The Wisconsin Fish Fry Tradition
The Friday fish fry dates back to Catholic dietary restrictions and was popularized by German and Polish immigrants in the 19th century. The Kashubes who settled on Jones Island were among the first to serve fried fish in taverns alongside local beer. Today, it's a beloved Wisconsin tradition served in taverns, restaurants, and church halls every Friday—and year-round in many spots.
Key Facts
- Topic
- Best Fish Fry in Milwaukee
- Top picks
- Lakefront Brewery, Steny's Tavern & Grill, St. Paul Fish Company, Swingin' Door Exchange, Kegel's Inn
Cross-reference verified against each venue's own website and Milwaukee press.
Best Overall Fish Fry
These spots deliver the complete fish fry experience: excellent fish, perfect sides, and authentic atmosphere.
Lakefront Brewery
The quintessential Milwaukee fish fry experience. Beer-battered Atlantic cod (2 or 3 piece), baked cod, hand-breaded whole bluegill, and a family-pack option — served alongside excellent craft beer. The Brewhaus Polka Kings play live Fridays 5:30–8:30 p.m., creating an atmosphere that's pure Wisconsin.
FISH OPTIONS
Beer-battered cod, baked cod, hand-breaded bluegill, fish tacos, fried-shrimp combo
SIDES
Seasoned fries, creamy coleslaw, tartar sauce, lemon wedge
INSIDER TIP
Limited reservations 4:00–4:30 p.m. and 6:00–6:30 p.m. — otherwise arrive by 5 p.m. or expect a wait. Multiple-year Shepherd Express Readers' Pick winner.
1872 N Commerce St, Milwaukee, WI 53212
Steny's Tavern & Grill
Walker's Point staple since 1985 with 326+ consecutive Friday fish fries on the board. Beer-battered Icelandic cod, pan-fried lake perch, and a famously good house tartar. The Steny's Bloody Mary was voted best in the city three years running.
FISH OPTIONS
Beer-battered Icelandic cod, baked cod, beer-battered or pan-fried lake perch, saucy shrimp
SIDES
Hand-cut fries, potato pancakes, Jamaican potato salad, sauteed veggies, cottage cheese, coleslaw, buttered marble rye
INSIDER TIP
The house tartar is exceptional — ask for extra. Pair the fish with the city's most-decorated Bloody Mary.
800 S 2nd St, Milwaukee, WI 53204
St. Paul Fish Company
The Milwaukee Public Market's fresh-fish counter with 246+ consecutive Friday fish fries on the books. Schlitz-battered cod is the signature; walleye, perch, grouper, and catfish round out the case. Casual counter service inside the market hall — not a tavern, not a white-tablecloth restaurant.
FISH OPTIONS
Schlitz-battered cod, walleye, perch, grouper, catfish
SIDES
Chips or fries, coleslaw, tartar — plus raw-bar oysters and lobster rolls available alongside
INSIDER TIP
Order the Schlitz-battered cod fish-and-chips, then take it upstairs to the Public Market mezzanine. Friday lunchtime is often the price-best window.
400 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Traditional Fish Fry Spots
Classic preparations in settings that have been serving fish fry for generations.
Swingin' Door Exchange
Downtown East Town saloon with 209+ consecutive Friday fish fries on the board. Icelandic cod (fried or baked, 2/3/4 piece, $9.50–$13.50) and lake perch ($13), plus a combo fry (2pc cod + 2pc perch + 3 shrimp, $16.50). Also runs the fish fry Saturday 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
FISH OPTIONS
Fried or baked Icelandic cod (2/3/4 pc), lake perch, combo fry (cod + perch + shrimp)
SIDES
Choice of housemade chips, fries, slaw, or soup; buttered marble rye; housemade tartar/cocktail. Substitutions include chili, chowder, spicy vermouth carrots, brussels sprouts, grilled beets
INSIDER TIP
One of the few downtown fish fries that also runs Saturday late-morning — great if you can't get a Friday slot.
