Milwaukee Public Market

This is a review of the market as well as the area surrounding the market.

The market itself is smallish - by comparison to other big city markets. But it is fun and has a variety of shops that sell spices, food, coffee / tea stalls, chocolates, danish/cookies & bakery items, butcher, sandwiches, seafood, liquor, etc. There is seating upstairs and outside. There are clean restrooms on the 2nd floor which is also elevator accessible.

But the more interesting thing about this public market is the neighborhoods surrounding it. This is the old 3rd Ward and Water Street area along the Milwaukee River. The 3rd Ward was originally a predominantly Irish immigrant area until the big Milwaukee fire. Then it turned into an Italian district and now houses the Italian community center.

This area has experienced a dramatic change over the last 30 years going from derelict buildings to a new up and coming walking and shopping area with many shops, restaurants and seating areas. So different than I remember it when this was a bunch of rundown buildings.

Milwaukee is taking advantage of its beautiful waterfront and rebuilding this area into a great river walk area that is worth seeing. Near to the Harley Davidson museum and tons of great venues. Take a stroll and enjoy the area in the light of day when the sun is out. You will love it.

We were so happy to see this change after not visiting for over 30 years (we are from here originally).

There is paid parking at the market parking lot. Expect about $6 for 2 hours. There is also a ton of street parking nearby if you wish to drive around to find a spot. But most street parking is metered and...

Unfortunately my first visit here was not pleasant. I will not be back to return.

This is the exact review I left on St Paul’s Fish page. Since then I’ve sent my review to the news station, and the alderman of the district. I will continue to share my experience with my clients, locals and everyone I come in contact with. My nine year old niece was in attendance and had to see racial profiling firsthand. She’s never experienced that even and she go to school in the suburbs. I grew up in the suburbs in Ozaukee County and currently residing in the suburbs, never experienced this treatment. Tasteless!

THE REVIEW:

Absolutely disgusted with St Paul’s Fish market inside of the Milwaukee Public Market. We came here as a party of 6! These were my guests!!!! Dressed very nice and arriving in a limousine! I am financially equipped to spend $1,000 or more for lunch if we wanted to! We decided to support the Milwaukee Public Market as I support the one in Mequon and had very amazing experiences. Regretfully we came to this location after leaving the State Of The City address hosted by the mayor at The Baird Center! We were told they don’t open for 20 minutes which WE KNEW, we sat in the seating area while waiting for the restaurant to open. We were told at 10:49am, 11 minutes before they open that we couldn’t sit in the area and wait as they needed to set up tables.

Check the cameras, the tables were already set. We were profiled! I will be contacting the alderman and every official in the city regarding the treatment we received.

I am a highly respected local business owner with an office right downtown on the 18th floor!! Unacceptable!...

Small wedding? Don’t have it here.

We were incredibly disappointed with our experience using the Milwaukee Public Market as our wedding venue. Our small wedding was held in the enclosed room, which was uncomfortably hot the entire time. The bride, groom, and all our guests were sweating throughout the event. There seemed to be no effort to manage the temperature, making what should have been a joyful day feel physically miserable.

To make matters worse, when the bride and groom finally sat down to eat, their plates were taken away before they were even finished. Many of our guests also had their plates cleared far too early by staff who appeared disorganized and were visibly sweating. It felt rushed and impersonal.

The handling of the cake was another major letdown. When it came time to serve it, an employee casually asked the bride if she should be the one to cut and serve the cake. It was an inappropriate and unprofessional question at any wedding, especially to ask the bride directly. The bride’s mother and sister-in-law ended up stepping in to serve it. When asked, the staff member claimed she was planning to do it, which simply wasn’t true.

We also regret tipping, especially after being told that no one usually tips here. Now we understand why.

The only positive was the taste of the food, kudos to the chef.

Overall, we would not recommend the Milwaukee Public Market for weddings. For the price and effort, you’re much better off having a special dinner at one of the many great restaurants in Milwaukee. That was our original plan, and we truly wish we had...