Barnacle Buds is all about the atmosphere you feel like you are in a tropical part of the world far from the MKE. Had the peel and eat shrimp. Perfect sized portion and the sauce had a little snap to it, it wasn't over powering, just right. Cool attentive staff, that was quick with refills. Great place on a Summer day. It is a little cramped if you you want to be indoors. If you need a little escape and don't have a plane ticket stop and check it out. Use your GPS if you are not from the bubble. read more

First, I loved the experience. It would be easier to get to by water, but it wasn't difficult to find by land. Navigating through a chain link fence made me feel I was going to some secret destination nestled away along the river. The setting was perfect and the place lively. It was a perfect evening, weatherwise, and it was filled with people, but not too crowded. We opted to sit on the bar side because of immediate seating there and the Florida Keys party-type atmosphere made for a great experience. We talked with strangers, drank and ate. I think the environment made the food taste better. I had grouper and it was great. The fries were a bit pedestrian, but that's being picky. My brother had the Salmon BLT and said it was tasty, but very light on the bacon. I think the prices were reasonable and parking wasn't an issue. Although it's a fun place, it's not a place to take kids. Too close to the water and it's not targeted towards kids. Great experience along the river that brought the Keys to Milwaukee. Can't help but smile and have a good time. read more

Barnacle Bud's - Seafood Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

This was our third time here and it is always an adventure locating this place. I love the funky vibe of this restaurant. A bit of Key West in MKE. A great location on a hot summer day like today. It was very busy at 1:30 on a Thursday afternoon. We grabbed one of the last available tables. I was expecting average food but was blown away by the excellent grilled grouper sandwich. The roll was super fresh and nicely grilled. Others raved about their meals. The huge salmon BLT and the lobster roll were very tasty. The food quality was a pleasant surprise at this fun location. read more

Come here for the atmosphere! It's such a fun outdoor space and a great place to enjoy warmer weather. The place is eclectic (especially the menu which is often overwhelming to look at...) and super fun. There's really nothing else like it in Milwaukee! The food is fine, and I actually think the grouper sandwiches are decent (everything else is pretty average, and nothing is bad). If the atmosphere were not what it is--no, I probably wouldn't go just to eat their food. But, it's a great place to hang out with a group of friends so I'd still recommend going! One note for families--they don't have high chairs so not a place for little ones unless you're okay with your kiddo sitting/eating on your lap. read more

Cool atmosphere outside by the bay. Had the grouper Reuben which was excellent. Great place to grab a bite, watch the boats and listen to some chill music. read more

This is such a cool spot! We picked the perfect day to visit too. We had a bit of a wait as it was lunchtime on a sunny Saturday which was understandable. Service was incredibly friendly and attentive. Venue: Beautiful spot surprisingly hidden behind factories and a boat storage facility. How it has been decorated you'd have no idea you were in such an industrial area. It's fun to watch boats pull up and dock along the restaurant. Beachy vibes. Food: I recommend the crab artichoke dip, you won't be disappointed. We also had a grouper sandwich and fried cod. The grouper sandwich was also pretty incredible and the cod was pretty standard. Room for dessert? The key lime pie was reaaaal good. We also tried out the bloody Mary bar and let me tell ya there isn't much better than drinking a bloody Mary made just the way I like it (because I made it myself) while hanging out by the water. read more

While driving there, I kept wondering if GPS was wrong as I traversed an industrial zone but ultimately found it. Super cool location with a laid back and chill vibe. Great spot to grab a few could ones and look out at the Milwaukee skyline. Definitely a must stop to enjoy the patio in summer. read more

Amazing seafood place with a great spot right on the water! Such a special place once you find it! looks like you're driving into the shipping/docks yard but if you park and walk to the water you'll find Barnacle Buds! A wonderfully decorated and beautiful patio bar outside seating area Perfect for date night or hanging out with a group of friends. Will be coming back, our food was amazing!! read more

I took a friend who was in town to Barnacle Bud's for lunch o a Beautiful afternoon....it was AWESOME!!! The food was Delicious, the atmosphere was Wonderful & the service was Excellent! I highly recommend this restaurant! read more

