Eight years after my first review here, still a huge fan of Goodkind. I might even love them a little bit more after this last weekend. In addition to the still impeccable cocktails and delicious food, this past weekend they were serving up a sanctuary daiquiri with the proceeds heading directly to the Immigrant Law Center in Minnesota. Also, if you didn't know, any evening, you can 'plate it forward' for $20. The food is always delicious and the drinks divine. Offering all this deliciousness and avenues to help? Magical. Get to it! And, order the chocolate stout cake for dessert. You won't regret it. read more

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Another great experience at Goodkind! Our zero-proof beverages were fantastic - we tried the spicy pineapple mock marg and the garden gnome, which was so good I had 2. The food was really good - came out very quickly. We had the Brussels sprouts salad (fantastic), the sourdough with salted butter (so good!), the chicken, the beef cheeks (yum), and the spicy crab pasta. We shared a mini gateau basque for dessert with some coffee - really good! Our server was excellent - friendly, helpful, accommodating with a food allergy, and just generally pleasant. The vibes are great - cozy, laid back, and comfortable. I especially love all the plants mixed in with the eclectic decor. read more

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What a gem in Bay View! Love coming here on special occasions and would highly recommend reservations. Food and drinks are delicious that rotate frequently. Love the spicy crab pasta! read more

This was a very cozy restaurant. There was a lot of warm/yellow lighting that made the restaurant feel homey. At times it did feel like the music was on a little too loud, where it felt like my friend and I were shouting to hear each other. The food and service were amazing. I got the Fennel Pollen Dry Brined 1/2 Amish Chicken and my friend got the Linguini Alla Carbonara. Both were incredible. The chicken was not dry at all and the vinaigrette paired really well with the vegetables. We also got the Chocolate Stout Cake for dessert. The brittle on top...fire. I'm excited to stop by again and try their other dishes with each changing season. read more

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Food: 4/5 Prices: 4/5 Location: 4/5 Service: 5/5 This is one of those affordable-ish fancy restaurants tucked away in the side streets just outside of downtown. So parking is free on the street. From the outside you might even mistake it for a house. This is one of those restaurants whose menu constantly changes because the chef always tries something new. See pics for food samples. But overall flavor-wise it was great. Loved the cheese selection. I just found my pork chop a little over cooked and the deserts can be a little sweet. But inside has a lot of character with tabletop candle lighting. Restaurant interior overall is pretty dim which would be nice for a date night. But on a busy night is very loud inside. There is some seating outdoors though. Our server was attentive it fill our waters without prompting and was able to give us a good overview of the menu. read more

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FINALLY made it to burger night and it didn't disappoint. I've always loved Goodkind and think it is one of Milwaukee's quaintest and cutest restaurants! The vibes are perfect- I love the wallpaper and all of the decor. The crispy Brussels sprout salad was incredible, and I am still thinking about the garlicky dressing that really made the dish! For burger night, I love that they change it up each week and create something fun the day of service. The night we went, our burger was topped with red rock crab, a hollandaise sauce, and avocado. Slightly different combo, but I love fresh crab and the burger really came together for a well balanced brunch vibe . The fries were tasty, but the beer batter was a little heavy for my liking- still ate them though and enjoyed with the sauce. We took some of our burger and fries home, and it was almost better the next day. Our waitress was knowledgeable and attentive. I love that they have a N.A. cocktail selection- the spicy mock marg was a 10/10. Will definitely return for more burger nights and regular dinners! read more

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Ambiance: super intimate restaurant with light decor aspect to it. I did not like how loud it was in there to the point we couldn't really hear eachother & i don't think it was the music. just how busy & small the restaurant is. Service: our service was okay - she messed up our cocktail order twice and it felt like she didn't come by our table often enough. Food: we got the spicy crab pasta & that was a 3/5. I didn't think it was spicy and it was just kind of bland - not sure if it's because we put the crab on the side but even with it mixed in, i didn't care for it. the champagne battered oyster mushrooms were really good! it was light and crispy and the sauce was delicious. we got the 1/2 amish chicken which was also very good & flavorful. for sides, we got french fries & the sourdough bread which were good (as expected) read more

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First stop on our Milwaukee trip! We came on a Friday evening and thankfully there was a reservation available. We started with the Crispy Brussel Sprouts Salad and Champagne Battered Oyster Mushrooms. Salad was delicious with the right amount of dressing, the oyster mushrooms I wish didn't have as much breading. It took over the flavor of the mushrooms unfortunately. The 1/2 chicken was insanely big! Was worth every penny. The fish had a very light breading, which was good. We were too full for dessert, but maybe next time. read more

