
Goodkind
A vibrant corner tavern in Bay View offering inventive New American cuisine and a celebrated craft cocktail program in a stylish art-deco setting.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

Goodkind

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A vibrant corner tavern in Bay View offering inventive New American cuisine and a celebrated craft cocktail program in a stylish art-deco setting.
"Easily one of the best restaurants in all of Milwaukee, impressing on every count."
Make Reservations
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for Saturday nights, to avoid long waits.
Try Quieter Evenings
For a more relaxed dining experience, consider visiting on less busy weeknights.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
New American
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Inventive Craft Cocktails
Creative and delicious cocktails with unique ingredients like Manchego-washed gin and hibiscus-infused mezcal. [^M1, ^M9]

Spicy Crab Bucatini
A signature dish praised for its perfect spiciness and rich flavor.

Hip Art-Deco Vibe
An easygoing tavern setting with a unique, cozy, and inviting atmosphere. [^D1, ^R2, ^R6]
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Make Reservations
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for Saturday nights, to avoid long waits.
Try Quieter Evenings
For a more relaxed dining experience, consider visiting on less busy weeknights.
Explore Seasonal Dishes
The menu changes seasonally, so look out for unique and unconventional dishes.
Consider Chef's Table
Sitting at the chef's table offers a special view of the food preparation process.
Tips
from all over the internet
Make Reservations
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for Saturday nights, to avoid long waits.
Try Quieter Evenings
For a more relaxed dining experience, consider visiting on less busy weeknights.
Explore Seasonal Dishes
The menu changes seasonally, so look out for unique and unconventional dishes.
Consider Chef's Table
Sitting at the chef's table offers a special view of the food preparation process.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Goodkind is celebrated for its inventive cuisine, especially the signature Spicy Crab Bucatini, and its unique, hip art-deco atmosphere. Many praise the creative craft cocktails and the warm, inviting ambiance, making it a popular spot for dates and gatherings. However, some diners have noted that the noise level and table spacing can be less than optimal during peak times, and a few have found the creative dishes to lack refinement, with spice or sauce overwhelming the intended flavors.
"6 of us went for dinner at Goodkind. We ordered a handful of small and large plates (oysters, Caesar salad, fries, halibut, spicy crab pasta, pork belly, Amish chicken, and the chocolate cake). Overall, the food was excellent. Good portion sizes, well spaced, and delicious. The spicy crab pasta was the crowd favorite. We sat near the kitchen, which was a bit more crowded than I expected, but overall we had an excellent time and great meal."
Jason Shah
"First time here. And we were very impressed (mostly).
Make a reservation and got in right away. It was early Saturday night and the place was full. It's an interesting layout and design. Has a hip, art-deco vibe going on. Nicely lit and lot of interesting items to check out (wallpaper, plants, vases, etc). What we also noticed right away was both the noise level and how close the tables are.
Our server got to us right away, and did an amazing job the entire night, checking in, clearing plates, getting drinks, and hot water my the tea. Thanks Eric!
We got the Brussel Sprout Salad, along with the Meatballs, and Trout. All were excellent. Lot of flavors, textures, and good portions. I would say that it is the best Pan Seared Trout that I have ever had.
Didn't have room for dessert, but maybe next time.
Would love to come back. But the crowding of the tables, and the noise level, was less than optimal. Felt like we were part of 3 different conversations. It was a little hard to ignore. We might try another night, other than a busy Saturday night."
Scott W
"My new favorite restaurant in MKE! The food was divine and delicious—the mezzaluna pasta and the cod fillet were stand-outs for sure! The service was also amazing, our server was so kind. The ambience is so cozy, perfect for a Sunday night dinner or date night. Also, the butterfly pea flower gin and tonic is one of the best cocktails I've ever had!"
Francessca Magyar
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The Spicy Crab Bucatini is a highly recommended signature dish. Other popular items include oysters, pan-seared trout, and various seasonal creations.
While the restaurant has a lively atmosphere, some diners find the noise level and table spacing to be a bit much during peak hours.
Yes, Goodkind is renowned for its inventive and delicious craft cocktail program, with unique ingredients and creative names.
Absolutely! The cozy, art-deco vibe and delicious food make it a perfect spot for a date night.