The location and ambiance are the only good things about this place. The food is super expensive for what you get and it's not very good. I got the crab cake appetizer for 16 dollars, and you only get one crab cake with a heaping pile of nasty coleslaw! The lobster roll was disgusting, and I don't think they even used real lobster. If they did, it was minimal, and they mixed it with imitation seafood meat. read more

Aye Captain! This place makes me feel like I'm on the set of Pirates of the Caribbean. Johnny Depp is hiding somewhere in this place. I arrived at this place by boat and immediately dug the tropical vibe. Housed between enormous boat storage units, this tropical gem is one I will be going back to visit. Great oysters and crab cakes coupled with an ice cold beer are what it's all about. Since I went for apps only, I can't speak for the entrees. Either way this river destination is all about good times. read more

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OK. The patio is absolutely awesome and makes me feel like I am in Key West (although I have never been). The food we had was absolutely awful, however. Best crabcakes in Milwaukee? Worst crab cakes I have ever had anywhere. At one point I thought I may need to throw up they were so bad. 75% filler and the filler was somehow greasy. Oh my God. It makes me gag just to think about them! The ranch fries were the cheapest frozen french fries you could buy and I dared not try the ranch dressing that came with them because I already had my fill of grease from the crab cakes. The salad was iceberg with some cucumbers, tomatoes, and white onions. It did have some sliced avocado as well which I thought was nice, but it just didn't really go well with the iceberg lettuce. The service was good. No complaints, but we couldn't find the maitre de to reserve a table because she was wandering all over the deck. I just don't understand why she just didn't stay put near the entrance. That being said the manager say us wandering around looking lost and took our name and said she would put us on the list. The wait was shorter than she indicated and gave us time to have a drink and enjoy watching the boats and people. One reviewer who felt the same way about the crab cakes said the lobster rolls were good, so maybe we'll try those next time. Or maybe we'll just drink. I will be much more particular about what I eat here, that is for sure! read more

It's a little sketchy to begin with due to its location down a dark alley between some abandoned buildings. Also don't let the menu deter you (my drink literally said it contained rum "and stuff"). The food was excellent (I had a lobster roll) and the staff was funny and attentive. Highly recommend checking out out. read more

Great food and atmosphere. Recently enjoyed a date night here and the food was great. We both had a po'boy!

A fellow diner at the Lakefront Brewery fish fry recommended Barnacle Bud's to us. When we read Ruthie M's comment "You need to take your friends here. They will think you're taking them into a back alley so you can kill them," we knew we had to stop in. Yes, we're weirdos like that. I probably would've bailed on this place had I been walking there myself; at night it's a desolate industrial-type area. Persevere! After a time you'll start seeing cars and just past them the discreet entrance to Barnacle Bud's. The bar abuts Skipper Bud's and leaves you feeling like you're somewhere more tropical than the Kinnickinnic River, like Key West. I'm not sure if this place is open year-round, but to me it's a summer destination. You can sit inside, but I don't think it has the same appeal. We had already eaten, so I can't comment on the grub. We did, however, grab a drink. Having indulged on beer all day, we opted for mixed drinks. I have no recollection of what we ordered, but they each came in a mason jar; his was blue and mine was pink-ish. BB's isn't a late night place, last call is around 10:30 on Friday; perfect for us since we just wanted a drink before calling it a night. Too early for the party pontoon boat that hightailed it out of there when they heard. I'm glad we found this hidden gem; if you find yourself in Milwaukee and near Bayview, it's something you should try at least once. read more