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This is your sign to book your reservation now! Dined for two on a Saturday night. It was warm, comfy, and cozy. We sat at a booth near the back with views of the whole restaurant. This spot was so unique and we really enjoyed all the details of the restaurant. We started with the sformato and then the pork tenderloin and spicy crab bucatini. The sformato had a great mix of fresh, crispy, and creaminess. We felt like the crab bucatini was too heavy on the pasta and didn't have enough of the spicy crab. It wouldn't be my first pick next time but it was a great first few bites. Make sure you walk around the neighborhood before or after your meal! This side of town is adorable! read more

Goodkind - Sformato - Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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On Saturday night, I visited Goodkind in Bayview to celebrate a friend's birthday. Although we mistakenly booked for Sunday, the exceptionally accommodating hostess managed to fit us in for an hour-long dinner. From the moment I arrived, I was struck by the restaurant's lively atmosphere. The space buzzed with activity--the dining room was busy and the bar was packed, adding to the energetic vibe. We sampled an array of cocktails, appetizers, and entrées. I was especially excited to try the cocktails since Goodkind was a semifinalist for the James Beard Award for Outstanding Bar Program in 2022. My top pick was the Sticks and Stobes cocktail; it was smooth, well-balanced, and featured a delightful bitters finish. Regarding the menu, I noticed that while the ingredients are listed for each dish, it doesn't clearly explain what the dish is. I was scrolling through instagram photos so I could get an idea of what to expect when my dinner came out. For appetizers, we ordered the duck and chanterelle pierogi and a crispy Brussels sprouts salad. As a pierogi lover, I found the dish decent--though not the best I've ever had--while the Brussels sprouts salad was refreshing, full of flavor, and had a pleasing texture. For my main course, I opted for the Jamaican Coconut Curry. Being a curry enthusiast, I was eager to try it--and it did not disappoint. The dish greeted me with an amazing aroma and delivered a bold, smooth, and spicy flavor profile. My only misstep was the drop biscuit in the center, which felt out of place with the curry. I had the chance to try my friend's entrée--the leg of lamb--which was cooked to perfection. I enjoyed it so much that I wish I had chosen it as my main dish. Overall, Goodkind offers a beautiful, unique, and energetic dining experience--a true hidden gem in Bayview. read more

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First time here. And we were very impressed (mostly). Make a reservation and got in right away. It was early Saturday night and the place was full. It's an interesting layout and design. Has a hip, art-deco vibe going on. Nicely lit and lot of interesting items to check out (wallpaper, plants, vases, etc). What we also noticed right away was both the noise level and how close the tables are. Our server got to us right away, and did an amazing job the entire night, checking in, clearing plates, getting drinks, and hot water my the tea. Thanks Eric! We got the Brussel Sprout Salad, along with the Meatballs, and Trout. All were excellent. Lot of flavors, textures, and good portions. I would say that it is the best Pan Seared Trout that I have ever had. Didn't have room for dessert, but maybe next time. Would love to come back. But the crowding of the tables, and the noise level, was less than optimal. Felt like we were part of 3 different conversations. It was a little hard to ignore. We might try another night, other than a busy Saturday night. read more

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Fabulous foodie experience at Goodkind. I came here on a Saturday night for a bday dinner with some friends. Hot tip: book a reservation! Actually it's probably more of a requirement than a tip, because this place is small, booked, and busy! For good reason. We were sat at a high top and had wonderfully friendly server taking care of us. Each of us ordered a drink from house cocktail menu and each of us was pleased. I'm a gin gal so I went with the 'light as a feather' which has mint and lime notes. Great pick. The real stars of the show were the dishes. It's not necessarily all small plates here but we decided to share everything so we could try various items. Absolute fave was the spicy crab pasta omfg. We were still talking about it the next day. Definitely a heavier dish but boy was it flavorful! Can't go wrong with the crispy brussels salad, and the sakura pork tenderloin was also a win. You can just tell a lot of love goes into these dishes. Oh and my friend was so kindly treated to (and surprised with) a big ol' slice of their chocolate stout cake! Naturally we all shared the bites, and danggg was that some good dark choco mousse. Thanks for a great time! read more

WOW! Visited about a month ago and stilllllll thinking about the spicy crab pasta and the jamaican coconut curry. Both dishes were flavor filled and just YUMMY! I posted the picture attached to my instagram and I swear I had 10 people reach out like "I need that" and I can confirm, you do. Would recommend sharing larger plates to get a taste of all the goodness at Goodkind. read more

