This is one of the gems of the Monroe Street area. They're an East Coast style beach restaurant with a great menu and a well stocked bar. We walk down there for their seafood, Friday Night Fish Fry, their awesome pizzas, or even just to grab a drink at the bar. They're always crazy busy in there, which tells you something about the place, and the staff has always been top notch for taking care of the weekend craziness. It quiets down after the dinner rush, and has been one of our favorite night cap stops after a big day out. They've also been great with dietary restrictions, vegetarians and gluten allergies. read more

Quick service and friendly waitstaff! Menu a tad misleading, however. The roasted beet salad was very literal. Was served a bowl of cold beets with a garnish. Great if you love beets, but not quite what I was expecting. Will just have to try something else next time! read more

Gates & Brovi - New American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

I visited this place during a special event ($1 per oyster!). The oysters were big and fat and very fresh! Such a good deal :) The other food we ordered were also well done. read more

We went here on St. Patty's Day and the place was bumping! There was a live band, the bar was packed but service was still expedient and friendly, and cocktails were delicious. When we were seated (they have some nice long benches that work great for kids and large parties), we ordered an assortment of food - all of which did not disappoint. Great stop, and we'll be back! read more

Been to G&B a few times before and always liked it! It's basically an upscale bar/restaurant, but with a rustic, up north, supper club feel which I really like. The staff has always been friendly and helpful. This visit, I tried my first bluegill sandwich. It was top notch as far as fish sandwiches go! I've have the smelt and oysters before too, both were good for the price. I'll be back again! read more

Gates & Brovi - New American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

My family and I have enjoyed coming here for some time, we always have a great experience. It's often a place we bring out of town guests. Casual, family atmosphere - there's a bar and some TVs so you can keep an eye on the Badgers or Packers. Good beer and wine list. Generally, great service - although it can slow down a bit when they get a little busy. I forgot to take pictures again today - sorry. Family favorites of ours are the Bluegill BLT and the clam chowder. But today I got the mushroom and Gorgonzola burger, which was fantastic! Except for two things. The bun just fell apart all together, which is annoying. And, since I was never asked how I want the burger done, it came much more well done than I prefer. Usually, this would be a red flag, but everything else was so yummy, and I was so hungry...so I let it go. Despite it not being a perfect burger, I'm sticking with 5 stars because I really like this restaurant and know they consistently offer really good food in a friendly atmosphere. Sandwiches don't come with fries, but you're really, really going to want to order some as a side. Everything we ordered was wonderful, the G&B burger and the pizzettas too! And I mean it, get the fries - unless you get the cheese curds. read more

Salads all super fresh with house made dressing. Oysters the best I've had in years ~fresh and served very cold. My husband had the chicken piccata and loved every tender flavorful bite, including the potatoes that came with. The carrot cake and ice-cream (both house made) were delicious and obviously not from a food service. Our server Adrian was very friendly and attentive. Cool urban yet rustic atmosphere with good people watching. We will definitely return. read more

Had an excellent time here. Food was great and menu was imaginative and executed with ease. I was most impressed with the wine list. I was exceptionally happy to see a winery from my home state of Washington on the offerings (Seven Hills). It was clear that they employ college students as servers and bussers. Many local businesses do, but Gates and Brovi got it right. The service from all was great. We were checked on by all and never felt ignored. I will be bringing other people here; as it is a great way to showcase Madison restaurants! read more

A dependable meal, every time! Love the vegetarian burger (you don't need the sauces on it), French fries, shrimp po' boy and fried chicken sandwich. The fruit pies are either the best in town (most times) or awful (once). read more

We enjoyed brunch at Gates & Brovi before the Badgers Basketball game. Super yummy Bloody Mary!!!! And an amazing scrambler ~ the potatoes are terrific!!! GREAT service too! read more

Gates & Brovi - New American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Good food, terrible service. 2 of us got the special, it was just ok. 2 of us got the chicken piccata (pictured). That was really good, I wish I knew the chicken was breaded, but after scraping it off, it was still tender. I asked for a gluten free menu and was told there isn't one (and it's not noted on the menu), but they had GF pizza and I could get a burger no bun. Not great options. The pizza looked good when others ordered it. When i ordered a white claw at first, I was given a Diet Pepsi. He eventually brought me a white claw, but along with others at the table, I was never asked if I wanted another drink. The worst part was that he wasn't a friendly server and then after waiting for 20 minutes for our bill (and he walked by over and over as we were right by the kitchen) we finally flagged him down and got our bill. read more

Gates & Brovi - Chicken piccata with potatoes and green beans. - New American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Big fan of the Gates & Brovi fare. This my first time here, but already I stan. Had the cheese curds (reminiscent of Merchant, breadcrumb batter--not tempura), Caesar salad (don't be afraid of the anchovies!), and the special--a buttery salmon rigatoni. No wait on a Wednesday night and service was delightful. Is it possible to have a romantic date in what yelp has categorized as a "sports bar"? Based on tonight? Totally. read more

My wife and I stopped in this afternoon for a late lunch. There weren't very many patrons so we choose a booth by the windows (which were in serious need of cleaning.) Not having been here before we chose something "safe." Burger and fries. One of the specials was a salmon pasta dish with a fried egg on top. Really? Pass. The burgers arrived in reasonable time. They were what some would call juicy. We labeled them greasy. Good flavor. The fries (which were extra) were ok. Not crispy, decent flavor. So, two greasy burgers, fries extra. No drinks, over thirty bucks. Nah, we won't be returning here. read more

I like that four stars means "Yay! I'm a fan" because that's exactly how I feel about this place. It definitely isn't the best around Madison, but it isn't anywhere near the bottom either. I've been hear multiple times and always enjoy the atmosphere, although on game days it can get really loud and crowded (but I suppose that's to be expected!). The salmon burger is an excellent go-to there. It's topped with some sort of delicious coleslaw and some other fantastic flavors. My husband gets it every time. Sometimes I wish their menu was larger which is a rare thought for me. I don't know why I think that - maybe because I'm not always as excited about the options as I hope I'd be. Regardless, I would recommend this place....just good luck parking. read more

I decided to try this place out last week with my friend. We got takeout but I think it would've been better if we dined in. I got the cheese curds and the fried chicken sandwich. Both were good but not the best I've ever had. My friend got a fish sandwich and it was pretty good but probably would've been better if we dined in because it wasn't very hot. All in all it was good and I'd probably eat there again. read more

Simplicity at its best. G&B offers a nice touch of good ol' bar food in a clean, warm, and inviting feel atmosphere. Nice bar with plenty of TVs to catch any of the games on. Nice selection of beer as well. I'm a out of towner and my cousin brought me here for their awesome cheese curds and they did not disappoint. Extremely light but well seasoned batter encasing bite sized little curds of heaven with their home made dipping sauce was well executed. The fried smelt was a pleasant treat. Again with the light batter but full of flavor with moist tender meat on the inside, paired with their homemade tartar sauce, it was one of my favorite things I ate on my trip. Their burger was simple yet bursting with tons of flavors that elevated the humble american staple. The service was good and I'd say it was a pleasant experience dining here. Simple food done right with subtle changes that elevate it is what makes any restaurant stand out. G&B do just that and do not disappoint. Stay fat mother suckers read more

Definitely a food fight restaurant - you can always tell by how awkward the waiting service is. With these places you sometimes get 2 or 3 servers not ever knowing who is really taking care of you. Our waitresses brought us an extra drink we didn't wanted and after we let her know she vanished for the rest of our meal and the manager started serving us....The manager said it was because they were busy but we only saw a few tables with people attending them. Why lie? Weird... Otherwise the food was all so-so. I had the burger and the meat didn't taste fresh like how underground butcher usually prepares and tastes. They made a big rookie mistake of bringing plates of food before to our table before we were finished with the other stuff - something I can't personally stand. Will not be back/ would not recommend. Maybe for a free meal, maybe read more

