4. Restaurants

Café Benelux

346 N Broadway, Milwaukee, WI, 53202
  • (414) 501-2500
  • Store is closed

Café Benelux Menu

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Auntie Anne’s ( 2500 N Mayfair Rd )

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  • CJ P.

    What an amazing beer selection! Great beer menu and allow you to try many styles and types of tap beer. Couldn't ask for much better than what they offer. The service was incredible. Nice personable waiter that took care of us and gave us very personal attention, comedy and entertainment throughout our visit. I was told one of the specials of the day is a special burger with onions and pulled pork and a special sauce. The waiter sold it perfectly and the delivery didn't match. The pulled pork tasted old, and the sauce didn't blend well with the entire meal. The burger was over cooked and dry and was a disappointment on the rest of the great experience. I would definitely give them a try again knowing that that special may have just come out wrong. No big deal. It happens

    (3)

  • Brian G.

    Breakfast burrito was amazing. Service was excellent. Ambiance pleasant. We came here on a Saturday morning and it really got hopping around 10 for brunch. Old factory feel - lots of wood. Brewing on sight and an amazing selection of beers.

    (5)

  • Jamie Z.

    Had dinner here last Friday night. Nice menu selection. Beer selection is arguably the best in town. Looking forward to trying it again. Gave it 3 stars, but I can see it being 4. I had the walleye sandwich and it was pretty good. Frites were good. Dining companions said their entrees were good as well.

    (3)

  • Ami R.

    Great chicken chili and burger. Excellent use of spices, flavors and textures. Went at an off hour... Service was attentive and very positive. Good serving size. A yummy lunch indeed.

    (5)

  • Stephanie K.

    This is a great place to hang out with friends for late night chat. Its cozy and intimate but there is plenty of space. They have a great drink menu and fun bar food that is available late. The hot coco was great and served in a large mug with extra whip. I really liked the tots served with Siracusa mayo. This is a limited review due to my limited experience, but I liked this place.

    (4)

  • Jess O.

    What a great building. I love this location, ambiance, decor, all of it. There is a great beer selection and the bloody marys looked awesome. We had excellent service and the place was welcoming of children. I just wish the food was slightly better. I love the salads but some of the sandwiches seem to be missing something. Other menu items appeared to be trying to hard. The special burger on the menu had nearly 10 ingredients on it.

    (3)

  • David M.

    Our breakfast was fine. We had quinoa with 2 eggs over easy, roasted tomatoes, and squash and eggs benedict with lox. The latte and coffee could be better. There were lots of happy faces so don't be scared away by any means. ;-)

    (3)

  • Jelly R.

    We came here for drinks, and also ordered a cone of pommes frites with garlic aioli dipping sauce. The beer menu is extensive (although none of us ordered any), and the cocktails were great. I highly recommend the honeycrisp martini, with its warm, gingery notes. The absinthe, although still decent, was a little "off": no special silver utensil, no sugar cube, and didn't taste as if it had been prepared that way, either. . . it didn't have the right anise taste I've come to expect, and seemed a little watered down. This is the same restaurant group that owns Trocadero, Cafe Centraal, etc. Like its sister restaurants, it too has a unique, welcoming atmosphere (seems a bit like a more upscale, restaurant-y version of the Alterra on the lake). Service was great-- our waiter was very friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive, and seemed to enjoy working there. Cafe Benelux, which is in the Third Ward (across from the Wicked Hop) is a good place to go with a few friends for a low key night out.

    (4)

  • Mim M.

    pretty good food here. loved the tater tots and frites in a cone!

    (4)

  • Rachel W.

    Food and drinks were good, service leaves a bit to be desired. While waiting 20 minutes for a table (even though there were several open tables) we were approached by a waitress and ordered drinks. I ordered a Bloody Mary and she asked which kind I wanted though I had not been given a menu. She quickly described them and I ordered the Stinking Rose, their most popular. My boyfriend ordered a mimosa. We got the drinks and the mimosa had a cherry and no OJ. We thought it was just a "different take". Then we were seated and saw a menu. My Stinking Rose was missing the beef stick and shrimp and his mimosa was actually a mo-mosa with sour ale. Though they had regular mimosas on the menu. When I asked the waitress nicely about the discrepancy she got flustered, gave us an excuse that we weren't in her section and instead of just apologizing she gave us attitude and said the drinks were on her. I wasn't looking for a free drink, just didn't want to be up charged for a something I didn't get and my boyfriend just wanted the drink he ordered. The rest of our dining experience was uneventful, though it would've been nice if the waitress (different from the one who got our drinks) had explained the menu instead of me having to ask questions. Guess I'm just used to Chicago style service, which is typically very high quality. The other thing I noticed that did not impress was seeing 2 different bus boys asking around for who food belonged to. Seems like they still have some kinks to work out regarding service, but the place is nice and the food and drink were good.

    (3)

  • Dave S.

    Stood in front of the hostess for five minutes before I had to ask to put my name on the list for a table. Then went to the bar to wait for said table. The bartender started washing glasses in front of me as I sat down and made absolutely NO effort to greet me! Then started putting glasses away without ever greeting me or at least putting a drink menu in front of me! This is the second time in the last few months the service has been terrible both times I went across the street and was taken care of. I won't be back to Cafe Benelux.

    (1)

  • Qi Chee S.

    Awesome food and nice environment!

    (5)

  • Kip G.

    While I've never found it extremely important to place a "favorite" title on things, my first visit to Cafe Benelux left a good enough impression to make me realize this is my favorite of the four Lowlands Group establishments. While the food and service lived up to the expectations the others have previously provided, the overall experience offered at this Third Ward location is what made it special to me. How many places have you been to that offered the opportunity to grab a decent assortment of beverages (coffee, tea, Belgian beers, etc), snacks, and cigarettes to purchase before heading home? Need a T-shirt, sweatshirt, or coffee mug...they've also got you covered. Their gift shop and market place are incredibly nice touches...I found myself leaving the table numerous times to explore both. While the weather has been less than ideal since their opening (prior to today) for dining outside on the rooftop, I did go up there to check it out. While it doesn't offer a peaceful river view, it does offer some incredible people watching as it's across the street from Public Market and Wicked Hop which always seems to have a good amount of traffic. There are also three garage doors that I noticed that will open the space up for the feeling of an outdoor experience if avoiding gamma rays is your preference while dining. The menu shared many of the staples of the other restaurants (similar starters, coffee drinks, bloody marys, and such), but provided enough of its own flavor to make it a unique experience. I was somewhat please to see that the El Gordo Burrito wasn't on the menu so my love affair with Trocadero will continue and I won't have to leave her entirely for Benelux. Two of the new starters we thoroughly enjoyed were the breakfast corn dogs and chips and dip. I never imagined dipping a breakfast sausage in waffle batter, sprinkling a little powdered sugar on it and serving it with some maple syrup would be ridiculously delicious, but it was. The cinnamon/sugar chips served with berry cream cheese dip was off the chain as well. Sadly, I only have one stomach that I abused badly yesterday, but I had enough common sense to save the breakfast poutine for next visit. Red Eye Biscuits & Gravy from Centraal is one of my favorites, so seeing a chorizo gravy being served on Benelux's version made this an easy choice. I definitely liked the black pepper basil biscuits here a lot more...jury is still out on which gravy I prefer. I will have to see if they have rosemary potatoes which could be substituted for the hash browns next time though...good, but not as good. I'm looking forward to exploring the dinner menu this evening and enjoying the view from the rooftop. Benelux is an amazing experience that should be shared with anyone who enjoys the finer things in life. With Father's Day coming up next Sunday, you might as well show Dad how much you care by bringing him here.

    (5)

  • Abigail F.

    This is a great place for dinner and drinks after a Friday work day. They have a great beer selection and I was surprised by their variety of beer glasses as well. I ordered the duck leg confit and it was delicious! It was so tender that when you pulled the bone out, the bone was clean. I was so surprised how easily the meat came off the bone. My friend ordered the bacon wrapped meatloaf and that tasted good as well (anything wrapped in bacon is good haha). Both entrees were reasonably priced and well-portioned. Will definitely come here again for beers and hopefully get the chance to sit on the rooftop (went here on a rainy day).

    (4)

  • Nick K.

    So this would be the Second Lowlands group restaurant that I have been to, with poor service. We went on the morning of the 4th of July, for brunch. So did everyone else, like it was a weekend. As a restaurant, I would be expecting this, Benelux was not. We waited at the bar for 25 minutes until we yelled the bartender down to get us a drink. He was unorganized, looked overwhelmed and in general "checked out". There was no process to how he was helping people at the bar, just randomly selecting. Five people walked up to the get drinks, and were helped, before we were. The bloody, my favorite in Milwaukee, really fantastic. Food, average. Amazing beer selection and decor, and our waitress was just fine. But, it really is becoming more apparent that if the Lowlands group didn't hire a few great managers and staffers, they would have a lot more service issues.

    (2)

  • Danielle B.

    We visited Cafe Benelux this morning for brunch and had a fabulous experience! We arrived just before 11 with a group of 4 and were seated immediately. I'm a big fan of the comfy, cool atmosphere and decor... I sort of want to live there. Drinks: Fiancee ordered the Rooster Bloody Mary and we both really liked it (though he might have preferred a bit more heat). I was in the mood for a coffee cocktail, but there wasn't anything on the menu, so I just ordered a mocha with a shot of whiskey; yum! Appetizer: The 4 of us split a new appetizer: cinnamon bread with salted caramel and walnuts. We were shocked when it arrived because it was HUGE - like half a loaf of sandwich bread - seriously. HUGE. Luckily it was also delicious. Entrees: I had a hard time deciding what to order, so I asked for advice from our server and since she had eaten the Creamy Polenta for breakfast that morning, that's what I went with (always trust a friendly server). I was also really in the mood for asparagus, so I added that. Good decision! The portion was pretty large, especially after eating so much cinnamon bread, and the polenta could have used a bit more salt, but it was really yummy. I mean it had asparagus, hollandaise, and poached eggs, so how could it not be great? Fiancee ordered Biscuits and Gravy and ate it ALL, so clearly: tasty. We picked Benelux this morning because I had a City Tin coaster to use, but I look forward to returning and paying full price on a sunny summer day when I can try the patio. I don't know that I'd visit for a different meal since I don't normally enjoy lunch/dinner at Lowlands restaurants, but I'll definitely be back for brunch.

    (4)

  • Kari S.

    Warning...do not come here for breakfast. We walked in this morning at 8:30, all of the waitstaff was hanging out in the WAY back of the restaurant which I guess is understandable since the place was EMPTY. After flagging the hostess down she was very nice and seated us outside. A waitress came out right away and got our drink order which leads me into another warning, DO NOT ORDER COFFEE here. The first cup was OK, very watered down but I could tolerate it and at least it was hot. Once I got a refill (that I had to beg for) I was given luke warm coffee that looked like it had been diluted. Finally get a different waitress to bring us new coffee and this is the old crap warmed up. The food: Cream Brule french toast was just OK. I had read that the portion was tiny so I was a little skeptical, well the portion was huge today. Be warned, this is DEEP FRIED baguette and does not resemble Cream Brule in the least. I really wanted to like this place, it is in a great location, however the food and coffee on this trip were below average.

    (2)

  • Andy K.

    Tried Benelux again on a Friday evening with some friends. Ordered the half roasted salt-crusted chicken and it was undercooked. On the 2nd round the half was sized much smaller and was overcooked and the pureed potatoes were overly chunky. On a positive note, the beer list here seems to be more extensive than the other Lowlands Group offerings. I thoroughly enjoyed a Victory Golden Monkey, a Belgian-style Tripel with a hint of banana.

    (2)

  • Dennis M.

    Breakfast Fan of this place. We live down the road and visit here often for Sunday brunch and occasionally dinner and have never had a bad experience here. Love the food and the servers. The wife and I split plates for breakfast and they have no problem doing this. Saves calories and dollars (Calories for her, dollars for me).

    (4)

  • David D.

    I stopped in here after taking a train into Milwaukee one Saturday morning. Walking up Broadway, it seemed like an obvious choice, owing to the crowds. That morning at least, it was the most popular restaurant on the street for brunch. We got here in the midst of Saturday brunch rush on the weekend of Summerfest, so we knew it would be a wait to get a table, although we did not wait for one on the very popular roof deck. It was, but we stuck it out, since we were pretty hungry at that point. As soon as we opened the menus, I think my friend and I both knew that we would be getting the pannekoeken and some bloody marys. Those were good choices, and we both enjoyed the meal. The service was about as good as you could expect from a early 20-something staff on a Saturday morning, and I remember liking the decor/atmosphere of the place well enough. The main issue with the dining room was with the other patrons - the staff was not controlling the space very well at all, and I had to ask the people around us to stop moving into our table area several times. That might sound a bit precious, but people were practically sitting at the table with us at some points. Really, that's something the wait staff should be on top of, and it did somewhat spoil the experience overall. Recalling it now, I suppose there were more down sides than up with this place for weekend brunch, but at the time long waits and douchey clientele didn't seem to spoil it, and I remember liking the food and drinks quite a bit. I guess if I went back, it just wouldn't be for weekend brunch, because honestly, how can you expect things to be otherwise when you go to the most popular place on the street on Saturday morning?

    (3)

  • Geoff P.

    My SO and I decided to try Cafe Benelux based on the recommendations of several of our Milwaukee-based friends. First off, let me just note HOLY CRAP WHAT A BEER MENU!! Honestly, I'm not sure I have ever seen so many beers available in a single location. I'm still in awe.... Truth be told, it was a little early in the day for both of us to drink too much beer, but that didn't keep my SO from trying one of their killer bloody Mary's, and I did sample a couple of lagers on my way through brunch. The food at Benelux is both creative and relatively inexpensive. I was pleasantly surprised by the food-my past experience has been that restaurants with enormous beer selections often tend to skimp on the food. We were both impressed with both the creativity and quality of the food, and I have to recommend the biscuits and gravy if you ever go there. It is both unique and wildly tasty.

    (4)

  • John C.

    Best burger maybe ever. Not for the faint of heart the Cyclists is bold and not your hippie cousin living in New Mexico's idea of a chili topped burger. Spicy and delicious be sure to have a beer nearby to put out the fire. First time in a long time I actually got mid-rare as requested. Go here eat here drink here its great!

    (5)

  • Russ C.

    Opposite of the majority of reviews for Cafe Benelux, I have not heard many good reviews of this restaurant. I initially went here about a week after it opened and had the slowest service I've ever had to experience. I gave them mulligan considering it had just opened. Last weekend I decided to once again check the place out and sat on a table along the sidewalk. It was a gorgeous sunny afternoon and the street was closed for a local festival, excellent ambiance and people watching. Unfortunately, I once again experienced terribly slow service during a time when there were not many patrons. I was there to relax and to spend a few hours eating and drinking so I tried not to let it bother me. My companion ordered a rather expensive glass of wine which was a favorite of hers. After taking a sip of the wine, she commented that it wasn't what she ordered. While talking to the waitress about it, she comented that they had run out of what she ordered and swapped it with something else. What? We all found it highly unusual that the waitress hadn't come back to ask if my companion wanted something else instead. In addition, what the bar tender swapped it with was less expensive. I want to like this place and give it a good review, but I can't. I'd like to give it 2.5 stars, but 3 stars is too much.

    (2)

  • Chan L.

    Another Milwaukee Belgium Beer themed place.....And YEAH it is good. The place has fantastic food and amazing choice of beers. The mussels here are also fantastically tasty. It is not the traditional fare that you are used to seeing in Milwaukee. The decor is European and modern. The rooftop is a very cool place to hang out at. Looking for a great place to hang out at a reasonable price. This is a good place

    (5)

  • Pat O.

    The best bloody mary's in Milwaukee. Go with the Southsider if you want a perfect balance of spice and flavor. You won't go wrong with this! The hangover burger is one of my favorites. I would advise ordering it medium-rare for the perfect flavor!

    (5)

  • Kelly R.

    Dinner at Cafe Benelux was solid. Not out of this world, and not abysmal. Just truly solid. We got huge portions of creative updates to staples of Midwestern comfort cuisine... Cheese curd-stuffed meatballs (not to be missed!), bacon-wrapped meatloaf served over mashed potatoes (the very definition of "hearty"), and tater tots (the only disappointment in that they were confusingly similar in appearance to the aforementioned meatballs, and filled with mashed potatoes instead of the hashed variety... We just wanted tried and true TOTS!). And there was no shortage of brews to wash down all that Midwestern flavor. Seasonal selections galore. Overall, solid spot!

    (3)

  • Lorraine N.

    I developed a little crush on our server Derek. He was absolutely charming and entertaining. So much fun for our Wednesday morning. He actually is a 5 star server and helped me bump my entire experience here up a star. Yep he is that good. We were advised to go here from a younger local and I can see why it is a hit with the crowd that goes out and drinks a lot and then gets up for breakfast and wants a large portion of savory flavors. They tend to lean towards savory breakfast choices and less sweet. I wanted a plain dutch pancake and that was not an option. I decided on the a breakfast sandwich of egg, ham, croissant, and a cheese sauce. It was meh---10.00 and huge and served alongside some dry potatoes. This place has a ton of beer choices. I would rather go and just drink beer. I feel like all my food was pre-made and then just microwaved. I also wanted more traditional breakfast food on a cold cold morning. Was not my cup of tea but can see why people like it.

    (4)

  • Mimi C.

    Just what we were looking for! We walked from the Hotel on the river walk which is a only a little over a half mile from our Hotel, The Inter Continental Milwaukee. Great DT location if you're looking for a place to stay. It was very reasonably priced and with a priority club membership we were automatically upgraded to a larger room. Back to the Breakfast - We started with the Beignet's covered in powdered sugar. The chocolate sauce was not necessary but an added touch for those chocolate lovers out there. It was more than enough for the entire meal so I suggested if you are 4 or more split it as a starter. The staff was friendly and seemed genuinely happy to be there. Mimosa's and Cappuccino were served quickly and just right. Everything on the menu looked terrific. We went with the Steak tip Red Flannel Hash and Brussels Pannenkoeken. Both awesome choices. The steak was so flavorful but not over powering in the Benedict Sauce. Enjoy yourself and be sure to indulge. Don't plan on eating Lunch if you go for breakfast, the portions are very large. Not only a great breakfast but a great value for sure.

    (4)

  • Kelly M.

    My husband is in love with this place. They have a huge beer list to choose from. The black bean burgers are outstanding. But that's like the only vegetarian option they have worth mentioning which saddens me just a bit. However their pecan pie immediately swallows all my sadness. If you're into beer you'll probably love this place.

    (4)

  • D T.

    Came for Sunday brunch, our first visit here. We arrived at 9am before the crowds, easy parking on the street at this hour. Great atmosphere, friendly service. Beignets are fabulous, coffee is strong, lots of beer/bloody mary options (we didn't partake). Many fun & creative dishes, I get sick of the standard brunch options. Smoked salmon benedict very good (was that a homemade English muffin?), as was "mrs. hollander" (ham, croissant, eggs). Belgian pannenkoeken with asparagus tasted fine but was dry and chewy -- not recommended. BIG portions. Being a chilly fall morning, the rooftop area wasn't open but it looks like great ambiance. I will try that in warm weather. Will definitely return.

    (4)

  • Steve O.

    Great experience. Came up for Summeriest with 3 other couples, and all met up here to grab a bite and a drink before heading in. Sat on the roof top seating area, which was beautiful on a sunny summer day. The view of the third ward area is great from up there, a plus. Huge beer selection. Our server did a great job of juggling our table, as some of us arrived later than others, but did a great job of serving our party and offering suggestions. Food was perfect for what we were looking for. Grilled chicken sandwich was awesome, with quality in every layer from the bread to the chicken to the toppings. Turkey wrap excellent as well. Both the regular & sweet potato fries were great. addictive in fact. Pricing was reasonable for the quality of food and portion size. Hope to come back when in Milwaukee next time and explore the menu further.

    (5)

  • Shannon C.

    We stopped in for brunch on a Saturday afternoon. The Third Ward was predictably busy, as was Cafe Benelux, but we were lucky to not only find a somewhat close parking spot, but we were also sat in under fifteen minutes. I ordered the Salmon Benedict, which didn't fail to disappoint. So much good food! I also got a side of basil aioli, and let me tell you -- it was unbelievably good. Perfect, even. It really went well with the smoked salmon and hollandaise sauce. The husb. ordered the Hodge Podge, and he also really enjoyed his food. The taste I had was delicious, and of course he used up almost half of my aioli, too. I knocked off a star because our server was, understandably, a little inattentive in the beginning because they were so busy. Also, the orange juice I ordered was lukewarm when it was brought to the table, which was disappointing. But the food was very good! We will be back.

    (4)

  • Andy C.

    While it's still on my mind... Date of most recent visit: April 11, 2014, 5pm central time. C afe Benelux is located in some prime real estate in the Historic 3rd Ward A dd to that the option of sitting upstairs on the patio, and the ambiance is gr^8. F riday Fish Fry is offered during lent, as are their other interesting food options. E xceptionally - their beer list is exhaustive and spans multiple genres. B eers are for the most part, reasonably priced and "served" in metric volumes. E uro style for sure with that regard. N ice that we didn't have to wait for a table on a Friday at 5pm. E veryone that served us was nice, but they were visibly busy. L iked the nomenclature of the burgers, e.g., Merckx, King of Mountain, etc. U nfortunately (IMHO), the prices are marginally inflated (not not highway robbery). X enophiles (real word, I'm serious) and locals alike will enjoy this place. Categorically speaking. Location: 5 out of 5 Hop, skip, and a throw away from my digs in the 3rd ward. Parking is a non-issue for me personally since I can just walk or take my cyclocross bike to "fit in" with the cycling nomenclatures of their burgers. Bus routes are aplenty, and even with the bridge construction, there are enough parking options (street or lot) that so long as you are somewhat patient, you can likely find a spot after circling the block no more than 3 times. Service: 3 out of 5 By circumstance and not necessarily by malicious design, everyone that helped us out on a Friday evening at 5pm was nice enough, but probably just didn't have enough time or resources to really stand around and make a lot of small talk with us. Service was to the point but still genuinely friendly, which is fine by me given the fact that well, they were pretty swamped with the nice weather and therefore the rooftop patio being open. Ambiance: 4 out of 5 There's something charming about sitting upstairs on the rooftop patio on a nice day. With the wooden deck, it's a diametric setting to the overall 3rd ward feel, and transports you at least superficially to I dunno...somewhere else? The main dining room is spacious enough, and patrons can either sit at the ~20 foot bar or at one of the surrounding tables. I wouldn't confuse this place with say, a Kolsch Haus setting in Cologne (I had the luxury of visiting 9 of them in one day last year), but the overall visual effect is pleasant and not too kitschy. Selection of Menu Items: 4 out of 5 Their selection of food spans a fairly wide gamut, with items that you'd expect at a restaurant in this part of town (beet salads, charcuterie plates, rustic stews, etc.) to things that are familiar with those that aren't as adventurous (plain burgers, mac n cheese for example), and things that set them at least a little bit apart (Belgian mussels and pork shanks). I'd venture to say that 90% of people could find something that they'd eat willingly or want to try, and the remaining 10% could at least be convinced to try something that they may be familiar with, but may not have had that exact same version. For example, someone may like "burgers" categorically, but would need some cajoling to try one of their signature ones instead of the plain one. As a result, lovers of foreign type experiences (I don't want to use the word "hipsters since it's not quite accurate) will enjoy this place, as will locals/people who live and work in this area. Selection of Beers: 5 out of 5 Not much else to say. The list is exhaustive and covers multiple genres. If you just want the quick and dirty, flip to the very back for the names and categories. They do offer what could be called an omakase of beer flights within certain confines which is good for folks who know generally speaking what type of beer they prefer but don't want to spend the time picking a flight out. Quality of food: 3.5 out of 5 Above average overall. The wiffy enjoyed her burger, and I liked the AYCE Friday fish fry option enough to eat 6 pieces of cod. Speaking of pieces of cod,here's an option for potato chip crusted or beer battered. Both are fairly light and won't bog you down, but the minor critique that I have for both of the batters is that they're underseasoned to a point where even I said, "man, this needs some salt or paprika or SOMETHING". As a point of clarification, I tend to prefer underseasoned foods. The cole slaw here was above average, i.e., memorable, and the rye bread/fries will slowly just blend into the memories of those items I've had elsewhere. In the context of our experience, the food didn't blow us away, but I'd certainly return and try other items. Value: 3.5 out of 5 All things considering, not terrible. AYCE fish fry was 14$, half liters of beer will run you about 7$. Not as cheap as the Brat House, but not quite the same uhh...experience, either. Overall: 4 out of 5 4 out of 5 for our visit. However, others' experience of 2 or 3 stars not completely off the mark.

    (4)

  • Gabriella C.

    Came here for Sunday brunch with 6 other people and was seated in about 20 min, pretty good for a busy Sunday without reservations. One of our friends came just as our food was coming out and they brought out her food 5 min later so she was caught up to us. They split the bill for us as well 1. Hodge Podge- Great mix of everything savory if you can't decide what you want. Highly recommend getting this. 2. Salmon Eggs Benedict- Pretty good if you're in the mood for eggs benedict, nothing superb but nothing to complain about as well. 3. Banana Nutella Pannenkoeken-ok, not really worth the price seeing I could make this at home for much cheaper. It's basically a crepe with banana and nutella. Overall, a good experience and worth the price for things you can't easily make at home.

    (3)

  • Sonya A.

    A-OK is just right in describing Café Benelux. The restaurant/bar decor is impressive, the food is far from it. I'll make $10 for a breakfast burrito, small of high quality ingredients over big, mostly of potatoes as filler. But here bigger meals of lower quality is the way they go. Color me meh. Food: 3/5 - average. Service: 2/5 - Your meal comes with a show here. Your server does a disappearing act. Location: 5/5

    (3)

  • Katie H.

    Love this place! Beer list = AMAZING! I love that there are so many beers to chose from and the wait staff is able to make recommendations. Plus, the glasses vary based on what you order, as it should be! I got the Gulden Draak and couldn't have been happier with my choice. The food is good and a little more exciting than your typical bar grub. The grilled cheese was great. The breakfast omelet was also good, although nothing spectacular. I also really like that you can eat on the sidewalk or the rooftop and during the nice weather they also open all the windows so even if you are sitting inside you feel like you are outside in the summer air. The only bummer is that service, especially in the morning is a little lethargic.

    (4)

  • Lisa A.

    Benelux...i feel I'm a little influenced by other reviewers on this one...but here goes. I came for a big family brunch (on my suggestion, no less) during the middle of winter. (Which made their famous rooftop inaccessible.) We sat on the main floor which was fine but very heavy traffic wise. It was near a deli case (which I just found odd..is someone really comin there to pick up a turkey wrap to go? Ok, maybe...) Anyhow...I really like their menu. A lot of yelpers dont seem to like lowlands restaurants, but I always find their food good, interesting, reliable, and not too expensive The service is always pretty friendly, decor is interesting, and then there is also their beer "book". Maybe 20 pages or some insane # of beer varietys. So nice, if ur into that. My issues? My latte, as well as other beverages in our group came out cold. Some food came out a little cold too. I had a sweeter crepe (and the crepe was awesome, plate busting and all-see pic) but it was a little on the Lukewarm too. And I ate only about a 1/5 of it. I would have liked to have boxed it up but they took it away and never offered. The servers were friendly enough, but things seemed a little disorganized. I hate to complain about little things like this....Come July, if I'm on that rooftop sipping a mojito I'll probably overlook all these minor issues, and say its my fav place...but for now, thats my story...

    (3)

  • Michelle K.

    Stopped here for drinks and apps before heading to Summerfest last week. The drink menu was great, apps were delicious, and the service was wonderful. I loved the atmosphere and the decor in the restaurant. The place was happening for a late weekday afternoon. Liked the restaurant so much that we decided to come back the next day for brunch. It was a great decision! There was a 20 minute wait when we arrived even though about half of the tables were open. Instead of waiting, we sat down at a high top at the bar. The waitress came over and offered us a table by the window. It ended up working out great for us that we didn't have to wait for a table! I had one of their unique mimosas and my boyfriend had a bloody mary with bacon in it (can't remember the names of the drinks). They were different. Not bad but after a few sips we were kinda over it and just wanted the original versions of our drinks. For food I had a croissant version of a hollandaise. It was amazing! My boyfriend, who typically likes hot food, had a spicy skillet thing. It was so hot he was feeling it for hours after. Once again, the service was great and we really enjoyed the restaurant. I really liked the european feel to the menu and drinks. I recommend stopping if you are in the area.

    (4)

  • Merete M.

    I feel like this place could easily be a three or even four-star experience, except for a few things that happened to our rather large group. We had ten people for brunch. The wait wasn't terrible - only half an hour, and we could have sat sooner if we'd been willing to sit outside on a blustery, windy, somewhat chilly, day. However, when we were finally seated, it was directly in front of an open beer cooler. The seats farthest away from it immediately filled up, and the rest of us were left with a chill to our backs that we just couldn't shake. Might as well have sat outside under the heat lamps. The menu is different and not very big. I ordered the rolled pannekukken with shredded pork, pears, and whatever else came with it. It was gigantic and delicious! Unfortunately, our server seemed to be getting the silent treatment from her brain on a few things. She brought a bloody mary to one of our friends who had ordered a mimosa. A vegetarian at our table had asked if he could get the breakfast burrito without chorizo - the server said they're pre-assembled (what? who does that with a breakfast burrito??), so she'd check and let him know if they couldn't. When the food was brought out, his burrito had chorizo in it, and another friend's food didn't arrive until several minutes after everyone else's had. When the vegetarian mentioned the problem with his own food, our server looked very confused and said, "You wanted less chorizo, didn't you?" "I'm a vegetarian. I don't eat any meat. You said it was pre-assembled, and that you'd check..." Everyone on their side of the table had heard him say no chorizo, but our server looked as if WE were the crazy ones. Instead of getting a different burrito, he opted for something else on the menu. It was a bit of a fuster cluck. Also, if you order a broiled grapefruit, let me know if they have grapefruit spoons. One of our friends got the grapefruit, and had to fight it with her allotted fork, spoon, and knife - making it kind of a mess. Benelux, you could be great. This just wasn't.

    (2)

  • Alper S.

    We were rounding out our trifecta tour, and needed a place to settle down for some Sunday brunch. It took a little bit to seat us, but we were a big group of 8 and that's to be expected. We were lucky enough to get a mini-table near the bar to enjoy our first bloody marys (so many) and our beer-mosas. The food was really good, and the au gratin skillet was just what the doctor ordered (after tossing a bunch of black pepper on those eggs over easy, yeahhhhh they like thatttt). They've got quite the beer menu, and we found some sours to round out the breakfast. Teeming with activity, the waitstaff seemed to have a ton of responsibility, especially on the weekend morning that we went. Absolutely nothing against our lovely server, she did the very best she could given all her constraints. Two or more people here and the service would be a dream.

    (3)

  • Diana M.

    The Stinking Rose is the best Bloody in Milwaukee hands down. The garlic infused vodka is the way to go! Also the brugse and the hodge podge are the best items on the brunch menu.

    (5)

  • Lauren L.

    I am obsessed with this restaurant! Awesome food and service. I'm never disappointed when I go here. I especially love coming here in the spring and summer when I can sit outside and/or on the roof.

    (5)

  • Elizabeth G.

    First of all, anyplace that has a beer list with a table of contents is an automatic hit with me. So. Many. Belgian. Beers. The sweet and the spicy and the sour and the fruity... They have it all. The only limit is the amount of time you have to spend here. The decor is straight-up adorable. You walk in and feel like you are in a Swiss ski chalet. Except this is supposed to be the Low Countries. So maybe it is a cross-country ski chalet. There's a gift shop with cute souvenirs that you will want to buy even if you despise knickknacks, and there are cute signs everywhere to read and take in. But you'd better sit down and focus, because you need to tend to that beer menu... you've got a lot of pages to get through. I usually try to recommend individual beers I tried, but between us we had 4 and they were all seriously awesome. Just open the menu, close your eyes, and point; I'm pretty sure you can't go wrong. Now, as for the food. If you aren't in the mood for a fatfest, I'd recommend against ordering the pork belly Cuban sandwich. (Can somebody please go back in time and give my husband this advice?) My "bitterballen" -- spicy meatballs with curry ketchup -- were downright delicious.

    (5)

  • Lauren M.

    I usually come here for brunch (sit at the tables upstairs - no wait usually) but came for dinner and really enjoyed it. The burgers and fries are delicious, and the atmosphere is great. Always a good choice if you are looking for a no-fuss meal and great bloody mary.

    (4)

  • Diana J.

    I would give them a 4, but our server today pushed me towards a 3. We came for brunch on NYE and had a great time. Food was good, server was awesome. I went in for brunch today and out server was... Apathetic at best. We got the cinnamon bread for an app and it came two min before our meals. It was a big loaf of bread and it was tasty but I wouldn't get it again. We had the mrs Hollander as the market omelet. The mrs was great, omelet nothing to write home about. Still, the food is good, drink list extensive, pretty building, hit or miss service I guess.

    (3)

  • Jessica O.

    I can't get over all of the bad reviews about this place - I have yet to have a bad experience. This was the go-to place for me when my friends came to visit over the summer. Since it had just opened, I tried to go at slight off-peak hours - around 4:00 or 9:00. Maybe that's why my service has been so much better... The first time I went, I had the brussels pannenkoeken - which is just a really hard way of saying "crepe". It was delicious - and I usually can't be bothered to waste my time on anything else the menu has to offer. The crepe overflows on the plate, and is just thick enough to be crispy on the outside and a little doughy in the middle. Then they pile it high with asparagus, thick cuts of pancetta, and two fried eggs, and then douse the whole thing with beer cheddar sauce and parmesan cheese. It is insanely rich, but in a good way. I usually bring half home, or need to be carried to the car. On one occasion, I did a sampling of the appetizers, and they were amazing. The tator tots are a must-try, perfectly crispy on the outside, filled with bleu cheese and bacon, and served with the most delicious sriracha mayo. They were a definite win when I brought my meat and potatoes father (I'm on a constant quest to turn him into a foodie). Other notable appetizers were the crab cake with HUGE chunks of crab meat - and the burger bebes, served on soft pretzel buns with gouda, onions, and honey mustard. It was a perfect combination. The rooftop seating is amazing, the service has always been fantastic for me, and my out of town family and friends have always been impressed!

    (5)

  • Steve S.

    Nice lunch! Mango gazpacho 4.95; the always good, Side Benelux Salad w/glazed walnuts and blue cheese, w/balsamic vinegrette and/or creamy blue cheese dressing $3.95; the trio of little burger bebes (okay, at White Castle and elsewhere that are a.k.a. Sliders) $10.95; and lemonade $2 and coke $2 with unsolicited free refills. :-) Of course for later in the day, they have a very nice beer list. Each and every beer pairs well with something; even another beer! ;-)

    (4)

  • Kenny N.

    Beer, brats, and cheese - top things to do in Milwaukee. I took care of the beer here. Cafe Benelux has an amazingly large beer selection focusing on Belgian styles. Being overwhelmed with their vast selection, I asked for a recommendation of something local. Instead, they suggested I try one of their beers made especially for them, the High Speed Wit. from the Lowlands Brewing Company and brewed at Brouwerij Van Steenberge. It was a great selection, quite flavorful, enjoyed the layers. I also enjoyed their spicy meatballs with curry sauce. Those were particularly fun, the sauce reminding me of Berlin's currywurst. I also tried some sliders and sweet potato fries. Overall, this place boasts great tasty portions for the price.

    (4)

  • Anne H.

    We have had the same experience several times at Benelux. When we arrive there are at least ten empty tables both upstairs and downstairs and we are told that there is a 45 minute wait. I'm not sure if they are too short staffed to seat people at these tables but we won't be returning. There are too many other good restaurants to go to in the Third Ward.

    (1)

  • Ally C.

    Service was poor and slow. Unique/small menu that I had a hard time finding something I'd actually end up wanting to eat. It was still "Brunch" even at 3PM on a Saturday, which didn't make me happy because I'm not a huge breakfast food fan. Food was bland and nothing impressive.

    (2)

  • Kristina K.

    Not a good experience at all. This is one dinner and 24 hours that I wish I could have back. The positives: the patio upstairs is amazing, a perfect spot to enjoy a cocktail, the sun, and view of the Third Ward. However, this is where it ends. The food is absolutely disgusting. I ordered the Benelux salad and added steak medallions. Everything seemed to be well prepared. Candied walnuts, blue cheese, what could go wrong? It appears the steak was the worst choice of my life. I started tasting an odd and strong "fish-y" taste to the meat. I had my partner also taste it to double check, maybe I was crazy? Nope, there was an agreement that the meat tasted like old, rotten fish. I spoke with the server, she was amazing, very understanding and apologetic. Without question she took the added steak off the final bill. But I became concerned with how sick I might get and others in the restaurant. Upon leaving, I spoke to the manager and he seemed rather blasé...He insisted that it was impossible for the lettuce to be bad. I explained very politely that it most definitely was not the lettuce, but for sure the steak. Either the meat was rotten or the oil it was cooked in was rancid. The manager seemed to doubt me still, suggesting that perhaps the meat was cooked alongside fish (??But that doesn't sound right either! Who would cook steak next to fish??) I just ended the conversation suggesting that he take a look into what the situation was in the kitchen. Just writing this review is making me nauseous again. So unfortunate that a kitchen could be so sloppy in such a prime location.

    (1)

  • Lauren R.

    I am a Benelux whore, go here at least once a week bc I live in the neighborhood. What do I love? The consistency of the food, no matter the menu. I love the rocket salad, any omelette, the breakfast burrito, tulip burger, turkey avocado wrap. The service is usually good although I have had bad service a few Times. The beer menu is amazing and the bloody Mary's are great! Stinking rooster is a good one, although I usually ask for the frenchie which is from another lowlands restaurant and has Dijon in it. My only Complaint on Benelux is that, although I am There all the time, my wait staff is different every time and no one ever recognizes me! Not being a narcissist just seems Steange. Seems like the staff changes frequently and makes me wonder why... But really this place is great!

    (5)

  • Julie B.

    2 stars because the green curry mussels and signature salad were so good. Meanwhile, upon arriving... Me: can we sit outside? Blonde hostess: there aren't any tables. Me: can you check? (I had seen several.) Bh: there are some but they are dirty and it will take 10-15 minutes to clean. Me: great, we'll wait Bh goes and immediately cleans the table and we are seated in about 3 minutes. Seriously, lady? Kinda hard to make money if tables are disposable!

    (2)

  • Jen M.

    SUPER cool rooftop eating. If you are told that you will be seated at a high top table on the roof know that these tables are super narrow and you will be in close quarters with the person across from you. Which is just fine and actually quite chummy and good for conversation if you just have drinks and elbows on the table but if you are a large party all with dinner plates some shuffling and awkwardness will likely occur. Along with the other lowlander restaurants, let me just say I'm very fond of all of them and visit frequently. They have great locales and buildings and a GREAT drink list. Very friendly staff at Centraal and Benelux and VERY knowledgeable about beer staff at Centraal. But since cheese croquettes were taken off of the menu (I think they were just at Cafe Centraal?) I have not found a food item at any of them that I like more than just thinking its just ok. I had the grilled chicken sandwich at Cafe Benelux at my last visit (Sunday night 8/30/15) and was pretty underwhelmed. The bun had seasonings in it but was dry and contributed nothing. There was a little guacamole I got a tiny bit of every once in awhile but otherwise I was just eating what tasted like very plain chicken. Their sweet potato fries are just ok, in my opinion. I forgot to order one of the fun sauces to go with the frites - that would've livened them up considerably. My mojito was GREAT though! Our waitress was a sweetheart and a champ. We had a large group that arrived in 2s and 3s over the course of the evening and ordered at all different times. She kept up graciously and swiftly. And then we asked her to split the bill all different ways after she had already totalled it all up ... I know. JERKS. And we were her last table of the night too. She did all the math right at our table and accommodated all of us. So I'll definitely keep coming back because Benelux and all the Lowlanders are great places to meet up with pals. But I'd love to experience some food that impresses. But I haven't had the mussels yet....

    (3)

  • Jenn D.

    Been here a few times. I like it but I don't love it. Ambiance is great! Sat on the rooftop this last trip on a Saturday afternoon and it was awesome! 5 stars for patio. They take your phone number and call you when it's ready so we walked/shopped around third ward which made the hour wait seem like nothing. Food was decent. Shared a salad which was good and a wrap which had good flavor but was soggy. Service was terrible. Took our server 20 minutes to greet us. Food and drinks came out in normal time but he didn't check on us once. I would have ordered another drink if he had. It's frustrating when you see them walk by repeatedly but not stop.

    (3)

  • Tony F.

    We were terribly hungover, and too late for breakfast, so we popped in here, before a trip to the Milwaukee Public Market. The service was great, and I like the atmosphere, even if it is a bit on the loud side. I had a lot of drinks. A really good bloody, beer chaser, a water & an elderflower mimosa!!! (Btw- a mimosa BY DEFINITION has some kind of juice in it! But my dumb ass orders a champagne with elderflower liquor in it - that's not a mimosa, that's champagne.) Anyway, it was a great lunch, everything was really good, and the pretzel crust flatbread was the high point for me. I'd definitely come back! I want to go in summer, when the roof/deck thingy is open!!!!

    (4)

  • Jen K.

    Café Benelux is in a prime location, so I can see why it's usually packed. My group and I came here on a Friday night. The wait was going to be about 45 minutes, which was normal for the Third Ward. The hostess was really helpful, and showed us a phone app where you can check the status of your wait, which allows you the freedom to peruse around the neighborhood. We were seated within the estimated time they gave us. At first glance, I liked the atmosphere. The wooden interior and dimmed lighting reminded me of a European pub, or a modest European church. I couldn't help but compare it to Three Lions Pub in Shorewood. We sat in one of the wooden booths, and it was surprisingly comfy. Now onto the food. I have to say... I wasn't impressed. I had the "seared rare ahi tuna nicoise salad," which contained haricot vert, kalamata olives, hard boiled egg, red potato, red onion, fennel, organic mixed greens, red wine vinaigrette, and balsamic glaze. From the description, I thought this salad would be texture explosion but unfortunately, the overall consistency was lackluster. First of all, judging by the color and taste, I didn't receive any red wine vinaigrette. I'm positive all I got was pure oil. Secondly, the overall taste of my dish was unexciting. It was one-note, and you can sadly taste the cooking shortcuts because it had too much salt, and not enough flavor. Furthermore, it seemed they were being very stingy with the ingredients because there was almost no fennel, maybe a few olives, and a couple strands of red onion. The tuna itself was pretty good; however, it wasn't enough to save the dish. I was more-so disappointed by the fact that I could've gotten a better nicoise salad down the street. My group ate their food and consumed their drinks, but none of them finished their meals. They didn't seem too impressed, either. I had high hopes for Café Benelux, but in the end, I was not a happy camper. The hostess was nice and our server was friendly, but with overpriced food and humdrum cocktails, I can see why they dimmed their lights... so you'll have a harder time seeing all the mediocrity on your plate. Their beer list was extensive though, so I recommend coming here for a beer and some dessert. As long as you eat beforehand.

    (2)

  • Liz T.

    I was here twice in June 2015 with friends that live in Washington state and California - we walked over from the Downtown Hilton. Service was excellent. Omelet on the first visit was really nice - done really well with ham and cheese. The french toast on the second visit was to die for!! Easily shareable with a friend. Great decor - looks like you are on a Netherlands, Belguim bicycle tour. Coffee was nice, cup was kept full. I look forward to my visit next June!

    (4)

  • Pamela M.

    Cafe Benelux has a great ambience, especially with the right associate servicing you. But the fact remains each time that I come here (because other people think it's cool): it's more about the beer selection than the food. I love drinks! I love beer! They had Three Philosophers - my favorite - on freaking tap. This is a big deal. But the food, no. Couple of food things were interesting. But no. Within 1-2 miles of this place there is near perfection in food. Come here for drinks before or after. Not for exquisite dining.

    (2)

  • William R.

    This was my first time going to Cafe Benelux and previous experiences with Cafe Hollander may have set the expectations a little too high because I was not impressed with Cafe Benelux. The good: Beer selection is really pretty spectacular if you enjoy Belgians. They do carry a lot of other styles and I had absolutely no issues finding something I could enjoy. They also have carry out service until 9pm so if you find something you like you may be able to buy some to take home. Service was pretty outstanding considering we had something like 18 people with us. Our waitress was attentive and accommodating and made it a nice seamless night. We ordered an appetizer, the charcuterie plate that had pork belly, duck confit, a cheese spread and warm bread. It was a great start to the dining experience... and the best thing we had all night. The not so good: Everyone ordered dinner and the special was a fish fry. You could get it regular or extra crispy and everyone who ordered the fish fry wanted it extra crispy. Now by this time it is roughly 7:45pm. The waitress came back and told us that the crispy was no longer available which really bummed everyone out. I thought it was strange to run out of the crispy since the only difference was it was battered with potato chips. I ordered the mac n cheese and my wife ordered the wrap. I was really disappointed in the lack of flavor in the mac n cheese. I had to give it a good dose of salt and pepper and even used my wife's chipotle mayo to help give it some flavor. Her wrap was bland and she couldn't distinguish the different ingredients in the wrap. The fries on the other hand were pretty awesome and definitely the best part of dinner. Others in our party also stated how their food seemed rather bland and some who got burgers noticed it was burnt (or as we like to say..blackened). Most of us, if not all walked out happy with the service and beer but disappointed in the food. Based on how much things costs and the numerous food options in the area, we will probably not be coming back here.

    (3)

  • Frank A.

    Our favorite place for rooftop dining in Milwaukee! I love the burgers and my family loves having brunch on sunday and having french toast. Great place with a great roof!

    (4)

  • Tim H.

    This place gets busy, especially if you are waiting for outdoor or roof seating on a nice weather day. Had a great brunch here on my most recent trip to brew city after not wanting to wait on my prior trip. My wife's french toast with berries was a top 3 version I have had. I enjoyed my ratatouille with eggs. Definitely recommend this as a top brunch option in Milwaukee.

    (4)

  • Meredith S.

    Awesome rooftop patio! It was a little windy and chilly while we were there, but I can only imagine how great it is on a sunny day. Huge selection of beer, and I really liked the booklet that listed all the beer. It had tons of fun facts which I enjoyed reading about. I only had a selection of appetizers, but I saw several items on the menu that looked good. We ordered the ahi tuna, cheese plate and some frites. Our frites were a little soggy but I enjoyed all our dipping sauces. Cheese plate was really good - came with hazelnuts and a good selection of different cheeses. Overall, I enjoyed my time and would go back again if I'm ever back in Milwaukee.

    (4)

  • Magen R.

    When my boyfriend and I decided to take a weekend trip to Milwaukee I immediately started researching places to have a yummy dinner. After a quick trip to the Thrillist web site I knew we had to do our big meal out at Cafe Benelux. We arrived around 7:30 this past Saturday night and were immediately impressed by how the restaurant stood out in the vibrant neighborhood. We fully expected to wait and posted up at the bar for some cocktails and conversation. We each had two drinks, I went with cocktails and wasn't impressed by either one of my choices. Both were too sweet and I found them to unbalanced. However they do have an incredible beer selection that my boyfriend was quite pleased with. The bartenders were also so so and this was an omen for our service throughout the night. After about 45 minutes we were shown to a table on their gorgeous rooftop. We settled in and asked for a beer menu so my boyfriend could pick out a flight. Our waitress told us beer menus were "hard to come by" and offered to pick out a selection for him. With no other choice we agreed and ordered the flight and some calamari. The calamari came and was good, but keep in mind it's fried and not grilled (the menu doesn't specify). The flight on the other hand was was a mixed bag. My boyfriend ended up with a beer that tasted like cough syrup and a beer he'd already tried downstairs... Both things that could have been avoided provided he had been given a menu and had been allowed to choose on his own. Shortly after putting the calamari order in we ordered our entrees. After 40 minutes we still had not received them. When questioning our waitress, Amanda, about it she became extremely defensive and insisted she had put the order in when it was clear she had not. Her remedy for this was giving us a cone of frites that was half full of sweet potato fries and half full of regular fries along with some dipping sauces we didn't like and continuing to insist she'd put our order in. Our food finally came and was really good. We had bone marrow and the beef tenderloin sandwich and really enjoyed them. What should've been a five star experience ended up being a three star experience because of some really awful service throughout the night. I hope the problem was Amanda and not Cafe Benelux because this spot has an awesome beer selection and delicious food.

    (3)

  • Alex H.

    I came here for the first time. The recommendations didn't lie about this place. Even though it is located along the road it is still very calm. The waiters are quick and friendly, the food was on our table after 15min. It tasted just great, the fries were fresh, the meat was tasty and well spiced. The 4 Stars are due to the buns which were too soft and tasteless. The side salat was very fresh. The prices are what can be expected from the location. I would recommend this hotel to family as well as workers on their way to lunch.

    (4)

  • Jami J.

    This place gets busy for brunch and you'll see lots of people waiting and a line at the hostess station but don't let that scare you away. The wait goes by quick, I've never waited more than 30 minutes. I've been here twice so far and each time i've had the hodge podge for brunch. Everything sounds great on the menu but I fell in love with the first thing I tried and I'm going to stick with it for now. I also highly recommend the tater tot appetizer. The blue cheese in the tots is amazing. Oh and how could I forget their bloody mary's! They have around 8 or so to pick from. I've tried two from the list and they were great. Definitely check this place out for brunch. I'm curious to go back and try it for dinner.

    (5)

  • Laura M.

    So I went for dinner - well the old man ate dinner and I had cake. Three layer turtle cake is one of the top 10 desserts I've ever had (#1 is in Prague so..bit of a ride). Friday night was a little loud but we were both crabby and tired from earlier so I imagine most nights would be perfect for a summer sidewalk cafe!!!

    (4)

  • Radha K.

    Good spot for brunch! ...although I have no idea how early people get here on a Sunday to put their name in for a table. My friend and I got here on Sunday at 11:15 am and were told there was a 2 hour wait - if you really want to eat here, just put your name in and go grab a bloody somewhere else (...because the bar is so dang packed). They text you when your table is ready and you MUST show up at the front within 5 minutes or they'll cancel your reservation - lots of pressure! We were pretty bummed that the upstairs roof was closed. We were stuffed in the very very back of the restaurant by the bathrooms. Our waiter was a nice, goofy dude - attentive and friendly. I had the Morning Rooster bloody mary - I have a very strong feeling the name is different on their actual menu (I just looked at their website), but it has a jalapeno-stuffed olive. It cost $9 and I didn't think it was anything special, especially for $9. I happened to snag the last Quiche Lorraine of the day and boy, were all the other suckers missing out! I really liked it and definitely would get it again. Their breakfast potatoes aren't anything too special, but with a little salt, pepper, and hot sauce, they're still pretty standard breakfast potatoes. Not sure if I'm in a rush to get back here for food, but I would like to investigate their rooftop and some drinks that are not bloody marys!

    (3)

  • Katherine L.

    About me: I live in the same neighborhood as Benelux and have been to this restaurant 30+ times Benelux is the most consistently inconsistent restaurant I have encountered. Order the same menu item more than once and be surprised every time by varying ingredients, portions and quality. You're lucky to get the item that your actually ordered. The menu changes every month, and not in a good way. High quality proteins make way for frozen, processed meat by- products, good menu items make way for more mundane, less costly, alternatives. Same thing goes for the service, the staff turns over so quickly here; it makes me think this is a tough place to work. My most recent dining experience prompted me to write this review. We had a 15 minute wait to be seated in a dining room with 50% occupancy. While waiting to be seated at the bar, we tried to order one of the draft beers promoted on signage throughout the restaurant. Our first two picks were not available. For dinner, I ordered a Chicken Cobb salad; two ingredients were missing upon delivery, and the final product tasted like a pre-packaged item- the kind that you would likely find at a gas station. It was disappointing at best, an unhealthy rip-off at worst. Going forward, I'll be picking another spot for dining out in the third ward, and I recommend you do the same. There are lots of better options.

    (2)

  • Mel C.

    I love the environment great place and perfect view on the roof top. Chicken sandwich was a bit dry. Kids spaghetti was actually macaroni with marinara sauce, I gave it a try it was way to spicy for a child. So we ordered something else instead (which was no problem). Our waitress was very sweet and helpful :)

    (3)

  • Eugene R.

    I would put this at my top 5 places to eat. The service is always good. Many selections for beer ( amazing beeeeer) and the food never disappoints. I would go here everyday if i could. I highly recommend going here and getting anything off the menu because it will be great.

    (5)

  • Ben B.

    Yes, the pictures of the food here look amazing. But the taste is just so-so. I tried ordering a cocktail, but they were out of one of the liquors, so I downshifted to a beer. We began with the tater tots. These were pretty great. They come with a sriracha dipping sauce that gave them a nice kick. They reminded me of arancini - a ball of creamy cheese, soft potato and bacon bits. My entree was the grilled chicken sandwich with proscuitto, house smoked mozzarella, basil aioli and ciabatta (I omitted the tomato). It was very bland. Also, the fries that came with it tasted like they'd been sitting out for several hours. I alerted our server and she brought me an order of fresh, superior fries. But shouldn't someone catch that before it leaves the kitchen? The space is gorgeous. It's big, open and sunny. It's just a shame the food failed so hard.

    (2)

  • Brian S.

    Since this place has a lot of bright spots, let's get the bad news out of the way. First, it baffles me that although waiters seem to outnumber the tables at Cafe Benelux, the service is somehow excrutiatingly slow. I wanted so badly to be impressed, but that's a tall order when it takes 25 minutes to get a soda or when one gets a new waitress three times over the course of a meal. Then the food comes and it's hit (pannekokken) or miss (black bean burger). The setting itself is very nice, which comes as no surprise, seeing as the other restaurants in the Hollander/Trocadero family have perfected the art of the patio. Much respect for the beer selection, too. And regarding the waitstaff, it's like molasses: slow, yes, but sweet. I have high hopes that Benelux can outlast the initial growing pains and hit its stride with the service and food. It's already a nice addition to the Third Ward. The location and view alone make it worth a visit, but don't go if you're in a hurry.

    (3)

  • DeWitt K.

    We stumbled across Cafe Benelux after dropping the kid off to take his ACT at Marquette and before going to the MKE Public Market. Although they opened on Thursday, they have quickly figured out how to make just about the tastiest Bloody Mary's I have ever had. The brunch menu was quite interesting and is a solid 4 stars. Perhaps the best thing at Cafe Benelux is the interior.... From the floors made from recycled HS Gym to the tables made from old bowling lanes the whole place is just fantastic. We definitely hope to come back soon.

    (5)

  • Tony K.

    I gotta say - I think by far the setting is perfect. They certainly got it right. It definitely has the feel of their other restaurants (Cafe Hollander) - but what those other places lack is the amazing rooftop patio and market!! Went here for lunch today - and had an overall pleasant experience. Got the black bean burger - and have to say, it's pretty dang tasty. I feel like they're working on a few opening kinks - but overall, I can't wait to come back here for more. Also - noteworthy is the free parking at the Milwaukee Public Market with validation.. (for those of you with a car).

    (4)

  • Dane H.

    TL;DR if you don't feel like reading my entire rant, here's my point: adding truffled forest mushrooms, candied hazelnuts, pistachio gremolata and calling your toast crostini doesn't make your make your mediocre food better. It only heightens the expectations of the consumer shortly before you gravely disappoint them over and over again. Begin rant: Yet another restaurant that falls victim to a kitchen that can't hang with the menu its meant to deliver. Cafe Benelux would benefit greatly from re-writing its menu to suit what they actually serve: mid-tier burgers, salads, and entrees. If I knew that's what I was getting myself into, I'd be giving this place 4 or 5 stars because a lot of their food isn't necessarily *bad*, it's just not a reflection of what the establishment is attempting to portray. Their menu is hilariously pretentious for the type of food they actually serve. Example: Menu description from Cafe Benelux: -charcuterie board*:, duck confit, mahogany pork belly, herb garlic cheese, nine grain toast, spicy pickled carrots 12.95 Shit. Sounds good doesn't it? How could you mess this up? Real world translation: -Tiny piece of wood with a questionably small amount mystery food*:, criminally overcooked duck(?) which surely shouldn't be considered "confit" by any means, pork belly void of any crispiness or anything else indicative of decent pork belly, cheese likely purchased by the tupperware gallon from the local Pick n Save, day old bread (toasted just for you), followed by carrots uniquely sliced to distract you from the fact that what you're eating kind of sucks and that you just forked over 13 dollars for a laughably small portion of this food. I wish I could've taken a picture of this sad excuse for Charcuterie. I know I sound like a food snob - but if that's how you write your menu and this is what the consumer gets, you leave me no choice. If I get a double hamburger from McDonald's and I get 2 soggy buns with overcooked patties and a little bit too much ketchup, guess what? I'm a happy camper. Because it's McDonalds. If I get the equivalent from a cutting edge, hip, gourmet burger joint I'll be pissed. And no, adding your special aioli and pickled daikons or your candied hazelnuts isn't going to hide the fact your serving mediocre greasy food, man. The crazy thing is, I absolutely love Cafe Hollander, another Lowlands owned establishment. It's practically the same restaurant except Hollander is way cooler and less pretentious. I've come to this place way too much and I'll continue coming here since my entire group of friends thinks this place is the second coming of Jesus Crostini. This means I'll continue to be bitter about their menu, the mediocre service (man can you tell those waitresses HATE working at this joint) and the overall depressing sentiment that is Cafe Benelux. Damn you Cafe Benelux, damn you.

    (2)

  • Lindsey A.

    You're not going here for fancy, white-linen dining, ok? You're going to Benelux for the PHENOMENAL beer list (It's a freakin' book!) and the to-par-if-not-better bloody mary's. You're digging into mussels and frites, burgers with all the fixins, and if you have room, an appetizer or two. Came here on a Friday around 1:30 p.m. and it was PACKED (anyone working, or are we all playing at this point?) They said the wait would be 20 minutes but we stood around with lovely hefeweizens for maybe 5-10. Our waitress was one of dry jokes and spot-on wit. Loved her. My one gripe would be that while we were standing near the bar, twice we were asked to move our belongings (a purse) off the (empty) tables surrounding the area..... c'mon, management/waitstaff.... no need to be pissy when the spots are open!

    (4)

  • Don F.

    Horrible Experience! Cafe Benelux Milwaukee: I grew up in Milwaukee, went to Marquette, love Milwaukee... NEVER had a poorer dining experience than we had today, (we left) in my life. My neighbors kid blowing chow all over his plate when out to dinner years ago was delightful compared to, "Hi, welcome to Cafe Dumb Ass... we serve brunch until 3 pm, and all our signs say so.. but, special surprise for you, brunch food can't be ordered after 2:45". My response, b-bye and Hello Facebook and Yelp reviews.

    (1)

  • Natasha J.

    Boring burgers and greasy sides. Sometimes the salads are good, but the portions are inconsistent which is weird from such a corporate place. However, the bloody Mary's and beer selection are awesome, along with the rooftop patio. This is a good place for last minute dinner or brunch. Lots of seating! Not the kinda place worth long waits to be seated though.

    (3)

  • Stefani S.

    My boyfriend and I came across this place while walking around downtown. We had to wait about 45 minutes and were eventually seated on the rooftop. The ambiance is great with a nice view of the city! I've seen mixed reviews on the food but we REALLY enjoyed it and the coffee also. The only reason I haven't been back yet is the wait time and lack of being able to make a reservation, but if you don't mind waiting then I would definitely try this place out. We'll probably go again before summer is over.

    (4)

  • William B.

    Had team of 20 out for business dinner. We called a day in advance for reservations. They said they don't take reservations but we should come and they would accommodate us. We showed up and they said they didn't have room for us and that we should have made a reservation since that's how they accommodate large parties. We went down the street instead. Being on the road every week in this town we eat out every night. I don't think they realize how much future business they just lost.

    (1)

  • Sterbing T.

    Was in Milwaukee for a weekend trip and came across Cafe Benelux. There was about 30-45 minute wait but they texted us when the table was ready (probably only 20 minutes later). I had the Duck Poutine Skillet and my fiance had the Hodge Podge. He absolutely loved his meal. The Duck Poutine was amazing. It was super rich so it might be best split as an appetizer among the table but I will not forget this meal for a very long time. The duck was amazing and the french fries were still crisp in places and other places soaked up the gravy and running egg yolk perfectly. I hope to go back there again soon, service and food were great.

    (4)

  • Dewayne E.

    And got 2 stars because of our server who was nice and kept coming back to check up on us. We waited a very longtime for our food. I figured the kitchen was behind on orders, I guess what I was expecting was a manager to come by and tell us what was taking so long, now we did receive some fries for the table, but no manager to apologize for the long wait. It will be a long time before I go back

    (2)

  • Amber L.

    If you love beer, you can't go wrong at Benelux. There's a ton on tap (and bottles) and a beer book to explain it all. Benelux seems to be a love it or hate it kind of place for people, based on the reviews anyway. I'll just highlight the goods in my opinion: -Awesome rooftop deck (okay everyone knows that) which would be even cooler if they did the whole retractable roof thing so it could be used year round :) -Their potato chip crusted fish fry is currently my favorite one in Milwaukee. However they make the tartar sauce is a secret I'd like to hear about. And lets not forget their almost Asian style slaw which has a little kick to it. Pretty dang good. -The salmon. OMG it's the best salmon. It's must be the combo of whatever spices they use and the naughty balsamic butter. -They have pretty decent salads with huge portions. You can add on shrimp, ahi tuna, etc if you'd like or get it all veggie. -They have interesting and tasty dipping sauces. -I've only tried the cheesecake which was excellent, but they make all of their desserts in house from scratch. Sure, the wait for a table can be long during prime times (aka brunch) but that's how it is at all the popular places in Milwaukee. Have you ever been to the Original Pancake House on Downer? Yeah, I guess people in Milwaukee love their brunch so you'll be waiting. BUT here's a tip...Cafe Benelux and I think almost all of the Lowlands restaurants use the No Wait system for seating. So if you add the app to your phone you can actually check the wait times AND get in line while you're sitting on your couch. Just be sure to be there within 5 minutes of your table being ready or you'll most likely lose your spot. I'd say stop in and have a beer or some food if you're in the area, it's worth checking out.

    (4)

  • Eric R.

    Very good breakfast. I had the B.E.L.T & A sandwich and my wife had the market omelet. Both were generous portions and tasted great. They don't skimp on stuffing the omelets. Warning that the gooey yolks from the egg sandwich can be a bit of a mess. This place has a nice, open atmosphere, and would be nice for dinner or late night also. Big open spaces and tables for large groups. The bloody mary and beer lists were impressive.

    (5)

  • Ian P.

    Café Benelux (named for the famed European union of BElgium, the NEtherlands, and LUXembourg) sits in Milwaukee's old public market space, across from the newly built one. It has indoor and outdoor seating that is usually bustling with people and servers, talking loudly over the many hand-crafted plates and unique beer selections available to customers. There is also a rooftop dining area that is great in the summertime. The number one reason to come to Benelux is, put simply, brunch. On weekends, Café Benelux does an outstanding brunch, in which you can still order my personal favorite, the Sprocket Burger (miller baking pretzel bun, thick-cut bacon, cheddar, duck fat fried egg, garlic aioli, and tomato jam). The level of ingredients put into every dish are astounding for how fairly priced the Café is. In addition, I can't imagine any other restaurant except Benelux where I voluntarily order the frites as an appetizer with multiple dipping sauces to boot (curry ketchup, sriracha ginger bbq, roasted garlic aioli, basil aioli, sriracha mayo (think spicy mayo on sushi), lemon garlic aioli, bleu cheese buttermilk dressing, smoked tandem dubbel mustard, and smoked chipotle aioli). If anything, the sriracha ginger bbq and sriracha mayo are mandatory! The atmosphere is very, well, European, but I've never been here when the vibe wasn't great and the staff wasn't friendly. Their menu is probably one of the more unique and well-crafted ones in the city, and the fair price point makes it a must stop for Milwaukee's residents on the weekend. Dress casual, drink a beer, order an item which you'll probably end up falling in love with, and enjoy the sights and sounds of a summer spent in the Third Ward. Also, order the damn frites...

    (5)

  • Swede H.

    Slowest service ever, we were almost the only customers there and after we were seated it still took about 20 min before we got water. We asked for someone to come over twice and watched a few waitresses standing around. The latte I ordered was really terrible, rather a cafe au lait. NOT worth what I paid for it. Food was decent, not amazing in any way, but satisfactory and made me leave feeling satisfied.

    (3)

  • Nancy C.

    Came here for dinner while in town for an interview and was pleasantly surprised by how delicious the seared scallops were! It came with a very delicious saffron cream sauce and was overall very memorable. The garlic fries were also really good. Located in a really charming building/area of Milwaukee. Will definitely be back if I am ever in town again.

    (4)

  • Tasha H.

    Came here for Sunday brunch in a group of 7. We arrived at 11:20 and the wait was only about half an hour! Not bad. Service was good for a busy brunch hour. Fried chicken and waffles was very unique. It was white meat chicken fried then sliced up with walnuts and cooked apples on a crispy waffle. The flavor combo was really unique and delicious! Hodgepodge seems like great hangover food. It's literally lots of savory breakfast options (eggs, meat, potatoes..) all together in a very generous portion. Bill was split 7 ways no questions asked which was very nice. All in all I think Cafe Benelux has nothing spectacular on the menu but it's a really nice place to get brunch with friends!

    (4)

  • steven k.

    Wow. That's what my better half says when at a loss for words. We came from out of town & apparently this is the only place in Milwaukee that offers Sunday brunch. And apparently this place has never been open before on a holiday, because they are completely clueless. We all arrived on time, with a reservation for 12, and were seated. Half an hour after we were seated we were allowed to order. It's not the healthiest menu on the planet, with almost every thing containing cheese and/or bacon, and certainly not the cheapest. They have several hundred young people running around in black tee shirts. We're not sure what exactly they all do, but it's like watching an ant farm, while waiting for your food. And waiting. And waiting. They're constantly using a touch screen mounted on the wall, to make it look like they're putting in food orders. What they're really doing is updating their status and checking email. To paraphrase the Seinfeld episode at the rental car counter, they know how to take the food orders, they just don't know what to do with them once they take them. Half an hour after we ordered, and now 1 hour into our mission, I went to the hostess stand & had to wait in line to ask for a manager, while several hostess-types furiously tapped away at their tablets. As I was asking the manager to check on our order, our server came over & snapped to me that it had only been 20 minutes, not 30, since we had ordered. I hadn't seen her in so long that at first I didn't recognize her. Now that's good customer service. It was the manager who finally brought our food. Then it took 3 requests for 1 cup of decaf. An order of scrambled eggs with onions brought a plate of eggs & a separate plate of onions. They finally brought the eggs scrambled with the onions. And proceeded to charge us for 2 plates of eggs. And I was never offered a refill on my coffee. Like a bad date, a bad dining experience eventually comes to an end. Of course we had to wait forever for the check, & then another long wait to run the credit card. Luckily, they didn't automatically add a big, fat tip for a large group, like they do in the big city, so we left a small, thin one. And we somehow managed to get out of there before my parking permit in the big lot next door was set to expire - at 8:00 the next morning.

    (1)

  • Angela W.

    Had some friends in from Ireland who wanted to try a restaurant in the third ward, specifically asking for "reasonably priced food and Beer", so I took them to cafe Benelux. I have visited the lowland group restaurant many times. The food was fine, nothing to dream about, but also not bad. Our server was nice, but was really unable to "suggest" beers. With a beer menu that extensive, you should really know your stuff.

    (3)

  • Mahvesh S.

