It has been several years since we visited Heritage. We went with another couple. I ordered the Red Snapper which was disappointing but I probably should not have ordered it. It comes as a whole fish and customers have to take meat off the whole fish (that is looking at you). I think I had bones in every bite, so that was not pleasant. My wife had the Bouillabaisse which was Ok. For 4 people, the bill plus tip came to $350 which I thought was a bit steep for this place. read more

They deleted my spicy Google review, so here I am! (Sounds like they're not used to spice.) I went on June 26th, 2021. Food was limp, weeping unflavored grease. The appetizer of pork belly squirted excess oil into my mouth as I bit it. Squirted! Fries were soft, brown like aging fryer oil, and needed salt or pepper. I was disappointed that a restaurant with such a great reputation would put out something as simple as fries in this state. Even the salad was bland in an oily way. It was supposed to be dressed with a vinaigrette, but I don't think there was a single acidic component there. Nothing to balance the oil. I ate it anyway, just to get some leafy green relief after the squirting pork belly. The burger plopped a dark red drop onto my plate as I cut it. No big deal when you've ordered a medium rare patty, but the myoglobin droplet was suspended in a blob of clear grease. I gazed upon it for a second, admiring how the grease blob wholly and softly encased the juice like the nucleus of an animal cell. The first bite was cloyingly sweet. I dissected the burger and found the source of the sweetness: more pork belly! I appreciated the quality of the ingredients, and the charcuterie board was really nice. That's something I would get again. I respected the enthusiasm that the staff had for the flavors and individual components of the dishes that they were trying to present. But the meal was overwhelmingly unbalanced in a greasy way. So much fat, yet so little flavor. I just wanted a wedge of lemon somewhere in there. If you decide to visit, have your antacids ready. read more

Only 4 stars because for me 5 stars means it a life changing experience. We were there tonight after a long COVID absence and the place was packed. Service was friendly and attentive and the drinks and food were fantastic. Two of us had the walleye, another the bouillabaisse and another the steak and short rib. It's so nice to go out and be treated to dishes conceived with a great culinary imagination and perfectly prepared. read more

Oh, How i love this place. A great restaurant experience: so cozy, great service, and terrific food. At Christmastime, their buche noel is a surefire delight. I go here twice a year, and fall in love a bit further each time. My only complaint is the decibel level --it's loud!! --but maybe it's just the sound of so much shared joy and pleasure! read more

I was in Madison, WI for a business meeting and was looking for something close to the hotel, but still a nice dining experience. Heritage Tavern was just around the corner. The ambiance was rustic and a bit dark. Not too much, but the combination of the dim lighting and the dark wood furniture probably made it look darker than it actually was. It definitely felt like a tavern...very comfortable and casual. Since it was a Monday night, it wasn't busy at all and I was seated immediately. The waitress came by fairly quickly and took a drink order. My cocktail was exactly the way I wanted it...big plus there. Looking at the menu, there were a lot of locally sourced, interesting looking dishes. I finally settled on the Heritage Pork Schnitzel with a Boudin Blanc sausage. The dish included a wonderful spatzle that might have been flavored with a touch of sour cream. There was also a wonderful braised red cabbage as well. The Pork Schnitzel was perfectly crunchy on the outside while moist and flavorful on the inside. In my experience, it is tough to find the right balance. This chef found it and then some. Also, the spatzle was delish. Eat it with a little bit of the cabbage for the perfect bite. While they didn't really have small salads on the main menu, the Bar menu had a Market salad with carrots, radishes, lemon vinaigrette and house made potato chips over a nice bed of mixed greens. I wasn't sure about the chips at first, but it really works. It added a little bit of crunch and salt which was very satisfying. After dinner, I almost went for the Chocolate and Espresso Opera Cake, but since it was getting late and I am sensitive to caffeine, I opted for a glass of Amaro instead. No fault of the restaurant, I just didn't want to have trouble sleeping. All in all, the service was good and food was delicious and very reasonably priced. I would definitely return if I were in Madison again. read more

Heritage Tavern - Heritage Pork Schnitzel - New American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Great food and great service. Definitely go to this place for brunch! You won't be disappointed.