SMELT?! What the heck is that even? It doesn't matter. It was DELICIOUS! If you're craving for some fish fry with a little bit of a modern twist, this place is for you! Craving a little more of that WISCO SIDE LOVE? Try their cheese curds! One of the better places in Madison, for sure! A little more on the adventurous side? Try their oysters! Broke? It doesn't matter, oyster happy hour between 3 and 6 pm! Not adventurous at all? Not a problem! Pizzas for everyone! There's truly something for everyone. Can you SMELT what I'm putting down? read more

Boy, was I disappointed... We were hoping for a nice little pub we could walk to from our house and what we got was Sysco food, overpriced hamburgers and a really nice waiter who did her best in a pretty bad situation. The menu is small, and somewhat schizoid...lobster? Nice decor...but that's it. I'll keep walking right past it to the Laurel Tavern. Better food for less. Too bad...this end of Monroe needs a restaurant. read more

Gates & Brovi is home to the best cheese curds in Madison. There, I said it. FIGHTIN' WORDS. Come at me, bro. Everyone has their favorite place...but I would literally crawl to G & B for their battered curds. They're crispy and not soggy...how a real cheese curd should be. I have enjoyed everything I've ordered. This place is amazing----I love the vibe, the food selection, and the craft cocktails. Parking in this area is the only draw back. They have suggestions on their website, so I would plan ahead. It's an awesome option for those on bike----would be awesome if G & B invested in some established bike parking (I have yet to find a bike rack nearby...?) Whether you're local or visiting....don't miss this place. read more

Run, don't walk, to Gates & Brovi! Hyperbole, you say? Well, not really; it is kind of far away (on the far West end of Monroe St., near Odana) and thus if you just walk, it will likely take a long time. But also because of the sheer awesomeness of the food. The talent behind Marigold and Sardine are at it again, and the food is wondrous. Clam chowda? Amazing. Turkey torpedo sandwich? Divine. Pulled pork? May be the best in the city. Haven't had dinner there yet but how can you go wrong with these guys running the show? Looking forward to trying out their fish fry as well as a number of other things on what looks like an excellent menu. The decor and atmosphere is wonderful as well. I just wish the place were neared to where I lived or worked. Oh well, guess I'll be running there again soon! read more

The food we had for takeout was good. If you order takeout at a busy time, as we did, be aware it seems they prepared our food after I arrived. ( having ordered almost an hour earlier) I waited 15-20 minutes. That also seemed to be the case for a person before me. Also it would have been helpful if they had labeled the green beans as garlic green beans (for those w restrictions) read more

Gates & Brovi is so close to my new place that it may become a problem. I've only been here twice, but I think about it far too often. During my last visit here I ordered the Fried Chicken Sandwich and it was amazing! I got it sans the pepperoncini, so I can't speak to it's true form, but it was wonderful the way I ordered it. Nicely fried white meat on perfectly toasted bread, with fresh tomato, lettuce, mayo, and a delectable basil pesto. I could order this again and again and again. I found the coleslaw it came with bland, but the sandwich is large enough that you don't really need a side to fill you up. When speaking of substitutions, they are extremely accommodating to changes in their dishes to fit you better (minus their specialty pizzas.. you can't touch those). My sister wasn't too keen on the veggies in their penne pasta and they allowed her to add an assortment of other veggies she wanted. I found that really sweet. My boyfriend ended up ordering the penne pasta how it's originally served and it's perfect the way it is. They also have great homemade cheese curds, which one dining mate declared their favorite in Madison. Quite an achievement, really. On top of some wonderful food, the service is really great! I haven't been waited on so well in a long time. You can tell that they really aim to please their customers. read more

I wanted to like you this time around. I've been there three times. The first time when you first opened, you still seemed to be looking for an identity, but I did appreciate your Braunschweiger sandwich. Second time, something changed - It was winter and the comfort food that we had was excellent. This time, all I can say that despite a busy evening, we were able to be seated right away. Unfortunately, the food was awkward and I never really got asked if I liked it (with the exception of the cheese curds-they were great!). Two of us had burgers. It's nice to see that they are locally sourced, but the cook job was variable and we ended up leaving portions. The iceberg salad was okay. That really seemed to be one of the only vegetarian options for our diverse group. You've made some improvements to your interior space - looks nice. I'll be waiting for your next menu change. read more

