Benihana Milwaukee: An Iconic Japanese Hibachi Experience in Wisconsin

Benihana Introduce

For those of us in Wisconsin looking for more than just a meal, but a true dining spectacle, Benihana in Milwaukee offers an iconic Japanese hibachi experience that’s hard to match. Located right in the heart of downtown, this renowned establishment has been serving up entertainment alongside delicious food for decades, making it a go-to spot for celebrations, family gatherings, or simply a fun night out. Benihana isn't just about eating; it's about the show, the sizzle, and the interactive culinary journey orchestrated by skilled teppanyaki chefs.

From the moment you're seated around the communal hibachi grill, you become part of the performance. Your personal chef will slice, dice, and grill your meal right before your eyes, complete with theatrical flair and engaging banter. It’s this unique combination of fresh ingredients, expertly prepared food, and captivating entertainment that truly sets Benihana apart as a beloved dining destination for many Wisconsin residents. While experiences can vary, the core promise of a lively and delicious meal remains a strong draw.

Location and Accessibility

Benihana in Milwaukee is centrally located at 850 N Plankinton Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203, USA. This address places it conveniently in downtown Milwaukee, an area bustling with activity, businesses, and entertainment venues. Its position makes it easily accessible for residents across Milwaukee and the greater Wisconsin region, whether you're coming from the suburbs or planning a night out in the city center.

Being downtown, Benihana is well-situated for public transportation options and is within reasonable walking distance of many hotels and attractions. For those driving, finding parking can sometimes be a consideration in any urban environment, but many guests note that parking was "easy to find," which is a definite plus. Its central location makes it an ideal spot for pre-show dinners if you're attending an event nearby, or simply looking to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of downtown Milwaukee.

Services Offered

Benihana Milwaukee is primarily focused on delivering its signature hibachi dining experience, but they also offer additional services to cater to diverse needs:

Hibachi Dining: This is the core of the Benihana experience, where skilled chefs prepare your meal (steak, chicken, seafood, vegetables) on a sizzling teppanyaki grill right at your communal table, complete with entertaining culinary showmanship.
Sushi Bar: In addition to hibachi, Benihana also offers a selection of fresh sushi and sashimi prepared by talented sushi chefs, providing an alternative or complementary option for diners.
Lunch and Dinner Service: Benihana is open for both lunch and dinner, accommodating various schedules for a midday treat or an evening celebration.
Takeout & Delivery: For those who prefer to enjoy Benihana's flavors at home, they offer takeout services, and their menu is often available through third-party delivery platforms.
Group & Private Dining: Benihana is a popular choice for group events and celebrations, with the ability to reserve multiple tables. While large group coordination can sometimes present challenges, the communal grill setup is ideal for bigger parties.
Catering: In some locations, Benihana offers "Benihana at Home" and offsite catering services, bringing the hibachi experience to your chosen event location. It's advisable to confirm availability for this specific Milwaukee location.
Happy Hour: Benihana often features a "Happy Hour" menu with special pricing on drinks and appetizers, making it a great option for a post-work gathering or a lighter snack.

Features / Highlights

Benihana is celebrated for its distinctive features that contribute to its enduring popularity, though some experiences may vary:

Theatrical Hibachi Performance: The most significant highlight is undoubtedly the interactive cooking show performed by your personal chef. This "culinary spectacle" involves impressive knife skills, juggling utensils, and engaging banter, turning dinner into entertainment.
Freshly Prepared Food: Meals are cooked to order right in front of you, ensuring freshness and allowing for customization of dishes. Guests often praise the quality of ingredients, with many finding the steak and chicken perfectly cooked (when the chef is on point).
Generous Portion Sizes: Many customers appreciate that the "portion sizes were great for the price," offering a satisfying meal that can even lead to leftovers.
Communal Dining Experience: The shared hibachi tables create a unique social atmosphere, allowing diners to interact with their chef and other guests, making it a lively setting for friends and family.
Diverse Menu Options: Beyond the main hibachi proteins, Benihana offers a range of appetizers like gyoza, tempura, miso soup, and the popular fried rice. They also have a selection of sushi rolls and tempting desserts like mochi ice cream.
Special Occasion Destination: Benihana is a popular choice for birthdays, anniversaries, and other celebrations, with chefs often participating in birthday serenades, creating memorable moments for special events.
Iconic Sauces: The dipping sauces served with the meal, particularly the "Yummy Yummy sauce" and ginger sauce, are often highlighted by diners as highly addictive and flavorful.

