Delicious food and fine service. Meals are a little pricey. I would definitely come again. Came with a group of 7,and had a wonderful joyous time
Andrew A.
In Milwaukee, Harbor House has always been one of our family's favorite for special occasions. We have celebrated birthdays and anniversaries for many years. They have one of the best restaurant loyalty programs around too. Service and the food has always been great. Highly recommend! The view of Lake Michigan isn't bad either . Thanks this year to Austin and Danielle for their impeccable service to make my birthday special.
Zoe H.
This place is amazing! The view from this restaurant is spectacular. We were at Harbor House yesterday for Valentine's day - my first time there, it did not disappoint! We ate from the special Valentine four course menu, they had plenty of options on this menu to fit every appetite. The waiters were very knowledgeable about the food on the menu and the different wine pairings that they had with each course. The waiters work in teams there, so there is always someone nearby your table if you need anything. My boyfriend has a nut allergy and they were very accommodating to this during our dinner which made us feel very comfortable dining there. The atmosphere speaks for it's self at this place situated on the lake. It is definately a place we will be visiting again!
Eugene M.
this was by far the worst $200 bucks i ever spent. i love eating at restaurants that have a nice ambiance but the food here was terrible. Typically at luxury restaurants the food is amazing but the portions are small and i eat out a lot.. At harbor house the portions are small and the food is horrible and tasteless. i would recommend hiring a new chef and changing the menu as soon as possible. this place is not worth the price i would recommend eating at home or going to your favorite local bar. I never leave negative reviews on establishments primarily because i own several businesses myself and i understand how important branding is, unfortunately i could not resist this one. please stay at home your date will thank you.
Carly W.
Here are some direct quotes from my boyfriend "Can we give them half a star?" "If you are looking for a place to get dinner, do not come here" "You will waste your money and your dates time, do not come here" "I would have rather gone to Potawatomi and lost $200, that would have been a better time" Needless to say, we did not have a great time here. Came the day before Valentine's day and they had a smaller menu than normal. I got the Salmon and Crab Oscar which was borderline flavorless and all the same texture. Definitely expected more. He got the Lobster Cioppino and our waiter assured him that it would be enough food, it was not and also very tasteless. We love to dine out at high end restaurants and this one is not the best bang for your buck, if you consider the cost with the taste of the food I do not recommend, save your money, you will thank this review later.
Cameron Q.
This place is great. We came here for Valentine's weekend. They had a special valentine menu. We got oysters, filet mignon and lobster cioppino. They were all delicious. The steak was so tender. The oysters were fresh and the sauces came with it complimented the oysters bery well. The horseradish was a bit spicy for me. The lobster cioppino cooked just right. The tomato broth brought so much flavor to the whole dish. Additionally, their home breads were so fresh and tasty. I tend to like my cocktails sweet. And their cocktail selections had a lot of sweet option for me. My boyfriend really enjoyed the drinks as well. Moreover, we chose carrot cake for desserts. The carrot cake was not super sweet. The icing and caramel brought the sweetness to the carrot cake. We had such a great time, enjoying good food and looking at the lake.
Charlotte Angelini
Great place! The food was fantastic!
James F.
The Harbor House is among the best dining experiences that you can enjoy in Milwaukee--I highly recommend this space for date night. The food is quality, the views and atmosphere are unparalleled, and the service is top notch. It's seriously no wonder they are the most booked restaurant on OpenTable in Wisconsin. The warm and intimate ambiance and location of The Harbor House makes the experience here. Their lakefront (or almost laketop!) building is situated adjacent to The Milwaukee Art Museum and slightly offset from skyscrapers and the downtown action. You can see Lake Michigan from almost anywhere you sit, but I would definitely recommend asking for a window-side table facing The Milwaukee Art Museum if you can. The views of the lake, the museum, and the city give plenty to look at. If you are looking for something a little different when the weather is warmer, they give the option to dine outside on their patio, which is also a great atmosphere. If you cannot find a table inside, even the bar gives a great and friendly vibe. I've dined at The Harbor House on multiple occasions and the consistency from a food standpoint has been on par each time. I will usually get a few drinks, which are beautifully crafted by the bar, an appetizer, and an entree. Although nothing too special, the appetizers were great for the table to share while waiting for food--I have tried the fried calamari and lobster bisque for my appetizers. For my entree, I always get either their filet mignon or ribeye--these two dishes keep me coming back! Tender steaks cooked perfectly and presented with delicious sides are great if you are a meat lover! They even have steak/shrimp combos if you like both land and sea.
