Odd Duck is a small-plates restaurant and cocktail bar at 939 S 2nd St in Milwaukee’s Walker’s Point neighborhood, run by co-owners Melissa Buchholz and Ben Hinman. Diners come for a frequently changing menu of shareable New American dishes that borrow freely from global cuisines, paired with an inventive cocktail list.
The restaurant opened in Bay View in 2012 and later moved to its current, larger Walker’s Point home. That kept the original approach intact. Dishes arrive in modest portions meant for passing around, so a table of two or four can sample widely in one sitting. The kitchen builds plates around seasonal ingredients and pulls flavors from Asian, Mediterranean, Latin American and Midwestern traditions, often on the same menu. Because the lineup rotates, regulars treat each visit as a fresh read of the menu rather than a return to fixed favorites. The bar takes the same exploratory approach, mixing house cocktails alongside a curated selection of wine and beer.
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
Plan on three to four plates for every two people, and ask your server which dishes are new that week. Odd Duck serves dinner, and weekend evenings fill quickly. Reserve ahead for Friday or Saturday, or arrive early on a weeknight for an easier seat at the bar. Hours and menus change, so check the restaurant’s official website before you go. Walker’s Point puts you close to Milwaukee’s craft breweries and late-night bars, and the Historic Third Ward sits just north across the river for a post-dinner stroll. Street parking is available nearby, and rideshare is the simplest option if you plan to work through the cocktail list.
