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Water Buffalo Reviews List
Water Buffalo
Milwaukee's newest riverfront bar and restaurant in the heart of the historic third ward. Fantastic outdoor riverfront seating as well as a dynamic, highly designed space with a varied casual menu. Plenty of parking via daily valet service, very unusual for the 3rd Ward. This may be the most unique Riverfront restaurant and bar in Milwaukee. Great late night too.
See more Water Buffalo details
56 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Rating Breakdown 56 reviews
5 stars
(20)
4 stars
(27)
3 stars
(8)
2 stars
(1)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- scenic view(26)
- great for outdoor dining(22)
- fit for foodies(21)
- good for groups(21)
- special occasion(19)
- neighborhood gem(17)
Water Buffalo Reviews List
Review 1 for Water Buffalo
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
I had picked this restaurant
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I had picked this restaurant as I had to eat healthy and watch calories for a 30 day cleanse I was on. The menu looked good. But as someone who cooks I didn't care for the food very much. Salmon was fishy smelling, dry and salty. The calamari was heavily breaded and not what I was expecting. My husband said the cookie dessert he had tasted like half cooked dough....We may try this place a gain at some future time but its not one that I would say" WE HAVE TO COME BACK!!!!!!!!!!""
Dined on 04/26/2013
2011
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Review 2 for Water Buffalo
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Dependable, good food
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Good food. I've ever ad a bad meal here. Only negative, and its not a huge one, nut the place is loud. I enjoy an upbeat, corded, fun place as much as the next person, but this restaurant always seems louder than normal to me. Loud enough to make it hard to have a conversation at your table. It's not a deal breaker by any stretch of the imagination, but just something worth noting."
Dined on 04/19/2013
2013
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Review 3 for Water Buffalo
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
It was delicious and affordable!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"It was delicious and affordable!"
Dined on 04/13/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for lunch
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Review 4 for Water Buffalo
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Just moved to Milwaukee and
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Just moved to Milwaukee and were very happy with our first restaurant pick. All aspects were terrific and there are other items on the menu which will help get us back."
Dined on 03/29/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 5 for Water Buffalo
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
An enjoyable birthday lunch.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"An enjoyable birthday lunch. Everyone thought their food was fresh and flavorful. Prices were appropriate. Employees friendly and helpful. Will return when in town and try them for dinner."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2010
Special Features: neighborhood gem, scenic view, great for lunch
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Review 6 for Water Buffalo
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
It was a great place to return
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"It was a great place to return to. Took an out of town business associate and they loved the place and the ambiance. The food is fantastic. The service was slow, it was 10 min after sitting down before the waiter came up with some water as, but I will return."
Dined on 04/04/2013
2011
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 7 for Water Buffalo
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Delicious food, great atmosphere!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Delicious food, great atmosphere! The wait staff was attentive and friendly. Perfect Easter family lunch!"
Dined on 03/31/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, great for brunch, special occasion, scenic view
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Review 8 for Water Buffalo
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great service, great food.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Great service, great food. Has the pork belly and it was excellent"
Dined on 03/23/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 9 for Water Buffalo
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Had the Cuban and the Black
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Had the Cuban and the Black Bean Burger - both were great. Our server was very helpful, prompt and provided great service. Good place to grab a quick meal."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2005
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Review 10 for Water Buffalo
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
We had the fish fry and it
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We had the fish fry and it was good and reasonably priced. A glass of BV cab at $12 was overpriced but because we know the wine it was the choice we made. The service was very good. Our waitress was delightful and prompt throughout."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2009
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem
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Review 11 for Water Buffalo
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Had a 8:00 p.m. reservation
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Had a 8:00 p.m. reservation and didn't get seated until almost 8:30. I thought the restaurant would have comp something-free drink or dessert. A little can go a long way in pleasing customers and having them return or refer to friends. Otherwise everything was very good."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, special occasion, scenic view
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Review 12 for Water Buffalo
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
A very nice menu, as well
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"A very nice menu, as well as a very friendly and helpful wait staff. We enjoyed the fun, non-pretentious atmosphere and good food. Prices are very reasonable as well. We'll definitely be back."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, scenic view, great for lunch
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Review 13 for Water Buffalo
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Fast and OK Food, Terrible Ambiance
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Received email inviting us to try the fish fry. So we tried it. My personal taste is that there was too much breading/crust on the Champaign Battered Fish Fry. Waitress was nice but served us way too quickly. We had soup, then salad, then the Fish Fry. Never a break and always had the next course before the first was finished. Also, my wife and I were surrounded by a very loud group of 6 ladies on one side and a group of 2 ladies on the other. The group of 6 had the nerve to ask us to leave early so that they could have our table and spread out. Not sure if the waitress let them or not. We left. Total time in the restaurant was 50 minutes. Reservations were for 6:30 and we were out by 7:20. Probably should have done take out."