Franny Z.
We made reservations for a Saturday night. This was my favorite place to have dinner here in Wisconsin. It was so pretty by the water. We valeted our car which was $6 and they only take cash. We ordered the 8oz Filet and South African Lobster Tail, Bay of Fundy Salmon, and for dessert the Ice Cream and Sorbet which consisted of Nutella Ice Cream and Kiwi and Green Apple Sorbet. Everything was delicious. They do serve butter and bread as an appetizer. Our server hooked me up with a nice, sweet mocktail since I have to be sober for nine months.
Albertine13
This is a short walk from the Milwaukee Art Museum. It features a magnificent view of the lake as well as fine food at a reasonable cost.
My wonderfully generous sister offered to take me out for dinner while she was in town for our older brother's funereal. She suggested The Harbor House, as we both love seafood and our brother was a chef at Pieces Of Eight, the restaurant that was in this location previously. I made a reservation for us at 8:30 and when we arrived at 8:25 we were directed to the bar to wait for our table. We waited until 8:45 and we were neglected almost the entire time by a very distant bartender (he wasn't very busy-he was restocking his garnish tray for most of that time). When we got to the table, the view was very nice and the dining room was busy but not crazy, if that makes sense. Our server was friendly and helpful but a little stressed from the crowd. We started off with an order of calamari. It arrived undercooked and oily. I was told that the calamari was fresh, it clearly was not. Marinara that was served with it tasted like warmed tomato paste with oregano. I then had a cup of chowder. Very average at best. Bland with chewy clams. I would have loved some hot sauce to give it some life, but could not get the attention of anyone and gave up. My sister was raving about her Cesar salad so she shared a few bites with me. Delicious. Best plate of the night. Crisp, chilled Romaine lettuce with fresh shaved Parmesan cheese. My sister ordered a sautéed scallop dish for her entree. The scallops were slightly overdone and for these prices, that's unacceptable. I ordered an 8oz filet, medium rare with King crab legs. The filet was unseasoned and cooked to medium. The portion of crab legs was ridiculous for an asking price of nearly $80. I was given 2 opened, very small King crab legs that were served to me at room temperature. Our server, Mikaela was pleasant however everyone else from the valets, hostess and bartender were snobby and rude. Valet driver actually knowingly charged me twice. What should I have done???, make a scene at this busy gourmet restaurant after burying my brother, while my sis wants to treat. Hands tied. Prices demand almost near perfection and this meal was far from it.
Megan P.
I've eaten a lot of mussels and these were among the best! Slight spice, so be mindful of that if you don't like spicy. They were fresh and perfectly cooked. 10/10. The west coast oysters were also fabulous as well as the seafood bisque. Zero complaints. Great meal. Great service.
CHRISTOS T
The restaurant’s team, the valet, the hostess and the servers were friendly and accommodating. Nice ambiance and wonderful views. We tried appetizers, soups, fish entrees and desserts. Everything was great. The wine list is adequate, the cocktails mediocre. I would definitely recommend Harbor House and we will surely return soon.
Lisa H
If you are looking for a nice, tasty dinner with a fantastic view lakeside, look no further. We arrived early for 6:15 reservations and timing was perfect for walking around the lakefront and taking beautiful pictures. We had a fantastic view at a window on the lake's edge. Dinner was wonderful! Noteworthy items were the seafood bisque, lobster tails and halibut. You won't be disappointed!
Mjaj2
This was a fabulous restaurant to end our vacation. Alex was the best server we had in Milwaukee. He was very attentive and a pleasure to be around. We had Maryland Crab Cake, Clam Chowder, Connecticut Lobster Roll and Key Lime Pie. We both had a cocktail while sitting outside, looking at the lake. It was a prefect evening with the prefect meal. If we lived in Milwaukee, we would be eating here at least once a month. Thank you for the perfect evening.
