Bartolotta’s Bar & Ristoro Opens at MKE Airport
New contemporary Italian restaurant extends MKE’s longstanding partnership with SSP America; and The Bartolotta Restaurants
MILWAUKEE (October 29, 2026) – Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) is celebrating the official grand opening of Bartolotta’s Bar & Ristoro on Concourse D. The new concept merges the deep-rooted connection with Italian cuisine of Milwaukee native and two-time James Beard Award-winning Chef Paul Bartolotta with the signature hospitality of The Bartolotta Restaurants.
Developed specifically for MKE in partnership with The Bartolotta Restaurants and airport food and beverage operator SSP America, Bartolotta’s Bar & Ristoro offers travelers an inviting taste of Italy at Milwaukee’s hometown airport. The restaurant provides flexible dining options, from quick bites and salads to full-sized entrées. An open kitchen, prominent bar, and bright décor create a welcoming, energetic setting inspired by contemporary Italy.
“We’re excited to introduce another exceptional dining experience at MKE,” said Airport Director Brian Dranzik. “This new addition reflects our ongoing commitment to enhancing the travel experience while bringing the best of Milwaukee’s local dining scene right to our travelers. Milwaukee has an incredible culinary scene, and we’re excited to have that reflected in our airport concessions.”
The menu offers a contemporary take on Italian cuisine, combining the culinary technique and regionality influences that define The Bartolotta Restaurants with an approachable dining experience designed for today’s traveler. Guests can start their day with a prosciutto and Parmesan frittata or tiramisu toast, then choose from a selection of antipasti such as bresaola and shrimp scampi, pastas, pizza alla Romana, focaccia panini, and secondi including chicken Marsala and salmon olivada. The bar program features red, white, and sparkling wines; Wisconsin craft beers; signature cocktails, including the Italian 75, Hugo Spritz, Sicilian Margarita, and Lakeshore Sunset; as well as creative zero-proof offerings.
“Italian food has always been about great ingredients, simplicity and taking care of people,” said Chef Bartolotta, owner and co-founder of The Bartolotta Restaurants. “Bartolotta’s Bar & Ristoro brings that philosophy to travelers while staying true to the Italian cooking that has shaped my career. Milwaukee is our home, and whether you are arriving in our city, returning home or heading out on your next journey, we want the food you experience here to be something memorable.”
Bartolotta’s Bar & Ristoro replaces Nonna Bartolotta’s, which opened at MKE in 2009, building on the longstanding partnership among MKE, SSP America, and The Bartolotta Restaurants. The following year, Airports Council International – North America awarded Nonna Bartolotta’s first place for Best New Food and Beverage Concept, recognizing the value of bringing authentic local dining experiences to travelers.
“Great airport dining should do more than serve travelers; it should tell them something true about the place they have arrived in or are leaving behind,” said Kyle Phillips, Senior Vice President, Business Development, SSP America. “For more than 15 years, our partnership with The Bartolotta Restaurants has helped make dining at MKE one of the best parts of the journey. Bartolotta’s Bar & Ristoro carries that story forward, pairing Chef Paul Bartolotta’s deep connection to Italian cooking with the warmth, character and culinary confidence of Milwaukee.”
Bartolotta’s Bar & Ristoro is open daily starting at 4:00 a.m. serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks, and snacks. A second location on Concourse C is expected to open in the coming months.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport
MKE Celebrates Completion of New Air Cargo Center
Oct 14th, 2026 by Milwaukee Mitchell International AirportNew facility strengthens Wisconsin’s cargo capabilities and supports regional economic growth
MKE Airport Celebrates 100 Years of Flight!
Oct 5th, 2026 by Milwaukee Mitchell International AirportMilwaukee’s hometown Airport marks a century of connecting travelers to the world