Goodkind - Spicy Crab Pasta & Jamaican Coconut Curry (seasonal) - Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Do you ever stumble upon a spot that's so fun, and has delicious food you don't want to share, but you also don't people to miss out?! That's Goodkind. We wandered in one night and were able to get a seat at the bar. I'd recommend a reservation on the weekends because it was packed! The space while on the smaller side made up for size where it counts in big flavors and delicious drinks. The staff at the bar were friendly and attentive. read more

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We returned to Goodkind, and it will be our last time. Perhaps, Goodkind, had a new chef or our trip to San Francisco spoiled us, but our food was not good. I had two bites of my Skate dish and stopped eating. The fish had been drowned in assorted stuff, and I couldn't discern any distinctive flavor besides some innocuous sauce. My wife's Spicy crab pasta didn't have much crab, and the spice overwhelmed any taste of the pasta. It, too, was drowned out by the sauce. This isn't refined cooking. I had forgotten Goodkind does not offer any simple bar food. Even their burger is only offered once a week. Their menu items lean towards creative cuisine, but their creations need more technique and refinement. However, Goodkind is always packed with eager diners enjoying this kitchen's food. Thus, I'm not their target audience. Goodkind is costly, too. For two entrees, one cocktail, and one glass of wine, our bill came to over $100.00. Go figure. Service leans towards smug with a touch of Bay View down to earth. read more

I was initially disappointed in my Burek, as it didn't look or taste like Serbo-Croatian Burek. But I gave it a chance and realize that it was very good. Their dishes are like that, unique, tasty, not exactly what you might expect from the name or even the description. Nice place, ambiance is pleasing and comfortable though sometime inside can get too loud. When weather permits this is a great place to dine al fresco. Competent cocktails, attentive service. read more

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We had an excellent meal at Goodkind. Intimate and raucous at the same time, the place had a great energy. Our server was excellent and the food was really, really good (as were the cocktails). We will definitely be back! read more

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An amazing place! The food and service are both wonderful. The menu has a wonderful selection of plates to share and rotates with season and availability. But there's always great options. The tines we've gone the service has been wonderful: taking time to explain and make recommendations. The atmosphere I refined yet casual. It's become one of our favorite places to dine. read more

I've been wanting to go to Goodkind for years but finally remembered to put a reservation in a week ahead of time. The Hostess was friendly. And we were very quickly seated. The volume, although minimal music is loud just through people talking in close proximity. The walkways are a bit cramped between the bar and tables and then to the bathrooms. I would bring a sweater next time the air was running when it wasn't needed and right above us. I couldn't hide from it. CJ was very sweet. The menu has all the ingredients listed but not specifically what the dish is. For example instead of shrimp Currie it may say shrimp, coconut milk, peppers, etc. This results in a lack of understanding of what the dish is and looks like. We started with the Bar harbor mussels and Manila clams $18. About equal number of mussels and clams. All parts, seafood, sauce, green tomatoes, and bread very good. The Spice Rubbed Wild Gulf Shrimp or shrimp and grits is very good $28. Savory, limey. I don't like that the whole casing is left on. I know that used to show freshness but now just makes a mess. And then there's not much sauce left; it's all on the shells. The shwarma squash, $20, I didn't totally think works. It was new American aztex. The squash was crunchy. Maybe on purpose but odd. The tofu was fun, crispy. Since it's plain without the sauce I could have used more sauce, both the tofu sauce and the squash sauce. read more

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Tucked away in a bay view neighborhood lies Goodkind. An old and beautiful bar takes up most of the restaurant, but a few tables have been added to convert it into the restaurant it is now: small, intimate, a great spot for a date I ordered the Brussel sprout salad, which was fine, dressing was a little too creamy for my tasy. Table also had the crab pasta and lamb and burrata. No complaints on any of the other food! read more

Goodkind - Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Service Food & Drink 5 stars outstanding restaurant simple the best chicken in Milwaukee

I was visiting Milwaukee and did a lot of research on which restaurant to go to for dinner, Goodkind was on a list of the best in the area and I've got to say they are probably THE best. At first the menu looked more intricate and thoughtful than any place I had seen, it reminded me of one of my favorite Michelin star restaurant in Sacramento, and I was not disappointed! We were greeted kindly by the lovely hostess and then our waitress Emily was so delightful and knowledgeable about the menu. The food was excellent and creative with local ingredients being used throughout and I'm not sure if they advertise the fact that one of their cocktails made by their owner and bar maven Katie was nominated for a James Beard Award but the drink When The Walls Fell Down was phenomenal! Being there for the first time I still felt like we were a small part of their family. I would be here all the time if I weren't from out of town. read more