Yes, Goodkind is known for its fantastic brunch fare, with changing seasonal specials and popular staples like French toast sticks.
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for weekend evenings, to secure a table.
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Bay View Cozy restaurant with unique cocktail programThough a restaurant first, Goodkind's bar is pumping out some of the most creative and delicious cocktails in the city, thanks to bar manager Katie Rose. The horseshoe bar takes up half the space of the quaint dining room, reminding customers that they better order a drink. Ingredients like celery bitters, cilantro water, and apricot garam masala syrup make for unique, complex drinks with fanciful names like In the Rain on Royal St -- our favorite -- and Harvey Moyman, Esquire III.
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Goodkind has been leading Milwaukee’s modern cocktail charge since 2015 and its ever-changing drink list, which often highlights seasonal Midwestern ingredients, is as interesting and diverse as its dining menu. Belly up to the long wood bar set below a vintage tin ceiling for the classic spicy crab pasta or smoked whitefish tartine. Wash those down with a glass of the winter sangria, a mushroom Mai Tai or a Quebec cocktail with Four Roses bourbon, Rittenhouse rye, Fernet, maple syrup and lemon.
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For late night drinks, Ahn favors Goodkind, a former blacksmith shop turned corner tavern tucked away in Milwaukee’s Bay View neighborhood near the shores of Lake Michigan.
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Hit up one of the hot restaurants here (Odd Duck or Goodkind are two that have opened within the past few years, with farm-to-table fare and many shareable small plates). After dinner, either order drinks at At Random, a throwback cocktail lounge serving ice-cream drinks and other retro concoctions, complete with leather half-moon-shaped booths, dim lights and Sinatra’s tunes; or check out the theater. The Avalon Theater reopened along South Kinnickinnic Avenue (the neighborhood’s main drag) within the last two years, showing first-run movies in a completely refurbished—but still historic—environment. You can even order food and drinks and have them brought to your seat.
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Tucked away in Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood near the shores of Lake Michigan, Goodkind is an inviting restaurant and corner tavern that takes a modern approach to farm-to-fork cuisine and casual restaurant New American fare. Set within an old, beloved residential building in a comfortable renovated space with contemporary décor, Goodkind specializes in creative appetizers, succulent rotisserie meats, fresh salads and vegetables from local farms, and house-made cocktails. Goodkind focuses on a casual approach and a delicate pairing of food and drinks with the goal of creating a symbiotic relationship between the kitchen and bar.
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Goodkind: Goodkind brought back Salisbury steak so well at brunch in summer, I wondered why the dish ever left American menus: a hefty patty of top-notch beef draped in oyster mushroom-onion gravy and two eggs. But the menu changes like the weather; so long, Salisbury steak, mighty blueberry cornmeal coffee cake and black currant pancakes. But that means other delights join the Sunday fun, and the menu does have staples — lately, French toast sticks with hazelnut brittle, caramel and chocolate sauce and Croque Madame over a polenta cake.Try the fizzy Get Out of My Room, Mom!.
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**Two summers back, following more than three years of prosperity in Milwaukee fine dining, Goodkind decided to spread the delicious things happening under its roof to the concrete outside the restaurant. Local woodworker Christopher Brooks and co-owner/head mixologist Katie Rose built the amazing tables and benches that line the buisness’ southern side by hand. Add brand new planter boxes, decorative bourbon barrels, and the soothing serenity of a quiet segment of Bay View and you have yourself one damn fine patio.
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Goodkind: A quaint little restaurant tucked away in Bay View, Goodkind has the perfect atmosphere for enjoying a glass of wine and conversing with friends over some small plates. With a kitchen that stays open until 1 A.M., Goodkind makes for a great late night destination for those who are hungry as well as thirsty. Stop in on a Tuesday to enjoy the Goodkind Burger, which made our list of “Must Try Burgers”, or on a Monday for half priced bottles of wine, another great excuse to drag a friend with you.
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Goodkind, the Bay View neighborhood restaurant run by Jacobs’ friends Paul Zerkel and Lisa Kirkpatrick, is also home to “an extremely interesting cocktail program,” says the chef. Led by their partner Katie Rose, they’re known for creative cocktails that incorporate ingredients like Manchego-washed gin, or hibiscus-infused mezcal. Some highlights on the ever-changing food menu, according to Jacobs, include linguine alla carbonara, and chicken.