Delicious food and fine service. Meals are a little pricey. I would definitely come again. Came with a group of 7,and had a wonderful joyous time
In Milwaukee, Harbor House has always been one of our family's favorite for special occasions. We have celebrated birthdays and anniversaries for many years. They have one of the best restaurant loyalty programs around too. Service and the food has always been great. Highly recommend! The view of Lake Michigan isn't bad either . Thanks this year to Austin and Danielle for their impeccable service to make my birthday special.
This place is amazing! The view from this restaurant is spectacular. We were at Harbor House yesterday for Valentine's day - my first time there, it did not disappoint! We ate from the special Valentine four course menu, they had plenty of options on this menu to fit every appetite. The waiters were very knowledgeable about the food on the menu and the different wine pairings that they had with each course. The waiters work in teams there, so there is always someone nearby your table if you need anything. My boyfriend has a nut allergy and they were very accommodating to this during our dinner which made us feel very comfortable dining there. The atmosphere speaks for it's self at this place situated on the lake. It is definately a place we will be visiting again!
this was by far the worst $200 bucks i ever spent. i love eating at restaurants that have a nice ambiance but the food here was terrible. Typically at luxury restaurants the food is amazing but the portions are small and i eat out a lot.. At harbor house the portions are small and the food is horrible and tasteless. i would recommend hiring a new chef and changing the menu as soon as possible. this place is not worth the price i would recommend eating at home or going to your favorite local bar. I never leave negative reviews on establishments primarily because i own several businesses myself and i understand how important branding is, unfortunately i could not resist this one. please stay at home your date will thank you.
Here are some direct quotes from my boyfriend "Can we give them half a star?" "If you are looking for a place to get dinner, do not come here" "You will waste your money and your dates time, do not come here" "I would have rather gone to Potawatomi and lost $200, that would have been a better time" Needless to say, we did not have a great time here. Came the day before Valentine's day and they had a smaller menu than normal. I got the Salmon and Crab Oscar which was borderline flavorless and all the same texture. Definitely expected more. He got the Lobster Cioppino and our waiter assured him that it would be enough food, it was not and also very tasteless. We love to dine out at high end restaurants and this one is not the best bang for your buck, if you consider the cost with the taste of the food I do not recommend, save your money, you will thank this review later.
This place is great. We came here for Valentine's weekend. They had a special valentine menu. We got oysters, filet mignon and lobster cioppino. They were all delicious. The steak was so tender. The oysters were fresh and the sauces came with it complimented the oysters bery well. The horseradish was a bit spicy for me. The lobster cioppino cooked just right. The tomato broth brought so much flavor to the whole dish. Additionally, their home breads were so fresh and tasty. I tend to like my cocktails sweet. And their cocktail selections had a lot of sweet option for me. My boyfriend really enjoyed the drinks as well. Moreover, we chose carrot cake for desserts. The carrot cake was not super sweet. The icing and caramel brought the sweetness to the carrot cake. We had such a great time, enjoying good food and looking at the lake.
Great place! The food was fantastic!
The Harbor House is among the best dining experiences that you can enjoy in Milwaukee--I highly recommend this space for date night. The food is quality, the views and atmosphere are unparalleled, and the service is top notch. It's seriously no wonder they are the most booked restaurant on OpenTable in Wisconsin. The warm and intimate ambiance and location of The Harbor House makes the experience here. Their lakefront (or almost laketop!) building is situated adjacent to The Milwaukee Art Museum and slightly offset from skyscrapers and the downtown action. You can see Lake Michigan from almost anywhere you sit, but I would definitely recommend asking for a window-side table facing The Milwaukee Art Museum if you can. The views of the lake, the museum, and the city give plenty to look at. If you are looking for something a little different when the weather is warmer, they give the option to dine outside on their patio, which is also a great atmosphere. If you cannot find a table inside, even the bar gives a great and friendly vibe. I've dined at The Harbor House on multiple occasions and the consistency from a food standpoint has been on par each time. I will usually get a few drinks, which are beautifully crafted by the bar, an appetizer, and an entree. Although nothing too special, the appetizers were great for the table to share while waiting for food--I have tried the fried calamari and lobster bisque for my appetizers. For my entree, I always get either their filet mignon or ribeye--these two dishes keep me coming back! Tender steaks cooked perfectly and presented with delicious sides are great if you are a meat lover! They even have steak/shrimp combos if you like both land and sea.