I love this place! Great cocktails and nice wine list. But I am giving them 2 stars for food. It's incredible after all these years that their tiny menu is still mostly comprised of the same entrees. And when I was in last week, I decided to try the lamb again. I steered clear of it for years because it was so over-cooked the one time I had it. Well, the chef is consistent. My plate of lamb chunks (?) was perfectly gray. Completely over-cooked and chewy. So 90% of the lamb ended up in GK's dumpster. Do better GK. You should be a 5-star place. read more

WOW... We almost cried. Food quality super high; very creative menu and execution high level. Weight staff super pro (shout out to Hillary!). We got Bucatini, French fries, mussels, cheese board, and Cesar salad-- all were very solid. If we lived in Milwaukee this would be our spot. Great mocktails / NA options as well read more

Delicious food & great service. Champagne battered mushrooms with jicama was tasty. Amish chicken was juicy & delicious. My friend's chocolate dessert was decadent. Great ambiance. Such a cute place. read more

The spicy crab pasta was pretty delicious. I was informed everything is crafted in house including the noodles which from the texture I could tell was more fresh than store bought. Of course more crab meat would be nice! I would recommend! read more

Goodkind - Spicy Crab Pasta - Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I love going to Goodkind. The food is always delicious, the atmosphere is cozy and cute but still definitely a great date night spot - not too casual. They have nice indoor seating options with a cute patio. On our latest visit the service was sadly a bit off, so I can't give it the five stars I'd like to. The service was pleasant, but not around much. After our food was dropped off, we didn't see anyone until the bill was provided. Unfortunately I'd maybe attribute this to being short staffed, so hopefully next time is better. We started off with the Puffball mushroom. Definitely a fun thing to be able to try and it was tasty! Maybe a little over-fried but still good. I wish the portion size had been better for the price though. I had the Summer Sangria which was delicious, and we tried a few beers. Their beer selection is nice but the prices are too steep. They are definitely more expensive than at the breweries themselves. There is only one option under $8 - High Life. It would be nice if there was something like a $5 or $6 Spotted Cow. For entrees, we went with the Tuesday night burger special which we had been really looking forward to trying, and the Wedge salad with caramelized onion & bacon pork sausage. The burger was good but I wish it had come out hotter, and was a little bigger. For the price point with no sides you definitely need to order an appetizer or another plate. The burger that day had chicken nuggets, beer battered french fries, American cheese, ranch, and BBQ sauce - a fun combo. The salad was delicious and definitely the star. The sausage was very nice but there was just something about the romaine, tomatoes, and dressing together that was magical. Goodkind is a great spot for dinner and we are happy to have them in Bay View. They are always worth a visit. Don't sleep on the champagne battered oyster mushrooms - an absolute favorite! read more

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Every time I come to Goodkind, I am reminded again why I love it so much. The food and cocktails are fabulous, the atmosphere is perfect, and the staff is SO wonderful (especially Reagan!). I love that they have enough rotation on their menu to try new things but a few solid staples - the oyster mushrooms are 10/10. This visit, I had the Pea-ña Colada which was such a perfect summer drink - great to sit outside and sip! I also tried the pork belly cornbread waffle with creamed mustard greens which was so excellent (and a great serving size of pork belly). Reagan was super attentive and gave us excellent recommendations - not that there is anything on the menu that would be bad. I'm so lucky to live around the corner from this gem of a restaurant - looking forward to many more returns! read more

Good kind is hands down one of my favorite restaurants. I can guarantee any dish from their menu will be delicious! The drinks are always good and the service is great! The restaurant has a nice intimate vibe to it and if you are a plant lover you will enjoy it even more they have beautiful plants all over. read more

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Hold up. Wait a minute. I've been here three times and I haven't posted a review yet!? Shame on me! Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! We went on Super Bowl Sunday for our Valentine's dinner (schedules wouldn't allow for the 14th but who cares anyway right? This is wayyyy better) Drinks: Fools Gold, blackberry shiso cobbler, and my darling Amadeus Small plate: Pork foie gras Large plates: Jerk pork shoulder and Eggplant steak Dessert: Chocolate stout cake Drinks were amazing. Pork foie gras was not our cup of tea, but both entrees were fantastic. I NEVER send food back for temperature reasons, but I just had to. When I got it back it was perfect and plated fresh. The cake was good, but didn't send us over the moon. The waitress was very friendly and comped our cake for the hassle which was unexpected, but appreciated. We will return without a doubt. read more

Very tasty, great dining experience. The walleye was a favorite and the oyster mushrooms were a great app. Fantastic ambiance, we were able to talk as a group very easily. The service was top notch! Would highly recommend! read more