219 E Michigan St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Kegel's Inn
A German-American institution since 1924, Kegel's serves a single-portion Friday fish fry that's a Milwaukee tradition. Old-world tavern charm, the original Kegel family recipes still on the menu, and the city's most well-known house potato pancakes alongside the fish.
FISH OPTIONS
Cod, lake perch (lightly breaded), walleye, grouper, jumbo shrimp
SIDES
Famous house potato pancakes, French fries, coleslaw, rye bread, tartar, lemon
INSIDER TIP
Reservations are essential — Friday nights pack out. Order the lake perch with potato pancakes for the most-Wisconsin plate, and don't skip the German specialties (schnitzel, sauerbraten) if you have room.
5901 W National Ave, West Allis, WI 53214
Serb Hall
Iconic South Side hall serving the city's signature hand-breaded Serbian-style cod since 1950. Single-portion dinners across three preparations: square-cut Icelandic cod, hand-breaded Atlantic cod (fried or baked), and the signature Serbian-style Atlantic cod in tomato sauce with peppers, onions, and garlic. Dine-in, drive-thru, and walk-up windows on Fridays 3:30–8:30 p.m.
FISH OPTIONS
Icelandic cod (2/3 pc, $15.95/$18.95), hand-breaded Atlantic cod fried or baked (2/3 pc, $13.95/$15.95), Serbian-style Atlantic cod in tomato sauce (2/3 pc, $14.95/$16.95)
SIDES
Choice of potato (French fries, garlic mashed, or Serbian potato salad), Serb Hall coleslaw, salted marble rye with butter, fresh lemon, tartar. House potato pancakes $2 each à la carte
INSIDER TIP
Order the hand-breaded Serbian-style cod — it's the signature and the dish locals make the drive for. (Some older guides label Serb Hall as all-you-can-eat — it isn't; the menu is fixed 2- or 3-piece dinners.)
5101 W Oklahoma Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53219
Neighborhood Fish Fry
Local taverns where the fish fry is a weekly community gathering.
Erv's Mug
Family-owned, women-owned Oak Creek tavern since 1979 (daughter Danielle now at the helm). The fish fry runs Wednesdays and Fridays — 3-piece dinners. Lake perch is the signature, with a "crackly golden shell" praised by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, OnMilwaukee, Shepherd Express, and TMJ4.
FISH OPTIONS
Beer-battered cod, baked cod, tilapia, lake perch (beer-battered or lightly floured), yellowfin tuna, walleye pike, calamari, shrimp
SIDES
Soup, coleslaw, rye bread, choice of potato
INSIDER TIP
Order the lake perch — it's what they're known for. Wednesday is the lower-traffic night if Friday is too booked. Note: Oak Creek is south of Milwaukee proper — plan ~20 minutes from downtown.
130 W Ryan Rd, Oak Creek, WI 53154
Maxie's Southern Comfort
A Southern/Cajun-Creole spin on the Milwaukee Friday fish fry. Single-portion beer-battered fresh haddock ($19.95) with Cajun waffle fries and house-made cornbread instead of the usual rye and potato pancakes. Maxie's reopened after a 2026 refresh with the haddock fish fry intact.
FISH OPTIONS
Beer-battered fresh haddock
SIDES
Creamy coleslaw, house-made tartar, Cajun waffle fries, house-made cornbread
INSIDER TIP
Pair with the $2 oyster happy hour for a Cajun-meets-Wisconsin seafood night.
6732 W Fairview Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53213
Barnacle Bud's
Dockside Bay View patio with a "Key West in Milwaukee" vibe — at its best in warm months. The Friday fish fry includes cod, perch, grouper, catfish, smelt, and clam strips, plus coconut shrimp. Closed Mon–Wed; open Thu–Sat 11 a.m.–9 p.m. and Sun 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
FISH OPTIONS
Cod, perch, grouper, catfish, smelt, clam strips, coconut shrimp
SIDES
Coleslaw, French fries, rye bread with butter, Friday clam chowder
INSIDER TIP
Get the Grouper Reuben (cult favorite). Patio fills fast on warm Fridays — get there early.
1955 S Hilbert Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207
Upscale Fish Fry
Elevated takes on the tradition for special Friday occasions.
