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Axolotl Café

4.6 (143 reviews)
Closed • 7:00 am - 2:00 pm
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What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Dogs allowed

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The quaint inside.
Lori L.

Pro tip - avoid the weekends and come here during the week because you won't need to wait 90 minutes. It's a small place with limited seating so expect weekend waits. We split the birria bowl with the pancakes on the side. Portion was big enough to share between two people if you aren't a big eater. The pancakes looked like they were made of wheat flour but it was actually the cinnamon they add to the batter. The plating was incredible with homemade whipped cream with an edible flower on the top. The birria bowl was full of flavorful tender beef which paired really well with the eggs. They have really unique upscale combinations of Mexican almost fusion food so I need to explore the menu more next time but those pancakes will always be a staple every meal.

Chicken Poblano Omelette
Devonna S.

Went here on a Sunday morning around 10:30 and joined the waitlist prior to arriving. Highly recommended. We waited about 15-20 minutes for a bar stool to open up and then my husband and I were seated. I ordered the chicken and waffles to split with my husband and he ordered the chicken poblano omelet. He really enjoyed his food and I enjoyed the chicken on my chicken And waffles. The waffle that I tried was nice and fluffy. I gave my husband a little over half of my waffle and a little bit of chicken, but then he found something like plastic in the waffle. They comped the chicken and waffles, which was nice of them. For drinks, we ordered a brandy old fashioned and a caramel macchiato. They were all out of brandy, so they subbed it with whiskey, which I thought was only average if not below average. All in all, even though this place is small and super busy, we would most likely return to try more menu items.

Vegetariano Benedict
Shelby T.

Such a fun brunch spot in Bay View! Was luckily able to get a table on the Yelp waitlist for a group of 4 on a busy Sunday morning. The yelp wait list was super accurate on timing & allowed our crew to plan ahead. We started our day with lattes which were the perfect level of sweetness & glad that they had dairy free milk options. The menu was fun with multiple traditional breakfast foods with a twist. I had the breakfast tacos which were flavorful & filling. My friend is a vegetarian & was excited about the vegetarian Benedict. We got to try both the French toast & pancakes which were both to die for & enough food to go around the whole table. My favorite thing may have been the potatoes as they were both crispy & well seasoned, the perfect match up. Our waitress was so nice & checked in on us multiple times. Will definitely be back!!

Jonathan P.

First time visiting this cafe and definitely not the last time! Service was extremely great! The staff was super nice since the start. The owner came over to our table after he noticed my dad wearing a colombia soccer jersey, just to make small talk, and it was honestly super sweet and refreshing to see. The food was delicious! I had the chilaquiles verde with chorizo, and had a black iced coffee. The location is small, but even though every table is occupied, it doesn't seem hectic or overwhelming. Will definitely come back to this business! and I live in chicago, so it's definitely worth it.

chai latte
Michelle D.

We brought our family to Axolotl Café for brunch while they were visiting from out of town, and once again, this place did not disappoint! We ordered the chicken and waffles, homemade horchata, and another breakfast entrée. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and served hot. The homemade horchata was especially deliciou it's clear they put a lot of care into the quality of their food and drinks. We went on a weekday around 11 a.m. and were able to beat the brunch rush, so there was little to no wait. The staff was friendly, welcoming, and attentive, and our food came out quickly. This has become one of our favorite brunch spots because the food and service are consistently excellent every time we visit. If you're looking for a great breakfast or brunch spot with fresh, homemade flavors and outstanding service, I highly recommend Axolotl Café. We'll definitely be back!

Horchata Pancakes
Mikayla T.

Axolotl was like being thrown into Oaxaca City in Mexico, trendy, full of flavor, and traditional. I went on a Tuesday for brunch, I ordered the birria omelet and was able to get a side of horchata pancakes for a $3 up charge (with it). Both were phenomenal! The coffee and drinks are served in talavera pottery- which brings on the whimsy! The plating and presentation was delicate and pretty. Wish I would have taken more photos! The phone def didn't eat first haha

Axol Benedict
Michele V.