I went to Goodkind to celebrate my birthday and I'm so happy I did! First - the place is quaint and cozy. I loved the vibe and eclectic decor. I also loved the bar seating in the middle of the space - adds a lively atmosphere. I ordered a beer (some nice local options on the menu) and a great tequila / charred corn husk cocktail. Super creative. We split a bunch of appetizers and my highlight was definitely the vegan mushrooms. Crunchy and flavorful. I also got the burger special (only offered on Tuesdays) and thought it was creative and flavorful! The fries were great too. Somehow....there was room for dessert! Get the basque. It's sooooo good. I can't wait to go back and try more. read more

Great service, great drinks, fantastic food, pleasant eclectic atmosphere. Best service of my life, (Jamie H), as a matter of fact. Very attentive, without being overbearing. Mussels had a delicious vinegar dressing. Chicken liver was great, just the right amount of strong taste and saltiness. All the bread that came with our meal was phenomenal. Pork belly came with a fantastic sauce. My only criticism was with the Cesar salad- the first few bites were out of this world, I wouldn't even call it a Cesar because it tasted better than a Cesar in every way. But after a few bites, the garlic was just a tad too strong. Will come back again, regularly. read more

It feels good here. The decor, the smells, the staff, the vibe. It's the kind of restaurant you want to take photos in. I have been here many times over the years for that delicious brussels sprout salad. Today was the first time to brunch. I like the small menu. It has a little bit for everyone. I had the French omelet and it did not disappoint. It was rich and creamy, just the way it should be. My friend enjoyed the Restorative broth and felt enriched. Our server was attentive and we enjoyed our meal. The only drawback to dining was it was very hard to hear one another. It is extremely loud and there is nothing to absorb the sound. The food is so yummy so it didn't slow our roll. We walked afterwards outside to talk and catch up. Next time I will request a spot outside. Be sure to get a reservation when eating here. And if you can share some items that's the best way to go. read more

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The food was delicious. The service was incredible. The ambiance was perfect. Just another date night, trying new restaurants. We received recommendations from a few colleagues. We made a reservation which I recommend. It gets packed quickly. There is a time limit at the dinner table. I believe 90 minutes. Our server knew the menu and every recommendation she made was on point. The food was well seasoned and the cocktails were 10/10. We started with 1/2 dozen of oysters. I had the lamb and light as a feather cocktail. My partner had the spicy crab pasta and her cocktail was the Blackberry Shiso Cobbler. I tried hers, it was good. It's been told to me that this place has the best cocktails! Give them a shot! read more

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This is by far the best restaurant in Milwaukee. A hidden gem in bayview with excellent cocktails and good.

Brunch done right! My friend and I enjoyed mimosas, poutine, broth, risotto, and an omelette. Everything was delicious. This is definitely a small place so space is tight. The waitstaff does an excellent job navigating the dining room. Our server was lovely and quick. Not for large groups or occasions when you want to spend a long time relaxing. Prices are fair but add up if you want to try different items. read more

Goodkind - Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

This lace has an old speakeasy vibe. Quite a nice atmosphere and comfortable. It felt fun and lively especially when coming here with my colleagues. The food was pretty good and the only reason why I rated it 3 stars instead of 4 is because I found a piece of hair in my food. The drinks were pretty good. I had the beer which was decent but my colleagues cocktails looked great. Customer service was pretty as expected from what we heard from others. read more

Goodkind - Wild caught halibut - Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Super well balanced cocktails and relaxed-cool atmosphere draw you in, good food and friendly service keeps you. Loved the small plates and really enjoyed the main I ordered. I'll be back for sure! read more

Goodkind - Cocktail refill carafe and a Highlife - Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

So glad I finally got to try Goodkind! Made a reservation for Sunday night - they're open until 10 which is nice especially as a lot of other restaurants in the area seem to close earlier. There were a couple of open tables when we showed up at 8, but knowing ahead of time we wouldn't have to wait was nice. There is also plenty of street parking around. We ordered the seaweed chips, 2 small plates (shrimp and a mushroom tartine), and 1 large plate (the lavender/anchovy rubbed leg of lamb), and it was more than enough food for 2 people. My favorite was the mushroom tartine, mostly for the sourdough. Would recommend anything that comes with the sourdough! Everything we ordered was pretty good overall, although the lavender flavor on the lamb was a bit too strong for our preference. We finished off our meal with the mini gateau basque which was delicious and light. Overall a nice spot for a date night or to take out of towners to with its intimate/cozy but still casual vibe. read more