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Goodkind is one of those restaurants that just seem to do everything really well. With its neighborhood feel tucked away in Bay View, to the spacious and comfortable bar with excellent cocktails, and of course, the fantastic service and food, Goodkind manage to impress on just about every count. The restaurant also happens to be a favorite with industry insiders and not only serves up excellent dinner but also fantastic brunch fare.
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For a long time, the goal of married chefs Paul Zerkel and Lisa Kirkpatrick was to “open something small.” In this barnwood-wrapped building amid the little lot lines of residential Bay View, they seem to have it. This time of year, the dining room is especially cozy. It wraps around the bar, with the western-most tables close enough to the kitchen to feel the anchoring heat from the meat roasting on the Rotisol rotisserie.
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This time with the weather really turning towards the warmth and the @bucks steamrolling... Nestled near the shores of Lake Michigan in the Bay View neighborhood, Goodkind is a wonderful bar and restaurant that takes good food and drink seriously. This upscale, casual restaurant is renowned for its amazing rotisserie meats and mouthwatering cocktails, and the kitchen is open until 1 a.m.
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This is where my green goddess dip recipe idea is from.Goodkind – Meat forward farm to fork restaurant with a really extensive drinks offering. 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.
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The little Bohemian chic Goodkind hidden in Bay View has one of the best bar programs around, thanks to bar master (she's a master, guys)Katie Rose. Her cocktails are complex, balanced, playful and utilize the latest trendy spirits. Homemade syrups and tonics abound, like peppercorn chai syrup,bay leaf and thyme tincture, and matcha tea infused honey.
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Walk through the doors at this cozy, bustling Bay View tavern and you'll instantly feel at home. The space is narrow and intimate, with warm wood accents and gorgeous floral wallpaper. And the menu hits strong on elevated comfort too: Think fennel-rubbed spare ribs or a swirling mountain of the signature spicy crab pasta.
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And such it is with Goodkind where the people are as delightful as the fare. It’s among my favorite spots to sidle up to the bar with a friend for a later-than-average dinner. And thanks to their equally excellent seasonally driven cocktail menu, it’s also one of my favorite spots for drinks and noshes.
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Why It’s a Must: By night, Goodkind is a sophisticated spot for dinner and craft cocktails. Come the weekend, it transforms into a brunch oasis that puts a fresh spin on classic dishes. Locally sourced ingredients and an inventive kitchen mean you’re likely to see new items each time you visit.
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Fido is welcome to join you on the dog-friendly patio at Goodkind, a modern tavern in Milwaukee, WI. Enjoy dinner or Sunday brunch and choose from dishes such as Raspberry Point Oysters, Roasted Duck Breast, Spicy Crab Pasta, and Blueberry & Whipped Chevre Tartlet.
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Co-owners Paul Zerkel, Lisa Kirkpatrick, and chef-prodigy Katie Rose have made Goodkind into the city’s most approachable chef hangout. It’s got the drinks of a dive bar and the duck confit of a prix fixe, all delivered without a trace of condescension.
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Goodkind was a semifinalist for the Outstanding Bar Program award in 2022. Co-owner Katie Rose is the driving force behind Goodkind’s expertise at pairing the perfect cocktail with chef and co-owner Paul Zerkel’s seasonal Americana cuisine.
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2457 S Wentworth AveMilwaukee, WI 53207(414) 763-4706 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. There’s more to this cozy tavern on South Wentworth Avenue than its wines, beers, and cocktails.
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Goodkind, a romantic and cool cocktail bar with late night food, is perfect for date night with your significant other. This restaurant is located at 2457 S Wentworth Ave.Goodkind Facebook
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- Rating: 4.1/5 (309 reviews)- Price level: $$- Address: 2457 South Wentworth Ave. Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Categories: Bars, Soul Food, New American- Read more on Yelp
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Snuggled in the Bay View neighborhood, anticipate a relaxing vibe while you explore a vast array of wines, topped off with a half-off deal on Sundays.
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2457 S Wentworth Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207Phone: 414-763-4706 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by goodkind (@goodkindbayview)
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