Simple. Worth the wait!! This place is a cultural taste bud journey! Wow! Insider secret is to use to wait-list feature on Yelp (go yelp!) and once you're seated, you're in for an experience. We ordered the birria tacos & the Axol Benedict and we were so pleased. The Benedict came with birria and a homemade hollandaise sauce that was rich and creamy. The birria tacos were one of the best we ever had. Next time we're getting the chilquilles which were popular and recommended. The restaurant is small, busy, but not crowded uncomfortable. The server and owner were so kind. What a Bay View gem.

Michael W.

The secret is out! This new place is quickly becoming a favorite for brunch in the Bay View neighborhood. The service is wonderful, the food is amazing and the drinks are on point. Prices are reasonable, and we will definitely be adding this spot as part of our brunch rotation!

Grabbed a spot at the bar
Liz A.

I had a weekday off and decided to take myself out to breakfast. So happy this place opens early. I went in at 8am and there were a few other people dining. I'm a big fan of their breakfast tacos. The chorizo is flavorful. I will add that the tacos are a messy meal, at easy for me. I used multiple napkins. The tacos come with your choice of breakfast potatoes or fruit. The cafe has a small bar that you're able to order it and an assortment of tables. I recommend getting here early if here on a weekend. Paying with cash is slightly cheaper than paying with a card.

Prasanta A.

I met a friend here for brunch on a Saturday. VERY BUSY! They don't take reservations, and we waited about an hour (45 minute wait minimum) and there were just two of us. We arrived at 11 am, so it was peak brunch time. We did not expect the wait to be that long. It was a very cold day, so we waited indoors. However, folks must have put their name on the list and left and waited elsewhere as we noticed folks showing up and getting seated - so so my suggestion is to arrive early, and put your name on the list. There isn't a lot of seating. That's my tip for you if you're going on a weekend! They will text you when the table is ready. Or you can join the waitlist right here! I didn't know that beforehand. Backing up just a bit - it was my first time here, and there isn't huge or visible signage from the street, so I ended up passing right by and going around the block trying to locate the building. There is street parking, and even on a busy Saturday, I found street parking easily, but I'd love some bigger signage so we can easily find it. It's got an upbeat atmosphere and cozy. Besides the very long wait, we enjoyed the food. I ordered the Breakfast tacos and my friend ordered the Childaquiles Tradicionales. I'd love to sample other things on the menu.

Vegetariano bowl
Samantha R.

Axolotl Cafe had been getting some buzz as a new brunch place in Bay View and I finally got around to checking it out. The cafe is small and gets busy on weekends. Definitely sign up for the waitlist on the way there. There were several things on the menu I wanted to try. Chilaquiles are popular. I went with the Vegetariano bowl so I could get a side of pancakes, and I upgraded to the guyaba (guava) pancakes for a small upcharge--was also eyeing the horchata. The food was good. The over easy eggs on my bowl were perfectly runny and there were plenty of delicious breakfast potatoes underneath and a variety of vegetables. The pancakes were beautifully presented and the guava sauce was something different. The server and bartender were friendly and kept my coffee filled. Owing to the small restaurant size and the crowd they're pretty strict about seating. Several people tried to come up to the bar for a drink while they were waiting and were told it was for customers on the waitlist. That said it was nice that they kept the bar open for seating so solo patrons like me could get a seat without taking up a whole table. I would come back here and try some more of the menu.

Chilaquiles with Cecina
Karla M.

We stopped by on a Friday around 10 a.m and there was no wait. The cafe is fairly small, so it may be difficult to accommodate larger groups. I ordered the red chilaquiles with cecina. The chilaquiles themselves were delicious, though the meat could have used a bit more seasoning. We also tried the kids pancakes, which were super tasty and a fun treat for the kids. For drinks, I highly recommend the passion and guava mimosas. Overall, it's a welcoming, friendly cafe and every dish is beautifully presented.

