Restaurants in Waukesha

The chefs at Ginza Japanese Restaurant line their sushi rolls and bento boxes with both traditional Japanese and Western-inspired ingredients. Classic flavors can be found in shrimp-filled shumai dumplings or lightly battered vegetable tempura. Futo maki rolls combine cucumber and avocado with egg custard, pickled radish, pickled squash, and burdock, and the Funky Monkey roll takes a more experimental approach by pairing eel with banana. Teriyaki beef or ginger pork sizzles in bento boxes, surrounded by sides of rice, salad, and dumplings as neatly portioned as a librarian's potato-chip collection.

Tucked inside the Ambassador Hotel, Envoy impresses the palates of tourists and locals alike with upscale, homemade food served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Chef Ismail Oztas shows off his talents in the kitchen by arranging perfectly seared diver sea scallops over potato mousseline and heirloom apples, or by whipping up “green eggs and ham,” creatively scrambling the eggs with mascarpone cheese and pesto. After their meal, guests can leave their cushy spot inside the elegant, high-ceilinged dining room for a seat in the lounge. There, bartenders craft 1920s-inspired cocktails, such as mint juleps and sidecars, and enthrall guests with tales from their recent trips back to the 1920s.

INdustri Cafe evokes local industry in more than its name—its New American menu prizes local ingredients , and it’s served in a rustic warehouse-style space hung with the work of local arts. The bistro brings fine dining out of the realm of diamond-encrusted waiters in order to bring the delicate flavors of lobster, pulled-duck, and truffle oil to a wider audience. The menu shifts with the seasons, but diners can expect to find American favorites graced with a gourmet touch—burgers topped with sautéed apple and poblano barbecue sauce, for instance. Serious Eats found that burger " juicy and rich and well seasoned" with toppings that "all worked together in total harmony."

Weathered wood and exposed brick surround the dining room at INdustri, which is illuminated by rows of bright globe lights. Another level of seating sits atop the bar’s canopy, while beneath it patrons sip from a beer list that only includes Wisconsin brews.

Dough leaps from chefs' hands and pirouettes in midair before donning Rustico Pizzeria's slew of fresh toppings such as pine nuts, goat cheese, and eggplant, with gluten-free pizza and pasta available upon request. The menu full of authentic Italian classics includes ten types of paninis take on crispier conditions atop a sizzling grill, and pastas arrive at tables draped in slow-stewed tomato sauce and white-wine béchamel. Live Twitter feeds posted on a big-screen high-definition monitor inject a dose of modernity into an otherwise rustic dining room decked with brick walls, hardwood floors, and sturdy chandeliers. Outside, a wooden patio affords pristine views of the Milwaukee River, and an ideal station from which to christen passing ships with bottles of Farnese house wine.

Named after the early-morning first shift for crew aboard seafaring vessels, First Watch ensures chefs arrive at work with the rising sun, chopping fresh produce, baking muffins, and mixing french toast batter each day. As guests arrive, perky servers greet them with an entire pot of Sunrise Select coffee, as well as the morning paper and free WiFi. Since 1983, First Watch’s carpe-diem philosophy has spread to more than 100 locations across 13 states, pleasing crowds with thin, sweet crepes and fluffy whipped eggs, hash brown skillets, and enormous multigrain pancakes. Recently placed at the top of a Consumer Reports list of best family restaurants, First Watch takes the customer experience seriously. Chefs focus entirely on crafting nourishing sunrise feasts and midday meals, shunning afterthoughts of steaks and burgers for edible masterpieces of omelets, belgian waffles, homemade biscuits, and wholesome lunch salads and sandwiches.