La Merenda

4.7

2766 Reviews

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 11, 2025

7:00 p.m.

Booked 39 times today

Good for special occasions
Good for groups
Neighbourhood gem

La Merenda is a bar and grill located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that specializes in serving globally inspired cuisine, local beers and wine. The restaurant offers a casual dining with upscale flavors.

La Merenda has an emphasis on using locally sourced ingredients as much as possible, so the menu is constantly being updated with new dishes based on available ingredients. The main menu at La Merenda offers a selection of snacks, seafood and meat entr�es. Menu selections include such dishes as Wisconsin farmers� salad, seasonal gnocchi, veal stracotto, Sambal Goreng Udang with Gulf shrimp and pork and shrimp tostadas.

Dining areas

Additional information

Location
125 E. National Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53204
Phone number
(414) 389-0125
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Tapas / Small Plates, International
Hours of Operation
Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–2:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street Parking Available. In Response To The Covid-19 We Are Asking Guest To Drive Up To The Loading Zone In Front Of The Restaurant To Be Greeted By Host Before Entering The Restaurant. Thank You For Your Patience During These Difficult Times.
Payment Options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Peter Sandroni
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

Local Artisan Cheese (WI)US$8.50
farmstead cheeses | roasted kalamata olive | Troubadour bread
La Merenda Salad (Italy)US$9.00
local arugula | cherry ginger vinaigrette | Sartori dolcina gorgonzola | roasted hazelnuts | braised cherries
Grilled Endive Salad (France)US$9.00
grilled endive & radicchio | frisee | candied walnuts | pears | Brightonwoods Orchards apples | Sartori dolcina gorgonzola vinaigrette
Pistachio Salad (Italy)US$8.50
local arugula | pistachios | Sartori dolcina gorgonzola | pistachio vinaigrette
Wisconsin Farmers Salad (WI)US$9.00
local black lentil | Turtle Creek Gardens beet | local arugula | toasted almonds | LaClare goat chevre | Lemon-dill crème fraiche
Truffled Potato Skins (WI)US$6.50
potato skin peelings | parmesan cheese | truffle oil
Sage Squash Gnocchi (Italy)US$12.00
house made carrot gnocchi | local winter squash medley | sage sherry cream sauce | toasted pepitas | fried sage
Empanadas Vegetarianas (Colombia)US$7.00
yellow cornmeal pastry | Clock Shadow Creamery quark | River Valley Ranch mushrooms | sweet corn | aji
Moroccan Spiced Grilled ParsnipsUS$9.00
saffron-carrot puree | crispy kale | cilantro yogurt | toasted almonds
Sautéed Spinach (Italy)US$6.50
garlic | local parmesan cheese | spinach

Sea | Mare | Farraige | Dagat

Pork and Shrimp Tostadas (Mexico)US$12.00
Maple Creek Farms pork belly confit | gulf white shrimp | creamy salsa verde | pineapple - poblano pico de gallo | cayenne dusted lime wedge | cilantro | corn tortillas
Gambas al Ajillo (Spain)**US$13.00
gulf white shrimp | garlic | olive oil | parsley | red pepper flake | Troubadour Bakery bread
Sambal Goreng Udang (Indonesia)US$13.00
gulf white shrimp | garlic | ginger | sambal chili paste | tomatoes | coconut milk | coconut mashed Igl Farms potatoes | black sesame seeds
Grilled Octopus Salad (Chile)US$15.00
grilled octopus | frisee | orange supreme | grape tomato | salt roasted fingerling potato | chive | cacho de cabra | lemon vinaigrette
Seared Trout (Japan)*US$15.00
cast-iron seared Rushing Waters trout | broccoli & local mushroom medley | ginger miso dashi | scallions | white rice