Nicole L.

Stoppppp. There was a bit of a wait, but they have a text waiting list so we were able to walk around the neighborhood while we waited for our table. It's a small cute diner, but what really slapped was the food. YOU HAVE TO GET THE CHURRO FRENCH TOAST. (Mexico City Style Churro Toast). I'm normally a savory breakfast kinda girl, and the chilaquiles were fine, but the deep fried brioche bread mixed with cinnamon sugar and chocolate sauce was divine and I will be back for it again!

Horchata Pancakes (a MUST!)

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Amazing food and service. The wait is worth it. Also the vibes and aesthetics of the place are great. Good way to start the day !!

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Uncle Wolfie's Breakfast Tavern - Wolfie's Breakfast Poutine

Uncle Wolfie's Breakfast Tavern

4.4(522 reviews)
4.6 mi•Brewer's Hill, Beerline B
•$$

Uncle Wolfie's was very high on my list of places to eat in Milwaukee and went even higher when it…read morewas also recommended by a colleague at work. It did not disappoint. Went in on a Thursday mid morning and was advised there would be a 45 minute wait (somewhat expected from other reviews). That said, it seemed like the wait was much less. Two in our party ordered the Big Wolf breakfast. I had mine with eggs over easy, sausage patties (came with 3 I believe), tavern potatoes and a single Johnny cake. Everything was delicious. The sausage was juicy and flavorful. The potatoes were like grilled whole potatoes that were then smashed down a bit. They were delicious. The Johnny cake was huge (size of a full sized dinner plate). Another in our party had the chicken biscuit which he said was very good, and that the chicken was very juicy (thigh), that also came with tavern potatoes. The last in our party ordered the Johnny cakes which came with 3 of the huge (think Uncle Buck sized) cornmeal pancakes. (2 togo boxes of them ended up coming with us), and a side of eggs. Everything was delicious and servings were very generous. Street parking in the surrounding neighborhood. Service was very attentive. Like many places in the area it seemed like a house that had been converted to a restaurant. Definitely recommend and be prepared for a wait depending on when you go. But it's worth it.

My husband and I were visiting from Chicago for a wedding and decided to try Uncle Wolfie's for a…read moreSunday brunch. I'm so glad we did! There was a little bit of a wait, but this wasn't anything unexpected, as brunch time on a Sunday is always going to be busy. They had a little area outside to sit and order drinks, so I ordered an ube chai. We were called in fairly quickly, and first off, the vibe is super fun. The music that was playing was also right up my alley. Second, the servers and service was quick, and third, the food was AMAZE. We had the steak and eggs, brunch burger, biscuits and gravy, and a side of Johnny cakes (they were bigger than our hands!). Everything was delish! The place sits kind of randomly in the middle of the neighborhood, so it definitely felt unique, and we were super happy to support. I hope to return sooner than later!

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Uncle Wolfie's Breakfast Tavern
Uncle Wolfie's Breakfast Tavern - May 2025

May 2025

Uncle Wolfie's Breakfast Tavern

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Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar

Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar

4.1(626 reviews)
3.4 mi•Downtown, East Town
•$$
Full bar
Takes reservations

The fried green tomatoes over the goat cheese grits were divine!! 5 stars for that dish. I was…read morecraving some southern food and this hit the spot. So yummy you must try it. It's a cute place that feels very open. We were able to walk in easily on a Friday morning. Service was fine.

