Michaela R.

Barnacle buds was the best tonight! We went because I haven't been in a while and I was craving that outside vacation feel. Great weather, delicious drinks, and even better service. Brad was the best!

Mikayla T.

Barnacle Bud's is fun to bring out of towners to, to show all the fun sides of Milwaukee! Great views of the river, kind staff, variety of fun adult drinks, and delicious bar food. It is always a win in my book. During our visit, a little girl next to us got stung by a bee and two waitress brought the girl a Shirley temple, fruit snacks, ice, and supported the parents through their daughter being upset! It was very kind! Barnacle Buds can fill up and have a long wait, especially on Friday evenings. I love to go on Sunday's for lunch and to have the option to sit outside by the river. Overall, every seat is a good one. The decor reminds me of a Florida bar! We ordered the tuna tostadas & Grouper Ruben. We enjoyed both. The tuna tostada was a huge portion and ended up taking one home. The creama was delicious and under each tostada! In the past I've had the fish fry, oysters, chowder, fries, and drinks. All have been tasty.

Ophelia M.

Tucked away just past Skipper Bud's boat storage, on the river in Bay View, is Barnacle Bud's. By summer, Barnacle Bud's is your typical river pub/fish shack. Bursting with pub fare (seafood, burgers, brats, etc), drinks, outdoor seating, and all the laid back vibes your little summer heart could desire, Barnacle Bud's is worth seeking out for a leisurely dining experience in the sunshine. In autumn and winter, the team at Barnacle Bud's transforms their menu and space into a pop up supper club, Gene's Supper Club on the River. Serving up delightful supper club vibes and a menu to match Wednesdays through Saturdays in November, December, and January, Barnacle Bud's pop up supper club is absolutely worth the stop. First things first, though. You'll want reservations. They're not just suggested, they're required and will, of course, ensure prompt seating with little waiting. There's not much space to wait, so no need to get there early. Come right at your reservation time for your own comfort and the ease of the hard working staff. When we were going, they were calling for donations to a nearby food pantry and offering complimentary ice cream cocktails to those who obliged. Free cocktail or no--we loved the opportunity to help. We arrived at our appointed reservation time and were seated immediately. Water was promptly provided as was bread. I started with their bourbon old fashioned which had hints of cinnamon and made for a perfect autumn cocktail. For our starter we ordered their relish tray (of course) which was pitch perfect. Filled with olives, veggies, pickles, crackers, meats, and cheese spread--truly what's not to love? We also tried seasonal appetizer from their November specials which was mushroom tostadas. Perfectly savory on a crisp tortilla, these tostadas were the star of our dinner. Absolutely craveable! For my main, I got their wild caught salmon. Yes, you heard me correctly. They are serving up wild caught Alaskan salmon in here. Nearly impossible to find on any menu, there was no way I could resist ordering it. And, I can happily say, I was not the slightest bit disappointed. It was ample and perfectly prepared. For my dessert, my dining companion and I shared their grasshopper ice cream cocktail as well as an order of their chocolate mousse. Both were sweet, flavorful, and everything you want in a after dinner sweet treat. Our server was an absolute delight throughout the evening, And, the space is small but quirky and fun and bedecked with christmas lights. Truly--no notes! Thanks so much for the amazing experience, Barnacle Bud's! The rest of you: get your reservations now, What are you waiting for? Get to it!

Alex S.

Fantastic not so hidden gem in Milwaukee! Quirky in the best way possible, fun atmosphere, great drinks & food. I can't go & not get Victorias Cooler. Food is always fresh & tasty. A wam weather staple!

Michelle E.