    We went late night to Cafe Benelux as not much was open at this hour. Their patio seating is particularly nice with a great view of Milwaukee downtown. My husband and I split their grilled chicken sandwich and sweet potato fries. The sandwich was good but the fries were really dry and thin. I had heard a lot of positive feedback about this restaurant so I expected a more flavorful meal but it was just average. Maybe it was the time of day that we went. I would visit this restaurant again to see if perhaps I have a different experience.

    (3)

  • john s.

    Horrible service by sever name Lexus. Waited 30+mins for just one plate of food and fries. Not even an apology. Only to tell us it's been a minute I should go check on your food! Table seated after us finished their food before we even got ours.

    (1)

  • Jannis M.

    I am done with the Lowlands group of restaurants. Eating at Benelux was the nail in the coffin. We waited 10 minutes for any of the multitude of servers passing our table to even acknowledge us. When one of them finally stopped it was to take our order. After he delivered our food we saw him once more when he refilled our water. Not once did he appear to ask us how our food was. My salad was missing two of the ingredients listed on the menu but hell if I was going to find anyone to complain to. I've given up on Hollander on Downer since the service there is also universally bad. Overall the food is overpriced and mediocre.

    (2)

  • Kim B.

    What a view! Here from out of town in late September and the weather is amazing! Great rooftop dining area. They have a huge selection of beer. Like a 50 page book! I had the ham and Brie sandwich. Great! It had crispy onions and honey mustard. Very good.

    (4)

  • Amber P.

    Mussels + Frites + Tripel Karmeliet + great conversation with staff = 5 stars

    (5)

  • Ali A.

    Amazing patio with filling ad delicious brunch menu!

    (4)

  • VT C.

    HUGE beer list, though definitely overpriced. The servers know their way around the menu and can definitely guide you towards a new beer if you're feeling adventurous. I've eaten here twice. The mussels and frites were delicious. The burger was not so good. Unfortunately they refused to custom make the burger and I prefer medium rare or medium as the most. It came out medium well to well done and was dry. I would come back simply because of the rooftop patio. It's worth checking out on a nice summer day.

    (3)

  • Matthew S.

    Great space. Great vibe. Great people watching. Good beer. Great Tomato Soup. The muscles were gross (the muscles were almost ok, but the broth had zero flavor). Service was fine but did not shine. Personally, I enjoy a server who announces the daily specials and recommendations, etc... Our server was more just an order-taker and food runner. Cafe B Chefs: Please fix the bland broth. Cafe B Managers: Improvements to the wait staff are evident.

    (3)

  • Russ B.

    Went to the Cafe Benelux for Breakfast. Sat on the rooftop which was great. I had the Mrs. Hollander which was excellent. Being a beer fan I was impressed with their selection of imports. We planned on coming back to the bar after a concert but was disappointed when they were closed at 11:30 after telling us earlier they would be open till 12:00.

    (4)

  • Laura H.

    Mimosas are the right ratio of champagne to orange juice. I just wish their hash browns were actually brown instead of mushy and lukewarm.

    (3)

  • Jeff M.

    Alright, I have a lot of positives, so let's start with the negatives. I went on their second or third day after they opened, so it made sense the service was a little slow and we got someone else's order with the waiter unsure where it really belonged. Which turned into great news for our table, we were able to keep the plate free of charge. And wow, what a great meal it was (that I wouldn't have every tried on my own) - I hate asparagus, but they cooked it into their version of a pancake or crape (I know, I can't remember the fancy name), with an egg and a gravy that made the meal complete. The gravy was made with beer and some other ingredients I can't remember (I normally don't like gravy either, haha, so needless to say - get that!). Alright, the rooftop patio view is so far my favorite in Milwaukee. It doesn't tower over the surrounding buildings, so you are actually somewhat enclosed by the surrounding buildings with space provided by the streets. It really is a great view (assuming you're not facing the Art Institute). The food we did order was very good too, my friend thought some of the food was little too sweet, but I'm not picky if it tastes good! Then at the end of the night, the part that you can dread, the waiter disappears leaving you wonder about the bill or why he needs your credit card for so long. No worries, they have a portable credit card machine, they swipe your card at the end - table side. Very quick, very easy! That's what I call innovation. Check this place out, I really want to stop back for breakfast when the weather gets nicer.

    (4)

  • Cyndi R.

    Went for dinner last night, the hostess was very friendly. Nice beer selection. We both had the Walleye for dinner, it was bland and mine was possibly undercooked. I did however like the gluten free menu. Service could have been more friendly, as she avoided our table during the majority of our meal. Coming from a server, it was noticeable that she rolled her eyes when my date asked about where the Walleye came from and when he questioned the pour of his beer. He said "if you just got out of prison, then the service was great." ;-) I've had better and less expensive meals, along with great service at a local diner.

    (2)

  • Brooklyn W.

    Couldn't decide between everything on the menu. Have gone back every time I have gone to Milwaukee. The drink & beer selection is amazing. I have always had great service as well. As a foodie, I love it all here!!

    (5)

  • Mike C.

    The food at Benelux isn't bad, but what really brings it up is the beer selection. This is one of the few places in Milwaukee that serves Tripel Karmeliet, and the venue that introduced us. The High Speed Wit is also very enjoyable. The brunch menu gets the job done, but I can't help wishing there was a corned beef hash dish on it. Everything seems to be doused in hollandaise and butter anyway, so why not live a little? The Bloody Mary menu steals the show here. The stinking rose is probably the best I've had, I just wish there was some way that the shrimp in it got more seasoning (instead of flavorless defrosted shrimp). It's tough to go wrong at Benelux with any of the food, but the drinks are what keep people coming back.

    (4)

  • Sandy S.

    Went with a group, had the meatloaf for lunch, skipped dinner, large serving. It was very good, looked like it had veggies in it too. Don't care for high stools....why does everyone have them....they will eventually go out of style. Aren't they just more expensive using more wood and taking up more space? What's wrong with a chair?

    (3)

  • Jenny B.

    My husband and I came here for brunch on a Sunday morning. We were seated right away, but sat for over 10 minutes before we got a server or even water. Once they dropped off water, we were not approached until we flagged down a food runner and asked for someone to take our order. It had been 25 minutes at this point because I started to time it on my phone because it was getting obnoxious. I had their breakfast burrito, which came out on a big plate by itself with no side. The burrito was not even kind of good. To top it off, our bill was $30 for 2 plates of brunch, each with NO side and 2 waters. Disgusting. We will never go back.

    (1)

  • Sarah H.

    This place is just OK. There is always a super long wait to sit on the roof, so after 4 times here, I have yet to experience the awesomeness. This last time we sat at the bar thinking obviously, you get better service at the bar. Not necessarily - especially when all the bartenders seem to do is wash and put away the bazillion different glasses for the bazillion different beers they have. So, a plus and a minus I guess. We came in and were starving, so we ordered right away. After about 5-10 minutes our bartender came back to recap the order (as in he didn't ring it in yet). So, slightly bummed, he watched him ring it in. We had the turkey wrap and the turkey burger. Both ok, nothing to complain about, but nothing to write home about either. The turkey in the wrap was more like cold deli meat than a piece of roasted turkey. I don't love the nickel and diming here either -- they charge you an additional $1 to change your regular fries into sweet potato fries (which were not really hot) and 75 cents for any of the dipping sauces. You should at least get one free when they offer one with the fries. Not super impressed.

    (3)

  • Jennifer H.

    I have been to Benelux at least three times, and I am finally ready to decide I will never go back. First, the menu is nice, and the beer selection is large; however, the food isn't that creative or diverse. Plus, as others have noted, there is not a wide selection. But if you like anything with cream sauce or lots of cheese & grease, then this is the place to go. More importantly, the service is TERRIBLE. As in, after waiting tables for years in high school, college and even law school, I always leave a decent tip. If I am unhappy about service, I instead leave a note on the receipt where I included the tip to be sure the server reads it (maybe). The server was rude and condescending to my boyfriend, and it seemed related to the fact that he was indecisive about his beer choice (seriously--with such a wide and diverse beer menu the servers should expect that!!). I have not been so offended by a server's attitude in a long time, and it made the whole experience and my opinion of Benelux a negative one. The note I left on this receipt was that I would not return to Benelux ever again because of the dismissive and rude attitude of our server, and I am sad to say that I mean it. Don't bother with Benelux. The francophone theme & crepe menu are interesting and appealing, but the lack of service or attention to their guests make it worth passing up.

    (1)

  • Nicole A.

    Oh, Cafe Benelux I really want to give you 4 stars, I really do. Dinner appearance... Ordered the duck fat burger. I imagined a savory burger that would last on the memories and the palate. The duck fat was excessive (and tasted better as a condiment for dunking the fries.) The fries or frites were dainty, but that meant they were able to absorb more grease during the frying process, and they tasted as if out of a bag. Breakfast appearance... Ordered the creme brulee french toast. I imagined a fantastic custardy top layer, with a torched sugary crust. I received small baguette slices of a crunchy, seemingly deep fried pieces of bread. You can't even spread the honey butter over the hard peaks and valleys of crunchiness. Horrible. I couldn't even finish the small 3rd piece, and left hungry. My friends hash browns looked nearly undercooked. Another friends burger arrived nearly 5 minutes after all of our food. Those giant pancake things are a little too thick in the pancake, and take over the flavor of everything else. Positives... Love the atmosphere whether sitting on sidewalk, or on the rooftop. When our dinner food took over 30 minutes, plus additional time as they had dropped my husband's burger...they promptly offered us a free dessert. We were comfortable with the seating wait at that moment, as the night was more about relaxation. I like the salads so far. The beer... Love. Love the beermosa. They brew their own beer in Belgium for the beermosa.

    (2)

  • Colin U.

    dear god this place is heavenly... There food here is nothing but spectacular and I wish we had one in Madison... Especially their brunch. Warm waffles, fresh bacon, eggs toast.... It is heaven... With a great location in the third ward and lots of seating this place is sure busy most of the time but if you are willing to wait you will NOT be disappointed. It can be a bit spendy at times but again you are there for a spectacular meal and it is just that. Sitting up top on the rooftop is probably the best place to enjoy this spot. Great food with a great view in the sun. What more can ya ask for!

    (5)

  • Isaac S.

    Ehhhh ok food. The best thing about this place is the rooftop patio. Fantastic in the summer. The pannekokens are the best thing I've had here. Everything else really doesn't stand out.

    (3)

  • Shannon H.

    I wish I could give this place at least 4 stars; I want to love it. But, unfortunately, I don't. The food is good, atmosphere/ patio is great! The problem with this place is the service...er, lack thereof. It's a shame.

    (3)

  • Matt B.

    Recently visited Café Benelux for brunch with a group of friends - I think 7 total. Knowing that they have a crazy long wait, I went down to the Third Ward an hour before I thought we would want to eat and was told we would be waiting for 60-75 minutes. We all arrived after an hour and were not seated for another 45 minutes. On this particular May day, the weather was dreary and rainy so none of the patio or roof seating was open. With such a popular spot, this is obviously sub-optimal for seating. When we were seated, we were quickly asked for drink orders and most of ours took about 5 minutes to arrive. After the 45 minute wait, this seemed like an eternity, but it really wasn't that bad. For food, I ordered beignets and hot pecan caramel rolls for the table to share. Both were okay and hit the sweet tooth spot that I like to get with brunch, but neither were overwhelmingly delicious and we could have done without and been fine. For my main dish, I had the Belt & A which is their take on a breakfast BLT of sorts. The thing about this dish is - it would be killer *without* the bread. The ingredients in it (bacon, lettuce, tomato, two fried eggs, avocado, basil aioli, nine grain bread, benelux breakfast potatoes) sound great as an egg dish with toast and potatoes on the side. But as a sandwich, it was just a touch off of what I'd have wanted. Our server was with us quickly throughout our meal, we always had full water glasses, and in the end he was a champ and split our bill 5 ways to accommodate our couples and singles. So, great service. Overall, CB is a really popular place and I can see why. Great location, good food, fun atmosphere. But it is far from the best brunch I've had in MKE. I won't rush to come back, but I won't turn it down either. One last thing about the wait - it seems as though you can use the app 'NoWait' to place your name on the list and not have to be physically present, but I haven't tested that. I only downloaded the app after their text system told me I could see my place in line using it., so it might be worth a shot to do that. Being able to would make me at least 50% more likely to want to go here.

    (3)

  • LeAnn O.

    As a First time visitor, I will return. The Hodge Podge Breakfast was HUGE portion. Had one of the Rad Barbie Bloody Marys. Was the best I have had. Their home made bloody mix was super tasty and not too spicy. Within an hour of opening, there was a wait to be seated and because they were so busy, they seamed understaffed. Service and food was a bit slow

    (5)

  • Eric C.

    Service by the hostesses was crap. I actually used it as an example of bad service in an interview. I talked to the manager, he was fantastic. Our server was great too. I'd recommend this place... nice atmosphere and great outdoor area. The food was pretty darn good, I might give a 4.5 for the food. The gluten free menu was really nice. Green's Quest Tripel Ale was a fantastic beer. It's probably the best gluten free beer I've ever had.

    (4)

  • Melissa S.

    This place has a mix of food and beverages but it all keeps me fling back. Had the cheese curd meatballs it bitterballen tonight and would definitely repeat. Caprese salad is very delightful especially with a glass of prosecco. Enjoy the ambience and awesome bloody Mary's.

    (5)

  • Greg B.

    The view on the roof-top seating of downtown Milwaukee is awesome. Great beer selection. I felt the appetizers were fantastic, but the Belgium Dip I ordered was disappointing. We began our visit at the lower-level bar as we waited for our table. Looks like a business crowd as a lot of folks were in suits and ties, with a sprinkling of folks dressed like me. I had my normal hefeweizen. After a 30-minute wait, we made our way upstairs. Great view of Milwaukee. Love the old buildings in the renovated Third Ward. The appetizers were good (creamy tater-tots stood out). The beer was flowing, as was the conversation. The Dip sandwich wasn't all that good. There was hardly any roast beef in the sandwich, and the toasted bun was starting to harden to the point that it tasted too crispy, and not fresh. I'll likely be back to try other menu items, and increase my rating. Loved the atmosphere.

    (3)

  • Layla B.

    They recently rolled out a new menu. Love their selection of beers and ciders. We ordered the caprese salad skewers for an app and they were yummy! There were five which is an awkward number for sharing between two, but we made it work. I had a bowl of the delicious tomato soup for my meal.. It was the best tomato soup I've ever had! It was full of chunks of tomatoes, onions and basil, and it was super creamy. My friend had the mac and cheese, and I personally think that the size of the dish wasn't big enough for the cost. Warning for vegetarians: there are two or three options on this new menu. Not the most veggie friendly place! Our waitress was a total flake and wasn't attentive or professional. Again, come & stay for the food over the service.

    (4)

  • David B.

    The name is great, the ambiance is good, the food is satisfactory, the service is horrible. Yesterday (Saturday, August 22nd) was the second time we had eaten there. The first time we waited for 30 minutes to be seated and ordered off their breakfast menu. Our food arrived nearly an hour after ordering. I was unhappy but I assumed that the reason it took an hour to fry eggs was because of the crowd. Yesterday we were seated immediately and the waitress took our orders (eggs and waffles). And this time (2 PM on a Saturday afternoon - well attended but not crowded) it still took almost exactly an hour. So if you want to eat, go across the street to the market. If you are looking for a Belgian beer, hit the liquor store first.

    (2)

  • Ren D.

    We sat on the rooftop and it was perfect. Perfect ambiance, great playlist, and quiet enough to have a conversation. We ordered an original Bloody Mary but we had it with gin instead of vodka. The best part was our mushroom flatbread appetizer.

    (5)

  • Daniel S.

    Another high quality spot for any meal in milwaukee, i got the quiche lorraine, it was big but not too big, and came with a good side salad, plus you can get beer at 10 am (no problem with that) and boy do they have beer, only like 20 pages worth! it's not necessarily a cheap place, but you get your moneys worth thats for damn sure, i would gladly go back

    (5)

  • Sarah M.

    I went there with a large group of people (20). Our server was so patient and sweet. As a former server I know how annoying large parties can be. I had the burger bebes which were pretty good and their tater tots were amazing. I would try it again for sure.

    (4)

  • Greg G.

    Atmosphere is nice, breakfast was served cold with a side of Blahhh. The redeeming factor was the "Chips & Dip" which was strips of deep fried pastry with a side of raspberry cream dipping sauce... Eggs and potatoes were cold and flavorless... :(

    (2)

  • Tracy J.

    I'm more into food than beer but if you like beer this is the spot. The food was pretty good. Nothing to brag about. It often can be very crowded with long lines, esp for the rooftop deck which I hear has beautiful views. I was there for lunch and had an afternoon appt so I couldn't wait to get a seat up there. Indoor and outdoor dining available across the street from the public market. Nice vibe.

    (4)

  • Eric N.

    Roof top was really nice atmosphere. I ordered the BBQ ribs but was disappointed. They were very meaty but we're boiled then topped with a heap of sauce not BBQ. The Mac and cheese was bland. My wife's pulled pork was tasty. Overall, meh.

    (3)

  • Sasha S.

    I loved sitting on the rooftop enjoying the view and the beautiful day. I came for brunch and it was awesome! The beer selection in this place was on point. The Bloody Mary list was something to write home about. Trying different kinds of those were awesome. The cook messed up and made too many tatter tots and we were given some for free. Those were awful. I am so happy we didn't pay for those. We had one and left the plate. My boyfriend had the French toast and it was way too sweet to eat a whole plate but a few bites were delicious. I would definitely eat here again... Or come for a few more bloody Mary's on a Sunday funday!

    (5)

  • fred n.

    Great place. The food is excellent with a wide assortment and interesting spin. The sprocket burger is amazing. They have one of the most extensive beer menus in the city and it is always changing. With outdoor patios in front and on the roof it is an perfect place to take advantage on one of the nice weathered days. Have been to Benelux many times and have never been disappointed.

    (4)

  • Maggie R.

    Really great breakfast this morning. They were quick after I mentioned that we were in a rush but that didn't change the quality of the food. The latte was delicious. There seems to be a lot of craft coffee places around here and Cafe Benelux didn't disappoint in their offerings. I had their variation of eggs Benedict. Way more delicious than your typical English muffin + hollendaise, they make it with bier cheese sauce and a croissant. The breakfast potatoes were good too. My daughter had the waffles and loved them. My 4 year old son went Food Network on me and made "the" tasty face over the french toast. Definitely stop by if you are downtown!

    (5)

  • David R.

    Unfortunately, I was kind of disappointed after my expectations had been inflated by the effusive reviews and the compelling menu. I was primed for a Low Countries aesthetic, continental good cheer, and unpretentious but elevated pub food. I enjoyed none of these. Well, maybe the food a little. The interior wasn't at all what I expected--an profusion of blonde wood and cheap aluminum chairs. Two hostesses failed to greet us for several moments whilst they carried on a personal conversation, until their exasperated colleague stepped away from what was clearly her stand-up lunch break to help us. We had to be reseated because some kind of cooling duct was dripping condensation onto our first table (and several other nearby tables). It was a blessing though, as we got to share a booth and avoided the awful chairs. The stained, wrinkled paper menus were the nail in the coffin of my expectations. This symptomizes a lack of care at management level. And it didn't get any better from there. I noticed some cheerful, smiling servers bustling about...but we didn't get one of those. We got a surly bearded guy who was happier to spend his time chatting up his would-be waitress girlfriend. Hey guy, try transferring just a smidgeon of that enthusiasm to your work. It does wonders for your customers' enjoyment, not to mention your own tips. I liked the taste of the calamari appetizer, and the inclusion of so many vegetables, although the squid itself was tough. The sesame-cilantro slaw was pretty good, as were the frites, but I didn't care for my sandwich. The turkey burger was dry and bland; without the curry ketchup and sriracha mayo, it would have been barely edible. Plus, the plain lettuce and tomato were completely incongruous. Really, it's not a bad place with the right expectations. I feel that their website misrepresents what it really is: a bar where only the beer and the name are European. Otherwise, all they offer is standard, mediocre American bar food and lazy, unpleasant American attitudes.

    (2)

  • Tim K.

    Entire family loved the brunch. We have four teenagers and they all couldn't decide what to order - everything looked great. Loved the roof top atmosphere, Bloody Mary's, and terrific surface.

    (5)

  • Mike M.

    If you've been to Centraal or Hollander, you've basically been here. Same old Lowlands food and service. On that alone, 3 stars. This spot though, has an awesome rooftop patio which is perfect in the summer. If you don't sit on the roof, you might as well just go somewhere else, as the rest of the product is just average. A solid 3.5, but we'll round up.

    (4)

  • Kat B.

    Hostess was a real pill. Our server was terrific as were our Bloody Mary's. It was a busy day and our sever explained the long wait times. Ordered the mussel pot and the French bread was at least 2 days old and hard as nails. Server brought pretzel bread as all bread was stale. Burger bites were tasty but slapped together. Busy kitchen should not equal sub-par food.

    (2)

  • Peter B.

    Short wait for a table on a holiday weekend, not a big concern. Our server was very rushed and stressed- he brought waters before even asking is we wanted anything to drink. (So we ended up not ordering anything else). The server did stop by 3 seconds after the runner dropped off our plates... in mid stride all in one breath asked and answered for us: "How is everything? ...DELICIOUS?" We both laughed at the humor of the him at least trying to make a customer service touch. But he's busy, right? My dining companion had the salmon salad- it looked good, but was dry and very overcooked. My turkey wrap was OK- nothing i'd order again, but while eating it I was amazed at the contrast in her salad tomatoes and the ones in my wrap. No matter- its just a green tomato the kitchen accidentally threw in my wrap, they are busy, right? Near the end of the second half of my wrap, like what happens to many wraps, it fell apart. Not a big deal, but a moment later I realized what I had been laksidasically consuming just moments before. The grey slimy moldy avocado stared at me. Disgusting.

    (1)

  • Marissa B.

    This is my second and last time eating here. Both times it took over ten minutes for a server to greet us. Everyone is mostly standoffish like they're doing you the favor. Our waitress (Liz) walked up and without ever greeting us asked if we wanted "anything too".. As if we were supposed to be listening to the other table next to us, and as casually as if we had been chatting all night. The sprocket was painfully greasy, and the fries were re-dunked and Luke warm. It was in general a very disappointing $46.00 spent.

    (2)

  • Bruce M.

    First off, request a table on the website so you don't have to wait around for a table to open up. We reserved a table with about 16 groups ahead of us. The website told us about 15-20 minute wait. So we arrived about 5-10 minutes early. Waited about 40 minutes total. Not that big of deal, it was nice outside so we just enjoyed the weather. The food which was good, omelette wasn't anything to special especially for a $9.99 price tag. The potatoes were excellent. I loved the environment and the diversity of the place. Great location walkin distance from my home. But our server Evan was just a complete weirdo, idk if it was his first day or what but that service was terrible on his behalf. He got very close one the girls at our table while taking the order(it creeped one of the girls out). Came back once and only filled up one of our water glasses while we had six people sitting at our table!!! Took close to 15 minutes to close our tab. No rush to ever return. Plenty of other places to go in the beautiful city of Milwaukee with better food and service

    (2)

  • Katie K.

    We have been pleasantly surprised each time visited. Tonight was to use our awesome City Tin! My bloody was just fantastic. I ordered a traditional with pepper vodka. Even the hard to please husband thought it was was GREAT! Just awesome! The beer selection here is excellent. A whole lot of Belgium beer. Tonight I had the beet salad with salmon and the husband had chicken stew bread bowel. In the past I have had a pretzel bun hamburger. We also had hummus. All were really good. Considering seafood is either hit or miss I was pleased this was actually good. Good enough for me to come back and tell you to try it. I have enjoyed all the deserts at one point. Living down the street this may become an easy food choice for us. We like to sit at the bar, service was great. No complaints. Overall, thumbs up!

    (4)

  • Vicky S.

    What is it with places that tell you you can have a beet salad and then include like 4 tiny little beet pieces in it? This place did that, so that's a strike against it. But, to its credit, this place also has these amazing tater tot balls of deliciousness that were some kind of fried potato yumminess with bacon, bleu cheese & sriracha mayo. AND a beer menu that is almost 50 pages long. Prices were reasonable, service was good, and the ambiance is fun. This would be a fun place to sit and have a beer and (did I mention those tater tot appetizers?) a snack (the cheese board was also delicious though the pretzel bun was cold and kind of soggy and not impressive - and why do places give you tons of delicious cheese and like 3 crackers or one tiny little pretzel roll thing? Crackers, real bread, people!).

    (4)

  • Mark S.

    Wonderful Bloody Mary's and any place that hands you a beer menu the size of a small towns phone book has to be good. Great place for brunch! A must visit when in Milwaukee

    (5)

  • Peter C.

    I have been here several times both in the winter and the summer (where it really shines, pun not intended). The selection of Belgium beer is second to none here yet it does carry the Belgium beer pricing. Almost each beer has its own special serving vessel (glass) that varies in shape and size that really makes the experience enjoying that beer even that much better. The food here is decent yet nothing special - I would recommend getting a few smaller items and sharing them. Come here for the drinks and a light meal. During the winter, you are able to just stay downstairs in the dining room yet during summer the rooftop patio is extensive and AWESOME. It gives you a great view of the city with several long high top tables making it great for groups. They also have tables they put on Broadway for you to enjoy your meal/drinks while people watching. The service here is hit or miss with me - sometimes you will have a great server and other times (might be since it was busy summer nights) where it is slower and have to give them the order for a beer a few times. Great place to enjoy beers on the rooftop during a summer afternoon or evening.

    (3)

  • Joe P.

    Descriptive phrase: decent brunch in a hipster atmosphere. Benelux is yet another iteration of Cafe Hollander/Trocadero/Cafe Centraal Lowlands Group restaurant. That means you'll get a notably good beer selection and fun atmosphere with just okay food. Cafe Benelux, like all the others, has a great location. This one's on the corner in the Third Ward across from the Public Market. I came for brunch in winter, so they're not getting extra stars for their rooftop patio (which I'm sure is great). The inner decor is indistinguishable from the rest of the Lowlands; lot's of wood, a nice bar area, plenty of seating, some hipster furnishing, and a swag shop that I'd rather not have in my restaurant. This is Wisconsin, so I naturally ordered a beer with my brunch. $4.50 for a High Speed Wit wouldn't be a bad deal anywhere else, but I'd figure there'd be a price decrease for their home brew. No such luck. I decided to try the Sausage Potato Dutchy ($9.95), since it sounded unique. It's like a fritatta with potatoes, sausage, eggs, bell peppers, cheddar cheese, and a choron sauce. Without the spicy choron sauce this dish would've been unremarkable. There was just no taste to it. Filling? Sure, but no real reason to bother eating it over anything else. Especially considering the fruit bowl side it came with was mostly melon rind and grapes. My companion's Eggs Benedict with country potatoes ($8.95) would've been a better choice. My verdict: Cafe Benelux cements my opinion that the Lowlands Group has great locations and good beer, but unremarkable food. I may come back for a drink on the patio in the summer, but there are better brunch options.

    (3)

  • Molly S.

    The atmosphere was beautiful but the staff were inattentive and crabby. They also are incapable of cooking a burger to order. Several of us ordered our burgers medium rare and it came to all of us well done.

    (2)

  • Jeffrey S.

    Definatly a cool place, the variety of beer in AWSOME ! The food not so much ... The grilled chicken sandwich .... B o r I n g ....the spicy hamburger , as you can see.... Forgettable . I would go back for the roof top seating and the beer and maybe an appetizer ... Maybe.

    (2)

  • Megan B.

    I usually have great things to say about Benelux however this time around I was extremely disappointed. A friend and I were coming for dinner and seated up stairs on the patio which was beautiful. Our server came over, asked for beverages and appetizers and we got the Tater Tots which were awesome however took a little long for Tater Tots. We had our entree orders taken and for 2 burgers it was probably close to 30 min. I asked mine for medium rare which came out well done. There was also supposed to be a fried egg which turned out to be completely cooked. Not only was the egg and burger a disappointment but also there was supposed to be garlic aioli which turned out to a be maybe a 1/2 oz., couldn't taste it on my burger. A few more things, the burger that was well done was also burnt. Now I'm not talking about great grill marks, I'm talking about grilled, charred, nastiness which is probably why it came out well done. Lastly, the bun didn't even fit the patty size and it looked like it had been smushed. Not worth the $14. As for service it seemed like our waitress was more concerned about filling water glasses than making sure our food was at our table in a reasonable time. When asked if I wanted another Coke and said I was okay with water, I was brought another one. The only reason Benelux is getting a 2 is because of the patio. This place was once great, but this visit has me seeing differently!

    (2)

  • Miles W.

    WATCH OUT, TERRIBLE FOOD! I know at least 5 people that have had terrible food experiences here. 3 of the 5 had moldy food (2 of them where moldy avocado in the wraps and one was a moldy pretzel baguette from the cheese plate). Avoid eating here! Personally, I had brunch there and the quiche tasted like an off brand frozen entree from a low quality grocery store (which is shocking because Trocadero has an amazing quiche and they are owned by the same group). In addition the breakfast potatoes were completely undercooked and raw in the middle. The amount of complaints I have heard about the food here is an embarrassment, and since food quality is clearly in question, I wonder how they have not been investigated yet. The rest of this restaurant groups places are great, so it's hard to understand why this food quality at Benelux is so terrible compared to the other restaurants.

    (1)

  • Tatiana M.

    Best brunch in Milwaukee! I got a bacon, cheese, spinach omelet... Absolutely delicious and ate the whole thing. Huge pieces of bacon was the winning key. The other dish was the chicken and waffles. It tasted good but the candied pecans and fruit made it too sweet for me. Overall, delicious and highly recommended! And super cool inside. I'd be back again and again if I lived there.

    (5)

  • Holden K.

    The food isn't the best, but sitting outside during the summer with some mussels and beer is definitely why I come back!

    (2)

  • Rebecca T.

    Delicious menu options, very unique. Incredible burgers, but lots of other offerings as well, open air atmosphere--would bring a jacket on a cooler day. 6 adults ate heartily for about 125.00.

    (5)

  • Robert S.

    This Place is a Must for Breakfast !!! so we came into town for summerfest and I needed to get some spices at the Market across the street from here so we figured we would check it out my partner had been here once before but I had not Also Parking is free on Sundays downtown score there too, so we went in and there were people standing around so I figured it was gonna be a wait so I headed off to the boys room the have bicycles on the doors and the sign hanging above the hallways I really liked that The bathrooms are really nice and clean slotted wood stalls I'm always impressed when a place goes the extra step on the bathroom so I get back up front and don't see my partner, I'm like oh crap as they have indoor and outdoor seating plus a roof deck, but no sooner do I think how am I gonna find him and a server/waitress comes up and shows me were he is seated so we ordered some Beignets these are a must order they come still piping hot and covered in powdered sugar plus with a chocolate dipping sauce I just wanted to lick it all up by it's self I had the Pulled Duck Poutine, Holy Shit was I impressed I have eaten duck it a few different ways over the years but these guys have it down it is done right, it really didn't need the hot sauce as much as I wanted hot sauce, the gravy was really good and the onions were cooked just right and even the french fries weren't a soggy mess the cheese curd had kinda melted into one bug lump but that was easy enough to fix, also my over easy eggs were perfect the whites were not runny I don't mind the yolk being runny but no runny whites can't wait to go back

    (5)

  • Richard H.

    A pub with mediocre food and a nice beer selection. The best part is the huge amount of outdoor seating.

    (3)

  • Jaryd C.

    Came before Summerfest, visiting from Chicago.. Had no idea what to expect but let me just tell ya we need three of these in Chicago. The drinks were a delight, the atmosphere was great, and the bloody mary's were unbelievable. This place is a definite yes if you're in Milwaukee. Don't not pass it up.

    (5)

  • Susan V.

    Wish I could give it more than 5 stars. Out of 3-day stay of eating and drinking in downtown Milwaukee, we found this place by accident the morning of the day we left. It was the BEST meal we ate the entire weekend. And we are foodies. I had the French Skillet. I love Ratatouille but had never considered having it for breakfast. It was prepared with some chili sauce for a nice kick and two fried eggs, as well as a little hollandaise. I didn't notice much hollandaise, but that's quite alright because so many dishes are drowned in that sauce. It was amazing! I had the Mandarin Breeze cocktail as well. Also good, and a nice breakfast cocktail choice. My fiance had a more traditional breakfast entree called Hodge Podge. It too was very excellent. Nice smoky bacon flavor, great fried eggs, and seasoned beautifully. He had the biermosa to accompany. Now the trick is to recreate this back at home. Wish we had found this place much sooner! Whenever we make it back, this will be our cafe of choice.

    (5)

  • Ty S.

    Visiting for the weekend from Indy for a wedding. Came early for brunch - half full but got packed after we were seated. Great atmosphere. Friendly staff. Comfort food at its finest. We had the quiche and hodge podge, delicious but heavy. Time for a long walk.... 5/5 Would eat here again.

    (5)

  • Kevin W.

    Stopped in to this place for some lunch and immediately thought it would be a great spot. I'm a fan of the cuisine in this part of the world (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg) and was looking forward to a great meal. The place is run by your typical hipster foodies and when I was there it was full of yuppies shoving Belgian Fries in their maws. I was very much looking forward to the bloody mary but was disappointed, the food was average. Not bad, not great. We were there in the winter so we sat inside with all the doors closed and the place was comfy, even by the windows. Service was OK, waters were empty for a while before refilled, but I'm a raging alcoholic and was nursing a holiday hangover so I drank a lot of water. Speaking of water, did you know that camels DON'T store water in their humps? That a lie that the Man has been feeding to us since childhood and I'm fucking sad about it. I'd probably hit this place up again if I were in the neighborhood.

    (3)

  • Erik S.

    Came here for a Saturday brunch, food was great, and the Bloody Mary was fantastic! They also have a great selection of beer on tap, and the atmosphere was really good there! Will definitely go back next time in town.

    (5)

  • Ly N.

    Relaxed atmosphere, outdoor seating along with a decent food selection makes Benelux a popular choice in Milwaukee third ward year round. Cafe Benelux is part of a local chain that includes Trocadero, Cafe Hollander and Cafe Centraal. The atmosphere is very similar in all 4 locations, trendy, casual, beer (lots of it!), plenty of sitting and European/ Belgian inspired food. I have frequent Benelux quite a few times now. The upstairs patio is great for brunch, lunch, dinner or late night. The cafe lighting on the upstairs makes the dining experience very pleasant. Cafe Benelux has a rather large beer selection. Not sure what to order? There's a 5 beer sampler that would give you a a taste of what they have to offer. I give the joint a 4 star because service can be inconsistent and the food could use some variety. A few of my faves: - brussels pannenkoeken: very different type of pancake. The pancake like batter is big and covered the whole plate, it is thicker than a crepe yet thinner than typical pancake. On top are a mixture of asparagus, eggs, and cheese (lotsa of cheese!) - Tater tots: need I say more? Try the different dipping sauce they have! That's probably my favorite part. The sriracha mayo and curry ketchup are very tasty. - Merckx burger --- think CHEESE. it has brie, smoked gouda and goat cheese - Frites cone -- yumm If you haven't tried it yet - the bier mosa is quite popular for brunch. It's light and fresh. Overall - a good relaxed restaurant to hang out with friends or casual date night.

    (4)

  • Shawn S.

    The coffee is deliciously strong and the weekend brunch menu is fantastic! We always hit this place for breakfast whenever we spend the weekend in Milwaukee, so we've tried a variety of breakfast entrees without disappointment. I really like the open layout and the wood booths. We tend to arrive early so there's never a wait, the food comes out quickly, and our servers are always friendly and attentive.

    (4)

  • Charles F.

    Casual atmosphere - upscale bar cuisine with a belgian theme to both the food and the beer. The beer selection is quite good and I love the rooftop seating in the summer. Service is a bit hit or miss and maybe 4 stars is a bit high given these shortcomings, but I do like the place and the beer.

    (4)

  • Laura C.

    Despite the fact that I hate waiting, it's usually a sign that a restaurant is going to be good. Sunday brunch at Benelux was a hefty wait, but I was able to amuse myself with all the kitschy bike decorations. With a clever Bloody Mary menu, and a huge beer list, you can bide your wait time with alcohol. After a gluttonous weekend, I tried to be somewhat healthy and went with the quinoa scramble with portabello mushrooms and butternut squash. I thought the portion size was a bit on the small side, but maybe most people don't eat as much as me. We also tried a pannenkoeken, but were disappointed at the dry, bland attempt at a Dutch treat. I'd go back for the beer and atmosphere, but would eat somewhere else first.

    (3)

  • Meagan C.

    I'm going to give Benelux a 4 star review simply because of the brunch. Yes, you may have to wait an hour or so to get a seat, but we always seem to grab a couple spots at the bar. The bartenders are awesome and we know a couple by name and I can't get enough of the pannenkoken brussels! Great Belgian beer selection that changes monthly and I love the house brew as well! Had some bad service sitting at the tables, but the bartenders are always on top of their game! PS. Don't order the calamari, you'll be disappointed. DO order the sprocket burger, you'll die because of so much love!

    (4)

  • David S.

    Definitely would recommend! Nice and friendly waitress. Good service along with excellent food. Cool atmosphere and very busy on a Friday night.

    (5)

  • Angie M.

    Came here for the first time last weekend for brunch (beignets, bloody marys, and other delicious menu items). It looks like our first visit was our last visit. The hostess said there was a 20-30 minute wait, even though tons of tables were. As annoying as it is to see tons of empty tables, yet be told there is a wait, there's no point bringing it up to the hostess because they they are probably trained to only seat a certain number of tables at a time, or they are understaffed (which is management's fault, not the hostess's). We were seated just before 2:45pm, and given lunch menus. We were told they stop serving brunch at 3pm when they switch over to the lunch menu. We rolled with it, but asked our server if there was any way we could still order beignets because that was the reason we came to that restaurant; she checked with the kitchen and said they would go ahead and put the order in. She explicitly stated that we couldn't order any other items from the brunch menu. Fine; there were tons of delicious lunch choices that we wanted to try, and we were just glad to get beignets! We both ordered bloody marys. My partner ordered the rocket salad (arugula, local apples, pears, black river falls gorgonzola, toasted almonds, honey lavender vinaigrette) with chicken. I ordered the pork belly banh mi (sesame cilantro slaw, cumin aioli, mahogany glaze, twin mini potato rolls), and the server asked if I wanted regular or sweet potato fries, so I chose regular since sweet potato can be hit and miss. The bloody marys/beignets thankfully arrived before the rest of the food. The beignets were perfectly fried! The side of kahlua chocolate sauce was way too sweet (and grainy), so we barely touched it. But, we enjoyed the beignets! The bloody marys were also quite delicious. Then, the food was dropped off by somebody other than our server, but the food runner left before I realized that I received the incorrect food. Instead of receiving the lunch pork belly banh mi, I received the breakfast pork belly banh mi (pork belly, scrambled eggs, muenster, sweet pepper relish, toasted cumin aioli, twin potato hoagies) with what looked like breakfast potatoes. Thinking this was somebody else's food, I flagged down our server so she could get the food to the right person. I politely drew her attention to the mistake (after working in customer service for years, I go out of my way to be incredibly nice to other customer service folks). Instead of receiving a polite response, she responded by treating me like I was stupid and should've known that I would receive brunch food instead of lunch food. She proceeded to explain to me that because of the time what I received was "technically correct" and there was nothing she could do about it. I pointed out that it was not correct because I ordered the banh mi off the lunch menu she gave us and that's why she asked if I wanted sweet potato or regular fries, not breakfast potatoes. She replied in a very snotty and demeaning tone "I know it's confusing because of the switch from brunch to lunch" as if I were the one who was confused. I pointed out to her that (1) we received only lunch menus when we were seated, (2) that she specifically told us that the kitchen said we couldn't order anything else off the brunch menu, (3) that she had specifically asked me if I wanted regular or sweet potato fries with the banh mi (a lunch banh mi side; the breakfast bahn mi has no side), and (4) that it was way after 3pm when we received our food (to show it was likely after 3pm when our food was made). There was no way I was confused. It was either her confusion or the kitchen's confusion, and she refused to apologize or take responsibility for it. She now just seemed flustered, and only only offered to bring me a side of regular fries. But that was it; apparently, receiving the sandwich I ordered was not an option (even though now it was well into lunch time and the sandwich I ordered/wanted was now the only "banh mi" able to be made). I should have walked out at that point, but I was too hungry to go find somewhere else to eat. After I tasted the food, I really wished I had left. The breakfast potatoes were mushy on the outside and somewhat raw on the inside. The scrambled eggs on the "banh mi" were so overdone and inedible. The sweet pepper relish and muenster were so stuck to the eggs that by picking off the eggs I was left with nothing but a roll with a tiny piece of pork belly. It was not good. My partner's food was only marginally better. The chicken was beyond overcooked, the salad was underdressed and didn't have any pears in it (at least none that we could see), but at least the apples and gorgonzola were somewhat good. After the awful service, we soon lost our appetites and didn't finish the mediocre food. tl;dr: Bloody marys/beignets were good. Other food and service were awful. Either the waitstaff or kitchen (or both) don't know how to handle the brunch/lunch transition.

    (1)

  • Beth P.

    Oh, Cafe Benelux how you tempt me with your patio. I work across the street from Benelux so I get to glimpse of the patio from my window. This is both a blessing and a curse. It's nice to see people enjoying the nice weather, but not so much on a Friday afternoon at 4 pm. The patio is nice when you can make it over. I've actually only been here twice despite being so close. Their bloodys are delicious and they actually rival The Wicked Hop's IMHO. Staples like burgers, frites and Belgian beers are always great. I would not order the black bean burger again though since I wasn't impressed.

    (4)

  • Adrienne C.

    Hands down the best Brunch I've ever had. I ordered the Hodge Podge Skillet and it was amazing. I swear breakfast has never been the same. The wait was long one summer Sunday, but worth it for a rooftop experience. A cool drink at the bar watching the World Cup kept us occupied in a fun (but packed) atmosphere. We even went back the following day. I would recommend this place for brunch to anyone I know and already have more than 20 times.

    (5)

  • Lisa S.

    This place was great. A large group of twenty of us came and had a great meal with a HUGE selection of beers. the upstairs rooftop dining overlooking the Third Ward was cool. Food - Fantastic!

    (5)

  • Thais F.

    Pretty awful food. The pork on the meat plate was too salty and the pork belly was gelatinous -- I barely touched either. The broth for the mussels was bland/blah. The whole experience made me appreciate the Hopleaf in Chicago even more. To top it off it was my birthday. Pretty sucko

    (1)

  • Damon R.

    I guess is should have read the yelps about the service eh? Silly me. Stopped in for a weekend morning brunch. The place was very busy and crowded. That didn't deter us from eating, we were on a mission to try something new and that we did. The menu had lots of items that sounded pretty good. So our menu choices were: Breakfast potatoes with added (onions and sweet peppers), Chicken and waffles and mini waffles. There was a reasonable wait period for the food. The seating on the first level is a hot mess. Its nearly impossible to navigate to reach the front door. So the food comes and it looks great. Except it didn't look great, at least mine didn't. The mini waffles were good and looked great. The chicken and waffles looked good until i tasted it. The waffle was actually good. The chicken not so much. The chicken surely tasted as if it were fried and burnt or dirty grease, no kidding! The breakfast potatoes were soft and mushy. The onions were no uniform and even had onion skins in them. Yes, onion skins you know the inedible outer shell of a onion? That was in the potatoes as well as 2 yes 2 chunks of a red pepper and the pit of a onion. Before I decided to write this review I saw that at least two other yelpers had issues with Cafe Benelux's problem with there grease/oil. Oily food or dirty/ foul tasting grease should not be something more than one person has commented on in anyone's establishment. I waited for the waitress and i told her what was wrong with the dish. She apologized and took the food off of the bill. Then she never came back! It was like she was afraid or something? We weren't gonna bite her head off, after all she didn't cook our food. Or did she, it was a little bit busy.....hmm. I'm just joking, she really didn't come back to the table to ensure that the rest of the food was OK. Bottom line, I like this place i like the location and i think that all of the food isn't this quality. I think that it got busy and the chefs were aiming for quantity over quality and that is never good. I will go again and give it another try. I better not be disappointed!

    (2)

  • tara j.

    We stopped here because my son wanted to sit on the rooftop and have a burger. Well after listening to the manager on the way to the bathroom give his staff a pep talk and emphasize the up sell and push the food I thought ok this might not be all bad, but boy was I ever wrong! It took our server 8 minutes to get to our table and truthfully it was before noon so it wasn't too crowded. Ok my first instinct was to leave( always go with that instinct) but we stayed. No water not enough place settings and took 15 minutes for our drinks to come. Onto the food I had the chicken sandwich on ciabatta roll which fell apart while I was eating it. That tells me the bread wasn't fresh. My daughter had the Mac and cheese which was ok but for the price the portion was skimpy. The burger was ok but it was nothing special. Our server never came back to check on us if we needed anything. Well we needed another place setting which never came . Poor service and mediocre food. I'm sorry we didn't stick with the market across the street.

    (1)

  • Amanda S.

    Stopped in for a lunch after we got in on the train. We were told it would be 20-25 minutes for a spot on the rooftop patio. We decided to grab a drink at the bar and wait. A table was ready for us by the time we got our bloody Mary's. They were amazing and there are several different flavor options to choose from and they were amazing. Chicken salad croissant was good but the bloody was the highlight. I also need to make sure mention the 50 page beer list!

    (5)

  • Paul M.

    Any place that has open air, 2nd story seating is alright in my book. The stuffed meatball appetizer was divine. Great selection of beers, but the Old Fashioned was not tasty.

    (4)

  • D L.

    A nice restaurant in the Historic Third Ward. It's owned by the Lowlands Group, so it's similar in style to its other cafes. The bike theme is fun. I liked browsing their gift shop, which included shirts, beer, glassware, etc. Our server was friendly and speedy. The food is tasty. We started with the caprese fondue, which was basically melted mozzarella, tomatoes to spread on crostini pieces. It was a little difficult to maneuver to the crostini, but melted mozzarella and tomatoes is a delicious combination, so it doesn't matter! For my entree, I had the six spice salmon, which was very flavorful, and included mashed potatoes and roasted root veggies. The beer selection is extensive and mainly focuses on Belgian beers. However, they were able to get a hold of some Bourbon County Stout for a limited time, so that's pretty exciting for the beer geeks. If you're lucky enough to find parking around here, you should stop by!

    (5)

  • Kat B.

    The service here was not good, not bad, but at almost $20 a plate I would have expected better. The waiter was effective, but harried and curt, another staff member crashed the bus cart into a guest at my table as well as another without apology. The food is ok and the beer is also $2 a bottle cheaper across the street at wicked hop. The biggest problem I had with the place was the general additude of the staff and the fact that the tables were crammed in there with little room to not bump in to the table behind you. After seeing that this place is run by the same folks that run Centraal, I'm not shocked. The waitstaff in these places is too bad to blame the actual staff, rather the management.

    (2)

  • Peter Y.

    Yeah, the rooftop would be cool, if it wasn't for the fact that only some tables have umbrellas, making the ones without literally like 100+ degrees to sit in. Yeah, the burgers would be delicious, if it wasn't for the fact that they were coated in layers of grease and fat which overwhelmed all other flavors. Though, I will admit, it was super tender. Their fries are alright, but nothing to write home about. Yeah, the service was decent, if it wasn't for the fact that they forgot my sweet potato fries, and instead gave me normal fries. Oh, and also they mixed up our drink orders, and thought I was the other Asian dude. And finally, the prices would be ok, if they didn't charge extra for sauce. Only redeeming quality of this place was their extensive drinks menu, otherwise, I'd suggest elsewhere.

    (2)

  • Raad R.

    Great omelettes, ample serving sizes, awesome selection of teas (try the green mint if you're stumped), and really friendly and nice waiters. I highly recommend this place!

    (5)

  • Tiffany H.

    We were driving through Milwaukee this past weekend and decided to stop at this little local stop for lunch. It was a beautiful sunny day and the rooftop seating was great. It definitely makes you feel like you are far from the Midwest when sitting under large white umbrellas while listening to some trendy music and drinking carafes of fresh, chilled water. The food was pretty good. I had the turkey avocado wrap w/ fries for a little under $10. Large portions, so there is definitely room to share here. The only thing that brings it down to three stars was the service. Our waitress seemed like she might have partied a little too hard the night before and kept forgetting about us. She forgot a couple of the sides and we waited about 45min for food.

    (3)

  • Mark W.

    A definite must-visit if you're in Milwaukee. This place is AWESOME. First of all, the food was delicious. Everything we ordered was fresh and tasty. We went for a late dinner before a concert, but the place was versatile enough that it would be fun for almost any occasion. The food took a while to come out after we ordered it, but that was ok because we were enjoying some of their refreshing homemade cocktails. They also have tons of beer! Anyway, the one thing that was a little disappointing was my sandwich. I ordered the Benelux version of grilled cheese, which came with bacon on it. It was listed on the menu, but Benelux doesn't point out which menu items are veggie options like most places, so it's hard to easily pick out vegetarian dishes. Overall, a very positive experience. I had recommended it and my friends were raving about it for the rest of the night. I would definitely go back!

    (4)

  • Tom V.

    Best place for food and drinks in Milwaukee! Not only is the staff extremely polite and well trained, but also the eating and drinking experience was awesome. Their beer selection is phenomenal and has clearly some thought behind it. They also offer professional information on which beer matches which food. Don't miss out on this place!!

    (5)

  • Ken J.

    Incredible breakfast. The potatoes are great and French toast was flavorful. The tater tots were amazing and should not be missed. Better Bloody Mary than across the street. Will be back when I am in Milwaukee. So much to choose from

    (5)

  • Leona L.

    This is my first time here and I ordered a bunch item, eggs with some potatoes and a bloody mary. I would come back again only for the bloody mary- it was spicy, had a great kick, and lots of flavor. The food was not very flavorful and pretty standard, this is the reason I'm giving this place 3 stars and not 4.

    (3)

  • Ruby H.

    I arrived unexpectedly to Café Benelux. I had just finished a 2 hour exploration walk with my puppy in the lakeshore state park area. I was immediately seated and promptly approaches by my server. Excellent service even on a busy Sunday afternoon! Food was delicious.. I don't exactly remember what I ordered though! Haha I will be back though, so i'll update y'all next time. :)

    (4)

  • Mary T.

    Other breakfast/brunch places came enthusiastically recommended, but Cafe Benelux was walking distance to our afternoon plans. Given the lukewarm reviews we approached breakfast with cautious optimism and were pleasantly not disappointed. We arrived on a beautiful Saturday afternoon around 11:30. Unsurprisingly, the wait for outdoor tables was long, but seating inside was immediate. I don't drink coffee and get awfully grouchy when I'm hungry, so waiting for an outdoor table would've been an epic mistake. Benelux is a big place, there are a mix of booths, tables and high tops, in addition to a bar with a hearty amount of taps. The decor is mix of wood, loft-style exposed beams and vents, European signs, wooden shoes and a Belgian-themed market. We started off with the fresh fruit bento box; a mix of fresh fruit and berries, yogurt, and granola. All of the ingredients came separately, which was perfect as I don't like yogurt; the fruit was tasty and fresh and the granola was just as I like it - sans raisins or other dried fruit. For our mains, I ordered the cinnamon streusel french toast with a side of potatoes and him the green torpedo omelet. Our food came quickly and looked and tasted delicious. Ordering french toast is always a gamble for me; I loathe eggs, if I can see them, I won't/can't eat them. In other words, I won't eat french toast that is too eggy; yes, I realize how ridiculous that sounds. The three large slices of challah were perfect; not eggy, but airy and soft. It was not overly sweet despite the orange marmalade butter and streusel and only required a little maple syrup to tie it all together. My potatoes were another story, the only dim part of the meal. Made with skin-on red potatoes, they looked fantastic, but were over-salted. I picked at them mainly to balance the sweetness of my french toast, but didn't eat them with the gusto I normally reserve for breakfast potatoes. Cafe Benelux was the perfect foundation for a gluttonous day of drinking. I would definitely visit again if I were in the Third Ward and in need of a beer or meal.

    (4)

  • Matt H.

    Excellent beer menu and enjoyed their turkey avocado wrap!

    (4)

  • Lindsay B.

    Love the feel of this restaurant. It's great in summer when you can sit on the roof or out on the sidewalk. The Kulminator is a very good choice if you want a sandwich. However I was very disappointed with my Bloody Mary. It tasted like watered down tomato juice. I had to add tons of pepper and hot sauce to make it drinkable. Go to Benelux for good food, go to Wicked Hop for a good bloody.

    (3)

  • Kristin W.

    I'm a night nurse and we frequent this place often after a bad shift. They are just as great as their sister restaurant, Cafe Hollander. Lots of the same dishes, but some of their own unique menu items, too. We also like this place because they open early at 8AM so there is no waiting around after work. The service is prompt, and they get our bloodys and food out to us quick so we can go home to sleep :) My favorite is the Rad Barbie bloody (horseradish infused vodka) and the BELT sandwich. Tons of seating both on inside and 2 outdoor patio areas. It's located in the 3rd ward and it's fun to sit outside, unwind from our shift, and watch the city wake up. Parking is easy right out front (but I can only vouch for the early AM).

    (5)

  • Kelly B.

    For some reason I continue to patron the Lowland's restaurants despite NEVER having a good experience. Swig was closed so the only other City Tin in the area was Benelux. We went in with a group of 4 around 3:30 on a Sunday. It was dead (Superbowl started at 5:30 so that could be why), so we were seated and attended to right away. We started with a moscow mule, a beer and a bloody mary. I got one that was horseradish infused vodka, bbq, bacon, and jalapeno. I liked the initial flavor, but once it was in my mouth it was just pure bbq and I passed it on to a different member of the party - no way could I have drank it all. I ordered the sweet potato frites with the basil aioli, which is the one constant thing that I know I will like when I go to these places. Also started with the butternut squash soup. It was very dark and tasted overwhelmingly pumpkiny. The pepitas on the top were nice, and I enjoyed the slight spicy kick in the back of my throat, but it was far from the velvety savory bliss that I am used to when I cook my own butternut squash soup. For the entrees we got the grilled caesar salad, the turkey avocado wrap, the beet flatbread and the pulled pork sandwich. The wrap was the best. The tortilla was grilled panini-style so it held it's shape nicely. The pulled pork was great, a nice smoky flavor to the meat. The flatbread was good too, lots of cheese. The salad was borderline unpalatable (of course that is the one I ordered). I have had their caesar dressings before, and this was vile. I normally love the idea of a grilled salad, but after cutting off the butt of the lettuce head, and separating the charred romaine from the top, it didn't leave much. They garnished the salad with parmesan, croutons and fried capers. I feel like the idea of fried capers is really appealing, but once I was eating them they were odd. The frying removed any of the vinegary bite that is provided by them, and essentially gave them an "oops what did I accidentally just eat" feeling. The above and beyond worst thing was the anchovy paste in the dressing. It seemed like some bites were straight fish, and some were just mostly fish. There were no whole anchovies on the salad, but it was SOOO overpowering I cannot add enough O's to it. Just nasty. I went home and raided my fridge for dinner instead.

    (2)

  • Ellen P.

    I ordered the Rad Barbie "horseradish-infused van gogh vodka, housemade bloody mary mix, bbq sauce, bacon, pimento-stuffed olive". I have also had the Southsider and Stinking Rose during previous visits. My personal preference is as follows: Rad Barbie, Southsider, Stinking Rose. My favorite part about the Rad Barbie is the piece of crisp bacon that comes with it which can be used to stir the blood mary. Delicious. I enjoyed the ahi tuna salad for lunch. The presentation was great and I thought it was as described on the menu. Tasty and I would order it again. We visited around 10 am on a weekday with 3 others. We were waiting to meet others at noon for lunch. A couple of us ordered Bloody Mary's while we waited for the full group to arrive at noon. The wait staff was very accommodating and patient while we waited for our larger group.

    (4)

  • Mel L.

    Food and drinks were great! 4 stars cuz the waitress wasn't the best .. You could tell she wasn't happy to be there, short with us, and I think we merely got a checkin from her even after we spent almost $100. I highly recommend rooftop seating if available! Lovely view and environment.

    (4)

  • Matt M.

    Just got back from a trip to Milwaukee and have to say, impressed with the restaurant and bar selection. Coming from Minneapolis I always think Milwaukee is lesser... but props to MKE. Benelux was probably my favorite of the bunch. We went on a Sunday for brunch, feeling the after effects of an entire day spent taking shots of cheap vodka that Saturday for Summerfest/lake festivities (judge me). Our server, Marley, more than took care of us. She was great- a great sense of humor and totally willing to screw around with us. The food was good, too. I ordered a traditional bloody mary, which was delicious with a smokey but not overly spicy mix. Beer chaser was an actually good beer, rather than the usual Mich Golden. For food, I ordered a breakfast burrito, which was dank. I wish I would have gotten some more sauce, but it was the perfect hangover cure. The only thing I didn't like about the food was the price- everything was a little pricey, especially compared to the rest of Milwaukee restaurants. Our food also took a really long time (30-40 minutes), but it was a super busy Sunday of Summerfest so that's understandable. The layout of the restaurant is cool- their rooftop patio is baller with a great view of the city and excellent people watching down on the street. Next time I'm in Milwaukee, I'm definitely gonna try and hit up Benelux again.

    (4)

  • Brady G.

    Quite disappointed tonight with Cafe Benelux. The portions seem to have gotten smaller as well as prices increasing. All the appetizer and entrees are over priced for what we received. &19 for a beer and chicken wrap. The food and drinks are good however again small portions especially with frites as a side item. I felt bad tipping our waiter since other waiters were at our table more than he was. The atmosphere was nice on the rooftop however I mostly came to eat and be full, not be entertained and pay a ton of money.

    (3)

  • Adam W.

    Delicious food and amazing beer selection. Cool cozy vibe, too. I got the duck confit poutine which was great but there was so many menu items I want to try! The "beer-mosa" was good too.

    (5)

  • Tatiana C.

    Bad service, long wait, 35 minutes to get an appetizer, very unapologetic waiter. His name was Kyle. I am in customer service, sure it was busy and probably the delay was a kitchen issue. Should still take ownership and be accommodating, try to make up for it instead chose to ignore the problem, did not introduce a manager or gave a discount. Definitely a place a will not go back to! Nice view, great building, TERRIBLE service

    (1)

  • Nick A.

    I had such high expectations for this place. The Provençal mussels' broth was great. Some mussels were perfect when others were slimy and disgusting. The bread was stale. We asked for more bread and were brought... More stale bread. Good food overall, service was mediocre, entree order showed up wrong. I had such high expectations for this place, too bad...

    (2)

  • David K.

    This review is not so much about the restaurant than about the server who served us. My wife and I visited Benelux as we have done in the past. This time, it was for our anniversary as we were staying downtown. She had the cheese platter which she thoroughly enjoyed (save for the brie which, in my opinion, was a little chalky). I had a hamburger which was "ok" but not great. I will definitely try something else next time. Perhaps it was just me. Megan was our server. I have never had anyone wait on our table with such enthusiasm and vigor. She appeared to have a genuine interest in the tables she waited on. Not only was her positive attitude contagious but she was friendly and was always smiling. You can tell when someone smiles because " that's their job". That was not the case with Megan. She could have sat down at our table and had a beer and conversation with us while we were eating and we wouldn't have thought anything of it. An absolute pleasure and delight and I sincerely hope that Benelux realizes what an asset they have. So why 4 stars? I would have given this restaurant 3 stars, probably due to my hamburger not being as delicious as I would hoped. Also the chalky Brie cheese. The extra star is for Megan our server who deserves 5 stars on her own.

    (4)

  • Warren C.

    Excellent atmosphere and food! Try the Hodge Podge which is a signature plate. The beignets rival a French cafe. The coffee is the best! Can't wait to to be back!

    (5)

  • Megan B.

    My favorite for food and drinks in Milwaukee. Sweet potato fries and aoli are amazing. Highly recommend this place for brunch, lunch, dinner or drinks. Outdoor patio is fabulous if it ever gets warm enough in MKE.

    (5)

  • Derek T.

    I must admit, I used to frequent trips up to Milwaukee from Chicago just to come to this place and get out of the big city. This place has an awesome text book list of beers, your almost guaranteed to find something you haven't tried before. This place turned me on to several different kinds of beers, especially sours. I also love that they have such a cool building with a rooftop patio! This is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy on a sunny day.

    (5)

  • Jonathan R.

    So ok never went my lovely girlfriend brought me a cyclista burger and fries. I only ate half the fries(delicious) and put the rest of the food in the fridge. Well I microwaved it today and I swear it was amazing!!! Also a side note the fries were still crisp OUT OF THE MICROWAVE! How do u make them do that????!!!!! Stuffs always soggy when u microwave it!

    (5)

  • Barb G.

    The food was very bland, the Bloody Mary is mostly Worcestershire sauce, and the service was below par. All of that for $40 for 2 bloodies, 1 eggs benedict and 1 trkey wrap.

    (2)

  • David D.

    We are still fans of Benelux. We like the atmosphere with one exception that I will address in a moment. Your people and the service they provide have always been first rate in our estimation. Your menu feels Belgian and the PEI mussels are a favorite of mine. Wife chooses this place over many others, so this is mostly a "Heads Up", written on her behalf. The last time we stopped for a late afternoon, early evening bite, we were assaulted by head banger music, and wife did not like in the least. We tolerate Europop or current stuff of the milder variety, but hammering music does not belong in any restaurant except maybe Kuma's Korner in Chicago. Take it for what it's worth, but next time we choose to come in, we will first listen before staying.

    (4)

  • J C.

    Loved everything about the place, decor-an urban hip feel, menu, etc. We were there for breakfast, wish it had been later because they have an amazing beer menu (175 listed). Our server was friendly and very informative of the menu, overall service was very good and the food very tasty. I'll be back for beer!

    (4)

  • Kate M.

    I was in Milwaukee for business and stopped in here the last night for dinner. I started with an Autumn rider cocktail, had the ahi tuna appetizer, and the chicken entree. Seriously enjoyed the drink and app. Ambience is a little dark for my taste but I was in heaven with my meal. I'll likely come back here the next time I'm in town.

    (4)

  • Dave S.

    Old Rasputin. If u know u know. My liquid brunch special. For everyone else, eggs will do I spose. Great vibe here. Awesome staff.

    (5)

  • J F.

    One of our favorite places to eat when in Milwaukee. Amazing beer selection and great food. The mussels and frites are spot on if you are looking for authentic Belgian. The only place I had better ones were in Brussels. 60 miles from home vs. a hop across the pond... If you are in the area check it out for yourself!

    (5)

  • Laura C.

    We stopped at Cafe Benelux on our way home from a weekend in Port Washington. We had heard about from someone we met. The Yelp reviews were favorable and with such short notice, we were able to sit roof top which had portable heaters. The food, the ambiance and the service is unparalleled. We ordered an excellent belgium beer that complemented everything we ordered. We started with the tater tots which were gigantic cheese filled versions of what you get at Sonic... Amazing. Our entrees were the Benelux salad and the Bacon-wrapped Meatloaf. which also exceeded expectations and something you could not usually find at a restaurant. We had no room for dessert and are dying to get back to try this restaurant for breakfast. admin.lowlandsgroup.com/…

    (5)

  • Dana R.

    Had breakfast here with a group of friends before one of our buddies got married and can't say a bad thing about the place at all. Being a cyclist I loved the Belgian-cycling inspired vibe and food/drink menu. Our server was very welcoming and down to earth. She was attentive without being annoying if that makes sense. My friends all had brunch cocktails and I simply opted for coffee, which was just fine. One of my friends was strangely in the mood for bacon waffles and although that was not a menu option, the chef had no problem making an addendum to the waffle dishes that were order and mixed chopped bits of bacon into the waffle batter upon request. Not a huge task when you really think about it, but one that would be rejected at many other places I'm sure. We ended up having such a good experience, we went back the morning after the wedding with a few extra people who from what I can remember, really enjoyed their brunch as well. In a great location as well in the 3rd Ward district!

    (5)

  • Rachael G.

    Let me preface this by saying I am not a fan of the Lowlands Group restaurants in general (I pretty much despise Cafe Centraal), but I have ALWAYS had a great meal at Benelux. I have eaten here for both breakfast and lunch and it has always been top notch. Breakfast: I tried breakfast here for the first time the other weekend and it was superb. My boyfriend and I split the beignets, he had a pannenkoeken (a mix between a crepe and pancake) filled with pancetta, beer cheese and asparagus, and I had the breakfast polenta. We. Cleaned. Our. Plates. As a side not, we got there minutes after the restaurant opened so we got a seat right away and our food came out in a timely matter. The only "eh" thing about our meal was the beer cheese. For some reason the Lowlands restaurants puts the beer cheese on every breakfast dish and I really don't think it is all that great.... Lunch: Very solid meals here. I've thoroughly enjoyed the Black Bean burger with frites, and their Grilled Caesar Salad is one of the best salads around, in my opinion. The charred flavor on the romaine really adds a new dimension to they typical Caesar Salad. Whenever I stop at Benelux I order a Bloody Mary. I don't know what their secret is, but the Lowland Restaurants make mean Bloody Mary's. As with the other restaurants, Benelux can have hit or miss service, but I've never had an unpleasant experience here.

    (4)

  • Julie G.

    Awesome beer selection, food and waitstaff (yes I said awesome waitstaff). We had Brittany on the morning of December 30th and she was amazing. I really dislike when a waitperson says "I don't have any favorites, all the food is great" MEH! Brittany knew what she liked/why she like it and was able to provide great recommendations. Had the bacon, blue cheese tater tots and they were incredible (you'll need to disregard any hopes of calorie counting). Included with the tots was a chipotle mayo dipping sauce (very good according to the husband) Followed up the tots with the grilled cheese, bacon and tomato sandwich which might possibly be the best grilled cheese sandwich I've ever had. It's like 5 different cheeses, bacon and a touch of tomato (not huge slices that pull the bread apart). We told Brittany that we would be splitting the sandwich and it arrived on two separate plates with sweet potato fries on both We enjoyed the Lowland Wit and thought it was wonderful (we regularly consume craft beer). Don't skip this place on your Milwaukee trip, yes there are other places right around this establishment but make this one a priority!

    (4)

  • Michelle V.

    Poor Host Staff I have been to this restaurant several times. The food is great, but I have always had sub-par service. Forgotten silverware, slow refills on drinks, and long waits for a greeting after being seated are typical. I went Saturday night 10/4, and the hostess was rude. I said I had a party of 4 plus a baby, and she said, "oh well we will have a 1-2 hour wait." There were only 10 names on her list, and 4 tables were open to be seated. To give a full hour window is pretty unprofessional. She never welcomed us to have a drink at the bar or wait in the lobby if we would like. In fact, she never even asked if I would like to put my name on the list. We ended up waiting an hour at a neighboring restaurant, happily, because their staff was friendly and welcoming.

    (2)

  • Cindy H.

    A menu of 49 pages of beers!

    (5)

  • Chris G.

    Four words... Cinnamon. Streusel. French. Toast. You won't regret it. Doesn't come with any sides though so you may want to order a side of eggs or bacon with it. I gave it 4 stars because the Mrs. Hollandaise breakfast sandwich I got was completely soaked through on the underside of the croissant, making it impossible to pick up and eat like a sandwich. Very soggy. Good item though, otherwise. Excellent place for brunch! Go here :)

    (4)

  • Kira W.