Do you know the feeling where you are tasting something so good that you have to close your eyes and silently cheer? That's how I felt tonight at Heritage - everything I ate was delicious and thoughtful. Heritage knows what they are doing. We started with two apps - tempura bacon wrapped cheese curds and a pork pierogi dish. Phenomenal. Cheese curds were the best I've had in Wisconsin (so...the world). Why aren't they listed as Madison's best? According to our server, this is because they include bacon which typically rules them out of the running ("not pure"). But, this isn't any slab of bacon carelessly thrown on - this is a thin, melt-in-your-mouth, rich touch of bacon that is absolutely perfect. Came with three completely different sauces that were all magical in their own way. The pierogi was served in a clear broth that was packed with flavor and was an unexpected delight on a cold December evening - every element was elevated yet familiar. Then, we shared the grilled beef strip loin which was tender and could be dipped in a magical sauce, with friend broccoli, puréed sweet potatoes, and greens. Bravo. Ended our meal with caramel profiteroles that were perfection. (Perfection is the theme of this review. Sitting at the bar is lovely and you can get full service AND a bar menu of more low-key fare. Bartenders know what they're doing and there's a constant rotation of new cocktails. Great location to celebrate a birthday, have a classy happy hour, or brunch! Highly recommend Heritage! read more

Heritage Tavern - Caramel profiteroles - New American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Not worth the wait. Pure chaos inside. They claim it's because they are busy but I encounter really long waits on several visits. Seems like an operational issue on their part. read more

Wow. What happened? We were sat around 5:30. Our waitress asked if we had any time commitments (I guess there was a concert that evening nearby). Nope, we were just there for dinner. What a mistake! As a table of two we waited an hour for our food after we ordered. She checked in after 30 min to say our food was on the way then never made an appearance again. Tables around us had ordered after us and were already done (or nearly done as they said they were going to the concert) when our food finally arrived. (So I don't believe it was a staffing issue.) We were sat right next to people so chose not to ruin their evening by complaining. Food was just ok. Not the flavor and quality we have had in the past. As a former waitress, I know stuff happens but communicate and make it right - at least offer us some bread, a drink, an appetizer, send the manager over, discount our meal or SOMETHING, anything! Nothing was done or said. I typically tip 25%, left a 15% tip (as we don't know who was to blame) and went on our way. We will not be returning. read more

Great service and I love the atmosphere. Delicious food. The deviled eggs appetizer are interesting and yummy.

Amazing Food and staff!! Great Chefs! Someone gave us a gift certificate for here and we definitely will be back again! Well done! read more

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Belated post from last fall but delicious as always! I had a cold soup, salmon carpaccio and beef tenderloin with crispy potatoes. Yum read more

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We have loved Heritage since the beginning. Great staff who see their work as a way of life, and it shows in everything from the atmosphere to how the food is handled and right down to presentation and taste. Waitstaff remember you--last night ours remembered that we brought our daughter in for her 13th birthday last month. He even recalled what she had ordered. Fine selection of beers, creative mixed drinks, and really more than just a meal. It's a celebration of food from the earth it came from and on up. Good stuff! read more

Heritage Tavern - 2017 restaurant week menu - New American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

We've eaten here several times. Chef Fox never disappoints. Amazing atmosphere. Incredible drinks. Exceptional food. It is by far our favorite restaurant/dining experience in Madison! read more

Best meal I've had in a long time. I'm writing this review months later because I'm still thinking of it. Expensive, yes. But so worth it for a special occasion. read more

This restaurant was pretty good. The beer and food were delicious. The ambiance provided a great atmosphere for a fun chat with coworkers and friends. Our server was really nice and friendly. read more

Wow!!!.... there isn't one thing I can knock this place for. As a matter of fact there isn't a thing here I didn't find amazing. Let's start with decor and ambience, it's just comfortable, and pretty cool to boot! I loved the jazz hip hop instrumentals playing the whole time. It was just my thing I guess. 2nd the service was top notch. I love it when the whole staff works as one. I had a server but I was equally taken care of the whole time by four others as well. They were pretty dang flawless. And the food! It was just incredible. I ordered a couple of small plates, the bacon wrapped tempura fried cheese curds. And that sounds like it might be a heart attack but they were delicious clean and light. I also ordered a small plate with veal I can't find the actual name online now but it was just delicious. Go if: You're in Madison Don't go if: Your a crazy person. Or I guess if you are on a budget...... But it's worth it. read more