Promotions or Special Offers

Benihana often provides several promotions and special offers that can enhance your dining experience. For Wisconsin locals, it's worth checking these out:

The Chef's Table Loyalty Program: By joining "The Chef's Table," you can register to receive news, special offers, and a complimentary $30 Benihana Birthday Certificate during your birthday month. This is a very popular perk for celebrants.
Happy Hour Menu: Benihana typically offers a "Happy Hour" from Monday to Friday, often from 3-6 p.m., with discounted prices on selected drinks and appetizers (e.g., $3, $6, $9 menu items like vegetable spring rolls, spicy tuna rolls, pan-fried gyoza, and various beverages).
Lunch Specials: They often have specific lunch entrées and combinations that provide good value for a midday meal, such as hibachi steak or chicken options, and yakisoba.
Seasonal Specials: Keep an eye out for limited-time offers and seasonal menu additions that might feature unique dishes or special pricing.
Gift Card Promotions: Benihana occasionally runs promotions on gift card purchases, which can be a good way to save if you plan to visit multiple times or purchase for others.
Online Deals & App: Checking online coupon sites and downloading the Benihana app may reveal additional digital coupons or loyalty points programs.

Always verify the current offers directly with the Milwaukee location or on the official Benihana website, as promotions can vary by location and time.

Contact Information

Ready to reserve your spot for a lively hibachi experience at Benihana Milwaukee?

Address: 850 N Plankinton Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203, USA

Phone: (414) 270-0890

It is highly recommended to make reservations, especially for larger groups or during peak dining times, to ensure a smoother experience and minimize wait times.

Conclusion: Why Benihana is Suitable for Locals

For Wisconsin residents, Benihana in Milwaukee remains a suitable and often exciting choice, particularly when you're looking for more than just dinner – you're looking for an event. Its unique hibachi-style dining provides an interactive and theatrical experience that stands out from typical restaurant outings. It’s perfect for celebrations, whether it's a birthday, anniversary, or just a fun family night where kids and adults alike can be entertained by the chef's culinary prowess and engaging show.

While some experiences with service and pacing can vary, as highlighted in some feedback, the core appeal of delicious, freshly cooked food prepared right before your eyes, combined with the entertaining performance, makes Benihana a memorable destination. The generous portion sizes offer good value, and the communal table setting fosters a lively atmosphere ideal for groups. For those in Milwaukee seeking an interactive and fun Japanese dining adventure, especially for special occasions, Benihana continues to offer an experience that’s uniquely its own in the Wisconsin culinary landscape. It’s a place where food and entertainment blend seamlessly to create lasting memories for families and friends.