    We ate here for brunch one morning with friends last spring. We had a short wait, probably because it was still chilly outside and one of the nicest things about Benelux is the patio seating. I really enjoyed my Salmon Benedict. It was absolutely marvelous. I don't eat Benedict all that often because its absolutely awful for you, but a good Benedict will make me splurge! My boyfriend had the pannen...crepe pancake thing. He loved it, every bite. It seems that other reviewers liked it as well. My friends had Bloody Marys and they were very elaborate. I really don't drink and I don't like Bloody Marys if I decide to have a drink, but I was told they were great. We had no complaints about the service at all, food was hot, quick, and delicious. Service was friendly and attentive. The only real gripe I had was that there are not really coat hooks or purse hooks at the higher tables with the backless stools. It was really inconvenient to juggle my purse and coat for the whole meal. Don't take a coat if possible and ladies, bring one of those purse hooks!

    (4)

  • Ivan O.

    Not sure what happened, we used to love the place, but last time we were there the hostess attitude was really crappy, claiming it was going to be difficult to find a sunny place on the roof, when there was about 50% of the tables unoccupied, next we ordered the hummus as appetizer, it came almost at the same time as the meal and is nothing compared to what hummus was before. To finish the "nice" experience, my wife ordered a Stella cidre that never came, so we are dropping it from our list of places to go and have lunch.

    (1)

  • Scott D.

    Had an earlier dinner with my wife and son after moving him into his dorm. We all enjoyed our meals. The food was very good and the service was average. The food and beer make up for any wait you may have. Give this place a try if you like good beer and great food.

    (4)

  • Puja B.

    This is my favorite place for brunch! It's delicious and the place always has a good buzz! Speaking of a buzz! They have amazing bloody marys! My favorite is southsider because it has a spicy kick to it! You have to get the beignets with the chocolate sauce on side! It's great to get a few before your food comes out! My favorite brunch item is the Mrs. Hollander with croissant and eggs! Other favorites are cinnamon streusel french toast, quinoa skillet, and brussels pannenkoeken (which is pretty unique).

    (5)

  • Witne N.

    I love Cafe Benelux for lunch. I found out about Benelux because I'm a loyal Cafe Hollander customer. I go to Hollander for breakfast, but I go to Benelux for lunch during work weeks and dinner too. Their rooftop patio is so fantastic as far as atmosphere goes, and their food is great! I would highly recommend for a good moderately priced meal with a great atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Nancy R.

    I have been to Cafe Benelux for lunch with a large group three different times. The service and food are always excellent. The rooftop patio is fantastic when the weather is warm. This is my favorite menu of the Lowland Restaurant Group. They have outstanding beer and mussels like the others, but a good selection of light and healthy lunch options. It is definitely superior service for a group lunch.

    (5)

  • Cyndy M.

    Okay, heard good things about this place. I'm in town on business and came in a day early to explore the Third Ward, and in talking to people a few recommended it. Walked in and noticed that both inside, outside, and upstairs, there were considerably more open (and cleaned and set) tables than occupied tables. I told them I was alone, and asked if they could seat me, assuming there would be able to immediately based on all the open tables. They said, oh no, they were on a wait and I could sit at the bar if I liked. I don't drink, and I didn't want to eat at the bar. I pointed out that there were tons of open tables, and they just shrugged and said they were "trying to turn them over". Food might be good but they lost me. Ridiculous.

    (2)

  • Josh S.

    Casual environment. Great beer menu making it perfect for grabbing a couple drinks. A little pricey, but worth it.

    (4)

  • Michael D.

    My cinnamon streusel French toast and my girlfriends Mrs. Hollander were amazing. Pics added

    (5)

  • Jacqueline K.

    Nonexistent service, over 20 min to bring out two appetizers. Overpriced food. Don't stay open on a holiday when your staff obviously does not want to work.

    (2)

  • J W.

    Trying to be a fair yelper, I usually observe a waiting period before having a less than positive experience at a restaurant. We were here for Gallery night, a fun and special occasion that brings a lot of people into your very cool neighborhood. Any place should have their game face on so maybe people would return or speak kindly of you, but that's just not happening at Benelux. I think the trick to this place is visit late a night in the summer so you have a shot of sitting upstairs. Take out the fantastic location and the food/service tends to be average. We had a rude greeting by 2 ladies at the hostess station that refused eye contact. Instead of "hello" or "table for 3?", One asked if the three of us were ordering food because it was 9:30 at night. Um, yea, it is Gallery night and a late dinner wouldn't be all that unheard of. There were plenty of open tables, both inside and out, but one of them snapped "we're not seating anyone outside on the street anymore," as in "we're in a hurry to get out of here." So we asked for upstairs and one of them sighed, (really?). After a short wait, we were seated in the coveted rooftop section. She walked us up there like we were being put in the time out corner. Hostesses were so rude they never looked at us once and were talking to each other right in front of us like we were interrupting their book club or something by asking for a table. The atmosphere is lovely on a warm summer night, really lovely. Lovely enough to overlook lackluster service at the door. Our waitress was much nicer than our hostessing team. She was attentive and polite. The food was fine. Ordering carefully at the Lowlands group-don't stray from sammys and fries. Read some of the other reviews here, there are some food problems with this company, though I'll say Benelux food is more reliable than any Hollander, hands down. They were not busy and they seemed well staffed so I didn't understand the unfriendly greeting. We had a very lovely late dinner here, but we all remarked on the weirdness at the front door, which unfortunately tends to be remembered more than anything positive.

    (2)

  • Alison G.

    Really why do people like this place.... Food theirs to me was below average I had only four bites and stopped eating. The latte was just like regular coffee with a thin foam on the top. I believe i would have added one more star if they could sit us on the roof upstairs.

    (2)

  • Annie P.

    Love their brunch menu! I love the BELT!!! Best breakfast sandwich I have had since moving to Milwaukee. Service is a little slow and even though their are empty tables they have you wait for 15 minutes.

    (4)

  • Steve W.

    Come for the beer, stay for the atmosphere. Go somewhere else to eat. Just continue to be disappointed with this chain (of) restaurant(s) food quality. BUT...the roof on the perfect summer night with the sun setting is worth the trip.

    (2)

  • M S.

    Great rooftop patio and excellent service. The food was hit or miss, though. Frites and kids spaghetti were both delicious. Our salads were OK, but the beet salad was a bit confusing. It was described as having beets, blueberries, goat cheese and avacado. It took quite a bit of looking to find 4 baby beet halves under a huge mound of greens, and I was disappointed to see no avacado, only a tablespoon of goat cheese crumbles and one lonely walnut half. The worst was the hummus, though, which was chunky and dry. We'd definitely go again, but would stick with sandwiches, frites, and mussels (which we love from Cafe Hollander).

    (3)

  • K W.

    Tasty but uninspiring food. Truly excellent beer selection. Probably a great local choice but doesn't stand up to other things in its category nationally. Also, they are a victim of Television Pollution - just a few too many big screens!

    (3)

  • Stephen M.

    Hm. Late afternoon, nearly time for the happy hour crowd downtown, and it looks like all the barstools are filled with employees. Interesting. My bloody was typically good for the former Diablos, and I'm happy to see the sweet potato fries are still a centerpiece. I want to like this location, as it's friggin huge and could be the best of all of their locations, but it feels like there are a lot of people on the clock having conversations and only a few really working. I was asked by three people who weren't taking Carew of me if things we're all good, but not by the one who did. Meh. I'll still be back for mussels and frites, but I'm not sure if I'd try it during busier hours.

    (3)

  • Adam J.

    Came in late night after a 3rd Ward Food Tour that didn't exactly fill me up so we wanted an app and maybe a cocktail or 3. The bartender was very friendly, attentive and helpful. When he suggested the Tater Tots, I almost lost it. The last thing I wanted was some crappy Ore Ida greaseballs slathered in sauce. But he assured me that my assumption was wrong. What arrived in front of us was truly something to behold... Blue Cheese mashed potatoes that were battered and deep fried. Really, really awesome.

    (4)

  • Debra L.

    So to preface this review we have been to benelux at least half a dozen times. My family and I usually go together and have had mostly positive experiences, besides this time and once a year ago. Two out of three of us were not happy with our meals. My dad ordered the chicken, which was literally one of the smallest chicken breasts I have ever seen! Practically looked like a Cornish hen. I ordered the green curry mussels which were not prepared well. A good portion of the mussels were undercooked and therefore inedible. There was barely any sauce and there was sand inside a few of the mussels meaning they had not been adequately rinsed. For the price, the food was definitely mediocre. I would suggest other restaurants nearby, save your money and time.

    (2)

  • Coleen P.

    Amazing brunch, service and atmosphere! Start with the beinuits! Mrs Hollander is a huge croissant with ham, egg and H. Sauce! Lisa is the perfect waitress-great suggestions and descriptions. Located kitty corner from the Public Market. Literally 150 beers in dozens of combinations! Wow!

    (5)

  • Rick R.

    This is definitely my favorite of all of the Lowlands Group restaurants. Food is good and includes some items you won't find anywhere else in the city, like pannekoeken (go try one). The beer selection is great if you are into Belgian beers, which I happen to love. The rooftop is a great place to enjoy nice weather and you also have the option of sidewalk seating as a backup. There is a small market inside with specialty brews, cheeses, glassware and other goodies. It's a great fit for Milwaukee's Third Ward.

    (4)

  • Rachel F.

    Food? Three stars-ish. Seating? Four stars. Service? Two and half stars. Beer list? All the stars. Summed up in a sort of stream of consciousness type of way? We waited for the rooftop patio which was expected and were eventually sat and tended to promptly but then waited almost an hour for our lunch, which is pretty unacceptable. I think they're working out flow issues, but the fact of the matter is, if you can't handle the number of seats in your establishment, be honest w/ yourself about it. At any rate, the service was pleasant -- if not very hands off -- and when we did eventually get our food, I was pleased w/ my Caesar salad but not so much with my hummus, as it was served with these fried dough-y bits which made me feel like I was at State Fair and when you order hummus maybe you don't want a deep-fried dough bomb to accompany it. But the patio is gorgeous and the location can't be beat and when it comes to this group of restaurants, this one is probably my favorite in terms of ambiance and location. Three stars for now... I'm sure I'll return, and I'm most certain there will be an update.

    (3)

  • Lisa M.

    Love this company...go to Café Hollander every year for my birthday. However, been continually unimpressed with Café Benelux. Sat down outside, on the street level patio...wasn't greeted for more than 10 minutes. I work for a very reputable restaurant company in this area, and I was very surprised at the caliber of service. I understand that this establishment isn't as fine dining as the restaurant I work for, but an apology for the wait would have been appreciated. Instead, multiple servers delivered our drinks and food. We were never able to address our waiter directly. Not once were asked to refill our drinks. For now, I will avoid Benelux, and frequent Hollendar...at least I receive a side salad with the $15 Mac & cheese that I order...which, to mention, is exactly the same at both establishments.

    (2)

  • Thomas G.

    Very strange experience. Meal took almost an hour to arrive, our waitress turned rude when we asked (nicely) where the food was. When it showed up, it arrived in halves -- three entrees came, two didn't. Waited another five minute for the other two. Waffles were cold, sent them back. The other dish was missing literally half of its ingredients -- a cheese sauce and two fried eggs! Just bizarre. Can't say I've ever experienced that before. When the food finally arrived with all the ingredients and actually hot, it was good -- but boy, what you have to go through to get there. Would not return.

    (2)

  • Joanna T.

    Cafe Benelux has an average of 3.5 stars, and that's what I'd give it if I could. Writing this review is like writing a review for every Lowlands joint in the city. What they do well and what they don't seems to permeate across every location. The Good: *Creative, top notch outdoor spaces. In this case, the best rooftop around as well as a large shaded sidewalk space. No one does a patio better than Lowlands. *Huge beer list. If you like Belgians, that is. If you don't then you're SOL, but then why come here? The Indifferent: *Food - if you're going to come for any meal, brunch is your best bet. Lunch/dinner ehhhhh, marginal at best. Don't be fooled by the tasty, creatively written menu descriptions and NEVER order the mac & cheese. The Generally Bad but Once In Awhile Good: Service - it's usually pretty bad, but if you hit up CB when it's slow it just might be ok. We got lucky during an early brunch. Cafe Benelux seems to appeal to suburbanites who are afraid of being scorned at Palomino or Comet. Still, it's a pretty decent brunch.

    (3)

  • Tom R.

    I would best describe this as a place with great potential and creativity in their menu but not quite there yet. Went there for a Friday Fish Fry during Lent. In addition to a beer battered cod that had a nice flavor to it they had a really tasty potato chip crusted cod that was fantastic. The slaw that came with it was very unique... not sure why so many restaurants want to mess with coleslaw and make it so unique but unfortunately it was a miss not a hit to our palates. The Rye bread served was stale and the fries were over salted in a way that you would think they did it on purpose to drive drink sales. The menu looks interesting and the atmosphere is nice... 2.5 would be my rating if I could give it as its somewhere between "I've had better and a-ok"

    (3)

  • Craig S.

    I expected better food for the price we paid. The beer (selection and quality) was fantastic. The food was good, my wife liked hers fine. I ordered the meatloaf dish, which was served over mashed potatoes. The first time the potatoes were cold. The second time they were a bit warmer. I think they just plate the potatoes too early and count on the meatloaf and gravy warming them up. Service was great. I'd probably give them another shot, but skip anything with the mashed potatoes if you like them not cold.

    (3)

  • Brit L.

    I had never been here but as a crossfitter and someone who eats paleo I was so happy to see the variety available for my drinks and meals. I love that they had so much sweet potato substitutes and that their "roasted veggies" were brussel sprouts and my some lame combo of broccoli and carrots. They had an extensive beer list, including ciders and gluten-free. Great service, they gave us a large booth for just 2 people so we wouldn't have to sit at a table in the center of the room. Would def return next time I'm here in Milwaukee.

    (5)

  • Mion S.

    I enjoy this place the last month when I went there, even though the service was a tad bit slow the food and the drinks was terrific! I had the chicken and waffles and it was like nothing I had before.. will recommend to my friends

    (4)

  • Victoria L.

    Not bad. Not great. The location is in the heart of Milwaukee, so if you go there in the summer and get to sit in the outdoor balcony, you will enjoy (the view for the most part). Drinks are solid but not amazing, standard bloodies and beer very basic, beer lovers tend to enjoy due to many selections. Food was decent but not out of this world, burgers and the crepe omelets tend to be the best, I would skip everything else. Just ok for me.

    (3)

  • Susan F.

    First time visit left us underwhelmed. Service was good, atmosphere is nice. The overall vibe is inviting. It was about a third full, which is not surprising for a weekday late breakfast. The food was the disappointment. Both our dishes were on the bland side and everything needed another minute cooking. The food was barely warm, muffin not toasted, potatoes not done, the thick crepe was gooey under the toppings. The impression was that the chef was in a hurry to get the good served. A mystery, especially since the restaurant was nowhere near full. Our waiter asked about a bite in if everything was okay but didn't ask again. Breakfast for two came to about $44 with tip, so I doubt they'll get another shot in a city with so many options.

    (2)

  • Steve D.

    Went there for lunch with a group. Had lunch on the roof. Service and food was fantastic. Waitress was always there filling a glass or asking if we needed anything without being rude or pushy. I had the chopped chicken salad but asked to have the chicken blackened, no problems and it was superb! One of the top salads I have ever had. The guy across from me had the grass fed burger and he was very pleased with it and he admitted he was a very fussy eater. We had a gluten free order and he said it was very good! Parking is tough during lunch I dropped everyone off and parked 3 blocks away. Not really a big deal but if it was raining or snowing that would have been a bummer. But that area of Milwaukee is tight with parking, not much we can do about it and that's definitely NOT the restaurants fault!

    (5)

  • Al G.

    Service and beer selection is amazing. A heavy list of bottled beers and draughts. The food looks amazing but we didn't order anything... Unfortunately.

    (5)

  • Jessica P.

    My experience at Cafe Benelux was a solid 3-stars, with the exception of how AMAZINGLY KID FRIENDLY they were. I was completely surprised. (bonus star for blowing me away) Tucked into the historic 3rd Ward amidst lots of neat shops, cool old buildings, a cute park and the river, Benelux has an awesome setup - huge corner building crowned by tons of umbrellas on their rooftop patio overlooking the city. They also have a nice street patio, indoor seating that is kept bright and cheerful by the sunlight streaming down through the stairwell looking up to the upper floor, gorgeous woodwork throughout and reasonable amounts of hip(ster) decor on the walls.They also have a cool little market area where you can buy some funny shirts, logo merchandise like pint glasses, beer coolers, bottled beers to go, etc. The tabletops had nice touches like a small fern in a glass cube and logod water glasses. We went in for lunch on a Friday and they seemed pretty busy, but were able to seat us inside without a wait. This seemed like a "grown up" type of place, home to business lunchers and a bar crowd, so when we arrived, I was nervous that bringing our kiddo may have been a mistake. My first impression was immediately corrected when our perky, fun server arrived to the table with 3 glasses of water for the grown ups and a plastic kids-cup with lid and straw for my son... in 2 years of having my own kid with me at restaurants (and many prior years of dining with other peoples' kids) I've never seen this done and it was such a great touch! She proceeded to chat enthusiastically with us about the menu before heading off to pick up our drinks. For our starter, we opted to skip past some tempting options like burger bebes with gouda and pretzel buns, mahogany pork belly, and caprese skewers in favor of the Tater Tots with bleu cheese, bacon bits, and sriracha mayo. These were a total hit with my hubby and peanut, but were not my favorite (I like my bleu cheese more cheesy and less blue... it was a bit on the strong side for me) For entrees, my husband ordered the Ham and Brie Sandwich, my sister got a turkey burger, my son got the chicken tenders from their adorably illustrated and very reasonably priced kids' menu, and I got their special, which was a Fish Fry with cod battered with a crispy potato chip batter. The Ham and Brie sandwich was solid - my husband enjoyed it quite a bit. My sister's turkey burger was probably the best thing I tried there - she got it on a pretzel bun, which was delicious, and the turkey burger itself had a blend of onions and red peppers in it that was super flavorful and moist; awesome. My son's meal was supercute: it came on a little bento tray and included the chicken tenders, a reasonable portion of fries, fresh fruit and cut veggies with ranch. The presentation was great and the fact that it came with some thoughtfully healthy sides was wonderful. My Fish and Chips was a bit "meh"... not a lot of flavor and I had to ask for some malt vinegar, which confused our server for a second but was then provided quickly. The coleslaw was enjoyable and a little unique - I believe it had some cilantro to it and instead of a creamy "dressing" it was vinegar based, which I prefer. We shared the Fudge Brownie Skillet for dessert, it was straightforward and HUGE: more than enough for 3.5 of us to share. The actual flavors here were also a little underwhelming, I caught a few bits of pretzel (? maybe... maybe it was just part of the salted caramel ice cream) aand kept thinking that it would benefit from more of THAT - a bit of crunch and contrasting flavor instead of overwhelming sweet melty cakiness. Now, the biggest failing on our visit was service. The hostess who greeted us was Ms. Too-Cool-For-School with a practiced disdain for, well, everything as far as I could tell. She seemed llike a "rude hostess" charicature from a movie, for reals. Our server's personality was phenomenal, but she unfortunately did not make it back to the table often enough at all & they didn't seem to have much in terms of a busser-system set up. She did NOT do a good job of clearing anything from the table. So, after our entrees and when we ordered dessert the table was then completely covered in dirty dishes. The worst encounter with an employee was the guy who dropped off our dessert (an African American guy, probably in his 20s) who walked up to the table and angrily gestured at us to make space so he could set the dish down, then spun on his heel and walked away without a word. The whole encounter was stupifyingly weird. As though it was our fault that the table was a mess. There were many employees clustered together having personal conversations, which was annoying when we weren't getting service from our server. Overall we had a fun time. It's obvious that the Lowland Group has put a lot of care and attention to detail into the space and concept; it just makes me sad that the service didn't live up to it.

    (4)

  • Sam H.

    When its a nice summer day, nothing beats sitting on the rooftop of Cafe Benelux and having yourself a nice hangover brunch. Me and a friend came last weekend and we immediately got seated under a umbrella on the rooftop. Service was fast and prompt. I got myself a sweet "pancake" / crepe since I was craving sugar and OH MY GOD it was amazing. Pure sugar rush. The sweet potato fries were also almost perfect... needed a bit more kick. I had my friends omelet, and it was so-so, nothing too special.... so I say stick with the sweet stuff at Benelux. Only reason I am giving 4 stars is the first time I came here, they were stuck between brunch and lunch (thus my eggs never came out), and our waitress was real spotty. It was real busy though. The 2nd visit cleared all worries though.

    (4)

  • Heidi B.

    Food was great! The calamari was yummy and the tater tots were delicious. The only thing I could have done without was the panty sighting from a server wearing a very short denim skirt while working. Maybe the staff should dress a bit more appropriately. If the server had leaned down anymore I would have thought I was at a strip club!

    (3)

  • Kelsey S.

    I am THRILLED to say that I revisited Cafe Benelux today for a much-improved experience compared to my earlier trip, which occurred soon after the place opened. After a not-so-great first experience which involved waiting about 40 minutes to be seated and an additional hour for food, I opted to pay closer attention this time. We were seated within five minutes of arriving (around 12:30 on a Sunday), and -- better yet -- our food arrived exactly 15 minutes after we placed our orders. Phenomenal. We were in and out within about 50 minutes. Meal quality: I opted to try the Breakfast Tacos ($8.95), which were a delicious mess of chorizo, eggs, hash browns, cheese, and pico de gallo spread across three tortillas. I'd definitely order again. My dining partner went with the Americana ($6.95), a Lowlands Group staple consisting of eggs, meat, and toast. All served hot, quickly, and tastily. The only complaint we had was that Benelux has stuck with hash browns instead of the to-die-for rosemary potatoes featured at the other Lowlands restaurants. They're not bad hash browns, but they're just kinda "blah." Nothing exciting. I'm hoping that today's experience was a sign that Benelux has begun effectively working out its frequently-noted service kinks and is headed toward smooth sailing. We'll definitely be back!

    (4)

  • Allyson U.

    I have not had very good experiences with the Lowlands Group's restaurants, but I do like Cafe Benelux. This restaurant was made for summer. They have rooftop seating, street level patio seating, and huge windows that they open in the summertime for the inside diners. The restaurant is HUGE and beautiful- this along with their novel of a beer list is what keeps bringing me back. If you cannot find a beer you like here, than you have issues. (Side story: Last time I was here I saw a man drinking a Corona- really?! You chose a Corona out of all the great beers they have!) The service is very casual, not super friendly or nice, but they get the job done. Food is mediocre to good. I always order their sandwiches since they sound so good on the menu, but I am always disappointed. But, their burgers and fries are yummy. I would give them a 3.5 stars overall, but they are definitely worth checking out for their rooftop seating.

    (3)

  • Kitty L.

    Gluten free menu, fun place to gather with family, have kids menu, crayons , friendly staff, great service, and our sports game was on TV to watch end of game after family dispersed

    (4)

  • Mike T.

    The cyclista burger was amazing. Beneluxe salad amazing as usual. McManis Pinot Noir is excellent. All at a great price and in a cool, lively atmosphere. Highly recommend. Looking forward to summer and have drinks and dinner on the outdoor patio on the 2nd floor before Summerfest.

    (5)

  • Amy B.

    This will be my one and only visit to Cafe Benelux. I was sorely disappointed on all fronts. Went around 2 pm on a Saturday. Was seated fairly quickly, but our waitress took 10 minutes to show up. It wasn't even that busy, so they must have been short staffed. Waitress took our drink orders (2 of us), and then it was another 10 minutes before our beer flights showed up. We were waiting for two other people, and when they showed up it took another 20 minutes for the waitress to get them their drinks as well. The beer flight was fine, but overpriced in my opinion. Four 4-ounce beers for $12. So essentially a pint of beer for $12. I understand you can get some pretty out there beers, but I still don't think it's worth $12. They only had a "brunch" menu when we went so the choices were limited. I ordered the Market Omelet with no tomatoes and it was nothing special. I've had just as good if not better at any of those Greek family restaurants around town. My husband had the Breakfast Burrito and said it was fine, also nothing special. It took almost half an hour for our food to come out. I asked for ketchup twice, and finally someone who wasn't our waitress brought it for me. We also asked for another set of utensils which we finally had to go take from another table. The bill for four of us, 4 beer flights and 4 meals, was around $90. It absolutely wasn't worth the price, especially not for the service we received. The only reason I'm giving it two stars is because I like the building and the ambiance. That's it.

    (2)

  • Joyce S.

    Came here with a group of friends in from out of town. We waited about 45 min on a Saturday afternoon for a table but were able to grab seats at the bar and enjoyed a pretty great Bloody Mary. Food is good, love the ambiance of the bar and of course love the location right in the heart of the 3rd Ward. Will go back for sure.

    (4)

  • Annie M.

    I actually wish I could justify ranking this place higher...the service was amazing, awesome beer list, very cool rooftop, but the entree items just weren't up to par. I ordered the fish sandwich and fries. Although it started out great, about half way through it got extremely fishy. The sauces the fries game with were out of this world though-- definitely remember to order at least one special dipping sauce while you're there! I would definitely go back, but wouldn't order anything with fish again.

    (3)

  • Patti A.

    Ok, so my husband and I have tried burgers at many places and it's always difficult to find a good burger at a restaurant. Benelux does it right, awesome burgers! If you order medium rare, guess what, you will actually get medium rare. We always compare burgers from other places to them.

    (5)

  • Andrew B.

    After work dinner & drinks at 5:15 or so on a Wednesday. Sunny day, roof deck seating. Sun is at a tough angle for some seating, at least at this time of year, but is blocked by neighboring buildings by 5:45 or so. Service was pleasant. Not super speedy, but not slow as noted in some other reviews. Excellent beer selection of course. Wish the dinner menu was a bit more robust, but it works well for parties with vegetarians, as ours had; there are several vegetarian options. Check was separated into three at the end of the meal, no pain, no complaints.

    (4)

  • Joey P.

    The beer selection is very large and very overpriced. The food selection is kinda average size but the portion sizes have decreased in size, since they have opened. I used to love this place when they opened and the portions were large. Something I appreciate with a high metabolism. Service was slow, last time I went there, actually was served by like 3 different waiters. The outdoor patio is nice, honestly next time, I would probably just get a water and split some fries, while sitting on the rooftop, if I go back.

    (3)

  • Mike O.

    Large restaurant with plenty of outdoor space in a lovely little neighborhood of old Milwaukee, the old 3rd ward historic district, replete with walkable blocks and cyclable pedal-taverns. Visited this place on a hot summer evening, a little too hot to sit outdoors in one of the few remaining outdoor seat that was exposed to the unremitting evening sunset. The beer list here is expansive (which always make me want to test it for it's soft spots until I get the response, "oh, we're out of that one," but I had a fine local pale ale, cheap in all it's provincial splendor. The food here was solid, good bar food. I had the tater tots, which were more like fried potato fritters. Good, but not a tot. The sriracha-mayo dipping sauce was delightfully spicy, and good for dipping the frites that came with my black bean burger, which was messy but tasted very, very good. The benelux salad was nothing to scream home about, it was fine. Overall, it seemed like this place was bar food done up nice. Some nice elements here, the perfect place to visit in the summer with friends. And the beer list seemed quality, as a Milwaukee beer list ought to. Satisfied.

    (3)

  • Jaime G.

    Two Gay guys visiting from San Francisco were told about this place from a very cool Lesbian in Madison. She was right. This place is great. Visiting from Quake City we had no idea where to go in Brew City. This was very good food. They had a very tasty Black Bean burger. And the beer was A-W-S-O-M-E. However, our server was even more awesome. He took time to talk to us and even helped us figure out where the Bronze Fonze is. We never made it to the Bronze Fonze. However, like I told my boyfriend. We should have something to look forward to when we visit Brew City next time...the Fonze and Benelux are on the agenda.

    (5)

  • Lindsey B.

    Love all the outdoor seating! Extensive beer selection, great staff that can actually speak to the extensive beer menu. Nice wine selection, which is hard to find in a beer city. Good pub food, fun condiments. I believe we had a choice of over 10 dipping sauces for our fries. The main purpose of our visit was to kill time on a Saturday afternoon. I would love to stop back again for a real meal. The SERVICE is AMAZING! I will be back for brunch on my next trip to Milwaukee.

    (4)

  • Maria S.

    I know, this is my third review of this place and I hate to down grade a restaurant, I really do, but I feel like it's necessary. If there was a 2.5 I would give it because I HATE rating with a 2 star, but this is two visits in a row now I have been SUPER disappointed. I just feel like they have got to get their service up to par. This is the midwest, we are used to fast and super friendly service! I'm sorry Benelux but waiting 35 plus minutes for a drink is not ok. I brought my friend here to try their Stinky Rose bloody mary and a few people ordered food. We were seated and didn't see a waitress for 10 minutes. "They are busy", I said, and tried to be optimistic. Our waitress took our order and then about 30 minutes later we got our drinks delivered by someone other than her. Total we had about 6 people waiting, clearing and visiting out table and yet it was the slowest service I have ever had. Now, I'm one to be leisurely over a cocktail but this was just too much. We had a friend join our group late and I warned her it might be a while until she got a drink. She ordered and said, why don't you bring the check with the drink. Ten minutes later out walks the check and 15 minutes AFTER THAT her drink came. Here's the thing, I know the food is pretty good, and the outdoor seating is great, and maybe, just maybe if I wasn't entertaining out of town guests I might not have been so annoyed, but frankly, they have been open for over a year, and I think because they are still packed every night they haven't worked on their efficiency. I really hope you work on this Benelux, cause I like you, I really do, but I'm just not THAT patient.

    (2)

  • Sadie T.

    I enjoyed my recent visit. There were not a lot of vegetarian options. I ordered the black bean burger (exact same as cafe hollander). It was about 70% bigger than my last meal at cafe hollander - the burger was gigantic and the pile of fries was more like a mountain. Overall good flavor. My dad, who met me for lunch, ordered the chicken salad with a potato salad side. I tried his potato salad, and definitely did not care for it, very bland. The waitress was friendly and attentive (though at 2pm on a Monday, we may have been her only table, but she was not too attentive). Only downside? Dirty glasses. We had to send 1 water glass and 1 tea cup back. Yuck.

    (4)

  • Caley C.

    Had to update my review as Benelux has definitely improved in my eyes. The service: much better on my most recent visit. The server actually seemed to know the menu well, and suggested some great additions - try the basil aoili! yum! The seating: Still haven't made it to the rooftop (someday!) but tried the larger patio seating under the awning out front, much preferred to the sort of cramped area on the other side of the ground floor. Felt much more like a planned part of the restaurant. The food: After once deviating to try a dismal ham and cheese panini thing, this time I wisely stuck with my ol' favorite: the Sprocket. This burger is not for the faint of heart, but damn, it is delicious. Word to the wise though: DON'T get an appetizer beforehand. Though the bitterballen are always solid, I then had to wrap up some of my delicious cheese, bacon and duck fat fried egg burger (on a m-f-ing pretzel bun!!) as my stomach doth protest too much. I doubt I'll ever try dessert here given how filling the initial courses are, but that's a-ok with me. I come here for the fat-oozing burgers and overwhelmingly awesome array of dipping sauces for my fries.

    (4)

  • Jessica S.

    When my boyfriend and I initially entered Cafe Benelux, the smiling hostess attentively welcomed us and a server passing by complimented my boots. To this, I say: Good on ya, Cafe Benelux. I'm already impressed. Clearly your staff appreciates the importance of making any guest feel comfortable right from the get-go. It was 4:00 pm on a Sunday and the main dining room was empty-ish, so our bubbly hostess suggested we choose our own table (rather than stalwartly adhere to her etched-in-stone floor chart and herd us off to a table with which we would be less comfortable). After plopping side-by-side into our spacious, main-floor booth, I noticed the repurposed bowling alley lane table top would look more appropriate in the dining room of a Buffalo Wild Wings; regardless, I can't fault any business that chooses to recycle. That's what's up. Then we opened the beer list. Beer menu? Beer BIBLE? BEER COMPENDIUM?! Dear Sweet Baby Jesus, there were so many beers I went cross-eyed. So you can clearly understand why it took us, uh, something like 20 whole minutes to narrow it down. Honestly, I think I could have thrown a dart at any one of the beer list's 47382978329 pages to choose arbitrarily and STILL end up with something tasty. And effing strong. A timely caution: A number of these brews have the same alcohol-by-volume -- if not more! -- as a glass of wine, so champ-chugging like it's PBR or Bud Light will only end in tears. Don't say I didn't tell you so. Now pony up $8.50 for however many ounces equal 350ml. I suggest the Pyraat. After placing our food order (thankfully Cafe Benelux's lunch/dinner menu won't cause the eyestrain their beer list inevitably will), our server did something I LOVE: he made a personal suggestion regarding how my boyfriend's sandwich could be made better. He recommended substituting a bun made of glorious pretzel bread. And then, JUST before our meals arrived, he delivered a ramekin of basil aioli so we could try it with our frites. As you would expect, frites dipped in basil aioli is exactly as genius as it sounds. My partner-in-crime ordered the pulled pork sandwich -- on a pretzel bun, of course -- with mango barbecue (AWESOME!)sauce and sesame cilantro slaw. It existed at our table for approximately two minutes and 38 seconds (concrete evidence that Operation: Fill Boyfriend's Stomach was a success). I very much enjoyed the chunks of onion, basil, and tomato in my bowl of tomato soup. I understand that we made our first visit at this popular Historic Third Ward restaurant early in the evening on a rainy March Sunday, and NOT at noon on a Saturday in June when people will murder their mother in order to get a seat on Cafe Benelux's rooftop patio. A la, I will acknowledge there are potential hi-jinx I'm sure my comrade and I avoided by going when we did. But isn't this true for any restaurant? Based on this, our very positive first experience at Cafe Benelux, we are definitely going to return. Perhaps to brave the hungry, seething masses on some warm, spring, Saturday afternoon in order to get thrown off of their goooooorgeous rooftop patio.

    (4)

  • Meghan-Annette R.

    Went here for lunch today with my mom. We were seated promptly and began to pour over the menus. This place does beer (there's like 250+ available) so if you're having a brew you're set but if you're not going to be having a beer you'll be a little disappointed. The apple cider I had was instant and watery, but the waitress was nice and swapped it for a coffee, which was burnt. But the tomato soup I had was fantastic and my mother enjoyed the Kulminator. But, it was freezing inside, and there were several people saying the same thing, so it isn't just me and I have a serious issue with a place as classy and as expensive as Cafe Benelux serving instant cider. Come on guys, it's even in season right now. Or, if you insist on serving instant, make it two packets.

    (3)

  • Joanne C.

    This restaurant is located in the historic third ward of Milwaukee in a building owned by the Milwaukee Public Market and right across from the Public Market building with the various shops and restaurants. The food was great. I loved the variety in the menu items. My mom and I shared the pork belly satay. The name is misleading as the only "satay" resemblance was the face that it was on a stick. I will let that slide though because they were so good! The outside was crunchy and the inside was tender. Each morsel was perfectly seasoned! The Asian style slaw it was served on was delicious too. We also had the tater tots. They were alright but a little gloppy for my taste. It's like they were made too large, with the outside crunching up too quickly and the inside not being able to be cooked completely. The sriracha mayo was good for dipping them in, but I couldn't stomach more than a couple bites. It's a shame because I wanted to like the dish. My mom and I ended up splitting sausage rigatoni with garlic, basil, and tomato sauce which was delicious in all it's simplicity. I also had a tasting of four of their beers on tap. I can't remember the names on the beers, but they have a great selection which plenty to choose from.

    (4)

  • Stephanie C.

    Came here while in town for Summerfest. My cousin and I sat on the patio, which was lovely!! I definitely suggest sitting outside...if it is cool enough. It was the perfect temperature that day. They do have misters and heaters though, so it's probably always pretty comfortable out there! Our server was named Tess and she was awesome!!! She was super friendly! We ordered the charcuterie board and the salmon salad...they were both so good!!! We loved the bread and the cheese that came on the charcuterie board...we even ordered an extra side of bread to finish up all the cheese! It was that good :) I don't know when I'll be in Milwaukee again, but I'll definitely be back here just for the charcuterie board!!

    (4)

  • Sarah P.

    Beer. Beer. Beer. Beer. And good bloodies. When this place opened, I was really only jazzed for the rooftop seating. Upon further inspection, they really do a great job on their menu and bar options. The tots are a number one starter pick -- they're not your standard tots, by the way. Deep fried potatoes mashed up with blue cheese served with a sriracha mayo....yes please. I like their brunch options too, I stick with the oatmeal when I'm trying to be good (which is very creamy, so who knows how "good" it is for you) and the broiled grapefruit. Last time I went, my husband and I had a day date and hung at the bar trying some of the new beer options and bloodies. The Stinkin' Garlic is solid on their menu, they also had one called the "Rad Barbie" which was also a great bloody choice. Service is decent, nothing out of this world -- but nothing worth complaining about, either. When I come back to Milwaukee, this place is definitely on my go-to list.

    (4)

  • Sass M.

    At Benelux, as with anywhere owned by the Lowlands Group, they're not changing the world with food. It's over-priced, mediocre at best and mass produced, served by an incredibly overwhelmed but ever pleasant service staff. It's like the Cheesecake Factory of the Third Ward. They have got to be printing money in the basement. With all that said, for some reason, whenever I have an out of town guest they seem to love to slowly walk through the Public Market like it's a museum and dine on the much loved rooftop patio of Benelux. They just love it. Bless their hearts. And recently a friend and I stopped in for an early lunch, pleased to find no wait for the patio. We were sat promptly, waters soon to follow by our server, Ben. You could tell he's either an excellent study or genuinely loves the beers he recommended. The trappist we shared was phenomenal and I'm not really a beer drinker. We both ordered the same thing; the turkey wrap. It was, I don't know, like a pound of shaved turkey in a warm, soggy tortilla. But it wasn't bad. It wasn't good, but it wasn't bad. It was fine. That beer though. That beer was giving me life. I will say I thoroughly impressed with the quality of service Ben maintained despite the sudden rush about twenty minutes after we arrived.

    (4)

  • Glenn C.

    Excellent burgers and sweet potato fries. Grilled Cheese was excellent. Salmon was the best ever. Tater tots highly recommended. Huge beer list. Very crowded could be quicker on meals. Friendly servers.

    (4)

  • Roger M.

    Food: I can't really speak to all the menu items as we only ordered a chicken sandwich and the chips and dip (strips of fried dough with cream cheese berry dip) off the brunch menu. Chicken in the sandwich was too chunky, grapes and there was tons of bits of celery and cashews. Just not a good composition; it fell all over the place and wasn't tasty. Saw other's burgers though and those looked great. Dang it. Service: We had two waitresses; one intro'd the menu and specials and the other actually waited on us. The bad thing was when I told her about the sad chicken salad sandwich, she said she'd tell the manager which she didn't because we actually went straight to him and he sounded like he never knew about it. He did remove the charge for it, so that's commendable as most places wouldn't. Good rooftop view, but that's not enough to bring me back.

    (2)

  • T C.

    This restaurant is really nice looking; cozy in the winter, open and airy in summer. Right across the way from the Milwaukee Public Market. Parking is usually tricky to find near here. At peak times, it's probably best to drop someone from your party off to wait for a table while you go look for parking. This is one of my favorite brunch spots. The eggs and salmon Benedict are perfect most times. The Brussels Pannekoeken is a perfect mix of slightly sweet and savory. The Bloody Mary's are delicious and people I've eaten with have loved their mimosas. We went to dinner there the other night and had a polar opposite experience. We tried the caprese fondue for an appetizer. I'm sure the idea on paper sounded good but what arrived was terrible. It was basically the tomatoes and basil covered in a ton of mozzarella cheese. What that basically turns into is a pool of about 1/2" of water from the tomatoes in the bottom of the shallow casserole dish, covered in an unruly mass of stringy mozzarella. It was bad enough trying to manage this mess between two people, never mind if it was to be shared by a few people at the table. The crostini were just awful. Closer to the texture of brick than of toast or flatbread. Yes, crostini can be stale. And these were. I wonder how many weeks these had sat around. I'd give it a 2 out of 10. You have to wonder if the creator of this disaster had actually tried eating it at a table. But I suppose the same could be said for the rest of the dinner. The grilled chicken sandwich was about as plain of a chicken sandwich as you could find. Nothing wrong with it, but I definitely had expectations of something beyond mediocre. The turkey tartines were abysmal. The menu description should have been this: a pile of shaved, cold (chilled, like right from the fridge) deli turkey thrown on a bed of mixed greens, on top of a buried piece of stale bread, covered in a smear of jam so thin it can't be tasted. It's obviously not meant to be a sandwich that can be picked up, but it was on a tiny piece of bread so stale it could not be cut into with the utensils provided. Again, did anybody from the restaurant try this out before they put this on the menu? The frites were good. Oddly enough, we went to sister restaurant Cafe Centraal the next night for dinner and it was, as always, a great meal. So I guess I'd have to conclude: awesome for brunch; not worth your time for dinner. The brunch was what brought my rating up to a 3 star.

    (3)

  • Ellie B.

    Our visit to Cafe Benelux was kind of a mixed bag. The beer and drink selection is fantastic and the layout of the restaurant is totally awesome. It's huge! Our server was delightfully friendly and the service in general was great. I got the black bean burger and frites and thought it was just okay. There was barely any sauce on it, which makes for a dry burger. If I didn't have the garlic aioli sauce for my (delish, as usual) fries it would have been much more unpleasant. I got the traditional bloody mary and it was spicy and great. I wish they served the Frenchie, though, that all of the other Lowlands restaurants carry. My husband got the bacon wrapped meatloaf and he liked it a lot. His order of curry beef soup was terrible, though. Really bland and watery. We split the "crepe" that is banana, nutella, and hazelnut goodness and that was tasty. We might be back, but would probably choose Cafe Centraal over this one.

    (3)

  • Katie S.

    Ho hum. I still take issue with the logistics of how the restaurant is laid out. We walked in on a Saturday around 11 and were very nearly scared off by the seeming teeming hordes of people, but the hostess said only 20 minutes. Ok, no problem. We had a drink at the bar and 2 out of three bartenders were up for a happy Saturday, the third, made it her job to scowl and growl at all her coworkers. We saw someone else eating the tater tots....and we wanted in. We got in, and we was happy we did. They was tasty. Mmmhhhhmmm. Our actual food took almost an 45 minutes to arrive...the table next to us complained and asked for a manager. We weren't in a hurry, and when we didn't give our server hell for it, she was shocked. Hey, it's not her fault if the kitchen's slow. She even told us were were nice...Win for us! We're officially nice people!! Anyway, the food, as usual, was lackluster. Definitely edible, but no spot was hit, no craving satisfied. I had the brie and ham sandwich, he had the oven potato and sausage thing with sauce poured over it. Love the patio. The bloodys are good. The food doesn't do it for me.

    (3)

  • L M.

    Huge portions, which I don't like. Food is fine, but what you get there you can get anywhere.

    (2)

  • Samantha H.

    I love being at this place. The rooftop seating is great and so is all the wood and decor inside. But it loses a star for the food taste. We went here and got some coffees and food on a Sunday morning and there was no wait. We ordered the hodge podge and the breakfast burrito. They were both just ok. The burrito was dry unless the pico sauce was with it and there wasn't enough of the sauce for most of the burrito. The hodge porge was just ok and especially considering the prices both dishes should have been much better.

    (3)

  • Axel A.

    You want to like Café Benelux, with its great location and open air design. And the beer menu, nearly the size of a Bible, certainly lists a lot of great things to like.perhaps it's this great context that makes the food and service such a disappointment. I repeatedly return to Café Benelux in hopes that the next time will be better. The only consistent thing I have found about this restaurant is it's bad service and mediocre food. How hard can it be to make a quiche Lorraine or a decent salad? Just ask the cooks at Café Benelux and They will show you.

    (1)

  • Marc R.

    It is all about the roof here. Ok beer - the house beers were solid. Ok food (a friend who is a chef said it is all freezer bag food). We had a mix of appetizers. They were ok. The mussels were just ok. We liked the mini-burgers and the mega tater tots more than anything - and these might have been out of a bag. Our server was pretty funny, and we all were caught in a rain storm which made it more fun than it might have been. Oh, did I say we were up on the roof? If they did not have a roof, I might have been across the street. The crowd. Very clean people from the burbs mainly and "real" housewives of Milwaukee. It was fun, funny, and again - we were on the roof! It is --- all about the roof here! When the summer is happening - go hang out on the roof.

    (3)

  • Jit D.

    They have great selection no beer, no doubt! But I wish the food can live up to the beers. I ordered a pork belly banh mi sandwich and this ain't no banh mi! This is some weird imagination of what a banh mi is supposed to be and that imagination is way off! The chef ought to try to some decent banh mi in Los Angeles Vietnamese neighborhood or in NYC Vietnamese sandwich shop or heck may be even in Chicago! Please take this off of your menu before others are similarly fooled and thoroughly disappointed even when they might be enjoying the beer. Otherwise the overall food quality is just blah when it can be so much better, what a shame!

    (2)

  • Shane W.

    I'd give 4.5 stars if I could. We came here for Sunday brunch based on the recommendation of the concierge at our hotel. We loved the flare of Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg infused in this great cafe/market/restaurant. The crepes were nothing short of amazing. My wife enjoyed a sweet one, and I now wish I would have went for one of the savory crepes. I enjoyed the "Un, deux, trois" which was a plain crepe with syrup, bacon, and 3 eggs prepared to your liking. We also split a side of oatmeal-- which was HUGE (as are most of their plates) and delicious. I was a little concerned once seated, having hopped on the Yelp mobile app and reading some questionable reviews on service. In fact, we observed two tables around us receive poor service (at least according to them), but our waiter was spot-on and we left very satisfied with both the food and the service. Don't hesitate to give this place a try-- it's popular and I'm sure the waitstaff get overwhelmed with a full crowd-- hard to blame them. We'll be back the next time we're in town!

    (4)

  • Maureen F.

    I was really excited for this place to open and I really really wanted to have a great experience here. I loved the atmosphere and think the rooftop deck was awesome and a great addition for the neighborhood (however it was raining so we didn't get to sit up there). My 3 stars are for the location and the atmosphere...I liked it and will return for it. The service, I'm sad to say was pretty bad. I asked her if there were any specials and she replied "I think there is a soup of the day, but I would have to go ask what it is." She had no clue about any of the beers on the menu and when I ordered my beer she told me she had never even heard of it because they have so many. Ok? I would expect someone working at a place that brews their own beers and has a wide selection of uncommon beers to be able to recommend one or at least know which one was on the menu. When we ordered our meal our appetizers came after we got our food which was kind of strange and my boyfriend's cup of soup, which he ordered first, was the last thing to come to our table. It came with a piece of bread that must have been sitting out for awhile because it was so hard you couldn't even bite into it. I chalked up the bad service to the fact that it had only been open not even a week. Like I said, I will be back, and I really hope to have a better experience next time around!

    (3)

  • Nina F.

    This place was just alright to me. It's nothing special compared to its sister restaurants, other than the rooftop seating. I wasn't extremely pleased, nor disappointed. The beer list is great, the food was good, the rooftop seating is cool, and I'd say the service was pretty average. The thing about this place is just that there's nothing I can't get somewhere else. I was hoping for a unique touch or something that would make me choose this place over the sister restaurants that were already open.

    (3)

  • Maren B.

    We stumbled upon this place after a fruitless attempt to attend an all-white party (argh, cream pants!!!)... after our ordeal trying to find white pants anywhere in town and still being denied access we needed to drown our woes in a stiff cocktail. Not being locals we had no idea where to go so as we were driving around the neighborhood I spotted the rooftop and made a beeline. We only got drinks and dessert so I can't say much for the food but the rooftop was wonderful. I loved that they had an entire book full of beer selections, including Matilda, my favorite from Goose Island Brewery. The cocktails were tasty, and the peanut butter pie was sweet but not toothache sweet. Service was average - not super rushed but not slow either; and the waitress was really nice. Plus it was awesome that they were open until 2am on a Sunday!

    (4)

  • Beth S.

    Three things made this trip memorable: 1) Our service was outstanding. 2) The new specialty beers that the Lowlands Group are having brewed for them in Belgium and imported here just for their restaurants are really good. 3) The patio may be one of the coolest in Milwaukee. 1) The service: Our waiter was knowledgable and attentive, and they have a nifty handheld system for taking orders and letting you pay which makes things much more efficient. 2) The Beer: The beer menu at Cafe Benelux is impressive, and it was hard to pass up many of my favorites to try their new exclusive beers that are brewed especially for them in Belgium, but it was totally worth it. All three beers are delicious. The Confession Grand Cru is yummy, just a bit sweet with complex flavors but still surprisingly refreshing. The Tandem Dubbel is a classic belgian ale that tastes like monks have been perfecting the recipe for years. The High Speed Wit was light and citrusy and perfect for quenching thirst on a hot day. It is worth the trip to Cafe Benelux just to consume these tasty treats, which cannot be found elsewhere, but there is yet another reason to go.... 3) The Patio: My husband and I went in July to enjoy the rooftop patio. The interior space and the patio are both amazing - tons of light, a perfect mix of historical character and modern finishes with the standard European cafe cane chairs on the patio. In the warmer months the rooftop patio is completely open to the interior space effectively bringing the outside in. Our visit was in the middle of a heat wave but there was just enough shade and a wee breeze and of course, delicious Belgian beer to keep us cool enough to enjoy the patio. I will update this review after I've had a meal here, but since I am pretty familiar with the quality and type of food offered at the Lowland group restaurants (formerly diablo rojos), I am sure it would be pretty tasty. Considering my constant disappointment with the service at Cafe Hollander, I will definitely be making Cafe Benelux my go to member of the Lowlands Group, plus the patio is AMAZING.

    (4)

  • Sophia E.

    I just want to start out by saying I went there last night with a group of girl friends and the wait staff was extremely nice. The hostess was super cheerful and our waitress was so relaxed and good at her job that it made us feel super comfortable with her. Everyone ordered something different - and I wanted to try a piece of everything. I kept wanting to reorder something but we were on a time crunch. It didn't take long for our food to come out, and the drinks were fantastic. Our waitress was very attentive, but not TOO attentive, which is always nice. I ordered the mussels and actually really enjoyed them and they were super filling. The frites, uhh- yes please- I'll take another! LOL. They were delicious. If it's not obvious already - I really enjoyed it. Keep it up Benelux!

    (4)

  • Chris R.

    This is my second favorite of the Four cafe's that are owned by these people. The seating is awesome. Nothing like sitting outside and or on a roof. Food is as good as the other ones and i love Fries. Beer list is awesome and they are pretty good at answering any questions you may have about the beer.

    (4)

  • robert k.

    I love the location and the beer selection, but the problem is the food just doesn't stack up, I think they don't even care because people keep lining up. I also like to have my food served hot, i don't think that is asking for too much but seldom have i had my meal served hot, nothing worse than eggs served cold. Also they don't have hash browns they have fried potatoes instead, must be easier to dead fry them than to take the time to cook some good browns. If you stick to the bloodies and the beer , the bar is 5 stars, you want good food, it is 2.

    (2)

  • Christopher M.

    3 stars for the food and 4 stars for the atmosphere and the rooftop tables. Tip: I heard they validate parking if you use the public market lot. The best part about sitting aside? Getting to look down at the people outside the wicked hop and at the public market. Ha. Their lunch menu was a little underwhelming. You get the typical sandwiches and burgers and maybe 5 entrees to choose from. The food was fine and good but I didn't find anything defining. I like to tell people "you have to go to X and try Y" and there was no doing that for Benelux. The beer selection was also solid, even if the waitresses couldn't talk much about them (ask for the beer menu).

    (3)

  • Laura L.

    Raw chopped salad blew me away. I wasn't expecting that kind of sophistication from the Third Ward, which is contrived and lacks personality.

    (4)

  • Stacy E.

    It was our second visit and proved just as impressionable as our first. Our hostess was gracious and accommodating and Ted ( 3rd night on the job) and Veronica (Ted's server trainer) were just as accommodating and delightful. Fun atmosphere, awesome burgers, and very clean restrooms. Fresh flowers on the tables and even in the women's restroom were an unexpected and pleasant touch. Guys had the Sprocket Burger and King of the Mountain. I had the best back bean burger ever! Looking forward to going back in the summer to enjoy the outdoor seating.

    (5)

  • Maurene G.

    Our experience would have been better with a more attentive server, but I can't really fault the restaurant for that - it was our first and only visit and I don't know that it's a common problem. At best, he took our order and then brought it out, end of service story. I ordered the tater tots which sounded awesome but were actually bland and mushy. I also ordered the charcuterie appetizer, I think it was called. That was pretty awesome. The "mahogany" meat which is apparently their pork belly, was the best thing I've ever put in my mouth that wasn't chocolate. The apple/ginger chutney and cashews were great on the toast. I'd easily order that again, or just go for whatever contains that mahogany, be it a sandwich or just slopped onto a plate. My husband ordered a burger and my brother ordered the pulled pork sandwich which came with cilantro cole slaw. Both sandwiches were apparently greasy though they seemed to enjoy them anyway. I stole a bite of the cole slaw and found it curiously bland. All in all, while I enjoyed most of my meal, nothing is really calling me back there. If I do go I know what I'll order (mahogany) and not order (tots), and where I'll sit (the roof). We sat outside and managed to score a table in the sun since it was a bit cool in the shade, but that was a mistake - the time of day meant the sun was directly in our eyes. Again, not the restaurant's fault - most of the non-roof outdoor seating is under a canopy where that wouldn't be a problem.

    (3)

  • Colin A.

    I'd heard quite a lot about this new place, operated by the fine folks responsible for Cafe Hollander (2 locations in Milwaukee), Trocadero, and...someplace else I cannot remember at the moment. Benelux would probably receive an additional star in the rating after a return visit; I went a few weeks after they opened but found it chaotic yet slow. It took about 30-35 minutes before my party was seated and close to another hour for food to arrive after ordering. That said, the food and drink were quite delicious -- breakfast corndogs, quiche -- oh, cannot forget the beermosa. Our server seemed a bit overwhelmed even though we arrived after the brunch rush; it seemed a herculean task to even get refills of high quality H20. After dining, we ventured up to the rooftop -- a great view of the third ward area; had it not been raining when we arrived, we would have been seated upstairs. I will return and hope the glitches from a grand opening have been eliminated -- there are too many good options on the menu not to do so!

    (3)

  • Jon D.

    4 Stars for this cute little brunch place with a TON of outdoor seating, dog friendly side patio, and an extensive drink/brunch menu. While a little more expensive than some other fare enjoyed around town, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Starting with my only qualms with the place, the iced coffee was a bit "meh," and the service was a mite slow, although I'm going to contribute this to the place being packed, during Summerfest Sunday. Also the hasbrowns looked anemic. I had the BELT, essentially a BLT with fried eggs, that were cooked perfectly, on good bread with a garlic aioli. She seemed pleased with her polenta, and our companions were wrapped up (pun!) with a giant pannenkoken, which was sweet, but it a very subtle way. A grownup sweet, if you will. The menu had a good balance of sweet and savory, but I feel they could have a better set up on the menu. Does that really matter? Probably not, but its something I noticed. Although I wasn't drinking, I did try the others booze, which was well made, predictable at times, but otherwise creative and interesting. I only wish I had time to go down that cocktail menu.

    (4)

  • Lindsay L.

    I made a reservation for a Monday night for a group of 11 and last minute, upon walking in, I had to change the reservation for which the staff was extremely friendly and accommodating. They have a nice menu, quite a few selection depending if you're interested in salads, sandwiches or entrees. The beer selection and summer cocktails are extremely well crafted and refreshing. The crab and lobster salad was bright on the tongue and refreshing, but I was not extremely please with the 'blah' flavor of my grilled romaine and chicken salad. The key lime lemonade cocktail was perfect for sitting on the patio on a nice summer night. The waiter was patient with our group of 11 indecisive girls. The location is excellent, the drink are good and the food is just ok. I'd go back again but it certainly wasn't anything to write home about.

    (3)

  • Julia M.

    This place had me all hot and bothered ever since it opened. Siren call of the roof seating, a see-and-be-seen setting, and the European Hipster food options. Oh, yes. Yet--I never went. If it sounds too good to be true, it is, I told myself. I knew the price to pay (way above the slightly overpriced eats) would include an endless wait for a table and sloth-like service. I never went, that is, until today--and I'm glad I did. Seated right away on a busy Saturday afternoon. Waitress was friendly and efficient. Food came out 10-15 minutes after ordering. The big pancake thing with eggs and asparagus was great and hardly overpriced, given that it was the size of a medium pizza. Don't know if this was my lucky day, or if service improved in recent months, but Cafe Benelux is a risk worth taking.

    (4)

  • Dana G.

    BLEGGHHHH coffee. The food was okay, though my sandwich was half warm/half cold. The bread was stale. Blagh. Service wasn't exceptional. The interior of this place is SO COOL and it's such a waste.

    (3)

  • Brian C.

    great bloodies, delicious French toast and brunch, nice outdoor seating, friendly staff

    (4)

  • Lisa E.

    I went to Benelux last night and was not impressed with the bartender. He was pretty inattentive and we waited 10 minutes before he took our order. We also had to ask for water twice before getting any. The bar was not that busy either. It seems like everyone I know loves this place but I don't see what's special about it.

    (2)

  • Mihaly T.

    Gorgeously redone Commerce Row warehouse has exploded with new life and a stunning rooftop deck. Service is a bit sluggish, but cheerful.

    (3)

  • Kyle C.

    Absolutely loved the outside roof top for brunch. Amazing drink selection of beers and bloody's. The food and service is amazing as well. Love the location in the Historic Third Ward.

    (4)

  • Melanie B.

    If you have been to one Lowland's Group restro you have seen them all. However, we had a gift cert and hadn't been to Cafe Benelux out so off we went. We sat at the bar and waited while the bartender attentively served her friends drinking PBR and texting on their phone (eyeroll.) After we got service, it felt as if we were inconviencing the bartender for an order of an app or another drink order. I think I've figured it out: the bartenders are so busy washing glasses (or chatting up their friends or coworkers that just got off their shift) they don't have the time to do their job: tend the bar. Almost every beer has it's own fancy glass so there are a lot of glasses that need to be washed by hand. I understand that washing dishes is also a part of that job but both bartenders were overwhelmed with glassware. The bar felt like a dish washing station instead of a bar. We got two beers and an app- the blue cheese and bacon tater tots. Thank goodness for the sriracha mayo because it saved this app. I did not taste any blue cheese or bacon- just fried potoato. Like I said in my review of Cafe Hollender, I like drinking at the lowlands establishments but I have officially given up expectations on the food and service.

    (2)

  • Brenda F.

    Do you have a tiny ass and like fries? Then you will enjoy dining at Cafe Benelux! I love the location and atmosphere, but the food and the chairs didn't impress too much. +Location...great view of the Third Ward and downtown. I would like to try to patio in summer, if for nothing other than the view. +Atmosphere...really busy and lively on a Sunday night. Decor was interesting and funky. - Chairs: The mental chairs downstairs looked really good with the decor, however: A) they are too short and make you feel as if the table is too tall for you and B) they are for people with tiny asses. Even two little older ladies sitting at a table behind us had a hard time sitting comfortably in the chairs. How could I tell? They were wincing and shifting around all the time...oh wait, that was me. - Food: the mussels were okay. I ordered a pound in the provencal broth. One mussel wasn't open and I crunched on grit in at least two others. A chunk of bread came with the mussels to dip in the broth...the broth was a little too salty and the bread stale. I was hoping for a nice fresh piece of bread. The fries were good, but the waitress didn't ask me if I wanted a special sauce with it (I think you get one free sauce). Other diners at the table enjoyed their dishes.

    (2)

  • Mark S.

    I would say that I typically have a four star experience here, but my last trip over the weekend wasn't so great. Service was lacking in that we weren't able to enjoy our food because we were waiting on water refills. Food was sub par due to a stale bun on our burger. That's just inexcusable for a restaurant to serve something that's stale. Most of the burger was good, and so were the sweet potato frites, so it wasn't the worst meal in the world, but should have been better. Still confuses me that they charge for their sauces. I suppose 'why not?' since people keep buying them, but people don't like being nickel-and-dime'd.

    (2)

  • Josh O.

    I had been looking forward to trying Cafe Benelux for some time. It met and exceeded my expectations. What I expected was good food and a pleasant dining experience of which I received both! The service was fair and it is reasonably priced with a large beer selection. I will be back again!

    (4)

  • David S.

    So while I typically enjoy the Lowlands Group restaurants (Cafe Hollander on the East Side and Tosa), they've really struck out with Cafe Benelux. My first visit was in July after first opening. They wouldn't take reservations for my girlfriend's surprise birthday (needed a table for 10 and promised a minimum tab) and they just wouldn't do it. SO I arrived 2 hours early and attempted to arrange something that way. Got that settled (stressfully) but nontheless, I'll move on. After the surprise came the ordering. Appetizers were ok, but small. Beers were good and an amazing selection, though overpriced. Appetizers came out before the beers (because the beers needed cooking I suppose?) and we were all hungry... (time lapsed, 25 min after order was taken). Come main course, 3 incorrectly cooked burgers, toppings for orders re-arranged, and 4 sides swapped because they plated/paired them incorrectly, we were finally eating. Come dessert, well, a cremebrulee that was watery without the carmelized top left the entire table less than satisfied. I'm glad that we were celebrating something to take our minds off of the disaster of a dinner. Now I get it, opening a restaurant is tough and there exists significant growing pains. That is why I held off this review until now. **January 14th, 2012** Hoping that they got their stuff in order, I come with the same group of friends after a day of skiing. Our server was nice and humorous so I thought we were off to a good start. Then came the food and again... underwhelming. I shall frame the rest of this in a listing rant: -I didn't realize that when you order a specialty burger they nix the tomatoes and lettuce -They must be pessimists because the cup of soup was half empty -Who doesn't serve bread with soup? I mean, even a small teeny slice? -I didn't realize that a 1/8 of a baguette, when requested after being disappointed with lack of bread and a small, lukewarm (generously stated) soup equates to a $1.50 charge? Two people ordered soups, both sucked, both asked for bread, two separate charges for bread. We must be in a recession. -Dressing on the side request - not honored. Salad replaced? yes... after everyone else was half way through their meal... again, salad needs cooking? What they need: training in customer service, a menu re-evaluation, pub-friendly prices for beers (it's WI for crying out loud), and a more efficient system for food and drinks. Also, put away the dirty glasses/dishes piling up on the bar.. that's a sight that should be left unseen. I will be a faithful Cafe Hollander fan for brunch or a late eat when I don't feel like cooking myself. But for cafe benelux... I gave you 6 months to get your stuff together, and you failed me. I'm sorry, but I shall not return.

    (1)

  • KT S.

    Hard to pick a rating...food is decent, bordering at times on down right good, but the atmosphere is what brings me back repeatedly. I usually come for brunch, which is decent. They have removed the best thing from their menu, IMO with the loss of the creamy polenta. Bloodys are good too!

    (3)

  • Chrissy H.

    I had the very delicious 'special' burger. I should have taken a picture! Grass feed beef with Gouda, pulled pork, bacon, and a fried egg. It was juicy and flavorful! Highly recommended. Got it with the sweet potato fries, not as yummy as everyone said they were, but very full and happy from the burger! Would go back, and need to try Cafe Hollander as well.

    (4)

  • Christina L.

    I wasn't expecting to like Cafe Benelux based upon recent experiences at other Lowland Group restaurants (Cafe Hollander on Downer has progressively gone downhill for awhile). However, we were looking for a brunch spot on black friday and this was what we came up with. The good: The spicy bloody mary (aka morning rooster). I'm quite picky about blood marys and this one was very good. The spice and heat level was spot on. The ok: I ordered the spinach feta omelet. It was ok, but had a TON of goat cheese folded into it. The not so good: Mimosa was basically expensive orange juice with hardly any champagne. My dining partner ordered the pannenkoeken which was too thick and overcooked Overall, it was decent and a place I'd go to for breakfast on a day outside of the normal brunch days or if I'm heading to the 3rd ward, but not a place I'd go out of my way to on a Sunday.

    (3)

  • Elizabeth H.

    I've always been a fan of the Lowlands Group restaurants and if you've been to any of their other spots, Benelux fits right in. Great Belgian beer selection and a pretty good menu. I guess you could honestly just say it's a bigger Cafe Hollander. Milwuakee's brunch spots are limited so Benelux makes the cut for top 3 favorite brunch spots due to the fact that they... 1) Have good Bloodies! I got the Stinking Rose which is a garlic infused bloody...yumm! 2) Feature a great breakfast menu selection...I got the salmon benedict...also super yum! 3) Are open early...I believe they open at 8 4) Create a great atmosphere that works whether I'm there for brunch with my parents after church or hungover with my girlfriends after a crazy night out. They do fill up quite early which sort of sucks. Not sure how they are with reservations but I got there around 11:30 last Sunday and there was a 35 minute wait. Long story short... worth a visit :)

    (4)

  • J P.

    Yes, I'm a returning fan. Once again love the beer selection and the service I received. Got a chance to sit outside on a beautiful day with a fine beer. That's life! Had the salmon salad for the first time; it was alright. Next time a probably just stick to the pork belly sliders and 2 pounds of muscles!

    (4)

  • C D.

    I loved this place so much. I was immediately attracted to the cute patio area. I love outdoor dining, especially in such a nice setting. The food was absolutely wonderful. Definitely order the hummus...it's a delicious homemade recipe, and the fried dough they give you for dipping is out of this world. It's seriously the best appetizer I've had in awhile. I also really enjoyed my portabella mushroom sandwich with fries. Yum! The service was great and all of the staff members I encountered were very pleasant and helpful. The only downside I can think of is that the inside seemed really loud and hectic. I don't think I would have enjoyed eating inside at all.

    (4)

  • Ron T.

    Food was OK. Had Quiche Lorraine. My wife makes it better. Our server was probably the most inattentive server, in the last 10 years. I left a 10% tip, which I never do. Usually 20%. Usually not impressed with Milwaukee restaurants, and this is worse than usual.

    (2)

  • Lucas H.

    Neat-o Belgian beer and restaurant.

    (4)

  • Tee G.

    Benelux must be Dutch for "This Place is Ginormous". I've had drinks here before & the service was polite, but I wanted to actually have a meal here before I wrote a review. My 18yr old son & 4 of his buddies from college were visiting for a weekend, so The Sweetie & I decided to take them out to dinner here. Since we had 5 college aged young men with us, we figured there would be plenty of space for us (and enough food to attempt to fill them all up) at Benelux. The waitress was perky and polite, but I think she just had too many tables with 4+ people in her section for her to be able to be properly attentive to all of them. Each of us was able to find an appetizer or entree that suited our liking, including one of the college buddies who is a vegetarian, and me, who was trying to find something that was semi-healthy. Note that I said "semi", because I ordered french fries for an appetizer (to share with the dudes, of course). I had an idea that they would be hot, fresh cut fries; what I got instead were more like 'potato straw' french fries. Not terrible, but not my favorite. I didn't finish them. Each of the fellers was pleased with his meal though (likely in part because I was paying for it), but I must've misread the menu because the salmon salad I ordered came with a bazillion dried sour cherries in it. The waitress saw me picking them out & kindly took the salad back & had them remake it without them. Yay. I give Benelux 3 stars not because it lacks in ambiance or location; it was just an A-OK meal overall. I'm not a fan of the french fries (maybe I'll try the sweet potato fries next time?) and the salad wasn't wildly outstanding or anything. We all had a good time and would definitely try Benelux again.

    (3)

  • Tanner J.

    Definitely my favorite spot for brunch! A decent menu and great drinks. Prices are decent, and the food is delicious. The usual mix of people on a Sunday brunch; hungover young professionals, some families, and occasionally college age people. The service can sometimes be slow, but only when they are swamped. Always had the nicest waitstaff, even when they are covering more than their share of tables. Oh, and when the weather gets nice, they have a rooftop deck!