Heritage Tavern - New American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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The food was amazing even though it was restaurant week. The setting and feel of the restaurant is modern yet cozy and doesn't feel pretentious. The waitress was kind, attentive, and quick, will be going back. read more

earned 5 stars again. Sat at bar. I give very few. This place exudes chef caring food and hand crafted drinks. It's in Madison so the scene is muted. Even better as I travel to many large cities that have great venues over run. Tonight they had lions mane mushrooms with spinach. It was Devine. I also had head cheese and fresh cherry tomatoes. It's the end of the season in WI. Their drinks are inventive and the dessert was great. A deconstructed brandy (it is Wisconsin) Alexander. I'll bring a group back tomorrow evening. A consistent performer. read more

Heritage Tavern - New American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Going to eat at the Heritage Tavern is not just dinner it's an event. Service could not have been better with well timed spacing between the shared plates,we had 4 small and 1 large plate . Grilled octopus Crispy headcheese and escargot Assorted devilled eggs Bacon wrapped cheese curds Chilli rubbed black Angus striploin Hey there are a lot of tastes going on here!! I think I actually liked the assorted devilled eggs best! The cocktail's before the event were excellent. Next time it's cocktail's, eggs and dessert. read more

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Came here for Valentine's Day dinner, pre-fix 4 course meal at $90 per person. We had a late reservation (8:30 P.M.) but they were running behind and we weren't seated until well after 9 P.M. Understandably so, but I couldn't help but feel they overbooked the place, as there was barely and seating available at the bar either. It took about 15 minutes before someone could take our orders and we were starving by this time. We ordered the beef kitfo and escolar second courses, seared duck and bass entrees, and apple terrine and almond currant tart for dessert. An hour after we had scheduled our reservation, our first course arrived. It was hands down the highlight of the evening and made me excited for the rest of the meal. My favorites were the mushroom toast and escargot toast, both were delicious. The croque madame was tasty and adorable with a little quail egg poached on top and you cannot go wrong with a fresh oyster. I had mixed feelings about the caramel and salted macadamia nut foie gras profiterole: sometimes simple is better. From there, the dishes were more disappointing. The beef kitfo was pleasant and I enjoyed the mixture of spices involved, and the escolar was decent. We were really disappointed in our entrees though. The seared duck was extremely tough and would barely cut with a knife. There flavor was comparable to Asian style bbq roasted duck, which was not too exciting considering it was just one piece of breast meat splayed out. We were really disappointed in the duck foie gras. The tiny piece of foie gras, no bigger than half my pinky nail, was wrapped in cabbage and the whole thing tasted boiled and mushy. We felt the sweet potato cake was inventive but fell short in taste for us, a common theme of the night. The bass was the better dish of the two, no complaints but no wow factor/would not necessarily come back for it. Finally, our desserts came and they were also alright. I appreciated that they were not too sweet, but felt that a classic take would have satisfied us more. I wish that the tart came with some ice cream like the terrine did, to cut the texture of the dessert. The apple terrine was decent with the buttermilk ice cream, but by itself, the texture was also off-putting and dry. I understand that maybe because it's Valentine's Day and they're busy, service is not as attentive as usual, but I also felt that we were never asked how our food tasted/checked in on. At the end of the day, I felt that all of the food, while trying to be inventive and incorporating fun ingredients and multi-cultural fusion, fell short for me. Especially in Madison, where New American restaurants are around every corner, I'll take my $200+ for two elsewhere and be more satisfied. I really wanted to like this place especially because it was Valentine's Day, and maybe it was just a busy evening, but I felt my entire experience was subpar. read more

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Absolutely incredible food. Delicious and beautifully plated. The staff was super friendly and low key, creating a fun vibe for an upscale restaurant. Best dining experience I've had in Madison by far. read more

