. The market sits at 400 North Water Street, and its vendors cover the essentials of a Wisconsin pantry and a good lunch. St. Paul Fish Company is famous for its seafood counter, West Allis Cheese and Sausage Shoppe sells the cheese you came to Wisconsin for, The Spice House stocks spices and blends, and Anodyne Coffee opens early. There are prepared-food stalls for empanadas, barbecue, Thai and sushi, Middle Eastern and Mexican food, plus a bakery, a candy shop, a wine bar and a draft beer bar. Upstairs, the Palm Garden has seating where you can eat what you have bought. Outside, the Third Ward rewards a slow wander: red-brick warehouses now hold galleries, boutiques and restaurants, and the Milwaukee Riverwalk runs along the water, leading north past the Bronze Fonz, the much-photographed statue of the Happy Days character. Entry to the market and the neighborhood is free.
Planning the visit: the market is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 8pm and Sunday from 10am to 6pm, with Anodyne Coffee opening at 7am and a few vendors starting at 11am. Check the market website for Thanksgiving and holiday hours. Parking is available near the market, and The Hop streetcar, which remains free to ride, stops in the Historic Third Ward and connects it with downtown, the Intermodal Station for Amtrak and the lakefront.
How to do it: arrive between 11am and noon, before the office lunch rush, to get a table in the Palm Garden. Share a few dishes from different stalls rather than committing to one, and pick up spices or cheese to take home. The market is also the meeting point for some walking tours and a good place to wait out bad weather.
Beyond the market: spend an hour walking the Third Ward afterward. Head along the Riverwalk to see the river and the bridges, look into the galleries and independent shops, and finish at one of the neighborhood bars or restaurants. In summer the Henry Maier Festival Park, home of Summerfest, sits just to the east; in late autumn the area is quieter and easier to explore.
What to expect
The experience
A busy indoor food hall with produce, fish, cheese and prepared-food stalls, upstairs seating and the warehouse streets of the Third Ward outside.
Best time
Late morning on a weekday, before the lunch crowd, or a relaxed weekend afternoon.
How long
An hour for lunch in the market and another hour to walk the Third Ward and the Riverwalk.
Tips
Share dishes from several stalls, use the Palm Garden upstairs for seating, and take The Hop streetcar rather than hunting for parking.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Everyone, as an easy lunch stop and a base for exploring the Historic Third Ward.
- Families
- Lots of choice for picky eaters, a candy shop and space to sit upstairs make it an easy family lunch.
- Couples
- Lunch in the market, a stroll on the Riverwalk and a glass of wine at the market wine bar.
- Pair with
- The Milwaukee Art Museum on the lakefront and an evening food or ghost tour.
- Time needed
- One to two hours, longer if you browse the Third Ward shops.
Good questions
What are the Milwaukee Public Market hours?+
It is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 8pm and Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Anodyne Coffee opens at 7am.
Is it free to visit the Milwaukee Public Market?+
Yes, entry is free and you pay only for what you buy. Seating is available upstairs in the Palm Garden.
What should I eat at the Milwaukee Public Market?+
St. Paul Fish Company is the best-known counter, and West Allis Cheese and Sausage Shoppe is the place for Wisconsin cheese. There are also stalls for empanadas, barbecue, Thai and Middle Eastern food.
How do I get to the Milwaukee Public Market?+
It is at 400 North Water Street in the Historic Third Ward. The Hop streetcar stops in the Third Ward and is free to ride.
Where is the Bronze Fonz?+
The statue stands on the Milwaukee Riverwalk downtown, a short walk north of the Third Ward. It is a popular photo stop on city tours.