A friend recently clued me in on Bud's existence and I couldn't believe that in all my trips to this cool little corner of Milwaukee I had never come across this little slice of South Florida paradise! The first time you head down the little access road over the railroad tracks and between the industrial waterfront buildings you start to wonder if it's all some cruel joke, but once you make that final turn you're greeted by the most disorganized parking situation in town...and that just adds to the fun. Even though it was threatening rain on our first Saturday afternoon visit, the place was a rockin' with two large decks offering lots of outdoor and covered seating. Inside a rustic little nautical hideaway awaits and took me back to the side streets off Duval in Key West. With the coming rain we opted for the covered (but open on three sides) deck and were promptly served a couple ice-cold beers in Mason jars. Nice touch. The tattered and grease-stained food menus were also fitting and full of simple, but tempting seafood selections. There were some standard 'landlubber' options too, but why would I even bother when I'm on the water and dreaming of the possibility of an impromptu calypso performance at any moment??? We opted for the tuna steak sandwich and the fried shrimp po boy which both arrived quickly. My wife's shrimp po boy basket was adorned with onions, lettuce, hot gardiniera, pickles and a spicy mayo sauce with fries on the side. She's not a fan of gardiniera, but I thought that was an awesome addition to an otherwise simple sandwich. My tuna steak was the real deal with perfect cross-hatch grill marks and cooked to a perfect rare. Served on a wonderfully fresh egg-washed brioche-type bun. No toppings other than my pickle garnish, but all I wanted to taste was the tuna and it certainly satisfied. Fresh with a great meaty flavor and not fishy at all despite having a deep-red center. Delish! I opted for cole slaw on the side and it was a nice simple (not overdone with mayo, thank goodness!) homemade-tasting variety. Prices were extremely reasonable in that my tuna steak sandwich was like $7.95 and the po boy was about the same price. A steal that would have cost nearly double at home in Chicago! We stuck around for another beer and watched happy boaters come and go after a quick libation. Pontoons filled with partiers floated by and waved to us as we waved back. Just a great vibe and DEFINITELY a place we'll return when the sun is out and maybe when they have some live music. That might move this happy little shanty up to perfection! read more

Barnacle Bud's - Am I in Key West? - Seafood Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Barnacle Bud's makes me feel like I'm a fancy lady at a fancy club in not Wisconsin. I don't own a boat, but in my mind I could at Barnacle Buds. Love the drinks, love the seafood, love the vibes. My favorite summer nights are at Barnacle Buds. TBH I can't remember what I've eaten here because I usually have a few dumpster juice (trash water? Garbage liquid?) before ordering. I do remember having coconut shrimp and being like "yea ok" so 5 stars! read more

Great Meal. Delicious pie. Would most definitely come back. Bon appetit. Laurel is the best server!!!

Tried on a Friday party of 5. Nice location on the river if the weather is nice. The folks with fish fries enjoyed them. I had the crab patty sandwich. Kind of mushy, not much crab. Fries and service was good read more

I'm waiting to order already 25 min ...staff ...bartender is very rude. First time here and last time

You don't visit Barnacle Bud's for the food. Trust me. You visit Barnacle Bud's solely for the atmosphere. In what other town, city, metro area, country or universe can you find a PLACE LIKE THIS? If you can direct me, I'd be greatly appreciative. Five stars for ambiance + uniqueness alone. Plus, buckets of tiny beers! read more

Such a fun spot to hit in summertime! The patio is great, and the view of the river can't be beat. Oh- and the food and drinks are tasty too. But I feel like the patio is the biggest pull at Buds. We started with a dozen oysters and some cocktails (the Mule and Dark and Stormy were potent and refreshing); and then tried the Catfish PoBoy and the Grouper Reuben. Both sandwiches were excellent and didn't skimp on the seafood. Our little one ordered chicken tenders; but ended up eating most of the catfish from the PoBoy. Oh well. While I'm sad it's taken me this long to check out the restaurant, I can't wait to go back. read more

Barnacle Bud's - Alllll the oysters! - Seafood Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

WINTER REVIEW - Came here early April and will not come back until nice weather is here. I love this place in the summer but this experience was horrible. To start the limited menu was horrible. The service (6 people on the whole place) was horrible. I got the fish sandwich and the fish was falling apart and had no flavor. My friend ordered the burger medium rare and it came out well done; seriously horrible over cooked. Tried eating it but then sent it back and got a new one. Same result: overlooked like crazy! Waitress didn't apologize or offer to take it off the bill. Just told us that she likes her burgers essentially burnt. Again, love this place as a summer hangout but it is night and day with the winter menu. Will wait until 80 degree weather is here. read more