    (4)

  • Jordan S.

    I was a little reluctant to go here after reading the unfavorable reviews of the service, and after a bad experience myself with the service at the cafe hollander on downer. The service did not disappoint however. It was the server's first day back after a 6+ month hiatus, and she was one of the best servers I've ever had in any restaurant. Ordered the Benelux salad, which you can never go wrong with (based on three times ordering at cafe hollander on downer and now here), and the 4 4oz beer sampler, which is a great deal if you want to try a wide array of their beer on tap without breaking the bank and the mind (belgian brews tend to be a bit potent). The server let us have a taste of two of the sour beers they have on tap, further confirming my belief that they are the worst thing ever conceived, but she did recommend one that I should try sometime, which is different than those, but still in the sour beer genre. One last thing: I do not agree with those who say "tried one Lowland's group restaurant, tried 'em all". I found the atmosphere here to be much nicer than cafe hollander on Downer, so don't believe that you won't find a new experience here if you've already been to cafe hollander.

    (4)

  • Angie N.

    As a rule of thumb I try to give places three tries before I write a bad review. We all have bad days and everyone has had an "off day" from time to time. However, unfortunately for Cafe Benelux it seems bad days are a regular thing for them. I've visited three times, twice to eat and once just to take advantage of the rooftop deck for drinking. The drinking visit was the only one they managed to deliver on, and it would have been really hard to screw up. And given the lack of rooftop bars in Milwaukee, I'd guess at some point I'll be back for drinking come the summer months. My first visit was with an average size group for lunch. The overall response about the food was a resounding "meh." I had ordered a chicken sandwich without the spicy mayo, got it with spicy mayo. (Some wait staff still need to write orders down, no shame in that if it means you'll get the order right.) There was a lot of long waits on simple things (straws, silverware, etc.) I recently went back for dinner. There were maybe 4 other tables of people there during my visit. The service wasn't necessarily lacking but hardly something to write home about. When I asked for more of a description regarding my beer of choice the server literally re-read what was in the menu...thanks for the help? I ordered the pannekoeken. Typically when ordering foods from other countries I am not able to say, "I've had the real deal." This time though I can. Pannekoeken was a quick family favorite when we visited Amsterdam and I have thought about it many times since. Unfortunately what I was served at Benelux was nothing close. The pannekoeken was ROCK HARD, to the point that I couldn't cut it with a knife and fork. I needed to break it apart with my hands to get to the parts I could actually chew. It was incredibly disappointing. After three tries, I find it highly unlikely I'll be visiting again...at least not for food.

    (1)

  • Elizabeth D.

    I can't say I've ever been blown away by the food, but it is a good place to grab brunch or a sandwich. If it is warm outside, the rooftop seating is hard to beat. Great beer selection, and a good place for bloody marys or mimosas.

    (3)

  • Lisa W.

    I loved this place! I came on Saturday at 12:30 to meet a friend with our boyfriends for lunch and drinks. They were busy and we had to wait 30 minutes to get a table for 4. We were seated upstairs in the shade, thank goodness. We waited a long time for a waitress to deliver drinks and menus. She was slow overall and took a long time to get our order and the food after we ordered. I ordered the Mrs. Hollander. It was good, but a tad spicy which I am not too fond of. My friends ordered Bloody Marys, also not my favorite, but it was cool that they had their own versions of the classic. Overall, I really enjoyed this place, it was just unfortunate that lunch took 3 hours because they were so busy.

    (4)

  • greg c.

    My Girlfriend on 2 seperate occasion ate there and the food and service was good. HOWEVER when she used her charge card the server voided what she signed and added an extra dollar to the total for her tip. She would have never caught this but she used her debit card and reconciles her bank statement. She talked to the manager and they are still investigating. (it was the same server both times). When you have a cash business do you at least do a criminal background check on your help if they are handling money??? Its free and easy just look them up in CCAPS first especially before your customer's become the next VICTIM.

    (2)

  • Larry B.

    a great place right next to the Public market. It is large inside but always seems busy. we went for an early lunch on Sat and found that the brunch is served til 3pm. i didnt want any egg dishes so settled on some frites and some excellent beer. my wife had the St Germain cocktail which is a take on a Hummingbird. I had Piraat, and then a nice Saison.The draught selection is impressive. Peter the bartender was very friendly and made beer suggestions. we were so impressed we came back for dinner. my wife had the excellent walleye sandwich and i had Bitterbllen which are spicy meatballs with a curry dipping sauce. excellent service and a nice atmosphere which reminded me of a European pub or brauhaus. I will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Rich T.

    Lowlands group: Serious on the 500% markup beer list, couldn't give 2 shits about even MARGINAL service. Not worth my time to explain this review.

    (1)

  • Danielle H.

    We were here Monday night.. sat out on the rooftop. Great area of course. Beautiful weather. Same comments as so many others however re: sub par food. greasy dry-crunchy frites..no sauce served with them. Mussels were ok. Ahi tuna sandwhich was bland and dry. We were told sweet potato fries came with an entree...they never showed up.except for on the bill. Loster crab salad was good. We will probably come back one more time...but will mainly come for drinks and stick to "safe" things that can't be screwed up too badly.

    (3)

  • Ashley S.

    Great food and great service! A half hour wait at noon on a Sunday was not bad at all. The restaurant has a nice layout, a lot of seating and a rooftop. The menu offered a lot of enticing original meals for both brunch and lunch. The chips and dip are to die for! The beer selection is out of this world with a 40 page menu of options. Our server was attentive and friendly. The location is in the heart of the historic district and parking was easy to find. I would go back if ever in the area again.

    (4)

  • Bob S.

    Service was very good. We never had to wait long for anything. We had the bittenballen spicy meatball appetizer which was excellent. Our party tried two different burgers, the sprocket and the merkx. Both were outstanding. My burger was cooked to perfection, which is a rare occurrence. I was disappointed that the dipping sauces, pushed by the waitstaff, end up padding the bill. I know the menu mentions te up charge, but $0.75 for a tiny cup of mayo? The food was good, but I left feeling suckered out of tiny charges for tiny portions of mediocre sauces. Prices are on the high end, but portions are generous.

    (3)

  • Greg S.

    They did a great job with the space. The rooftop patio seems very nice. I would go back on a pleasant evening to enjoy some of the city's most expensive beers on the roof. The food was good but nothing really stood out. I wound up ordering one of the burgers on the menu and have no complaints. The reason for the low rating is, with the exception of the rooftop patio, Cafe Benelux really does nothing to differentiate itself from their Cafe Hollander and Centraal establishments. As a result, this new restaurant feels like a place I've been many times for decent but not great food..

    (2)

  • Rebecca S.

    We got here early enough on a Saturday morning and were able to snag one of the coveted rooftop patio tables. On a beautiful, warm Saturday morning, I don't think there's a better place to enjoy brunch. Our service was quick and attentive, and our waiter gets bonus points for walking us through the Bloody Mary menu. Our drinks were excellent (The Stinking Rose was nice and garlicky, while the Morning Rooster was zippy and very spicy, just the way I want a bloody to be). My salmon Benedict was delicious, the salmon was well cured and even the side of hash browns was soft and delicious. The husband's pancake/crepe creation with asparagus, pancetta, Parmesan cheese, fried eggs and beer cheese sauce was HUGE but tasty. It appears they are doing some construction on the patio to make it bigger, which is a good thing- it's easily the best seat in the house.

    (4)

  • Jesse N.

    We really enjoy the food here but they have a serious shortage of staff during the busy times. Very frustrating when the hostess states 30-40 minute wait when you have 4-5 tables not cleaned off from the previous parties. They need dedicated bussers on staff especially during the weekends to allow the waitstaff to attend to the customers more. Waitstaff shouldn't be clearing tables when its that busy. We saw other customers complaining about the issues as they were seeing the same issues we were. My question is why isn't management seeing it as we are. What a simple problem to cure!!!

    (3)

  • Ali R.

    This was hands down the best breakfast I have ever had.. I ordered the cinnamon strusel french toast and it was honestly the best french toast I have ever eaten. Service is good and so is the coffee... I would definitely recommend if you are in Milwaukee!

    (5)

  • Katie R.

    Go here for Brunch - totally worth the wait!

    (4)

  • Cassie K.

    I whole heartedly agree with the reviewer who was disgusted with the grilled Caesar salad. Gross and weird. I feel like Benelux is trying too hard to be something they're not. Nice ambience.... not so great food. I'll pass next time.

    (2)

  • Missy V.

    Sat at the bar. Staff was great and engaging. Helped us select food and drinks. We are the fun people though. Lol. Meat loaf was amazing. Salmon.wad excellent. Wlll probay be back tomorrow for lunch. Fun spot. Just trying it. You will not be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Phillip M.

    Sunday Brunch...EXTRAODINARY!!!

    (5)

  • Abby J.

    Bad batch of mussels. Don't dare ordering them.

    (2)

  • Erica R.

    Annnnndddd ... this is my new favorite restaurant. I went here for dinner and brunch and both meals were superb. Café Benelux has a relaxed vibe, an awesome rooftop section, and incredibly friendly staff. We went to dinner on a Thursday night and I ordered the turkey avocado wrap, which was both refreshing and spicy. For brunch we went on a Saturday and sat on the roof (which was spectacular) and I ordered the BELT (incredibly tasty ... but incredibly messy). Both meals I enjoyed some Trocadero Brut. I'm so happy that this place isn't pretentious, doesn't have sucky food or service, and opens at 8:00 a.m. for breakfast. This place is definitely going to give Wicked Hop a run for its money. You'll find me perched on the rooftop of Café Benelux for the rest of the summer.

    (5)

  • Nick C.

    GREAT FOOD! I think our waitress was a little off...but we all have off days. I highly recommend coming in the summer and sitting on the deck.

    (4)

  • Jay C.

    Not a fan. The good: The rooftop. We held a networking event on the rooftop in July and had a great time - a great place to enjoy the Milwaukee Summer...also a great location. They set up a bar on the rooftop specifically to serve our group and so the service was good. The bad: Subsequent visits have not impressed. Staff seems to be either put out by us or annoyed that there are people wanting to eat and drink there. We tried to get some seats (for a group of 15) on the rooftop to have a drink towards the end of the dinner rush. We were initially told we needed to order dinner to sit up there...then the staff decided to try to accomodate us since tables were vacating due to the late hour....however, by that time the group had already headed to the Wicked Hop. Agree with reviewers who indicated a change in staff or an improvement in staff will make a huge difference at this place.

    (2)

  • Chris M.

    I had a lunch date here today with my wife. We didn't have a rooftop dining experience (because of the weather), but we did tour the rooftop patio. It will definitely be an awesome place to be this summer. The whole place has large garage doors that open (weather permitting) to let a lot of light and air into the place. The menu is similar to the other Lowland's group restaurants, which I'm okay with. Today I had their beet salad with salmon on top. The salmon was cooked perfectly (which isn't always the case with "salad salmon") and was a generous portion. The salad itself had a nice light dressing, cashews, red and yellow beets, a mild crumbled blue cheese all over a nice spring mix. I didn't imbibe a beverage from the beer BOOK they gave me, but did enjoy reviewing the 30+ pages of beers and their descriptions. They even had a gluten-free section in the book with a couple of good GF beers and a couple of ciders. The service was prompt and friendly. The server knew what gluten was and worked with me to find a meal that worked for me -- without making me feel like an inconvenience (always appreciated).

    (4)

  • Emily A.

    I am beyond excited that I get to be the first reviewer! I came for dinner with a co-worker on their grand opening night and was pleasantly surprised to be seated right away despite the many people in the restaurant. It was like everyone in town couldn't wait for it to open (myself included). I ordered the house pinot grigio which our server later informed me they were out of. But then he found it, and comped it for me, which was a pleasant surprise. The menu was great and was more expansive than the other lowlands group restaurants. I was happy to see a different menu than their other restaurants which are more similar. There were plenty of things on the menu that I definitely will go back for to try. I decided on the ham and cheese sandwich which includes a pear chutney, sauteed endive, and prosciutto. Or I should say, it lists prosciutto on the menu, but my sandwich was definitely ham. I didn't mind but I bet I would have loved the prosciutto! My co-worker got a bison burger "king on top." He really enjoyed it and I like that you could get any of their burgers as veggie, black bean, bison, or beef. Nice touch. All in all I was very happy and can't wait to go back and check out the roof top patio. Unfortunately it was 50 degrees so that was a no go today! The overall vibe and decor of the place is great. Cafe Benelux is here to stay!

    (5)

  • Kevin R.

    This place is better as a bar than as a restaurant. Their Belgian beer selection is acceptable for the U.S., but I have yet to find a bar with the same choices/ambiance as sitting in Bruges, Brussels or the Belgian countryside anyways... I really wanted to like this place, but I have to say the location (and roof top seating) is the best part of the place. First of all, the food is not very authetic to the Benelux region, although I don't think that they are really trying to be authentic. About the only thing on their menu that you'll regularly find in a restaurant in Belgium, Holland or Luxemburg are mussels. I saw that they offer waterzooi (creamy stew) but I did not try it. Their interpretation of pannenkoeken is okay, but again not very authentic. Their frites are an insult to Belgians everywhere. Seriously, why can't anyone in America make frites as good as they do in Europe?!! Now, I've been there twice so far, and had a few issues both times. Once I had to send my soup back to have them warm it - I received it cold. It was weird though since it was a busy lunch, so I wondered how long it was sitting around. Yuck. The other time, they absolutely ruined a poor defenseless piece of Mahi Mahi. They thing came out with a shoe leather exterior. I guess it would have been okay if is was suppossed to be blackened or something! Also, my orzo was really bland. The service was fine, but the servers really couldn't answer many questions and had not tasted many of the dishes I asked about. Bottom line: I'll likely go back, but more for the beers and the bar rather than the food.

    (2)

  • Justin F.

    I left my history with Benelux behind and went back. The Breakfast Tacos are a pretty decent sized and tasty meal. There are no sides but there are plenty of pickings from their bloody mary, which tasted a little odd. Do the Lowlands have a way to create a poll for a certain beer? Or a certain beer on tap? Not sure if the Lowlands could pull off an Amsterdam Brown Bar delight. Benelux does not make me want to go back to Belgium it just makes me miss the real thing.

    (3)

  • Kevin T.

    Let me begin by saying that I've never been impressed with the food at Hollander, Centraal, or Trocadero. I was reluctant to even eat here based upon the sub par experiences at their other establishments. Yesterday, however, was a perfect day for Cafe Benelux: sunny, relatively warm, and a decent amount of people playing hooky from work on a Friday afternoon. The kitchen was backed up and there were numerous empty tables, yet the hostess still indicated that it would be a 20 minute wait...even to sit indoors. She did, however, explain "why" this was and if nothing else, I appreciated her candor. We sat at the bar to eat and then went up on the rooftop deck for a drink afterward. Other posted have mentioned the vibe, which is similar to the other locations. That said, the rooftop deck and the large, shaded outdoor dining downstairs truly set this place apart. I wouldn't want to be here on a 95 degree day, but those are so rare down near the lake that I believe that this is the perfect location for this type of venue. Now...onto the food. The "mussels from Brussels" were solid. I would order them again in a group and share. The various flavor preparations seemed a little repetitive in the menu (overall) but the quality of the mussels was good. I had the turkey burger with sweet potato frites. The fries are the best part of the meal at Hollander, but here the turkey burger was quite good. A colleague had the filet steak sandwich and said that it was very good. I don't drink beer, but their selection is extensive. Service was "new" in some respects, but generally attentive and professional. These chaps know how to a run a restaurant. I had always marveled at the popularity of places like Trocadero, given how average the food was...but my first experience at Benelux leads me to believe that perhaps they've taken the constructive criticism to heart and improved what comes out of the kitchen.

    (4)

  • Chrissy E.

    Went here for Sunday brunch, dead-set on sitting on the rooftop patio, no matter what the wait time. We waited about 40 minutes, but had we wanted to eat inside we could have been seated right away. I really enjoyed the drinks & their brunch menu. I had the spinach feta omelette which was really good, very gooey & cheesy (it not only had feta but also goat cheese, yum!). Two of my friends had the garden omelette which must have been good since they both cleaned their plates. My other friend had the French toast which looked amazing. We all enjoyed our food very much & would definitely come back. As other reviewers mentioned, the service was pretty slow. I think it had more to do with us being on the patio. To be honest, I didn't even mind because it gave us a chance to try several different drinks :)

    (4)

  • Billy K.

    Good, but overpriced beer selection; wonderful views; horrible service; and overpriced, mediocre food. At least Lowlands Group has improved on one thing for their restaurants. I would hang out on their patio for hours if I didn't have deal with the same terrible service and stab-in-the-dark attempts at good, interesting menu selections. You get two stars for the view and one star for everything else and I will continue my boycott of all of the restaurants associated with Milwaukee's grand cafe scheme.

    (2)

  • Becky S.

    I've been wanting to try Cafe Benelux for a while, despite the many mediocre reviews. I took my husband here tonight for his birthday and we had a nice time. There is no doubt that the rooftop is awesome so that is where we sat. Like its sister restaurants, the beer and drink list is kick ass. We received good service. We were told the wait would be 15 minutes, but it was more like 5. Our waitress was attentive and service was prompt. Our food came out in about 10 minutes. I ordered the Mahi Mahi entree. The mahi mahi was good but seriously the best part of the dish was the pureed cauliflower. Yum. My hubs liked his seafood dish (I can't remember the weird name). It seems like they have worked out most of the initial kinks that others experienced here. I'd definitely like to come back.

    (4)

  • April W.

    We decided to shop in the market area and happened into this place and have a drink and ended up staying for dinner. The service was great. I have been into trying new beers and the server was very helpful suggesting things he thought that I would like and he was right on point with all three of his suggestions. We sat in the bar area and he was very patient with us sitting for awhile and nursing our drinks. We were having such a nice time and were intrigued by the menu that we decided to stay for dinner. I had the sliders and they were great! I was visiting Milwaukee, but would go back to this place in a heartbeat and recommend it to any tourists that decide to visit the area. Its way better than the typical Wisconsin chain places.

    (4)

  • James E.

    This is my favorite place to go in Milwaukee. The atmosphere is great, everything I've ordered on the menu has been spectacular. Great brunch, with a bloody of course. My personal favorite is the meatloaf. Yup I said it MEATLOAF - dayum good.

    (5)

  • Laura F.

    When is yelp going to provide us the option of half stars?! Well, the reason I say that is because I would really like to give Benelux 3.5 stars. Amazing location, beautiful space - inside and out, very friendly service on our visit, great drinks. Food - eh. It's fine. It's not bad. It's just like eating at Hollander or Centraal. Pretty good, nothing amazing, kind of expensive. I really enjoyed my bloody mary. (I forgot the name of it, but it had chipotle vodka, yum). And the cheese curd is a nice touch. The beer menu, like at Centraal, is very appealing. I will go back, but I won't get too excited about the food.

    (4)

  • Aaron Y.

    We went here for brunch on New Years Eve and had a great experience. Our server definitely made us fee welcome and the food we ordered was good. I had the Haarlem Pannenkoeken (a huge crepe with two eggs, hash browns, tomato, and hollandaise sauce). I couldn't finish it and that is a rarity for me. I'd skip the poutine though. If you're in the mood for that French-Canadian dish hit up the Red Dot. Just like the other Lowlands establishments the beer selection is immense and the mark-up is just as big.

    (3)

  • Rich P.

    Stopped in here for a quick bite- we were hoping to sit rooftop but the wait was just too long. My appetite got the better of me so we ended up sitting inside near the stairs- Great natural lighting from the windows up top. Our waitress/bussers were on the ball and super courteous. The fondue mussels were awesome- they were swimmering in a rich cream broth- and I was super hungry, craving just this dish. It did not disappoint. The pannenkoeken was surprisingly tasty- we ordered the brussels pannenkoeken which is a huge crepe like dish with fried eggs, asparagus and salty pancetta on top. Did I mention the pancetta was salty?? I would substitute the pancetta for bacon if I ever relived this experience.

    (3)

  • Russell B.

    Visited with a large group of 8 without reservations on a Saturday early evening. They were able to accommodate us with 2 separate tables next to each other. Service was great. The place was packed as expected on a Saturday but drinks arrived quickly. Food menu was was not huge, which I kind of like every now and again. The sandwich I got was good, plenty o flavor. Beer list of 30 plus pages, was very impressive. They even had a section o sour beers, which I love and is hard to come by.

    (4)

  • Kate B.

    3 stars even feels a bit generous. But in warm months the patio option is great, so that bumped it up a bit. Hmm where to begin. I have two main gripes with this place... Service and food. The service here is EXTREMELY inconsistent. I have eaten here 4 times and had 1 great server and 3 terrible servers. On almost every visit the staff seem very confused, like no one knows what is going on. The hostesses don't know where to seat you. The servers don't know if you are "their" table or not. The bartenders just don't see you? You never really know what your going to get with the service, but I would suggest going in with low expectations and maybe you'll get lucky and be pleasantly surprised. On my first visit, our server was great and really made the whole experience... It just so happens that this was also the visit when the food was by far the best. As for the food... It all sounds so good on the menu, but is VERY mediocre.. Not bad by any means, but based on the menu descriptions it disappoints. If you can get a good spot on the patio... It's perfect for a yummy Belgian beer on a warm day. Food can be good... The whole place is just hit or miss. Cafe Centraal (another Diablos Rojos location) definitely puts our better (very similar) food.

    (3)

  • Kelly K.

    I'm changing my review to 2.5 stars or maybe 3 stars because I had a really good brunch here when I was hungover. Really good coffee and great hangover food choices. As I said before, really great outdoor seating. We sat outside in the summer rain under the overhang and that was really cool.

    (3)

  • Nick M.

    It's a great looking place with a sweet rooftop view looking down on the 3rd ward. It's a nice place for those who don't mind paying a premium for this view. This isn't really my kind of place though. Most of my downtown outings are group happy hours with friends. We lost folks quickly today when they showed up here and found that beers cost $7-$8 and there was no happy hour. It's hard to justify when many downtown bars are selling $3 beers at happy hour. I could have gone 3 stars and just called it a bad fit for my group outing. But service was also really slow today which caused some grumbling--so I give it 2 stars. I enjoyed checking it out and loved the rooftop view. But I won't visit regularly. I don't think they'll miss me though--I'm not really part of the high-end crowd they cater too.

    (2)

  • Kim S.

    We went here for lunch today. Very nice atmosphere and great service. We had the tater tot appetizer after reading a Yelp review. Not like a tater tot at all. It was mashed potatoes with blue cheese and bacon, breaded and deep fried. Great idea but a little bland. They served a siracha mayo on the side which really went well with. Very pricey at $9.00. We also had the Pork Belly Cuban Sandwich, which was extremely good. The combination went well together and the pork belly melted in your mouth. It was a very generous portion and it comes with either fries, sweet potato, soup or salad. $12.95. I ordered the beer battered walleye sandwich. The fish was delicious but a very small portion. The roll it came was twice the size of the fish. They really need to find a different type of roll to compliment the fish. It was as hard as a rock and inedible. Doubtful that we'll ever go back here again. It was just good but nothing exceptional.

    (3)

  • David L.

    Visiting Milwaukee for 1 night, I was so impressed by Café Benelux we ate here twice! Fantastic service despite it being really busy. Phenomenal beer selection and great food all at a very reasonable price. Can't wait to visit Milwaukee again.

    (5)

  • Michelle S.

    We ate here for brunch. I the salmon Benedict and my husband had a croissant sandwich. The croissant was really good, it had a nice flaky crust. The Benedict was average. The outdoor seating was nice. Overall, the food was mostly average and since the cost was on the higher side, I don't think we will be back very often.

    (3)

  • Matthew H.

    They have a lot of breakfast items but do not have a good selection of lunch items. We came here at around 1pm (more for lunch) and were disappointed they only had about 3 lunch type items. We ended up just having a drink (bloody mary's and mimosa's) and then going elsewhere to eat. The bloody mary's are good but not worth $9.00. All in all I loved the outdoor patio but wasn't horribly impressed. Great beer selection here though.

    (3)

  • Karen S.

    Each time I return to Benelux, the service gets better...

    (3)

  • Jaime G.

    Loved. Great selection of craft brews and inventive menu. Add the great roof top deck in the summer and u have to come here. Try the quinoa skillet with a nice saison beer, or homemade granola with a soy latte. Service was also very good (we ordered a skillet to split for 2 and it came out already portioned out). Located in the up and coming area - 3rd ward - in Milwaukee and def lots of other things to do around while here.

    (5)

  • Erik D.

    I wish we didn't for lunch go on the weekend... They only serve off the brunch menu on Saturday and Sunday. So there is your warning. Tons of beer on the menu. It looked like they had a lot of excellent food on their regular menu. We had a burger and a salad. Both were average, nothing to write home about. The burger was served on a pretzel bun and I think that was about the best part of it. The burger was slightly overcooked. I asked for medium and it was cooked to well. The fries were even slightly overdone (really, I'm not kidding). My wife had the Caesar salad with chicken. It was well put together. The chicken was cooked well. The beer menu is expansive and features a lot of belgian style beers. I would go again because I think there is serious potential, but I think my takeaway would be to avoid the weekends unless you want brunch.

    (2)

  • N P.

    This place is amazing, if you're in Milwaukee you must go, but also bring some sunscreen if you get a table on the roof. My fiance and I went for brunch over the 4th of July holiday. We walked in and waited no more than 10 minutes for a table outside. Great atmosphere and very well decorated place inside and out. Once we sat down our waitress came by right away to us drinks/apps and made some great suggestions - beignets. When it came time to order, I wanted the eggs benedict, however, I'm vegetarian and she suggested instead of the ham/bacon they could add avocado. This was a great suggestion, and the dish was delicious!!! My fiance got a skillet which looked amazing. Great food, great service, kind waitstaff, and good atmosphere, couldn't ask for much more

    (5)

  • David S.

    This is a standard for third ward Sunday funday'ing. Several blood Mary versions on their menu on top of a huge selection of beer. The menu updates every so often as well. If you go try the homemade tater tots. Their are stuffed with a blue cheese center and come with a sriacha / mayo or ranch dipping sauce. If you want something lighter, get their rocket salad. If you can, go during a week day or the evening so you can order off the full menu. The brunch menu is good, but somewhat limiting compares to the dinner menu.

    (3)

  • Yvette P.

    One of my favorite restaurants in the Third Ward. Food is great (my favorite is the chicken and waffles) great drinks (the bloody marys are like an appetizer), and the atmosphere is casual. The hostesses aren't always the friendliest, but I'll cut them some slack since every time I've been, it's been super busy. Servers have been great, and a really nice outdoor space, both the rooftop and the sidewalk.

    (4)

  • Kathy B.

    Great atmosphere; good service. Bloody Mary and calamari were excellent. Pork Belly Banh Mi very good but overpowered by cumin.

    (4)

  • Samantha S.

    Smiley service and a 30 min wait for a table, then 46 minute wait for crappy food we didn't want. They were too busy to pay attention to simple requests as: a proper chain latte, crispy Bacon and SO much more. Only to have them take off my chain of $3.50 instead of acknowledging EVERY part of our meal wasn't up to par or correct.

    (1)

  • Ray C.

    Service was horrible (and they weren't that busy). Mussels were not good, not much flavor and no sauce for dipping (usually best part of mussels). All in all, not worth the time or money.

    (1)

  • Fat F.

    This was my first time going here for brunch, which was a la carte. They sd it would be a 25min wait for a table but we only waited about 10min before being seated. The food was average. Nothing I couldn't have made at home. Our waitress, Alexandria was friendly and prompt. I saw a lot of people ordering Bloody Mary's so I may have to try one if I go back.

    (3)

  • Marcia V.

    Got to sit on the rooftop for drinks. It is a great location and great atmosphere. They have an extensive beer list, but I opted for their version of a Moscow Mule and it was delicious. Also tried the sweet potato and regular fries with their different dipping sauces (chipotle, siracha, garlic aioli, and some type of basil herb). It was a great place and I would definitely suggest it to anyone going to Milwaukee's Third Ward.

    (4)

  • Matt C.

    GO.. Go alot.. That is all. Trust me

    (5)

  • Joel R.

    Overall, very good place to eat and have some good drinks. Prices were fair, food was good, and the Bloody Mary's and beer selection were the highlight. Only thing to keep in mind is that this is not a place where you can get a seat and have a meal quickly. Can take a few hours of busy.

    (4)

  • Kevin M.

    Visiting Downtown Milwaukee on a Friday afternoon with family. Summerfest was going on so the area was quite lively. Had a table on the upstairs patio. To start, our waitress was awesome, funny and helpful. Good selection of beers (enjoyed a couple.) Personally I tried the 'Hand carved beef tenderloin' sandwich. May not have been the best but certainly very good. Nice atmosphere, friendly staff; all around a good time.

    (4)

  • Ariana M.

    I've been here 5 or 6 times since my first review, and have to say Benelux is definitely more of a brunch spot. Both times I came here for dinner were just okay. The calamari is delicious, but my entrees are usually lacking in flavor. The salted caramel cheesecake is to die for though!! As for brunch, it can't really get any better. The bloody mary's are awesome (there's 6 or so different kinds!) and theres a wide range of menu items both sweet and savory. I usually go with the salmon eggs benedict, which is perfect every time.

    (4)

  • Veronica V.

    Amazing Breakfast- check Great Bloody - check Awesome Rooftop in Milwaukee - check This place has it all! Love Benelux! Stopped in Sunday for a late breakfast/lunch around 12:15. The place was hoping and we had about a 30 minute wait for our table. No problem - we found a few seeats at the bar and got a bloody mary while we waited. 15 min later our pager went off and we got a table we requested with a view of the Packer game. For breakfast I ordered the french toast and my fiance got a burger. The french toast was absolutely incredible - we will be back soon and often! Kudos!

    (5)

  • Spencer L.

    AWESOME place! The atmosphere is amazing, the food is second to none, awesome beer list, great staff and service. My girlfriend and I got out of the car to go to the public market and smelled the deliciousness coming from Cafe Benelux. So we went in, sat on the roof top and stayed for 5 hours! (we had to keep running down to put more money in the parking meters) Shout out to Lexus, she is awesome at her job. Nice and friendly, timely and helpful. I had the pulled pork and my girlfriend had the big dogg and both were AMAZING! You must try this place! I will always find my way there every time I'm in Milwaukee in the future!

    (5)

  • Eric E.

    3.5 stars, maybe. We had dinner here and found the food to be very average. The beer menu, however, is five star amazing. The "Bier Book" as they call their beer menu includes a vast selection of crafts, broken down by the various styles of beer. It gives you every piece of information you need to understand the composition of each beer, as well as several great stories on the production of specific types of beer. At 48 pages, a beer lover can do no wrong here. FYI..the rooftop patio seating is a big perk in the summer.

    (3)

  • Michael B.

    Beer (especially ON TAP) selection is dazzling. Can't go wrong with Kwok on tap, served in the traditional teardrop glass.

    (4)

  • Valerie J.

    It seems my five-stars may not be agreed upon by the rest of Milwaukee, but considering the meals we've had in MKE - this one by far swept me away in a wave of deliciousness. We were joined by two of our friends and three of their new friends, and had a pretty darn good time at a big booth in the back. To start our meal, we got the traditional Belgian fries - which were excellent! My fave dipping sauces were the curry catsup and of course, the srirachi mayo - omg! Teh yummers! For my main, I got the Basque style mussels which came with roasted tomatoes, chorizo, chilies, and scallions. My spot by the window ensured that, when I was done busily tasting everyone else's food, my mussels were cold. Dang it Val! Even so, the flavor was really quite good, and I added some spice as well, so I really can't complain. I was blown away with the bite of black bean burger one of my new friends let me taste. I haven't had one so good in many years, and would decidedly not hesitate to order that next time. (Though there are two more mussel options I still need to try). My husband got a regular beef burger and loved it - and rightly so. It was cooked perfectly. My friend Kat got an ahi tuna salad which was also very good, and her boyfriend Dan got a crazy meatloaf that would kill a small cow. (Wait,.. is that cannibalism?) Yeah, it was huge! I loved the malbec I had, and my husband delighted in his beers. This place was just great, and I loved sitting in the back away from the crowds! Cheers and here here!! Can't wait to return :)

    (5)

  • Patty F.

    The four of us waited 45 minutes for a table on a Saturday night even though several unclean tables were open. Once seated we waited another 45 minutes to an hour for our salad. Then waited another hour for our entree. Even more frustrating was that we had to send the veggie burger (that was overlooked) back three times because we asked for no sauce and it kept coming back with it on. The only saving grace was that my friend who ordered ribs & my husband who ordered the lasagna enjoyed their meal. The manager when she finally came to our table apologized and compensated our bill. I only hope this night was atypical because in the past two times we dined here, we had prompt service and decent food.

    (2)

  • Sarah J.

    My girlfreind and I really enjoy coming here and enjoying the deck. Great spot on nice days and nights. Food is always consistent and service is good. I usually get the grilled chicken sandwich. It might be that I am addicted to the garlic aioli!

    (4)

  • Travis J.

    Same stuff from trocadero, hollander etc. Nothing exited about this chain of restaurant.. Boring

    (2)

  • Kristina K.

    I've come here once a year for the past few years when we stay with our friend for Summerfest. This place never disappoints and this was was no different. We got some different appetizers such as the mozzarella/tomato skewers, hummus dip and fried calamari. The first two are pretty self explanatory and they were good but we loved the fried spicy peppers in the calamari. The drink menu is ample and has lots of unique drinks, beers and cocktails are to be found here. Our friend ordered the frambois beer, which was a french raspberry beer that was super tasty. Overall, unique drinks and good food with good service. We like coming here, especially on the restaurant rooftop. Its open late and never seems to disappoint.

    (4)

  • Osmond S.

    Had an excellent time at Benelux this past Sunday. To set the stage, my head was pounding, my eyes bloodshot, and my throat parched. So I was in absolutely NO mood to wait around for a table, nor did I have patience for crappy service. After a great weekend in Milwaukee, I also was hoping it would end well. Thankfully, this place didn't disappoint. We were seated promptly, in the upstairs patio. The drinks came out right away and made me feel a whole lot better. The "Hair of the dog" remedy was successful. Next up, the food. The Taters Tots are ridiculously good, especially with the Sriracha Mayo. Seriously, this is going to be an obligatory pick for me every time I go back. I noticed they don't really have an extensive vegetarian selection, so I asked about a veggie burger and was told they could make it for me if required. That's what I ultimately went with and was very pleased. The fries with the Curry Ketchup (I think that's what it's called) was really good. The only downside here was the Bloody Mary. Compared to places like Uber, Taproom, the Bloodies here are several notches down. But I wasn't in much shape to complain, so I kept drinking. All things considered though, we had a great time here and were very glad we choose Benelux. Will definitely have to come back again.

    (4)

  • Mark D.

    We wanted a good solid place to have some bloodies and cholesterol improving egg dishes after drinking too much scotch the night before. Benelux fit the bill. I was sufficiently in need of carbs and various other unhealthy ingredients that I had the hodge podge. Great way to get my day going even if the Packer game later did disappoint. Some of the other reviewers have bashed the service but we had no problem- allowing for how busy the place was. A little wait but there was room in the bar to get started before the main event. One of our group had the salmon benedict and said it was very good. I have it in mind to try that when I go back.

    (3)

  • Rafael U.

    Best Breakfast I've Ever Had! Seriously I went to Milwaukee 3 years ago and I still think about it!

    (5)

  • Allison F.

    Can we all agree that Cafe Benelux has some darn good Bloody's? The brunch menu is pretty awesome too, whether you want to go sweet or savory. And the frites with the housemade dipping sauces? It's like I'm back in Amsterdam. Make sure you give Cage Benelux a fair chance!

    (4)

  • Betsy K.

    I urge you to stay home and make your own chicken sandwich. What a joke! The service was fine. The beer was good. But the food was beyond disappointing. At this point, I have written off Lowlands restaurants in general. Ever been to Cafe Hollander in Tosa Village? No? Well, good for you! Keep it that way.

    (1)

  • Carolyn H.

    After a long night of drinking and dancing at a wedding, I need a morning pick me up. I ordered the southsider Bloody Mary and quiche Lorraine. The bloody was really, really delicious. I consider myself a Bloody Mary snob, because Milwaukee has so many good ones. This one sits up in the top 10%. The food was delicious as well. I honestly had no idea what I ordered, I was more concerned with the alcohol. I was very satisfied with my tipsy choice. The service was fast and friendly, good prices, large selection, amazing patio... What more could you ask for?

    (5)

  • Hollina U.

    Came here for a rooftop brunch on a Saturday morning-- it was nice, except for the construction going on nearby for the first 20 minutes that I was there, so that I could hear a constant clanging every few seconds. I ordered a biermosa on advice of the waitress, which made me very happy-- who knew beer and orange juice would be so good together? Fresh squeezed orange juice that was a bit pulpy and just so refreshing on a warm morning. Had the duck skillet poutine--- my first time trying Wisconsin cheese curds--- so delicious! I definitely enjoyed this dish and ate until I felt like I was about to burst. The dish came out pretty fast, just about 5-10 minutes after I ordered it. I would definitely come back here and try more of the beers on their extensive menu or try the elderflower mimosa next... and the rest of the food on their Belgium/German/Luxembourg menu looks great!

    (4)

  • Christina R.

    I have such mixed feelings about Benelux. The atmosphere and environment is just awesome and the rooftop patio couldnt be a better option for a summer brunch or drinks after work. The beer selection is wonderful and they have a brand new beer on tap that they are the first in the country to have. So kudos to Benelux on that. However, I feel like every time I go to Benelux, the menu items sound so good and even look so good but the food misses the mark. The last menu item I tried was the veggie burger and was nothing to be missed. The sweet potato fires are good not great and the strawberry cucumber salad is literally just strawberries and cucumbers on a plate. I'll come back here because it's a hell of a lot better than Wicked Hop and a good location to go with friends. I really want to give more, but you deserve 3 stars Benelux.

    (3)

  • Frank W.

    Great selection of beers & one of the best rooftop patios in Milwaukee. They seem to move people through very quickly.

    (5)

  • Jog S.

    Why, oh why did we not heed the reviews?! We would have been fine if all we were going for was drinks. We went on a Friday night, looking for a fish fry. It was 7:30 and the place was half empty. That should have been a clue. The greasy, heavy breading on the fish was gross. Cole slaw was interesting with ginger in it. The other meals that friends ordered were average. Drinks maybe, but never again for food!

    (2)

  • Scott S.

    Visited a friend in Mulwaukee, and he knows of my interest in beer. The restaurant is large with both indoor and rooftop seating. The beer selection, at least coming from Texas, was very impressive. That being said, I have a knack for ordering beers on the menu that places do not have in stock. With a selection of what appeared to be well over 200 beers in bottles and draught, I believe I picked three different times to no avail. Granted, I was eventually brought a Hannsen's Geueze that was no longer in the system, and ended up being charged less than retail for it. We had brunch, very good french toast, which was aided by a great view and nice weather. I believe my friend enjoyed his eggs. This would be a good place to bring anyone from out of town, and also a nice selection for locals.

    (3)

  • Kristin R.

    Had a short wait for a table. Today was not your typical Wisconsin spring day. Cold, windy, & 'raining sideways' best describes it! Coffee was excellent! And so was the food! I had the market omelette and the Rad Barbie Bloody Mary. Wow! Highly recommend. Also shared the pecan Carmel Cinnamon Roll. I will definitely come back!

    (5)

  • Alli W.

    After a less than stellar start to our day, we kind of found Cafe Benelux on accident and we are so happy that we did! The environment in this place is so bright and different. It's cooler than most places we ever go in Chicago. We opted to wait about 15 minutes for a table up on the roof top and enjoyed a pint at the bar. They were out of a few things, but the selection was so vast that we didn't mind one bit. The brunch selections were great and I will make it a point to come back here again the next time we are in Milwaukee!

    (5)

  • Elizabeth R.

    Delicious brunch food. The breakfast potatoes were perfectly seasoned (fair warning, that probably means they're too salty to others), and it has an open atmosphere that doesn't leave you stumbling over the table next to you. My mimosa was the best mimosa I'd had in a long time. My only complaint is there was too much food on the plate: I took more than half home.

    (4)

  • Kimberly J.

    For the love of god; what does it take to get an order correct?? Like, ever. There were four of us who met here for lunch/brunch. My best friend had shells in her eggs Benedict. SHELLS. Not so awesome. My omelette came out pseudo warm and with an extra ingredient I didn't ask for and got charged for. the potatoes faired much worse. Significantly less warm. Aka cold. A 50% fail rate for the group. Not so awesome. Yes, it's Sunday. Yes it's brunch. Yes it's busy as hell. However: if your back of the house is that slammed, maybe consider a halt on seating people and let them catch up. At 13 bucks for a cheddar, sausage omelette it better be pretty effing spectacular. Our server flat out sucked. Really sucked. Bitchy would be an understatement. I can see how ordering food was inconvenient for her at her job as a server. I also enjoyed my half full cup of coffee with no creamer, milk or sweetener options at our table for 20 minutes. When we asked another server if she could please bring us creamer, that server also threw major attitude and said she'd get our server for us. Thanks. That was helpful. I tried to order an omelette slightly different from the menu ( as I have celiac) but was told straight up NO from her. Literally couldn't place an order different from the ones on the menu. Ugh. Okay. Again. I get it. But I have food allergies. And I was super nice about asking. After that I spoke to a manager and he was super nice. Was able to order the omelette for me and was very apologetic. Greatly appreciated. As for our server; Everyone has off days, I get it. But this was really bad. For me this was the at least my 9th visit there and it's sort of the same scenario over and over. Which is a bummer. I'll stick to centraal.

    (1)

  • Liz A.

    The perch fish fry is AWFUL. Three of us ordered it and three of us sent it back. The waitress advised us that it was lake perch...It definitely was not lake perch. The waitress argued with us and then offered their cod or haddock. Not much better. When the server brought the new fish he had an angry look on his face, never said hello or enjoy...just dropped the platter on the table and left. Come on people, have some courtesy with your customers...

    (1)

  • Laura H.

    Love this place, Love the drinks, Love the vibe, Love the staff! Especially in summer when the rooftop is open! But last night I was saddened to see that my favorite entree had been removed from the menu!! Where's the ham and brie sandwich Chef Will??? Bring it back!!! My back-up choice of the grilled chicken sandwich wasn't nearly as satisfying... Sad face.... Once it's back then I'll rate at 5 stars! ;-)

    (4)

  • Victoria A.

    It was our first time coming in and definitely have to say it won't be our last. For starters our waitress was Amanda and she was flat out amazing. Most waitresses don't take the time to feel out their guest and see if their in to eat an leave or in w a date...and a time to experience; but she definitely did. She noticed and was super helpful in not rushing and still tending to us when we needed. Seriously the best! Now food and drinks. Oh my god. Don't get me started. Salmon delicious. And best drink is the raspberry one I had. (One of those great fruity drinks for the ladies that get you going cause the alc is so smooth you don't really taste it) All in all great place! And we have a hobby of trying all new places, all over the area! So we know our stuff.

    (4)

  • Bruce K.

    Arriving in the middle of the dinner rush, I was surprised when the hostess said that there was a table upstairs on the deck with no wait. That led to a small amount of disappointment when I saw that it was a high top stool and a long "community seating" table. Thankfully there was a buffer and I had enough room between me and the others. I was stunned by the beer menu. A 14 page booklet sorted by beer type (ales, stouts, lagers, etc.) that organized them like a proper wine list. And with an August 2014 date on the cover. Snazzy! I managed to find a witbier that I'd never had before as a starter and then a second one later. Sweet! For my appetizer, the caprese skewers caught my eye. A half-dozen spears of sweet grape tomatoes with small mozzarella balls wrapped in fresh basil and then drizzled with a balsamic dressing. How could I say no? They were great, if a little hard to spear some of those 'maters with a fork. I was dining alone, so I nabbed 'em with my fingers. But that was only a starter. What to have as a main? I really wanted a burger but my mouth opened and the words "panzanella salad" fell out. I managed to regain some control and asked that the salmon be added and I'm glad that I did. Don't get me wrong - the salad was good, but without the big hunk of protein I would have still been hungry. I opted to skip dessert. Two beers should be enough and it's the beer list that realy sells it for this place. My waiter knew exactly which one I wanted and when it arrived, he decanted it expertly while telling me a little bit about the provenance of this particular brew. PBR, it ain't. I'd absolutely return but next time I think a proper table with a real chair would be more fitting.

    (5)

  • Cyndi R.

    Went for dinner last night, the hostess was very friendly. Nice beer selection. We both had the Walleye for dinner, it was bland and mine was possibly undercooked. I did however like the gluten free menu. Service could have been more friendly, as she avoided our table during the majority of our meal. Coming from a server, it was noticeable that she rolled her eyes when my date asked about where the Walleye came from and when he questioned the pour of his beer. He said "if you just got out of prison, then the service was great." ;-) I've had better and less expensive meals, along with great service at a local diner.

    (2)

  • Brooklyn W.

    Couldn't decide between everything on the menu. Have gone back every time I have gone to Milwaukee. The drink & beer selection is amazing. I have always had great service as well. As a foodie, I love it all here!!

    (5)

  • Mike C.

    The food at Benelux isn't bad, but what really brings it up is the beer selection. This is one of the few places in Milwaukee that serves Tripel Karmeliet, and the venue that introduced us. The High Speed Wit is also very enjoyable. The brunch menu gets the job done, but I can't help wishing there was a corned beef hash dish on it. Everything seems to be doused in hollandaise and butter anyway, so why not live a little? The Bloody Mary menu steals the show here. The stinking rose is probably the best I've had, I just wish there was some way that the shrimp in it got more seasoning (instead of flavorless defrosted shrimp). It's tough to go wrong at Benelux with any of the food, but the drinks are what keep people coming back.

    (4)

  • Sandy S.

    Went with a group, had the meatloaf for lunch, skipped dinner, large serving. It was very good, looked like it had veggies in it too. Don't care for high stools....why does everyone have them....they will eventually go out of style. Aren't they just more expensive using more wood and taking up more space? What's wrong with a chair?

    (3)

  • Jenny B.

    My husband and I came here for brunch on a Sunday morning. We were seated right away, but sat for over 10 minutes before we got a server or even water. Once they dropped off water, we were not approached until we flagged down a food runner and asked for someone to take our order. It had been 25 minutes at this point because I started to time it on my phone because it was getting obnoxious. I had their breakfast burrito, which came out on a big plate by itself with no side. The burrito was not even kind of good. To top it off, our bill was $30 for 2 plates of brunch, each with NO side and 2 waters. Disgusting. We will never go back.

    (1)

  • Sarah H.

    This place is just OK. There is always a super long wait to sit on the roof, so after 4 times here, I have yet to experience the awesomeness. This last time we sat at the bar thinking obviously, you get better service at the bar. Not necessarily - especially when all the bartenders seem to do is wash and put away the bazillion different glasses for the bazillion different beers they have. So, a plus and a minus I guess. We came in and were starving, so we ordered right away. After about 5-10 minutes our bartender came back to recap the order (as in he didn't ring it in yet). So, slightly bummed, he watched him ring it in. We had the turkey wrap and the turkey burger. Both ok, nothing to complain about, but nothing to write home about either. The turkey in the wrap was more like cold deli meat than a piece of roasted turkey. I don't love the nickel and diming here either -- they charge you an additional $1 to change your regular fries into sweet potato fries (which were not really hot) and 75 cents for any of the dipping sauces. You should at least get one free when they offer one with the fries. Not super impressed.

    (3)

  • Jennifer H.

    I have been to Benelux at least three times, and I am finally ready to decide I will never go back. First, the menu is nice, and the beer selection is large; however, the food isn't that creative or diverse. Plus, as others have noted, there is not a wide selection. But if you like anything with cream sauce or lots of cheese & grease, then this is the place to go. More importantly, the service is TERRIBLE. As in, after waiting tables for years in high school, college and even law school, I always leave a decent tip. If I am unhappy about service, I instead leave a note on the receipt where I included the tip to be sure the server reads it (maybe). The server was rude and condescending to my boyfriend, and it seemed related to the fact that he was indecisive about his beer choice (seriously--with such a wide and diverse beer menu the servers should expect that!!). I have not been so offended by a server's attitude in a long time, and it made the whole experience and my opinion of Benelux a negative one. The note I left on this receipt was that I would not return to Benelux ever again because of the dismissive and rude attitude of our server, and I am sad to say that I mean it. Don't bother with Benelux. The francophone theme & crepe menu are interesting and appealing, but the lack of service or attention to their guests make it worth passing up.

    (1)

  • Kitty L.

    Gluten free menu, fun place to gather with family, have kids menu, crayons , friendly staff, great service, and our sports game was on TV to watch end of game after family dispersed

    (4)

  • Mike T.

    The cyclista burger was amazing. Beneluxe salad amazing as usual. McManis Pinot Noir is excellent. All at a great price and in a cool, lively atmosphere. Highly recommend. Looking forward to summer and have drinks and dinner on the outdoor patio on the 2nd floor before Summerfest.

    (5)

  • Nicole A.

    Oh, Cafe Benelux I really want to give you 4 stars, I really do. Dinner appearance... Ordered the duck fat burger. I imagined a savory burger that would last on the memories and the palate. The duck fat was excessive (and tasted better as a condiment for dunking the fries.) The fries or frites were dainty, but that meant they were able to absorb more grease during the frying process, and they tasted as if out of a bag. Breakfast appearance... Ordered the creme brulee french toast. I imagined a fantastic custardy top layer, with a torched sugary crust. I received small baguette slices of a crunchy, seemingly deep fried pieces of bread. You can't even spread the honey butter over the hard peaks and valleys of crunchiness. Horrible. I couldn't even finish the small 3rd piece, and left hungry. My friends hash browns looked nearly undercooked. Another friends burger arrived nearly 5 minutes after all of our food. Those giant pancake things are a little too thick in the pancake, and take over the flavor of everything else. Positives... Love the atmosphere whether sitting on sidewalk, or on the rooftop. When our dinner food took over 30 minutes, plus additional time as they had dropped my husband's burger...they promptly offered us a free dessert. We were comfortable with the seating wait at that moment, as the night was more about relaxation. I like the salads so far. The beer... Love. Love the beermosa. They brew their own beer in Belgium for the beermosa.

    (2)

  • Colin U.

    dear god this place is heavenly... There food here is nothing but spectacular and I wish we had one in Madison... Especially their brunch. Warm waffles, fresh bacon, eggs toast.... It is heaven... With a great location in the third ward and lots of seating this place is sure busy most of the time but if you are willing to wait you will NOT be disappointed. It can be a bit spendy at times but again you are there for a spectacular meal and it is just that. Sitting up top on the rooftop is probably the best place to enjoy this spot. Great food with a great view in the sun. What more can ya ask for!

    (5)

  • Isaac S.

    Ehhhh ok food. The best thing about this place is the rooftop patio. Fantastic in the summer. The pannekokens are the best thing I've had here. Everything else really doesn't stand out.

    (3)

  • Steve D.

    Went there for lunch with a group. Had lunch on the roof. Service and food was fantastic. Waitress was always there filling a glass or asking if we needed anything without being rude or pushy. I had the chopped chicken salad but asked to have the chicken blackened, no problems and it was superb! One of the top salads I have ever had. The guy across from me had the grass fed burger and he was very pleased with it and he admitted he was a very fussy eater. We had a gluten free order and he said it was very good! Parking is tough during lunch I dropped everyone off and parked 3 blocks away. Not really a big deal but if it was raining or snowing that would have been a bummer. But that area of Milwaukee is tight with parking, not much we can do about it and that's definitely NOT the restaurants fault!

    (5)

  • Al G.

    Service and beer selection is amazing. A heavy list of bottled beers and draughts. The food looks amazing but we didn't order anything... Unfortunately.

    (5)

  • Jessica P.

    My experience at Cafe Benelux was a solid 3-stars, with the exception of how AMAZINGLY KID FRIENDLY they were. I was completely surprised. (bonus star for blowing me away) Tucked into the historic 3rd Ward amidst lots of neat shops, cool old buildings, a cute park and the river, Benelux has an awesome setup - huge corner building crowned by tons of umbrellas on their rooftop patio overlooking the city. They also have a nice street patio, indoor seating that is kept bright and cheerful by the sunlight streaming down through the stairwell looking up to the upper floor, gorgeous woodwork throughout and reasonable amounts of hip(ster) decor on the walls.They also have a cool little market area where you can buy some funny shirts, logo merchandise like pint glasses, beer coolers, bottled beers to go, etc. The tabletops had nice touches like a small fern in a glass cube and logod water glasses. We went in for lunch on a Friday and they seemed pretty busy, but were able to seat us inside without a wait. This seemed like a "grown up" type of place, home to business lunchers and a bar crowd, so when we arrived, I was nervous that bringing our kiddo may have been a mistake. My first impression was immediately corrected when our perky, fun server arrived to the table with 3 glasses of water for the grown ups and a plastic kids-cup with lid and straw for my son... in 2 years of having my own kid with me at restaurants (and many prior years of dining with other peoples' kids) I've never seen this done and it was such a great touch! She proceeded to chat enthusiastically with us about the menu before heading off to pick up our drinks. For our starter, we opted to skip past some tempting options like burger bebes with gouda and pretzel buns, mahogany pork belly, and caprese skewers in favor of the Tater Tots with bleu cheese, bacon bits, and sriracha mayo. These were a total hit with my hubby and peanut, but were not my favorite (I like my bleu cheese more cheesy and less blue... it was a bit on the strong side for me) For entrees, my husband ordered the Ham and Brie Sandwich, my sister got a turkey burger, my son got the chicken tenders from their adorably illustrated and very reasonably priced kids' menu, and I got their special, which was a Fish Fry with cod battered with a crispy potato chip batter. The Ham and Brie sandwich was solid - my husband enjoyed it quite a bit. My sister's turkey burger was probably the best thing I tried there - she got it on a pretzel bun, which was delicious, and the turkey burger itself had a blend of onions and red peppers in it that was super flavorful and moist; awesome. My son's meal was supercute: it came on a little bento tray and included the chicken tenders, a reasonable portion of fries, fresh fruit and cut veggies with ranch. The presentation was great and the fact that it came with some thoughtfully healthy sides was wonderful. My Fish and Chips was a bit "meh"... not a lot of flavor and I had to ask for some malt vinegar, which confused our server for a second but was then provided quickly. The coleslaw was enjoyable and a little unique - I believe it had some cilantro to it and instead of a creamy "dressing" it was vinegar based, which I prefer. We shared the Fudge Brownie Skillet for dessert, it was straightforward and HUGE: more than enough for 3.5 of us to share. The actual flavors here were also a little underwhelming, I caught a few bits of pretzel (? maybe... maybe it was just part of the salted caramel ice cream) aand kept thinking that it would benefit from more of THAT - a bit of crunch and contrasting flavor instead of overwhelming sweet melty cakiness. Now, the biggest failing on our visit was service. The hostess who greeted us was Ms. Too-Cool-For-School with a practiced disdain for, well, everything as far as I could tell. She seemed llike a "rude hostess" charicature from a movie, for reals. Our server's personality was phenomenal, but she unfortunately did not make it back to the table often enough at all & they didn't seem to have much in terms of a busser-system set up. She did NOT do a good job of clearing anything from the table. So, after our entrees and when we ordered dessert the table was then completely covered in dirty dishes. The worst encounter with an employee was the guy who dropped off our dessert (an African American guy, probably in his 20s) who walked up to the table and angrily gestured at us to make space so he could set the dish down, then spun on his heel and walked away without a word. The whole encounter was stupifyingly weird. As though it was our fault that the table was a mess. There were many employees clustered together having personal conversations, which was annoying when we weren't getting service from our server. Overall we had a fun time. It's obvious that the Lowland Group has put a lot of care and attention to detail into the space and concept; it just makes me sad that the service didn't live up to it.

    (4)

  • Sam H.

    When its a nice summer day, nothing beats sitting on the rooftop of Cafe Benelux and having yourself a nice hangover brunch. Me and a friend came last weekend and we immediately got seated under a umbrella on the rooftop. Service was fast and prompt. I got myself a sweet "pancake" / crepe since I was craving sugar and OH MY GOD it was amazing. Pure sugar rush. The sweet potato fries were also almost perfect... needed a bit more kick. I had my friends omelet, and it was so-so, nothing too special.... so I say stick with the sweet stuff at Benelux. Only reason I am giving 4 stars is the first time I came here, they were stuck between brunch and lunch (thus my eggs never came out), and our waitress was real spotty. It was real busy though. The 2nd visit cleared all worries though.

    (4)

  • Heidi B.

    Food was great! The calamari was yummy and the tater tots were delicious. The only thing I could have done without was the panty sighting from a server wearing a very short denim skirt while working. Maybe the staff should dress a bit more appropriately. If the server had leaned down anymore I would have thought I was at a strip club!

    (3)

  • Kelsey S.

    I am THRILLED to say that I revisited Cafe Benelux today for a much-improved experience compared to my earlier trip, which occurred soon after the place opened. After a not-so-great first experience which involved waiting about 40 minutes to be seated and an additional hour for food, I opted to pay closer attention this time. We were seated within five minutes of arriving (around 12:30 on a Sunday), and -- better yet -- our food arrived exactly 15 minutes after we placed our orders. Phenomenal. We were in and out within about 50 minutes. Meal quality: I opted to try the Breakfast Tacos ($8.95), which were a delicious mess of chorizo, eggs, hash browns, cheese, and pico de gallo spread across three tortillas. I'd definitely order again. My dining partner went with the Americana ($6.95), a Lowlands Group staple consisting of eggs, meat, and toast. All served hot, quickly, and tastily. The only complaint we had was that Benelux has stuck with hash browns instead of the to-die-for rosemary potatoes featured at the other Lowlands restaurants. They're not bad hash browns, but they're just kinda "blah." Nothing exciting. I'm hoping that today's experience was a sign that Benelux has begun effectively working out its frequently-noted service kinks and is headed toward smooth sailing. We'll definitely be back!

    (4)

  • Allyson U.

    I have not had very good experiences with the Lowlands Group's restaurants, but I do like Cafe Benelux. This restaurant was made for summer. They have rooftop seating, street level patio seating, and huge windows that they open in the summertime for the inside diners. The restaurant is HUGE and beautiful- this along with their novel of a beer list is what keeps bringing me back. If you cannot find a beer you like here, than you have issues. (Side story: Last time I was here I saw a man drinking a Corona- really?! You chose a Corona out of all the great beers they have!) The service is very casual, not super friendly or nice, but they get the job done. Food is mediocre to good. I always order their sandwiches since they sound so good on the menu, but I am always disappointed. But, their burgers and fries are yummy. I would give them a 3.5 stars overall, but they are definitely worth checking out for their rooftop seating.

    (3)

  • Amy B.

    This will be my one and only visit to Cafe Benelux. I was sorely disappointed on all fronts. Went around 2 pm on a Saturday. Was seated fairly quickly, but our waitress took 10 minutes to show up. It wasn't even that busy, so they must have been short staffed. Waitress took our drink orders (2 of us), and then it was another 10 minutes before our beer flights showed up. We were waiting for two other people, and when they showed up it took another 20 minutes for the waitress to get them their drinks as well. The beer flight was fine, but overpriced in my opinion. Four 4-ounce beers for $12. So essentially a pint of beer for $12. I understand you can get some pretty out there beers, but I still don't think it's worth $12. They only had a "brunch" menu when we went so the choices were limited. I ordered the Market Omelet with no tomatoes and it was nothing special. I've had just as good if not better at any of those Greek family restaurants around town. My husband had the Breakfast Burrito and said it was fine, also nothing special. It took almost half an hour for our food to come out. I asked for ketchup twice, and finally someone who wasn't our waitress brought it for me. We also asked for another set of utensils which we finally had to go take from another table. The bill for four of us, 4 beer flights and 4 meals, was around $90. It absolutely wasn't worth the price, especially not for the service we received. The only reason I'm giving it two stars is because I like the building and the ambiance. That's it.

    (2)

  • David B.

    The name is great, the ambiance is good, the food is satisfactory, the service is horrible. Yesterday (Saturday, August 22nd) was the second time we had eaten there. The first time we waited for 30 minutes to be seated and ordered off their breakfast menu. Our food arrived nearly an hour after ordering. I was unhappy but I assumed that the reason it took an hour to fry eggs was because of the crowd. Yesterday we were seated immediately and the waitress took our orders (eggs and waffles). And this time (2 PM on a Saturday afternoon - well attended but not crowded) it still took almost exactly an hour. So if you want to eat, go across the street to the market. If you are looking for a Belgian beer, hit the liquor store first.

    (2)

  • Ren D.

    We sat on the rooftop and it was perfect. Perfect ambiance, great playlist, and quiet enough to have a conversation. We ordered an original Bloody Mary but we had it with gin instead of vodka. The best part was our mushroom flatbread appetizer.

    (5)

  • J F.

    One of our favorite places to eat when in Milwaukee. Amazing beer selection and great food. The mussels and frites are spot on if you are looking for authentic Belgian. The only place I had better ones were in Brussels. 60 miles from home vs. a hop across the pond... If you are in the area check it out for yourself!

    (5)

  • Angie N.

    As a rule of thumb I try to give places three tries before I write a bad review. We all have bad days and everyone has had an "off day" from time to time. However, unfortunately for Cafe Benelux it seems bad days are a regular thing for them. I've visited three times, twice to eat and once just to take advantage of the rooftop deck for drinking. The drinking visit was the only one they managed to deliver on, and it would have been really hard to screw up. And given the lack of rooftop bars in Milwaukee, I'd guess at some point I'll be back for drinking come the summer months. My first visit was with an average size group for lunch. The overall response about the food was a resounding "meh." I had ordered a chicken sandwich without the spicy mayo, got it with spicy mayo. (Some wait staff still need to write orders down, no shame in that if it means you'll get the order right.) There was a lot of long waits on simple things (straws, silverware, etc.) I recently went back for dinner. There were maybe 4 other tables of people there during my visit. The service wasn't necessarily lacking but hardly something to write home about. When I asked for more of a description regarding my beer of choice the server literally re-read what was in the menu...thanks for the help? I ordered the pannekoeken. Typically when ordering foods from other countries I am not able to say, "I've had the real deal." This time though I can. Pannekoeken was a quick family favorite when we visited Amsterdam and I have thought about it many times since. Unfortunately what I was served at Benelux was nothing close. The pannekoeken was ROCK HARD, to the point that I couldn't cut it with a knife and fork. I needed to break it apart with my hands to get to the parts I could actually chew. It was incredibly disappointing. After three tries, I find it highly unlikely I'll be visiting again...at least not for food.

    (1)

  • Elizabeth D.

    I can't say I've ever been blown away by the food, but it is a good place to grab brunch or a sandwich. If it is warm outside, the rooftop seating is hard to beat. Great beer selection, and a good place for bloody marys or mimosas.

    (3)

  • Lisa W.

    I loved this place! I came on Saturday at 12:30 to meet a friend with our boyfriends for lunch and drinks. They were busy and we had to wait 30 minutes to get a table for 4. We were seated upstairs in the shade, thank goodness. We waited a long time for a waitress to deliver drinks and menus. She was slow overall and took a long time to get our order and the food after we ordered. I ordered the Mrs. Hollander. It was good, but a tad spicy which I am not too fond of. My friends ordered Bloody Marys, also not my favorite, but it was cool that they had their own versions of the classic. Overall, I really enjoyed this place, it was just unfortunate that lunch took 3 hours because they were so busy.

    (4)

  • greg c.

    My Girlfriend on 2 seperate occasion ate there and the food and service was good. HOWEVER when she used her charge card the server voided what she signed and added an extra dollar to the total for her tip. She would have never caught this but she used her debit card and reconciles her bank statement. She talked to the manager and they are still investigating. (it was the same server both times). When you have a cash business do you at least do a criminal background check on your help if they are handling money??? Its free and easy just look them up in CCAPS first especially before your customer's become the next VICTIM.

    (2)

  • Larry B.

    a great place right next to the Public market. It is large inside but always seems busy. we went for an early lunch on Sat and found that the brunch is served til 3pm. i didnt want any egg dishes so settled on some frites and some excellent beer. my wife had the St Germain cocktail which is a take on a Hummingbird. I had Piraat, and then a nice Saison.The draught selection is impressive. Peter the bartender was very friendly and made beer suggestions. we were so impressed we came back for dinner. my wife had the excellent walleye sandwich and i had Bitterbllen which are spicy meatballs with a curry dipping sauce. excellent service and a nice atmosphere which reminded me of a European pub or brauhaus. I will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Rich T.

    Lowlands group: Serious on the 500% markup beer list, couldn't give 2 shits about even MARGINAL service. Not worth my time to explain this review.

    (1)

  • Danielle H.

    We were here Monday night.. sat out on the rooftop. Great area of course. Beautiful weather. Same comments as so many others however re: sub par food. greasy dry-crunchy frites..no sauce served with them. Mussels were ok. Ahi tuna sandwhich was bland and dry. We were told sweet potato fries came with an entree...they never showed up.except for on the bill. Loster crab salad was good. We will probably come back one more time...but will mainly come for drinks and stick to "safe" things that can't be screwed up too badly.

    (3)

  • Ashley S.

    Great food and great service! A half hour wait at noon on a Sunday was not bad at all. The restaurant has a nice layout, a lot of seating and a rooftop. The menu offered a lot of enticing original meals for both brunch and lunch. The chips and dip are to die for! The beer selection is out of this world with a 40 page menu of options. Our server was attentive and friendly. The location is in the heart of the historic district and parking was easy to find. I would go back if ever in the area again.

    (4)

  • Bob S.

    Service was very good. We never had to wait long for anything. We had the bittenballen spicy meatball appetizer which was excellent. Our party tried two different burgers, the sprocket and the merkx. Both were outstanding. My burger was cooked to perfection, which is a rare occurrence. I was disappointed that the dipping sauces, pushed by the waitstaff, end up padding the bill. I know the menu mentions te up charge, but $0.75 for a tiny cup of mayo? The food was good, but I left feeling suckered out of tiny charges for tiny portions of mediocre sauces. Prices are on the high end, but portions are generous.

    (3)

  • K W.

    Tasty but uninspiring food. Truly excellent beer selection. Probably a great local choice but doesn't stand up to other things in its category nationally. Also, they are a victim of Television Pollution - just a few too many big screens!

    (3)

  • Rebecca S.

    We got here early enough on a Saturday morning and were able to snag one of the coveted rooftop patio tables. On a beautiful, warm Saturday morning, I don't think there's a better place to enjoy brunch. Our service was quick and attentive, and our waiter gets bonus points for walking us through the Bloody Mary menu. Our drinks were excellent (The Stinking Rose was nice and garlicky, while the Morning Rooster was zippy and very spicy, just the way I want a bloody to be). My salmon Benedict was delicious, the salmon was well cured and even the side of hash browns was soft and delicious. The husband's pancake/crepe creation with asparagus, pancetta, Parmesan cheese, fried eggs and beer cheese sauce was HUGE but tasty. It appears they are doing some construction on the patio to make it bigger, which is a good thing- it's easily the best seat in the house.

    (4)

  • Patty F.

    The four of us waited 45 minutes for a table on a Saturday night even though several unclean tables were open. Once seated we waited another 45 minutes to an hour for our salad. Then waited another hour for our entree. Even more frustrating was that we had to send the veggie burger (that was overlooked) back three times because we asked for no sauce and it kept coming back with it on. The only saving grace was that my friend who ordered ribs & my husband who ordered the lasagna enjoyed their meal. The manager when she finally came to our table apologized and compensated our bill. I only hope this night was atypical because in the past two times we dined here, we had prompt service and decent food.

