Lupi & Iris
A chic Mediterranean restaurant in downtown Milwaukee, celebrated for its upscale ambiance, exquisite cuisine, and exceptional service.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Lupi & Iris
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A chic Mediterranean restaurant in downtown Milwaukee, celebrated for its upscale ambiance, exquisite cuisine, and exceptional service.
"This is perhaps the best white tablecloth restaurant in Milwaukee, offering a gorgeous setting and a heavily Mediterranean menu."
Book the Chef's Counter
Sit near the open kitchen for an engaging view of chefs preparing your meal.
Weekday Lunch Prix Fixe
Try the 'Menu d’Affaire' for a curated two- or three-course meal at a great value.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Mediterranean (French & Italian Riviera-inspired)
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Menu d'Affaire Lunch Special
Indulge in a curated 2- or 3-course weekday lunch featuring standout dishes like pulpo a la parilla.
Open Kitchen & Chef's Counter
Dine with an engaging view of chefs at work or secure a coveted seat at the chef's counter.
Mediterranean-Inspired Cuisine
Savor exquisite seafood and pasta dishes inspired by the French and Italian Rivieras, with local and European ingredients.
Plans like a pro.
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Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book the Chef's Counter
Sit near the open kitchen for an engaging view of chefs preparing your meal.
Weekday Lunch Prix Fixe
Try the 'Menu d’Affaire' for a curated two- or three-course meal at a great value.
Valet Parking Available
Park conveniently in the 7Seventy7 building with validated $5 parking.
Reservations Recommended
Book in advance, especially for peak times or special occasions, to ensure availability.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book the Chef's Counter
Sit near the open kitchen for an engaging view of chefs preparing your meal.
Weekday Lunch Prix Fixe
Try the 'Menu d’Affaire' for a curated two- or three-course meal at a great value.
Valet Parking Available
Park conveniently in the 7Seventy7 building with validated $5 parking.
Reservations Recommended
Book in advance, especially for peak times or special occasions, to ensure availability.
Dress Code Guidance
While welcoming, consider upscale attire for this fancy dining experience.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Lupi & Iris offers a fancy and beautiful dining atmosphere with impeccable service, though some find it to be on the pricier side. Diners rave about the delicious Mediterranean-inspired dishes, especially the seafood and pasta, with the weekday lunch special being a particular highlight. While most experiences are exceptional, a few reviews mention a lack of flavor in some dishes and occasional service inconsistencies, but the overall consensus points to a memorable fine-dining experience.
"A delicious 3 course menu with many options at Lupi & Iris. The dining room was fancy and beautiful, but I also think it would have been amazing to watch the kitchen work at the kitchen bar spots. So many great options and all were enjoyed. It is heavy food, so be prepared for a stuffed stomach afterwards. The favorite of mine was the chocolate mousse cake with raspberry jam. A perfect end to a great evening! Unfortunately, I would say it is a tad overpriced compared to other amazing options in Milwaukee."
Maia H
"Absolutely stunning restaurant with extraordinary service. Danielle at the bar was absolutely amazing as was Julie, our server. Both ladies were so knowledgeable of the menu and about the restaurant. Danielle gave us so many excellent recommendations and Julie gave us a little tour of the kitchen and restaurant. The food was out of this world. Wish we would’ve had saved enough room for dessert. Next time."
Joy
"This restaurant is amazing. We were traveling from Cincinnati, and this was our first night in. We were exhausted but wanted great food. Especially this being in a new city for both my husband and I. Found this place, but didn't really look into it. We just saw it had a good rating, was close, and food pics looked great. We were terribly underdressed, to say the least, lol. We felt bad for not looking to see if there was a dress code or what type of atmosphere this place had. However, the staff did not, even in the slightest, treat us differently. They were professional, courteous, and friendly. We opted to sit near the kitchen due to our attire, and just being tired, wanted to relax and talk.
The seating near the kitchen was perfect. The kitchen was open. You could see everything being prepared and the assistants and chefs interacting with the head chef. This was a well-oiled machine that worked extremely well under pressure.
The food was phenomenal. My husband is not like me at all. He is very picky and reluctant to try anything other than steak, potatoes, and broccoli. However he actually ordered a pasta dish - Cavatelli con Ragu (in addition to his regular steak meal - Bavette) and it was sooo good. We both enjoyed it. I ordered the sea bass -Loup de Mer en Papillote. It was fresh tender and delicious. We are so looking forward to coming back next year for our couples trip.
Well done, Lupi & Iris."
Porsha-Marie Hendley
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Weekday lunches are recommended for the 'Menu d’Affaire'. For dinner, reservations are advised, especially on weekends.
While there isn't a strict dress code, the atmosphere is fancy. Many guests opt for upscale attire to match the dining experience.
Patrons highly recommend the Corzetti, Pez Espada (Swordfish), Cavatelli con Ragu, and Loup de Mer en Papillote. The Chocolate Cake and Olive Oil Cake are also favorites.
Yes, you can choose to sit near the open kitchen for an engaging view of the chefs at work.
Yes, parking is convenient in the 7Seventy7 building, and tickets can be validated for $5.