Barnacle Bud's - Dumpster punch - Seafood Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Visiting Barnacle Bud's is like leaving Milwaukee for a small shanty town on the coast. Barnacle Bud's is unapologetically unique. Adventure to get there? Check. Limited alcohol available? Check. Sassy menu? Check. The food is not as one would hope. Being a seafood-type place, my friends and I thought we'd get solid seafood. Most of it was good. However, the lobster roll was dry. The burger and ribs were delicious. The drinks and food were not something I'll return for. However, the atmosphere is worth it. read more

Such a cool place!! I'd never been to barnacle buds before but have always heard good things. My family came in town and decided to take them there. So glad I did because it was such a great experience. We got drinks at the bar while we wanted for a table outside near the water. I got the paradise punch which was delightful! We also ordered some oysters while we waited which were very yummy! Once seated we ordered peel and eat shrimp as an appetizer. I ordered the coconut shrimp as an entree which came with a sweet chili sauce which I loved! My family ordered the clams and the grouper fish fry both were soo good! I loved the atmosphere and vibe at barnacle buds. 100% will go back, such a great experience! read more

I've been here before, eating outside, and it was 4*. This time I was very disappointed. Sign posted said limited people per table but they allowed 12 college age kids to literally sit on top of each other at a round table that could only comfortably hold 8, no masks. Server was friendly and recommended fish tacos to my friend but he and menu neglected to warn that the sauce was very peppery hot. My fish fry was tasteless and missing the rye bread. He didn't return to check on us after dropping off the plates and brought only one glass of water as a refill 20 minutes later, despite having only one other small table to wait on. Many times I feel when I don't order drinks that servers look at me as a poor tipper. This was one. read more

Love this little place! It's cozy and eclectic and super clean. The woman who took our orders was so amazingly kind and friendly, a nice breath of fresh air since we were not in very good spirits that day after helping a friend through her first round of chemo. She even stayed open a little late for us :) Can't say enough kind things and will be back soon! read more

If you are looking for great fish and seafood with a nice relaxed atmosphere, then this is the place. Loved being right there where the boats park. Wait staff was friendly and on the move. Had a variety of meals. Kids had burgers and chicken strips and not a complaint from either (usually very picky). Wife had a crab cake sandwich that was excellent. I am not a fish eater, but decided to try the grouper Rueben. Great choice on my part. The sauce that accompanies the sandwich was not your standard thousand island and it went great with fries. I will say it was tough to find, so be patient with your GPS and take that turn that doesn't look like a street. It is behind Skipper Bud's boats. Overall a great experience. read more

My colleagues and I dropped in one Friday in the summer for lunch, they happened to be serving walleye fish fry that day. It was the best walleye fish fry I've ever had, freshly caught, large serving, not overly battered, just perfect. We returned a few times after, it was no longer on the menu unfortunately. Other items on the menu are good but just can't compare with freshly caught walleye in my opinion! read more

Decent food- both seafood and land animal. ;) It's a little hideaway you can escape to and feel like you're in Florida minus the palm trees. The atmosphere is Jimmy Buffet-like. read more

Barnacle Bud's - Onion rings and a build your own burger with Swiss cheese. - Seafood Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Went here with my family to escape to a fun waterfront dining option. This place is for sure not formal and is very bar themed. It is clean, the food is good, and the service was excellent. Starting with the cleanliness. This was pretty good. The bathroom was average in cleanliness and reeked of alcohol but the meats and food were properly cooked. There were no bugs in the food (I have had that happen before). My Rating for this Category: 4/5 Next, the food. The food here is excellent. It is flavorful and comes in large quantities for the price. The selection is wonderful and offers some unique food that I have not seen anywhere else in Milwaukee. My Rating for this Category: 5/5 Finally the service. The service here at Barnacle Bud's is fantastic. Our waitress was inviting and sweet. She also had a great sense of humor. The service is also great in the fact that even though it is a laid back atmosphere, the food comes out quickly. My Rating for this Category: 5/5 As finding a waterfront place is fun, this matched my family's needs pretty well. Keep in mind this place is a tad bit pricey so be prepared. I would recommend this place but come during the day and not the night because it can get pretty crazy. read more