Wow!!! We were in town from Orange County, ca and we would put this food up against any from back home. Very impressed! Get the foie gras chicken liver mousse. Make sure to talk to Phe at the front, they turned our great meal into a one of a kind experience. Compliments to the chef! read more

Heritage Tavern - Incredible dessert duo - New American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Still my favorite in Madison. Check out the pics!! Lovely dinner with my team and they truly enjoyed the great food and awesome service. See you in 3 weeks again!! read more

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The category of Gastropub does not give this place this the justice it deserves. Food was excellent. Fresh made ketchup. All fresh made sauces. Great happy hour. Unique deviled eggs. Everything was excellent. read more

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Great place for brunch. We came here on a Saturday morning as a "pit stop" for our Farmer's Market activities. First thing I noticed is a very clean and well put together atmosphere. Second I noticed the unique items on the brunch menu. Items such as the poached egg that gets soaked for 10 minutes then flash fried with a crust that was crisp but still kept the egg soft and runny! Wowzers. Nice touch chefs! I ordered the savory/sweet french toast with duck sausage and poached eggs benedict. It was really scrumptious and I enjoyed it down to the last bite! Heritage gives a generous portion of food and we all left full. I am most interested in eating dinner here one of these days. With the breakfast passing the test I would enjoy seeing how they do dinner. The Madison food scene in general is intriguing to me. It's a great place to extend from the Milwaukee food scene! Also of note was a extremely scrumptious bloody mary! As I'm new to liking Bloody Mary's I've tried more than my share. My tastebuds have finally caught up and I am enjoying the plethora of Bloody Mary's Wisconsin has to offer. This one had great toppings and a nice bit of heat to complement a well tasting and seasoned Bloody! Love that! read more

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My husband and I really enjoyed brunch at the Heritage Tavern this past Saturday. We had a side order of the maple croissant and the ham and cinnamon bun and asked for those to be brought out first. Both were delicious but the croissant was my favorite. The cinnamon bun was a bit too sweet for my taste with all the icing, and it didn't have enough ham. But my husband enjoyed it! I got the whitefish/crab/bacon cake with a fried egg on top of it and loved it. But my husband's lamb sausage dish was even better. The sausages were sweet but left a spicy aftertaste which was amazing. I stole two of them from his plate . Both dishes came with a salad with buttercream, which I liked a lot! I'm not really big on salad dressings. But this was light yet flavorful and I enjoyed it a lot! read more

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Amazing charcuterie board and delicious cocktails. Had a rose mocktail too and that was also fantastic!

I can't say enough good about chef Dan and his staff! The food was indeed James beard worthy as advertised! Perfection, attention to detail and flavor profiles that match one another who could ask for more? Oh and did I mention his plating? Perfect. My pork schnitzel was cooked exactly as it should be , tender and crisp. Placed on top of the spaetzle that was tender and flavorful. His risotto made my husband want more and he hates fresh peas! I can't recommend this place enough. If I am ever in Madison again I will be at this restaurant, guaranteed! if you live within 100 miles get there it is worth it! Please comment and follow me for more reviews! I would love to have you! read more

Heritage Tavern - We are the whole thing! Crab cake fish and lobster bisque! The ceviche was sooooi good! - New American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

If you haven't tried - you most go! I'm writing this review a couple weeks after the meal so I honestly can't remember the specific items I ordered. However, I keep thinking about going back and eating there again (like a dream)! In full disclosure, I had just road my bike from Milwaukee to Madison, so I was a little hungry, but the meal was 100% satisfying and service was excellent! read more

We enjoyed a pre-fixe menu for graduation and it was all delicious! The pork trio was amazing (the sour cream spaetzle was sooo good!) and everyone loved the beef duo. The desserts were fantastic. Excellent service, intentional health and safety measures in place, and everyone was very welcoming. Can't wait to come back again! read more

