If the weekend weather was any indication of things to come, we have a beautiful spring and summer to which we can look forward. And that means plenty of al fresco dining.
Among the patios slated to open over the course of this month are those at all six Milwaukee area Lowlands Group restaurants, which will officially open for the season this Thursday, May 6.
In celebration of National Beverage Day, all patio guests 21 and older who choose to dine at one of their restaurants on May 6 will receive one free High Speed Wit bier. In addition,
promotions and giveaways will continue throughout the weekend, including a social media contest for a $50 gift card for all #lowlandsoutdoor photos shared, plus free “Mom-osas” for all mothers on Mother’s Day.
“Europeans embrace outdoor cafe culture year-round, and we were grateful to be able to activate our outdoor spaces through fall and winter as a unique byproduct of the past year,” noted Eric Wagner, Lowlands Group CEO in a release on the patio debut.
“That said, there’s a particular magic and energy that the warmer weather brings to Wisconsin, and we’re so excited to celebrate the onset of the season on our patios and rooftops this spring.”
What to expect
No matter the weather, guests can look forward to the restaurants’ wide variety of outdoor and unique open-air indoor/outdoor dining options, many featuring convertible spaces using garage doors and large retractable windows. Many Lowlands patios will feature new furniture and added plant life, as well as live music, to create a welcoming and engaging environment for spring and summer dining.
More on the patio features at each location:
Buckatabon Tavern & Supper Club
7700 W Harwood Ave., Wauwatosa, (414) 271-7700
thebuckatabon.com
[Read more]
Both supper club fare, innovative lunches and brunch can be enjoyed al fresco on the Bucktabon patio.
Café Benelux
346 N. Broadway, (414) 501-2500
cafebenelux.com
[Read more]
Enjoy Downtown rooftop views, a view of the bustle on Broadway from the Lux Porch (sheltered for inclement weather), St. Paul streetside dining and indoor open-air garage door dining.
Centraal Grand Café and Tappery
2306 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., (414) 755-0378
cafecentraal.com
[Read more]
Experience the Garden of Eten courtyard patio, the Streetcar on Lincoln, streetside patio dining and the open-air Galleria room.
Café Hollander Brookfield
20150 Union St., Brookfield, (262) 785-4490
cafehollander.com
[Read more]
Shoppers can take a break on both the first floor and rooftop patios. There’s also an open-air four seasons private dining room and open air dining inside thanks to working garage doors.
Cafe Hollander
2608 N. Downer Ave., 414-963-6366
cafehollander.com
[Read more]
Parklet dining is combined with the East Side’s largest residential patio on which to enjoy frites and Belgian brews.
Café Hollander Mequon
5900 W. Mequon Rd., (262) 236-0107
cafehollander.com
[Read more]
Take advantage of the two first floor terraces, the Hollander balcony and covered rooftop space, along with the fountain and firepit overlooking Mequon road. Inside there’s an open-air atriuum and garage doors that open on clement days.
Café Hollander Tosa
7677 W State St., Wauwatosa, (414) 475-6771
cafehollander.com
[Read more]
Enjoy river views when you dine on the bridge in the quaint Tosa Village.
Private events
Lowlands Group is also booking private event spaces for 2021-2022 weddings, rehearsal dinners, showers, birthday parties and corporate groups. Off-site celebrations can be catered to with Lowlands On The Go packages, or customized options through Lowlands Grand Events.
“While 2020 forced many party hosts to cancel or reschedule their celebrations, there is hope and confidence that 2021 will bring back some of life’s memorable events,” notes Wagner. “Our outdoor and open-air event spaces have been refreshed with an eye for hosting groups safely, without compromising on the experience.”
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