    (2)

  • Sarah J.

    My girlfreind and I really enjoy coming here and enjoying the deck. Great spot on nice days and nights. Food is always consistent and service is good. I usually get the grilled chicken sandwich. It might be that I am addicted to the garlic aioli!

    (4)

  • Alison G.

    Really why do people like this place.... Food theirs to me was below average I had only four bites and stopped eating. The latte was just like regular coffee with a thin foam on the top. I believe i would have added one more star if they could sit us on the roof upstairs.

    (2)

  • Annie P.

    Love their brunch menu! I love the BELT!!! Best breakfast sandwich I have had since moving to Milwaukee. Service is a little slow and even though their are empty tables they have you wait for 15 minutes.

    (4)

  • Steve W.

    Come for the beer, stay for the atmosphere. Go somewhere else to eat. Just continue to be disappointed with this chain (of) restaurant(s) food quality. BUT...the roof on the perfect summer night with the sun setting is worth the trip.

    (2)

  • M S.

    Great rooftop patio and excellent service. The food was hit or miss, though. Frites and kids spaghetti were both delicious. Our salads were OK, but the beet salad was a bit confusing. It was described as having beets, blueberries, goat cheese and avacado. It took quite a bit of looking to find 4 baby beet halves under a huge mound of greens, and I was disappointed to see no avacado, only a tablespoon of goat cheese crumbles and one lonely walnut half. The worst was the hummus, though, which was chunky and dry. We'd definitely go again, but would stick with sandwiches, frites, and mussels (which we love from Cafe Hollander).

    (3)

  • Stephen M.

    Hm. Late afternoon, nearly time for the happy hour crowd downtown, and it looks like all the barstools are filled with employees. Interesting. My bloody was typically good for the former Diablos, and I'm happy to see the sweet potato fries are still a centerpiece. I want to like this location, as it's friggin huge and could be the best of all of their locations, but it feels like there are a lot of people on the clock having conversations and only a few really working. I was asked by three people who weren't taking Carew of me if things we're all good, but not by the one who did. Meh. I'll still be back for mussels and frites, but I'm not sure if I'd try it during busier hours.

    (3)

  • Adam J.

    Came in late night after a 3rd Ward Food Tour that didn't exactly fill me up so we wanted an app and maybe a cocktail or 3. The bartender was very friendly, attentive and helpful. When he suggested the Tater Tots, I almost lost it. The last thing I wanted was some crappy Ore Ida greaseballs slathered in sauce. But he assured me that my assumption was wrong. What arrived in front of us was truly something to behold... Blue Cheese mashed potatoes that were battered and deep fried. Really, really awesome.

    (4)

  • Debra L.

    So to preface this review we have been to benelux at least half a dozen times. My family and I usually go together and have had mostly positive experiences, besides this time and once a year ago. Two out of three of us were not happy with our meals. My dad ordered the chicken, which was literally one of the smallest chicken breasts I have ever seen! Practically looked like a Cornish hen. I ordered the green curry mussels which were not prepared well. A good portion of the mussels were undercooked and therefore inedible. There was barely any sauce and there was sand inside a few of the mussels meaning they had not been adequately rinsed. For the price, the food was definitely mediocre. I would suggest other restaurants nearby, save your money and time.

    (2)

  • Coleen P.

    Amazing brunch, service and atmosphere! Start with the beinuits! Mrs Hollander is a huge croissant with ham, egg and H. Sauce! Lisa is the perfect waitress-great suggestions and descriptions. Located kitty corner from the Public Market. Literally 150 beers in dozens of combinations! Wow!

    (5)

  • Rick R.

    This is definitely my favorite of all of the Lowlands Group restaurants. Food is good and includes some items you won't find anywhere else in the city, like pannekoeken (go try one). The beer selection is great if you are into Belgian beers, which I happen to love. The rooftop is a great place to enjoy nice weather and you also have the option of sidewalk seating as a backup. There is a small market inside with specialty brews, cheeses, glassware and other goodies. It's a great fit for Milwaukee's Third Ward.

    (4)

  • Jaryd C.

    Came before Summerfest, visiting from Chicago.. Had no idea what to expect but let me just tell ya we need three of these in Chicago. The drinks were a delight, the atmosphere was great, and the bloody mary's were unbelievable. This place is a definite yes if you're in Milwaukee. Don't not pass it up.

    (5)

  • Susan V.

    Wish I could give it more than 5 stars. Out of 3-day stay of eating and drinking in downtown Milwaukee, we found this place by accident the morning of the day we left. It was the BEST meal we ate the entire weekend. And we are foodies. I had the French Skillet. I love Ratatouille but had never considered having it for breakfast. It was prepared with some chili sauce for a nice kick and two fried eggs, as well as a little hollandaise. I didn't notice much hollandaise, but that's quite alright because so many dishes are drowned in that sauce. It was amazing! I had the Mandarin Breeze cocktail as well. Also good, and a nice breakfast cocktail choice. My fiance had a more traditional breakfast entree called Hodge Podge. It too was very excellent. Nice smoky bacon flavor, great fried eggs, and seasoned beautifully. He had the biermosa to accompany. Now the trick is to recreate this back at home. Wish we had found this place much sooner! Whenever we make it back, this will be our cafe of choice.

    (5)

  • Ty S.

    Visiting for the weekend from Indy for a wedding. Came early for brunch - half full but got packed after we were seated. Great atmosphere. Friendly staff. Comfort food at its finest. We had the quiche and hodge podge, delicious but heavy. Time for a long walk.... 5/5 Would eat here again.

    (5)

  • Kevin W.

    Stopped in to this place for some lunch and immediately thought it would be a great spot. I'm a fan of the cuisine in this part of the world (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg) and was looking forward to a great meal. The place is run by your typical hipster foodies and when I was there it was full of yuppies shoving Belgian Fries in their maws. I was very much looking forward to the bloody mary but was disappointed, the food was average. Not bad, not great. We were there in the winter so we sat inside with all the doors closed and the place was comfy, even by the windows. Service was OK, waters were empty for a while before refilled, but I'm a raging alcoholic and was nursing a holiday hangover so I drank a lot of water. Speaking of water, did you know that camels DON'T store water in their humps? That a lie that the Man has been feeding to us since childhood and I'm fucking sad about it. I'd probably hit this place up again if I were in the neighborhood.

    (3)

  • Erik S.

    Came here for a Saturday brunch, food was great, and the Bloody Mary was fantastic! They also have a great selection of beer on tap, and the atmosphere was really good there! Will definitely go back next time in town.

    (5)

  • Julie B.

    2 stars because the green curry mussels and signature salad were so good. Meanwhile, upon arriving... Me: can we sit outside? Blonde hostess: there aren't any tables. Me: can you check? (I had seen several.) Bh: there are some but they are dirty and it will take 10-15 minutes to clean. Me: great, we'll wait Bh goes and immediately cleans the table and we are seated in about 3 minutes. Seriously, lady? Kinda hard to make money if tables are disposable!

    (2)

  • Ly N.

    Relaxed atmosphere, outdoor seating along with a decent food selection makes Benelux a popular choice in Milwaukee third ward year round. Cafe Benelux is part of a local chain that includes Trocadero, Cafe Hollander and Cafe Centraal. The atmosphere is very similar in all 4 locations, trendy, casual, beer (lots of it!), plenty of sitting and European/ Belgian inspired food. I have frequent Benelux quite a few times now. The upstairs patio is great for brunch, lunch, dinner or late night. The cafe lighting on the upstairs makes the dining experience very pleasant. Cafe Benelux has a rather large beer selection. Not sure what to order? There's a 5 beer sampler that would give you a a taste of what they have to offer. I give the joint a 4 star because service can be inconsistent and the food could use some variety. A few of my faves: - brussels pannenkoeken: very different type of pancake. The pancake like batter is big and covered the whole plate, it is thicker than a crepe yet thinner than typical pancake. On top are a mixture of asparagus, eggs, and cheese (lotsa of cheese!) - Tater tots: need I say more? Try the different dipping sauce they have! That's probably my favorite part. The sriracha mayo and curry ketchup are very tasty. - Merckx burger --- think CHEESE. it has brie, smoked gouda and goat cheese - Frites cone -- yumm If you haven't tried it yet - the bier mosa is quite popular for brunch. It's light and fresh. Overall - a good relaxed restaurant to hang out with friends or casual date night.

    (4)

  • Shawn S.

    The coffee is deliciously strong and the weekend brunch menu is fantastic! We always hit this place for breakfast whenever we spend the weekend in Milwaukee, so we've tried a variety of breakfast entrees without disappointment. I really like the open layout and the wood booths. We tend to arrive early so there's never a wait, the food comes out quickly, and our servers are always friendly and attentive.

    (4)

  • Charles F.

    Casual atmosphere - upscale bar cuisine with a belgian theme to both the food and the beer. The beer selection is quite good and I love the rooftop seating in the summer. Service is a bit hit or miss and maybe 4 stars is a bit high given these shortcomings, but I do like the place and the beer.

    (4)

  • Marissa B.

    This is my second and last time eating here. Both times it took over ten minutes for a server to greet us. Everyone is mostly standoffish like they're doing you the favor. Our waitress (Liz) walked up and without ever greeting us asked if we wanted "anything too".. As if we were supposed to be listening to the other table next to us, and as casually as if we had been chatting all night. The sprocket was painfully greasy, and the fries were re-dunked and Luke warm. It was in general a very disappointing $46.00 spent.

    (2)

  • VT C.

    HUGE beer list, though definitely overpriced. The servers know their way around the menu and can definitely guide you towards a new beer if you're feeling adventurous. I've eaten here twice. The mussels and frites were delicious. The burger was not so good. Unfortunately they refused to custom make the burger and I prefer medium rare or medium as the most. It came out medium well to well done and was dry. I would come back simply because of the rooftop patio. It's worth checking out on a nice summer day.

    (3)

  • Laura C.

    We stopped at Cafe Benelux on our way home from a weekend in Port Washington. We had heard about from someone we met. The Yelp reviews were favorable and with such short notice, we were able to sit roof top which had portable heaters. The food, the ambiance and the service is unparalleled. We ordered an excellent belgium beer that complemented everything we ordered. We started with the tater tots which were gigantic cheese filled versions of what you get at Sonic... Amazing. Our entrees were the Benelux salad and the Bacon-wrapped Meatloaf. which also exceeded expectations and something you could not usually find at a restaurant. We had no room for dessert and are dying to get back to try this restaurant for breakfast. admin.lowlandsgroup.com/…

    (5)

  • Dana R.

    Had breakfast here with a group of friends before one of our buddies got married and can't say a bad thing about the place at all. Being a cyclist I loved the Belgian-cycling inspired vibe and food/drink menu. Our server was very welcoming and down to earth. She was attentive without being annoying if that makes sense. My friends all had brunch cocktails and I simply opted for coffee, which was just fine. One of my friends was strangely in the mood for bacon waffles and although that was not a menu option, the chef had no problem making an addendum to the waffle dishes that were order and mixed chopped bits of bacon into the waffle batter upon request. Not a huge task when you really think about it, but one that would be rejected at many other places I'm sure. We ended up having such a good experience, we went back the morning after the wedding with a few extra people who from what I can remember, really enjoyed their brunch as well. In a great location as well in the 3rd Ward district!

    (5)

  • Rachael G.

    Let me preface this by saying I am not a fan of the Lowlands Group restaurants in general (I pretty much despise Cafe Centraal), but I have ALWAYS had a great meal at Benelux. I have eaten here for both breakfast and lunch and it has always been top notch. Breakfast: I tried breakfast here for the first time the other weekend and it was superb. My boyfriend and I split the beignets, he had a pannenkoeken (a mix between a crepe and pancake) filled with pancetta, beer cheese and asparagus, and I had the breakfast polenta. We. Cleaned. Our. Plates. As a side not, we got there minutes after the restaurant opened so we got a seat right away and our food came out in a timely matter. The only "eh" thing about our meal was the beer cheese. For some reason the Lowlands restaurants puts the beer cheese on every breakfast dish and I really don't think it is all that great.... Lunch: Very solid meals here. I've thoroughly enjoyed the Black Bean burger with frites, and their Grilled Caesar Salad is one of the best salads around, in my opinion. The charred flavor on the romaine really adds a new dimension to they typical Caesar Salad. Whenever I stop at Benelux I order a Bloody Mary. I don't know what their secret is, but the Lowland Restaurants make mean Bloody Mary's. As with the other restaurants, Benelux can have hit or miss service, but I've never had an unpleasant experience here.

    (4)

  • Julie G.

    Awesome beer selection, food and waitstaff (yes I said awesome waitstaff). We had Brittany on the morning of December 30th and she was amazing. I really dislike when a waitperson says "I don't have any favorites, all the food is great" MEH! Brittany knew what she liked/why she like it and was able to provide great recommendations. Had the bacon, blue cheese tater tots and they were incredible (you'll need to disregard any hopes of calorie counting). Included with the tots was a chipotle mayo dipping sauce (very good according to the husband) Followed up the tots with the grilled cheese, bacon and tomato sandwich which might possibly be the best grilled cheese sandwich I've ever had. It's like 5 different cheeses, bacon and a touch of tomato (not huge slices that pull the bread apart). We told Brittany that we would be splitting the sandwich and it arrived on two separate plates with sweet potato fries on both We enjoyed the Lowland Wit and thought it was wonderful (we regularly consume craft beer). Don't skip this place on your Milwaukee trip, yes there are other places right around this establishment but make this one a priority!

    (4)

  • Ruby H.

    I arrived unexpectedly to Café Benelux. I had just finished a 2 hour exploration walk with my puppy in the lakeshore state park area. I was immediately seated and promptly approaches by my server. Excellent service even on a busy Sunday afternoon! Food was delicious.. I don't exactly remember what I ordered though! Haha I will be back though, so i'll update y'all next time. :)

    (4)

  • Michelle V.

    Poor Host Staff I have been to this restaurant several times. The food is great, but I have always had sub-par service. Forgotten silverware, slow refills on drinks, and long waits for a greeting after being seated are typical. I went Saturday night 10/4, and the hostess was rude. I said I had a party of 4 plus a baby, and she said, "oh well we will have a 1-2 hour wait." There were only 10 names on her list, and 4 tables were open to be seated. To give a full hour window is pretty unprofessional. She never welcomed us to have a drink at the bar or wait in the lobby if we would like. In fact, she never even asked if I would like to put my name on the list. We ended up waiting an hour at a neighboring restaurant, happily, because their staff was friendly and welcoming.

    (2)

  • Cindy H.

    A menu of 49 pages of beers!

    (5)

  • Chris G.

    Four words... Cinnamon. Streusel. French. Toast. You won't regret it. Doesn't come with any sides though so you may want to order a side of eggs or bacon with it. I gave it 4 stars because the Mrs. Hollandaise breakfast sandwich I got was completely soaked through on the underside of the croissant, making it impossible to pick up and eat like a sandwich. Very soggy. Good item though, otherwise. Excellent place for brunch! Go here :)

    (4)

  • Kira W.

    We ate here for brunch one morning with friends last spring. We had a short wait, probably because it was still chilly outside and one of the nicest things about Benelux is the patio seating. I really enjoyed my Salmon Benedict. It was absolutely marvelous. I don't eat Benedict all that often because its absolutely awful for you, but a good Benedict will make me splurge! My boyfriend had the pannen...crepe pancake thing. He loved it, every bite. It seems that other reviewers liked it as well. My friends had Bloody Marys and they were very elaborate. I really don't drink and I don't like Bloody Marys if I decide to have a drink, but I was told they were great. We had no complaints about the service at all, food was hot, quick, and delicious. Service was friendly and attentive. The only real gripe I had was that there are not really coat hooks or purse hooks at the higher tables with the backless stools. It was really inconvenient to juggle my purse and coat for the whole meal. Don't take a coat if possible and ladies, bring one of those purse hooks!

    (4)

  • Lindsey B.

    Love all the outdoor seating! Extensive beer selection, great staff that can actually speak to the extensive beer menu. Nice wine selection, which is hard to find in a beer city. Good pub food, fun condiments. I believe we had a choice of over 10 dipping sauces for our fries. The main purpose of our visit was to kill time on a Saturday afternoon. I would love to stop back again for a real meal. The SERVICE is AMAZING! I will be back for brunch on my next trip to Milwaukee.

    (4)

  • Meghan-Annette R.

    Went here for lunch today with my mom. We were seated promptly and began to pour over the menus. This place does beer (there's like 250+ available) so if you're having a brew you're set but if you're not going to be having a beer you'll be a little disappointed. The apple cider I had was instant and watery, but the waitress was nice and swapped it for a coffee, which was burnt. But the tomato soup I had was fantastic and my mother enjoyed the Kulminator. But, it was freezing inside, and there were several people saying the same thing, so it isn't just me and I have a serious issue with a place as classy and as expensive as Cafe Benelux serving instant cider. Come on guys, it's even in season right now. Or, if you insist on serving instant, make it two packets.

    (3)

  • Don F.

    Horrible Experience! Cafe Benelux Milwaukee: I grew up in Milwaukee, went to Marquette, love Milwaukee... NEVER had a poorer dining experience than we had today, (we left) in my life. My neighbors kid blowing chow all over his plate when out to dinner years ago was delightful compared to, "Hi, welcome to Cafe Dumb Ass... we serve brunch until 3 pm, and all our signs say so.. but, special surprise for you, brunch food can't be ordered after 2:45". My response, b-bye and Hello Facebook and Yelp reviews.

    (1)

  • Natasha J.

    Boring burgers and greasy sides. Sometimes the salads are good, but the portions are inconsistent which is weird from such a corporate place. However, the bloody Mary's and beer selection are awesome, along with the rooftop patio. This is a good place for last minute dinner or brunch. Lots of seating! Not the kinda place worth long waits to be seated though.

    (3)

  • Jessica S.

    When my boyfriend and I initially entered Cafe Benelux, the smiling hostess attentively welcomed us and a server passing by complimented my boots. To this, I say: Good on ya, Cafe Benelux. I'm already impressed. Clearly your staff appreciates the importance of making any guest feel comfortable right from the get-go. It was 4:00 pm on a Sunday and the main dining room was empty-ish, so our bubbly hostess suggested we choose our own table (rather than stalwartly adhere to her etched-in-stone floor chart and herd us off to a table with which we would be less comfortable). After plopping side-by-side into our spacious, main-floor booth, I noticed the repurposed bowling alley lane table top would look more appropriate in the dining room of a Buffalo Wild Wings; regardless, I can't fault any business that chooses to recycle. That's what's up. Then we opened the beer list. Beer menu? Beer BIBLE? BEER COMPENDIUM?! Dear Sweet Baby Jesus, there were so many beers I went cross-eyed. So you can clearly understand why it took us, uh, something like 20 whole minutes to narrow it down. Honestly, I think I could have thrown a dart at any one of the beer list's 47382978329 pages to choose arbitrarily and STILL end up with something tasty. And effing strong. A timely caution: A number of these brews have the same alcohol-by-volume -- if not more! -- as a glass of wine, so champ-chugging like it's PBR or Bud Light will only end in tears. Don't say I didn't tell you so. Now pony up $8.50 for however many ounces equal 350ml. I suggest the Pyraat. After placing our food order (thankfully Cafe Benelux's lunch/dinner menu won't cause the eyestrain their beer list inevitably will), our server did something I LOVE: he made a personal suggestion regarding how my boyfriend's sandwich could be made better. He recommended substituting a bun made of glorious pretzel bread. And then, JUST before our meals arrived, he delivered a ramekin of basil aioli so we could try it with our frites. As you would expect, frites dipped in basil aioli is exactly as genius as it sounds. My partner-in-crime ordered the pulled pork sandwich -- on a pretzel bun, of course -- with mango barbecue (AWESOME!)sauce and sesame cilantro slaw. It existed at our table for approximately two minutes and 38 seconds (concrete evidence that Operation: Fill Boyfriend's Stomach was a success). I very much enjoyed the chunks of onion, basil, and tomato in my bowl of tomato soup. I understand that we made our first visit at this popular Historic Third Ward restaurant early in the evening on a rainy March Sunday, and NOT at noon on a Saturday in June when people will murder their mother in order to get a seat on Cafe Benelux's rooftop patio. A la, I will acknowledge there are potential hi-jinx I'm sure my comrade and I avoided by going when we did. But isn't this true for any restaurant? Based on this, our very positive first experience at Cafe Benelux, we are definitely going to return. Perhaps to brave the hungry, seething masses on some warm, spring, Saturday afternoon in order to get thrown off of their goooooorgeous rooftop patio.

    (4)

  • Joanne C.

    This restaurant is located in the historic third ward of Milwaukee in a building owned by the Milwaukee Public Market and right across from the Public Market building with the various shops and restaurants. The food was great. I loved the variety in the menu items. My mom and I shared the pork belly satay. The name is misleading as the only "satay" resemblance was the face that it was on a stick. I will let that slide though because they were so good! The outside was crunchy and the inside was tender. Each morsel was perfectly seasoned! The Asian style slaw it was served on was delicious too. We also had the tater tots. They were alright but a little gloppy for my taste. It's like they were made too large, with the outside crunching up too quickly and the inside not being able to be cooked completely. The sriracha mayo was good for dipping them in, but I couldn't stomach more than a couple bites. It's a shame because I wanted to like the dish. My mom and I ended up splitting sausage rigatoni with garlic, basil, and tomato sauce which was delicious in all it's simplicity. I also had a tasting of four of their beers on tap. I can't remember the names on the beers, but they have a great selection which plenty to choose from.

    (4)

  • Stephanie C.

    Came here while in town for Summerfest. My cousin and I sat on the patio, which was lovely!! I definitely suggest sitting outside...if it is cool enough. It was the perfect temperature that day. They do have misters and heaters though, so it's probably always pretty comfortable out there! Our server was named Tess and she was awesome!!! She was super friendly! We ordered the charcuterie board and the salmon salad...they were both so good!!! We loved the bread and the cheese that came on the charcuterie board...we even ordered an extra side of bread to finish up all the cheese! It was that good :) I don't know when I'll be in Milwaukee again, but I'll definitely be back here just for the charcuterie board!!

    (4)

  • Sarah P.

    Beer. Beer. Beer. Beer. And good bloodies. When this place opened, I was really only jazzed for the rooftop seating. Upon further inspection, they really do a great job on their menu and bar options. The tots are a number one starter pick -- they're not your standard tots, by the way. Deep fried potatoes mashed up with blue cheese served with a sriracha mayo....yes please. I like their brunch options too, I stick with the oatmeal when I'm trying to be good (which is very creamy, so who knows how "good" it is for you) and the broiled grapefruit. Last time I went, my husband and I had a day date and hung at the bar trying some of the new beer options and bloodies. The Stinkin' Garlic is solid on their menu, they also had one called the "Rad Barbie" which was also a great bloody choice. Service is decent, nothing out of this world -- but nothing worth complaining about, either. When I come back to Milwaukee, this place is definitely on my go-to list.

    (4)

  • Greg B.

    The view on the roof-top seating of downtown Milwaukee is awesome. Great beer selection. I felt the appetizers were fantastic, but the Belgium Dip I ordered was disappointing. We began our visit at the lower-level bar as we waited for our table. Looks like a business crowd as a lot of folks were in suits and ties, with a sprinkling of folks dressed like me. I had my normal hefeweizen. After a 30-minute wait, we made our way upstairs. Great view of Milwaukee. Love the old buildings in the renovated Third Ward. The appetizers were good (creamy tater-tots stood out). The beer was flowing, as was the conversation. The Dip sandwich wasn't all that good. There was hardly any roast beef in the sandwich, and the toasted bun was starting to harden to the point that it tasted too crispy, and not fresh. I'll likely be back to try other menu items, and increase my rating. Loved the atmosphere.

    (3)

  • Layla B.

    They recently rolled out a new menu. Love their selection of beers and ciders. We ordered the caprese salad skewers for an app and they were yummy! There were five which is an awkward number for sharing between two, but we made it work. I had a bowl of the delicious tomato soup for my meal.. It was the best tomato soup I've ever had! It was full of chunks of tomatoes, onions and basil, and it was super creamy. My friend had the mac and cheese, and I personally think that the size of the dish wasn't big enough for the cost. Warning for vegetarians: there are two or three options on this new menu. Not the most veggie friendly place! Our waitress was a total flake and wasn't attentive or professional. Again, come & stay for the food over the service.

    (4)

  • Swede H.

    Slowest service ever, we were almost the only customers there and after we were seated it still took about 20 min before we got water. We asked for someone to come over twice and watched a few waitresses standing around. The latte I ordered was really terrible, rather a cafe au lait. NOT worth what I paid for it. Food was decent, not amazing in any way, but satisfactory and made me leave feeling satisfied.

    (3)

  • Beth P.

    Oh, Cafe Benelux how you tempt me with your patio. I work across the street from Benelux so I get to glimpse of the patio from my window. This is both a blessing and a curse. It's nice to see people enjoying the nice weather, but not so much on a Friday afternoon at 4 pm. The patio is nice when you can make it over. I've actually only been here twice despite being so close. Their bloodys are delicious and they actually rival The Wicked Hop's IMHO. Staples like burgers, frites and Belgian beers are always great. I would not order the black bean burger again though since I wasn't impressed.

    (4)

  • Adrienne C.

    Hands down the best Brunch I've ever had. I ordered the Hodge Podge Skillet and it was amazing. I swear breakfast has never been the same. The wait was long one summer Sunday, but worth it for a rooftop experience. A cool drink at the bar watching the World Cup kept us occupied in a fun (but packed) atmosphere. We even went back the following day. I would recommend this place for brunch to anyone I know and already have more than 20 times.

    (5)

  • Lisa S.

    This place was great. A large group of twenty of us came and had a great meal with a HUGE selection of beers. the upstairs rooftop dining overlooking the Third Ward was cool. Food - Fantastic!

    (5)

  • steven k.

    Wow. That's what my better half says when at a loss for words. We came from out of town & apparently this is the only place in Milwaukee that offers Sunday brunch. And apparently this place has never been open before on a holiday, because they are completely clueless. We all arrived on time, with a reservation for 12, and were seated. Half an hour after we were seated we were allowed to order. It's not the healthiest menu on the planet, with almost every thing containing cheese and/or bacon, and certainly not the cheapest. They have several hundred young people running around in black tee shirts. We're not sure what exactly they all do, but it's like watching an ant farm, while waiting for your food. And waiting. And waiting. They're constantly using a touch screen mounted on the wall, to make it look like they're putting in food orders. What they're really doing is updating their status and checking email. To paraphrase the Seinfeld episode at the rental car counter, they know how to take the food orders, they just don't know what to do with them once they take them. Half an hour after we ordered, and now 1 hour into our mission, I went to the hostess stand & had to wait in line to ask for a manager, while several hostess-types furiously tapped away at their tablets. As I was asking the manager to check on our order, our server came over & snapped to me that it had only been 20 minutes, not 30, since we had ordered. I hadn't seen her in so long that at first I didn't recognize her. Now that's good customer service. It was the manager who finally brought our food. Then it took 3 requests for 1 cup of decaf. An order of scrambled eggs with onions brought a plate of eggs & a separate plate of onions. They finally brought the eggs scrambled with the onions. And proceeded to charge us for 2 plates of eggs. And I was never offered a refill on my coffee. Like a bad date, a bad dining experience eventually comes to an end. Of course we had to wait forever for the check, & then another long wait to run the credit card. Luckily, they didn't automatically add a big, fat tip for a large group, like they do in the big city, so we left a small, thin one. And we somehow managed to get out of there before my parking permit in the big lot next door was set to expire - at 8:00 the next morning.

    (1)

  • Stefani S.

    My boyfriend and I came across this place while walking around downtown. We had to wait about 45 minutes and were eventually seated on the rooftop. The ambiance is great with a nice view of the city! I've seen mixed reviews on the food but we REALLY enjoyed it and the coffee also. The only reason I haven't been back yet is the wait time and lack of being able to make a reservation, but if you don't mind waiting then I would definitely try this place out. We'll probably go again before summer is over.

    (4)

  • William B.

    Had team of 20 out for business dinner. We called a day in advance for reservations. They said they don't take reservations but we should come and they would accommodate us. We showed up and they said they didn't have room for us and that we should have made a reservation since that's how they accommodate large parties. We went down the street instead. Being on the road every week in this town we eat out every night. I don't think they realize how much future business they just lost.

    (1)

  • Matt B.

    Recently visited Café Benelux for brunch with a group of friends - I think 7 total. Knowing that they have a crazy long wait, I went down to the Third Ward an hour before I thought we would want to eat and was told we would be waiting for 60-75 minutes. We all arrived after an hour and were not seated for another 45 minutes. On this particular May day, the weather was dreary and rainy so none of the patio or roof seating was open. With such a popular spot, this is obviously sub-optimal for seating. When we were seated, we were quickly asked for drink orders and most of ours took about 5 minutes to arrive. After the 45 minute wait, this seemed like an eternity, but it really wasn't that bad. For food, I ordered beignets and hot pecan caramel rolls for the table to share. Both were okay and hit the sweet tooth spot that I like to get with brunch, but neither were overwhelmingly delicious and we could have done without and been fine. For my main dish, I had the Belt & A which is their take on a breakfast BLT of sorts. The thing about this dish is - it would be killer *without* the bread. The ingredients in it (bacon, lettuce, tomato, two fried eggs, avocado, basil aioli, nine grain bread, benelux breakfast potatoes) sound great as an egg dish with toast and potatoes on the side. But as a sandwich, it was just a touch off of what I'd have wanted. Our server was with us quickly throughout our meal, we always had full water glasses, and in the end he was a champ and split our bill 5 ways to accommodate our couples and singles. So, great service. Overall, CB is a really popular place and I can see why. Great location, good food, fun atmosphere. But it is far from the best brunch I've had in MKE. I won't rush to come back, but I won't turn it down either. One last thing about the wait - it seems as though you can use the app 'NoWait' to place your name on the list and not have to be physically present, but I haven't tested that. I only downloaded the app after their text system told me I could see my place in line using it., so it might be worth a shot to do that. Being able to would make me at least 50% more likely to want to go here.

    (3)

  • LeAnn O.

    As a First time visitor, I will return. The Hodge Podge Breakfast was HUGE portion. Had one of the Rad Barbie Bloody Marys. Was the best I have had. Their home made bloody mix was super tasty and not too spicy. Within an hour of opening, there was a wait to be seated and because they were so busy, they seamed understaffed. Service and food was a bit slow

    (5)

  • Eric C.

    Service by the hostesses was crap. I actually used it as an example of bad service in an interview. I talked to the manager, he was fantastic. Our server was great too. I'd recommend this place... nice atmosphere and great outdoor area. The food was pretty darn good, I might give a 4.5 for the food. The gluten free menu was really nice. Green's Quest Tripel Ale was a fantastic beer. It's probably the best gluten free beer I've ever had.

    (4)

  • Melissa S.

    This place has a mix of food and beverages but it all keeps me fling back. Had the cheese curd meatballs it bitterballen tonight and would definitely repeat. Caprese salad is very delightful especially with a glass of prosecco. Enjoy the ambience and awesome bloody Mary's.

    (5)

  • Sass M.

    At Benelux, as with anywhere owned by the Lowlands Group, they're not changing the world with food. It's over-priced, mediocre at best and mass produced, served by an incredibly overwhelmed but ever pleasant service staff. It's like the Cheesecake Factory of the Third Ward. They have got to be printing money in the basement. With all that said, for some reason, whenever I have an out of town guest they seem to love to slowly walk through the Public Market like it's a museum and dine on the much loved rooftop patio of Benelux. They just love it. Bless their hearts. And recently a friend and I stopped in for an early lunch, pleased to find no wait for the patio. We were sat promptly, waters soon to follow by our server, Ben. You could tell he's either an excellent study or genuinely loves the beers he recommended. The trappist we shared was phenomenal and I'm not really a beer drinker. We both ordered the same thing; the turkey wrap. It was, I don't know, like a pound of shaved turkey in a warm, soggy tortilla. But it wasn't bad. It wasn't good, but it wasn't bad. It was fine. That beer though. That beer was giving me life. I will say I thoroughly impressed with the quality of service Ben maintained despite the sudden rush about twenty minutes after we arrived.

    (4)

  • Glenn C.

    Excellent burgers and sweet potato fries. Grilled Cheese was excellent. Salmon was the best ever. Tater tots highly recommended. Huge beer list. Very crowded could be quicker on meals. Friendly servers.

    (4)

  • Roger M.

    Food: I can't really speak to all the menu items as we only ordered a chicken sandwich and the chips and dip (strips of fried dough with cream cheese berry dip) off the brunch menu. Chicken in the sandwich was too chunky, grapes and there was tons of bits of celery and cashews. Just not a good composition; it fell all over the place and wasn't tasty. Saw other's burgers though and those looked great. Dang it. Service: We had two waitresses; one intro'd the menu and specials and the other actually waited on us. The bad thing was when I told her about the sad chicken salad sandwich, she said she'd tell the manager which she didn't because we actually went straight to him and he sounded like he never knew about it. He did remove the charge for it, so that's commendable as most places wouldn't. Good rooftop view, but that's not enough to bring me back.

    (2)

  • Meagan C.

    I'm going to give Benelux a 4 star review simply because of the brunch. Yes, you may have to wait an hour or so to get a seat, but we always seem to grab a couple spots at the bar. The bartenders are awesome and we know a couple by name and I can't get enough of the pannenkoken brussels! Great Belgian beer selection that changes monthly and I love the house brew as well! Had some bad service sitting at the tables, but the bartenders are always on top of their game! PS. Don't order the calamari, you'll be disappointed. DO order the sprocket burger, you'll die because of so much love!

    (4)

  • David S.

    Definitely would recommend! Nice and friendly waitress. Good service along with excellent food. Cool atmosphere and very busy on a Friday night.

    (5)

  • Angie M.

    Came here for the first time last weekend for brunch (beignets, bloody marys, and other delicious menu items). It looks like our first visit was our last visit. The hostess said there was a 20-30 minute wait, even though tons of tables were. As annoying as it is to see tons of empty tables, yet be told there is a wait, there's no point bringing it up to the hostess because they they are probably trained to only seat a certain number of tables at a time, or they are understaffed (which is management's fault, not the hostess's). We were seated just before 2:45pm, and given lunch menus. We were told they stop serving brunch at 3pm when they switch over to the lunch menu. We rolled with it, but asked our server if there was any way we could still order beignets because that was the reason we came to that restaurant; she checked with the kitchen and said they would go ahead and put the order in. She explicitly stated that we couldn't order any other items from the brunch menu. Fine; there were tons of delicious lunch choices that we wanted to try, and we were just glad to get beignets! We both ordered bloody marys. My partner ordered the rocket salad (arugula, local apples, pears, black river falls gorgonzola, toasted almonds, honey lavender vinaigrette) with chicken. I ordered the pork belly banh mi (sesame cilantro slaw, cumin aioli, mahogany glaze, twin mini potato rolls), and the server asked if I wanted regular or sweet potato fries, so I chose regular since sweet potato can be hit and miss. The bloody marys/beignets thankfully arrived before the rest of the food. The beignets were perfectly fried! The side of kahlua chocolate sauce was way too sweet (and grainy), so we barely touched it. But, we enjoyed the beignets! The bloody marys were also quite delicious. Then, the food was dropped off by somebody other than our server, but the food runner left before I realized that I received the incorrect food. Instead of receiving the lunch pork belly banh mi, I received the breakfast pork belly banh mi (pork belly, scrambled eggs, muenster, sweet pepper relish, toasted cumin aioli, twin potato hoagies) with what looked like breakfast potatoes. Thinking this was somebody else's food, I flagged down our server so she could get the food to the right person. I politely drew her attention to the mistake (after working in customer service for years, I go out of my way to be incredibly nice to other customer service folks). Instead of receiving a polite response, she responded by treating me like I was stupid and should've known that I would receive brunch food instead of lunch food. She proceeded to explain to me that because of the time what I received was "technically correct" and there was nothing she could do about it. I pointed out that it was not correct because I ordered the banh mi off the lunch menu she gave us and that's why she asked if I wanted sweet potato or regular fries, not breakfast potatoes. She replied in a very snotty and demeaning tone "I know it's confusing because of the switch from brunch to lunch" as if I were the one who was confused. I pointed out to her that (1) we received only lunch menus when we were seated, (2) that she specifically told us that the kitchen said we couldn't order anything else off the brunch menu, (3) that she had specifically asked me if I wanted regular or sweet potato fries with the banh mi (a lunch banh mi side; the breakfast bahn mi has no side), and (4) that it was way after 3pm when we received our food (to show it was likely after 3pm when our food was made). There was no way I was confused. It was either her confusion or the kitchen's confusion, and she refused to apologize or take responsibility for it. She now just seemed flustered, and only only offered to bring me a side of regular fries. But that was it; apparently, receiving the sandwich I ordered was not an option (even though now it was well into lunch time and the sandwich I ordered/wanted was now the only "banh mi" able to be made). I should have walked out at that point, but I was too hungry to go find somewhere else to eat. After I tasted the food, I really wished I had left. The breakfast potatoes were mushy on the outside and somewhat raw on the inside. The scrambled eggs on the "banh mi" were so overdone and inedible. The sweet pepper relish and muenster were so stuck to the eggs that by picking off the eggs I was left with nothing but a roll with a tiny piece of pork belly. It was not good. My partner's food was only marginally better. The chicken was beyond overcooked, the salad was underdressed and didn't have any pears in it (at least none that we could see), but at least the apples and gorgonzola were somewhat good. After the awful service, we soon lost our appetites and didn't finish the mediocre food. tl;dr: Bloody marys/beignets were good. Other food and service were awful. Either the waitstaff or kitchen (or both) don't know how to handle the brunch/lunch transition.

    (1)

  • T C.

    This restaurant is really nice looking; cozy in the winter, open and airy in summer. Right across the way from the Milwaukee Public Market. Parking is usually tricky to find near here. At peak times, it's probably best to drop someone from your party off to wait for a table while you go look for parking. This is one of my favorite brunch spots. The eggs and salmon Benedict are perfect most times. The Brussels Pannekoeken is a perfect mix of slightly sweet and savory. The Bloody Mary's are delicious and people I've eaten with have loved their mimosas. We went to dinner there the other night and had a polar opposite experience. We tried the caprese fondue for an appetizer. I'm sure the idea on paper sounded good but what arrived was terrible. It was basically the tomatoes and basil covered in a ton of mozzarella cheese. What that basically turns into is a pool of about 1/2" of water from the tomatoes in the bottom of the shallow casserole dish, covered in an unruly mass of stringy mozzarella. It was bad enough trying to manage this mess between two people, never mind if it was to be shared by a few people at the table. The crostini were just awful. Closer to the texture of brick than of toast or flatbread. Yes, crostini can be stale. And these were. I wonder how many weeks these had sat around. I'd give it a 2 out of 10. You have to wonder if the creator of this disaster had actually tried eating it at a table. But I suppose the same could be said for the rest of the dinner. The grilled chicken sandwich was about as plain of a chicken sandwich as you could find. Nothing wrong with it, but I definitely had expectations of something beyond mediocre. The turkey tartines were abysmal. The menu description should have been this: a pile of shaved, cold (chilled, like right from the fridge) deli turkey thrown on a bed of mixed greens, on top of a buried piece of stale bread, covered in a smear of jam so thin it can't be tasted. It's obviously not meant to be a sandwich that can be picked up, but it was on a tiny piece of bread so stale it could not be cut into with the utensils provided. Again, did anybody from the restaurant try this out before they put this on the menu? The frites were good. Oddly enough, we went to sister restaurant Cafe Centraal the next night for dinner and it was, as always, a great meal. So I guess I'd have to conclude: awesome for brunch; not worth your time for dinner. The brunch was what brought my rating up to a 3 star.

    (3)

  • Eric R.

    Very good breakfast. I had the B.E.L.T & A sandwich and my wife had the market omelet. Both were generous portions and tasted great. They don't skimp on stuffing the omelets. Warning that the gooey yolks from the egg sandwich can be a bit of a mess. This place has a nice, open atmosphere, and would be nice for dinner or late night also. Big open spaces and tables for large groups. The bloody mary and beer lists were impressive.

    (5)

  • Meredith S.

    Awesome rooftop patio! It was a little windy and chilly while we were there, but I can only imagine how great it is on a sunny day. Huge selection of beer, and I really liked the booklet that listed all the beer. It had tons of fun facts which I enjoyed reading about. I only had a selection of appetizers, but I saw several items on the menu that looked good. We ordered the ahi tuna, cheese plate and some frites. Our frites were a little soggy but I enjoyed all our dipping sauces. Cheese plate was really good - came with hazelnuts and a good selection of different cheeses. Overall, I enjoyed my time and would go back again if I'm ever back in Milwaukee.

    (4)

  • Ian P.

    Café Benelux (named for the famed European union of BElgium, the NEtherlands, and LUXembourg) sits in Milwaukee's old public market space, across from the newly built one. It has indoor and outdoor seating that is usually bustling with people and servers, talking loudly over the many hand-crafted plates and unique beer selections available to customers. There is also a rooftop dining area that is great in the summertime. The number one reason to come to Benelux is, put simply, brunch. On weekends, Café Benelux does an outstanding brunch, in which you can still order my personal favorite, the Sprocket Burger (miller baking pretzel bun, thick-cut bacon, cheddar, duck fat fried egg, garlic aioli, and tomato jam). The level of ingredients put into every dish are astounding for how fairly priced the Café is. In addition, I can't imagine any other restaurant except Benelux where I voluntarily order the frites as an appetizer with multiple dipping sauces to boot (curry ketchup, sriracha ginger bbq, roasted garlic aioli, basil aioli, sriracha mayo (think spicy mayo on sushi), lemon garlic aioli, bleu cheese buttermilk dressing, smoked tandem dubbel mustard, and smoked chipotle aioli). If anything, the sriracha ginger bbq and sriracha mayo are mandatory! The atmosphere is very, well, European, but I've never been here when the vibe wasn't great and the staff wasn't friendly. Their menu is probably one of the more unique and well-crafted ones in the city, and the fair price point makes it a must stop for Milwaukee's residents on the weekend. Dress casual, drink a beer, order an item which you'll probably end up falling in love with, and enjoy the sights and sounds of a summer spent in the Third Ward. Also, order the damn frites...

    (5)

  • Mel C.

    I love the environment great place and perfect view on the roof top. Chicken sandwich was a bit dry. Kids spaghetti was actually macaroni with marinara sauce, I gave it a try it was way to spicy for a child. So we ordered something else instead (which was no problem). Our waitress was very sweet and helpful :)

    (3)

  • Eugene R.

    I would put this at my top 5 places to eat. The service is always good. Many selections for beer ( amazing beeeeer) and the food never disappoints. I would go here everyday if i could. I highly recommend going here and getting anything off the menu because it will be great.

    (5)

  • Ben B.

    Yes, the pictures of the food here look amazing. But the taste is just so-so. I tried ordering a cocktail, but they were out of one of the liquors, so I downshifted to a beer. We began with the tater tots. These were pretty great. They come with a sriracha dipping sauce that gave them a nice kick. They reminded me of arancini - a ball of creamy cheese, soft potato and bacon bits. My entree was the grilled chicken sandwich with proscuitto, house smoked mozzarella, basil aioli and ciabatta (I omitted the tomato). It was very bland. Also, the fries that came with it tasted like they'd been sitting out for several hours. I alerted our server and she brought me an order of fresh, superior fries. But shouldn't someone catch that before it leaves the kitchen? The space is gorgeous. It's big, open and sunny. It's just a shame the food failed so hard.

    (2)

  • Dane H.

    TL;DR if you don't feel like reading my entire rant, here's my point: adding truffled forest mushrooms, candied hazelnuts, pistachio gremolata and calling your toast crostini doesn't make your make your mediocre food better. It only heightens the expectations of the consumer shortly before you gravely disappoint them over and over again. Begin rant: Yet another restaurant that falls victim to a kitchen that can't hang with the menu its meant to deliver. Cafe Benelux would benefit greatly from re-writing its menu to suit what they actually serve: mid-tier burgers, salads, and entrees. If I knew that's what I was getting myself into, I'd be giving this place 4 or 5 stars because a lot of their food isn't necessarily *bad*, it's just not a reflection of what the establishment is attempting to portray. Their menu is hilariously pretentious for the type of food they actually serve. Example: Menu description from Cafe Benelux: -charcuterie board*:, duck confit, mahogany pork belly, herb garlic cheese, nine grain toast, spicy pickled carrots 12.95 Shit. Sounds good doesn't it? How could you mess this up? Real world translation: -Tiny piece of wood with a questionably small amount mystery food*:, criminally overcooked duck(?) which surely shouldn't be considered "confit" by any means, pork belly void of any crispiness or anything else indicative of decent pork belly, cheese likely purchased by the tupperware gallon from the local Pick n Save, day old bread (toasted just for you), followed by carrots uniquely sliced to distract you from the fact that what you're eating kind of sucks and that you just forked over 13 dollars for a laughably small portion of this food. I wish I could've taken a picture of this sad excuse for Charcuterie. I know I sound like a food snob - but if that's how you write your menu and this is what the consumer gets, you leave me no choice. If I get a double hamburger from McDonald's and I get 2 soggy buns with overcooked patties and a little bit too much ketchup, guess what? I'm a happy camper. Because it's McDonalds. If I get the equivalent from a cutting edge, hip, gourmet burger joint I'll be pissed. And no, adding your special aioli and pickled daikons or your candied hazelnuts isn't going to hide the fact your serving mediocre greasy food, man. The crazy thing is, I absolutely love Cafe Hollander, another Lowlands owned establishment. It's practically the same restaurant except Hollander is way cooler and less pretentious. I've come to this place way too much and I'll continue coming here since my entire group of friends thinks this place is the second coming of Jesus Crostini. This means I'll continue to be bitter about their menu, the mediocre service (man can you tell those waitresses HATE working at this joint) and the overall depressing sentiment that is Cafe Benelux. Damn you Cafe Benelux, damn you.

    (2)

  • Lindsey A.

    You're not going here for fancy, white-linen dining, ok? You're going to Benelux for the PHENOMENAL beer list (It's a freakin' book!) and the to-par-if-not-better bloody mary's. You're digging into mussels and frites, burgers with all the fixins, and if you have room, an appetizer or two. Came here on a Friday around 1:30 p.m. and it was PACKED (anyone working, or are we all playing at this point?) They said the wait would be 20 minutes but we stood around with lovely hefeweizens for maybe 5-10. Our waitress was one of dry jokes and spot-on wit. Loved her. My one gripe would be that while we were standing near the bar, twice we were asked to move our belongings (a purse) off the (empty) tables surrounding the area..... c'mon, management/waitstaff.... no need to be pissy when the spots are open!

    (4)

  • Amber L.

    If you love beer, you can't go wrong at Benelux. There's a ton on tap (and bottles) and a beer book to explain it all. Benelux seems to be a love it or hate it kind of place for people, based on the reviews anyway. I'll just highlight the goods in my opinion: -Awesome rooftop deck (okay everyone knows that) which would be even cooler if they did the whole retractable roof thing so it could be used year round :) -Their potato chip crusted fish fry is currently my favorite one in Milwaukee. However they make the tartar sauce is a secret I'd like to hear about. And lets not forget their almost Asian style slaw which has a little kick to it. Pretty dang good. -The salmon. OMG it's the best salmon. It's must be the combo of whatever spices they use and the naughty balsamic butter. -They have pretty decent salads with huge portions. You can add on shrimp, ahi tuna, etc if you'd like or get it all veggie. -They have interesting and tasty dipping sauces. -I've only tried the cheesecake which was excellent, but they make all of their desserts in house from scratch. Sure, the wait for a table can be long during prime times (aka brunch) but that's how it is at all the popular places in Milwaukee. Have you ever been to the Original Pancake House on Downer? Yeah, I guess people in Milwaukee love their brunch so you'll be waiting. BUT here's a tip...Cafe Benelux and I think almost all of the Lowlands restaurants use the No Wait system for seating. So if you add the app to your phone you can actually check the wait times AND get in line while you're sitting on your couch. Just be sure to be there within 5 minutes of your table being ready or you'll most likely lose your spot. I'd say stop in and have a beer or some food if you're in the area, it's worth checking out.

    (4)

  • Maurene G.

    Our experience would have been better with a more attentive server, but I can't really fault the restaurant for that - it was our first and only visit and I don't know that it's a common problem. At best, he took our order and then brought it out, end of service story. I ordered the tater tots which sounded awesome but were actually bland and mushy. I also ordered the charcuterie appetizer, I think it was called. That was pretty awesome. The "mahogany" meat which is apparently their pork belly, was the best thing I've ever put in my mouth that wasn't chocolate. The apple/ginger chutney and cashews were great on the toast. I'd easily order that again, or just go for whatever contains that mahogany, be it a sandwich or just slopped onto a plate. My husband ordered a burger and my brother ordered the pulled pork sandwich which came with cilantro cole slaw. Both sandwiches were apparently greasy though they seemed to enjoy them anyway. I stole a bite of the cole slaw and found it curiously bland. All in all, while I enjoyed most of my meal, nothing is really calling me back there. If I do go I know what I'll order (mahogany) and not order (tots), and where I'll sit (the roof). We sat outside and managed to score a table in the sun since it was a bit cool in the shade, but that was a mistake - the time of day meant the sun was directly in our eyes. Again, not the restaurant's fault - most of the non-roof outdoor seating is under a canopy where that wouldn't be a problem.

    (3)

  • Colin A.

    I'd heard quite a lot about this new place, operated by the fine folks responsible for Cafe Hollander (2 locations in Milwaukee), Trocadero, and...someplace else I cannot remember at the moment. Benelux would probably receive an additional star in the rating after a return visit; I went a few weeks after they opened but found it chaotic yet slow. It took about 30-35 minutes before my party was seated and close to another hour for food to arrive after ordering. That said, the food and drink were quite delicious -- breakfast corndogs, quiche -- oh, cannot forget the beermosa. Our server seemed a bit overwhelmed even though we arrived after the brunch rush; it seemed a herculean task to even get refills of high quality H20. After dining, we ventured up to the rooftop -- a great view of the third ward area; had it not been raining when we arrived, we would have been seated upstairs. I will return and hope the glitches from a grand opening have been eliminated -- there are too many good options on the menu not to do so!

    (3)

  • David L.

    Visiting Milwaukee for 1 night, I was so impressed by Café Benelux we ate here twice! Fantastic service despite it being really busy. Phenomenal beer selection and great food all at a very reasonable price. Can't wait to visit Milwaukee again.

    (5)

  • Michelle S.

    We ate here for brunch. I the salmon Benedict and my husband had a croissant sandwich. The croissant was really good, it had a nice flaky crust. The Benedict was average. The outdoor seating was nice. Overall, the food was mostly average and since the cost was on the higher side, I don't think we will be back very often.

    (3)

  • Matthew H.

    They have a lot of breakfast items but do not have a good selection of lunch items. We came here at around 1pm (more for lunch) and were disappointed they only had about 3 lunch type items. We ended up just having a drink (bloody mary's and mimosa's) and then going elsewhere to eat. The bloody mary's are good but not worth $9.00. All in all I loved the outdoor patio but wasn't horribly impressed. Great beer selection here though.

    (3)

  • Shane W.

    I'd give 4.5 stars if I could. We came here for Sunday brunch based on the recommendation of the concierge at our hotel. We loved the flare of Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg infused in this great cafe/market/restaurant. The crepes were nothing short of amazing. My wife enjoyed a sweet one, and I now wish I would have went for one of the savory crepes. I enjoyed the "Un, deux, trois" which was a plain crepe with syrup, bacon, and 3 eggs prepared to your liking. We also split a side of oatmeal-- which was HUGE (as are most of their plates) and delicious. I was a little concerned once seated, having hopped on the Yelp mobile app and reading some questionable reviews on service. In fact, we observed two tables around us receive poor service (at least according to them), but our waiter was spot-on and we left very satisfied with both the food and the service. Don't hesitate to give this place a try-- it's popular and I'm sure the waitstaff get overwhelmed with a full crowd-- hard to blame them. We'll be back the next time we're in town!

    (4)

  • Maureen F.

    I was really excited for this place to open and I really really wanted to have a great experience here. I loved the atmosphere and think the rooftop deck was awesome and a great addition for the neighborhood (however it was raining so we didn't get to sit up there). My 3 stars are for the location and the atmosphere...I liked it and will return for it. The service, I'm sad to say was pretty bad. I asked her if there were any specials and she replied "I think there is a soup of the day, but I would have to go ask what it is." She had no clue about any of the beers on the menu and when I ordered my beer she told me she had never even heard of it because they have so many. Ok? I would expect someone working at a place that brews their own beers and has a wide selection of uncommon beers to be able to recommend one or at least know which one was on the menu. When we ordered our meal our appetizers came after we got our food which was kind of strange and my boyfriend's cup of soup, which he ordered first, was the last thing to come to our table. It came with a piece of bread that must have been sitting out for awhile because it was so hard you couldn't even bite into it. I chalked up the bad service to the fact that it had only been open not even a week. Like I said, I will be back, and I really hope to have a better experience next time around!

    (3)

  • Nina F.

    This place was just alright to me. It's nothing special compared to its sister restaurants, other than the rooftop seating. I wasn't extremely pleased, nor disappointed. The beer list is great, the food was good, the rooftop seating is cool, and I'd say the service was pretty average. The thing about this place is just that there's nothing I can't get somewhere else. I was hoping for a unique touch or something that would make me choose this place over the sister restaurants that were already open.

    (3)

  • Maren B.

    We stumbled upon this place after a fruitless attempt to attend an all-white party (argh, cream pants!!!)... after our ordeal trying to find white pants anywhere in town and still being denied access we needed to drown our woes in a stiff cocktail. Not being locals we had no idea where to go so as we were driving around the neighborhood I spotted the rooftop and made a beeline. We only got drinks and dessert so I can't say much for the food but the rooftop was wonderful. I loved that they had an entire book full of beer selections, including Matilda, my favorite from Goose Island Brewery. The cocktails were tasty, and the peanut butter pie was sweet but not toothache sweet. Service was average - not super rushed but not slow either; and the waitress was really nice. Plus it was awesome that they were open until 2am on a Sunday!

    (4)

  • Jannis M.

    I am done with the Lowlands group of restaurants. Eating at Benelux was the nail in the coffin. We waited 10 minutes for any of the multitude of servers passing our table to even acknowledge us. When one of them finally stopped it was to take our order. After he delivered our food we saw him once more when he refilled our water. Not once did he appear to ask us how our food was. My salad was missing two of the ingredients listed on the menu but hell if I was going to find anyone to complain to. I've given up on Hollander on Downer since the service there is also universally bad. Overall the food is overpriced and mediocre.

    (2)

  • Beth S.

    Three things made this trip memorable: 1) Our service was outstanding. 2) The new specialty beers that the Lowlands Group are having brewed for them in Belgium and imported here just for their restaurants are really good. 3) The patio may be one of the coolest in Milwaukee. 1) The service: Our waiter was knowledgable and attentive, and they have a nifty handheld system for taking orders and letting you pay which makes things much more efficient. 2) The Beer: The beer menu at Cafe Benelux is impressive, and it was hard to pass up many of my favorites to try their new exclusive beers that are brewed especially for them in Belgium, but it was totally worth it. All three beers are delicious. The Confession Grand Cru is yummy, just a bit sweet with complex flavors but still surprisingly refreshing. The Tandem Dubbel is a classic belgian ale that tastes like monks have been perfecting the recipe for years. The High Speed Wit was light and citrusy and perfect for quenching thirst on a hot day. It is worth the trip to Cafe Benelux just to consume these tasty treats, which cannot be found elsewhere, but there is yet another reason to go.... 3) The Patio: My husband and I went in July to enjoy the rooftop patio. The interior space and the patio are both amazing - tons of light, a perfect mix of historical character and modern finishes with the standard European cafe cane chairs on the patio. In the warmer months the rooftop patio is completely open to the interior space effectively bringing the outside in. Our visit was in the middle of a heat wave but there was just enough shade and a wee breeze and of course, delicious Belgian beer to keep us cool enough to enjoy the patio. I will update this review after I've had a meal here, but since I am pretty familiar with the quality and type of food offered at the Lowland group restaurants (formerly diablo rojos), I am sure it would be pretty tasty. Considering my constant disappointment with the service at Cafe Hollander, I will definitely be making Cafe Benelux my go to member of the Lowlands Group, plus the patio is AMAZING.

    (4)

  • Sophia E.

    I just want to start out by saying I went there last night with a group of girl friends and the wait staff was extremely nice. The hostess was super cheerful and our waitress was so relaxed and good at her job that it made us feel super comfortable with her. Everyone ordered something different - and I wanted to try a piece of everything. I kept wanting to reorder something but we were on a time crunch. It didn't take long for our food to come out, and the drinks were fantastic. Our waitress was very attentive, but not TOO attentive, which is always nice. I ordered the mussels and actually really enjoyed them and they were super filling. The frites, uhh- yes please- I'll take another! LOL. They were delicious. If it's not obvious already - I really enjoyed it. Keep it up Benelux!

    (4)

  • Chris R.

    This is my second favorite of the Four cafe's that are owned by these people. The seating is awesome. Nothing like sitting outside and or on a roof. Food is as good as the other ones and i love Fries. Beer list is awesome and they are pretty good at answering any questions you may have about the beer.

    (4)

  • Megan B.

    I usually have great things to say about Benelux however this time around I was extremely disappointed. A friend and I were coming for dinner and seated up stairs on the patio which was beautiful. Our server came over, asked for beverages and appetizers and we got the Tater Tots which were awesome however took a little long for Tater Tots. We had our entree orders taken and for 2 burgers it was probably close to 30 min. I asked mine for medium rare which came out well done. There was also supposed to be a fried egg which turned out to be completely cooked. Not only was the egg and burger a disappointment but also there was supposed to be garlic aioli which turned out to a be maybe a 1/2 oz., couldn't taste it on my burger. A few more things, the burger that was well done was also burnt. Now I'm not talking about great grill marks, I'm talking about grilled, charred, nastiness which is probably why it came out well done. Lastly, the bun didn't even fit the patty size and it looked like it had been smushed. Not worth the $14. As for service it seemed like our waitress was more concerned about filling water glasses than making sure our food was at our table in a reasonable time. When asked if I wanted another Coke and said I was okay with water, I was brought another one. The only reason Benelux is getting a 2 is because of the patio. This place was once great, but this visit has me seeing differently!

    (2)

  • Miles W.

    WATCH OUT, TERRIBLE FOOD! I know at least 5 people that have had terrible food experiences here. 3 of the 5 had moldy food (2 of them where moldy avocado in the wraps and one was a moldy pretzel baguette from the cheese plate). Avoid eating here! Personally, I had brunch there and the quiche tasted like an off brand frozen entree from a low quality grocery store (which is shocking because Trocadero has an amazing quiche and they are owned by the same group). In addition the breakfast potatoes were completely undercooked and raw in the middle. The amount of complaints I have heard about the food here is an embarrassment, and since food quality is clearly in question, I wonder how they have not been investigated yet. The rest of this restaurant groups places are great, so it's hard to understand why this food quality at Benelux is so terrible compared to the other restaurants.

    (1)

  • Tatiana M.

    Best brunch in Milwaukee! I got a bacon, cheese, spinach omelet... Absolutely delicious and ate the whole thing. Huge pieces of bacon was the winning key. The other dish was the chicken and waffles. It tasted good but the candied pecans and fruit made it too sweet for me. Overall, delicious and highly recommended! And super cool inside. I'd be back again and again if I lived there.

    (5)

  • Holden K.

    The food isn't the best, but sitting outside during the summer with some mussels and beer is definitely why I come back!

    (2)

  • Rebecca T.

    Delicious menu options, very unique. Incredible burgers, but lots of other offerings as well, open air atmosphere--would bring a jacket on a cooler day. 6 adults ate heartily for about 125.00.

    (5)

  • Robert S.

    This Place is a Must for Breakfast !!! so we came into town for summerfest and I needed to get some spices at the Market across the street from here so we figured we would check it out my partner had been here once before but I had not Also Parking is free on Sundays downtown score there too, so we went in and there were people standing around so I figured it was gonna be a wait so I headed off to the boys room the have bicycles on the doors and the sign hanging above the hallways I really liked that The bathrooms are really nice and clean slotted wood stalls I'm always impressed when a place goes the extra step on the bathroom so I get back up front and don't see my partner, I'm like oh crap as they have indoor and outdoor seating plus a roof deck, but no sooner do I think how am I gonna find him and a server/waitress comes up and shows me were he is seated so we ordered some Beignets these are a must order they come still piping hot and covered in powdered sugar plus with a chocolate dipping sauce I just wanted to lick it all up by it's self I had the Pulled Duck Poutine, Holy Shit was I impressed I have eaten duck it a few different ways over the years but these guys have it down it is done right, it really didn't need the hot sauce as much as I wanted hot sauce, the gravy was really good and the onions were cooked just right and even the french fries weren't a soggy mess the cheese curd had kinda melted into one bug lump but that was easy enough to fix, also my over easy eggs were perfect the whites were not runny I don't mind the yolk being runny but no runny whites can't wait to go back

    (5)

  • Richard H.

    A pub with mediocre food and a nice beer selection. The best part is the huge amount of outdoor seating.

    (3)

  • Matthew S.

    Great space. Great vibe. Great people watching. Good beer. Great Tomato Soup. The muscles were gross (the muscles were almost ok, but the broth had zero flavor). Service was fine but did not shine. Personally, I enjoy a server who announces the daily specials and recommendations, etc... Our server was more just an order-taker and food runner. Cafe B Chefs: Please fix the bland broth. Cafe B Managers: Improvements to the wait staff are evident.

    (3)

  • Laura C.

    Despite the fact that I hate waiting, it's usually a sign that a restaurant is going to be good. Sunday brunch at Benelux was a hefty wait, but I was able to amuse myself with all the kitschy bike decorations. With a clever Bloody Mary menu, and a huge beer list, you can bide your wait time with alcohol. After a gluttonous weekend, I tried to be somewhat healthy and went with the quinoa scramble with portabello mushrooms and butternut squash. I thought the portion size was a bit on the small side, but maybe most people don't eat as much as me. We also tried a pannenkoeken, but were disappointed at the dry, bland attempt at a Dutch treat. I'd go back for the beer and atmosphere, but would eat somewhere else first.

    (3)

  • Damon R.

    I guess is should have read the yelps about the service eh? Silly me. Stopped in for a weekend morning brunch. The place was very busy and crowded. That didn't deter us from eating, we were on a mission to try something new and that we did. The menu had lots of items that sounded pretty good. So our menu choices were: Breakfast potatoes with added (onions and sweet peppers), Chicken and waffles and mini waffles. There was a reasonable wait period for the food. The seating on the first level is a hot mess. Its nearly impossible to navigate to reach the front door. So the food comes and it looks great. Except it didn't look great, at least mine didn't. The mini waffles were good and looked great. The chicken and waffles looked good until i tasted it. The waffle was actually good. The chicken not so much. The chicken surely tasted as if it were fried and burnt or dirty grease, no kidding! The breakfast potatoes were soft and mushy. The onions were no uniform and even had onion skins in them. Yes, onion skins you know the inedible outer shell of a onion? That was in the potatoes as well as 2 yes 2 chunks of a red pepper and the pit of a onion. Before I decided to write this review I saw that at least two other yelpers had issues with Cafe Benelux's problem with there grease/oil. Oily food or dirty/ foul tasting grease should not be something more than one person has commented on in anyone's establishment. I waited for the waitress and i told her what was wrong with the dish. She apologized and took the food off of the bill. Then she never came back! It was like she was afraid or something? We weren't gonna bite her head off, after all she didn't cook our food. Or did she, it was a little bit busy.....hmm. I'm just joking, she really didn't come back to the table to ensure that the rest of the food was OK. Bottom line, I like this place i like the location and i think that all of the food isn't this quality. I think that it got busy and the chefs were aiming for quantity over quality and that is never good. I will go again and give it another try. I better not be disappointed!

    (2)

  • tara j.

    We stopped here because my son wanted to sit on the rooftop and have a burger. Well after listening to the manager on the way to the bathroom give his staff a pep talk and emphasize the up sell and push the food I thought ok this might not be all bad, but boy was I ever wrong! It took our server 8 minutes to get to our table and truthfully it was before noon so it wasn't too crowded. Ok my first instinct was to leave( always go with that instinct) but we stayed. No water not enough place settings and took 15 minutes for our drinks to come. Onto the food I had the chicken sandwich on ciabatta roll which fell apart while I was eating it. That tells me the bread wasn't fresh. My daughter had the Mac and cheese which was ok but for the price the portion was skimpy. The burger was ok but it was nothing special. Our server never came back to check on us if we needed anything. Well we needed another place setting which never came . Poor service and mediocre food. I'm sorry we didn't stick with the market across the street.

    (1)

  • Jami J.

    This place gets busy for brunch and you'll see lots of people waiting and a line at the hostess station but don't let that scare you away. The wait goes by quick, I've never waited more than 30 minutes. I've been here twice so far and each time i've had the hodge podge for brunch. Everything sounds great on the menu but I fell in love with the first thing I tried and I'm going to stick with it for now. I also highly recommend the tater tot appetizer. The blue cheese in the tots is amazing. Oh and how could I forget their bloody mary's! They have around 8 or so to pick from. I've tried two from the list and they were great. Definitely check this place out for brunch. I'm curious to go back and try it for dinner.

    (5)

  • Jenn D.

    Been here a few times. I like it but I don't love it. Ambiance is great! Sat on the rooftop this last trip on a Saturday afternoon and it was awesome! 5 stars for patio. They take your phone number and call you when it's ready so we walked/shopped around third ward which made the hour wait seem like nothing. Food was decent. Shared a salad which was good and a wrap which had good flavor but was soggy. Service was terrible. Took our server 20 minutes to greet us. Food and drinks came out in normal time but he didn't check on us once. I would have ordered another drink if he had. It's frustrating when you see them walk by repeatedly but not stop.

    (3)

  • Tony F.

    We were terribly hungover, and too late for breakfast, so we popped in here, before a trip to the Milwaukee Public Market. The service was great, and I like the atmosphere, even if it is a bit on the loud side. I had a lot of drinks. A really good bloody, beer chaser, a water & an elderflower mimosa!!! (Btw- a mimosa BY DEFINITION has some kind of juice in it! But my dumb ass orders a champagne with elderflower liquor in it - that's not a mimosa, that's champagne.) Anyway, it was a great lunch, everything was really good, and the pretzel crust flatbread was the high point for me. I'd definitely come back! I want to go in summer, when the roof/deck thingy is open!!!!

    (4)

  • Liz T.

    I was here twice in June 2015 with friends that live in Washington state and California - we walked over from the Downtown Hilton. Service was excellent. Omelet on the first visit was really nice - done really well with ham and cheese. The french toast on the second visit was to die for!! Easily shareable with a friend. Great decor - looks like you are on a Netherlands, Belguim bicycle tour. Coffee was nice, cup was kept full. I look forward to my visit next June!

    (4)

  • Pamela M.

    Cafe Benelux has a great ambience, especially with the right associate servicing you. But the fact remains each time that I come here (because other people think it's cool): it's more about the beer selection than the food. I love drinks! I love beer! They had Three Philosophers - my favorite - on freaking tap. This is a big deal. But the food, no. Couple of food things were interesting. But no. Within 1-2 miles of this place there is near perfection in food. Come here for drinks before or after. Not for exquisite dining.

    (2)

  • Laura M.

    So I went for dinner - well the old man ate dinner and I had cake. Three layer turtle cake is one of the top 10 desserts I've ever had (#1 is in Prague so..bit of a ride). Friday night was a little loud but we were both crabby and tired from earlier so I imagine most nights would be perfect for a summer sidewalk cafe!!!

    (4)

  • Radha K.

    Good spot for brunch! ...although I have no idea how early people get here on a Sunday to put their name in for a table. My friend and I got here on Sunday at 11:15 am and were told there was a 2 hour wait - if you really want to eat here, just put your name in and go grab a bloody somewhere else (...because the bar is so dang packed). They text you when your table is ready and you MUST show up at the front within 5 minutes or they'll cancel your reservation - lots of pressure! We were pretty bummed that the upstairs roof was closed. We were stuffed in the very very back of the restaurant by the bathrooms. Our waiter was a nice, goofy dude - attentive and friendly. I had the Morning Rooster bloody mary - I have a very strong feeling the name is different on their actual menu (I just looked at their website), but it has a jalapeno-stuffed olive. It cost $9 and I didn't think it was anything special, especially for $9. I happened to snag the last Quiche Lorraine of the day and boy, were all the other suckers missing out! I really liked it and definitely would get it again. Their breakfast potatoes aren't anything too special, but with a little salt, pepper, and hot sauce, they're still pretty standard breakfast potatoes. Not sure if I'm in a rush to get back here for food, but I would like to investigate their rooftop and some drinks that are not bloody marys!

    (3)

  • Katherine L.

    About me: I live in the same neighborhood as Benelux and have been to this restaurant 30+ times Benelux is the most consistently inconsistent restaurant I have encountered. Order the same menu item more than once and be surprised every time by varying ingredients, portions and quality. You're lucky to get the item that your actually ordered. The menu changes every month, and not in a good way. High quality proteins make way for frozen, processed meat by- products, good menu items make way for more mundane, less costly, alternatives. Same thing goes for the service, the staff turns over so quickly here; it makes me think this is a tough place to work. My most recent dining experience prompted me to write this review. We had a 15 minute wait to be seated in a dining room with 50% occupancy. While waiting to be seated at the bar, we tried to order one of the draft beers promoted on signage throughout the restaurant. Our first two picks were not available. For dinner, I ordered a Chicken Cobb salad; two ingredients were missing upon delivery, and the final product tasted like a pre-packaged item- the kind that you would likely find at a gas station. It was disappointing at best, an unhealthy rip-off at worst. Going forward, I'll be picking another spot for dining out in the third ward, and I recommend you do the same. There are lots of better options.

    (2)

  • David K.

    This review is not so much about the restaurant than about the server who served us. My wife and I visited Benelux as we have done in the past. This time, it was for our anniversary as we were staying downtown. She had the cheese platter which she thoroughly enjoyed (save for the brie which, in my opinion, was a little chalky). I had a hamburger which was "ok" but not great. I will definitely try something else next time. Perhaps it was just me. Megan was our server. I have never had anyone wait on our table with such enthusiasm and vigor. She appeared to have a genuine interest in the tables she waited on. Not only was her positive attitude contagious but she was friendly and was always smiling. You can tell when someone smiles because " that's their job". That was not the case with Megan. She could have sat down at our table and had a beer and conversation with us while we were eating and we wouldn't have thought anything of it. An absolute pleasure and delight and I sincerely hope that Benelux realizes what an asset they have. So why 4 stars? I would have given this restaurant 3 stars, probably due to my hamburger not being as delicious as I would hoped. Also the chalky Brie cheese. The extra star is for Megan our server who deserves 5 stars on her own.

    (4)

  • Warren C.

    Excellent atmosphere and food! Try the Hodge Podge which is a signature plate. The beignets rival a French cafe. The coffee is the best! Can't wait to to be back!

    (5)

  • Megan B.

    My favorite for food and drinks in Milwaukee. Sweet potato fries and aoli are amazing. Highly recommend this place for brunch, lunch, dinner or drinks. Outdoor patio is fabulous if it ever gets warm enough in MKE.

    (5)

  • Fat F.

    This was my first time going here for brunch, which was a la carte. They sd it would be a 25min wait for a table but we only waited about 10min before being seated. The food was average. Nothing I couldn't have made at home. Our waitress, Alexandria was friendly and prompt. I saw a lot of people ordering Bloody Mary's so I may have to try one if I go back.

    (3)

  • Chris M.

    I had a lunch date here today with my wife. We didn't have a rooftop dining experience (because of the weather), but we did tour the rooftop patio. It will definitely be an awesome place to be this summer. The whole place has large garage doors that open (weather permitting) to let a lot of light and air into the place. The menu is similar to the other Lowland's group restaurants, which I'm okay with. Today I had their beet salad with salmon on top. The salmon was cooked perfectly (which isn't always the case with "salad salmon") and was a generous portion. The salad itself had a nice light dressing, cashews, red and yellow beets, a mild crumbled blue cheese all over a nice spring mix. I didn't imbibe a beverage from the beer BOOK they gave me, but did enjoy reviewing the 30+ pages of beers and their descriptions. They even had a gluten-free section in the book with a couple of good GF beers and a couple of ciders. The service was prompt and friendly. The server knew what gluten was and worked with me to find a meal that worked for me -- without making me feel like an inconvenience (always appreciated).

    (4)

  • Greg S.

    They did a great job with the space. The rooftop patio seems very nice. I would go back on a pleasant evening to enjoy some of the city's most expensive beers on the roof. The food was good but nothing really stood out. I wound up ordering one of the burgers on the menu and have no complaints. The reason for the low rating is, with the exception of the rooftop patio, Cafe Benelux really does nothing to differentiate itself from their Cafe Hollander and Centraal establishments. As a result, this new restaurant feels like a place I've been many times for decent but not great food..

    (2)

  • Emily A.

    I am beyond excited that I get to be the first reviewer! I came for dinner with a co-worker on their grand opening night and was pleasantly surprised to be seated right away despite the many people in the restaurant. It was like everyone in town couldn't wait for it to open (myself included). I ordered the house pinot grigio which our server later informed me they were out of. But then he found it, and comped it for me, which was a pleasant surprise. The menu was great and was more expansive than the other lowlands group restaurants. I was happy to see a different menu than their other restaurants which are more similar. There were plenty of things on the menu that I definitely will go back for to try. I decided on the ham and cheese sandwich which includes a pear chutney, sauteed endive, and prosciutto. Or I should say, it lists prosciutto on the menu, but my sandwich was definitely ham. I didn't mind but I bet I would have loved the prosciutto! My co-worker got a bison burger "king on top." He really enjoyed it and I like that you could get any of their burgers as veggie, black bean, bison, or beef. Nice touch. All in all I was very happy and can't wait to go back and check out the roof top patio. Unfortunately it was 50 degrees so that was a no go today! The overall vibe and decor of the place is great. Cafe Benelux is here to stay!

    (5)

  • Kevin R.

    This place is better as a bar than as a restaurant. Their Belgian beer selection is acceptable for the U.S., but I have yet to find a bar with the same choices/ambiance as sitting in Bruges, Brussels or the Belgian countryside anyways... I really wanted to like this place, but I have to say the location (and roof top seating) is the best part of the place. First of all, the food is not very authetic to the Benelux region, although I don't think that they are really trying to be authentic. About the only thing on their menu that you'll regularly find in a restaurant in Belgium, Holland or Luxemburg are mussels. I saw that they offer waterzooi (creamy stew) but I did not try it. Their interpretation of pannenkoeken is okay, but again not very authentic. Their frites are an insult to Belgians everywhere. Seriously, why can't anyone in America make frites as good as they do in Europe?!! Now, I've been there twice so far, and had a few issues both times. Once I had to send my soup back to have them warm it - I received it cold. It was weird though since it was a busy lunch, so I wondered how long it was sitting around. Yuck. The other time, they absolutely ruined a poor defenseless piece of Mahi Mahi. They thing came out with a shoe leather exterior. I guess it would have been okay if is was suppossed to be blackened or something! Also, my orzo was really bland. The service was fine, but the servers really couldn't answer many questions and had not tasted many of the dishes I asked about. Bottom line: I'll likely go back, but more for the beers and the bar rather than the food.

    (2)

  • Kevin T.

    Let me begin by saying that I've never been impressed with the food at Hollander, Centraal, or Trocadero. I was reluctant to even eat here based upon the sub par experiences at their other establishments. Yesterday, however, was a perfect day for Cafe Benelux: sunny, relatively warm, and a decent amount of people playing hooky from work on a Friday afternoon. The kitchen was backed up and there were numerous empty tables, yet the hostess still indicated that it would be a 20 minute wait...even to sit indoors. She did, however, explain "why" this was and if nothing else, I appreciated her candor. We sat at the bar to eat and then went up on the rooftop deck for a drink afterward. Other posted have mentioned the vibe, which is similar to the other locations. That said, the rooftop deck and the large, shaded outdoor dining downstairs truly set this place apart. I wouldn't want to be here on a 95 degree day, but those are so rare down near the lake that I believe that this is the perfect location for this type of venue. Now...onto the food. The "mussels from Brussels" were solid. I would order them again in a group and share. The various flavor preparations seemed a little repetitive in the menu (overall) but the quality of the mussels was good. I had the turkey burger with sweet potato frites. The fries are the best part of the meal at Hollander, but here the turkey burger was quite good. A colleague had the filet steak sandwich and said that it was very good. I don't drink beer, but their selection is extensive. Service was "new" in some respects, but generally attentive and professional. These chaps know how to a run a restaurant. I had always marveled at the popularity of places like Trocadero, given how average the food was...but my first experience at Benelux leads me to believe that perhaps they've taken the constructive criticism to heart and improved what comes out of the kitchen.

    (4)

  • Chrissy E.

    Went here for Sunday brunch, dead-set on sitting on the rooftop patio, no matter what the wait time. We waited about 40 minutes, but had we wanted to eat inside we could have been seated right away. I really enjoyed the drinks & their brunch menu. I had the spinach feta omelette which was really good, very gooey & cheesy (it not only had feta but also goat cheese, yum!). Two of my friends had the garden omelette which must have been good since they both cleaned their plates. My other friend had the French toast which looked amazing. We all enjoyed our food very much & would definitely come back. As other reviewers mentioned, the service was pretty slow. I think it had more to do with us being on the patio. To be honest, I didn't even mind because it gave us a chance to try several different drinks :)

    (4)

  • Billy K.

    Good, but overpriced beer selection; wonderful views; horrible service; and overpriced, mediocre food. At least Lowlands Group has improved on one thing for their restaurants. I would hang out on their patio for hours if I didn't have deal with the same terrible service and stab-in-the-dark attempts at good, interesting menu selections. You get two stars for the view and one star for everything else and I will continue my boycott of all of the restaurants associated with Milwaukee's grand cafe scheme.

    (2)

  • Stacy E.

    It was our second visit and proved just as impressionable as our first. Our hostess was gracious and accommodating and Ted ( 3rd night on the job) and Veronica (Ted's server trainer) were just as accommodating and delightful. Fun atmosphere, awesome burgers, and very clean restrooms. Fresh flowers on the tables and even in the women's restroom were an unexpected and pleasant touch. Guys had the Sprocket Burger and King of the Mountain. I had the best back bean burger ever! Looking forward to going back in the summer to enjoy the outdoor seating.

    (5)

  • Justin F.

    I left my history with Benelux behind and went back. The Breakfast Tacos are a pretty decent sized and tasty meal. There are no sides but there are plenty of pickings from their bloody mary, which tasted a little odd. Do the Lowlands have a way to create a poll for a certain beer? Or a certain beer on tap? Not sure if the Lowlands could pull off an Amsterdam Brown Bar delight. Benelux does not make me want to go back to Belgium it just makes me miss the real thing.

    (3)

  • Becky S.

    I've been wanting to try Cafe Benelux for a while, despite the many mediocre reviews. I took my husband here tonight for his birthday and we had a nice time. There is no doubt that the rooftop is awesome so that is where we sat. Like its sister restaurants, the beer and drink list is kick ass. We received good service. We were told the wait would be 15 minutes, but it was more like 5. Our waitress was attentive and service was prompt. Our food came out in about 10 minutes. I ordered the Mahi Mahi entree. The mahi mahi was good but seriously the best part of the dish was the pureed cauliflower. Yum. My hubs liked his seafood dish (I can't remember the weird name). It seems like they have worked out most of the initial kinks that others experienced here. I'd definitely like to come back.

    (4)

  • Andy C.

    While it's still on my mind... Date of most recent visit: April 11, 2014, 5pm central time. C afe Benelux is located in some prime real estate in the Historic 3rd Ward A dd to that the option of sitting upstairs on the patio, and the ambiance is gr^8. F riday Fish Fry is offered during lent, as are their other interesting food options. E xceptionally - their beer list is exhaustive and spans multiple genres. B eers are for the most part, reasonably priced and "served" in metric volumes. E uro style for sure with that regard. N ice that we didn't have to wait for a table on a Friday at 5pm. E veryone that served us was nice, but they were visibly busy. L iked the nomenclature of the burgers, e.g., Merckx, King of Mountain, etc. U nfortunately (IMHO), the prices are marginally inflated (not not highway robbery). X enophiles (real word, I'm serious) and locals alike will enjoy this place. Categorically speaking. Location: 5 out of 5 Hop, skip, and a throw away from my digs in the 3rd ward. Parking is a non-issue for me personally since I can just walk or take my cyclocross bike to "fit in" with the cycling nomenclatures of their burgers. Bus routes are aplenty, and even with the bridge construction, there are enough parking options (street or lot) that so long as you are somewhat patient, you can likely find a spot after circling the block no more than 3 times. Service: 3 out of 5 By circumstance and not necessarily by malicious design, everyone that helped us out on a Friday evening at 5pm was nice enough, but probably just didn't have enough time or resources to really stand around and make a lot of small talk with us. Service was to the point but still genuinely friendly, which is fine by me given the fact that well, they were pretty swamped with the nice weather and therefore the rooftop patio being open. Ambiance: 4 out of 5 There's something charming about sitting upstairs on the rooftop patio on a nice day. With the wooden deck, it's a diametric setting to the overall 3rd ward feel, and transports you at least superficially to I dunno...somewhere else? The main dining room is spacious enough, and patrons can either sit at the ~20 foot bar or at one of the surrounding tables. I wouldn't confuse this place with say, a Kolsch Haus setting in Cologne (I had the luxury of visiting 9 of them in one day last year), but the overall visual effect is pleasant and not too kitschy. Selection of Menu Items: 4 out of 5 Their selection of food spans a fairly wide gamut, with items that you'd expect at a restaurant in this part of town (beet salads, charcuterie plates, rustic stews, etc.) to things that are familiar with those that aren't as adventurous (plain burgers, mac n cheese for example), and things that set them at least a little bit apart (Belgian mussels and pork shanks). I'd venture to say that 90% of people could find something that they'd eat willingly or want to try, and the remaining 10% could at least be convinced to try something that they may be familiar with, but may not have had that exact same version. For example, someone may like "burgers" categorically, but would need some cajoling to try one of their signature ones instead of the plain one. As a result, lovers of foreign type experiences (I don't want to use the word "hipsters since it's not quite accurate) will enjoy this place, as will locals/people who live and work in this area. Selection of Beers: 5 out of 5 Not much else to say. The list is exhaustive and covers multiple genres. If you just want the quick and dirty, flip to the very back for the names and categories. They do offer what could be called an omakase of beer flights within certain confines which is good for folks who know generally speaking what type of beer they prefer but don't want to spend the time picking a flight out. Quality of food: 3.5 out of 5 Above average overall. The wiffy enjoyed her burger, and I liked the AYCE Friday fish fry option enough to eat 6 pieces of cod. Speaking of pieces of cod,here's an option for potato chip crusted or beer battered. Both are fairly light and won't bog you down, but the minor critique that I have for both of the batters is that they're underseasoned to a point where even I said, "man, this needs some salt or paprika or SOMETHING". As a point of clarification, I tend to prefer underseasoned foods. The cole slaw here was above average, i.e., memorable, and the rye bread/fries will slowly just blend into the memories of those items I've had elsewhere. In the context of our experience, the food didn't blow us away, but I'd certainly return and try other items. Value: 3.5 out of 5 All things considering, not terrible. AYCE fish fry was 14$, half liters of beer will run you about 7$. Not as cheap as the Brat House, but not quite the same uhh...experience, either. Overall: 4 out of 5 4 out of 5 for our visit. However, others' experience of 2 or 3 stars not completely off the mark.

    (4)

  • Gabriella C.

    Came here for Sunday brunch with 6 other people and was seated in about 20 min, pretty good for a busy Sunday without reservations. One of our friends came just as our food was coming out and they brought out her food 5 min later so she was caught up to us. They split the bill for us as well 1. Hodge Podge- Great mix of everything savory if you can't decide what you want. Highly recommend getting this. 2. Salmon Eggs Benedict- Pretty good if you're in the mood for eggs benedict, nothing superb but nothing to complain about as well. 3. Banana Nutella Pannenkoeken-ok, not really worth the price seeing I could make this at home for much cheaper. It's basically a crepe with banana and nutella. Overall, a good experience and worth the price for things you can't easily make at home.

    (3)

  • Sonya A.

    A-OK is just right in describing Café Benelux. The restaurant/bar decor is impressive, the food is far from it. I'll make $10 for a breakfast burrito, small of high quality ingredients over big, mostly of potatoes as filler. But here bigger meals of lower quality is the way they go. Color me meh. Food: 3/5 - average. Service: 2/5 - Your meal comes with a show here. Your server does a disappearing act. Location: 5/5

    (3)

  • Bruce M.

    First off, request a table on the website so you don't have to wait around for a table to open up. We reserved a table with about 16 groups ahead of us. The website told us about 15-20 minute wait. So we arrived about 5-10 minutes early. Waited about 40 minutes total. Not that big of deal, it was nice outside so we just enjoyed the weather. The food which was good, omelette wasn't anything to special especially for a $9.99 price tag. The potatoes were excellent. I loved the environment and the diversity of the place. Great location walkin distance from my home. But our server Evan was just a complete weirdo, idk if it was his first day or what but that service was terrible on his behalf. He got very close one the girls at our table while taking the order(it creeped one of the girls out). Came back once and only filled up one of our water glasses while we had six people sitting at our table!!! Took close to 15 minutes to close our tab. No rush to ever return. Plenty of other places to go in the beautiful city of Milwaukee with better food and service

    (2)

  • Katie K.

    We have been pleasantly surprised each time visited. Tonight was to use our awesome City Tin! My bloody was just fantastic. I ordered a traditional with pepper vodka. Even the hard to please husband thought it was was GREAT! Just awesome! The beer selection here is excellent. A whole lot of Belgium beer. Tonight I had the beet salad with salmon and the husband had chicken stew bread bowel. In the past I have had a pretzel bun hamburger. We also had hummus. All were really good. Considering seafood is either hit or miss I was pleased this was actually good. Good enough for me to come back and tell you to try it. I have enjoyed all the deserts at one point. Living down the street this may become an easy food choice for us. We like to sit at the bar, service was great. No complaints. Overall, thumbs up!

    (4)

  • Vicky S.

    What is it with places that tell you you can have a beet salad and then include like 4 tiny little beet pieces in it? This place did that, so that's a strike against it. But, to its credit, this place also has these amazing tater tot balls of deliciousness that were some kind of fried potato yumminess with bacon, bleu cheese & sriracha mayo. AND a beer menu that is almost 50 pages long. Prices were reasonable, service was good, and the ambiance is fun. This would be a fun place to sit and have a beer and (did I mention those tater tot appetizers?) a snack (the cheese board was also delicious though the pretzel bun was cold and kind of soggy and not impressive - and why do places give you tons of delicious cheese and like 3 crackers or one tiny little pretzel roll thing? Crackers, real bread, people!).

    (4)

  • Mark S.

    Wonderful Bloody Mary's and any place that hands you a beer menu the size of a small towns phone book has to be good. Great place for brunch! A must visit when in Milwaukee

    (5)

  • Peter C.

    I have been here several times both in the winter and the summer (where it really shines, pun not intended). The selection of Belgium beer is second to none here yet it does carry the Belgium beer pricing. Almost each beer has its own special serving vessel (glass) that varies in shape and size that really makes the experience enjoying that beer even that much better. The food here is decent yet nothing special - I would recommend getting a few smaller items and sharing them. Come here for the drinks and a light meal. During the winter, you are able to just stay downstairs in the dining room yet during summer the rooftop patio is extensive and AWESOME. It gives you a great view of the city with several long high top tables making it great for groups. They also have tables they put on Broadway for you to enjoy your meal/drinks while people watching. The service here is hit or miss with me - sometimes you will have a great server and other times (might be since it was busy summer nights) where it is slower and have to give them the order for a beer a few times. Great place to enjoy beers on the rooftop during a summer afternoon or evening.

    (3)

  • Kelly R.

    Dinner at Cafe Benelux was solid. Not out of this world, and not abysmal. Just truly solid. We got huge portions of creative updates to staples of Midwestern comfort cuisine... Cheese curd-stuffed meatballs (not to be missed!), bacon-wrapped meatloaf served over mashed potatoes (the very definition of "hearty"), and tater tots (the only disappointment in that they were confusingly similar in appearance to the aforementioned meatballs, and filled with mashed potatoes instead of the hashed variety... We just wanted tried and true TOTS!). And there was no shortage of brews to wash down all that Midwestern flavor. Seasonal selections galore. Overall, solid spot!

    (3)

  • Kim B.

    What a view! Here from out of town in late September and the weather is amazing! Great rooftop dining area. They have a huge selection of beer. Like a 50 page book! I had the ham and Brie sandwich. Great! It had crispy onions and honey mustard. Very good.

    (4)

  • Amber P.

    Mussels + Frites + Tripel Karmeliet + great conversation with staff = 5 stars

    (5)

  • Joe P.

    Descriptive phrase: decent brunch in a hipster atmosphere. Benelux is yet another iteration of Cafe Hollander/Trocadero/Cafe Centraal Lowlands Group restaurant. That means you'll get a notably good beer selection and fun atmosphere with just okay food. Cafe Benelux, like all the others, has a great location. This one's on the corner in the Third Ward across from the Public Market. I came for brunch in winter, so they're not getting extra stars for their rooftop patio (which I'm sure is great). The inner decor is indistinguishable from the rest of the Lowlands; lot's of wood, a nice bar area, plenty of seating, some hipster furnishing, and a swag shop that I'd rather not have in my restaurant. This is Wisconsin, so I naturally ordered a beer with my brunch. $4.50 for a High Speed Wit wouldn't be a bad deal anywhere else, but I'd figure there'd be a price decrease for their home brew. No such luck. I decided to try the Sausage Potato Dutchy ($9.95), since it sounded unique. It's like a fritatta with potatoes, sausage, eggs, bell peppers, cheddar cheese, and a choron sauce. Without the spicy choron sauce this dish would've been unremarkable. There was just no taste to it. Filling? Sure, but no real reason to bother eating it over anything else. Especially considering the fruit bowl side it came with was mostly melon rind and grapes. My companion's Eggs Benedict with country potatoes ($8.95) would've been a better choice. My verdict: Cafe Benelux cements my opinion that the Lowlands Group has great locations and good beer, but unremarkable food. I may come back for a drink on the patio in the summer, but there are better brunch options.

    (3)

  • Molly S.

    The atmosphere was beautiful but the staff were inattentive and crabby. They also are incapable of cooking a burger to order. Several of us ordered our burgers medium rare and it came to all of us well done.

    (2)

  • Thais F.

    Pretty awful food. The pork on the meat plate was too salty and the pork belly was gelatinous -- I barely touched either. The broth for the mussels was bland/blah. The whole experience made me appreciate the Hopleaf in Chicago even more. To top it off it was my birthday. Pretty sucko

    (1)

  • Chan L.

    Another Milwaukee Belgium Beer themed place.....And YEAH it is good. The place has fantastic food and amazing choice of beers. The mussels here are also fantastically tasty. It is not the traditional fare that you are used to seeing in Milwaukee. The decor is European and modern. The rooftop is a very cool place to hang out at. Looking for a great place to hang out at a reasonable price. This is a good place

    (5)

  • Pat O.

    The best bloody mary's in Milwaukee. Go with the Southsider if you want a perfect balance of spice and flavor. You won't go wrong with this! The hangover burger is one of my favorites. I would advise ordering it medium-rare for the perfect flavor!

    (5)

  • Jit D.

    They have great selection no beer, no doubt! But I wish the food can live up to the beers. I ordered a pork belly banh mi sandwich and this ain't no banh mi! This is some weird imagination of what a banh mi is supposed to be and that imagination is way off! The chef ought to try to some decent banh mi in Los Angeles Vietnamese neighborhood or in NYC Vietnamese sandwich shop or heck may be even in Chicago! Please take this off of your menu before others are similarly fooled and thoroughly disappointed even when they might be enjoying the beer. Otherwise the overall food quality is just blah when it can be so much better, what a shame!

    (2)

  • Amanda S.

    Stopped in for a lunch after we got in on the train. We were told it would be 20-25 minutes for a spot on the rooftop patio. We decided to grab a drink at the bar and wait. A table was ready for us by the time we got our bloody Mary's. They were amazing and there are several different flavor options to choose from and they were amazing. Chicken salad croissant was good but the bloody was the highlight. I also need to make sure mention the 50 page beer list!

    (5)

  • Paul M.

    Any place that has open air, 2nd story seating is alright in my book. The stuffed meatball appetizer was divine. Great selection of beers, but the Old Fashioned was not tasty.

    (4)

  • D L.

    A nice restaurant in the Historic Third Ward. It's owned by the Lowlands Group, so it's similar in style to its other cafes. The bike theme is fun. I liked browsing their gift shop, which included shirts, beer, glassware, etc. Our server was friendly and speedy. The food is tasty. We started with the caprese fondue, which was basically melted mozzarella, tomatoes to spread on crostini pieces. It was a little difficult to maneuver to the crostini, but melted mozzarella and tomatoes is a delicious combination, so it doesn't matter! For my entree, I had the six spice salmon, which was very flavorful, and included mashed potatoes and roasted root veggies. The beer selection is extensive and mainly focuses on Belgian beers. However, they were able to get a hold of some Bourbon County Stout for a limited time, so that's pretty exciting for the beer geeks. If you're lucky enough to find parking around here, you should stop by!

    (5)

  • Ivan O.

    Not sure what happened, we used to love the place, but last time we were there the hostess attitude was really crappy, claiming it was going to be difficult to find a sunny place on the roof, when there was about 50% of the tables unoccupied, next we ordered the hummus as appetizer, it came almost at the same time as the meal and is nothing compared to what hummus was before. To finish the "nice" experience, my wife ordered a Stella cidre that never came, so we are dropping it from our list of places to go and have lunch.

    (1)

  • Scott D.

    Had an earlier dinner with my wife and son after moving him into his dorm. We all enjoyed our meals. The food was very good and the service was average. The food and beer make up for any wait you may have. Give this place a try if you like good beer and great food.

    (4)

  • Puja B.

    This is my favorite place for brunch! It's delicious and the place always has a good buzz! Speaking of a buzz! They have amazing bloody marys! My favorite is southsider because it has a spicy kick to it! You have to get the beignets with the chocolate sauce on side! It's great to get a few before your food comes out! My favorite brunch item is the Mrs. Hollander with croissant and eggs! Other favorites are cinnamon streusel french toast, quinoa skillet, and brussels pannenkoeken (which is pretty unique).

    (5)

  • Witne N.

    I love Cafe Benelux for lunch. I found out about Benelux because I'm a loyal Cafe Hollander customer. I go to Hollander for breakfast, but I go to Benelux for lunch during work weeks and dinner too. Their rooftop patio is so fantastic as far as atmosphere goes, and their food is great! I would highly recommend for a good moderately priced meal with a great atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Nancy R.

    I have been to Cafe Benelux for lunch with a large group three different times. The service and food are always excellent. The rooftop patio is fantastic when the weather is warm. This is my favorite menu of the Lowland Restaurant Group. They have outstanding beer and mussels like the others, but a good selection of light and healthy lunch options. It is definitely superior service for a group lunch.

    (5)

  • Cyndy M.

    Okay, heard good things about this place. I'm in town on business and came in a day early to explore the Third Ward, and in talking to people a few recommended it. Walked in and noticed that both inside, outside, and upstairs, there were considerably more open (and cleaned and set) tables than occupied tables. I told them I was alone, and asked if they could seat me, assuming there would be able to immediately based on all the open tables. They said, oh no, they were on a wait and I could sit at the bar if I liked. I don't drink, and I didn't want to eat at the bar. I pointed out that there were tons of open tables, and they just shrugged and said they were "trying to turn them over". Food might be good but they lost me. Ridiculous.

    (2)

  • Josh S.

    Casual environment. Great beer menu making it perfect for grabbing a couple drinks. A little pricey, but worth it.

    (4)

  • Michael D.

    My cinnamon streusel French toast and my girlfriends Mrs. Hollander were amazing. Pics added

    (5)

  • Jacqueline K.

    Nonexistent service, over 20 min to bring out two appetizers. Overpriced food. Don't stay open on a holiday when your staff obviously does not want to work.

    (2)

  • J W.

    Trying to be a fair yelper, I usually observe a waiting period before having a less than positive experience at a restaurant. We were here for Gallery night, a fun and special occasion that brings a lot of people into your very cool neighborhood. Any place should have their game face on so maybe people would return or speak kindly of you, but that's just not happening at Benelux. I think the trick to this place is visit late a night in the summer so you have a shot of sitting upstairs. Take out the fantastic location and the food/service tends to be average. We had a rude greeting by 2 ladies at the hostess station that refused eye contact. Instead of "hello" or "table for 3?", One asked if the three of us were ordering food because it was 9:30 at night. Um, yea, it is Gallery night and a late dinner wouldn't be all that unheard of. There were plenty of open tables, both inside and out, but one of them snapped "we're not seating anyone outside on the street anymore," as in "we're in a hurry to get out of here." So we asked for upstairs and one of them sighed, (really?). After a short wait, we were seated in the coveted rooftop section. She walked us up there like we were being put in the time out corner. Hostesses were so rude they never looked at us once and were talking to each other right in front of us like we were interrupting their book club or something by asking for a table. The atmosphere is lovely on a warm summer night, really lovely. Lovely enough to overlook lackluster service at the door. Our waitress was much nicer than our hostessing team. She was attentive and polite. The food was fine. Ordering carefully at the Lowlands group-don't stray from sammys and fries. Read some of the other reviews here, there are some food problems with this company, though I'll say Benelux food is more reliable than any Hollander, hands down. They were not busy and they seemed well staffed so I didn't understand the unfriendly greeting. We had a very lovely late dinner here, but we all remarked on the weirdness at the front door, which unfortunately tends to be remembered more than anything positive.

    (2)

  • Katie R.

    Go here for Brunch - totally worth the wait!

    (4)

  • Cassie K.

    I whole heartedly agree with the reviewer who was disgusted with the grilled Caesar salad. Gross and weird. I feel like Benelux is trying too hard to be something they're not. Nice ambience.... not so great food. I'll pass next time.

    (2)

  • Missy V.

    Sat at the bar. Staff was great and engaging. Helped us select food and drinks. We are the fun people though. Lol. Meat loaf was amazing. Salmon.wad excellent. Wlll probay be back tomorrow for lunch. Fun spot. Just trying it. You will not be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Phillip M.

    Sunday Brunch...EXTRAODINARY!!!

    (5)

  • Abby J.

    Bad batch of mussels. Don't dare ordering them.

    (2)

  • Erica R.

    Annnnndddd ... this is my new favorite restaurant. I went here for dinner and brunch and both meals were superb. Café Benelux has a relaxed vibe, an awesome rooftop section, and incredibly friendly staff. We went to dinner on a Thursday night and I ordered the turkey avocado wrap, which was both refreshing and spicy. For brunch we went on a Saturday and sat on the roof (which was spectacular) and I ordered the BELT (incredibly tasty ... but incredibly messy). Both meals I enjoyed some Trocadero Brut. I'm so happy that this place isn't pretentious, doesn't have sucky food or service, and opens at 8:00 a.m. for breakfast. This place is definitely going to give Wicked Hop a run for its money. You'll find me perched on the rooftop of Café Benelux for the rest of the summer.

    (5)

  • Nick C.

    GREAT FOOD! I think our waitress was a little off...but we all have off days. I highly recommend coming in the summer and sitting on the deck.

    (4)

  • Jay C.

    Not a fan. The good: The rooftop. We held a networking event on the rooftop in July and had a great time - a great place to enjoy the Milwaukee Summer...also a great location. They set up a bar on the rooftop specifically to serve our group and so the service was good. The bad: Subsequent visits have not impressed. Staff seems to be either put out by us or annoyed that there are people wanting to eat and drink there. We tried to get some seats (for a group of 15) on the rooftop to have a drink towards the end of the dinner rush. We were initially told we needed to order dinner to sit up there...then the staff decided to try to accomodate us since tables were vacating due to the late hour....however, by that time the group had already headed to the Wicked Hop. Agree with reviewers who indicated a change in staff or an improvement in staff will make a huge difference at this place.

    (2)

  • Greg G.

    Atmosphere is nice, breakfast was served cold with a side of Blahhh. The redeeming factor was the "Chips & Dip" which was strips of deep fried pastry with a side of raspberry cream dipping sauce... Eggs and potatoes were cold and flavorless... :(

    (2)

  • Tracy J.

    I'm more into food than beer but if you like beer this is the spot. The food was pretty good. Nothing to brag about. It often can be very crowded with long lines, esp for the rooftop deck which I hear has beautiful views. I was there for lunch and had an afternoon appt so I couldn't wait to get a seat up there. Indoor and outdoor dining available across the street from the public market. Nice vibe.

    (4)

  • Eric N.

    Roof top was really nice atmosphere. I ordered the BBQ ribs but was disappointed. They were very meaty but we're boiled then topped with a heap of sauce not BBQ. The Mac and cheese was bland. My wife's pulled pork was tasty. Overall, meh.

    (3)

  • Sasha S.

    I loved sitting on the rooftop enjoying the view and the beautiful day. I came for brunch and it was awesome! The beer selection in this place was on point. The Bloody Mary list was something to write home about. Trying different kinds of those were awesome. The cook messed up and made too many tatter tots and we were given some for free. Those were awful. I am so happy we didn't pay for those. We had one and left the plate. My boyfriend had the French toast and it was way too sweet to eat a whole plate but a few bites were delicious. I would definitely eat here again... Or come for a few more bloody Mary's on a Sunday funday!

    (5)

  • fred n.

    Great place. The food is excellent with a wide assortment and interesting spin. The sprocket burger is amazing. They have one of the most extensive beer menus in the city and it is always changing. With outdoor patios in front and on the roof it is an perfect place to take advantage on one of the nice weathered days. Have been to Benelux many times and have never been disappointed.

    (4)

  • Maggie R.

    Really great breakfast this morning. They were quick after I mentioned that we were in a rush but that didn't change the quality of the food. The latte was delicious. There seems to be a lot of craft coffee places around here and Cafe Benelux didn't disappoint in their offerings. I had their variation of eggs Benedict. Way more delicious than your typical English muffin + hollendaise, they make it with bier cheese sauce and a croissant. The breakfast potatoes were good too. My daughter had the waffles and loved them. My 4 year old son went Food Network on me and made "the" tasty face over the french toast. Definitely stop by if you are downtown!

    (5)

  • Dave S.

    Stood in front of the hostess for five minutes before I had to ask to put my name on the list for a table. Then went to the bar to wait for said table. The bartender started washing glasses in front of me as I sat down and made absolutely NO effort to greet me! Then started putting glasses away without ever greeting me or at least putting a drink menu in front of me! This is the second time in the last few months the service has been terrible both times I went across the street and was taken care of. I won't be back to Cafe Benelux.

    (1)

  • Chrissy H.

    I had the very delicious 'special' burger. I should have taken a picture! Grass feed beef with Gouda, pulled pork, bacon, and a fried egg. It was juicy and flavorful! Highly recommended. Got it with the sweet potato fries, not as yummy as everyone said they were, but very full and happy from the burger! Would go back, and need to try Cafe Hollander as well.

    (4)

  • Mihaly T.

    Gorgeously redone Commerce Row warehouse has exploded with new life and a stunning rooftop deck. Service is a bit sluggish, but cheerful.

    (3)

  • David R.

    Unfortunately, I was kind of disappointed after my expectations had been inflated by the effusive reviews and the compelling menu. I was primed for a Low Countries aesthetic, continental good cheer, and unpretentious but elevated pub food. I enjoyed none of these. Well, maybe the food a little. The interior wasn't at all what I expected--an profusion of blonde wood and cheap aluminum chairs. Two hostesses failed to greet us for several moments whilst they carried on a personal conversation, until their exasperated colleague stepped away from what was clearly her stand-up lunch break to help us. We had to be reseated because some kind of cooling duct was dripping condensation onto our first table (and several other nearby tables). It was a blessing though, as we got to share a booth and avoided the awful chairs. The stained, wrinkled paper menus were the nail in the coffin of my expectations. This symptomizes a lack of care at management level. And it didn't get any better from there. I noticed some cheerful, smiling servers bustling about...but we didn't get one of those. We got a surly bearded guy who was happier to spend his time chatting up his would-be waitress girlfriend. Hey guy, try transferring just a smidgeon of that enthusiasm to your work. It does wonders for your customers' enjoyment, not to mention your own tips. I liked the taste of the calamari appetizer, and the inclusion of so many vegetables, although the squid itself was tough. The sesame-cilantro slaw was pretty good, as were the frites, but I didn't care for my sandwich. The turkey burger was dry and bland; without the curry ketchup and sriracha mayo, it would have been barely edible. Plus, the plain lettuce and tomato were completely incongruous. Really, it's not a bad place with the right expectations. I feel that their website misrepresents what it really is: a bar where only the beer and the name are European. Otherwise, all they offer is standard, mediocre American bar food and lazy, unpleasant American attitudes.

    (2)

  • Tim K.

    Entire family loved the brunch. We have four teenagers and they all couldn't decide what to order - everything looked great. Loved the roof top atmosphere, Bloody Mary's, and terrific surface.

    (5)

  • Mike M.

    If you've been to Centraal or Hollander, you've basically been here. Same old Lowlands food and service. On that alone, 3 stars. This spot though, has an awesome rooftop patio which is perfect in the summer. If you don't sit on the roof, you might as well just go somewhere else, as the rest of the product is just average. A solid 3.5, but we'll round up.

    (4)

  • Tony K.

    I gotta say - I think by far the setting is perfect. They certainly got it right. It definitely has the feel of their other restaurants (Cafe Hollander) - but what those other places lack is the amazing rooftop patio and market!! Went here for lunch today - and had an overall pleasant experience. Got the black bean burger - and have to say, it's pretty dang tasty. I feel like they're working on a few opening kinks - but overall, I can't wait to come back here for more. Also - noteworthy is the free parking at the Milwaukee Public Market with validation.. (for those of you with a car).

    (4)

  • Ali A.

    Amazing patio with filling ad delicious brunch menu!

    (4)

  • Karen S.

    Each time I return to Benelux, the service gets better...

    (3)

  • Peter B.

    Short wait for a table on a holiday weekend, not a big concern. Our server was very rushed and stressed- he brought waters before even asking is we wanted anything to drink. (So we ended up not ordering anything else). The server did stop by 3 seconds after the runner dropped off our plates... in mid stride all in one breath asked and answered for us: "How is everything? ...DELICIOUS?" We both laughed at the humor of the him at least trying to make a customer service touch. But he's busy, right? My dining companion had the salmon salad- it looked good, but was dry and very overcooked. My turkey wrap was OK- nothing i'd order again, but while eating it I was amazed at the contrast in her salad tomatoes and the ones in my wrap. No matter- its just a green tomato the kitchen accidentally threw in my wrap, they are busy, right? Near the end of the second half of my wrap, like what happens to many wraps, it fell apart. Not a big deal, but a moment later I realized what I had been laksidasically consuming just moments before. The grey slimy moldy avocado stared at me. Disgusting.

    (1)

  • Alper S.

    We were rounding out our trifecta tour, and needed a place to settle down for some Sunday brunch. It took a little bit to seat us, but we were a big group of 8 and that's to be expected. We were lucky enough to get a mini-table near the bar to enjoy our first bloody marys (so many) and our beer-mosas. The food was really good, and the au gratin skillet was just what the doctor ordered (after tossing a bunch of black pepper on those eggs over easy, yeahhhhh they like thatttt). They've got quite the beer menu, and we found some sours to round out the breakfast. Teeming with activity, the waitstaff seemed to have a ton of responsibility, especially on the weekend morning that we went. Absolutely nothing against our lovely server, she did the very best she could given all her constraints. Two or more people here and the service would be a dream.

    (3)

  • Diana M.

    The Stinking Rose is the best Bloody in Milwaukee hands down. The garlic infused vodka is the way to go! Also the brugse and the hodge podge are the best items on the brunch menu.

    (5)

  • Lauren L.

    I am obsessed with this restaurant! Awesome food and service. I'm never disappointed when I go here. I especially love coming here in the spring and summer when I can sit outside and/or on the roof.

    (5)

  • Mark S.

    I would say that I typically have a four star experience here, but my last trip over the weekend wasn't so great. Service was lacking in that we weren't able to enjoy our food because we were waiting on water refills. Food was sub par due to a stale bun on our burger. That's just inexcusable for a restaurant to serve something that's stale. Most of the burger was good, and so were the sweet potato frites, so it wasn't the worst meal in the world, but should have been better. Still confuses me that they charge for their sauces. I suppose 'why not?' since people keep buying them, but people don't like being nickel-and-dime'd.

    (2)

  • Josh O.

    I had been looking forward to trying Cafe Benelux for some time. It met and exceeded my expectations. What I expected was good food and a pleasant dining experience of which I received both! The service was fair and it is reasonably priced with a large beer selection. I will be back again!

    (4)

  • Elizabeth G.

    First of all, anyplace that has a beer list with a table of contents is an automatic hit with me. So. Many. Belgian. Beers. The sweet and the spicy and the sour and the fruity... They have it all. The only limit is the amount of time you have to spend here. The decor is straight-up adorable. You walk in and feel like you are in a Swiss ski chalet. Except this is supposed to be the Low Countries. So maybe it is a cross-country ski chalet. There's a gift shop with cute souvenirs that you will want to buy even if you despise knickknacks, and there are cute signs everywhere to read and take in. But you'd better sit down and focus, because you need to tend to that beer menu... you've got a lot of pages to get through. I usually try to recommend individual beers I tried, but between us we had 4 and they were all seriously awesome. Just open the menu, close your eyes, and point; I'm pretty sure you can't go wrong. Now, as for the food. If you aren't in the mood for a fatfest, I'd recommend against ordering the pork belly Cuban sandwich. (Can somebody please go back in time and give my husband this advice?) My "bitterballen" -- spicy meatballs with curry ketchup -- were downright delicious.

    (5)

  • Lauren M.

    I usually come here for brunch (sit at the tables upstairs - no wait usually) but came for dinner and really enjoyed it. The burgers and fries are delicious, and the atmosphere is great. Always a good choice if you are looking for a no-fuss meal and great bloody mary.

    (4)

  • Diana J.

    I would give them a 4, but our server today pushed me towards a 3. We came for brunch on NYE and had a great time. Food was good, server was awesome. I went in for brunch today and out server was... Apathetic at best. We got the cinnamon bread for an app and it came two min before our meals. It was a big loaf of bread and it was tasty but I wouldn't get it again. We had the mrs Hollander as the market omelet. The mrs was great, omelet nothing to write home about. Still, the food is good, drink list extensive, pretty building, hit or miss service I guess.

    (3)

  • Lindsay B.

    Love the feel of this restaurant. It's great in summer when you can sit on the roof or out on the sidewalk. The Kulminator is a very good choice if you want a sandwich. However I was very disappointed with my Bloody Mary. It tasted like watered down tomato juice. I had to add tons of pepper and hot sauce to make it drinkable. Go to Benelux for good food, go to Wicked Hop for a good bloody.

    (3)

  • Kristin W.

    I'm a night nurse and we frequent this place often after a bad shift. They are just as great as their sister restaurant, Cafe Hollander. Lots of the same dishes, but some of their own unique menu items, too. We also like this place because they open early at 8AM so there is no waiting around after work. The service is prompt, and they get our bloodys and food out to us quick so we can go home to sleep :) My favorite is the Rad Barbie bloody (horseradish infused vodka) and the BELT sandwich. Tons of seating both on inside and 2 outdoor patio areas. It's located in the 3rd ward and it's fun to sit outside, unwind from our shift, and watch the city wake up. Parking is easy right out front (but I can only vouch for the early AM).

    (5)

  • Jessica O.

    I can't get over all of the bad reviews about this place - I have yet to have a bad experience. This was the go-to place for me when my friends came to visit over the summer. Since it had just opened, I tried to go at slight off-peak hours - around 4:00 or 9:00. Maybe that's why my service has been so much better... The first time I went, I had the brussels pannenkoeken - which is just a really hard way of saying "crepe". It was delicious - and I usually can't be bothered to waste my time on anything else the menu has to offer. The crepe overflows on the plate, and is just thick enough to be crispy on the outside and a little doughy in the middle. Then they pile it high with asparagus, thick cuts of pancetta, and two fried eggs, and then douse the whole thing with beer cheddar sauce and parmesan cheese. It is insanely rich, but in a good way. I usually bring half home, or need to be carried to the car. On one occasion, I did a sampling of the appetizers, and they were amazing. The tator tots are a must-try, perfectly crispy on the outside, filled with bleu cheese and bacon, and served with the most delicious sriracha mayo. They were a definite win when I brought my meat and potatoes father (I'm on a constant quest to turn him into a foodie). Other notable appetizers were the crab cake with HUGE chunks of crab meat - and the burger bebes, served on soft pretzel buns with gouda, onions, and honey mustard. It was a perfect combination. The rooftop seating is amazing, the service has always been fantastic for me, and my out of town family and friends have always been impressed!

    (5)

  • Steve S.

    Nice lunch! Mango gazpacho 4.95; the always good, Side Benelux Salad w/glazed walnuts and blue cheese, w/balsamic vinegrette and/or creamy blue cheese dressing $3.95; the trio of little burger bebes (okay, at White Castle and elsewhere that are a.k.a. Sliders) $10.95; and lemonade $2 and coke $2 with unsolicited free refills. :-) Of course for later in the day, they have a very nice beer list. Each and every beer pairs well with something; even another beer! ;-)

    (4)

  • Kenny N.

    Beer, brats, and cheese - top things to do in Milwaukee. I took care of the beer here. Cafe Benelux has an amazingly large beer selection focusing on Belgian styles. Being overwhelmed with their vast selection, I asked for a recommendation of something local. Instead, they suggested I try one of their beers made especially for them, the High Speed Wit. from the Lowlands Brewing Company and brewed at Brouwerij Van Steenberge. It was a great selection, quite flavorful, enjoyed the layers. I also enjoyed their spicy meatballs with curry sauce. Those were particularly fun, the sauce reminding me of Berlin's currywurst. I also tried some sliders and sweet potato fries. Overall, this place boasts great tasty portions for the price.

    (4)

  • Anne H.

    We have had the same experience several times at Benelux. When we arrive there are at least ten empty tables both upstairs and downstairs and we are told that there is a 45 minute wait. I'm not sure if they are too short staffed to seat people at these tables but we won't be returning. There are too many other good restaurants to go to in the Third Ward.

    (1)

  • Rachel W.

    Food and drinks were good, service leaves a bit to be desired. While waiting 20 minutes for a table (even though there were several open tables) we were approached by a waitress and ordered drinks. I ordered a Bloody Mary and she asked which kind I wanted though I had not been given a menu. She quickly described them and I ordered the Stinking Rose, their most popular. My boyfriend ordered a mimosa. We got the drinks and the mimosa had a cherry and no OJ. We thought it was just a "different take". Then we were seated and saw a menu. My Stinking Rose was missing the beef stick and shrimp and his mimosa was actually a mo-mosa with sour ale. Though they had regular mimosas on the menu. When I asked the waitress nicely about the discrepancy she got flustered, gave us an excuse that we weren't in her section and instead of just apologizing she gave us attitude and said the drinks were on her. I wasn't looking for a free drink, just didn't want to be up charged for a something I didn't get and my boyfriend just wanted the drink he ordered. The rest of our dining experience was uneventful, though it would've been nice if the waitress (different from the one who got our drinks) had explained the menu instead of me having to ask questions. Guess I'm just used to Chicago style service, which is typically very high quality. The other thing I noticed that did not impress was seeing 2 different bus boys asking around for who food belonged to. Seems like they still have some kinks to work out regarding service, but the place is nice and the food and drink were good.

    (3)

  • Brian S.

    Since this place has a lot of bright spots, let's get the bad news out of the way. First, it baffles me that although waiters seem to outnumber the tables at Cafe Benelux, the service is somehow excrutiatingly slow. I wanted so badly to be impressed, but that's a tall order when it takes 25 minutes to get a soda or when one gets a new waitress three times over the course of a meal. Then the food comes and it's hit (pannekokken) or miss (black bean burger). The setting itself is very nice, which comes as no surprise, seeing as the other restaurants in the Hollander/Trocadero family have perfected the art of the patio. Much respect for the beer selection, too. And regarding the waitstaff, it's like molasses: slow, yes, but sweet. I have high hopes that Benelux can outlast the initial growing pains and hit its stride with the service and food. It's already a nice addition to the Third Ward. The location and view alone make it worth a visit, but don't go if you're in a hurry.

    (3)

  • DeWitt K.

    We stumbled across Cafe Benelux after dropping the kid off to take his ACT at Marquette and before going to the MKE Public Market. Although they opened on Thursday, they have quickly figured out how to make just about the tastiest Bloody Mary's I have ever had. The brunch menu was quite interesting and is a solid 4 stars. Perhaps the best thing at Cafe Benelux is the interior.... From the floors made from recycled HS Gym to the tables made from old bowling lanes the whole place is just fantastic. We definitely hope to come back soon.

    (5)

  • Kip G.

    While I've never found it extremely important to place a "favorite" title on things, my first visit to Cafe Benelux left a good enough impression to make me realize this is my favorite of the four Lowlands Group establishments. While the food and service lived up to the expectations the others have previously provided, the overall experience offered at this Third Ward location is what made it special to me. How many places have you been to that offered the opportunity to grab a decent assortment of beverages (coffee, tea, Belgian beers, etc), snacks, and cigarettes to purchase before heading home? Need a T-shirt, sweatshirt, or coffee mug...they've also got you covered. Their gift shop and market place are incredibly nice touches...I found myself leaving the table numerous times to explore both. While the weather has been less than ideal since their opening (prior to today) for dining outside on the rooftop, I did go up there to check it out. While it doesn't offer a peaceful river view, it does offer some incredible people watching as it's across the street from Public Market and Wicked Hop which always seems to have a good amount of traffic. There are also three garage doors that I noticed that will open the space up for the feeling of an outdoor experience if avoiding gamma rays is your preference while dining. The menu shared many of the staples of the other restaurants (similar starters, coffee drinks, bloody marys, and such), but provided enough of its own flavor to make it a unique experience. I was somewhat please to see that the El Gordo Burrito wasn't on the menu so my love affair with Trocadero will continue and I won't have to leave her entirely for Benelux. Two of the new starters we thoroughly enjoyed were the breakfast corn dogs and chips and dip. I never imagined dipping a breakfast sausage in waffle batter, sprinkling a little powdered sugar on it and serving it with some maple syrup would be ridiculously delicious, but it was. The cinnamon/sugar chips served with berry cream cheese dip was off the chain as well. Sadly, I only have one stomach that I abused badly yesterday, but I had enough common sense to save the breakfast poutine for next visit. Red Eye Biscuits & Gravy from Centraal is one of my favorites, so seeing a chorizo gravy being served on Benelux's version made this an easy choice. I definitely liked the black pepper basil biscuits here a lot more...jury is still out on which gravy I prefer. I will have to see if they have rosemary potatoes which could be substituted for the hash browns next time though...good, but not as good. I'm looking forward to exploring the dinner menu this evening and enjoying the view from the rooftop. Benelux is an amazing experience that should be shared with anyone who enjoys the finer things in life. With Father's Day coming up next Sunday, you might as well show Dad how much you care by bringing him here.

    (5)

  • Marcia V.

    Got to sit on the rooftop for drinks. It is a great location and great atmosphere. They have an extensive beer list, but I opted for their version of a Moscow Mule and it was delicious. Also tried the sweet potato and regular fries with their different dipping sauces (chipotle, siracha, garlic aioli, and some type of basil herb). It was a great place and I would definitely suggest it to anyone going to Milwaukee's Third Ward.

    (4)

  • Matt C.

    GO.. Go alot.. That is all. Trust me

    (5)

  • David S.

    So while I typically enjoy the Lowlands Group restaurants (Cafe Hollander on the East Side and Tosa), they've really struck out with Cafe Benelux. My first visit was in July after first opening. They wouldn't take reservations for my girlfriend's surprise birthday (needed a table for 10 and promised a minimum tab) and they just wouldn't do it. SO I arrived 2 hours early and attempted to arrange something that way. Got that settled (stressfully) but nontheless, I'll move on. After the surprise came the ordering. Appetizers were ok, but small. Beers were good and an amazing selection, though overpriced. Appetizers came out before the beers (because the beers needed cooking I suppose?) and we were all hungry... (time lapsed, 25 min after order was taken). Come main course, 3 incorrectly cooked burgers, toppings for orders re-arranged, and 4 sides swapped because they plated/paired them incorrectly, we were finally eating. Come dessert, well, a cremebrulee that was watery without the carmelized top left the entire table less than satisfied. I'm glad that we were celebrating something to take our minds off of the disaster of a dinner. Now I get it, opening a restaurant is tough and there exists significant growing pains. That is why I held off this review until now. **January 14th, 2012** Hoping that they got their stuff in order, I come with the same group of friends after a day of skiing. Our server was nice and humorous so I thought we were off to a good start. Then came the food and again... underwhelming. I shall frame the rest of this in a listing rant: -I didn't realize that when you order a specialty burger they nix the tomatoes and lettuce -They must be pessimists because the cup of soup was half empty -Who doesn't serve bread with soup? I mean, even a small teeny slice? -I didn't realize that a 1/8 of a baguette, when requested after being disappointed with lack of bread and a small, lukewarm (generously stated) soup equates to a $1.50 charge? Two people ordered soups, both sucked, both asked for bread, two separate charges for bread. We must be in a recession. -Dressing on the side request - not honored. Salad replaced? yes... after everyone else was half way through their meal... again, salad needs cooking? What they need: training in customer service, a menu re-evaluation, pub-friendly prices for beers (it's WI for crying out loud), and a more efficient system for food and drinks. Also, put away the dirty glasses/dishes piling up on the bar.. that's a sight that should be left unseen. I will be a faithful Cafe Hollander fan for brunch or a late eat when I don't feel like cooking myself. But for cafe benelux... I gave you 6 months to get your stuff together, and you failed me. I'm sorry, but I shall not return.

    (1)

  • KT S.

    Hard to pick a rating...food is decent, bordering at times on down right good, but the atmosphere is what brings me back repeatedly. I usually come for brunch, which is decent. They have removed the best thing from their menu, IMO with the loss of the creamy polenta. Bloodys are good too!

    (3)

  • Qi Chee S.

    Awesome food and nice environment!

    (5)

  • Nick K.

    So this would be the Second Lowlands group restaurant that I have been to, with poor service. We went on the morning of the 4th of July, for brunch. So did everyone else, like it was a weekend. As a restaurant, I would be expecting this, Benelux was not. We waited at the bar for 25 minutes until we yelled the bartender down to get us a drink. He was unorganized, looked overwhelmed and in general "checked out". There was no process to how he was helping people at the bar, just randomly selecting. Five people walked up to the get drinks, and were helped, before we were. The bloody, my favorite in Milwaukee, really fantastic. Food, average. Amazing beer selection and decor, and our waitress was just fine. But, it really is becoming more apparent that if the Lowlands group didn't hire a few great managers and staffers, they would have a lot more service issues.

    (2)

  • Danielle B.

    We visited Cafe Benelux this morning for brunch and had a fabulous experience! We arrived just before 11 with a group of 4 and were seated immediately. I'm a big fan of the comfy, cool atmosphere and decor... I sort of want to live there. Drinks: Fiancee ordered the Rooster Bloody Mary and we both really liked it (though he might have preferred a bit more heat). I was in the mood for a coffee cocktail, but there wasn't anything on the menu, so I just ordered a mocha with a shot of whiskey; yum! Appetizer: The 4 of us split a new appetizer: cinnamon bread with salted caramel and walnuts. We were shocked when it arrived because it was HUGE - like half a loaf of sandwich bread - seriously. HUGE. Luckily it was also delicious. Entrees: I had a hard time deciding what to order, so I asked for advice from our server and since she had eaten the Creamy Polenta for breakfast that morning, that's what I went with (always trust a friendly server). I was also really in the mood for asparagus, so I added that. Good decision! The portion was pretty large, especially after eating so much cinnamon bread, and the polenta could have used a bit more salt, but it was really yummy. I mean it had asparagus, hollandaise, and poached eggs, so how could it not be great? Fiancee ordered Biscuits and Gravy and ate it ALL, so clearly: tasty. We picked Benelux this morning because I had a City Tin coaster to use, but I look forward to returning and paying full price on a sunny summer day when I can try the patio. I don't know that I'd visit for a different meal since I don't normally enjoy lunch/dinner at Lowlands restaurants, but I'll definitely be back for brunch.

    (4)

  • Kari S.

    Warning...do not come here for breakfast. We walked in this morning at 8:30, all of the waitstaff was hanging out in the WAY back of the restaurant which I guess is understandable since the place was EMPTY. After flagging the hostess down she was very nice and seated us outside. A waitress came out right away and got our drink order which leads me into another warning, DO NOT ORDER COFFEE here. The first cup was OK, very watered down but I could tolerate it and at least it was hot. Once I got a refill (that I had to beg for) I was given luke warm coffee that looked like it had been diluted. Finally get a different waitress to bring us new coffee and this is the old crap warmed up. The food: Cream Brule french toast was just OK. I had read that the portion was tiny so I was a little skeptical, well the portion was huge today. Be warned, this is DEEP FRIED baguette and does not resemble Cream Brule in the least. I really wanted to like this place, it is in a great location, however the food and coffee on this trip were below average.

    (2)

  • Melanie B.

    If you have been to one Lowland's Group restro you have seen them all. However, we had a gift cert and hadn't been to Cafe Benelux out so off we went. We sat at the bar and waited while the bartender attentively served her friends drinking PBR and texting on their phone (eyeroll.) After we got service, it felt as if we were inconviencing the bartender for an order of an app or another drink order. I think I've figured it out: the bartenders are so busy washing glasses (or chatting up their friends or coworkers that just got off their shift) they don't have the time to do their job: tend the bar. Almost every beer has it's own fancy glass so there are a lot of glasses that need to be washed by hand. I understand that washing dishes is also a part of that job but both bartenders were overwhelmed with glassware. The bar felt like a dish washing station instead of a bar. We got two beers and an app- the blue cheese and bacon tater tots. Thank goodness for the sriracha mayo because it saved this app. I did not taste any blue cheese or bacon- just fried potoato. Like I said in my review of Cafe Hollender, I like drinking at the lowlands establishments but I have officially given up expectations on the food and service.

    (2)

  • Brenda F.

    Do you have a tiny ass and like fries? Then you will enjoy dining at Cafe Benelux! I love the location and atmosphere, but the food and the chairs didn't impress too much. +Location...great view of the Third Ward and downtown. I would like to try to patio in summer, if for nothing other than the view. +Atmosphere...really busy and lively on a Sunday night. Decor was interesting and funky. - Chairs: The mental chairs downstairs looked really good with the decor, however: A) they are too short and make you feel as if the table is too tall for you and B) they are for people with tiny asses. Even two little older ladies sitting at a table behind us had a hard time sitting comfortably in the chairs. How could I tell? They were wincing and shifting around all the time...oh wait, that was me. - Food: the mussels were okay. I ordered a pound in the provencal broth. One mussel wasn't open and I crunched on grit in at least two others. A chunk of bread came with the mussels to dip in the broth...the broth was a little too salty and the bread stale. I was hoping for a nice fresh piece of bread. The fries were good, but the waitress didn't ask me if I wanted a special sauce with it (I think you get one free sauce). Other diners at the table enjoyed their dishes.

    (2)

  • Raad R.

    Great omelettes, ample serving sizes, awesome selection of teas (try the green mint if you're stumped), and really friendly and nice waiters. I highly recommend this place!

    (5)

  • Tiffany H.

    We were driving through Milwaukee this past weekend and decided to stop at this little local stop for lunch. It was a beautiful sunny day and the rooftop seating was great. It definitely makes you feel like you are far from the Midwest when sitting under large white umbrellas while listening to some trendy music and drinking carafes of fresh, chilled water. The food was pretty good. I had the turkey avocado wrap w/ fries for a little under $10. Large portions, so there is definitely room to share here. The only thing that brings it down to three stars was the service. Our waitress seemed like she might have partied a little too hard the night before and kept forgetting about us. She forgot a couple of the sides and we waited about 45min for food.

    (3)

  • Mark W.

    A definite must-visit if you're in Milwaukee. This place is AWESOME. First of all, the food was delicious. Everything we ordered was fresh and tasty. We went for a late dinner before a concert, but the place was versatile enough that it would be fun for almost any occasion. The food took a while to come out after we ordered it, but that was ok because we were enjoying some of their refreshing homemade cocktails. They also have tons of beer! Anyway, the one thing that was a little disappointing was my sandwich. I ordered the Benelux version of grilled cheese, which came with bacon on it. It was listed on the menu, but Benelux doesn't point out which menu items are veggie options like most places, so it's hard to easily pick out vegetarian dishes. Overall, a very positive experience. I had recommended it and my friends were raving about it for the rest of the night. I would definitely go back!

    (4)

  • Tom V.

    Best place for food and drinks in Milwaukee! Not only is the staff extremely polite and well trained, but also the eating and drinking experience was awesome. Their beer selection is phenomenal and has clearly some thought behind it. They also offer professional information on which beer matches which food. Don't miss out on this place!!

    (5)

  • Mary T.

    Other breakfast/brunch places came enthusiastically recommended, but Cafe Benelux was walking distance to our afternoon plans. Given the lukewarm reviews we approached breakfast with cautious optimism and were pleasantly not disappointed. We arrived on a beautiful Saturday afternoon around 11:30. Unsurprisingly, the wait for outdoor tables was long, but seating inside was immediate. I don't drink coffee and get awfully grouchy when I'm hungry, so waiting for an outdoor table would've been an epic mistake. Benelux is a big place, there are a mix of booths, tables and high tops, in addition to a bar with a hearty amount of taps. The decor is mix of wood, loft-style exposed beams and vents, European signs, wooden shoes and a Belgian-themed market. We started off with the fresh fruit bento box; a mix of fresh fruit and berries, yogurt, and granola. All of the ingredients came separately, which was perfect as I don't like yogurt; the fruit was tasty and fresh and the granola was just as I like it - sans raisins or other dried fruit. For our mains, I ordered the cinnamon streusel french toast with a side of potatoes and him the green torpedo omelet. Our food came quickly and looked and tasted delicious. Ordering french toast is always a gamble for me; I loathe eggs, if I can see them, I won't/can't eat them. In other words, I won't eat french toast that is too eggy; yes, I realize how ridiculous that sounds. The three large slices of challah were perfect; not eggy, but airy and soft. It was not overly sweet despite the orange marmalade butter and streusel and only required a little maple syrup to tie it all together. My potatoes were another story, the only dim part of the meal. Made with skin-on red potatoes, they looked fantastic, but were over-salted. I picked at them mainly to balance the sweetness of my french toast, but didn't eat them with the gusto I normally reserve for breakfast potatoes. Cafe Benelux was the perfect foundation for a gluttonous day of drinking. I would definitely visit again if I were in the Third Ward and in need of a beer or meal.

    (4)

  • Matt H.

    Excellent beer menu and enjoyed their turkey avocado wrap!

    (4)

  • Joel R.

    Overall, very good place to eat and have some good drinks. Prices were fair, food was good, and the Bloody Mary's and beer selection were the highlight. Only thing to keep in mind is that this is not a place where you can get a seat and have a meal quickly. Can take a few hours of busy.

    (4)

  • Kevin M.

    Visiting Downtown Milwaukee on a Friday afternoon with family. Summerfest was going on so the area was quite lively. Had a table on the upstairs patio. To start, our waitress was awesome, funny and helpful. Good selection of beers (enjoyed a couple.) Personally I tried the 'Hand carved beef tenderloin' sandwich. May not have been the best but certainly very good. Nice atmosphere, friendly staff; all around a good time.

    (4)

  • Ariana M.

    I've been here 5 or 6 times since my first review, and have to say Benelux is definitely more of a brunch spot. Both times I came here for dinner were just okay. The calamari is delicious, but my entrees are usually lacking in flavor. The salted caramel cheesecake is to die for though!! As for brunch, it can't really get any better. The bloody mary's are awesome (there's 6 or so different kinds!) and theres a wide range of menu items both sweet and savory. I usually go with the salmon eggs benedict, which is perfect every time.

    (4)

  • Veronica V.

    Amazing Breakfast- check Great Bloody - check Awesome Rooftop in Milwaukee - check This place has it all! Love Benelux! Stopped in Sunday for a late breakfast/lunch around 12:15. The place was hoping and we had about a 30 minute wait for our table. No problem - we found a few seeats at the bar and got a bloody mary while we waited. 15 min later our pager went off and we got a table we requested with a view of the Packer game. For breakfast I ordered the french toast and my fiance got a burger. The french toast was absolutely incredible - we will be back soon and often! Kudos!

    (5)

  • Spencer L.

    AWESOME place! The atmosphere is amazing, the food is second to none, awesome beer list, great staff and service. My girlfriend and I got out of the car to go to the public market and smelled the deliciousness coming from Cafe Benelux. So we went in, sat on the roof top and stayed for 5 hours! (we had to keep running down to put more money in the parking meters) Shout out to Lexus, she is awesome at her job. Nice and friendly, timely and helpful. I had the pulled pork and my girlfriend had the big dogg and both were AMAZING! You must try this place! I will always find my way there every time I'm in Milwaukee in the future!

    (5)

  • Eric E.

    3.5 stars, maybe. We had dinner here and found the food to be very average. The beer menu, however, is five star amazing. The "Bier Book" as they call their beer menu includes a vast selection of crafts, broken down by the various styles of beer. It gives you every piece of information you need to understand the composition of each beer, as well as several great stories on the production of specific types of beer. At 48 pages, a beer lover can do no wrong here. FYI..the rooftop patio seating is a big perk in the summer.

    (3)

  • Michael B.

    Beer (especially ON TAP) selection is dazzling. Can't go wrong with Kwok on tap, served in the traditional teardrop glass.

    (4)

  • Valerie J.

    It seems my five-stars may not be agreed upon by the rest of Milwaukee, but considering the meals we've had in MKE - this one by far swept me away in a wave of deliciousness. We were joined by two of our friends and three of their new friends, and had a pretty darn good time at a big booth in the back. To start our meal, we got the traditional Belgian fries - which were excellent! My fave dipping sauces were the curry catsup and of course, the srirachi mayo - omg! Teh yummers! For my main, I got the Basque style mussels which came with roasted tomatoes, chorizo, chilies, and scallions. My spot by the window ensured that, when I was done busily tasting everyone else's food, my mussels were cold. Dang it Val! Even so, the flavor was really quite good, and I added some spice as well, so I really can't complain. I was blown away with the bite of black bean burger one of my new friends let me taste. I haven't had one so good in many years, and would decidedly not hesitate to order that next time. (Though there are two more mussel options I still need to try). My husband got a regular beef burger and loved it - and rightly so. It was cooked perfectly. My friend Kat got an ahi tuna salad which was also very good, and her boyfriend Dan got a crazy meatloaf that would kill a small cow. (Wait,.. is that cannibalism?) Yeah, it was huge! I loved the malbec I had, and my husband delighted in his beers. This place was just great, and I loved sitting in the back away from the crowds! Cheers and here here!! Can't wait to return :)

    (5)

  • Lauren R.