Three friends and I booked a reservation two months in advance for Barnacle Bud's Pop-Up Supper Club. The only reservation we could get was 4:30PM but we were excited we were able to get in at any time. Because of the timing, the sun was setting over the water, which was really pretty to see. I got a little confused with where to enter the building and I guess I went in the wrong way because I walked down the dock and entered the back of the restaurant by the restrooms, lol. Barnacle Bud's had a cool decor vibe and moody lighting. Our waitress was incredibly friendly, welcoming, and you could tell she was very excited about the menu and the pop-up experience. She provided exceptional customer service- she went over the menu thoroughly, came back to check on us multiple times, and always refilled our water, which I always appreciate! To start, we ordered wine and the relish tray. Everything on the relish tray was a little too vinegary for me but most of the table enjoyed it. However, the four of us didn't finish it. It was pretty powerful with vinegar flavor. For an entree, I had the salmon with veggies and my friends ordered the lamb chops, carbonara, and a vegetarian friend ordered a plate of Bud's potatoes and veggies. The food was good but I thought mine was very salty. And I'm glad I ordered my sauce on the side. For dessert, the four of us shared the mousse, which had good flavor and texture. Also to note, there were up-charges for veggies, sauce was $3 extra, etc., so just pay attention to pricing if that's a concern for you. Overall, it was a unique experience and worth checking out.

Robert S.

One of my all time favorites in MKE. If you''re looking to experience a little Key West in the 414, this is your place. Great seafood offerings. Best Grooper options in the city. Service (with the legend Chris) was outstanding.

Jenna K.

Great river views and awesome patio area! The staff is always so friendly here! Grouper is my go to here and this time I was able to try a dining week special, Grouper BigMac and it did not disappoint! It was loaded and very tasty! We also got the wings to start. The sauce had good flavor and a nice kick to it!

Mary Jo C.

This was my first time visiting barnacle buds.Tucked away down a street in Bayview, you wouldn't know it was there unless you were looking for it. It's kitschy , it's fun, and you feel like a stowaway. We happen to be there with a party of nine celebrating a friend's birthday. Our servers were great. They were attentive and fun. We all ordered different things, and tried a little bit of everybody's. The oysters were outstanding! As were the buffalo shrimp. All in all, we had a great time, and I would absolutely go back again.

Jade W.

Barnacle buds is one of a kind. This is a must-stop spot if you are boating on the water- we always start or end here when we are kayaking around Milwaukee. Their drinks are exceptional- we had several pain killers last time we went and they brought us back to our time in the Virgin Islands and really hit the spot on an extremely hot day. The food is just okay, hence the less one star. The tacos were nothing special, and we also weren't overly impressed with the mussels we ordered, but the cheese curds were very good. Service also brought the star down one, as it's generally indifferent at best. You come for the ambience, which is fabulous - sit by the water and enjoy a good drink and pretend you're on an island.

Kristen P.

Genes Supper Club review: Oh my gosh was this the best meal I have had in a long time. We asked our server Kristie what were some of her favorites, and she gave us awesome recommendations. The lamb chops were perfectly cooked, and the salmon was super lean with a chimichurri seasoning. You can add on different butters such as a lemon caper, or a garlic compote. We both got the lemon caper for our dishes. Oh and you have to get your veggies buds way, it really adds a lot of flavor. Plus this place was so cute, imagine an oyster bar in the middle of Christmas. Cute lights and decorations everywhere! You will have to get reservations though, they have limited seating. Definitely worth it, we will be back every year!

Amy S.

Don't be fooled by the parking lot - if you make it all the way past the gate and into the restaurant you'll be rewarded with great views, awesome drinks, and fantastic seafood! While the menu is a little confusing and could maybe use some updating/reformatting, the food itself is awesome. Most of us partook in the build your own bloody Mary bar and it was worth every penny. (Pro tip - take an extra cup and load it up with garnishes and assemble back at your table!) All of our food came out quickly which was awesome since we had such a big party. My coconut shrimp were fantastic and I can't wait to go back and get them again. It was nice that there were a few non-seafood options available as well so there's something for everyone. And if you're cruising down the river you can pull your boat up to Barnacle Bud's and grab some drinks to go too!

Lauren G.

Came here on a Monday night and it was quite busy but we were seated right away. It's a very casual and beach vibe. The views of the river are great! I ordered the crab cake sandwich and it was delicious! It had lots of flavor and all the toppings complimented each other well! The fries reminded me of McDonald's fries! Overall, the vibes are immaculate and this is a cool place to check out!

Nicole R.

Nothing to rave about this place, it's just alright. Seems kind of overpriced but the seafood quality is pretty good. I've been here once before and the ambiance is really only cool the first time. Servers are pleasant but honestly wouldn't plan on coming back here.