Dined on 03/01/2013
2012
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Review 14 for Water Buffalo
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food was good but the waitress
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food was good but the waitress was rushing us to get in and get out."
Dined on 03/01/2013
2012
Special Features: great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, special occasion
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Review 15 for Water Buffalo
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Good atmosphere, lively but
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Good atmosphere, lively but not too noisy. Summertime with the outdoor seating is really great. Food was good although my Pork Belly (specialty) was rather small on meat. The grilled wings are some of the best I have had . .great smokey flavor. Nice wine list and beer selection. Worth another trip."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2007
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, scenic view, hot spot
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Review 16 for Water Buffalo
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Lobster Ravioli
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The open faced lobster ravioli is delicious!!"
Dined on 02/22/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, scenic view
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Review 17 for Water Buffalo
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Very Quaint
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Nice leisurely lunch. Marinated wings were unexpectedly flavorful. Waitress did a great job balancing tables, but clearly additional staff will help keep lunchtime service flow a little smoother. Menu is very interesting and offers lots of small and appreciated surprises that require more than just one dining experience."
Dined on 02/08/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, scenic view
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Review 18 for Water Buffalo
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
As always, Water Buffalo is
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"As always, Water Buffalo is a great spot for dining. The food is wonderful, with choices for various tastes. The service is excellent! Our server was very attentive and when one of our desserts was waylaid, he took the price off our bill. Another added bonus to dining here is that I feel good supporting our local businesses and farmers - Water Buffalo uses foods from Growing Power. If you've never been here, try it out - it will become one of your favorite places to go!"
Dined on 02/02/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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Review 19 for Water Buffalo
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Birthday celebration......had
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Birthday celebration......had a great time!"
Dined on 02/02/2013
2013
Special Features: special occasion
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Review 20 for Water Buffalo
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I like this restaurant a lot.
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I like this restaurant a lot. I almost NEVER eat out (including fast food) because I'm a pretty good cook. So, when I go out, it's always for something special. I really like Water Buffalo for that. Lunch this time was good but not as outstanding as it has been in the past. No offense at all--I still love the restaurant but it seemed like it was super super busy on Saturday and the portion/quality was not as stellar as it normally is. Still good. I'd still highly recommend it. It just wasn't stellar."
Dined on 01/26/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch, hot spot
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Review 21 for Water Buffalo
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Fish fry was very greasy.
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Fish fry was very greasy. Waitress used the word "awesome" 12 times to describe the special and in answering our food questions. I ordered the special which was not at all like the waitress described. I thought I was ordering the seared shrimp over squash risotto. I was surprised to get gnocchi with seared shrimp. And the waitress would not admit she described it wrong. The gnocchi dish was pretty good, but not "awesome"."
Dined on 01/25/2013
2012
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Review 22 for Water Buffalo
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
really neat old building;
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"really neat old building; I had a good portabella sandwich; several vegetarian selections and lots of seafood entrees that sounded good. We found parking a block away, so we didn't end up using their valet parking service. Next time we go I'll be curious to find out if there is a charge for it."
Dined on 01/25/2013
2012
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, hot spot
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Water Buffalo
Based on the average of (34) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
5 out of 5 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic