Know the North Shore: The Bay Restaurant

The Bay Restaurant stands as a top-rated dining destination in Whitefish Bay, earning TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Award and ranking #1 among the village's restaurants. For North Shore families seeking a casual yet quality meal—whether for Friday fish fry tradition, Saturday BBQ, or Sunday brunch—this Silver Spring Drive staple delivers with a dedicated kids menu, high chair availability, and a unique incentive: free dessert for children who finish their vegetables.

Opened in 2013 by James McMahon, a locally famous mustache competitor and seasoned restaurant operator, The Bay fills an essential gap between fast-casual chains and formal supper clubs, giving Whitefish Bay families exactly what they've needed—a welcoming neighborhood restaurant they can call their own.

The Bay occupies a historic 1955 building at 342 East Silver Spring Drive, Whitefish Bay, WI 53217, in the heart of the village's walkable downtown district. The space originally housed Clarence and Sylvia Schallert's liquor store—the first establishment granted a liquor license in Whitefish Bay history.

Detail Information
Phone (414) 455-3045
Website thebayrestaurant.com
Hours Monday–Sunday, 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Price Range $$ (Moderate) — entrées $13–$28
Reservations Recommended but walk-ins accepted
Parking Public lot behind restaurant; metered street parking free after 6 PM and Sundays

The restaurant closes on major holidays: Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, and Easter.

A family-friendly menu

The Bay serves New American cuisine with BBQ influences, sourcing burger meat from local Sendik's (a Pritzlaff special grind of chuck and short rib) and bread from Breadsmith. The kitchen emphasizes flavor and fresh ingredients over oversized portions.

Signature dishes that earn repeat visits include the Bay Stack Burger ($15.95) with its cheddar, deep-fried onion rings, and creamy onion dip; New England Salmon Cakes ($14) with housemade rémoulade; and the Artichoke Dip ($10.95), which one reviewer called "the best I've ever had." The Big Game Barbeque Burger ($20) features an unusual blend of boar, bison, elk, and wagyu beef—a conversation starter for adventurous eaters.

Weekly traditions anchor the dining experience:

• Friday Fish Fry: Hand-battered cod or cornmeal perch ($17.95) with housemade tartar sauce—a Wisconsin institution done right

• Saturday BBQ (5–9 PM): Hickory-smoked ribs slow-cooked for 7+ hours ($20.50 half / $28 full) with pulled pork and smoked wings

• Sunday Brunch (11 AM–2 PM): Weekend favorites for the whole family

• Live Music: Thursday and Friday evenings featuring jazz and local musicians

The kids menu (ages 12 and under, $6.95–$8.95) includes grilled cheese, mac and cheese, cheese pizza, chicken tenders, mini corn dogs, salmon, cheeseburger, and pasta options. Each meal comes with a side, drink, and the clever incentive of free dessert for finishing vegetables. Healthy side choices include steamed broccoli, Granny Smith apple slices, carrot sticks, mandarin oranges, and cottage cheese—options that parents appreciate.

What families should know before visiting

High chairs are available, and the single-floor layout with wheelchair accessibility means strollers navigate easily. Changing table availability in restrooms could not be independently verified—call ahead if this is essential for your visit.

The noise level runs moderate, with background 80s music (Eagles, Queen, Billy Joel) playing softly enough for conversation during normal hours. However, Thursday and Friday live music nights get louder—families seeking quieter atmospheres should aim for weekday lunches or early dinners before 6 PM. The restaurant can become "hot and crowded" during peak Saturday evenings according to some reviews.

The outdoor sidewalk patio offers seasonal dining on Silver Spring Drive, described as "lively but never cramped" and ideal for people-watching during Whitefish Bay's July 4th or Holiday Stroll parades. The patio is also dog-friendly for families bringing four-legged members.

Dietary accommodations include clearly marked gluten-free options (salads, salmon dishes, burgers without buns), vegetarian and vegan choices (Impossible Burger, Tofu Peanut Satay, Roasted Poblano & Black Bean Burger), and cauliflower crust pizza—helpful when accommodating different family members' needs.

The atmosphere blends cozy with casual

Inside, open brick walls meet dark original hardwood floors under dimmed lighting that creates warmth without pretension. String lights add charm during holiday seasons. The layout includes a mix of high-top tables, regular seating, and a bar area, with an estimated capacity of 40–60 indoor seats plus patio seating. The front area near the entrance accommodates live musicians on performance nights.

Reviews consistently describe the vibe as "laid back yet classy," "cozy and welcoming," and "a great gathering space for the community." The dress code is casual—come as you are from soccer practice or Saturday errands.

For reservations, call (414) 455-3045 directly—The Bay is not on OpenTable's booking system. While reservations are recommended for Friday/Saturday evenings and brunch, walk-ins are welcomed throughout the week.

A local owner with a famous mustache

Owner James McMahon brings serious restaurant credentials, having previously served as Regional Director of Operations for Buffalo Wild Wings, overseeing $25 million in annual sales across nine locations. He co-founded The Bay in 2013 with Paul Berlin (formerly of Sabor Brazilian Churrascaria), while Chef Erik Hansen brought culinary experience from the well-regarded Distil on Milwaukee Street.