Barnacle Bud's is a little bit like a Jimmy Buffet song that's come alive along the shores of the Kinnickinnic River. This is a very casual, fun atmosphere that's undoubtedly one of the best spots to enjoy drinking outdoors in the warm summer months. Order a jelly jar glass cocktail-like the Bloody Mary or vodka-infused fruit punch-or a bucket of cold beers to sip with friends while at one of the rustic wooden picnic tables on the deck while listening to live music. In addition to a full bar, there's a full menu of appetizers, sandwiches and entrees. Seafood is the main staple of the menu at Barnacle Bud's. The crab cake sandwich and coconut battered shrimp basket are among my favorites. You also can't go wrong with the Friday fish fry. All of the above are served with generous portions and a side of fries. If you've never been to Barnacle Bud's it can feel like you're in the wrong place while looking for the entrance, as the building is tucked away in a particularly industrial section of Bay View, behind a boat service and storage facility. Once you actually locate the place, though, it's as though you've traveled to the Florida Keys without leaving Milwaukee. Expect to stick around for a few rounds in this comfortable spot. read more

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On the Kinnickinnic River southwest of the Milwaukee Municipal Mooring Basin, south of Jones Island. If going by car, check Google maps and the Google maps satellite view. You will be driving along warehouses with no real streets. When you get to the chain link fence, park the car. Every time I've been to Barnacle Bud's it's been a warm, sunshiny weekday; the weathered grey deck, picnic tables and beach shack restaurant instantly transports one to the Florida keys. Not a good restaurant for children. The sides of the restaurant not abutting a warehouse are docks. A parent would have to be vigilant. Waiters and waitresses aren't life guards. And the place has relaxed, adult vibe. Their old website had unsubtle advice: "We don't have a children's menu." This is one of the few places I don't bother with the menu and go with the special of the day. On Thursdays, the special is Chef's Choice which is always a pleasant surprise. Just don't order the cheeseburger out of habit because there is a lot of great seafood. The drinks menu is playful and adventurous, too. Barnacle Bud's is a mini-vacation. read more

I went on a nice summer day ,it was crowed had to wait in line This where I wanted to eat fish i didn't mind waiting i love to sit by the water as n watch boat go in out with people its a little Jamaican feel to it nice conversation an drink I always recommend people to come here its nice read more

Plenty of outdoor seating is available at this bar. I did have to wait to be seated due to Covid restrictions, but it was worth the wait. Lots of fun drinks to choose from and good food! The staff was very helpful and friendly and the bathrooms were very clean. read more

Great spot. Nice to bring guests or nice if you just wanna sit outside. It's fun to interact with all the boaters going down the river (we sat in the back patio) I got the crab cake Benedict and it was super Delish. read more

This place is a pearl for sure. It's hidden away so you can feel like a sea dog that made port for a drink. Driving there makes you feel like your in on a secret spot. The food is always good through the years. It's a staple in Milwaukee. The view is always great. It's also worth saying that you don't have to wait, because most people don't know where it is. read more

We love the atmosphere of this place especially on a beautiful day. Being by the water. We enjoy their grouper dishes and try to get here at least once or twice a season. Where they shine is when we bring a group, they treat us great and seem to get our food in a timely manner. You can't just find them by happen chance because they are off the beaten trail and seems like more and more people are discovering this little gem. They can be extremely busy. But well worth the wait. read more

I'm still thinking about whether to recommend the fish fry since lately the grouper and fries are so tasteless. I would be embarrassed to bring anyone here for dinner unless only ordering a burger. My reason for 4 stars is the location and the crab cakes. Amazing recipe for the crab cakes and next time I'll stick to the food that they're known for like the Barnacle Bid burger Yummy read more

Barnacle Bud's - Seafood Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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This place is like being in vacation. The food was great and the fish fry is just excellent. Great place to hang out and relax.