Sushi spot that actually thought about wine
Riverwalk · Milwaukee · Japanese sushi and Asian fusion · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 9, 2026
Wingman Metrics
Walking into Screaming Tuna, you expect the wine list to be an afterthought stapled onto a sake menu — and then it isn't. Someone here clearly put in the work to match the list to the food, leaning into aromatic whites and cool-climate reds that actually make sense next to raw fish. It's not a deep list, but it's a considered one.
The list runs 30-60 bottles and shows a clear point of view: Alsace, Oregon, Burgundy, and New Zealand anchor the selections, with dry Alsatian Riesling and Gewürztraminer doing the heavy lifting on the white side. Oregon and Burgundian Pinot Noir cover the red column without straying into overripe, tannic territory that would bulldoze delicate sushi. Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc shows up as the crowd-pleaser option, and it earns its spot here. The sake program adds genuine depth and gives the list a personality most Milwaukee restaurant wine lists completely lack.
The by-the-glass program runs 8-15 options, which is respectable for a sushi spot of this size. We'd want to see the Alsatian whites featured prominently by the glass — that's where this list shines and where most tables will be best served. Rotation appears limited, so don't expect a lot of movement on the BTG list between visits.
Dry Alsatian Riesling — $12–$15
Alsatian Riesling at a sushi restaurant is exactly the right call — bright acidity, zero residual sugar, and a mineral edge that plays off raw fish and rice vinegar without missing a beat. If it's on the glass list, order it immediately.
Junmai Daiginjo Sake
Most tables skip past the sake section and go straight for the Pinot Noir. That's a mistake. A junmai daiginjo — made with highly polished rice and no added alcohol — is as close to a fine wine experience as sake gets, and it bridges the gap between the kitchen and the glass in a way no Pinot Noir can.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
It's fine. It's just not interesting. Marlborough Sauv Blanc is the safe airport-wine pick on a list that has better options. With Alsatian whites available, there's no reason to default to grapefruit water.
Dry Alsatian Gewürztraminer + Dragon Roll
Gewürztraminer's lychee and rose notes and off-dry-leaning aromatics cut right through the richness of the Dragon Roll's avocado and tempura shrimp without overpowering the delicate fish underneath. It's the kind of pairing that makes you feel like you figured something out.
🎲 The Bottom Line
Screaming Tuna isn't a wine destination, but it's a sushi spot with a wine list that actually respects the food it's serving — and in Milwaukee, that's worth calling out. Take a chance on the Alsatian whites or the sake program and you'll leave happy.
Downtown · Milwaukee · Brazilian Steakhouse
Rodizio Grill Milwaukee is a genuinely fun night out if you're there for the meat and the spectacle — but the wine list is coasting on the restaurant's momentum rather than adding anything to it. Order the Gaucho Club, enjoy the picanha, and save your serious wine budget for somewhere else.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Lower East Side · Milwaukee · French and Italian Riviera-Inspired Fine Dining
Lupi & Iris is doing something genuinely rare in Milwaukee — a wine program with depth, a sommelier who runs real events, and markup that doesn't make you feel like a mark. Send your friends here, and tell them to book early for the DRC dinner.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Active Program
Proper
Downtown · Milwaukee · Seafood-focused Contemporary American
Third Coast Provisions has a genuinely thoughtful wine list for a city that doesn't always demand one — the Burgundy focus is earned, the staff knows what they're doing, and the seafood menu gives those whites every opportunity to shine. The markup keeps it from being a destination for wine alone, but if you're already here for the food, you're in good hands.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Northwest Side · Milwaukee · Italian, Handmade Pasta, Wine Bar
Ca'Lucchenzo is the kind of place that makes you wonder why every Italian restaurant doesn't just commit to Italy this hard on the wine side. It's not a deep cellar, but it's a focused, honest list that actually fits the food — send your friends here and tell them to skip the cocktail.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
Brookfield · Milwaukee · Upscale American Steakhouse
Mr. B's is exactly what it promises — a polished, reliable steakhouse wine list that hits all the expected marks without a single surprise. Send a friend here if they want a sure thing; send them somewhere else if they want to be excited.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Brady Street · Milwaukee · Italian-American
Dorsia is a genuinely fun spot for drinks and Italian-American comfort food, but the wine program is a placeholder — familiar commercial labels at markups that don't reflect any real curation or care. Lean into their cocktail program instead, and hope they eventually give the wine list the same attention they gave the interior design.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.