    I am a Benelux whore, go here at least once a week bc I live in the neighborhood. What do I love? The consistency of the food, no matter the menu. I love the rocket salad, any omelette, the breakfast burrito, tulip burger, turkey avocado wrap. The service is usually good although I have had bad service a few Times. The beer menu is amazing and the bloody Mary's are great! Stinking rooster is a good one, although I usually ask for the frenchie which is from another lowlands restaurant and has Dijon in it. My only Complaint on Benelux is that, although I am There all the time, my wait staff is different every time and no one ever recognizes me! Not being a narcissist just seems Steange. Seems like the staff changes frequently and makes me wonder why... But really this place is great!

    (5)

  • Tasha H.

    Came here for Sunday brunch in a group of 7. We arrived at 11:20 and the wait was only about half an hour! Not bad. Service was good for a busy brunch hour. Fried chicken and waffles was very unique. It was white meat chicken fried then sliced up with walnuts and cooked apples on a crispy waffle. The flavor combo was really unique and delicious! Hodgepodge seems like great hangover food. It's literally lots of savory breakfast options (eggs, meat, potatoes..) all together in a very generous portion. Bill was split 7 ways no questions asked which was very nice. All in all I think Cafe Benelux has nothing spectacular on the menu but it's a really nice place to get brunch with friends!

    (4)

  • Angela W.

    Had some friends in from Ireland who wanted to try a restaurant in the third ward, specifically asking for "reasonably priced food and Beer", so I took them to cafe Benelux. I have visited the lowland group restaurant many times. The food was fine, nothing to dream about, but also not bad. Our server was nice, but was really unable to "suggest" beers. With a beer menu that extensive, you should really know your stuff.

    (3)

  • Jen M.

    SUPER cool rooftop eating. If you are told that you will be seated at a high top table on the roof know that these tables are super narrow and you will be in close quarters with the person across from you. Which is just fine and actually quite chummy and good for conversation if you just have drinks and elbows on the table but if you are a large party all with dinner plates some shuffling and awkwardness will likely occur. Along with the other lowlander restaurants, let me just say I'm very fond of all of them and visit frequently. They have great locales and buildings and a GREAT drink list. Very friendly staff at Centraal and Benelux and VERY knowledgeable about beer staff at Centraal. But since cheese croquettes were taken off of the menu (I think they were just at Cafe Centraal?) I have not found a food item at any of them that I like more than just thinking its just ok. I had the grilled chicken sandwich at Cafe Benelux at my last visit (Sunday night 8/30/15) and was pretty underwhelmed. The bun had seasonings in it but was dry and contributed nothing. There was a little guacamole I got a tiny bit of every once in awhile but otherwise I was just eating what tasted like very plain chicken. Their sweet potato fries are just ok, in my opinion. I forgot to order one of the fun sauces to go with the frites - that would've livened them up considerably. My mojito was GREAT though! Our waitress was a sweetheart and a champ. We had a large group that arrived in 2s and 3s over the course of the evening and ordered at all different times. She kept up graciously and swiftly. And then we asked her to split the bill all different ways after she had already totalled it all up ... I know. JERKS. And we were her last table of the night too. She did all the math right at our table and accommodated all of us. So I'll definitely keep coming back because Benelux and all the Lowlanders are great places to meet up with pals. But I'd love to experience some food that impresses. But I haven't had the mussels yet....

    (3)

  • Andy K.

    Tried Benelux again on a Friday evening with some friends. Ordered the half roasted salt-crusted chicken and it was undercooked. On the 2nd round the half was sized much smaller and was overcooked and the pureed potatoes were overly chunky. On a positive note, the beer list here seems to be more extensive than the other Lowlands Group offerings. I thoroughly enjoyed a Victory Golden Monkey, a Belgian-style Tripel with a hint of banana.

    (2)

  • Dennis M.

    Breakfast Fan of this place. We live down the road and visit here often for Sunday brunch and occasionally dinner and have never had a bad experience here. Love the food and the servers. The wife and I split plates for breakfast and they have no problem doing this. Saves calories and dollars (Calories for her, dollars for me).

    (4)

  • Daniel S.

    Another high quality spot for any meal in milwaukee, i got the quiche lorraine, it was big but not too big, and came with a good side salad, plus you can get beer at 10 am (no problem with that) and boy do they have beer, only like 20 pages worth! it's not necessarily a cheap place, but you get your moneys worth thats for damn sure, i would gladly go back

    (5)

  • Jen K.

    Café Benelux is in a prime location, so I can see why it's usually packed. My group and I came here on a Friday night. The wait was going to be about 45 minutes, which was normal for the Third Ward. The hostess was really helpful, and showed us a phone app where you can check the status of your wait, which allows you the freedom to peruse around the neighborhood. We were seated within the estimated time they gave us. At first glance, I liked the atmosphere. The wooden interior and dimmed lighting reminded me of a European pub, or a modest European church. I couldn't help but compare it to Three Lions Pub in Shorewood. We sat in one of the wooden booths, and it was surprisingly comfy. Now onto the food. I have to say... I wasn't impressed. I had the "seared rare ahi tuna nicoise salad," which contained haricot vert, kalamata olives, hard boiled egg, red potato, red onion, fennel, organic mixed greens, red wine vinaigrette, and balsamic glaze. From the description, I thought this salad would be texture explosion but unfortunately, the overall consistency was lackluster. First of all, judging by the color and taste, I didn't receive any red wine vinaigrette. I'm positive all I got was pure oil. Secondly, the overall taste of my dish was unexciting. It was one-note, and you can sadly taste the cooking shortcuts because it had too much salt, and not enough flavor. Furthermore, it seemed they were being very stingy with the ingredients because there was almost no fennel, maybe a few olives, and a couple strands of red onion. The tuna itself was pretty good; however, it wasn't enough to save the dish. I was more-so disappointed by the fact that I could've gotten a better nicoise salad down the street. My group ate their food and consumed their drinks, but none of them finished their meals. They didn't seem too impressed, either. I had high hopes for Café Benelux, but in the end, I was not a happy camper. The hostess was nice and our server was friendly, but with overpriced food and humdrum cocktails, I can see why they dimmed their lights... so you'll have a harder time seeing all the mediocrity on your plate. Their beer list was extensive though, so I recommend coming here for a beer and some dessert. As long as you eat beforehand.

    (2)

  • Mahvesh S.

    We went late night to Cafe Benelux as not much was open at this hour. Their patio seating is particularly nice with a great view of Milwaukee downtown. My husband and I split their grilled chicken sandwich and sweet potato fries. The sandwich was good but the fries were really dry and thin. I had heard a lot of positive feedback about this restaurant so I expected a more flavorful meal but it was just average. Maybe it was the time of day that we went. I would visit this restaurant again to see if perhaps I have a different experience.

    (3)

  • Sterbing T.

    Was in Milwaukee for a weekend trip and came across Cafe Benelux. There was about 30-45 minute wait but they texted us when the table was ready (probably only 20 minutes later). I had the Duck Poutine Skillet and my fiance had the Hodge Podge. He absolutely loved his meal. The Duck Poutine was amazing. It was super rich so it might be best split as an appetizer among the table but I will not forget this meal for a very long time. The duck was amazing and the french fries were still crisp in places and other places soaked up the gravy and running egg yolk perfectly. I hope to go back there again soon, service and food were great.

    (4)

  • William R.

    This was my first time going to Cafe Benelux and previous experiences with Cafe Hollander may have set the expectations a little too high because I was not impressed with Cafe Benelux. The good: Beer selection is really pretty spectacular if you enjoy Belgians. They do carry a lot of other styles and I had absolutely no issues finding something I could enjoy. They also have carry out service until 9pm so if you find something you like you may be able to buy some to take home. Service was pretty outstanding considering we had something like 18 people with us. Our waitress was attentive and accommodating and made it a nice seamless night. We ordered an appetizer, the charcuterie plate that had pork belly, duck confit, a cheese spread and warm bread. It was a great start to the dining experience... and the best thing we had all night. The not so good: Everyone ordered dinner and the special was a fish fry. You could get it regular or extra crispy and everyone who ordered the fish fry wanted it extra crispy. Now by this time it is roughly 7:45pm. The waitress came back and told us that the crispy was no longer available which really bummed everyone out. I thought it was strange to run out of the crispy since the only difference was it was battered with potato chips. I ordered the mac n cheese and my wife ordered the wrap. I was really disappointed in the lack of flavor in the mac n cheese. I had to give it a good dose of salt and pepper and even used my wife's chipotle mayo to help give it some flavor. Her wrap was bland and she couldn't distinguish the different ingredients in the wrap. The fries on the other hand were pretty awesome and definitely the best part of dinner. Others in our party also stated how their food seemed rather bland and some who got burgers noticed it was burnt (or as we like to say..blackened). Most of us, if not all walked out happy with the service and beer but disappointed in the food. Based on how much things costs and the numerous food options in the area, we will probably not be coming back here.

    (3)

  • Frank A.

    Our favorite place for rooftop dining in Milwaukee! I love the burgers and my family loves having brunch on sunday and having french toast. Great place with a great roof!

    (4)

  • Tim H.

    This place gets busy, especially if you are waiting for outdoor or roof seating on a nice weather day. Had a great brunch here on my most recent trip to brew city after not wanting to wait on my prior trip. My wife's french toast with berries was a top 3 version I have had. I enjoyed my ratatouille with eggs. Definitely recommend this as a top brunch option in Milwaukee.

    (4)

  • Nancy C.

    Came here for dinner while in town for an interview and was pleasantly surprised by how delicious the seared scallops were! It came with a very delicious saffron cream sauce and was overall very memorable. The garlic fries were also really good. Located in a really charming building/area of Milwaukee. Will definitely be back if I am ever in town again.

    (4)

  • Magen R.

    When my boyfriend and I decided to take a weekend trip to Milwaukee I immediately started researching places to have a yummy dinner. After a quick trip to the Thrillist web site I knew we had to do our big meal out at Cafe Benelux. We arrived around 7:30 this past Saturday night and were immediately impressed by how the restaurant stood out in the vibrant neighborhood. We fully expected to wait and posted up at the bar for some cocktails and conversation. We each had two drinks, I went with cocktails and wasn't impressed by either one of my choices. Both were too sweet and I found them to unbalanced. However they do have an incredible beer selection that my boyfriend was quite pleased with. The bartenders were also so so and this was an omen for our service throughout the night. After about 45 minutes we were shown to a table on their gorgeous rooftop. We settled in and asked for a beer menu so my boyfriend could pick out a flight. Our waitress told us beer menus were "hard to come by" and offered to pick out a selection for him. With no other choice we agreed and ordered the flight and some calamari. The calamari came and was good, but keep in mind it's fried and not grilled (the menu doesn't specify). The flight on the other hand was was a mixed bag. My boyfriend ended up with a beer that tasted like cough syrup and a beer he'd already tried downstairs... Both things that could have been avoided provided he had been given a menu and had been allowed to choose on his own. Shortly after putting the calamari order in we ordered our entrees. After 40 minutes we still had not received them. When questioning our waitress, Amanda, about it she became extremely defensive and insisted she had put the order in when it was clear she had not. Her remedy for this was giving us a cone of frites that was half full of sweet potato fries and half full of regular fries along with some dipping sauces we didn't like and continuing to insist she'd put our order in. Our food finally came and was really good. We had bone marrow and the beef tenderloin sandwich and really enjoyed them. What should've been a five star experience ended up being a three star experience because of some really awful service throughout the night. I hope the problem was Amanda and not Cafe Benelux because this spot has an awesome beer selection and delicious food.

    (3)

  • Alex H.

    I came here for the first time. The recommendations didn't lie about this place. Even though it is located along the road it is still very calm. The waiters are quick and friendly, the food was on our table after 15min. It tasted just great, the fries were fresh, the meat was tasty and well spiced. The 4 Stars are due to the buns which were too soft and tasteless. The side salat was very fresh. The prices are what can be expected from the location. I would recommend this hotel to family as well as workers on their way to lunch.

    (4)

  • Abigail F.

    This is a great place for dinner and drinks after a Friday work day. They have a great beer selection and I was surprised by their variety of beer glasses as well. I ordered the duck leg confit and it was delicious! It was so tender that when you pulled the bone out, the bone was clean. I was so surprised how easily the meat came off the bone. My friend ordered the bacon wrapped meatloaf and that tasted good as well (anything wrapped in bacon is good haha). Both entrees were reasonably priced and well-portioned. Will definitely come here again for beers and hopefully get the chance to sit on the rooftop (went here on a rainy day).

    (4)

  • David D.

    I stopped in here after taking a train into Milwaukee one Saturday morning. Walking up Broadway, it seemed like an obvious choice, owing to the crowds. That morning at least, it was the most popular restaurant on the street for brunch. We got here in the midst of Saturday brunch rush on the weekend of Summerfest, so we knew it would be a wait to get a table, although we did not wait for one on the very popular roof deck. It was, but we stuck it out, since we were pretty hungry at that point. As soon as we opened the menus, I think my friend and I both knew that we would be getting the pannekoeken and some bloody marys. Those were good choices, and we both enjoyed the meal. The service was about as good as you could expect from a early 20-something staff on a Saturday morning, and I remember liking the decor/atmosphere of the place well enough. The main issue with the dining room was with the other patrons - the staff was not controlling the space very well at all, and I had to ask the people around us to stop moving into our table area several times. That might sound a bit precious, but people were practically sitting at the table with us at some points. Really, that's something the wait staff should be on top of, and it did somewhat spoil the experience overall. Recalling it now, I suppose there were more down sides than up with this place for weekend brunch, but at the time long waits and douchey clientele didn't seem to spoil it, and I remember liking the food and drinks quite a bit. I guess if I went back, it just wouldn't be for weekend brunch, because honestly, how can you expect things to be otherwise when you go to the most popular place on the street on Saturday morning?

    (3)

  • Geoff P.

    My SO and I decided to try Cafe Benelux based on the recommendations of several of our Milwaukee-based friends. First off, let me just note HOLY CRAP WHAT A BEER MENU!! Honestly, I'm not sure I have ever seen so many beers available in a single location. I'm still in awe.... Truth be told, it was a little early in the day for both of us to drink too much beer, but that didn't keep my SO from trying one of their killer bloody Mary's, and I did sample a couple of lagers on my way through brunch. The food at Benelux is both creative and relatively inexpensive. I was pleasantly surprised by the food-my past experience has been that restaurants with enormous beer selections often tend to skimp on the food. We were both impressed with both the creativity and quality of the food, and I have to recommend the biscuits and gravy if you ever go there. It is both unique and wildly tasty.

    (4)

  • John C.

    Best burger maybe ever. Not for the faint of heart the Cyclists is bold and not your hippie cousin living in New Mexico's idea of a chili topped burger. Spicy and delicious be sure to have a beer nearby to put out the fire. First time in a long time I actually got mid-rare as requested. Go here eat here drink here its great!

    (5)

  • Russ C.

    Opposite of the majority of reviews for Cafe Benelux, I have not heard many good reviews of this restaurant. I initially went here about a week after it opened and had the slowest service I've ever had to experience. I gave them mulligan considering it had just opened. Last weekend I decided to once again check the place out and sat on a table along the sidewalk. It was a gorgeous sunny afternoon and the street was closed for a local festival, excellent ambiance and people watching. Unfortunately, I once again experienced terribly slow service during a time when there were not many patrons. I was there to relax and to spend a few hours eating and drinking so I tried not to let it bother me. My companion ordered a rather expensive glass of wine which was a favorite of hers. After taking a sip of the wine, she commented that it wasn't what she ordered. While talking to the waitress about it, she comented that they had run out of what she ordered and swapped it with something else. What? We all found it highly unusual that the waitress hadn't come back to ask if my companion wanted something else instead. In addition, what the bar tender swapped it with was less expensive. I want to like this place and give it a good review, but I can't. I'd like to give it 2.5 stars, but 3 stars is too much.

    (2)

  • Russ B.

    Went to the Cafe Benelux for Breakfast. Sat on the rooftop which was great. I had the Mrs. Hollander which was excellent. Being a beer fan I was impressed with their selection of imports. We planned on coming back to the bar after a concert but was disappointed when they were closed at 11:30 after telling us earlier they would be open till 12:00.

    (4)

  • Laura H.

    Mimosas are the right ratio of champagne to orange juice. I just wish their hash browns were actually brown instead of mushy and lukewarm.

    (3)

  • Jeff M.

    Alright, I have a lot of positives, so let's start with the negatives. I went on their second or third day after they opened, so it made sense the service was a little slow and we got someone else's order with the waiter unsure where it really belonged. Which turned into great news for our table, we were able to keep the plate free of charge. And wow, what a great meal it was (that I wouldn't have every tried on my own) - I hate asparagus, but they cooked it into their version of a pancake or crape (I know, I can't remember the fancy name), with an egg and a gravy that made the meal complete. The gravy was made with beer and some other ingredients I can't remember (I normally don't like gravy either, haha, so needless to say - get that!). Alright, the rooftop patio view is so far my favorite in Milwaukee. It doesn't tower over the surrounding buildings, so you are actually somewhat enclosed by the surrounding buildings with space provided by the streets. It really is a great view (assuming you're not facing the Art Institute). The food we did order was very good too, my friend thought some of the food was little too sweet, but I'm not picky if it tastes good! Then at the end of the night, the part that you can dread, the waiter disappears leaving you wonder about the bill or why he needs your credit card for so long. No worries, they have a portable credit card machine, they swipe your card at the end - table side. Very quick, very easy! That's what I call innovation. Check this place out, I really want to stop back for breakfast when the weather gets nicer.

    (4)

  • Dewayne E.

    And got 2 stars because of our server who was nice and kept coming back to check up on us. We waited a very longtime for our food. I figured the kitchen was behind on orders, I guess what I was expecting was a manager to come by and tell us what was taking so long, now we did receive some fries for the table, but no manager to apologize for the long wait. It will be a long time before I go back

    (2)

  • Sarah M.

    I went there with a large group of people (20). Our server was so patient and sweet. As a former server I know how annoying large parties can be. I had the burger bebes which were pretty good and their tater tots were amazing. I would try it again for sure.

    (4)

  • Jesse N.

    We really enjoy the food here but they have a serious shortage of staff during the busy times. Very frustrating when the hostess states 30-40 minute wait when you have 4-5 tables not cleaned off from the previous parties. They need dedicated bussers on staff especially during the weekends to allow the waitstaff to attend to the customers more. Waitstaff shouldn't be clearing tables when its that busy. We saw other customers complaining about the issues as they were seeing the same issues we were. My question is why isn't management seeing it as we are. What a simple problem to cure!!!

    (3)

  • Ali R.

    This was hands down the best breakfast I have ever had.. I ordered the cinnamon strusel french toast and it was honestly the best french toast I have ever eaten. Service is good and so is the coffee... I would definitely recommend if you are in Milwaukee!

    (5)

  • Ellie B.

    Our visit to Cafe Benelux was kind of a mixed bag. The beer and drink selection is fantastic and the layout of the restaurant is totally awesome. It's huge! Our server was delightfully friendly and the service in general was great. I got the black bean burger and frites and thought it was just okay. There was barely any sauce on it, which makes for a dry burger. If I didn't have the garlic aioli sauce for my (delish, as usual) fries it would have been much more unpleasant. I got the traditional bloody mary and it was spicy and great. I wish they served the Frenchie, though, that all of the other Lowlands restaurants carry. My husband got the bacon wrapped meatloaf and he liked it a lot. His order of curry beef soup was terrible, though. Really bland and watery. We split the "crepe" that is banana, nutella, and hazelnut goodness and that was tasty. We might be back, but would probably choose Cafe Centraal over this one.

    (3)

  • Katie S.

    Ho hum. I still take issue with the logistics of how the restaurant is laid out. We walked in on a Saturday around 11 and were very nearly scared off by the seeming teeming hordes of people, but the hostess said only 20 minutes. Ok, no problem. We had a drink at the bar and 2 out of three bartenders were up for a happy Saturday, the third, made it her job to scowl and growl at all her coworkers. We saw someone else eating the tater tots....and we wanted in. We got in, and we was happy we did. They was tasty. Mmmhhhhmmm. Our actual food took almost an 45 minutes to arrive...the table next to us complained and asked for a manager. We weren't in a hurry, and when we didn't give our server hell for it, she was shocked. Hey, it's not her fault if the kitchen's slow. She even told us were were nice...Win for us! We're officially nice people!! Anyway, the food, as usual, was lackluster. Definitely edible, but no spot was hit, no craving satisfied. I had the brie and ham sandwich, he had the oven potato and sausage thing with sauce poured over it. Love the patio. The bloodys are good. The food doesn't do it for me.

    (3)

  • L M.

    Huge portions, which I don't like. Food is fine, but what you get there you can get anywhere.

    (2)

  • Samantha H.

    I love being at this place. The rooftop seating is great and so is all the wood and decor inside. But it loses a star for the food taste. We went here and got some coffees and food on a Sunday morning and there was no wait. We ordered the hodge podge and the breakfast burrito. They were both just ok. The burrito was dry unless the pico sauce was with it and there wasn't enough of the sauce for most of the burrito. The hodge porge was just ok and especially considering the prices both dishes should have been much better.

    (3)

  • Axel A.

    You want to like Café Benelux, with its great location and open air design. And the beer menu, nearly the size of a Bible, certainly lists a lot of great things to like.perhaps it's this great context that makes the food and service such a disappointment. I repeatedly return to Café Benelux in hopes that the next time will be better. The only consistent thing I have found about this restaurant is it's bad service and mediocre food. How hard can it be to make a quiche Lorraine or a decent salad? Just ask the cooks at Café Benelux and They will show you.

    (1)

  • Marc R.

    It is all about the roof here. Ok beer - the house beers were solid. Ok food (a friend who is a chef said it is all freezer bag food). We had a mix of appetizers. They were ok. The mussels were just ok. We liked the mini-burgers and the mega tater tots more than anything - and these might have been out of a bag. Our server was pretty funny, and we all were caught in a rain storm which made it more fun than it might have been. Oh, did I say we were up on the roof? If they did not have a roof, I might have been across the street. The crowd. Very clean people from the burbs mainly and "real" housewives of Milwaukee. It was fun, funny, and again - we were on the roof! It is --- all about the roof here! When the summer is happening - go hang out on the roof.

    (3)

  • Katie H.

    Love this place! Beer list = AMAZING! I love that there are so many beers to chose from and the wait staff is able to make recommendations. Plus, the glasses vary based on what you order, as it should be! I got the Gulden Draak and couldn't have been happier with my choice. The food is good and a little more exciting than your typical bar grub. The grilled cheese was great. The breakfast omelet was also good, although nothing spectacular. I also really like that you can eat on the sidewalk or the rooftop and during the nice weather they also open all the windows so even if you are sitting inside you feel like you are outside in the summer air. The only bummer is that service, especially in the morning is a little lethargic.

    (4)

  • Lisa A.

    Benelux...i feel I'm a little influenced by other reviewers on this one...but here goes. I came for a big family brunch (on my suggestion, no less) during the middle of winter. (Which made their famous rooftop inaccessible.) We sat on the main floor which was fine but very heavy traffic wise. It was near a deli case (which I just found odd..is someone really comin there to pick up a turkey wrap to go? Ok, maybe...) Anyhow...I really like their menu. A lot of yelpers dont seem to like lowlands restaurants, but I always find their food good, interesting, reliable, and not too expensive The service is always pretty friendly, decor is interesting, and then there is also their beer "book". Maybe 20 pages or some insane # of beer varietys. So nice, if ur into that. My issues? My latte, as well as other beverages in our group came out cold. Some food came out a little cold too. I had a sweeter crepe (and the crepe was awesome, plate busting and all-see pic) but it was a little on the Lukewarm too. And I ate only about a 1/5 of it. I would have liked to have boxed it up but they took it away and never offered. The servers were friendly enough, but things seemed a little disorganized. I hate to complain about little things like this....Come July, if I'm on that rooftop sipping a mojito I'll probably overlook all these minor issues, and say its my fav place...but for now, thats my story...

    (3)

  • Michelle K.

    Stopped here for drinks and apps before heading to Summerfest last week. The drink menu was great, apps were delicious, and the service was wonderful. I loved the atmosphere and the decor in the restaurant. The place was happening for a late weekday afternoon. Liked the restaurant so much that we decided to come back the next day for brunch. It was a great decision! There was a 20 minute wait when we arrived even though about half of the tables were open. Instead of waiting, we sat down at a high top at the bar. The waitress came over and offered us a table by the window. It ended up working out great for us that we didn't have to wait for a table! I had one of their unique mimosas and my boyfriend had a bloody mary with bacon in it (can't remember the names of the drinks). They were different. Not bad but after a few sips we were kinda over it and just wanted the original versions of our drinks. For food I had a croissant version of a hollandaise. It was amazing! My boyfriend, who typically likes hot food, had a spicy skillet thing. It was so hot he was feeling it for hours after. Once again, the service was great and we really enjoyed the restaurant. I really liked the european feel to the menu and drinks. I recommend stopping if you are in the area.

    (4)

  • Merete M.

    I feel like this place could easily be a three or even four-star experience, except for a few things that happened to our rather large group. We had ten people for brunch. The wait wasn't terrible - only half an hour, and we could have sat sooner if we'd been willing to sit outside on a blustery, windy, somewhat chilly, day. However, when we were finally seated, it was directly in front of an open beer cooler. The seats farthest away from it immediately filled up, and the rest of us were left with a chill to our backs that we just couldn't shake. Might as well have sat outside under the heat lamps. The menu is different and not very big. I ordered the rolled pannekukken with shredded pork, pears, and whatever else came with it. It was gigantic and delicious! Unfortunately, our server seemed to be getting the silent treatment from her brain on a few things. She brought a bloody mary to one of our friends who had ordered a mimosa. A vegetarian at our table had asked if he could get the breakfast burrito without chorizo - the server said they're pre-assembled (what? who does that with a breakfast burrito??), so she'd check and let him know if they couldn't. When the food was brought out, his burrito had chorizo in it, and another friend's food didn't arrive until several minutes after everyone else's had. When the vegetarian mentioned the problem with his own food, our server looked very confused and said, "You wanted less chorizo, didn't you?" "I'm a vegetarian. I don't eat any meat. You said it was pre-assembled, and that you'd check..." Everyone on their side of the table had heard him say no chorizo, but our server looked as if WE were the crazy ones. Instead of getting a different burrito, he opted for something else on the menu. It was a bit of a fuster cluck. Also, if you order a broiled grapefruit, let me know if they have grapefruit spoons. One of our friends got the grapefruit, and had to fight it with her allotted fork, spoon, and knife - making it kind of a mess. Benelux, you could be great. This just wasn't.

    (2)

  • Derek T.

    I must admit, I used to frequent trips up to Milwaukee from Chicago just to come to this place and get out of the big city. This place has an awesome text book list of beers, your almost guaranteed to find something you haven't tried before. This place turned me on to several different kinds of beers, especially sours. I also love that they have such a cool building with a rooftop patio! This is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy on a sunny day.

    (5)

  • Jonathan R.

    So ok never went my lovely girlfriend brought me a cyclista burger and fries. I only ate half the fries(delicious) and put the rest of the food in the fridge. Well I microwaved it today and I swear it was amazing!!! Also a side note the fries were still crisp OUT OF THE MICROWAVE! How do u make them do that????!!!!! Stuffs always soggy when u microwave it!

    (5)

  • Barb G.

    The food was very bland, the Bloody Mary is mostly Worcestershire sauce, and the service was below par. All of that for $40 for 2 bloodies, 1 eggs benedict and 1 trkey wrap.

    (2)

  • David D.

    We are still fans of Benelux. We like the atmosphere with one exception that I will address in a moment. Your people and the service they provide have always been first rate in our estimation. Your menu feels Belgian and the PEI mussels are a favorite of mine. Wife chooses this place over many others, so this is mostly a "Heads Up", written on her behalf. The last time we stopped for a late afternoon, early evening bite, we were assaulted by head banger music, and wife did not like in the least. We tolerate Europop or current stuff of the milder variety, but hammering music does not belong in any restaurant except maybe Kuma's Korner in Chicago. Take it for what it's worth, but next time we choose to come in, we will first listen before staying.

    (4)

  • J C.

    Loved everything about the place, decor-an urban hip feel, menu, etc. We were there for breakfast, wish it had been later because they have an amazing beer menu (175 listed). Our server was friendly and very informative of the menu, overall service was very good and the food very tasty. I'll be back for beer!

    (4)

  • Kate M.

    I was in Milwaukee for business and stopped in here the last night for dinner. I started with an Autumn rider cocktail, had the ahi tuna appetizer, and the chicken entree. Seriously enjoyed the drink and app. Ambience is a little dark for my taste but I was in heaven with my meal. I'll likely come back here the next time I'm in town.

    (4)

  • Dave S.

    Old Rasputin. If u know u know. My liquid brunch special. For everyone else, eggs will do I spose. Great vibe here. Awesome staff.

    (5)

  • Jon D.

    4 Stars for this cute little brunch place with a TON of outdoor seating, dog friendly side patio, and an extensive drink/brunch menu. While a little more expensive than some other fare enjoyed around town, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Starting with my only qualms with the place, the iced coffee was a bit "meh," and the service was a mite slow, although I'm going to contribute this to the place being packed, during Summerfest Sunday. Also the hasbrowns looked anemic. I had the BELT, essentially a BLT with fried eggs, that were cooked perfectly, on good bread with a garlic aioli. She seemed pleased with her polenta, and our companions were wrapped up (pun!) with a giant pannenkoken, which was sweet, but it a very subtle way. A grownup sweet, if you will. The menu had a good balance of sweet and savory, but I feel they could have a better set up on the menu. Does that really matter? Probably not, but its something I noticed. Although I wasn't drinking, I did try the others booze, which was well made, predictable at times, but otherwise creative and interesting. I only wish I had time to go down that cocktail menu.

    (4)

  • Shannon H.

    I wish I could give this place at least 4 stars; I want to love it. But, unfortunately, I don't. The food is good, atmosphere/ patio is great! The problem with this place is the service...er, lack thereof. It's a shame.

    (3)

  • Laura L.

    Raw chopped salad blew me away. I wasn't expecting that kind of sophistication from the Third Ward, which is contrived and lacks personality.

    (4)

  • Lindsay L.

    I made a reservation for a Monday night for a group of 11 and last minute, upon walking in, I had to change the reservation for which the staff was extremely friendly and accommodating. They have a nice menu, quite a few selection depending if you're interested in salads, sandwiches or entrees. The beer selection and summer cocktails are extremely well crafted and refreshing. The crab and lobster salad was bright on the tongue and refreshing, but I was not extremely please with the 'blah' flavor of my grilled romaine and chicken salad. The key lime lemonade cocktail was perfect for sitting on the patio on a nice summer night. The waiter was patient with our group of 11 indecisive girls. The location is excellent, the drink are good and the food is just ok. I'd go back again but it certainly wasn't anything to write home about.

    (3)

  • Julia M.

    This place had me all hot and bothered ever since it opened. Siren call of the roof seating, a see-and-be-seen setting, and the European Hipster food options. Oh, yes. Yet--I never went. If it sounds too good to be true, it is, I told myself. I knew the price to pay (way above the slightly overpriced eats) would include an endless wait for a table and sloth-like service. I never went, that is, until today--and I'm glad I did. Seated right away on a busy Saturday afternoon. Waitress was friendly and efficient. Food came out 10-15 minutes after ordering. The big pancake thing with eggs and asparagus was great and hardly overpriced, given that it was the size of a medium pizza. Don't know if this was my lucky day, or if service improved in recent months, but Cafe Benelux is a risk worth taking.

    (4)

  • Dana G.

    BLEGGHHHH coffee. The food was okay, though my sandwich was half warm/half cold. The bread was stale. Blagh. Service wasn't exceptional. The interior of this place is SO COOL and it's such a waste.

    (3)

  • Brian C.

    great bloodies, delicious French toast and brunch, nice outdoor seating, friendly staff

    (4)

  • Lisa E.

    I went to Benelux last night and was not impressed with the bartender. He was pretty inattentive and we waited 10 minutes before he took our order. We also had to ask for water twice before getting any. The bar was not that busy either. It seems like everyone I know loves this place but I don't see what's special about it.

    (2)

  • Jeffrey S.

    Definatly a cool place, the variety of beer in AWSOME ! The food not so much ... The grilled chicken sandwich .... B o r I n g ....the spicy hamburger , as you can see.... Forgettable . I would go back for the roof top seating and the beer and maybe an appetizer ... Maybe.

    (2)

  • john s.

    Horrible service by sever name Lexus. Waited 30+mins for just one plate of food and fries. Not even an apology. Only to tell us it's been a minute I should go check on your food! Table seated after us finished their food before we even got ours.

    (1)

  • Brian G.

    Breakfast burrito was amazing. Service was excellent. Ambiance pleasant. We came here on a Saturday morning and it really got hopping around 10 for brunch. Old factory feel - lots of wood. Brewing on sight and an amazing selection of beers.

    (5)

  • Jamie Z.

    Had dinner here last Friday night. Nice menu selection. Beer selection is arguably the best in town. Looking forward to trying it again. Gave it 3 stars, but I can see it being 4. I had the walleye sandwich and it was pretty good. Frites were good. Dining companions said their entrees were good as well.

    (3)

  • Ami R.

    Great chicken chili and burger. Excellent use of spices, flavors and textures. Went at an off hour... Service was attentive and very positive. Good serving size. A yummy lunch indeed.

    (5)

  • Stephanie K.

    This is a great place to hang out with friends for late night chat. Its cozy and intimate but there is plenty of space. They have a great drink menu and fun bar food that is available late. The hot coco was great and served in a large mug with extra whip. I really liked the tots served with Siracusa mayo. This is a limited review due to my limited experience, but I liked this place.

    (4)

  • Jess O.

    What a great building. I love this location, ambiance, decor, all of it. There is a great beer selection and the bloody marys looked awesome. We had excellent service and the place was welcoming of children. I just wish the food was slightly better. I love the salads but some of the sandwiches seem to be missing something. Other menu items appeared to be trying to hard. The special burger on the menu had nearly 10 ingredients on it.

    (3)

  • David M.

    Our breakfast was fine. We had quinoa with 2 eggs over easy, roasted tomatoes, and squash and eggs benedict with lox. The latte and coffee could be better. There were lots of happy faces so don't be scared away by any means. ;-)

    (3)

  • Jelly R.

    We came here for drinks, and also ordered a cone of pommes frites with garlic aioli dipping sauce. The beer menu is extensive (although none of us ordered any), and the cocktails were great. I highly recommend the honeycrisp martini, with its warm, gingery notes. The absinthe, although still decent, was a little "off": no special silver utensil, no sugar cube, and didn't taste as if it had been prepared that way, either. . . it didn't have the right anise taste I've come to expect, and seemed a little watered down. This is the same restaurant group that owns Trocadero, Cafe Centraal, etc. Like its sister restaurants, it too has a unique, welcoming atmosphere (seems a bit like a more upscale, restaurant-y version of the Alterra on the lake). Service was great-- our waiter was very friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive, and seemed to enjoy working there. Cafe Benelux, which is in the Third Ward (across from the Wicked Hop) is a good place to go with a few friends for a low key night out.

    (4)

  • Mim M.

    pretty good food here. loved the tater tots and frites in a cone!

    (4)

  • Ally C.

    Service was poor and slow. Unique/small menu that I had a hard time finding something I'd actually end up wanting to eat. It was still "Brunch" even at 3PM on a Saturday, which didn't make me happy because I'm not a huge breakfast food fan. Food was bland and nothing impressive.

    (2)

  • Kristina K.

    Not a good experience at all. This is one dinner and 24 hours that I wish I could have back. The positives: the patio upstairs is amazing, a perfect spot to enjoy a cocktail, the sun, and view of the Third Ward. However, this is where it ends. The food is absolutely disgusting. I ordered the Benelux salad and added steak medallions. Everything seemed to be well prepared. Candied walnuts, blue cheese, what could go wrong? It appears the steak was the worst choice of my life. I started tasting an odd and strong "fish-y" taste to the meat. I had my partner also taste it to double check, maybe I was crazy? Nope, there was an agreement that the meat tasted like old, rotten fish. I spoke with the server, she was amazing, very understanding and apologetic. Without question she took the added steak off the final bill. But I became concerned with how sick I might get and others in the restaurant. Upon leaving, I spoke to the manager and he seemed rather blasé...He insisted that it was impossible for the lettuce to be bad. I explained very politely that it most definitely was not the lettuce, but for sure the steak. Either the meat was rotten or the oil it was cooked in was rancid. The manager seemed to doubt me still, suggesting that perhaps the meat was cooked alongside fish (??But that doesn't sound right either! Who would cook steak next to fish??) I just ended the conversation suggesting that he take a look into what the situation was in the kitchen. Just writing this review is making me nauseous again. So unfortunate that a kitchen could be so sloppy in such a prime location.

    (1)

  • Christina L.

    I wasn't expecting to like Cafe Benelux based upon recent experiences at other Lowland Group restaurants (Cafe Hollander on Downer has progressively gone downhill for awhile). However, we were looking for a brunch spot on black friday and this was what we came up with. The good: The spicy bloody mary (aka morning rooster). I'm quite picky about blood marys and this one was very good. The spice and heat level was spot on. The ok: I ordered the spinach feta omelet. It was ok, but had a TON of goat cheese folded into it. The not so good: Mimosa was basically expensive orange juice with hardly any champagne. My dining partner ordered the pannenkoeken which was too thick and overcooked Overall, it was decent and a place I'd go to for breakfast on a day outside of the normal brunch days or if I'm heading to the 3rd ward, but not a place I'd go out of my way to on a Sunday.

    (3)

  • Elizabeth H.

    I've always been a fan of the Lowlands Group restaurants and if you've been to any of their other spots, Benelux fits right in. Great Belgian beer selection and a pretty good menu. I guess you could honestly just say it's a bigger Cafe Hollander. Milwuakee's brunch spots are limited so Benelux makes the cut for top 3 favorite brunch spots due to the fact that they... 1) Have good Bloodies! I got the Stinking Rose which is a garlic infused bloody...yumm! 2) Feature a great breakfast menu selection...I got the salmon benedict...also super yum! 3) Are open early...I believe they open at 8 4) Create a great atmosphere that works whether I'm there for brunch with my parents after church or hungover with my girlfriends after a crazy night out. They do fill up quite early which sort of sucks. Not sure how they are with reservations but I got there around 11:30 last Sunday and there was a 35 minute wait. Long story short... worth a visit :)

    (4)

  • J P.

    Yes, I'm a returning fan. Once again love the beer selection and the service I received. Got a chance to sit outside on a beautiful day with a fine beer. That's life! Had the salmon salad for the first time; it was alright. Next time a probably just stick to the pork belly sliders and 2 pounds of muscles!

    (4)

  • C D.

    I loved this place so much. I was immediately attracted to the cute patio area. I love outdoor dining, especially in such a nice setting. The food was absolutely wonderful. Definitely order the hummus...it's a delicious homemade recipe, and the fried dough they give you for dipping is out of this world. It's seriously the best appetizer I've had in awhile. I also really enjoyed my portabella mushroom sandwich with fries. Yum! The service was great and all of the staff members I encountered were very pleasant and helpful. The only downside I can think of is that the inside seemed really loud and hectic. I don't think I would have enjoyed eating inside at all.

    (4)

  • Ron T.

    Food was OK. Had Quiche Lorraine. My wife makes it better. Our server was probably the most inattentive server, in the last 10 years. I left a 10% tip, which I never do. Usually 20%. Usually not impressed with Milwaukee restaurants, and this is worse than usual.

    (2)

  • Lucas H.

    Neat-o Belgian beer and restaurant.

    (4)

  • Tee G.

    Benelux must be Dutch for "This Place is Ginormous". I've had drinks here before & the service was polite, but I wanted to actually have a meal here before I wrote a review. My 18yr old son & 4 of his buddies from college were visiting for a weekend, so The Sweetie & I decided to take them out to dinner here. Since we had 5 college aged young men with us, we figured there would be plenty of space for us (and enough food to attempt to fill them all up) at Benelux. The waitress was perky and polite, but I think she just had too many tables with 4+ people in her section for her to be able to be properly attentive to all of them. Each of us was able to find an appetizer or entree that suited our liking, including one of the college buddies who is a vegetarian, and me, who was trying to find something that was semi-healthy. Note that I said "semi", because I ordered french fries for an appetizer (to share with the dudes, of course). I had an idea that they would be hot, fresh cut fries; what I got instead were more like 'potato straw' french fries. Not terrible, but not my favorite. I didn't finish them. Each of the fellers was pleased with his meal though (likely in part because I was paying for it), but I must've misread the menu because the salmon salad I ordered came with a bazillion dried sour cherries in it. The waitress saw me picking them out & kindly took the salad back & had them remake it without them. Yay. I give Benelux 3 stars not because it lacks in ambiance or location; it was just an A-OK meal overall. I'm not a fan of the french fries (maybe I'll try the sweet potato fries next time?) and the salad wasn't wildly outstanding or anything. We all had a good time and would definitely try Benelux again.

    (3)

  • Tanner J.

    Definitely my favorite spot for brunch! A decent menu and great drinks. Prices are decent, and the food is delicious. The usual mix of people on a Sunday brunch; hungover young professionals, some families, and occasionally college age people. The service can sometimes be slow, but only when they are swamped. Always had the nicest waitstaff, even when they are covering more than their share of tables. Oh, and when the weather gets nice, they have a rooftop deck!

    (4)

  • Jordan S.

    I was a little reluctant to go here after reading the unfavorable reviews of the service, and after a bad experience myself with the service at the cafe hollander on downer. The service did not disappoint however. It was the server's first day back after a 6+ month hiatus, and she was one of the best servers I've ever had in any restaurant. Ordered the Benelux salad, which you can never go wrong with (based on three times ordering at cafe hollander on downer and now here), and the 4 4oz beer sampler, which is a great deal if you want to try a wide array of their beer on tap without breaking the bank and the mind (belgian brews tend to be a bit potent). The server let us have a taste of two of the sour beers they have on tap, further confirming my belief that they are the worst thing ever conceived, but she did recommend one that I should try sometime, which is different than those, but still in the sour beer genre. One last thing: I do not agree with those who say "tried one Lowland's group restaurant, tried 'em all". I found the atmosphere here to be much nicer than cafe hollander on Downer, so don't believe that you won't find a new experience here if you've already been to cafe hollander.

    (4)

  • Kyle C.

    Absolutely loved the outside roof top for brunch. Amazing drink selection of beers and bloody's. The food and service is amazing as well. Love the location in the Historic Third Ward.

    (4)

  • April W.

    We decided to shop in the market area and happened into this place and have a drink and ended up staying for dinner. The service was great. I have been into trying new beers and the server was very helpful suggesting things he thought that I would like and he was right on point with all three of his suggestions. We sat in the bar area and he was very patient with us sitting for awhile and nursing our drinks. We were having such a nice time and were intrigued by the menu that we decided to stay for dinner. I had the sliders and they were great! I was visiting Milwaukee, but would go back to this place in a heartbeat and recommend it to any tourists that decide to visit the area. Its way better than the typical Wisconsin chain places.

    (4)

  • James E.

    This is my favorite place to go in Milwaukee. The atmosphere is great, everything I've ordered on the menu has been spectacular. Great brunch, with a bloody of course. My personal favorite is the meatloaf. Yup I said it MEATLOAF - dayum good.

    (5)

  • Laura F.

    When is yelp going to provide us the option of half stars?! Well, the reason I say that is because I would really like to give Benelux 3.5 stars. Amazing location, beautiful space - inside and out, very friendly service on our visit, great drinks. Food - eh. It's fine. It's not bad. It's just like eating at Hollander or Centraal. Pretty good, nothing amazing, kind of expensive. I really enjoyed my bloody mary. (I forgot the name of it, but it had chipotle vodka, yum). And the cheese curd is a nice touch. The beer menu, like at Centraal, is very appealing. I will go back, but I won't get too excited about the food.

    (4)

  • Aaron Y.

    We went here for brunch on New Years Eve and had a great experience. Our server definitely made us fee welcome and the food we ordered was good. I had the Haarlem Pannenkoeken (a huge crepe with two eggs, hash browns, tomato, and hollandaise sauce). I couldn't finish it and that is a rarity for me. I'd skip the poutine though. If you're in the mood for that French-Canadian dish hit up the Red Dot. Just like the other Lowlands establishments the beer selection is immense and the mark-up is just as big.

    (3)

  • Rich P.

    Stopped in here for a quick bite- we were hoping to sit rooftop but the wait was just too long. My appetite got the better of me so we ended up sitting inside near the stairs- Great natural lighting from the windows up top. Our waitress/bussers were on the ball and super courteous. The fondue mussels were awesome- they were swimmering in a rich cream broth- and I was super hungry, craving just this dish. It did not disappoint. The pannenkoeken was surprisingly tasty- we ordered the brussels pannenkoeken which is a huge crepe like dish with fried eggs, asparagus and salty pancetta on top. Did I mention the pancetta was salty?? I would substitute the pancetta for bacon if I ever relived this experience.

    (3)

  • Russell B.

    Visited with a large group of 8 without reservations on a Saturday early evening. They were able to accommodate us with 2 separate tables next to each other. Service was great. The place was packed as expected on a Saturday but drinks arrived quickly. Food menu was was not huge, which I kind of like every now and again. The sandwich I got was good, plenty o flavor. Beer list of 30 plus pages, was very impressive. They even had a section o sour beers, which I love and is hard to come by.

    (4)

  • robert k.

    I love the location and the beer selection, but the problem is the food just doesn't stack up, I think they don't even care because people keep lining up. I also like to have my food served hot, i don't think that is asking for too much but seldom have i had my meal served hot, nothing worse than eggs served cold. Also they don't have hash browns they have fried potatoes instead, must be easier to dead fry them than to take the time to cook some good browns. If you stick to the bloodies and the beer , the bar is 5 stars, you want good food, it is 2.

    (2)

  • Kate B.

    3 stars even feels a bit generous. But in warm months the patio option is great, so that bumped it up a bit. Hmm where to begin. I have two main gripes with this place... Service and food. The service here is EXTREMELY inconsistent. I have eaten here 4 times and had 1 great server and 3 terrible servers. On almost every visit the staff seem very confused, like no one knows what is going on. The hostesses don't know where to seat you. The servers don't know if you are "their" table or not. The bartenders just don't see you? You never really know what your going to get with the service, but I would suggest going in with low expectations and maybe you'll get lucky and be pleasantly surprised. On my first visit, our server was great and really made the whole experience... It just so happens that this was also the visit when the food was by far the best. As for the food... It all sounds so good on the menu, but is VERY mediocre.. Not bad by any means, but based on the menu descriptions it disappoints. If you can get a good spot on the patio... It's perfect for a yummy Belgian beer on a warm day. Food can be good... The whole place is just hit or miss. Cafe Centraal (another Diablos Rojos location) definitely puts our better (very similar) food.

    (3)

  • Kelly K.

    I'm changing my review to 2.5 stars or maybe 3 stars because I had a really good brunch here when I was hungover. Really good coffee and great hangover food choices. As I said before, really great outdoor seating. We sat outside in the summer rain under the overhang and that was really cool.

    (3)

  • Nick M.

    It's a great looking place with a sweet rooftop view looking down on the 3rd ward. It's a nice place for those who don't mind paying a premium for this view. This isn't really my kind of place though. Most of my downtown outings are group happy hours with friends. We lost folks quickly today when they showed up here and found that beers cost $7-$8 and there was no happy hour. It's hard to justify when many downtown bars are selling $3 beers at happy hour. I could have gone 3 stars and just called it a bad fit for my group outing. But service was also really slow today which caused some grumbling--so I give it 2 stars. I enjoyed checking it out and loved the rooftop view. But I won't visit regularly. I don't think they'll miss me though--I'm not really part of the high-end crowd they cater too.

    (2)

  • Kim S.

    We went here for lunch today. Very nice atmosphere and great service. We had the tater tot appetizer after reading a Yelp review. Not like a tater tot at all. It was mashed potatoes with blue cheese and bacon, breaded and deep fried. Great idea but a little bland. They served a siracha mayo on the side which really went well with. Very pricey at $9.00. We also had the Pork Belly Cuban Sandwich, which was extremely good. The combination went well together and the pork belly melted in your mouth. It was a very generous portion and it comes with either fries, sweet potato, soup or salad. $12.95. I ordered the beer battered walleye sandwich. The fish was delicious but a very small portion. The roll it came was twice the size of the fish. They really need to find a different type of roll to compliment the fish. It was as hard as a rock and inedible. Doubtful that we'll ever go back here again. It was just good but nothing exceptional.

    (3)

  • Christopher M.

    3 stars for the food and 4 stars for the atmosphere and the rooftop tables. Tip: I heard they validate parking if you use the public market lot. The best part about sitting aside? Getting to look down at the people outside the wicked hop and at the public market. Ha. Their lunch menu was a little underwhelming. You get the typical sandwiches and burgers and maybe 5 entrees to choose from. The food was fine and good but I didn't find anything defining. I like to tell people "you have to go to X and try Y" and there was no doing that for Benelux. The beer selection was also solid, even if the waitresses couldn't talk much about them (ask for the beer menu).

    (3)

  • Patti A.

    Ok, so my husband and I have tried burgers at many places and it's always difficult to find a good burger at a restaurant. Benelux does it right, awesome burgers! If you order medium rare, guess what, you will actually get medium rare. We always compare burgers from other places to them.

    (5)

  • Andrew B.

    After work dinner & drinks at 5:15 or so on a Wednesday. Sunny day, roof deck seating. Sun is at a tough angle for some seating, at least at this time of year, but is blocked by neighboring buildings by 5:45 or so. Service was pleasant. Not super speedy, but not slow as noted in some other reviews. Excellent beer selection of course. Wish the dinner menu was a bit more robust, but it works well for parties with vegetarians, as ours had; there are several vegetarian options. Check was separated into three at the end of the meal, no pain, no complaints.

    (4)

  • Joey P.

    The beer selection is very large and very overpriced. The food selection is kinda average size but the portion sizes have decreased in size, since they have opened. I used to love this place when they opened and the portions were large. Something I appreciate with a high metabolism. Service was slow, last time I went there, actually was served by like 3 different waiters. The outdoor patio is nice, honestly next time, I would probably just get a water and split some fries, while sitting on the rooftop, if I go back.

    (3)

  • Mike O.

    Large restaurant with plenty of outdoor space in a lovely little neighborhood of old Milwaukee, the old 3rd ward historic district, replete with walkable blocks and cyclable pedal-taverns. Visited this place on a hot summer evening, a little too hot to sit outdoors in one of the few remaining outdoor seat that was exposed to the unremitting evening sunset. The beer list here is expansive (which always make me want to test it for it's soft spots until I get the response, "oh, we're out of that one," but I had a fine local pale ale, cheap in all it's provincial splendor. The food here was solid, good bar food. I had the tater tots, which were more like fried potato fritters. Good, but not a tot. The sriracha-mayo dipping sauce was delightfully spicy, and good for dipping the frites that came with my black bean burger, which was messy but tasted very, very good. The benelux salad was nothing to scream home about, it was fine. Overall, it seemed like this place was bar food done up nice. Some nice elements here, the perfect place to visit in the summer with friends. And the beer list seemed quality, as a Milwaukee beer list ought to. Satisfied.

    (3)

  • Jaime G.

    Two Gay guys visiting from San Francisco were told about this place from a very cool Lesbian in Madison. She was right. This place is great. Visiting from Quake City we had no idea where to go in Brew City. This was very good food. They had a very tasty Black Bean burger. And the beer was A-W-S-O-M-E. However, our server was even more awesome. He took time to talk to us and even helped us figure out where the Bronze Fonze is. We never made it to the Bronze Fonze. However, like I told my boyfriend. We should have something to look forward to when we visit Brew City next time...the Fonze and Benelux are on the agenda.

    (5)

  • Maria S.

    I know, this is my third review of this place and I hate to down grade a restaurant, I really do, but I feel like it's necessary. If there was a 2.5 I would give it because I HATE rating with a 2 star, but this is two visits in a row now I have been SUPER disappointed. I just feel like they have got to get their service up to par. This is the midwest, we are used to fast and super friendly service! I'm sorry Benelux but waiting 35 plus minutes for a drink is not ok. I brought my friend here to try their Stinky Rose bloody mary and a few people ordered food. We were seated and didn't see a waitress for 10 minutes. "They are busy", I said, and tried to be optimistic. Our waitress took our order and then about 30 minutes later we got our drinks delivered by someone other than her. Total we had about 6 people waiting, clearing and visiting out table and yet it was the slowest service I have ever had. Now, I'm one to be leisurely over a cocktail but this was just too much. We had a friend join our group late and I warned her it might be a while until she got a drink. She ordered and said, why don't you bring the check with the drink. Ten minutes later out walks the check and 15 minutes AFTER THAT her drink came. Here's the thing, I know the food is pretty good, and the outdoor seating is great, and maybe, just maybe if I wasn't entertaining out of town guests I might not have been so annoyed, but frankly, they have been open for over a year, and I think because they are still packed every night they haven't worked on their efficiency. I really hope you work on this Benelux, cause I like you, I really do, but I'm just not THAT patient.

    (2)

  • Sadie T.

    I enjoyed my recent visit. There were not a lot of vegetarian options. I ordered the black bean burger (exact same as cafe hollander). It was about 70% bigger than my last meal at cafe hollander - the burger was gigantic and the pile of fries was more like a mountain. Overall good flavor. My dad, who met me for lunch, ordered the chicken salad with a potato salad side. I tried his potato salad, and definitely did not care for it, very bland. The waitress was friendly and attentive (though at 2pm on a Monday, we may have been her only table, but she was not too attentive). Only downside? Dirty glasses. We had to send 1 water glass and 1 tea cup back. Yuck.

    (4)

  • Caley C.

    Had to update my review as Benelux has definitely improved in my eyes. The service: much better on my most recent visit. The server actually seemed to know the menu well, and suggested some great additions - try the basil aoili! yum! The seating: Still haven't made it to the rooftop (someday!) but tried the larger patio seating under the awning out front, much preferred to the sort of cramped area on the other side of the ground floor. Felt much more like a planned part of the restaurant. The food: After once deviating to try a dismal ham and cheese panini thing, this time I wisely stuck with my ol' favorite: the Sprocket. This burger is not for the faint of heart, but damn, it is delicious. Word to the wise though: DON'T get an appetizer beforehand. Though the bitterballen are always solid, I then had to wrap up some of my delicious cheese, bacon and duck fat fried egg burger (on a m-f-ing pretzel bun!!) as my stomach doth protest too much. I doubt I'll ever try dessert here given how filling the initial courses are, but that's a-ok with me. I come here for the fat-oozing burgers and overwhelmingly awesome array of dipping sauces for my fries.

    (4)

  • Travis J.

    Same stuff from trocadero, hollander etc. Nothing exited about this chain of restaurant.. Boring

    (2)

  • Kristina K.

    I've come here once a year for the past few years when we stay with our friend for Summerfest. This place never disappoints and this was was no different. We got some different appetizers such as the mozzarella/tomato skewers, hummus dip and fried calamari. The first two are pretty self explanatory and they were good but we loved the fried spicy peppers in the calamari. The drink menu is ample and has lots of unique drinks, beers and cocktails are to be found here. Our friend ordered the frambois beer, which was a french raspberry beer that was super tasty. Overall, unique drinks and good food with good service. We like coming here, especially on the restaurant rooftop. Its open late and never seems to disappoint.

    (4)

  • Osmond S.

    Had an excellent time at Benelux this past Sunday. To set the stage, my head was pounding, my eyes bloodshot, and my throat parched. So I was in absolutely NO mood to wait around for a table, nor did I have patience for crappy service. After a great weekend in Milwaukee, I also was hoping it would end well. Thankfully, this place didn't disappoint. We were seated promptly, in the upstairs patio. The drinks came out right away and made me feel a whole lot better. The "Hair of the dog" remedy was successful. Next up, the food. The Taters Tots are ridiculously good, especially with the Sriracha Mayo. Seriously, this is going to be an obligatory pick for me every time I go back. I noticed they don't really have an extensive vegetarian selection, so I asked about a veggie burger and was told they could make it for me if required. That's what I ultimately went with and was very pleased. The fries with the Curry Ketchup (I think that's what it's called) was really good. The only downside here was the Bloody Mary. Compared to places like Uber, Taproom, the Bloodies here are several notches down. But I wasn't in much shape to complain, so I kept drinking. All things considered though, we had a great time here and were very glad we choose Benelux. Will definitely have to come back again.

    (4)

  • Mark D.

    We wanted a good solid place to have some bloodies and cholesterol improving egg dishes after drinking too much scotch the night before. Benelux fit the bill. I was sufficiently in need of carbs and various other unhealthy ingredients that I had the hodge podge. Great way to get my day going even if the Packer game later did disappoint. Some of the other reviewers have bashed the service but we had no problem- allowing for how busy the place was. A little wait but there was room in the bar to get started before the main event. One of our group had the salmon benedict and said it was very good. I have it in mind to try that when I go back.

    (3)

  • Rafael U.

    Best Breakfast I've Ever Had! Seriously I went to Milwaukee 3 years ago and I still think about it!

    (5)

  • Allison F.

    Can we all agree that Cafe Benelux has some darn good Bloody's? The brunch menu is pretty awesome too, whether you want to go sweet or savory. And the frites with the housemade dipping sauces? It's like I'm back in Amsterdam. Make sure you give Cage Benelux a fair chance!

    (4)

  • Betsy K.

    I urge you to stay home and make your own chicken sandwich. What a joke! The service was fine. The beer was good. But the food was beyond disappointing. At this point, I have written off Lowlands restaurants in general. Ever been to Cafe Hollander in Tosa Village? No? Well, good for you! Keep it that way.

    (1)

  • Carolyn H.

    After a long night of drinking and dancing at a wedding, I need a morning pick me up. I ordered the southsider Bloody Mary and quiche Lorraine. The bloody was really, really delicious. I consider myself a Bloody Mary snob, because Milwaukee has so many good ones. This one sits up in the top 10%. The food was delicious as well. I honestly had no idea what I ordered, I was more concerned with the alcohol. I was very satisfied with my tipsy choice. The service was fast and friendly, good prices, large selection, amazing patio... What more could you ask for?

    (5)

  • Hollina U.

    Came here for a rooftop brunch on a Saturday morning-- it was nice, except for the construction going on nearby for the first 20 minutes that I was there, so that I could hear a constant clanging every few seconds. I ordered a biermosa on advice of the waitress, which made me very happy-- who knew beer and orange juice would be so good together? Fresh squeezed orange juice that was a bit pulpy and just so refreshing on a warm morning. Had the duck skillet poutine--- my first time trying Wisconsin cheese curds--- so delicious! I definitely enjoyed this dish and ate until I felt like I was about to burst. The dish came out pretty fast, just about 5-10 minutes after I ordered it. I would definitely come back here and try more of the beers on their extensive menu or try the elderflower mimosa next... and the rest of the food on their Belgium/German/Luxembourg menu looks great!

    (4)

  • Christina R.

    I have such mixed feelings about Benelux. The atmosphere and environment is just awesome and the rooftop patio couldnt be a better option for a summer brunch or drinks after work. The beer selection is wonderful and they have a brand new beer on tap that they are the first in the country to have. So kudos to Benelux on that. However, I feel like every time I go to Benelux, the menu items sound so good and even look so good but the food misses the mark. The last menu item I tried was the veggie burger and was nothing to be missed. The sweet potato fires are good not great and the strawberry cucumber salad is literally just strawberries and cucumbers on a plate. I'll come back here because it's a hell of a lot better than Wicked Hop and a good location to go with friends. I really want to give more, but you deserve 3 stars Benelux.

    (3)

  • Frank W.

    Great selection of beers & one of the best rooftop patios in Milwaukee. They seem to move people through very quickly.

    (5)

  • Jog S.

    Why, oh why did we not heed the reviews?! We would have been fine if all we were going for was drinks. We went on a Friday night, looking for a fish fry. It was 7:30 and the place was half empty. That should have been a clue. The greasy, heavy breading on the fish was gross. Cole slaw was interesting with ginger in it. The other meals that friends ordered were average. Drinks maybe, but never again for food!

    (2)

  • Scott S.

    Visited a friend in Mulwaukee, and he knows of my interest in beer. The restaurant is large with both indoor and rooftop seating. The beer selection, at least coming from Texas, was very impressive. That being said, I have a knack for ordering beers on the menu that places do not have in stock. With a selection of what appeared to be well over 200 beers in bottles and draught, I believe I picked three different times to no avail. Granted, I was eventually brought a Hannsen's Geueze that was no longer in the system, and ended up being charged less than retail for it. We had brunch, very good french toast, which was aided by a great view and nice weather. I believe my friend enjoyed his eggs. This would be a good place to bring anyone from out of town, and also a nice selection for locals.

    (3)

  • Kristin R.

    Had a short wait for a table. Today was not your typical Wisconsin spring day. Cold, windy, & 'raining sideways' best describes it! Coffee was excellent! And so was the food! I had the market omelette and the Rad Barbie Bloody Mary. Wow! Highly recommend. Also shared the pecan Carmel Cinnamon Roll. I will definitely come back!

    (5)

  • Alli W.

    After a less than stellar start to our day, we kind of found Cafe Benelux on accident and we are so happy that we did! The environment in this place is so bright and different. It's cooler than most places we ever go in Chicago. We opted to wait about 15 minutes for a table up on the roof top and enjoyed a pint at the bar. They were out of a few things, but the selection was so vast that we didn't mind one bit. The brunch selections were great and I will make it a point to come back here again the next time we are in Milwaukee!

    (5)

  • Elizabeth R.

    Delicious brunch food. The breakfast potatoes were perfectly seasoned (fair warning, that probably means they're too salty to others), and it has an open atmosphere that doesn't leave you stumbling over the table next to you. My mimosa was the best mimosa I'd had in a long time. My only complaint is there was too much food on the plate: I took more than half home.

    (4)

  • Kimberly J.

    For the love of god; what does it take to get an order correct?? Like, ever. There were four of us who met here for lunch/brunch. My best friend had shells in her eggs Benedict. SHELLS. Not so awesome. My omelette came out pseudo warm and with an extra ingredient I didn't ask for and got charged for. the potatoes faired much worse. Significantly less warm. Aka cold. A 50% fail rate for the group. Not so awesome. Yes, it's Sunday. Yes it's brunch. Yes it's busy as hell. However: if your back of the house is that slammed, maybe consider a halt on seating people and let them catch up. At 13 bucks for a cheddar, sausage omelette it better be pretty effing spectacular. Our server flat out sucked. Really sucked. Bitchy would be an understatement. I can see how ordering food was inconvenient for her at her job as a server. I also enjoyed my half full cup of coffee with no creamer, milk or sweetener options at our table for 20 minutes. When we asked another server if she could please bring us creamer, that server also threw major attitude and said she'd get our server for us. Thanks. That was helpful. I tried to order an omelette slightly different from the menu ( as I have celiac) but was told straight up NO from her. Literally couldn't place an order different from the ones on the menu. Ugh. Okay. Again. I get it. But I have food allergies. And I was super nice about asking. After that I spoke to a manager and he was super nice. Was able to order the omelette for me and was very apologetic. Greatly appreciated. As for our server; Everyone has off days, I get it. But this was really bad. For me this was the at least my 9th visit there and it's sort of the same scenario over and over. Which is a bummer. I'll stick to centraal.

    (1)

  • Liz A.

    The perch fish fry is AWFUL. Three of us ordered it and three of us sent it back. The waitress advised us that it was lake perch...It definitely was not lake perch. The waitress argued with us and then offered their cod or haddock. Not much better. When the server brought the new fish he had an angry look on his face, never said hello or enjoy...just dropped the platter on the table and left. Come on people, have some courtesy with your customers...

    (1)

  • Joyce S.

    Came here with a group of friends in from out of town. We waited about 45 min on a Saturday afternoon for a table but were able to grab seats at the bar and enjoyed a pretty great Bloody Mary. Food is good, love the ambiance of the bar and of course love the location right in the heart of the 3rd Ward. Will go back for sure.

    (4)

  • Annie M.

    I actually wish I could justify ranking this place higher...the service was amazing, awesome beer list, very cool rooftop, but the entree items just weren't up to par. I ordered the fish sandwich and fries. Although it started out great, about half way through it got extremely fishy. The sauces the fries game with were out of this world though-- definitely remember to order at least one special dipping sauce while you're there! I would definitely go back, but wouldn't order anything with fish again.

    (3)

  • Lorraine N.

    I developed a little crush on our server Derek. He was absolutely charming and entertaining. So much fun for our Wednesday morning. He actually is a 5 star server and helped me bump my entire experience here up a star. Yep he is that good. We were advised to go here from a younger local and I can see why it is a hit with the crowd that goes out and drinks a lot and then gets up for breakfast and wants a large portion of savory flavors. They tend to lean towards savory breakfast choices and less sweet. I wanted a plain dutch pancake and that was not an option. I decided on the a breakfast sandwich of egg, ham, croissant, and a cheese sauce. It was meh---10.00 and huge and served alongside some dry potatoes. This place has a ton of beer choices. I would rather go and just drink beer. I feel like all my food was pre-made and then just microwaved. I also wanted more traditional breakfast food on a cold cold morning. Was not my cup of tea but can see why people like it.

    (4)

  • Mimi C.

    Just what we were looking for! We walked from the Hotel on the river walk which is a only a little over a half mile from our Hotel, The Inter Continental Milwaukee. Great DT location if you're looking for a place to stay. It was very reasonably priced and with a priority club membership we were automatically upgraded to a larger room. Back to the Breakfast - We started with the Beignet's covered in powdered sugar. The chocolate sauce was not necessary but an added touch for those chocolate lovers out there. It was more than enough for the entire meal so I suggested if you are 4 or more split it as a starter. The staff was friendly and seemed genuinely happy to be there. Mimosa's and Cappuccino were served quickly and just right. Everything on the menu looked terrific. We went with the Steak tip Red Flannel Hash and Brussels Pannenkoeken. Both awesome choices. The steak was so flavorful but not over powering in the Benedict Sauce. Enjoy yourself and be sure to indulge. Don't plan on eating Lunch if you go for breakfast, the portions are very large. Not only a great breakfast but a great value for sure.

    (4)

  • Kelly M.

    My husband is in love with this place. They have a huge beer list to choose from. The black bean burgers are outstanding. But that's like the only vegetarian option they have worth mentioning which saddens me just a bit. However their pecan pie immediately swallows all my sadness. If you're into beer you'll probably love this place.

    (4)

  • D T.

    Came for Sunday brunch, our first visit here. We arrived at 9am before the crowds, easy parking on the street at this hour. Great atmosphere, friendly service. Beignets are fabulous, coffee is strong, lots of beer/bloody mary options (we didn't partake). Many fun & creative dishes, I get sick of the standard brunch options. Smoked salmon benedict very good (was that a homemade English muffin?), as was "mrs. hollander" (ham, croissant, eggs). Belgian pannenkoeken with asparagus tasted fine but was dry and chewy -- not recommended. BIG portions. Being a chilly fall morning, the rooftop area wasn't open but it looks like great ambiance. I will try that in warm weather. Will definitely return.