Harbor House
Bartolotta's New England-style fine-dining restaurant with sweeping Lake Michigan views from the downtown lakefront. The Friday fish fry rotates with the seasonal menu — call ahead for the specific fish that week. White-tablecloth upscale; this is not a tavern fish fry.
FISH OPTIONS
Rotating seasonal fish — call (414) 395-4900 to confirm the Friday menu
SIDES
Elevated New England-style accompaniments; rotates with the season
INSIDER TIP
Request a lakeside table when you reserve — the view is the whole point. Open Mon–Thu 5–9 p.m., Fri–Sun 11 a.m.–2 p.m. and 5–9 p.m.
550 N Harbor Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Three Brothers
James Beard Award-winning Serbian dinner-house in a historic 1897 Schlitz tavern building since 1956. Not a traditional Wisconsin fish fry — the menu's fish dishes (Atlantic cod, square-cut Icelandic cod, and the signature Serbian-style fish in tomato sauce with peppers and garlic) are part of a full Serbian dinner-house menu, not a Friday-only special.
FISH OPTIONS
Atlantic cod, square-cut Icelandic cod, Serbian-style fish in tomato sauce
SIDES
Serbian dinner-house sides — typically rice, vegetables, Serbian-style accompaniments. Not the classic Milwaukee fish fry plate.
INSIDER TIP
Reservations strongly recommended — the dining room is small. Order off the full Serbian menu, not just the fish — the room is the experience. Open Wed–Fri 5–9 p.m., Sat–Sun 4–9 p.m.
2414 S St Clair St, Milwaukee, WI 53207
More Milwaukee Food Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Wisconsin Friday fish fry?
The Friday fish fry is a beloved Wisconsin tradition with origins in Catholic dietary restrictions and German/Polish immigrant heritage. A classic fish fry includes beer-battered or breaded fish (usually cod or perch), potato pancakes or fries, coleslaw, rye bread, and tartar sauce. It's served at taverns, restaurants, and church halls across the state every Friday.
What fish is used in a Milwaukee fish fry?
Traditional Milwaukee fish fries feature cod (most common), lake perch (a Wisconsin favorite), haddock, walleye, or bluegill. Cod is typically beer-battered, while perch is often breaded. Lake perch is considered more premium and authentic to the Wisconsin tradition.
What comes with a fish fry in Milwaukee?
A complete Milwaukee fish fry includes the fried fish, potato pancakes (German influence) or french fries, creamy coleslaw, rye bread with butter, tartar sauce, and often a lemon wedge. Some places also serve applesauce. Beer is the traditional beverage pairing.
Where is the best fish fry in Milwaukee?
Top fish fry spots include Lakefront Brewery (classic experience with live polka), Steny's Tavern & Grill (excellent beer batter, 326+ Friday fish fries running), St. Paul Fish Company at the Milwaukee Public Market (Schlitz-battered cod fish-and-chips), Kegel's Inn (German-American since 1924, famous house potato pancakes), Serb Hall (iconic hand-breaded Serbian-style cod since 1950), and Swingin' Door Exchange (downtown East Town saloon, also serves Saturday). The best fish fry often depends on whether you prefer atmosphere, quality fish, or a specific style.
Is fish fry only on Fridays in Milwaukee?
While Friday is traditional (due to Catholic no-meat Fridays), many Milwaukee restaurants serve fish fry throughout the week. However, the full Friday night fish fry experience—with the crowds, the atmosphere, and often live music—is specifically a Friday tradition.
Do any Milwaukee fish fry spots offer all-you-can-eat?
None of the spots featured on this guide currently offer all-you-can-eat. Serb Hall and Kegel's Inn — the two Milwaukee venues most commonly associated with AYCE — both serve single-portion Friday fish fry dinners only (2-piece or 3-piece, roughly $13–$19). AYCE Friday fish fry in the broader Milwaukee area is more common at suburban supper-club venues; if all-you-can-eat is the priority, call ahead to confirm — fish-fry formats shift with ownership changes and operating costs.
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