Pleasant, somewhat contrived decor. Pseudo-exposed wood and brick, etc. We were a party of 10. The service was terrible. Slow to take our orders, and the waitress didn't know details about the simple menu. And when she said "I'll find out and let you know," she never did. Finally, the food arrived -- cold. The waitress didn't have any idea who ordered what, which was confusing for everyone. Some things delivered, some taken back, some given to the wrong person. Two orders were missing. The others ate while we waited for the missing meals. Finally, everyone was finished, and one missing order was delivered. The other never arrived. "Don't worry," said the waitress, "I removed the other hamburger from your bill." But upon inspection it wasn't, and we had to have that fixed. Simply ridiculous. A disaster. Even if it had arrived hot, the food was bland. The burgers, the calamari, the beet salad, the BLT, the three chicken tenders (for $8) -- all were unremarkable, yet very expensive. The selection of tap beer was poor too. If you like superficially stylish overpriced restaurants, then you might like it. If you actually like good food, good drinks, reasonable service, and a fair price, then don't go. read more

I'd been anticipating the opening of this restaurant in my neighborhood for quite some time since i'm a big fan of both Sardine and Marigold Kitchen, but unfortunately they dropped the ball on this endeavour. The menu is meager at best. A number of fried appetizers, oysters, a few salad selections, some standard burgers/sandwiches, Maine lobster, and a steak. The beer selection is not on par with many surrounding establishments. I really wanted this restaurant to be my new neighborhood go- to based on the performance of their other restaurants, but it's initial efforts are a bit underwhelming. read more

Went for lunch. Friendly staff. Beautiful bar. Clean. Nice decor family friendly casual but the food is unique. I enjoyed my food very much. I got clam chowder and prosciutto pizza. I also recommend the ancho villa drink. Can't wait to come back and try more stuff!!! read more

Gates & Brovi - Claim chowder - New American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

See all

There seems to be a cycle in new Madison restaurants lately: 1. Open your doors, 2. Bring in guests on the novelty factor, 3. Fail to offer a clean vision of what you're trying to do, 4. Stay afloat for a year or so, perhaps on strength outside your food, 5. Bring in a new executive chef, 6. Success in all things! Gates & Brovi seems to be around steps 2 or 3 in the cycle. Given that they're run by the same folks who bring us such delight at Sardine, I'm confused at what they're trying to accomplish out Nakoma way. Is the "date night" full lobster dinner also going to come in a red plastic basket? Does my melted butter come in a small paper cup? For a restaurant with all the trappings of a barbecue joint (the baskets, the low end paper napkins which might as well be wrapping plasticware, the poor selection of non-beer drinks) there's only a faint nod towards BBQ in the form of a roasted pork sandwich. I'm not really sure what G&B is trying for. Perhaps they want to be a simple neighborhood joint, and I just don't live in the neighborhood. Maybe it didn't help that my first attempt to go was at the end of a lovely stroll on a Monday evening only to be unpleasantly surprised that they were closed. [Which is a thing that restaurants can do, food service can have their own weekend, but there's either a certain level of cuisine or a Mom and Pop behind the counter. G&B meets neither of these.] Neither my sandwich nor my friend's was memorable. The waitress seemed easily confused by our requests, and pretty much vanished at several points. I might be convinced to try out the bar if I happen to be in the neighborhood, but otherwise I'll be giving G&B a rest for a few months to see if they make it to steps 5 and 6 in the cycle. read more

Solid meal. I had the special, a vegetarian manicotti that was lovely. My husband had the chicken with tapenade, and my daughter had a nice penne with bolognese sauce. All were pleased, and the atmosphere was nice. read more

I come here every time I'm in town for business... Right across the street from Arbor House my fav spot to stay... Food is incredible, fresh and innovative. Had the salmon burger this week rocked my world!!! Got persuaded to try dessert and found out their pie baker won the Wisconsin State Fair for his pies!!! Peach caramel pie. I'm quite sure one if the best things I've ever eaten! Ever! read more