A memorable experience of unique cuisine, coupled with great service and a welcoming atmosphere. The quality of ingredients and attention to detail was notable in all of the dishes served. It will be difficult to find another restaurant with similar offerings elsewhere. We shared the Dozen Assorted Deviled Eggs, which included Asian-inspired flavors like an one egg prepared in soy sauce with green onion, an egg with wasabi caviar and fish, and the egg with truffle. All of them were packed an explosion different flavors to experience. The egg in soy sauce tasted a bit salty for me (Asian cuisine also prepares eggs in soy sauce, with a more subdued taste). They were worthwhile to try and share, though the flavors may not suit everyone's palette. My entree was the bouillabaisse, a southern French stew with seafood, containing market fish and shellfish, fingerling potato, roasted fennel, tomato and shellfish broth, garlic sabayon. The flavors were notable with each prepared element of the dish and different seafood. Our waitress was prompt and the service was prompt. The restaurant is laid back and quieter, allowing for a comfortable, and unique dining experience with the restaurant's unique finishes to their entrées. Those who have a preference towards the traditional may not find the twists as enjoyable, but Heritage Tavern will fit the bill for others who enjoy something new. read more

Heritage Tavern - Bouillabaisse, French seafood stew (market fish & shellfish, fingerling potato, roasted fennel, tomato and shellfish broth, garlic sabayon) - New American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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I never considered dining here until a friend suggested it for restaurant week--Mainly because I feel their menu is typically not very vegetarian friendly. However, for restaurant week they had a vegetarian option, so I decided to give it a try. I arrived first out of our party of 4 on a Monday night. They were packed, but the host was friendly and offered to take my coat, before sitting me at a booth. While waiting for the rest of my party, I hooked up to their free wifi and enjoyed looking over the drink menu and the cool art on their walls. I ended up getting the cheese plate (no meat), curried winter squash, and the caramel desert. Their whiskey old fashioned press was spot on, and the curried winter squash was quite possibly the best vegetarian meal I have ever had. The lemongrass pearl couscous, spaghetti squash walnut cake, and turmeric coated squash was a combination straight from heaven. The food was seriously so good, that I came back with my fiance on Friday as well. The decor was intimate yet lively. The restaurant is separated into two sections. There is a bar section with tables when you first walk in, and an elevated section in the back of the restaurant. We sat in the back section both times, and I loved the vibe of our booth that was tucked into the wall. I also appreciate that the restaurant and bar is TV free. (Yes, you actually have to talk to the people you are dining out with!) There are two small bathrooms in the back corner of the restaurant, both gender neutral, and with a lovely scented candle burning. Service was excellent and the staff was helpful with suggestions. Such a great place to meet friends out, or to have an intimate dinner with your partner. Will definitely be back! read more

Heritage Tavern - New American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Outstanding experience. The wine and cocktails paired well with our apps and meal. The old fashioned was the best. Our meal was a highlight of our year. The staff is welcoming and highly experienced. I ordered a braised wrapped beef short rib shank and grits. The dish was amazing. Five of us shared two desserts. I am looking forward to coming back. read more

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Outstanding food and service. Atmosphere is really cozy and a great place to take your significant other!!!

This is a fantastic brunch place if you're willing to spend a little more. I promise it's worth it! We stopped in on a Saturday after the farmers market around 11, and had no issue getting a table. They have a champagne cocktail of the day (which we tried and loved) in lieu of mimosas, but also mainstays like bloodies and brews. I went for the burger which was juicy Lucy style and really high quality in terms of ingredients, and cooked perfectly! My bf had the fried chicken Benedict special ugh so yum. We split a half order of the parm frites which as you can see was definitely enough for two (shoutout to our waiter who assured me half would be plenty). The frites were PERFECT golden and crisp and salty. They came with aioli and a homemade ketchup that I wish was a little sweeter (sry I'm not refined... gimme Heinz). We will def be back read more

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Good food, very good service, great atmosphere. Worth a try. Been here a few times and have enjoyed each time.

Special place with special food almost feel like you're in New York. Take some friends with you because it's a little loud and everybody's having such a good time so you want to be a part of it, so it's not a place for quiet wine and conversation. Blast off with the Entrées and have a great time. You walk out feeling fine! read more

One of our favorite places downtown. Inventive dishes and great staff. Ambiance is also very nice. Would recommend the cocktails! Only giving it 4 stars because last time we went in they were sold out of 2-3 things that we really wanted to try read more

Went on Mothers Day for the first time and was very enjoyable, relaxing and great food! Definitely will be returning.