My son, husband, & I stopped for dinner here while we were visiting him at school. It was on his…read morelist of places he wanted to go to. It was a Saturday night and they were only open until 8pm. We arrived a little after 7:30pm. They were still very busy and we were very thankful they were able to accommodate us. I believe we were the last ones to be seated. We started off with some fried okra which was very good. The sauce it came with was a little spicy. Everyone enjoyed it. For dinner I ordered the bone-in fried chicken (white) with green beans and a side salad. The chicken was good. The green beans were a little bland. The side salad was good but I ended up not being a fan of the Apple Cider Vinaigrette dressing. My son ordered the Southern Chicken BLT which looked good and he thoroughly enjoyed. My husband ordered the Surf, Turf, & Yolk. He said it was ok but the Brussel Sprouts were too burnt. I also want to mention the servers were great even though it was close to closing time. By the time we left and some of the other tables were leaving it was after closing time. I hope we can come back and try this place earlier in the day sometime.

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Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar
Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar
Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar

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Interval - Toasty, nutty housemade granola and oat yogurt. Vegan friends can enjoy too!

Interval

4.3(130 reviews)
4.3 mi•Lower East Side
•$$

FOOD: I would like to start off by saying that Interval has…read moresome of the best breakfast food I've ever seen in a coffee shop. Their breakfast really helps you charge up for the day. The classic breakfast was amazing. My eggs were perfectly scrambled. The jam paired well with the toast and I'm not even a fan of jam. A solid morning meal can be had here. Thanks to the photo gallery for this place, I had to try the Olive Oil Cake. It was pretty good. I'm not a huge fan of thick crusts. From my photo, you can see there's a thick crust over the cake. Once you get past that, the actually cake is very good. Strong olive oil taste. SERVICE: The baristas in Interval are so nice. They bring your drinks and food to you. I had a blast. I sat upstairs so I could get some serious study time in. The workers were pleasant and conversational. AMBIANCE: Interval has great architecture. The building gets flooded with so much natural lighting which is perfect for some sunny day study time. The noise level isn't too loud. You can hear yourself think and have conversation. The music is the appropriate volume. Also, whoever the DJ is at Interval has a great playlist. A solid mix of Lofi, Oldies, and Newer music.

**I am giving them a one star due to its terrible owner**…read more Coffee and drinks were good - I got something called Purple Rain which is ginger beer, black cherry syrup, and matcha on top. It was pretty good. The interior is super cute inside with pretty solid seating if you want a place to do work. The staff were SO nice and friendly. The only reason I am giving them a one star is because I've just learned that the owner is actually shitty and doesn't pay his workers. On the last day they were open, the power went out, the staff were so nice and kindly told everyone they're welcome to stay but they have to close up shop. Later in the day, there's a sign that said it's closed until further notice and employees saying they haven't been paid!!!! So, interval, you had potential if only you had proper ethical and compassionate business practices. Exploiting your employees is despicable.

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Interval - Tasty sausage biscuit with apricot mustard.

Tasty sausage biscuit with apricot mustard.

Interval - Liquid cheesecake - it's not on the lunch menu but ask for it!

Liquid cheesecake - it's not on the lunch menu but ask for it!

Interval

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Brunch - Southern Hash

Brunch

3.4(564 reviews)
3.6 mi•Downtown, East Town
•$$

If you are looking for a fantastic throwback diner counter experience with generous, delicious…read moreportions, this is the place. What I Got: * Breakfast Hash with Eggs Over Medium: Absolutely loaded! Hidden beneath perfectly prepared over-medium eggs and crispy bacon was a hearty hash tossed with a heavy serving of sautéed vegetables--onions, peppers, cherry tomatoes, and jalapeños. Wonderfully seasoned and prepared. * Hot Coffee: Served in their signature "Brunch it up" mug--kept fresh and flowing throughout the meal. Atmosphere & Service: The interior gives you that great vintage diner counter feel with clean, modern touches. Service was fast, attentive, and made the whole visit completely seamless.