Gates & Brovi - New American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Key word: bland. Fish fry: bland. Fried artichokes: bland. Potatoes: bland. Soup: surprisingly, way too salty. But hey, it cost practically nothing. I think the flaccid pile of fish I ate was about $9. This would have been a one-star review, but an entire star was salvaged by the incredible service provided by our waitress. She noticed that we weren't having a good time and surprised us with a free piece of pie! Gold star! Anyway, bleh. read more

This restaurant confused me. The coastal meets northwoods atmosphere was cozy and I would have perceived the restaurant to be fairly upscale, but the little details caused it to look pretty cheap. Appetizers and sandwiches came in red plastic baskets and coleslaw came in leaky paper cups - I'd expect as much at a bbq joint, but not at a restaurant on Monroe Street. French fries are an extra charge (I think $2); which is acceptable if they're good fries, and these were not (dry, crispy, overcooked, sad little fries). There was a lack of sandwich/burger options on Monroe Street (still is IMO after eating here), but definitely not a shortage in Madison - better sammies and burgers can be had elsewhere. read more

Great dining room! Really nice decor and they have TV's. This makes me happy because there are very few places in the neighborhood to watch those annoying big games that are aired on cable channels. We went the first week they were open so I can't be too critical. Service was good, but they had a TON of staff on. The first three things we tried to order off the menu they were sold out of. Kind of annoying but as I said I do realize they just opened. I had the burger, which was good, not great, but good. A little undercooked for the medium well I ordered. Why do restaurants put burgers and sandwiches on menu's with out a side? I never get this. We ordered a side of fries to accommodate my side craving, but for an $8.00 burger I would expect more than just a side of coleslaw. My wife had the chicken sandwich also good, not great. Our fries also came out cold. The shrimp fritter appetizer was delicious though. The inside of this place is absolutely beautiful, great job by the architect. I will give this place another shot in a month or two after they work out the opening kinks, but after eating there the first time I'm not craving anything that would bring me back sooner. read more

The space is fun and industrial. My salmon burger was delish! The beer selection is great. But a few things bugged me about G&B -- I felt like they were nickel-and-diming us, instead of treating us like guests. First, the description of the specials that the server gave us had no prices mentioned, and were not listed in writing anywhere. Well, this is awkward, to make me ask. Second, the sandwiches come with just a pickle and a thimble of mediocre coleslaw. This fact is not listed on the menu, either. It is left to the guest to figure out. Even though our sandwiches were $13 and $14, we decided to be big spenders and buy a plate of fries to split, with a side of mayo with extra-yummy dipping - because I'm a sophisticated lady. When the check came, they had charged us for the side of mayo. Fifty cents. Who's idea was it to charge for mayo? Was it yours, Gates? Or was it you, Brovi? For some reason, I just found this detail quite irritating. No one has charged me for mayo in more than a decade. And, if you are going to charge for run-of-the-mill condiments, then give me the heads up so I can laugh about how ridiculous that policy is with my dinner mate WHILE I enjoy my fries. So, in short, good food surrounded by lots of TVs. There's a a lot of places like that in Madison, so I won't be running back, since they got under my skin. If someone in my life does want to go again, I will just plan to BYOM. (Bring your own mayo.) read more

Okay, first let me say that any place that has fried smelt on their regular menu is off to a roaring start with me. It was actually the reason we came to G&B in the first place (I had read a review elsewhere that mentioned it). My companion and I started with the clam chowder. On ordering, we specifically asked if it was a New England (cream-based) chowder. We were told that it was, but...yeah...not so much. It was...tan, I guess. So not New England and not exactly Manhattan (tomato-based), either. I don't know whether there was cheese in it or what, but the broth had "broken," so it was sort of gritty. And the vegetables (onions, carrots, and a ridiculous amount of celery) were cut in large chunks, instead of a nice, manageable dice. I also didn't notice any clams. Not exactly a hit - and it made me a trifle concerned about what our entrees would be like. I needn't have worried. My companion ordered the G&B burger - with an upcharge for cheddar (instead of American) and bacon. Wow - delicious. Perfectly cooked (both burger and bacon) and wonderfully juicy. It came with a side of cole slaw. Slightly creamy, but definitely more of a vinegar-based slaw. My guy was less enthused about this than I (he's definitely a creamy cole slaw man). I thought it had a nice tang. We had a side of fries and they were great. Perfectly brown and very flavorful. Now...the smelt. First, the portion is very generous. Plenty for sharing if ordered as an app, more than enough for a meal if you're eating it by yourself. The batter is light and nicely seasoned. This is a must for smelt, because the small fish can be easily overwhelmed by too much batter or breading. On the side, both cocktail sauce (with a pronounced hit of horseradish - yum) and what I would characterize as a tartar "dressing." Same flavors as tartar sauce, but with the consistency of ranch dressing. Again, very nice for smelt - much easier for dipping. The decor is charming - sort of east coast boat house with a side of industrial. We were lucky to be there at a later lunch time - we were able to park right on Monroe and didn't have to hunt for a space on a side street. I can imagine the parking situation is tougher in the evening - especially in winter. Please, G&B - keep the smelt on the menu. I want to come back for more! read more