McMahon has become a local personality through an unexpected avenue: competitive mustache competitions. Since 2012, he has competed professionally, winning a Hungarian-style mustache category in New Orleans and becoming one of Remington Trimmers' "Beard Bosses"—his face appearing on product packaging nationwide. His handlebar resembles Bernie Brewer, which he attributes to growing up watching the '82 Brewers and Rollie Fingers. In 2015, McMahon hosted a Feeding America charity campaign at The Bay, demonstrating the community-minded approach that defines the restaurant.

The restaurant's founding philosophy explicitly references Whitefish Bay's hospitality heritage: "The traditions of the old Pabst Resort being a place to get great service, a community feel, and outstanding food are revived in The Bay restaurant."

Parking and accessibility present few barriers

Parking is manageable for the downtown location. A public parking lot sits directly behind the restaurant, with additional street parking on Silver Spring Drive. Meters run Monday–Saturday until 6 PM; parking is free after 6 PM and all day Sunday. The free village lot on N. Marlborough Drive opens to restaurant patrons after 5 PM.

Full wheelchair accessibility is confirmed on TripAdvisor and OpenTable, with single-level access throughout the space. Stroller access presents no notable barriers given the wheelchair-friendly design and sidewalk patio entry.

Special features for North Shore families

Happy hour is offered (specific times not publicly listed—call to confirm current deals). The full bar features an impressive selection including local Wisconsin beers (Spotted Cow, Lakefront IPA, Riverwest Stein), an extensive bourbon and scotch collection, and signature cocktails like the Wisconsin Old Fashioned ($10, pitcher $25).

The wine program deserves special mention: multiple reviewers specifically praise the "biggest wine pour on the North Shore"—generous pours that represent strong value at $9–$12 per glass.

Catering services operate through ezCater with a $100 minimum order, useful for birthday parties, office functions, and family gatherings. Private event hosting is available—contact the restaurant to arrange buyouts or group accommodations.

Packer game day brings Absolut-sponsored drink specials and a sports-watching atmosphere via mounted TVs.

What locals actually say about dining here

The Bay earns strong marks across review platforms: 4.2/5 on TripAdvisor (76 reviews), 4.3/5 on OpenTable (81 reviews), and 7.6/10 on Foursquare (55 ratings). The TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice designation places it in the top 10% of restaurants worldwide on that platform.

Praise centers on three areas: service (server Lauren receives repeated individual recognition across years of reviews), the burger program (especially the Bay Stack with its addictive onion dip), and Friday fish fry quality. One reviewer noted their husband "LOVED the Haddock fish fry with homemade tartar sauce—I've never heard him rave about tartar sauce, but he did at The Bay."

Constructive criticisms include noise levels during live music nights (one reviewer found conversation "difficult"), occasional wait times during peak lunch hours, and some inconsistency with specific dishes. The restaurant has shown responsiveness to feedback—when reviewers noted limited vegan options, management responded promising menu expansion, and plant-based choices have since increased.

On Nextdoor, The Bay has earned 59 "Faves" from Whitefish Bay neighbors, with locals describing it as "a great community gathering space."

How The Bay fits the North Shore

The Bay occupies a distinctive niche between extremes. It's more accessible and casual than the historic Jack Pandl's Whitefish Bay Inn (a Milwaukee County Landmark specializing in German-Austrian cuisine since 1915) or the upscale MOXIE Food + Drink positioned for romantic evenings. Yet it offers more atmosphere and menu depth than fast-casual alternatives.

For Whitefish Bay, Shorewood, and Fox Point families, The Bay serves as the reliable everyday option—equally suited for quick weekday lunch, Friday fish fry tradition, Saturday BBQ night, date night with live jazz, or drinks with neighbors. The Friday Fish Fry featuring haddock (rather than the more common cod) provides a distinctive take on this essential Wisconsin tradition.

Sources like North Shore Family Adventures, OnMilwaukee's fish fry guides, and the Friday Fish Fry Guide MKE all include The Bay in their North Shore recommendations—confirming its standing as a destination families return to regularly.

Conclusion

The Bay Restaurant succeeds by being exactly what Whitefish Bay needed: a genuine neighborhood restaurant combining quality food, warm service, and community atmosphere at moderate prices. For families, the combination of a thoughtful kids menu with healthy incentives, high chair availability, stroller-friendly access, and flexible seating options makes it a practical choice. The Friday Fish Fry and Saturday BBQ traditions give families built-in reasons to establish their own weekly rituals, while Sunday brunch accommodates those slower weekend mornings.

What distinguishes The Bay isn't any single remarkable feature—it's the consistent execution of casual neighborhood dining done right. Owner James McMahon's visible community presence (mustache and all) reinforces what the restaurant represents: a gathering place where Whitefish Bay residents feel at home. For North Shore families looking beyond chain restaurants without venturing into special-occasion territory, The Bay delivers exactly that accessible middle ground.