Pasture | Pascolo | Fearaigh | Pastulan

Prosciutto Salad (Italy)US$9.50
local arugula | pistachios | Sartori dolcina gorgonzola | La Quercia prosciutto | pistachio vinaigrette
Local Artisan Cheese & Meat (WI)US$15.00
farmstead cheeses | roasted kalamata olives | house pickles | La Quercia prosciutto | house charcuterie Troubadour bread
Goat Cheese Curds (WI)US$10.00
LaClare goat cheese curds | Tia Paquita chorizo cream sauce | crostini
Beef Empanadas (Colombia)US$9.00
yellow cornmeal pastry | malbec braised Wisconsin Meadows beef | Roth gran queso garlic mashed potato | aji
Pork Empanadas (Colombia)US$9.00
yellow cornmeal pastry | house smoked Maple Creek Farms pork | River Valley Ranch mushrooms | sweet corn | aji
Butter Chicken (India)US$11.00
Prairie Folk Farm chicken curry | cream | ginger | turmeric | tomatoes | garlic | cashews | cilantro | white rice
Beef Pad Thai (Thailand)US$15.00
organic grass-fed beef tenderloin | rice noodles | vegetable medley | spicy pad thai sauce | peanuts
Lamb Bolognese (Italy)US$14.00
local lamb bolognese | housemade pappardelle shaved Uplands Dairy pleasant ridge reserve
Beef Short Rib Gnocchi (WI)US$14.00
Wisconsin Meadows beef short ribs | house made carrot gnocchi | local chili roasted cauliflower | house pickled local jalapeño
Patatas Bravas y Chorizo (Spain)US$9.50
Igl Farms potatoes | spicy tomato sauce | roasted garlic aioli | Tia Paquita smoked chorizo
- Patatas Bravas Without ChorizoUS$7.00
Argentinian Pork Belly (Argentina)US$14.00
Maple Creek Farm grilled pork belly confit | roasted garlic mashed potatoes | chimichurri
Argentinian Style Beef (Argentina)*US$17.00
grilled organic grass-fed beef tenderloin | chimichurri | mashed plantains | walnuts
Veal Stracotto (Italy)US$14.00
Wisconsin Meadows veal | River Valley Ranch mushroom risotto | arugula gremolata
- Mushroom Risotto Without VealUS$9.00
Duck Confit Poutine (Canada)US$14.00
Igl Farm russet potatoes | Maple Leaf Farms duck leg confit | LaClare goat cheese curds | scallions | duck gravy

What 2,766 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.7Service
4.5Ambience
4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Wisconsin
Healthy
Milwaukee
Best Value
Milwaukee
Healthy

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

La Merenda is a "hidden gem" in Milwaukee, offering a vibrant mix of global flavors through its diverse small plate menu. Diners consistently rave about the "amazing food," especially the Argentinian beef and empanadas. The "exceptional service" and relaxed ambiance enhance the dining experience, making it a favorite for celebrations and casual outings alike.