Always a delight to eat here. I've had brunch , the fish fry and dinner. Great service , quality food.

Love this place! I was in town visiting family and per my cousin, this place was amazing, and we had to go here while I was in Madison. Conveniently it is located maybe a minute away from their house. The atmosphere here is so homey, yet cool and modern. We ended up getting seated right away, and got a table along the back. Our waiter was fantastic, and very knowledgeable about the menu, and had made a few suggestions. I ended up getting a Fried Cod Sandwich, a beer, and a shared appetizer of Cheese Curds (Because I definitely missed them since I can find them NO WHERE in Michigan.) The Sandwich was fantastic, the Cod was cooked to perfection and very yummy. Can't wait to come back out to Madison and try it again! read more

Came here for brunch with a few friends. We were there mostly to watch the Man U game but ended up eating too. The space is very cool-the type that makes you feel like you are a million miles away. They achieve that costal Atlantic feeling well. And major bonus points for having the EPL on most of the TVs :) we sat at the bar and had wonderful, friendly service by the bartender. The brunch special was biscuits and gravy. I'm a total sucker for this dish and was a little worried when the bartender mentioned Italian sausage. The dish was not the typical southern sausage gravy but was excellent nonetheless. The biscuits were a bit denser than I normally prefer but still very good. It comes with eggs but I was allowed to substitute the white cheddar grits for no charge. My friend swapped the eggs for toast. It also comes with a huge "side" salad. The greens were very fresh and came dressed in a nice light vinaigrette which had a pleasant uniqueness to it. The other dish ordered by our party was the shrimp cake benedict which also came with the same side salad. My friend thoroughly enjoyed it. Portions all around were large and could easily be split. They have a short list of breakfast cocktails, all of which sounded delicious. I opted for the Salty Dog which was tempting given the fresh grapefruit juice promise. It did not disappoint. Hooray hooray for brunch where all the paths meet! read more

Gates & Brovi - Italian sausage biscuits and gravy. Huge side salad. Delish white cheddar grits. - New American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

See all

What I love about this place is how they nail the basics. The kids chicken tenders are the best tenders I've ever had. The pancakes, the sausage...it's clear they make everything from scratch or source from unique, local providers. Much respect and a great meal! read more

I really had high hopes about this place. It looks nice from the outside. The space inside was very open, high ceilings, lots of light from the windows. The waitstaff was friendly and helpful. However: The parking situation is a nightmare. No parking lot. If you go at about 5:00-5:30 like we did, good luck. We had to park 2 blocks away. It is mind-boggling to me that the city zoning board would approve this place without parking. Then there is the food. I ordered New England Clam Chowder. Well, there were clams, but the broth was thin, and there were all these vegetables that made it taste more like minestrone. Why would somebody do this? Reminds me of people who make guacamole with about three cloves of garlic and bury any avocado taste. So then I ordered their slow-roasted roast beef sandwich. Same kind of deal, there was so much other stuff in there I was not sure I wasn't eating a Muffaletta sandwich. If I wanted that I would not have ordered roast beef. Last but not least, almost all the seats were wooden. Not all that comfortable. I don't feel good about rating this new place so low, but damn, they sure did not impress. read more