Benihana Photos

Benihana Location

Benihana

Wisconsin Milwaukee County Milwaukee Westown North Plankinton Avenue

850 N Plankinton Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203, USA

Benihana Reviews

Went here for the first time with my boyfriend and we absolutely loved it! The service was quick, the food was delicious, and the portion sizes were great for the price! We’ll definitely be back with our family and friends! :)
May 29, 2025 · Joshua Sell
Our experience at Benihana Milwaukee was, to put it lightly, a dumpster fire with a side of overcooked steak. For context, my wife and I are Benihana regulars - birthdays, celebrations, the works. We’ve had great experiences at other locations. But this? This was a two plus-hour test of patience and bad management decisions.We reserved two tables for 16 people - 8 adults and 8 kids (6 under 6, and 2 high-chair commandos). I personally called ahead to confirm they could handle this circus and was reassured everything would be smooth. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t. We showed up at 5 PM, right when they opened, only to wait outside like groupies for the doors to unlock. Once inside, we were told to wait another 15 minutes for our tables. Okay, fine. Then the manager asked us to sit by families to "help with splitting checks." Logical. Except the servers then announced they don’t split checks. Um, what? After a back-and-forth, they reluctantly agreed, looking like we’d just asked them to perform open-heart surgery.Drinks were ordered, but our server vanished like Houdini. Table 2 got their drinks, food, and a chef while we sat twiddling our chopsticks. Twenty minutes later, my toddler was eyeing the grill like she might climb on and cook herself. I asked about our chef and was told, “We only have two, and one’s with another party.” After more prodding, a third chef magically appeared - where was he hiding? The freezer? The manager came by to apologize, offering free drinks (to our table with 5 kids!) or apps, but we just wanted food. We did ask for chicken tenders for my 1.5 year old.When the chef did arrive, he seemed like a last-minute hire. Nervous, fumbling, and clearly unprepared, he had to keep raiding other carts for supplies. My wife and I ordered hibachi steak medium. He cooked it perfectly, then proceeded to keep cooking it until it was chewy enough to patch a tire. My wife had to step in and tell him to stop before it turned to charcoal. He also forgot our daughter’s entire meal, which we ended up canceling because, honestly, why pay $20 for a thin chicken breast with no rice or vegetables?Meanwhile, table 2 finished their meal, complete with birthday ice cream for my dad, who was serenaded alone while the rest of us sat there starving. A family photo? Not until I asked the manager directly because our server kept dodging the request. And the ketchup for the chicken tenders? It had to be "ordered from downstairs" and arrived in an overflowing ramekin 15 minutes later, as if mocking us for even asking.By the time we got our food, table 2 had been done so long they could’ve gone home, taken a nap, and come back to pick us up. In fact, my sister and her family did leave, which meant my parents sat alone at the other table and watched us eat having long finished their own meals. As for us, the shrimp appetizer came last, because why not. And surprise, one wasn’t cleaned. The chef cleaned the grill before cooking our noodles, remembered them too late, and tossed them on when we were ready to pack up leftovers (they were delicious though!). Drinks weren’t refilled until the bill was requested.My parents really enjoyed their steak and chicken. My one sister absolutely loved the spicy tofu and my BIL loved the spicy chicken. My other sister and BIL loved their steaks. The kids enjoyed their kids' meal California rolls. Everyone thought the fried rice was great.To the servers' and chef’s credit, they were clearly overwhelmed, and I don’t blame them for this disaster. The fault lies squarely with management, who should’ve known they were understaffed and warned us upfront. We would’ve happily changed plans instead of celebrating two birthdays in shifts with 8 cranky kids.The manager did comp the tenders and gave one table (not the other) a 20% discount. Nice gesture, but it didn’t erase the chaos. The food was tasty but nowhere near worth the drama or the price.Save yourself the headache—skip Benihana Milwaukee. Other locations know how to make a birthday fun. This one barely managed to make it edible.
Jan 04, 2025 · Erica Svojse
Brought a group who have never experienced hibachi, and safly, they still have not had the experience. Service was very slow. Chef banged his spatula on the grill for a few minutes while reading the order.. cart was not fully prepared. There was no shoe or display of fun or talent. Just stood in front and cooked. Food was cooked decent so that is a plus. However, he delivered the wrong meal to one of the guest midway through and they had to scrape it off from one plate to another. Server and chef never acknowledged that they messed up. Poor. Didn’t earn the mandatory 20% gratuity. Might be okay for takeout but the hibachi experience here is a fail.
May 06, 2025 · ewanklisk
This is not your usual Benihana. I was honestly disappointed with appearance of the interior. When it also came down to show time, it was horrible. The chef didn't even put on a show. The food was made in such hurry. The drinks were not flavorful. Definitely not what I was expecting
May 21, 2025 · Jonathan P
Every decade or so… we try this place. lol. Pretty sure I’ll never go back before I die. It’s just super slow, crazy expensive, and just not very good. If you have to have hibachi, I think it’s best to leave the downtown. But for sushi, there are A LOT of better options close by for half the price and twice the quality.
Nov 30, 2024 · Mike