We made reservations for a Saturday night. This was my favorite place to have dinner here in Wisconsin. It was so pretty by the water. We valeted our car which was $6 and they only take cash. We ordered the 8oz Filet and South African Lobster Tail, Bay of Fundy Salmon, and for dessert the Ice Cream and Sorbet which consisted of Nutella Ice Cream and Kiwi and Green Apple Sorbet. Everything was delicious. They do serve butter and bread as an appetizer. Our server hooked me up with a nice, sweet mocktail since I have to be sober for nine months.
This is a short walk from the Milwaukee Art Museum. It features a magnificent view of the lake as well as fine food at a reasonable cost.
Restaurantji Recommends
My wonderfully generous sister offered to take me out for dinner while she was in town for our older brother's funereal. She suggested The Harbor House, as we both love seafood and our brother was a chef at Pieces Of Eight, the restaurant that was in this location previously. I made a reservation for us at 8:30 and when we arrived at 8:25 we were directed to the bar to wait for our table. We waited until 8:45 and we were neglected almost the entire time by a very distant bartender (he wasn't very busy-he was restocking his garnish tray for most of that time). When we got to the table, the view was very nice and the dining room was busy but not crazy, if that makes sense. Our server was friendly and helpful but a little stressed from the crowd. We started off with an order of calamari. It arrived undercooked and oily. I was told that the calamari was fresh, it clearly was not. Marinara that was served with it tasted like warmed tomato paste with oregano. I then had a cup of chowder. Very average at best. Bland with chewy clams. I would have loved some hot sauce to give it some life, but could not get the attention of anyone and gave up. My sister was raving about her Cesar salad so she shared a few bites with me. Delicious. Best plate of the night. Crisp, chilled Romaine lettuce with fresh shaved Parmesan cheese. My sister ordered a sautéed scallop dish for her entree. The scallops were slightly overdone and for these prices, that's unacceptable. I ordered an 8oz filet, medium rare with King crab legs. The filet was unseasoned and cooked to medium. The portion of crab legs was ridiculous for an asking price of nearly $80. I was given 2 opened, very small King crab legs that were served to me at room temperature. Our server, Mikaela was pleasant however everyone else from the valets, hostess and bartender were snobby and rude. Valet driver actually knowingly charged me twice. What should I have done???, make a scene at this busy gourmet restaurant after burying my brother, while my sis wants to treat. Hands tied. Prices demand almost near perfection and this meal was far from it.
I've eaten a lot of mussels and these were among the best! Slight spice, so be mindful of that if you don't like spicy. They were fresh and perfectly cooked. 10/10. The west coast oysters were also fabulous as well as the seafood bisque. Zero complaints. Great meal. Great service.
The restaurant’s team, the valet, the hostess and the servers were friendly and accommodating. Nice ambiance and wonderful views. We tried appetizers, soups, fish entrees and desserts. Everything was great. The wine list is adequate, the cocktails mediocre. I would definitely recommend Harbor House and we will surely return soon.
If you are looking for a nice, tasty dinner with a fantastic view lakeside, look no further. We arrived early for 6:15 reservations and timing was perfect for walking around the lakefront and taking beautiful pictures. We had a fantastic view at a window on the lake's edge. Dinner was wonderful! Noteworthy items were the seafood bisque, lobster tails and halibut. You won't be disappointed!
This was a fabulous restaurant to end our vacation. Alex was the best server we had in Milwaukee. He was very attentive and a pleasure to be around. We had Maryland Crab Cake, Clam Chowder, Connecticut Lobster Roll and Key Lime Pie. We both had a cocktail while sitting outside, looking at the lake. It was a prefect evening with the prefect meal. If we lived in Milwaukee, we would be eating here at least once a month. Thank you for the perfect evening.