We really wanted to Brunch It Up...we love a good brunch place...so much. We left wishing we'd gone…read moresomewhere else. Brunch It Up (possibly in the middle of rebranding to just "Brunch.") is a classic breakfast spot in downtown Milwaukee...we were there on a Sunday morning...high brunch time, and were seated quickly upstairs. The place had an overall run-down vibe to it...scuffed paint on the walls and a general feeling of not quite matching the quality of the upscale brunch spot implied by their modern logo. Menus...I normally don't comment on the menu itself but our table featured no less than 4 different menus...the regular menu, a drink menu, a specials menu and a mimosas menu...choices are wonderful, but the immediate reaction is this is a whole mess of menus on the table, and I don't know what to look at first. It felt haphazard. Let's move on to the coffee...Coffee is an essential part of the brunch experience. Even at a diner, you want it to be strong...the mug it came in was nice, but it was weak coffee. I need coffee to kick my butt, and if you're serving what's close to "browned water" at a breakfast place, you're missing the mark. How about the food? I can't fault them for the generosity of the portions, but will say individual dishes were way too much for my wife and I...we wish smaller portions were available, so so much didn't go to waste. My wife had the Egg and Waffle sandwich with waffle fries. It was fine. I had the Harvest Hash made with egg whites...the eggs were a little overcooked. (Egg whites require a thoughtful touch when cooking them so they are finished white and not browning all over.) There are plenty of fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, and peppers in there (I guess that's the extent of the harvest in Milwaukee) The hashbrowns it all sat on were undercooked. We were excited about the croissant beignets...Available were the regular ones with chocolate or strawberry dipping sauce, and a special with a fruit dipping sauce. They couldn't mix and match sauces, so we got the special. They were okay but a bit over-fried, losing the croissant texture altogether ...I mean, there's nothing wrong with deep-fried dough with sweet things to dip them in, but we do wish they hadn't fried the croissant out of them to give us the unique experience implied by the name. The menu has plenty to choose from...every breakfast savory or sweet thing you could imagine...and on the nicely designed, modern-looking menu at looks like it could be amazing...but everything we got, plus the experience of sitting in a place that felt a little rundown, left us overall disappointed.

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Brunch - Interior

Interior

Brunch - Beignets with caramel and raspberry sauce

Beignets with caramel and raspberry sauce

Brunch - To-go cups available upon request

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To-go cups available upon request

Swingin' Door Exchange - Carrots and Grilled Beets!! Delicious

Swingin' Door Exchange

4.5(1.3k reviews)
3.5 mi•Downtown, East Town
•$$

We were in town for a event. Found this place & devices to check it out…read more It was a good choice. The place was busy. We checked in and sat at the bar waiting to be seated. Had a couple drinks that were mixed well, old fashioned and a Malibu & Diet Coke. Then decided to just eat at the bar. We ordered chicken littles, fries, Chicago & western hot dogs. Roasted beets , potato truffle soup. All of this was so good. The soup was amazing. The Hot dogs were surprising, off the daily special menu. Topped it off with a red velvet cheesecake. So good. The place had a great vibe and lots of character. Would do it again when back in town

What an absolute gem! Swingin' Door Exchange has such an incredible vibe, bringing together a fun…read moremix of tourists, folks grabbing post-work drinks, and pre-concert crowds. The service was top-notch from start to finish, highlighted by a super nice bartender who made me feel right at home. They also have an amazing selection of craft beer choices to go around. I ordered the prime rib dip, and it was out of this world. The shaved prime rib was cooked to perfection, and the au jus was intensely peppery, savory, and comforting--it honestly tasted just like something my grandma used to make. Shoutout to the roll, too, which achieved peak "soakability" without falling apart. If you're in Milwaukee, do not skip this place!

Photos
Swingin' Door Exchange - Hometown old school bar and restaurant. Has a Cheers feel to it

Hometown old school bar and restaurant. Has a Cheers feel to it

Swingin' Door Exchange - Ahi Tuna Steak

Ahi Tuna Steak

Swingin' Door Exchange - Historic Mackie Building, once the site of the Grain Exchange. Swingin Door is bottom right

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Historic Mackie Building, once the site of the Grain Exchange. Swingin Door is bottom right

Axolotl Café - breakfast_brunch - Updated October 2026

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