    (4)

  • Steve O.

    Great experience. Came up for Summeriest with 3 other couples, and all met up here to grab a bite and a drink before heading in. Sat on the roof top seating area, which was beautiful on a sunny summer day. The view of the third ward area is great from up there, a plus. Huge beer selection. Our server did a great job of juggling our table, as some of us arrived later than others, but did a great job of serving our party and offering suggestions. Food was perfect for what we were looking for. Grilled chicken sandwich was awesome, with quality in every layer from the bread to the chicken to the toppings. Turkey wrap excellent as well. Both the regular & sweet potato fries were great. addictive in fact. Pricing was reasonable for the quality of food and portion size. Hope to come back when in Milwaukee next time and explore the menu further.

    (5)

  • Shannon C.

    We stopped in for brunch on a Saturday afternoon. The Third Ward was predictably busy, as was Cafe Benelux, but we were lucky to not only find a somewhat close parking spot, but we were also sat in under fifteen minutes. I ordered the Salmon Benedict, which didn't fail to disappoint. So much good food! I also got a side of basil aioli, and let me tell you -- it was unbelievably good. Perfect, even. It really went well with the smoked salmon and hollandaise sauce. The husb. ordered the Hodge Podge, and he also really enjoyed his food. The taste I had was delicious, and of course he used up almost half of my aioli, too. I knocked off a star because our server was, understandably, a little inattentive in the beginning because they were so busy. Also, the orange juice I ordered was lukewarm when it was brought to the table, which was disappointing. But the food was very good! We will be back.

    (4)

  • Laura H.

    Love this place, Love the drinks, Love the vibe, Love the staff! Especially in summer when the rooftop is open! But last night I was saddened to see that my favorite entree had been removed from the menu!! Where's the ham and brie sandwich Chef Will??? Bring it back!!! My back-up choice of the grilled chicken sandwich wasn't nearly as satisfying... Sad face.... Once it's back then I'll rate at 5 stars! ;-)

    (4)

  • Victoria A.

    It was our first time coming in and definitely have to say it won't be our last. For starters our waitress was Amanda and she was flat out amazing. Most waitresses don't take the time to feel out their guest and see if their in to eat an leave or in w a date...and a time to experience; but she definitely did. She noticed and was super helpful in not rushing and still tending to us when we needed. Seriously the best! Now food and drinks. Oh my god. Don't get me started. Salmon delicious. And best drink is the raspberry one I had. (One of those great fruity drinks for the ladies that get you going cause the alc is so smooth you don't really taste it) All in all great place! And we have a hobby of trying all new places, all over the area! So we know our stuff.

    (4)

  • Bruce K.

    Arriving in the middle of the dinner rush, I was surprised when the hostess said that there was a table upstairs on the deck with no wait. That led to a small amount of disappointment when I saw that it was a high top stool and a long "community seating" table. Thankfully there was a buffer and I had enough room between me and the others. I was stunned by the beer menu. A 14 page booklet sorted by beer type (ales, stouts, lagers, etc.) that organized them like a proper wine list. And with an August 2014 date on the cover. Snazzy! I managed to find a witbier that I'd never had before as a starter and then a second one later. Sweet! For my appetizer, the caprese skewers caught my eye. A half-dozen spears of sweet grape tomatoes with small mozzarella balls wrapped in fresh basil and then drizzled with a balsamic dressing. How could I say no? They were great, if a little hard to spear some of those 'maters with a fork. I was dining alone, so I nabbed 'em with my fingers. But that was only a starter. What to have as a main? I really wanted a burger but my mouth opened and the words "panzanella salad" fell out. I managed to regain some control and asked that the salmon be added and I'm glad that I did. Don't get me wrong - the salad was good, but without the big hunk of protein I would have still been hungry. I opted to skip dessert. Two beers should be enough and it's the beer list that realy sells it for this place. My waiter knew exactly which one I wanted and when it arrived, he decanted it expertly while telling me a little bit about the provenance of this particular brew. PBR, it ain't. I'd absolutely return but next time I think a proper table with a real chair would be more fitting.

    (5)

  • CJ P.

    What an amazing beer selection! Great beer menu and allow you to try many styles and types of tap beer. Couldn't ask for much better than what they offer. The service was incredible. Nice personable waiter that took care of us and gave us very personal attention, comedy and entertainment throughout our visit. I was told one of the specials of the day is a special burger with onions and pulled pork and a special sauce. The waiter sold it perfectly and the delivery didn't match. The pulled pork tasted old, and the sauce didn't blend well with the entire meal. The burger was over cooked and dry and was a disappointment on the rest of the great experience. I would definitely give them a try again knowing that that special may have just come out wrong. No big deal. It happens

    (3)

  • Rachel F.

    Food? Three stars-ish. Seating? Four stars. Service? Two and half stars. Beer list? All the stars. Summed up in a sort of stream of consciousness type of way? We waited for the rooftop patio which was expected and were eventually sat and tended to promptly but then waited almost an hour for our lunch, which is pretty unacceptable. I think they're working out flow issues, but the fact of the matter is, if you can't handle the number of seats in your establishment, be honest w/ yourself about it. At any rate, the service was pleasant -- if not very hands off -- and when we did eventually get our food, I was pleased w/ my Caesar salad but not so much with my hummus, as it was served with these fried dough-y bits which made me feel like I was at State Fair and when you order hummus maybe you don't want a deep-fried dough bomb to accompany it. But the patio is gorgeous and the location can't be beat and when it comes to this group of restaurants, this one is probably my favorite in terms of ambiance and location. Three stars for now... I'm sure I'll return, and I'm most certain there will be an update.

    (3)

  • Lisa M.

    Love this company...go to Café Hollander every year for my birthday. However, been continually unimpressed with Café Benelux. Sat down outside, on the street level patio...wasn't greeted for more than 10 minutes. I work for a very reputable restaurant company in this area, and I was very surprised at the caliber of service. I understand that this establishment isn't as fine dining as the restaurant I work for, but an apology for the wait would have been appreciated. Instead, multiple servers delivered our drinks and food. We were never able to address our waiter directly. Not once were asked to refill our drinks. For now, I will avoid Benelux, and frequent Hollendar...at least I receive a side salad with the $15 Mac & cheese that I order...which, to mention, is exactly the same at both establishments.

    (2)

  • Thomas G.

    Very strange experience. Meal took almost an hour to arrive, our waitress turned rude when we asked (nicely) where the food was. When it showed up, it arrived in halves -- three entrees came, two didn't. Waited another five minute for the other two. Waffles were cold, sent them back. The other dish was missing literally half of its ingredients -- a cheese sauce and two fried eggs! Just bizarre. Can't say I've ever experienced that before. When the food finally arrived with all the ingredients and actually hot, it was good -- but boy, what you have to go through to get there. Would not return.

    (2)

  • Joanna T.

    Cafe Benelux has an average of 3.5 stars, and that's what I'd give it if I could. Writing this review is like writing a review for every Lowlands joint in the city. What they do well and what they don't seems to permeate across every location. The Good: *Creative, top notch outdoor spaces. In this case, the best rooftop around as well as a large shaded sidewalk space. No one does a patio better than Lowlands. *Huge beer list. If you like Belgians, that is. If you don't then you're SOL, but then why come here? The Indifferent: *Food - if you're going to come for any meal, brunch is your best bet. Lunch/dinner ehhhhh, marginal at best. Don't be fooled by the tasty, creatively written menu descriptions and NEVER order the mac & cheese. The Generally Bad but Once In Awhile Good: Service - it's usually pretty bad, but if you hit up CB when it's slow it just might be ok. We got lucky during an early brunch. Cafe Benelux seems to appeal to suburbanites who are afraid of being scorned at Palomino or Comet. Still, it's a pretty decent brunch.

    (3)

  • Tom R.

    I would best describe this as a place with great potential and creativity in their menu but not quite there yet. Went there for a Friday Fish Fry during Lent. In addition to a beer battered cod that had a nice flavor to it they had a really tasty potato chip crusted cod that was fantastic. The slaw that came with it was very unique... not sure why so many restaurants want to mess with coleslaw and make it so unique but unfortunately it was a miss not a hit to our palates. The Rye bread served was stale and the fries were over salted in a way that you would think they did it on purpose to drive drink sales. The menu looks interesting and the atmosphere is nice... 2.5 would be my rating if I could give it as its somewhere between "I've had better and a-ok"

    (3)

  • Craig S.

    I expected better food for the price we paid. The beer (selection and quality) was fantastic. The food was good, my wife liked hers fine. I ordered the meatloaf dish, which was served over mashed potatoes. The first time the potatoes were cold. The second time they were a bit warmer. I think they just plate the potatoes too early and count on the meatloaf and gravy warming them up. Service was great. I'd probably give them another shot, but skip anything with the mashed potatoes if you like them not cold.

    (3)

  • Brit L.

    I had never been here but as a crossfitter and someone who eats paleo I was so happy to see the variety available for my drinks and meals. I love that they had so much sweet potato substitutes and that their "roasted veggies" were brussel sprouts and my some lame combo of broccoli and carrots. They had an extensive beer list, including ciders and gluten-free. Great service, they gave us a large booth for just 2 people so we wouldn't have to sit at a table in the center of the room. Would def return next time I'm here in Milwaukee.

    (5)

  • Mion S.

    I enjoy this place the last month when I went there, even though the service was a tad bit slow the food and the drinks was terrific! I had the chicken and waffles and it was like nothing I had before.. will recommend to my friends

    (4)

  • Victoria L.

    Not bad. Not great. The location is in the heart of Milwaukee, so if you go there in the summer and get to sit in the outdoor balcony, you will enjoy (the view for the most part). Drinks are solid but not amazing, standard bloodies and beer very basic, beer lovers tend to enjoy due to many selections. Food was decent but not out of this world, burgers and the crepe omelets tend to be the best, I would skip everything else. Just ok for me.

    (3)

  • Susan F.

    First time visit left us underwhelmed. Service was good, atmosphere is nice. The overall vibe is inviting. It was about a third full, which is not surprising for a weekday late breakfast. The food was the disappointment. Both our dishes were on the bland side and everything needed another minute cooking. The food was barely warm, muffin not toasted, potatoes not done, the thick crepe was gooey under the toppings. The impression was that the chef was in a hurry to get the good served. A mystery, especially since the restaurant was nowhere near full. Our waiter asked about a bite in if everything was okay but didn't ask again. Breakfast for two came to about $44 with tip, so I doubt they'll get another shot in a city with so many options.

    (2)

  • Ken J.

    Incredible breakfast. The potatoes are great and French toast was flavorful. The tater tots were amazing and should not be missed. Better Bloody Mary than across the street. Will be back when I am in Milwaukee. So much to choose from

    (5)

  • Leona L.

    This is my first time here and I ordered a bunch item, eggs with some potatoes and a bloody mary. I would come back again only for the bloody mary- it was spicy, had a great kick, and lots of flavor. The food was not very flavorful and pretty standard, this is the reason I'm giving this place 3 stars and not 4.

    (3)

  • Kelly B.

    For some reason I continue to patron the Lowland's restaurants despite NEVER having a good experience. Swig was closed so the only other City Tin in the area was Benelux. We went in with a group of 4 around 3:30 on a Sunday. It was dead (Superbowl started at 5:30 so that could be why), so we were seated and attended to right away. We started with a moscow mule, a beer and a bloody mary. I got one that was horseradish infused vodka, bbq, bacon, and jalapeno. I liked the initial flavor, but once it was in my mouth it was just pure bbq and I passed it on to a different member of the party - no way could I have drank it all. I ordered the sweet potato frites with the basil aioli, which is the one constant thing that I know I will like when I go to these places. Also started with the butternut squash soup. It was very dark and tasted overwhelmingly pumpkiny. The pepitas on the top were nice, and I enjoyed the slight spicy kick in the back of my throat, but it was far from the velvety savory bliss that I am used to when I cook my own butternut squash soup. For the entrees we got the grilled caesar salad, the turkey avocado wrap, the beet flatbread and the pulled pork sandwich. The wrap was the best. The tortilla was grilled panini-style so it held it's shape nicely. The pulled pork was great, a nice smoky flavor to the meat. The flatbread was good too, lots of cheese. The salad was borderline unpalatable (of course that is the one I ordered). I have had their caesar dressings before, and this was vile. I normally love the idea of a grilled salad, but after cutting off the butt of the lettuce head, and separating the charred romaine from the top, it didn't leave much. They garnished the salad with parmesan, croutons and fried capers. I feel like the idea of fried capers is really appealing, but once I was eating them they were odd. The frying removed any of the vinegary bite that is provided by them, and essentially gave them an "oops what did I accidentally just eat" feeling. The above and beyond worst thing was the anchovy paste in the dressing. It seemed like some bites were straight fish, and some were just mostly fish. There were no whole anchovies on the salad, but it was SOOO overpowering I cannot add enough O's to it. Just nasty. I went home and raided my fridge for dinner instead.

    (2)

  • Ellen P.

    I ordered the Rad Barbie "horseradish-infused van gogh vodka, housemade bloody mary mix, bbq sauce, bacon, pimento-stuffed olive". I have also had the Southsider and Stinking Rose during previous visits. My personal preference is as follows: Rad Barbie, Southsider, Stinking Rose. My favorite part about the Rad Barbie is the piece of crisp bacon that comes with it which can be used to stir the blood mary. Delicious. I enjoyed the ahi tuna salad for lunch. The presentation was great and I thought it was as described on the menu. Tasty and I would order it again. We visited around 10 am on a weekday with 3 others. We were waiting to meet others at noon for lunch. A couple of us ordered Bloody Mary's while we waited for the full group to arrive at noon. The wait staff was very accommodating and patient while we waited for our larger group.

    (4)

  • Mel L.

    Food and drinks were great! 4 stars cuz the waitress wasn't the best .. You could tell she wasn't happy to be there, short with us, and I think we merely got a checkin from her even after we spent almost $100. I highly recommend rooftop seating if available! Lovely view and environment.

    (4)

  • Matt M.

    Just got back from a trip to Milwaukee and have to say, impressed with the restaurant and bar selection. Coming from Minneapolis I always think Milwaukee is lesser... but props to MKE. Benelux was probably my favorite of the bunch. We went on a Sunday for brunch, feeling the after effects of an entire day spent taking shots of cheap vodka that Saturday for Summerfest/lake festivities (judge me). Our server, Marley, more than took care of us. She was great- a great sense of humor and totally willing to screw around with us. The food was good, too. I ordered a traditional bloody mary, which was delicious with a smokey but not overly spicy mix. Beer chaser was an actually good beer, rather than the usual Mich Golden. For food, I ordered a breakfast burrito, which was dank. I wish I would have gotten some more sauce, but it was the perfect hangover cure. The only thing I didn't like about the food was the price- everything was a little pricey, especially compared to the rest of Milwaukee restaurants. Our food also took a really long time (30-40 minutes), but it was a super busy Sunday of Summerfest so that's understandable. The layout of the restaurant is cool- their rooftop patio is baller with a great view of the city and excellent people watching down on the street. Next time I'm in Milwaukee, I'm definitely gonna try and hit up Benelux again.

    (4)

  • Brady G.

    Quite disappointed tonight with Cafe Benelux. The portions seem to have gotten smaller as well as prices increasing. All the appetizer and entrees are over priced for what we received. &19 for a beer and chicken wrap. The food and drinks are good however again small portions especially with frites as a side item. I felt bad tipping our waiter since other waiters were at our table more than he was. The atmosphere was nice on the rooftop however I mostly came to eat and be full, not be entertained and pay a ton of money.

    (3)

  • Adam W.

    Delicious food and amazing beer selection. Cool cozy vibe, too. I got the duck confit poutine which was great but there was so many menu items I want to try! The "beer-mosa" was good too.

    (5)

  • Tatiana C.

    Bad service, long wait, 35 minutes to get an appetizer, very unapologetic waiter. His name was Kyle. I am in customer service, sure it was busy and probably the delay was a kitchen issue. Should still take ownership and be accommodating, try to make up for it instead chose to ignore the problem, did not introduce a manager or gave a discount. Definitely a place a will not go back to! Nice view, great building, TERRIBLE service

    (1)

  • Nick A.

    I had such high expectations for this place. The Provençal mussels' broth was great. Some mussels were perfect when others were slimy and disgusting. The bread was stale. We asked for more bread and were brought... More stale bread. Good food overall, service was mediocre, entree order showed up wrong. I had such high expectations for this place, too bad...

    (2)

  • Kat B.

    The service here was not good, not bad, but at almost $20 a plate I would have expected better. The waiter was effective, but harried and curt, another staff member crashed the bus cart into a guest at my table as well as another without apology. The food is ok and the beer is also $2 a bottle cheaper across the street at wicked hop. The biggest problem I had with the place was the general additude of the staff and the fact that the tables were crammed in there with little room to not bump in to the table behind you. After seeing that this place is run by the same folks that run Centraal, I'm not shocked. The waitstaff in these places is too bad to blame the actual staff, rather the management.

    (2)

  • Peter Y.

    Yeah, the rooftop would be cool, if it wasn't for the fact that only some tables have umbrellas, making the ones without literally like 100+ degrees to sit in. Yeah, the burgers would be delicious, if it wasn't for the fact that they were coated in layers of grease and fat which overwhelmed all other flavors. Though, I will admit, it was super tender. Their fries are alright, but nothing to write home about. Yeah, the service was decent, if it wasn't for the fact that they forgot my sweet potato fries, and instead gave me normal fries. Oh, and also they mixed up our drink orders, and thought I was the other Asian dude. And finally, the prices would be ok, if they didn't charge extra for sauce. Only redeeming quality of this place was their extensive drinks menu, otherwise, I'd suggest elsewhere.

    (2)

  • Jaime G.

    Loved. Great selection of craft brews and inventive menu. Add the great roof top deck in the summer and u have to come here. Try the quinoa skillet with a nice saison beer, or homemade granola with a soy latte. Service was also very good (we ordered a skillet to split for 2 and it came out already portioned out). Located in the up and coming area - 3rd ward - in Milwaukee and def lots of other things to do around while here.

    (5)

  • Erik D.

    I wish we didn't for lunch go on the weekend... They only serve off the brunch menu on Saturday and Sunday. So there is your warning. Tons of beer on the menu. It looked like they had a lot of excellent food on their regular menu. We had a burger and a salad. Both were average, nothing to write home about. The burger was served on a pretzel bun and I think that was about the best part of it. The burger was slightly overcooked. I asked for medium and it was cooked to well. The fries were even slightly overdone (really, I'm not kidding). My wife had the Caesar salad with chicken. It was well put together. The chicken was cooked well. The beer menu is expansive and features a lot of belgian style beers. I would go again because I think there is serious potential, but I think my takeaway would be to avoid the weekends unless you want brunch.

    (2)

  • N P.

    This place is amazing, if you're in Milwaukee you must go, but also bring some sunscreen if you get a table on the roof. My fiance and I went for brunch over the 4th of July holiday. We walked in and waited no more than 10 minutes for a table outside. Great atmosphere and very well decorated place inside and out. Once we sat down our waitress came by right away to us drinks/apps and made some great suggestions - beignets. When it came time to order, I wanted the eggs benedict, however, I'm vegetarian and she suggested instead of the ham/bacon they could add avocado. This was a great suggestion, and the dish was delicious!!! My fiance got a skillet which looked amazing. Great food, great service, kind waitstaff, and good atmosphere, couldn't ask for much more

    (5)

  • Kat B.

    Hostess was a real pill. Our server was terrific as were our Bloody Mary's. It was a busy day and our sever explained the long wait times. Ordered the mussel pot and the French bread was at least 2 days old and hard as nails. Server brought pretzel bread as all bread was stale. Burger bites were tasty but slapped together. Busy kitchen should not equal sub-par food.

    (2)

  • David S.

    This is a standard for third ward Sunday funday'ing. Several blood Mary versions on their menu on top of a huge selection of beer. The menu updates every so often as well. If you go try the homemade tater tots. Their are stuffed with a blue cheese center and come with a sriacha / mayo or ranch dipping sauce. If you want something lighter, get their rocket salad. If you can, go during a week day or the evening so you can order off the full menu. The brunch menu is good, but somewhat limiting compares to the dinner menu.

    (3)

  • Yvette P.

    One of my favorite restaurants in the Third Ward. Food is great (my favorite is the chicken and waffles) great drinks (the bloody marys are like an appetizer), and the atmosphere is casual. The hostesses aren't always the friendliest, but I'll cut them some slack since every time I've been, it's been super busy. Servers have been great, and a really nice outdoor space, both the rooftop and the sidewalk.

    (4)

  • Kathy B.

    Great atmosphere; good service. Bloody Mary and calamari were excellent. Pork Belly Banh Mi very good but overpowered by cumin.

    (4)

  • Samantha S.

    Smiley service and a 30 min wait for a table, then 46 minute wait for crappy food we didn't want. They were too busy to pay attention to simple requests as: a proper chain latte, crispy Bacon and SO much more. Only to have them take off my chain of $3.50 instead of acknowledging EVERY part of our meal wasn't up to par or correct.

    (1)

  • Ray C.

    Service was horrible (and they weren't that busy). Mussels were not good, not much flavor and no sauce for dipping (usually best part of mussels). All in all, not worth the time or money.

    (1)

  • Shawn H.

    Despite what others have said the service was great. Our waiter was very attentive and helped with our beer selections. However, the appetizer and food we ordered were less than great. The offerings we had were average at best. The pork belly was overcooked and the Mac-n-cheese was okay. I suggest you come for the beer and the beer only.

    (2)

  • Bob D.

    Having Cafe Benelux just a stones throw from my office has had some major advantages. First, not having to worry about parking, which can be a challenge in the ever popular Third Ward. Secondly, it's become the "go to" place for gatherings with colleagues. After being the unofficial host of a second gathering of people for the holiday season (Thanksgiving-Christmas) I'd say Benelux passed with flying colors, especially the second time when over 30 people showed up. The key was the staff, that was on standby for anything from a sit-down dinner, to just standing around drinking. In both cases it was just standing around drinking, but the service was exceptional both times, with our waiter performing the near-impossible task of keeping track of separate bills for all the various individuals, and small groups that were coming and going throughout the day. Their Belgian beer selection is of course second to none, and their food is very good. Couple this with an attentive-well trained staff, and you've got a winner.

    (4)

  • Peter F.

    The service is slow. Wait staff is not attentive and the grotesque cold fries were a turn off, asked for a new batch of it and was given a strange look. Is it not supposed to be a Belgium themed place? So why do we have to pay for dipping sauce(Mayo), when this is standard anywhere in Belgium. Asked for napkin to stop the table from wobbling, didn't even try to help. Only thing saving this place is the beer, though overpriced. I would not crave to go back there.

    (2)

  • Mark F.

    Impressive beer selection, including 30 odd beers on tap! My review is just for the beer as I did not eat here (the food does not look nearly as appealing as the interesting beer list).

    (4)

  • bella t.

    I love this place. We go for brunch every time we are in Milwaukee.

    (5)

  • Chris G.

    All-in-all, Cafe Benelux brings the traditional items and flair a Lowlands Group restaurant is known for to the Third Ward. There is something for everyone on the menu, and the view from the roof top patio is something no one else offers in that section of the city. While we all decided to split the check (because of all the drinks), we ended up paying about $23 per person. While that is a little on the high side, a normal outing of one drink and one entree should run you around $17 per person. One thing to note is that Cafe Benelux has partnered with the Milwaukee Public Market for parking. So, park there, and you can get your ticket validated at the host stand for free parking downtown. Now that is a huge plus. With any new restaurant, I am sure this brunch spot will go through it's growing pains. I just hope they correct the service problems soon--this is brunch is a must for any one wanting to experience a view like no other downtown. Read the full review on MilwaukeeBrunchReviews.c… - milwaukeebrunchreviews.c…

    (4)

  • Restaurant Vigilant E.

    What to say about Café Benelux...hordes of super friendly, attentive staff. The staff members are pretty young, but great at what they do. We went there for lunch on July 4th. Had their brunch menu (I tend to hate brunch anywhere)...I ordered egg and chorizo tacos (not European I know) which were excellent. The GF ordered biscuits and Gravy which were likewise, excellent. We left and did some stuff around town, then decided to go back later that afternoon. We sat on the rooftop (tables with umbrellas) for 9 hours (heavy bar tab, what can I say?) and loved every second of it. This place is absolutely obsessed with being an authentic Belgian establishment and wow...do they ever pull it off! They have an enormous beer list from continental Europe - stuff you would be hard pressed to find anywhere else. Likewise, they have the correct glass for each type of beer...all the glassware (really unique) is for sale too!!! They have two small gift areas selling high quality, but reasonably priced items (from silly, to unique to really practical) from Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg...the music...I didn't recognize but LOVED it (and remember, I listened to it for 9 hours straight)...wish they made a Benelux compilation CD!!! We had the ham and cheese crepe...I was so glad we split it! It was excellent, but filling. We also had Frites with curry ketchup (one of like 8 sauces you can get with it) and that was fantastic. The clientele was fun, unpretentious and down to earth. The location (third ward) was awesome and very convenient by foot to downtown and the summer fest grounds. My one criticism...I saw absinthe on the menu and ordered it. They brought it in a shot glass, an empty rocks glass, and a glass of water and a lame packet of sugar. No absinthe spoon, no sugar cube, no fountain or proper water dispenser...they apologized, and it was clear that while they knew a thing or two about beer, they had no idea what to do with absinthe. The excuse "well, we really specialize in beer" I found mildly understandable, but unacceptable. They use dozens of types of glass wear there, but can't have the proper tools for absinthe? Either get the proper gear, or take absinthe off the menu please...email me and I can hook you up with some sources... That was a very petty and minor complaint against a fantastic establishment - this could be in any city in the world and be super successful. Can't wait to go back to Benelux!!! Loved it!!!

    (4)

  • Michael C.

    Went to Sunday Brunch for the first time at Benelux. It's a great space at a nice location, and has an awesome beer list. The bartender was nice enough, but when I ordered a, "Traditional Bloody," I got something that was undrinkable. Dark red almost black with an excessive amount of seasoning. I sent it back and the bartender asked me if I'd prefer tomato juice. I ordered a beer instead. I like my food to come within a reasonable amount of time, but 3 minutes was a little too fast. Especially when it arrives luke warm. My hash browns lacked any brown and were basically a pile of warm soggy potato. A side of melon we got looked as though it had been sitting out. The ambiance would be enough to put up with mediocre food, but the music was some god awful club garbage on repeat. I couldn't wait to leave.

    (2)

  • Behlen C.

    I only went for dinner and drinks. I recommend this place, very friendly, and lots of variety to choose from as far as good beer. After this I felt more knowledgable about good crafted beer. The service was outstanding didnt wait long at all for my order.

    (4)

  • Amy S.

    Good fish fry! Heavier breading on the fish. The tartar sauce has peas, which adds a nice crunch. Great seasonal beer, snow day, and wonderful atmosphere. Very cozy and inviting.

    (4)

  • Ty M.

    I wanted to check this place out after the article I read on onmilwaukee.com , I Stopped in on Saturday with a friend, Our server was very attentive at first, once the food arrived he was gone like the wind! The burger was just ok nothing special I don't think they seasoned the meat at all, I opted for the upgrade to the sweet potato fries and those were completely flavorless, Almost done with my meal our server finally returned after I had finished my drink and a full glass of water to see if we needed anything, he brings the bill to find they were charging us for a few beers we never even ordered! He corrected the bill and had a shocked look on his face when we said we needed change (sorry dude I'm not giving a $10.00 tip on a $30.00 bill) Honestly it was a waste of time and money I wouldn't suggest Café Benelux to anyone.

    (1)

  • Todd H.

    Benelux is a standout for many reasons, but their are some minor flaws. First and foremost, they have a great rooftop patio overlooking the third ward. If you want to impress, spend a few hours on the deck with some great food and drink on a beautiful day. The greeting at the door was immediate and we were seating right away. The server was very nice and was very well versed on the menu. The drinks took a bit of time to arrive, but we were in no rush. I ordered a Pimm's cup. It's a drink not often seen in these parts and it was great. I ordered a burger with a pretzel bun and had an egg fried in duck fat. It was cooked perfectly and came with pomme frites. I love pomme frites, but these probably had been sitting around a little to long in the kitchen, they just weren't hot and fresh. My friend ordered the burger with three types of tripe creme cheeses. She loved it. I've dined at many of this restaurant groups establishments and while they have a miss occasionally, I give them credit for always having interesting fare and drinks.

    (4)

  • Dustin M.

    Stopped in for Sunday Brunch. Sat inside on the main floor. I really enjoyed the atmosphere, wish we could have sit upstairs, but it was pretty packed. The menu is great, and beer list (wasnt drinking unfortunately) was very large! I had the hodge podge which was very good. Next time I go I will def try the brugse crepe, looked amazing. On the downside, the wait for food to come out was very long, but it was a Sunday brunch. Overall, large drink selection, great food, and lively atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Kevin B.

    Stopped in today with my daughter for late lunch. Looked like most of Milwaukee was doing the same .Since both the roof and ground-level tables on this nice weather Friday seemed at capacity, we opted for a no- wait indoor table. Service was very efficient and our ice tea and lemonade were constantly re-filled (perk of eating indoors and getting more attention from our server). My daugther had a chicken pesto club and I had a portobello/ 1/2 lb burger (couldn't remember its name) both with Belgian frites. Plenty of food but should be as the sandwiches were about $12 each. Next time I'll give their mussels a try - would have ordered them but I didn't want to gross out my daughter. She's in college but her 4 food groups are: pizza, chicken, mac& cheese and hot dogs. She's doing better exploring beyond so chicken pesto is a step up.

    (4)

  • Andres C.

    Best bloody of my life. I have has a bloody filled life.

    (5)

  • Nicholas N.

    Any rating of stars can come with a myriad of explanations. So... three stars. Here's why. I have been to, as I call them, the "Hollander Chain" of restaurants. Although the food and restaurants are similar in style, preparation, and looks/design, I would choose Hollander any time. For the price inflation experienced at Benelux, relative to the taste of the food itself, I deem the restaurant "worth a visit" as the 3rd Ward environment lends itself easily to a beautiful outing and experience. Staff was great, no issues there; short wait. No technical complaints whatsoever.

    (3)

  • Jordan C.

    great food, service and beer. the bartender was friendly and knowledgable and its in a cool part of town.

    (5)

  • Barry M.

    So many different beers it makes my head spin. The Mahi Mahi sandwich is my fav.

    (4)

  • Brandon R.

    The ONLY reason I gave Benelux 2 stars is because the beer list is astounding... and each one I tried was quite delicious. And I guess the rooftop deck is very nice. So they have those things going for them. Unfortunately, the rest of my experience was just one giant ball of disappointment. Let's talk about the food. I honestly can't name one dish we had that left everyone at the table thinking, 'You know... that was pretty good!' We went through a bunch of different options: mussels, sliders, fries, a ham sandwich, those little fried balls of dough (or whatever the hell they were)... and not a single thing was rewarding. I don't dig on mussels because I don't like eating gross stuff, but the people that ordered them were very disappointed. I did dabble in all the other dishes, however, and I can safely say that I will not be eating here again anytime soon. The meat in the sliders was far from flavorful. The fries need seasoning. The little fried doughballs were exactly that... little fried doughballs. Remarkably, the ham sandwich tasted as bad as it looked. That part was actually rather impressive. When it was all said and done, we racked up a huge bill despite not being drunk and not being satisfied from a hunger standpoint. Would this place be fun to chill for a few beers on a nice summer night up on the roof? Sure. But that's about it. Save your money and go somewhere with grub worthy of your cash. PS - The service was alright. We switched waitresses halfway through, and you could tell that they both genuinely wanted us to like everything. But we didn't. And we didn't blame them one bit. Oh well.

    (2)

  • Gregg S.

    Visited for brunch during a trip to Milwaukee for a wedding. I had the regular Bloody Mary which was spicy but good, be prepared for bizarre garnishes in Milwaukee with a fondness for cheese curds. At 10 in the morning I was not quite ready for the beer chaser that accompanied my drink however. I had the Mrs. Hollander which I expected to be like a hash, but turned out to be more of a breakfast casserole, very good none the less.

    (4)

  • Dicky L.

    Cannot recommend it enough. They had BBC sports (stoked!), then a couple knuckle draggers wanted ESPN so they changed it. That's where that last star went.

    (4)

  • Philia R.

    The service was horrible! Absolutely abysmal! The food was not that good. We went for brunch on a Saturday morning, and it took us 2 hours! We didn't want to complain because it would have taken to long to get someone over to our table and we needed to leave. This is the third time I've been to this place, each time hoping for a better experience, each time let down. Do not waste your time on this place!

    (1)

  • Colden H.

    High marks, all around. Megan, our server, was very busy but also quite good. I appreciated her gracious handling of our coaster coupon. Salmon benedict was delicious, especially for a person very particular about eating smoked things. Stinking rose bloody mary was the best part of my experience here. It had a shrimp, a curd, beef stick, and various pickled vegetables. 2 skewers of garnish, yeah that's right.

    (4)

  • Rachel J.

    This place is PERFECT! I was traveling for work in Milwaukee when someone recommended I check out the 3rd ward. I did. I was looking for a place with a unique menu and outdoor seating. Benelux nailed it. Their menu is impressively unique (I had the grass-fed truffled mushroom burger with havarti cheese. YUM!! Also a brownie with salted carmel ice cream on top for dessert. MORE YUM!). I was able to enjoy the roof top deck as the weather was perfect. Also, my server was very knowledgable about all the different beers they had and suggested exactly the type I was looking for (the high speed wit bier). Any time I'm in Milwaukee again, I'm definitely going back to this place!!

    (4)

  • Mike B.

    Good food, good price, quick service (maybe a little too quick). Cool atmosphere so i probably go back.

    (4)

  • Nico B.

    Heard some interesting reviews and saw that they had multiple preparations for mussels(my favorite) so we thought we'd give it a try for date night. The mussels came out luke-warm. flavor was alright..much better with the "Pommes frites" I've had better. They weren't terrible, other than the temperature. They're best served piping hot. All in all the food was "just alright." The service however was sub-par. I'm a tough critic being a server myself, but I was disappointed. Waters were never refilled, had to remind her to bring out a few of our items. What really struck me was when my partner asked for a cocktail and she replied that, that drink was served in a martini glass and asked him if he still wanted it...as if a man wouldn't want a cocktail because it's served in a glass that she apparently thought was gender specific? I found this highly offensive. Based on that alone, I will most likely not be going back.

    (1)

  • Katie R.

    came here for dinner on friday with my boyfriend and dad, visiting from out of town. i had a crepe with mushrooms, bacon, fried eggs and havarti. it was basically a polish nalasniki, thick and sweet and savory at the same time. delicious. they both got burgers, and one was overcooked. i'm not a huge fan of belgian beers, but they do have a good selection. i was able to find a few hoppier ones.

    (4)

  • Chunky M.

    Never been to any of the other Lowlands Group places, and I haven't ventured much on the Benelux menu, but I can say that the Sprocket burger is one of the best damn burgers I've ever had! Even the fact I'd have to take out a home equity line of credit to have more than one beer here couldn't detract from how much I loved this burger!

    (4)

  • Erica K.

    I have visited Cafe Benelux twice since it has opened and both times the food was good, but the service was awful. The first time was for brunch on a Saturday. We sat inside since there was a 45 minute wait for the roof patio and it took the waitress about 15 minutes to acknowledge our table. Although she was nice enough, she was extremely flustered the entire time we were there, which was a long time considering how slow service is. I had the belt sandwich which was good though, and my dining companions were also very satisfied with their food. The second time I went for lunch- took over an hour and a half with such slow service again which is a problem when you are on your lunch hour at work. Had the Asiago Chicken Sandwich which was good. After they get the service kinks worked out, or hire new staff, it will be a nice spot. Until then, expect warm beer and slow service.

    (3)

  • Alex B.

    I just ate here for the first time last night, and first impressions were good. I'm a fan of other restaurants in this family (Hollander, Trocadero, etc), and I assumed this would be much the same. For the most part it was... Great outdoor space, good location, and good food. I had zero complaints about my burger. Better yet, the bar is stocked with tasty Belgian beers. My only complaint was the wait, and the fact that they have so many tables crammed in by the bar. No matter where we stood while waiting, we were in someone's way. They would benefit from creating an expanded bar seating area so that I can enjoy my beer while I wait. I'll cut them some slack because they're new, but if you're looking for a place to socialize over drinks, head across the street to the wicked hop.

    (4)

  • Bobby G.

    I don't want to be rude... but the food is consistent-ly bad. Staff is cute, but smart as rocks. Most amazing patio in town, but only good for drinkin when it's nice out.... what will happen when it's cold n crappy out. Good luck. I've eaten here 3 times, and that's far too many. Ill stick to drinking. Thanks.

    (2)

  • Nicholas B.

    After deciding against coming here right after it opened due to an estimated 1:30 minute wait, we decided to suck it up and just wait. We were told the wait for the upstairs was over an hour and 1st floor seating (with a chance of being outside) would be 30 minutes. Most seats indoor that were visible were open, but the host informed us that they don't seat all of the seats as the kitchen is not equipped to serve that many people. So as much as we wanted to be upstairs, I didn't think anything would live up to that wait. We decided to grab a couple bloody's and wait at the bar. The bar was not that busy for how long the wait was and we even were able to grab seats at the bar. After sitting down, I think I know why the seats were empty. Apparently who ever designed the bar didn't figure for enough space to get to the corner seats. We had to ask the two people next to us to move in order for us to get to our seats. Hold you fat joke here, I'm 5'9" 170, so yeah I could probably loose a couple pounds, but no reason I shouldn't be able to fit through this space. When we sat down we got two bloody's, a Traditional and a Stinky Rose or something that sounds like that. My Traditional came in the standard pint glass, but was 1" short of being filled to the top. I was already overpaying for this at $7, and I didn't need to get ripped even more. My wife's was full, but at $9 I don't think it was worth the $2 for some extra garnish and a fancy name. After 45 minutes, we were buzzed and seated as far away from a window as possible. Our waitress sounded like it was her first day on the job (A lot of awkward pauses in her greeting) and was not familiar with the menu. My wife ordered the turkey avocado wrap and I got the breakfast tacos. Our food came out very quickly and both dishes were OK, but nothing I would order on a return trip. Our server must have been at the end of her shift as she stopped showing up and somebody else started in about half way through. It would have been nice to get a heads up, but oh well. I think we will be back to check out the roof top, but this will not happen until the wait goes down or during a weeknight. This place has a lot of potential, but it leaves a bitter taste when the wait is so long and so many tables are empty. Even if things do get better, the Wicked Hop will continue to be my preferred brunch destination on this block.

    (3)

  • Tyler O.

    The open-air atmosphere and beer selection make up for the uncertain menu of Belgian food. I wasn't quite sure what to make of the menu items but the ham & cheese sandwich was surprisingly good. Great place to watch a game: venue, atmosphere, beer selection, smart (beer) wait staff.

    (3)

  • Gregory M.

    In short, it has a great patio with a view of Milwaukee's breathtaking skyscrapers (sarcasm). That is the only real redeeming trait of this restaurant. I suppose it is also a decent restaurant to go to when the always bustling but dreadfully mediocre, Wicked Hop (across the street), has too long of a wait for a table. I always refer to this restaurant as a "poor man's Café Hollander." Not that interesting, but both restaurants are owned by the same owners (don't quote me on this, though). This place seems a little too inspired by the grand cafes of Lowland Europe, as the service is painfully slow. It always seems like my average dining experience here lasts about four to five hours.

    (3)

  • Beki H.

    Everything I've eaten here has been delish! The beer drinkers in my family loved the amazing selection & the time invested to describe each beer in such detail. The only flaw that kept them from getting 5 stars from me was the horrid metal chairs built for size 8 or under.

    (4)

  • Kim H.

    You know you are in the right spot for a frosty beverage when the bartender hands you a book full of beer options. They also had 30 beers on tap. The bartender was friendly and offered a couple beer recommendations. He even let us sample some beers. We did not eat, but enjoyed the beer and the atmosphere. My only complaint was that the chairs were a bit uncomfortable.

    (4)

  • Edson J.

    I'm guessing all the positive reviews for this place are coming from employees., because no way this place deserves a 5. First off, if you have a short window for lunch, this place isn't for you. I've been to Benelux 3 times, each time really hoping I would like it. The location is perfect, the menu looks great, beer selection is excellent...then comes the service. My girlfriend and I went opening night, so I was mentally prepared for a few screw ups. First one came when I asked the server what beer he'd recommend. The guy had no idea, and just picked the top beer that was on the shortened drink menu. The food came out, and both plates cold. Any other time, I probably send dish back, but remembering it was opening night, decided not to bother. Next time I went with my co-workers (6 of us) for lunch. This time it's even worse. First we waited a good 30 mins before our food came, and only 3 of the 6 got their food and one of the orders was wrong. The other 3 don't even get their food, because at this point we've been there for an hour now. Also, ordered lemonade, pretty sure it was just a water with wedge of lemon squeezed in. Finally decided to give brunch a try. Same problems all over again; cold food, long wait for food. Neither of us get our drinks refilled, waitress never came by to check up on us. I am a huge fan of this restaurant group. Love going to Hollander for brunch. I am really pulling for this place to make it, the rooftop patio is by far one of the best outdoor seating places in the city. But so far I've just been disappointed each time, and don't think I'll be back for a long time.

    (1)

  • Marvin M.

    I like this place. Awesome beer selection. Wait staff friendly. Food was pretty good. Parking can be a pain. Layout of place a little confusing. Seems rather spread out. Rooftop area pretty cool.

    (4)

  • Lance P.

    Fantastic service and atmosphere. The beer list is extensive, well organized and diverse. The food was delicious (I would highly recommend the meatloaf). And when you are all done, the Third Ward has plenty of other drinking, dining and entertainment venues. Depending on the time you go (especially Fri/Sat night), it might be best to take advantage of the valet service.

    (4)

  • Tony J.

    Excellent atmosphere, even in the lower area which is where we sat. Rooftop must be even better but the wait was over an hour for that. Very busy, service was ok. Great drink menu and beer list. Food was mediocre. Price was a bit high but not too bad. May go back for appetizers and drinks but that's it.

    (3)

  • Miranda O.

    I went here for Sunday Brunch and really liked this place. The wait to sit and to get our food was really short and the staff was really friendly. I'm not from Wisconsin so I had never had a Bloody Mary. They look disgusting but the one I had was surprisingly delicious. My friend and I split Creamy Polenta and the Brussels crepe thing and they were both really good. The crepe things (cant remember the official name) were huge, and that one meal would have been enough to feed both of us. My only complaint is for both dishes they could have gone a little heavier on the toppings.

    (4)

  • Aaron S.

    Nothing here would bring me back. The duck fat fried egg burger was ordered rare and came out between raw and rare. You almost never see it done like that. Most people who order rare have a fit when it's medium rare +. No problem here... hope you like it Mooo'ing and cold. Service was decent. We had a group of 15 sitting outside and that can be like herding cats. The server made a few errors on drink orders and food temps but nothing catastrophic. The fries came out cold. A glass of house red wine was $9.50. Overall, it was a very average dining experience and nothing I'll repeat.

    (2)

  • robert k.

    I love the location and the beer selection, but the problem is the food just doesn't stack up, I think they don't even care because people keep lining up. I also like to have my food served hot, i don't think that is asking for too much but seldom have i had my meal served hot, nothing worse than eggs served cold. Also they don't have hash browns they have fried potatoes instead, must be easier to dead fry them than to take the time to cook some good browns. If you stick to the bloodies and the beer , the bar is 5 stars, you want good food, it is 2.

    (2)

  • Claudine B.

    We've been here more times than I can count now, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a nice place with wonderful food. I like the choices on the menu - something for anyone. The beer selections are phenomenal, and such good information on all of them...

    (5)

  • Hion L.

    The last thing that I think of, when I think of Milwaukee, is fantastic mussels. But sure enough, one of the best that I have ever had can be found right here at Cafe Benelux. Sure, they have beer up the wazoo. If you have never tried sour beer or lambic, I highly recommend it. It reminds me of my childhood, when I would ponder what beer would be like if I crossed it with super sour candies. A great refreshing drink when you want something light. Our table had tried a variety of dishes that night and a few were quite memorable. The mussels Provencal with white wine, garlic, butter were fantastic. Get some extra bread and dip it into the sauce for an extra rich buttery delight. Mussels diablo were ok, but the capers element overpowered them. I didn't think that the tater tot was that great. The giant size of it just made it seem like a fast food hash brown covered in cheese. The sprocket burger with the bacon, cheddar and duck fat fried egg with garlic aioli made this one of the richest and tasty burgers that I have had. The merckx burger has a ton of cheese on it, and you certainly can't go wrong when one of them is triple cream brie. This is your cheeseburger on steroids. We also ordered the brussels pannenkoeken which is like a giant savory pancake. It resembled something of a giant crepe, but it ended up being a bit greasy and heavy - something that sounded much better in concept. There were some other entrees that I would have loved to try such as the bacon wrapped meatloaf and the pork shanks. My only major disgruntlement would be that the Belgian fries were not as up to par to the characteristic Belgian standards. They should be light and crisp, but ours ended up being a bit heavy and greasy. As far as fries go, they are pretty good, but the Belgian standard is far higher, much like the beers. I think that Cafe Benelux has a fairly creative menu without being so much so that the dishes are far from the norm.

    (4)

  • Gabe M.

    This place was quite a surprise. Its sort of industrial feeling which I like. The food was high quality and service was great. They had some sort of shop inside with random tshirts, I was trying to make the connection between the restaurant and the tshirt, I guess you can sell tshirts for any reason these days. At any rate, the roof deck is excellent, I don't see why every restaurant doesn't try to have one of these. Really great. This is a great addition to the Milwaukee urban fabric and will certainly revisit when in town again.

    (4)

  • CM P.

    My wife and I stopped here while walking through the Third Ward area for a beer. I was delighted to see they had several of my favorite Belgian beers available, even some that I had not found readily available in the States. We liked the place so much we came back the next day for Sunday brunch. I had the Mrs Hollander by recommendation of our waiter and it was fantastic. I will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Mike N.

    This is a really cool place. We got there right around 7 on a Saturday night with a wait outside. We knew walking in that we were going to have to wait. The hostess told us that we could try the high tops upstairs on the rooftop patio. The lady decided to go check it out and we were able to sit right down. Granted a table would have been nice, but we were just as comfortable and waited on probably quicker this way. We had the Diablo Mussels and they were delicious. Perfect little meal to have on a warm summer night. The beer list is awesome and the service and scenery from the roof was great.

    (4)

  • Kevin B.

    3 of us went for brunch on a very busy Friday, day after Independence Day. We were told the wait for an outside table would be a half hour. It turned out that it was only about 10 minutes. The servers were very attentive and informative, well educated on the vast and unusual menu items. I had heard of fried chicken waffles in the past but hadn't tried it so that's what I went with even though I'm not much of a waffle guy. It came with candied walnuts and baked apples on top of the chicken and waffle. It was very tasty and filling. My well travelled son said that his Sprocket Burger was one of the best burgers he had ever had. My wife had a Mrs. Hollander, a croissant loaded with eggs, ham and cheese. She was more than pleased with the taste of her sandwich. The beer list is humongous and there were several unique cocktails and we tried some of those as well. Can't wait to return next time we're in Milwaukee!

    (5)

  • Lellina M.

    First visit was great, would love to go back again! 1) Hardly any wait for rooftop seating: Came for saturday brunch/lunch at 12:30- we were told it would be a 20 minute wait. We headed to the bar to get a beer and within 10 minutes our buzzer went off. 2) Waitstaff - helpful & attentive: From the bar staff to our waitress, everyone was very attentive, courteous and helpful. We got meal and drink suggestions from both sets of staff that we were pleased with. With over 250 beers, the foreign drink and food menus are overwhelming and the help was much appreciated (and needed). My dining parter asked the waitress which of 2 meals she would recommend and she was completely honest in admitting that she was not a fan of the 1 of the options. 3) Good food: I had the biscuits and gravy, which was very good. The chorizo gravy was both unusual and delicious. My dining partner had the hodge podge at the waitress's selection and he was also very happy with it. 4) Beer = wow: Beer selection: GREAT. It's hard to complain about beer prices when the alcohol contents of the majority of the beer menu are SO high (see 10.5% in the Gulden Draak). We each had a few beers but our favorite was the Kwak! Not only was the actual beer great, but we also enjoyed drinking it out of the signature monogrammed wooden beer stand. Too fun! Overall: Restaurant is in the perfect location and the rooftop seating is a wonderful addition. Great for beer lovers and experimental diners. Let the staff help you out, especially with drink choices!

    (4)

  • Shawn C.

    I had some reservations about going here after reading the reviews about the poor service, but saw the beer menu and decided to try. We sat outside, in the downstairs part, and found the waitress to be very well versed in the menu and beer selections. We started with the mussels and found them to be very tasty. I ordered the meatloaf and was a bit disappointed. Maybe just my opinion, but the meat was not very tasty and it seemed to only be desguised by the bacon and mashed potatoes. The best was the beer! Awesome selection! Tried a sampler tray and found the champaign-flavored beer to be quite refreshing, but the stouts were yummy! Bit expensive, but go for tapas and beer and you won't be disapointed.

    (4)

  • Jules M.

    If it is a summer day/evening, you like beer and are willing to burn some cash. This place is not bad. Twice I have been here and both times we sat on th roof, that is where it is at. Inside seemed dark and a bit smelly. Both times our servers were friendly, a bit quirky and yes a bit slow. I think the servers must enjoy each other because as another reviewer noted, they seemed to socialize in a cluster at their service station. Plus there were staff most likely off duty or maybe owners sitting and chillin' with customers. Food was mixed. The sprocket burger was pretty tastey, I don't get the pretzel bun hype but the burger was good. Frites- good, thin crispy but the garlic dipping sauce had no garlic flavor. Sweet potato frites, skip it. Soggy. Boo. Peanut butter bomb. I would be surprised if they made this. It tasted like the frozen fundraiser pies my kids sell, which was not actually bad. It was increadibly rich and dense but $7 a slice... The brugse is essentially a nutella crepe for $9 but that sucka was good and we practically licked the plate. Beverages, you have a ton to choose from and can try something new, just be prepared to pay! So over all - decent place for casual hanging out over a beer. The roof top is so sweet I am not sure if I will go in the winter to sit inside.

    (3)

  • Patrick K.

    I just recently came back from a trip from Milwaukee and I was pleasantly suprised how good the food was there. Cafe Benelux is a GREAT place to have a beer and catch some rays. Their roof top is so chill and a nice place for lunch or early dinner. Now Milwaukee arguably has some of the best cheese burgers in the U.S. At this place they are more gourmet and non traditional. The "sprocket" cheese burger that I had was Very SOLID. Got to try those sweet potato fries.... YUM. Next time I'm up North, I'll be back to grab a bite at Cafe Benelux. Also, they have a great beer selection to go with it and free parking in the Milwaukee Public Market parking lot w/ a purchase. I suggest anyone that is in the 3rd ward to check this place out!

    (4)

  • Erin D.

    brunch: no thank you. there are very few instances in which i've not been able to eat my food. i mean --- in a saturday morning brunch situation, i'm usually easily pleased. but this meal was simply uninspired, bland, and kinda gross. i had the biscuits and gravy ---- sounded delicious on the menu. in theory, it should have been perfection. but the biscuits were rock solid, and the gravy was under-seasoned, bland, and cold. my sister and her boyfriend were equally underwhelmed by their entrees (they had a pannenkoeken and au gratin skillet). we all barely put a dent in our meals and definitely didn't take any to go. it just seemed like a place that invested soooo much into location, ambience (both fantastic), and menu concept, but neglected the actual food quality.

    (2)

  • Joe T.

    Good Beer Selection. Average Service. Great atmosphere and seating. Very very meh/average belgian food.

    (2)

  • Abe S.

    This is a brother restaurant of Cafe Hollander and boasts the great beer menu and a similar menu in general. I enjoyed it just like I enjoy cafe Hollander. I suggest it to anyone who hasn't gone to either. The sweet potato fries are delicious if you enjoy those!

    (4)

  • Kyle K.

    Brought a friend visiting from Arizona and luckily had no wait for a table on the roof. The rooftop deck does offer some pretty great views if you look beyond the apartment building across the street, but the weather was great so I didn't mind that the most interesting scenery from our table was a man who had no business sun bathing doing just that. Ordered the Sprocket, which at best deserves a "meh.". I'm sure had it not been 1pm, the awesome Belgian beers would have been going down pretty good but it wasn't in the cards. Service was fine, but it was definitely at an off-peak time of day so keep that in mind based on what other reviewers have said. Minor miscues on the food brought the rating down a star (friend ordered his burger med-rare, I ordered medium and they pulled a switcheroo on us.). I can't say that any of this would prevent me from going back because the outdoor seating is easily among the best in town and I cannot ignore a Belgian beer list that long.

    (3)

  • Tim T.

    NOT! tried it 2 times. Fantastic concept, great roof top patio. But the service blows and the food is mediocre. Good list of over priced brews. I am glad they fixed up the old building and they are bringing people to the 3rd Ward and thats great for places like my all time fav WICKED HOP, because when Benelux pisses you off, you can cross the road to Wicked Hop. The dining room is never full and yet they tell people it will be an hour wait. They just do not have it together yet. Maybe someday!!!

    (1)

  • Sheri H.

    Came here for lunch and then again, late at night for post dinner drinks. Lunch was very nice and tasty, with pleasant service. We ordered the turkey wrap and sprocket burger, which came on a huge pretzel bun!! Very interesting and filling. I also had a morning rooster bloody mary, which was spicy however, required additional horseradish. When we returned in the evening, the place was bustling both downstairs and on the rooftop. Great atmosphere and service, although they did run out of Grey goose vodka...maybe not so popular with the ppl of Milwaukee??

    (3)

  • M M.

    I went there last night with friends for Happy Hour and was please. We were seated on the rooftop which was a good experience until everyone at one table started smoking. The food: We had hummus, burger bebes and then the burgse (?) crepe. I would recommend all to anyone, they were hot, flavorful and enjoyable. We didn't order anything off the main menu. Based on the reviews, it seems like it would be best suited for a happy hour experience. I also wonder what they will try to do to appeal to people when its too cold to go on the rooftop. Overall, I was pleased.

    (3)

  • Thomas W.

    I wanted to like Cafe Benelux better. It's a great location and adds some extra vibrancy to the Third Ward. I've been twice now and most likely I will return since it's in my neighborhood. Both times the service was pleasant but amateurish and a little slow. Maybe the wait staff is a bit too young and inexperienced. They could use a bit more polish and maybe that will come with time. Also both times the slow service was really a slow kitchen. We seemed to wait longer than expected for both our appetizers and entrees on both occasions. The food is interesting but not really executed very well. My first visit I decided to try two dishes which I've had in their native countries so I wasn't expecting them to be as good as the originals and they were definitely not. I had poutine as an appetizer and it wasn't bad but I've actually had better at a campground snack bar in Ontario. My main criticism of the poutine is that the frites were not crispy enough to hold up to the gravy. The pannenkoeken was not even close to the delicious original which I've had numerous times over the last 25 years in Amsterdam. It was too thick and too sweet and I have never seen beer cheese or bourbon cream sauce on a pannenkoeken in Amsterdam. I was skeptical and opted for the beer cheese on the side which was a good thing because I didn't care for it and it remained on the side. There's a restaurant in Chicago called Pannenkoeken Cafe which produces a very close version of the Dutch original. My second visit, the food was better but still had a couple of shortcomings. I had the bitterballen appetizer which was very tasty. I particularly liked the curry ketchup. They were just slightly undercooked inside and a little too greasy but overall pretty good. For my entree I had a pound of chorizo mussels. This was the best thing I've had at Cafe Benelux so far. I would have preferred a more chewy less crusty baguette but it did the job of soaking up all of the remaining sauce and this is probably more of a personal preference. The frites by themselves were crispy and delicious. Overall not bad but not good. It's a little expensive given the quality of the food and service. I think that both can be improved upon to make it more worth the price. One final thing that turned me off were the menus. They are already stained and beat up enough that I noticed as soon as they were handed to us. I'm not sure what the answer to that problem is but I find a dirty beat up menu a turn off at a restaurant.

    (2)

  • Angela S.

    We have eaten here twice now and have had great food and service both time. But do not be in a hurry because this is a happening place and you will wait an hour to get a table especially if you want to sit on the roof top patio. I sat up there on both of my visits. We have done dinner and brunch. Our favorites are the pannekokken, and the stek sandwich. Beverages the traditional bloody and the st. germain mimosa.

    (5)

  • Andre R.

    super delicious Brunch and food overall!

    (5)

  • Joe P.

    After reading most of the reviews for this Third Ward hot spot I didn't get my hopes up. I didn't think there would a realistic opportunity to take in all of what Benelux has to offer, considering how hard it is to get a seat on the roof, but right off the bat, I was pleasantly surprised. We were sat immediately at a table on the roof overlooking the public market and the Wicked Hop across the street. This was 5/27/12 at 6:00pm...it was picture perfect. 78 degrees, not a cloud in the sky and cold craft beer. My wife and were put into a place to really enjoy ourselves or be in for grave disappointment. Happily, the former occurred. We ordered our apps - Lobster and Crab Salad with Pannekaeken and the Calamari. Both were delightful. Nothing to knock your socks off, but really satisfying and...unlike most places...filling. They serve a nice healthy portion for the price. For our mains my wife had the Turkey Burger and I the Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf. Both were enjoyed. Again, nothing that we haven't had before, but satisfying. The wait staff was attentive and pleasant. They do seem a little scatter brained at times. We were offered two additional apps and entrees that were for other tables, and just after our plates were cleared a waitress came up with two more entrees...apparently someone did not pull our ticket off the line...oops...employee meal...To sum up. I am not a great fan of the Centraal and do not frequent Hollander so my expectations were low. The price, quality and most importantly...the ambiance was well worth the small $80 bill we had. I will come back to Benelux. I will not sit inside, I won't sit outside on the street...I will come back for the rooftop...everything else this trendy spot has to offer is more than worth while because of how very perfect the feel of that patio is...and I am more than okay with that. Well done.

    (4)

  • Michael K.

    Benelux is great. Very hip place, and I'm lovin the patio seating.

    (4)

  • Amanda A.

    this was easily the worst brunch i've ever experienced. the restaurant was moderately busy, but there were still quite a few tables outside when my friend and i sat down. We asked our waitress multiple times when we could expect our food because it was taking a long time and she said the kitchen was backed up but it should be out any minute. it took 50 min to an hour to actually get our food only for it to be cold! It looked like it had been sitting for a long while. my friend told the manager, he apologized and we ended up getting the meal for free. both the manager and waitress did not seem to be very concerned throughout the ordeal. worst of all, my egg was definitely questionable but i did not want to wait another hour to send it back so i ate it anyway. i am at home now and just finished vomiting!! this place is horrible!

    (1)

  • Jennifer H.

    Simply delicious! Wonderful location and a fun atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Matt H.

    I have been to Benelux 5 times. I've eaten here only 3, twice turned away as a result of 1-2 hour waits despite the fact that there are open tables visibly available. Each of the times I have actually eaten here the food has been good, but the service is consistently terrible. The last time I ate here I asked to speak to the manager about the service. I flat out told him, I want to like this place but the service is horrendous. It's almost as if the wait staff has no idea what to do, because there are more servers here than I generally notice at most restaurants. Yes, it's a new restaurant, but it is owned by a restaurant group that has done this before. I will go back here, probably in 2 to 3 months in the hopes the service issues are resolved. If they aren't by that point I guess Benelux is just a lost cause. If you have time and patience take a chance, the food is good and beer menu extensive. If you have anything else planned post your meal, allocate plenty of time to eat...you'll need it.

    (2)

  • David S.

    Overall the food was good. The atmosphere was very nice and the with the rooftop seating this place was on it's way to 5 stars. It ended up at three because the food while good, did not make me wow. It lost another star for constantly bringing us our sides before the entree or apps even showed up. Once the apps showed up our meal arrived 3 mins later, the staff needs a little training on timing.

    (3)

  • Trippin S.

    The wait to sit outside was not too long. We waited at the wicked hop and had drinks. The food at cafe benelux was average. Wait staff was poor. Our waiter did not know the menu. He gave us the wrong bill at the end of the night. We had to correct him. Can not recommend to others.

    (2)

  • James A.

    This is a difficult review to write because I really wanted to like this place. The food was good for the most part, the location was great and the rooftop patio is an awesome place to spend a sunny Sunday morning...provided that we ever have one again. However, the service was amongst the worst I have ever had. I understand that they're new and still trying to get their system down but did they have any practice runs at all? First we had to wait 45 minutes for a table despite the place being half empty because they had "several large parties". Okay, well, if there hadn't been those large parties, wouldn't the other tables have been full and the same issue would have existed anyway? Once we finally got seated we placed our drink order right away and it took upwards of 15 minutes for us to get them. Once those arrived we ordered our food. We didn't get it for over an hour. My nose was sunburned all to hell from having to sit and wait for so long. What was finally brought to our table was completely wrong. Two people got things they didn't order and my food was bordering on cold. I was so hungry at this point that I decided to just eat it rather than wait for a warmed up meal. Who knows how long that could have taken? It's a shame too because the food was good. It had great flavors and the portions were generous. In their defense, we were offered a complementary fruit plate and some of the bill was knocked off for the inconvenience. For that reason they get three stars. Otherwise it would have been two. Everyone I was with said they would try it again after it had been open for a while to see if service improved. I will join them reluctantly. Part of me figures that I could just go to Roots to have a similar dining experience on a better patio but you can only go there so many times, right? Gotta spread the wealth around. Anyway, that's it. If we go back and have a more positive experience, I will revise this.

    (3)

  • Cheryl I.

    We stopped in here for breakfast on a Saturday morning. The place was not very busy but then again it was around 10:30. I ordered the mushroom and leek dutchy which sounded better than it tasted. Not that it was bad but it lacked flavor. It was a wedge slice that was kind of like a quiche and had hash browns, swiss ,eggs and mushroom and leeks with a hollandaise sauce. It could have used maybe more spices or another cheese. It came with a small cup of fruit and for the portion size at $9.95 I would pass next time. The place has some nice ideas for menu items and many being brought out looked like better size portions, so next time I will choose more wisely. Worth stopping in for some different items.

    (3)

  • amy t.

    Milwaukee doesn't have too many rooftop restaurants, which makes this restaurant even more amazing. The food is delicious and has a variety of options. The ambiance is fun and energetic! Worth going to many times..

    (5)

  • Stephanie L.

    I was hesitant to try Cafe Benelux for fear that I may find a repeat menu that is offered at the other Lowlands' restaurants. Consistent, and sometimes boring. I was happy to see a slight deviation, with some of the usual mixed with more interesting dishes. I had the grilled mahi sandwich with citrus pico and arugula, along with a side of sweet potato fries. Superb. Every diner with me enjoyed their entree selections as well: 1) potato chip crusted fish fry; 2) Provencal mussels with sweet potato fries; 3) beef tip sandwich with frites; 4) chicken avocado wrap with side caesar. Thumbs up on all fronts. The service was perfectly timed, given the masses congregating in the front dining area. We dined in the back portion, near the "to-go" case. If you want to hear your dining companion, this is the area to sit. If you want to be more among the hustle and bustle, with a generous helping of neighboring conversation, I would suggest sitting in the front of house. All-in-all, a have nothing but goods things to say about this latest Lowlands installment. I will be a repeat visitor, and I look forward to trying their Belgium heap of "crepes." I will save my stomach space, so I may truly enjoy that on my next trip to Benelux. This is a gem in the neighborhood, whether your visit involves meeting friends or a cozy evening out with a significant other. Cafe Benelux covers all of the bases: a bevy of ales and signature concoctions, decadent delicacies, and great atmosphere all nestled in a corner spot on St. Paul & Broadway.

    (4)

  • Grant B.

    Went here for a good brunch menu looked very promising. upon arrival like others i was told it would be a 20min wait which turned out to be 30 wasn't to upset by this. However once we were seated we immedietly ordered an appetizer which came out pretty fast. the sugar donuts we ordered were great. This is where the good ends. After recieving our appetizer we ordered our main entres from there it took almost an hour to get to our table. There was only two ofus dining so in my mind it should not have taken this long. By the time the food got to us we were so upset by the wait we could not eat. We then waited twenty minutes for our bill to get to the table and another twenty before i went to hostess stand to ask for a manager so i could get my bill paid and just leave. I was so upset that my hands were shaking. The management did not once during our hour and a half sitting and waiting approach us and ask us how things were they were non existent until i asked to talk to them. These guys have no idea how to run a restaraunt. That said i understand it is new so maybe down the road i will try again but i dont think it will be for a while.

    (2)

  • Tom G.

    Great list of Belgian beers and Trappist ales, and they have the right glasses for pretty much all of them, just like a proper restaurant in Brussels. I like the Orval and it has a very handsome glass. They also have a huge range of other beers, a whole bunch which I had never heard of, and gins from Milwaukee and Netherlands, I think. Moules frites with a Pernod sauce was a great combo. The place feels fun and very lively....glad we crossed the street after looking in on a rather tired bar.

    (4)

  • Yvonne C.

    I had dinner and brunch here in the past 2 weeks. Dinner was with a large group to celebrate a birthday on a Saturday night. We waited on hour for a table on the rooftop, which was completely worth it. Great ambiance up there. Service was good for a group of our size. Food was so-so. I had the turkey burger, which was dry and overwhelmed by the bread. The accompanying fries were soggy and did not live up to those at Trocadero or Hollander. Brunch was on a Sunday with no wait for a rooftop table at 11 am. No complaints about the service. I had the Hodge Podge, which was a little bland despite the chorizo cream gravy. I also tried a bit of the Haarlem pannenkoeken, again a bit bland and dry. For me, the location and rooftop deck is a 5 while the food is only a 2.

    (3)

  • Cardinal S.

    I ordered a mahi mahi sandwich and fries for lunch. The sandwich was kind of dry and flavorless. The fries were decent.

    (3)

  • A F.

    We arrived at 12:30 for lunch on a saturday and were told it was a 20 minute wait- an hour later we were seated and immediately ordered. One hour and fifteen minutes later we had missed a wedding service and were finally given our food. No one came by to apologize and let us know what the delay was. We finally asked if something had gone wrong in the kitchen- nothing had gone wrong but they said they would comp our drinks. There was a poor family Behind us with three very young kids who were seated before us and didn't get their food until after us. I felt terrible for them - once their food did come they had it wrong! the rest of the balcony actually clapped when the families food finally came.I LOVE Hollander and trocadero but would NEVER come back to cafe Benelux again- people were leaving throughout the entire lunch. The food was good and our server was sweet but nobody took responsibility for the terrible service.

    (2)

  • Amber S.

    Super disappointed with the service! We walked in on a Friday night about 8pm, and there were five tables open outside, and at least seven open inside. Right as we entered, we got into line for the host stand. We stood in line not moving for at least 5 minutes, though there were three staff at the host stand. When we finally got to speak to a host, we asked if we could just sit outside for a drink. The host said in a super pretentious way "those are reserved for customers on the wait list, it will be at least 20 minutes to get a table". We pointed out how many open tables we were looking at and she only repeated her previous sentence in an even more pretentious way. A little customer service training would have gone a long way by saying something like "sorry, we're backed up and trying to seat customers", but there was no explanation, and no apparent effort to call tables who were waiting. I'm not too sad, though, because if the food is as mediocre as Trocadero, we didn't miss out.

    (1)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :7:00 am - 12:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Café Benelux

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