Homemade Italian favorites coupled with Mexican spices and sauces create flavorful combinations at Tauro Cocina on Milwaukee’s Lower East Side. Open since summer of 2022, Tauro Cocina is owned and operated by Alberto and Ahide Valdepeña and their three sons in a beautiful turn-of-the-century Cream City brick corner building.
Ahide tells us that Alberto has worked in Italian kitchens for close to 30 years, finding inspiration from his experience and culture all to create Tauro Cocina’s unique Mexican-Italian fusion menu. The restaurant itself has a large but cozy dining area – adaptable for causal date nights to larger groups and private event gatherings. The seasonal outdoor patio is a vibe with cozy seating, lots of space and a decorative water fountain, perfect for warm Wisconsin summers.
Tauro Cocina’s bar menu follows the same concept with innovative flavor blends like the Illegal en
Milwaukee with tequila, Aperol, elderflower, lime, pineapple and gin or a twist on the traditional Paloma all served in a stunning collection of glassware. They also have a nice selection of wines from various regions including Italy, Spain, Argentina, Portugal and Chile. We love the cool U-shaped bar that fits the corner building just right as well as the unique artwork and subway tile mixed with brick.
Stop at the bar for a pre-dinner drink or cocktails after work with friends for a few appetizers. Sharable starters include everything from roasted poblano pesto with baguette and baked spinach dip to grilled octopus and bruschetta with honey goat cheese, prosciutto and honey basil. Burrata lovers will enjoy Tauro Cocina’s take on a breaded and fried burrata over romesco sauce and a bed of arugula. A variety of bright and colorful salads are available including a spring-friendly option with arugula, grilled peaches, baked beets and walnuts with a balsamic glaze.
On the pasta side, enjoy dishes like the house-made fettuccini in a mezcal-chipotle cream; three-cheese ravioli with poblano-pesto cream sauce; or, our favorite, the cilantro-cream risotto and spicy grilled shrimp. Known for its wood-fired from-scratch pizzas, Tauro Cocina has an option for everyone’s taste buds. Enjoy traditional Margarita or more complex delights like the pear-and-brie pizza with buffalo mozzarella, bacon and chili honey and the Asada with tomatillo salsa, hanger steak, Oaxaca cheese, caramelized onions and radishes.
Rounding out its menu is a nice selection of sandwiches as well as entrees of seafood, chicken and steak, which all are available as gluten-free options. The creative and delicious menu continues right through dessert with ever-changing treats like guava flan or churro cheesecake.
For a fresh, seasonal menu of eclectic flavors, stop into Tauro Cocina and enjoy a unique dining experience unlike anything you may find in Milwaukee right now. Tauro Cocina is open Tuesday to Thursday, 5 to 9 p.m., Friday, 5 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The restaurant offers the same fusion feel on its limited brunch menu served Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information on Tauro Cocina, visit taurococina.com.
1758 N. Water St.
Milwaukee, WI 53202