Yes, an impressive tasting menu with wine pairing is available and highly recommended by guests.
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The 22 Best Restaurants In Milwaukee - Milwaukee
The best way to experience Lupi & Iris, a fancy Mediterranean place downtown, is the Menu d’Affaire for weekday lunch, a two- or three-course meal where the pulpo a la parilla and whatever fish they’re serving really shine. The restaurant opened in 2022 on the ground floor of a glossy apartment building and everything about this place screams glitzy: there are huge walls of windows and more ornate light fixtures than we can count. Save this spot for when you want to impress out-of-towners or need a big-deal meal to celebrate something, and ask for a table on the perimeter of the restaurant so you can take the whole thing in.
In Milwaukee, Restaurants and Venues Worry of Seeing Limited R.N.C. Boost
Adam Siegel, the co-owner and executive chef of Lupi & Iris, and other restaurateurs have seen a sluggish pace of bookings for the week of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July.Credit...Kevin Miyazaki for The New York Times
12 top Christmas concerts, shows and movie events in Milwaukee in 2024
Charlie Brown himself might mumble "Good Grief" over the local jazz band cashing in during the holidays, but Milwaukee can't get enough of their takes on Vince Guaraldi's classic songs from "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Shows at the place where it all began, the Estate (now only open for private events), are already sold out, but the Commercialists have gigs lined up at local dining gem Lupi & Iris, Turner Hall Ballroom and more. The highlights of their busy schedule are a pair of performances at the Bradley Symphony Center that will feature guest vocalist Donna Woodall, with guests seated on the stage itself around the band.
Easter Brunch in Milwaukee
Take your tastebuds on a spring break to the French and Italian Riviera for an Easter brunch at this downtown restaurant. Offering a menu curated by James Beard Award-winning chef Adam Siegel, the three-course meal includes well-loved brunch classics like quiche Lorraine, French toast and an Italian omelet, in addition to grilled swordfish, flank steak and crepes suzette. Whether you’re eyeing classic breakfast fare or an upscale lunch, Lupi & Iris has the flavors you crave.
The Best Restaurants in Milwaukee
Steering the ship is what Adam Siegel, owner and James Beard Award-winning chef, was born to do. This is one big ship. Lupi & Iris is the kind of restaurant you remember because it’s, A, one of the sharpest-dressed in town; B, serves almost flawless dishes (inspired by the French and Italian rivieras) that are about quality and simplicity, not how much stuff you can pile on them; and C, a prime example of the direction our city’s dining scene is going.
Top 5 to try: Spots with amazing seafood
Unsurprisingly, seafood plays a significant role at Lupi & Iris, which offers a menu focused on dishes inspired by the French and Italian Rivieras. Offerings include starters like char-grilled Spanish octopus with romesco sauce; wood-grilled calimari; and steamed mussels and clams. But there's also traditional bouillabaisse; wood-grilled lobster and roasted snapper served with Niçoise tapenade and rosemary.
Milwaukee's James Beard-Recognized Dining
Adam Siegel’s Best Chef Midwest award came in 2008, and he recently opened Lupi & Iris to enhance downtown’s fine-dining scene. It was a 2023 semifinalist for national Best New Restaurant. The seafood and pasta creations draw inspiration from the French and Italian Riviera, with ingredients sourced locally and from the coasts as well as Europe.
The Best Restaurants in Milwaukee Wisconsin for 2025
Chef Adam Siegel, the first James Beard winner from Milwaukee, runs Lupi & Iris with the polish of a man who’s plated a thousand perfect risottos. Having just celebrated a three-year anniversary, it’s upscale without being sterile. And while the roast chicken is lovely, the olive oil cake might be the real reason to come.
The Best Restaurants in Milwaukee
This French Riviera-inspired spot gained national attention as a semifinalist for James Beard Best New Restaurant 2023 for its inventive fine dining. Enjoy elegant pastas and wood-roasted mains in their posh dining room with open kitchen.
6 Michelin Star Equivalent Restaurants in Milwaukee, Wisconsin: James Beard Semifinalists, Finalists, And More!
With locally sourced seafood and produce, Lupi & Iris truly represents the food Wisconsin has to offer. ©ytyoung/Shutterstock.com. Lupi & Iris was a semifinalist for the Best New Restaurant category in the 2023 James Beard Awards.
Brewery Tours, Butter-Burgers and Lake Michigan
For an upscale and contemporary foodie experience, try the Mediterranean-centric fare at Lupi & Iris. Or for a terrific small plate and shareable menu, consider Odd Duck and its globally inspired, but locally sourced, cuisine.
Romantic Restaurants in Milwaukee
The newest entry into Milwaukee’s dining scene is Lupi & Iris from James Beard Award-winning Chef Adam Siegel and developer Michael DeMichele. The restaurant is named for Siegel’s father-in-law and DeMichele’s grandma.
Highest-rated Fine Dining Restaurants in Milwaukee by Diners
- Rating: 4.4/5 (203 reviews)- Price level: $$$- Address: 777 North Van Buren St. Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Categories: Mediterranean, Wine Bars, Italian- Read more on Yelp
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