Breakwater, located in Monona, WI, has quickly established itself as a preferred destination for New American cuisine and memorable events. Numerous patrons rave about the warm, welcoming atmosphere that perfectly accommodates small to medium-sized gatherings. Sarah Dorr's review highlights a seamless wedding reception experience, where attentive staff and delectable food ensured a night to remember. Guests like Kayleigh Schmid appreciate the personal touches from management, such as customizing the bar selection to include favorites, showcasing attentive customer service. The food is consistently praised, with offerings ranging from BBQ pulled pork sliders to mouthwatering cheese curds, leaving diners satisfied and eager to return. Sophie Fjelstad and Marie Putt echo this sentiment, with Marie specifically enjoying the baked cod during a fish fry. Despite a couple of minor critiques about bar service and late-night hours, the overall sentiment remains overwhelmingly positive. A fantastic dinner with views of the river and engaging staff makes Breakwater a must-visit culinary gem. Whether hosting an event or enjoying a casual meal, Breakwater delivers a delightful dining experience that guests can't help but recommend.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Highlights
Has fast service
Has great beer selection
Serves great cocktails
Has great wine list
Has live music
Has rooftop seating
Good for watching sport
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves food
Serves happy-hour drinks
Serves happy-hour food
Serves late-night food
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has toilet
Has Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Family friendly
Good for groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Has kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Photos
Reviews For Breakwater
Sarah Dorr
Jun 27,2025
We had our wedding reception at Breakwater and although we were only hosting about 50 guests, we felt catered to every step of the way. The owner was beyond helpful in the planning and setup, the staff were organized and extremely pleasant, the food was delicious and served on time, and everyone had great things to say. The atmosphere here is perfect for a small to medium sized group and the layout lent itself to a perfect evening. Even during cleanup at the end of the night, the staff were still going above and beyond and were helpful every step of the way. I cannot recommend them enough!
Kate McKay
May 31,2025
Had an awesome dinner here on the deck. Great views of the river. Our server for dinner (Keeley or similar name) was phenomenal! Attentive, quick to grab things, and very friendly! After dinner we moved inside and hung out until we were kicked out before 1am. Was kind of a bummer to get kicked out with a very short last call and when hours are listed until 1:30am on weekdays. (We were celebrating a family wedding!) So, dinner service was great! Bar service left something to be desired. But, overall would recommend for a good dinner on the deck!
Kayleigh Schmid
May 30,2025
We recently hosted my dad’s retirement party at the Breakwater, and I truly can’t say enough good things about the experience. From start to finish, everything was smooth, thoughtful, and well-executed. Gabriel, the manager, was wonderful to work with. He was responsive, easy to get in touch with, and incredibly helpful throughout the planning process. On the day of the event, he truly went above and beyond, even bartending the party himself. He made sure the bar was stocked with my dad’s favorites, which was such a personal and appreciated touch. The food was fantastic and the menu offered a great variety. Everyone could find something they would eat. We served veggies, taco dip, spinach artichoke dip with pita, BBQ pulled pork sliders, cheeseburger sliders, bacon-wrapped chestnuts (a huge hit), and mini cheesecakes. Everything was delicious and beautifully presented. The banquet room itself was perfect for our group. There was plenty of space for guests to sit and mingle. The room stayed perfectly cool and comfortable, which was a lifesaver during the recent heat (and to think I was thinking about having this party at a park!). We had the perfect experience, and I wouldn’t hesitate to think about hosting our next event here.
Sophie Fjelstad
May 23,2025
Great bartenders, very friendly, very attentive. Great food, I had the cheese curds and pretzels! So good!
Marie Putt
Apr 22,2025
We had a really good server JoJo? Fish Fry was really good I had the baked Cod very good price for location and was good ! We will be back
Steven Driskill
Apr 18,2025
I had a really positive experience here. My Perch Hoagie was scrumptious and our waiter was a great guy. I wish I caught his name! Atmospheres great outside as you’re right on the water.
Brianna Taylor
Apr 17,2025
We hosted my dads celebration of life at the Breakwater and it was a great space! Gabriel was so easy to work with and patiently answered my thousands of questions. He has been putting in a lot of work upgrading the space and it shows! The rooftop bar was perfect for guests who wanted to be outside. I would definitely host another event at the Breakwater!
Patti Steinback
Mar 9,2025
On Sunday we threw a 40th birthday party for our daughter. It couldn’t have been a nicer day! Food was wonderful ( appetizers and a taco bar...) space was perfect... enough room for all the tables and a Photo Booth and Karaoke stage) and Gabriel and Ryan were wonderful to work with all through the process. I would recommend this place in a heartbeat!
Reviews For Breakwater