2,766 Reviews

k
katyaz VIP
Naples9 reviews
3.0
Dined today
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Great service, amazing wine but food was extremely salty and very rich and fatty. Salads were great but steak and shrimp dishes were so salty and full of butter (not great and almost not edible). We love the restaurant but today was a disappointment.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Milwaukee1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was incredible, service was so fast. We loved our server Brandon! He made our experience even better.
Is this helpful?
M
Marty
New York City1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Great variety of interesting choices made from mostly local ingredients.
Is this helpful?
J
Joe
Memphis5 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great dining experience. Loved the ability to enjoy tapas / small plates that highlight the flavors from around the world. Our server was helpful in making recommendations and kept the evening well paced. Our favorites included the Patatas Bravas, Mushroom Crepes, Sambal Goreng Udang, Moroccan Braised Goat, Argentinian Style Beef and Seared Trout. The atmosphere on a Monday night was lively.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Milwaukee1 review
5.0
Dined on February 27, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Once again, exceptional food, service and value for money. We were a party of seven, and there were no delays in food arriving on our table, in spite of ordering 12 different dishes. Really a fantastic experience!
Is this helpful?
J
Jamin
Milwaukee4 reviews
3.0
Dined on February 16, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
Least favorite experience in my many years. Wait staff was non attentive, pork and potato dish was too salty, $14 cocktail was overly iced. Requested a table different than the one given, was told the wanted table was being held for a larger party only to see another 2 person couple sat there after us. Will think about different restaurant options for our special occasions in the future.
1 person found this helpful
S
Sarah
Milwaukee9 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 16, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always a good experience at La Merenda! Love the options!
Is this helpful?
N
Nick
Milwaukee1 review
1.0
Dined on February 14, 2025
1. Overall 1
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 1
Please, please make it more clear on your reservation instructions that the February 14th event includes being sat a table with strangers. $150 per person is an insane price to pay without that being made abundantly clear. My wife and I have never been to La Merenda and have only heard incredible things, so we decided to try the Feb 14th anniversary dinner. We were blindsided by the dynamic of the Feb 14th event and felt so uncomfortable that we left before any food was served. I completely understand that sitting with strangers is something many folks are happy to do, but my wife and I are not, and we would not have spent $300 had we known that would happen. I am super frustrated by the lack of transparency for something that expensive.
Is this helpful?
M
Mary Kay
Milwaukee3 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 14, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
As expected, Peter did an amazing job at the anniversary dinner. Food and wine were outstanding. Thank you, Peter, for 18 years of delicious food.
Is this helpful?
M
Michael
Milwaukee1 review
5.0
Dined on February 14, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
My favorite spot in Milwaukee. Food is always amazing and cocktails are fantastic.
Is this helpful?

FAQs

La Merenda offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (414) 389-0125.

La Merenda is rated 4.7 stars by 2766 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 11, 2025

7:00 p.m.

Booked 39 times today

125 E. National Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53204

Dining areas

Additional information

Phone number
(414) 389-0125
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Tapas / Small Plates, International
Hours of Operation
Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–2:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street Parking Available. In Response To The Covid-19 We Are Asking Guest To Drive Up To The Loading Zone In Front Of The Restaurant To Be Greeted By Host Before Entering The Restaurant. Thank You For Your Patience During These Difficult Times.
Payment Options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Peter Sandroni
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

La Merenda

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information

Field | Campo | Reimse | Parang

Local Artisan Cheese (WI)US$8.50

La Merenda Salad (Italy)US$9.00

Grilled Endive Salad (France)US$9.00

Pistachio Salad (Italy)US$8.50

Wisconsin Farmers Salad (WI)US$9.00

Truffled Potato Skins (WI)US$6.50

Sage Squash Gnocchi (Italy)US$12.00

Empanadas Vegetarianas (Colombia)US$7.00

Moroccan Spiced Grilled ParsnipsUS$9.00

Sautéed Spinach (Italy)US$6.50

Sea | Mare | Farraige | Dagat

Pork and Shrimp Tostadas (Mexico)US$12.00

Gambas al Ajillo (Spain)**US$13.00

Sambal Goreng Udang (Indonesia)US$13.00

Grilled Octopus Salad (Chile)US$15.00

Seared Trout (Japan)*US$15.00

Pasture | Pascolo | Fearaigh | Pastulan

Prosciutto Salad (Italy)US$9.50

Local Artisan Cheese & Meat (WI)US$15.00

Goat Cheese Curds (WI)US$10.00

Beef Empanadas (Colombia)US$9.00

Pork Empanadas (Colombia)US$9.00

Butter Chicken (India)US$11.00

Beef Pad Thai (Thailand)US$15.00

Lamb Bolognese (Italy)US$14.00

Beef Short Rib Gnocchi (WI)US$14.00

Patatas Bravas y Chorizo (Spain)US$9.50

Argentinian Pork Belly (Argentina)US$14.00

Argentinian Style Beef (Argentina)*US$17.00

Veal Stracotto (Italy)US$14.00

Duck Confit Poutine (Canada)US$14.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does La Merenda offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is La Merenda restaurant rated?

Is La Merenda currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information